37th SSEAYP Journey: My baby steps

SSEAYP: Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program

2007, I was an exchange student in South Korea, taking up Korean studies, when a roommate shared with me her dream of joining SSEAYP. I did not realize why she is that thrilled to share with us about her dream until I checked it in the web and there, when I learned about the program, it was a love-at-first-sight-encounter, yes; I readily fell in love with it.

2008, I came home to the Philippines bringing that dream to apply for the program but I did not act on it yet. I have taken some career moves and was working in getting my old life back; a lot had changed since I left the country and I have to iron things out to gain stability.

2009, I landed the kind of job I have always hoped to have, the one inclined to helping the children and the youth. At the same time, I enrolled in law school thinking that one of the best ways to help people in the community is to know their rights.

2010, I claimed that it will be a great year for me. I took a concrete step to realize my SSEAYP dream. I guess when you think the time is right, you just heed on. I went through the application process, the nitty-gritty. Waiting for the result was something I never want to go through again. Truly, waiting for something and not knowing to do because everything else will be dependent on the result, is just so difficult to bear. That time, I was attending classes; my University through our Dean has been so supportive of this pursuit to the point that they just allowed me to attend classes even without enrolling until I would know the result.

I was 100% percent ready to succeed and equally ready to fail. Yes, I prepared for both scenarios; best and worst. I have learned much from waiting; after all it is more than a wait. It was more like a very enriching experience that honed me to become a better person.

And I am very much relieved upon knowing that I made it. Indeed, the waiting proved to pay off. I cannot thank God for bringing me a step closer to that once seemingly distant dream. I am elated to know that it is finally within reach.

I and the other 27 youths representing all the regions of the country, and our National Leader, have finally met during the scheduled 10-day Pre-Departure Training (PDT) in Manila. I cannot contain the bliss I feel meeting such great people! Funny thing was, upon learning what everyone is doing in their respective communities or organizations, the things they have initiated and accomplished, I then questioned myself why I was there. I truly admire my kabagis and our Mommy Jing.

The PDT gave a clear idea on what to expect and what to do during the SSEAYP proper. Simulations and sharing of SSEAYP experiences, initiated by the PDT team together with the help of the PPY’s of Batch 2009, made it a lot easier for us to understand the beauty of the whole program.

On the PDT, I have refuted some of the things I have heard from others. Most of the people have this notion that SSEAYP is all about talent shows and tour. The program is too far to fall on those notions, for if it were, we need not go through the rigorous process of PDT and other steps there is to be a Philippine Participating Youth (PPY).

On a personal note, my experiences on PDT taught me to listen. For someone who talks a lot like me, listening is usually (though unconsciously) taken for granted. I have acknowledged that everyone in the group has something good to share and for me to hear that, I have to give way. I have learned the beauty of compromise that I have to sometimes bend to blend. Now more than ever, one has to act in consonance with the group, it is all about the team; the beauty of oneness shines the brightest.

My Pangkat Sulo (our Batch name), is all worth the sacrifices I have made and the opportunities I have let go. I can feel the warmth of love we all share. We draw inspiration from each other. That is why it was emotionally difficult for us to go back to our respective places after the PDT. On a lighter note, I went home with full of hope for a better Philippines because I have just met real people who strive to make a difference in their own concrete ways towards nation building. I feel blessed that I was affirmed, truly, we have all the reasons to look forward to a Philippines that we all deserve.

And the real challenge has just begun when we started to raise funds for our group. As I write now, I am still on the process of meeting my quota. I am very optimistic that I can raise the money needed but positivism isn’t enough at times. Going to LGUs and approaching private companies and individuals for the financial assistance is never easy. I sometimes want to cry out of frustration when upon reading my letter; decline is all in there for an answer. I even wonder why it is so difficult for the LGUs to give support for such a program like this. Questions started to flood me until I pacified myself by this thought: “Everything has to go through a process. You cannot get things in a snap.” This calls to mind the waiting-for-the-SSEAYP-result-scene; again the virtue of PATIENCE and PERSEVERANCE are impressed upon me.

I know it could have been made a lot easier for us BUT if it were, we will never see the beauty of this all. This is meant to bring out the best in us and I will not deprive myself of the learning I can get out of this.

The previous batches are our inspiration, they made it, no doubt we will too! This is just the start, quitting is never an option for us.

PANGKAT SULO, KEEP THE TORCH BURNING!

malou

08/28/10