SSEAYP: A Journey of Hope

UNDER a canopy of stars, we set foot in Port Kelang on November 8, 2005 where the M/V Nippon Maru, our home for the next 42 days, majestically proclaimed its presence. The plane ride to Malaysia was fairly stable and our sleek suits definitely helped us travel with dignity. With wide smiles and staggering heartbeats, we slowly ascended the gangplank's metal steps to one of the ship's second floor entrances. And the journey officially began...

For countless reasons, past delegates would say that the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program is life-changing. So intense is the program's euphoric effect on a delegate that an "ex-PY" (ex-participating youth) would never run out of stories to tell about the colorful experiences it brings. Unarguably so, not all is given the chance to take a cruise in an eight-story luxury ship to six countries for free.

Yet travel is but the tip of the iceberg. The beauty of SSEAYP is revealed in interacting with youth leaders from ASEAN and Japan, in experiencing and embracing their culture, and in the pride of representing the country as goodwill ambassadors.

For its 32nd year last year, the program's official courier Nippon Maru journeyed to Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei Darrussalam, Philippines, and Japan. A brainchild of the Japanese government, SSEAYP is aimed to bring together youths from ASEAN and Japan to participate in activities that would foster better understanding and friendship among the participating nations.

I had the good fortune of being selected to be among 28 other youth leaders to represent the Philippines. We were chosen by the National Youth Commission through a screening process that yielded only one male and one female representative for each of the country's 16 regions. Our batch name, PAGLAUM, a Visayan term for hope, stands for PAGLAlakbay tungo sa UMaga or journey towards a prosperous tomorrow.

What remains a misconception is that SSEAYP is exclusive for the intellectually gifted. While the brain counts, the program is for anyone between 18 to 30 years old who is armed with a stable disposition, love for country, and the sincere willingness to reach out to others. And yes, since Filipinos are world-renowned for performing, inclination to the arts is a plus factor.

On board Nippon Maru, equality and honor are of immense value. Certain rules defined order in the ship but all 320 participating youths and 11 national leaders tasted the same food, rose together with the sun, and share the same opportunity to showcase their identity.

Activities were lined-up to exhaust an entire day, thus delegates always looked forward to frolic at the Dolphin Hall during a National Day Presentation where the culture of a participating country is showcased through musical performances. Cultural immersion also occurred when the ship docked in a country and delegates stayed home with foster families for three days.

From sunrise to sundown, ideas and opinions abound whether in informal exchanges during mealtime or in the Discussion Group Program that tackled issues on international relations, environment, information, youth development activity in the community, volunteer activities, school education, traditional culture, and inter-cultural understanding.

The better part in SSEAYP was that learning was synonymous to fun. The second half of the journey beckoned the child in every delegate during solidarity group activities where friendship was made stronger in games and recreation. Delegates hopped from one contingent to another to experience other facets of a country's culture-from the soothing Thai massage and Indonesian spa to the energy-filled dance lessons of the Philippines and judo exhibitions of Japan...the choices were exhilarating.

And how could one extend the fun? Options came in handy like exchanging national costumes during dinner receptions, late-night noodle and beer parties at the midship bar, soaking in the pool during cruising days, belting one's heart out at the piano bar, or by simply hibernating in the cabin with a good movie.

Truly, SSEAYP was a taste of the good life. But life was good on board Nippon Maru because the ship's passengers chose to live it that way. Conflicts could have been easily hatched in an environment of religious and cultural differences but the delegates embraced similarities rather than dwell on differences, therefore achieving an atmosphere of harmonious coexistence. It was only a matter of choice.

Later this year, Nippon Maru will sail again, painting the blue seas with its magnificent splendor with new passengers and with a new travel itinerary. But one thing will remain the same - Nippon Maru will be a living testament that an open heart and an open mind can truly conquer boundaries.