Ship for Southeast-Asian-Youth Program marks 42nd anniversary
Forty-two years ago, a 30-member Philippine youth delegation flew to Singapore where they hopped aboard the Japanese goodwill vessel Nippon Maru, little knowing they were embarking on a journey that would change their lives. In Singapore, they joined their counterparts from ASEAN countries Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and host country Japan, for a twomonth-long exchange program, dubbed Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP). Across the high seas, in good and not-so-good weather, the trusty Nippon
Maru, ably steered by the amiable and lovable Captain Yuba, ferried 180 dreamy-eyed and enthusiastic youths, along with the six national leaders (with the Philippine delegation headed by Col. Honesto Isleta who was well loved as he served as both father and mother to the Pinoy youths) from the participating countries.
Having been chosen after grueling screening by the Office of the President’s then Presidential Management Staff (headed by Executive Secretary Ramon Cardenas, fondly and simply called “Eki” by the delegates) and now proudly playing their role as ambassadors of goodwill, the youths visited the five ASEAN countries and Japan, where various activities and discussions were held, with the aim of fostering friendship and understanding among these future leaders of their countries.
And the PYAESS (SSEAYP spelled backwards) spirit lives on because as the inspiring Nippon Maru anthem, written by Filipino youth leader Kytt Mier, goes: “The world’s but a home and all peoples a family.” This year, SSEAYP ’75 marks its 42nd anniversary with a reunion in the Philippines on Sept. 19-22. This is the third reunion of this batch, with the 40th anniversary held in Chiang Mai and Chiang Dao District of Thailand. The 41st anniversary was held last year in Manado, Indonesia. The Philippine reunion will likewise be held outside the capital — in Region III (Pampanga and Zambales).
Gracing the event are Ramon “Eki” Cardenas, the moving spirit behind SSEAYP ’75, and General Honesto Isleta’s lovely widow, Tita Pat to the delegates.
The Philippine Reunion Committee is composed of Jerry Angping, chairman; Lita Manalastas Watanabe, overall project coordinator; Fumio Watanabe, Yukio Mizoguchi, Leah Florentino, Alan Ortiz, Mayu Munarriz, Tetch Canon Garcia, coordinators; and Joji Garcia, reunion program publisher.
There is always a must-have social responsibility activity during each reunion.
The Philippine reunion will include a visit to the first Catholic school in the Philippines founded by the laity, as well as the first Catholic co-educational high school, the Holy Angel University (HAU), in Angeles City. HAU officials, the faculty, and students will welcome the 45-strong delegation and then hold discussions on the theme “Building Bridges for Friendships for a Better World.” A visit to one of the oldest towns in the Philippines, Bacolor, to its San Guillermo church, will follow. The church was founded in 1576 by the Augustinian friars, in the same year that Bacolor was founded. San Guillermo Church was half-buried after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo on June 15, 1991. Afterwards, the fun begins — dancing and singing in the city of San Fernando, a visit to the Bird Park at JEST Camp in Subic, and a half-day of fun in the sun and the sea at Camayan Beach in Subic. But of course, the well-known Capampangan cooking will not disappoint throughout the Philippine reunion.
The Japanese hosts for the Sapporo reunion next year are already planning the next adventure for their fellow young once.