Filipino Students from Greece and Kuwait Participate in the Youth Leaders in the Diaspora Program
The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) successfully conducted the Youth Leaders in the Diaspora (YouLeaD) with nine students from Philippine schools overseas (PSO) from 18 to 22 June 2018. During the five-day module, the participants visited the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Enchanted Farm in Bulacan, immersed with a tribal community in San Felipe, Zambales and walked down memory lane in Intramuros, Manila.
The following are the names of the student leaders that participated:
| New Kuwait – Philippine International School (NKPIS) | Philippine School in Greece (PSG) |
| 1. Donn Emmanuel Ferrer | 1. Anthony Kier Carbonel |
| 2. Christianne Francisco | 2. Edgar David Barairo |
| 3. Phoebe Ysabelle de Leon | 3. Michelle Kyle Balba |
| 4. Nathanielle Trina Hombre | 4. Jonathan Cacatian |
| 5. Alfred Perez |
To formally start the YouLeaD implementation, CFO Undersecretary Astravel Pimentel-Naik welcomed the participants and thanked them for joining the program. Ms. Princess Mayumi Kaye Peralta then introduced CFO and the YouLeaD program to the attendees. Afterwards, Ms. Patricia Marie Salvador facilitated a getting-to-know activity which also involved the CFO staff.
The main part of the event was a lecture about third-culture kids (TCK) by Ms. Erin Sinogba, the local chapter leader and executive assistant of TCKids Philippines. TCKids Philippines is a branch organization of TCKid Navigating our World (NOW), a non-profit organization in the US whose mission is to increase and support the individual and general awareness of the TCK experience and unique gifts by facilitating connection and community engagement.
19 June (Day 2): Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm, Bulacan
On the second day of the YouLeaD program, the facilitators and the participants were initially shown a video introducing GK and different products they have produced. Two scholars of the School for Experiential and Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) Philippines shared their experiences as young people who gave up on their dreams because of their poor economic status.
Afterwards, the YouLeaD team underwent a half-day tour around the Farm, guided by JP, a volunteer and former beneficiary of a SEED scholarship. He led the group around GK’s facilities where he talked about the social entrepreneurship initiatives of GK as a way of uplifting various communities around the country. Such initiatives consist of sub-tasks within the lines of zero waste management, production of naturally grown food, and local manufacturing of Plush and Play Pinoy-inspired toys woven by women of the community.
20 June (Day 3): Yangil Village, San Felipe, Zambales
From the Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm in Angat, Bulacan, the YouLeaD team travelled to San Felipe, Zambales to immerse themselves in the life, culture and traditions of the Aeta community in Yangil Village. The team was guided by Ate Sophie Methler, a German national and one of the founders of Make a Difference (MAD) Travel.
After eating a scrumptious lunch prepared by the “titas” of the village, the YouLeaD team planted guyabano and atis seedlings – which in the long run, will be part of the community’s source of food, medicine and sustainable income. The team was able to plant more than 800 seeds in just an hour.
The YouLeaD team also donated more than 50 elementary books to the school children of the village, sponsored by F&J De Jesus, Inc. and C&E Publishing, Inc. The donated educational materials will be placed in the village’s small learning center.
As way to express their gratitude, the elders and children in the Yangil Village prepared song and dance numbers for the YouLeaD team. In return, the participants also performed a song and dance numbers.
Before the end of the day, the YouLeaD team had the chance to meet with the chieftain of all the 9 tribes in San Felipe, Chief Erese, who also prepared dinner for the team at his house.
June 21 (Day 4): Culminating Activity
After a tiring yet fulfilling trip the previous day, the participants were able to take a rest in their hostel in Zambales. The YouLeaD Secretariat prepared a simple culminating activity to get the insights and the feedback of the students on the program so far.
June 22 (Day 5): Bambike Tour, Intramuros
On the last day of the cultural immersion, the YouLeaD participants toured around the historical place of Intramuros by riding Bambikes (Bamboo Bikes). Bambikes are built within the framework of a sustainable community development project in partnership with Gawad Kalinga. While GK has provided the housing and infrastructure, Bambike provided full and part-time jobs with benefits. It was overall an eco-friendly and educational experience filled with fun bike-riding bloopers and knowledgeable lessons on the country’s historical facts.