YouLeaD: A Story of Coming Alive
Written by Alecxis Bianca Libang

Life is not meant to be experienced in a small safety bubble.

If anyone asked the me of last year if I would ever take the chance of applying for an immersion program to be conducted miles and miles away (not to mention, missing an entire week of school), I would probably have laughed and said “no.” Change, however, is ironically the only constant thing in the world.

I applied for the Youth Leaders in the Diaspora (YouLeaD) program on the very last day that they would be accepting applications. I had done so impulsively—not uncharacteristically—and without much thought, having only decided that day, immediately just going for it. After all, I never thought that I even had a sliver of a chance of being chosen.

The application form asked for the usual information—full name, home address, guardian’s name and contact details, email address—but at the very end, we were also asked what we thought it meant to be a Filipino living overseas. You see, the program was created specifically for kids like me, Filipinos who had been born overseas and practically lived all my life away from the motherland, so answering the question shouldn’t have been all too difficult. The real question was, how do I find the right words and weave them in a meaningful way? All the pondering eventually led to my fingers freely typing away on the keyboard, resulting in a rather abstract and figurative paragraph.

It would be a lie if I said that I wouldn’t have deeply regretted it if I hadn’t been chosen. When I saw my name on the photo that the YouLeaD page posted, my heart began hammering out of my chest. It was a chance of a lifetime. Although there were a few setbacks in the process of preparation, we eventually flew off.

Less than a week’s worth of the program equated to lifetime lessons and friendships. Within a short span of time, it felt like YouLeaD changed me in a way. They aimed to instill a sense of national pride, leadership, and altruism in us, and so they did, and magnificently, if I may say so. I had never been happier nor more connected to the Philippines than I did during the program.

Each second spent listening to the talks and workshops, as well as participating in the activities left a lasting mark on me, and I’m fairly certain that’s how the others felt too. The program not only emphasized the significance of our Filipino cultural heritage, but also the welfare of our environment and how we can make a change in our society, starting from the littlest of steps. Coming together with the desire of making a difference for the greater good, whether it may be regarding our countrymen or our environment, goes a long way.

Additionally, perhaps one of the best lessons acquired was building a feeling of empathy for our countrymen and appreciation for the rich and diverse cultures in the Philippines. As children of OFWs, we were given the opportunity to live and study abroad in a rather comfortable environment, and yet most of the time, we still ask for more. During our stay in Bataan, we got to meet a tribe of Aetas—absolutely wonderful people with peaceful lives and a deep connection with nature. They taught us something we’ve always heard but did not really apply—one does not need luxury, only contentment to be happy.

The richness of Philippine culture in both rural and urbanized regions of the country, volunteerism as a means of furthering a united goal for the welfare of the people and the environment, cooperation of youth leaders in taking small steps toward development, utilization of opportunities to take up a cause and inspire others to immerse themselves in the true meaning of being a Filipino, regardless of distance from the homeland—all these powerful lessons were compressed within a four-day immersion program, but we shall carry them with us for far longer.

To say that joining YouLeaD was the best decision I’ve ever made is an understatement. It helped me believe in myself and gain clarity on what I want to do in the future, as the experiences in the program are closely related to my desired line of work. It allowed me to make amazing memories and even more amazing friends that I will always treasure. It gave me the happiest moments of my life, while also being an educational experience. It’s an honor to say that within those days, I was able to truly live life to the fullest—something I cannot do if I stay in my comfort zone and refuse the chance to learn more. These experiences are something I’d like to tuck into my pocket and take with me as I grow.

So if someone asks you to take the chance of applying for an immersion program to be conducted miles and miles away, say “yes.” Here’s my call for my fellow students to also join the Youth Leaders in the Diaspora program, if the opportunity arises.