YouLeaD-PSO participants with the YouLeaD Secretariat, Assistant Secretary Victor del Rosario of the National Youth Commission (NYC), Director Marie Apattad and Secretary Francisco Acosta at the Philippine Information Agency Auditorium during the closing ceremonies.
The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) organized the Youth Leaders in the Diaspora-Philippine Schools Overseas (YouLeaD-PSO) 2019 from 24 to 29 June 2019 with the theme “Working Together Beyond Borders”.
Sixteen Filipino youth from the following PSOs in five (5) countries participated in the program:
1. Al Taj International School, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
2. International Philippine School in Al Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
3. International Migrants School, Italy
4. International Philippine School in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
5. New Kuwait Philippines International School, Kuwait
6. Philippine Cooperative Academy in Libya
7. Philippine School Oman
The six-day module was comprised of lectures and workshops on leadership, personal and cultural identity, solid waste management, and mind mapping. It also included an immersion with the Dumagat Tribe, seed planting, river trekking, mountain climbing, clean-up drive, and a tour in Corregidor Island.
The program is annually conducted with the students from the Philippine Schools Overseas during the month of June.
YouLeaD-PSO participants with the YouLeaD Secretariat, Mr. Darin Gatongay, and Ms. Erin Sinogba at the Commission on Filipinos Overseas during the opening ceremonies.
The program officially started on 24 June 2019 with the YouLeaD Secretariat introducing CFO and explaining the program, itinerary and house rules. It was followed by a talk on youth empowerment by Mr. Darin Gatongay, District Rotaract Representative of the Rotary International District 3780. He discussed about their organization pointing that they see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in communities, and within people.
Afterwards, the Local Chapter Leader of the Third Culture Kid (TCK) Philippines, Ms. Erin Sinogba, had a talk about the benefits and struggles of being a third culture kid. She also had a story sharing activities and interaction among peers.
The next day began in the Malacañan Palace for a guided tour to the Presidential Museum and Library. Participants had a chance to witness the wonderful history of Philippine politics and governance.
It was followed by another guided tour in the National Museum of Natural History where the participants explored the rich history of the natural sciences in the country. While the museum is all about science, participants were also amazed with the beautiful artworks in the form of botanical illustrations and paintings. A temporary exhibit on the pioneer naturalists of the Philippines showcases the botanical sketches of early naturalists – which are not only beautiful to look at, but integral to their scientific process.
YouLeaD participants with the Dumagat Tribe Chieftain in Mount Purro Nature Reserve, 26 June 2019
The participants visited the Mount Purro Nature Reserve (MPNR) for a two-night immersion with nature and an indigenous community. Participants were welcomed by the tour guides and workshop facilitators from Making a Difference (MAD) Travel, the partner of CFO in conducting the leadership training and immersion program.
Mr. Ralph Dionisio, the co-founder of MAD Travel, briefed the participants about the eco-park, discussed the indigenous tribes in the Philippines and introduced the mind map.
The participants then proceeded to meet the Dumagat Tribe and learn of their culture and history. The whole group were divided into groups to be able to interact and ask questions to the chieftain and elders of the tribe. They also experienced making fire without using lighter or matches and cooking food using bamboo pipes and leaves.
In between activities, the students were asked by facilitators to create mind maps on the topics of leadership, personal identity, and the image of the Philippines.
Next day, the participants got up early in the morning to climb Mount Purro and to commune with nature in the area. After a two-hour hike, the group reached Malvar’s Peak. They then trekked in a nearby river and had a clean-up drive collecting plastic bottles left by irresponsible tourists. Facilitators then introduced The Plastic Solution, a movement of repurposing plastic bottles by stuffing them with non-biodegradable waste. This involves Ecobricking, a simple, alternative filler in constructing walls, fences, benches and other structures. This is a practice that the participants can do on their own to lessen plastic waste in their schools and communities. They also enjoyed their free time swimming and sliding down the Bunsuran Falls.
After lunch, the students had a tree planting activity and seedling workshop within the reserve. The facilitators then conducted a workshop on Seed Nation, wherein the participants collected seeds from the dragonfruits they ate. Seed Nation collects seeds in the city and brings them to indigenous tribes and marginalized communities in the countryside as assistance for their food security, livelihood and climate change resistance.
The participants posed for a photo with their certificates and with MPNR founder and owner, Mr. Alberto Malvar
Before the participants’ departure from Mount Purro, they were able to meet and interact with the founder and owner of the reserve, Mr. Alberto “Toto” Malvar. He shared his passion for planting trees and the challenges he encountered while achieving his dreams. He also proved that his steadfast faith was essential in responding to God’s calling.
MAD Travel awarded Certificates of Cultural, Environmental and Community Sustainability Workshop signed by its co-founder Mr. Rafael Dionisio to the participants.
The participants reached Manila by noon and proceeded to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) for the closing ceremonies. The opening remarks was delivered by Assistant Secretary Victor del Rosario, Commissioner of the National Youth Commission (NYC) for Visayas while Dir. Marita del Rosario Apattad of CFO’s Project Management Division gave a message to the participants.
Talks on the role of youth in nation building and situation of youth volunteerism in the country were delivered by Ms. Ray Alyannah Ysabel Lagasca, the Vice President of the 12th National Youth Parliament and Dir. Severina Volante, Officer-in-Charge of the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), respectively.
Ms. Phoebe de Leon, a former YouLeaD PSO 2018 participant who is now a grade 11 Humanities and Social Sciences student at Ateneo de Manila University, gave an inspirational talk on how joining YouLeaD changed her life and transformed her as a Filipino youth. Representatives of the current participants, Mr. John Maverick Alviar and Ms. Nathalie Avila also gave their testimonies on their experiences and learnings during this year’s YouLeaD.
For the closing remarks, CFO Secretary Francisco Acosta expressed how proud he was for the participants and for the successful implementation of the program.
Although the program already closed, a mini interaction between the participants and five local youth leaders occurred during break. Representatives from the National Youth Parliament, Ako Barkadahan, Batang Negosyante and Sangguniang Kabataan answered inquiries from the participants and shared their passionate experiences in being involved in their communities and being a youth leader.
The last activity on the itinerary was a day tour on Corregidor Island where the participants were able to learn of the occurrences of the American occupation and World War II despite of the bad weather.