YouLeaD 2019: God, Nature, and People
Nathalie Y. Avila

The Youth Leaders in the Diaspora (YouLead) is a Philippine cultural immersion program founded by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) created for the Filipino youth who were born or migrated at an early age away from their home country. It is annually conducted in the Philippines with its participants chosen from students of Philippine Schools overseas, and is usually being held in the month of June. Each year offers a variety of activities that are tailored to the participants’ needs in hopes of developing competent youth ambassadors that will protect and represent the state. It aims to aid its participants in becoming better people, citizens, and future leaders of the next generation.

Applying to be a prospective participant was arduous. Their application forms demanded to unveil who we were as a person rather than implying mundane standards to determine us and our probability of being selected. Filling out each blank took profusely longer than anyone would have ever expected. However, in the end, it was worth it. The experience is exceptionally unprecedented together with the transformative realizations which have changed me and the other fifteen participants. Six days might not seem like much, although it is worth noting that the essence and prolificity of those days are what matters; thus the amount of time allocated for it should be given of less intrinsic value.
Our YouLead journey commenced on the 24th of June. I was delighted, bewildered, and scared all at the same time. Eyes evinced what seemed to be diffidentness and nervousness paved way to the uneasiness that dominated the very first of our gatherings. My heart raced from the fact that there were sixteen of us. As the days passed, those strangers soon became my family. Whoever presumed that I would have such a difficult time in parting ways with them on the last day? No one did. Later, I soon came to notice that I felt that I belong. Diversity became more of an asset as we contributed what was necessary to achieve our shared goal. That was when it hit me; it has always been attainable for us to have a unified world, but the problem was that not everyone considered that their desideratum in life. Hence, we bereft of the right to condemn them: derelicts, criminals, murderers, and all those who have fallen to sin due to ignorance, temptation, and greed.

“Disconnect to connect – welcome to your home away from home!” I can never forget those two days of my life at Antipolo’s Mount Purro Nature Reserve (MPNR). We were able to convene and have a discussion with the founder of MPNR. Mr. Toto Malvar’s words will evermore remain in my heart. During our gathering, he stood up and asked us, “Dear children, would you mind telling me the meaning of GNP?” Chorally, we responded, “Gross National Product.” He then replied with yet another question, “What is the GNP for?” Flamboyantly, someone raised his hand and answered, “Sir, it is an indicator of a country’s economic status. As far as I can remember from our previous lessons, it is the total market value of all the products and services made by the citizens of a country, including immigrants.” Mr. Malvar smiled and slightly tilted his head, “Well… you are not wrong, but let me tell you this. The true measurement of progress and development lies not within those numbers. GNP was meant to stand for God, nature, and people – only when these three become one then we will witness legitimate and everlasting peace and happiness. If you want to save Mother Nature than you have to look after of the people first; for as long as they are hungry and thirsty, their eyes will remain blind.”

It has always been innate for me to be fond of being a steward of God’s creations. I always sought out ways to be able to help in the preservation of the environment. Even though it is indubitable that destruction is much more prominent than creation in the contemporary world, I continue to hope for the restoration of God’s pulchritudinous masterpieces. Ironically, global warming and pollution is not the reason behind every catastrophic disaster that humanity is facing. We have ourselves guilty of taking away our own lives – and no; it’s never too late. As long as the sun still rises and the stars remain twinkling in their respective places in the heavens, there will always be hope. We have to start with ourselves. One person’s work may not seem like much but to the universe, it means a lot. Remember that as you take care of yourself, those around you, and Mother Nature – you are ensuring your future.

That entire week in itself could be a bildungsroman at its finest. I was fortunate to be granted the chance to appreciate my Filipino origin and roots. My identity and pride in being a Filipino is a declaration that my voice now desires to resonate with clarion. From the seminars, leadership workshops, museum tours, and Corregidor visit to the mountain hiking, tree planting, and river trekking; altogether, these provided for a fecund vacation. Regardless, these activities are not what makes the YouLead experience phenomenal. None of this would have been successful without the effort of the people who ventured the unknown and dared to turn what was once a dream into reality. Their blood, sweat, and tears are never in vain. The places we visited may fade over time, but the memories and lessons will always be a part of who I am and who I am yet to become. I may forget the names of the people who let themselves be an instrument of God but my voice will continue to share the impact that their efforts and actions have made into my life. The program indeed exceeded our expectations and has faithfully fulfilled the purpose of its existence.