Kwen's PhotoBlog (신은정)

October 26, 2011--After arriving at Narita Airport, we took a two-hour bus ride to New Otani Hotel, Tokyo. We had all day to go around Tokyo. It was indeed a very nice experience with the cold weather, bento, japanese food, and other stuffs.

At night, we had the opening ceremony as well as the inauguration ceremony which marks the official start of the program.

My very first Shinkansen (bullet train) ride!

It was a very nice experience riding the shinkansen with my newly found friend. I enjoyed trip, the view outside the windows, the food, and most specially the conversations we had. It was a really nice first time for me.

October 25, 2011-- We were all so eager and excited to start our SSEAYP journey. We didn't go to sleep. Instead, we packed our bags and prepared for a journey in a lifetime. After days and nights of stress and hard work finally this most awaited day has come.

And so, the journey begins.....

I can never make people understand nor imagine how great the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program is. Words can never be enough for to tell them how it changed my life and made me the person I am today.

Thus, I have made a new year's commitment to write one blog per day about my SSEAYP journey. The blogs will mirror my daily life in Fuji Maru and in other ASEAN countries.

I am hoping that through this blog, I will be able to entice and encourage more Filipino youth to take part in this wonderful youth exchange program to discover themselves and become a more active Filipino citizen.

And blogging starts now.....

Yesterday----laziness day. I was not really on the mood to go out but I must because we had an appointment with the Executive Secretary. However, my day didn't went smoothly. I was really enraged because my laundry arrived very very late. I have been waiting for an hour to get my clothes but WOW they arrived at 10am already. And take note, I sent them the clothes last Monday pa! Kainis talaga!!!

Well anyways, I still went with the group to Malacanang. First, I had a tour (again!) at the Malacanan Museum. It's nice to know that the country cares about historical items and it was quite amazing that they were able to keep and restore such items. I have been there before but I can say that, the place is much more beautiful this time because they have made necessary repairs to the place.

We met Executive Secretary at around 2 in the afternoon. He talked about how we should represent the Philippines. I was quite at awe that being an ambassador is really a difficult job. I must be well informed about the policies of the current administration. There are so many things that we must consider before we speak a word about the Philippines because we don't know if what were going to say would give a good or bad image to the country and its people.

October 15, 2011--the most anticipated and prepared for day has come for the Philippine contingent. This was the day when we will have to prove ourselves worthy with the title Philippine Youth Ambassadors. The cultural presentation was not at all perfect but good enough to be praised by the guests of the event. Kultura Pilipino was even so captivated by our performances that they promised to help us told us that, "I already have plans for you next year." Moreover, some people who were wowed by our performances said that they will help the group financially.

more pictures to be posted soon..

We heard some people commented that, "..it was the best NDP in the whole history of SSEAYP" and "..your very good guys. Job well done." Having heard this things made me realize that the sacrifice,time, effort I made, we all made in coming up with the show was not thrown to waste.

But the best thing of all was not the money or the fame that we got from our success in the NDP. It was being able to come up with a good show despite the contingent's current situation. Nonetheless, it was a great night, and a great show.
After the very tiring cultural presentation, we had an after party or our kustahan session with the PYs family, friends, SSEAYP alumni, Philippine state officials, and guests.

10.15.11

As we all wait for the day to come, watch this and be excited and inspired to come and watch our National Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6249277022261707927 Presentation.



produced by Kwen Viernes
Philippine Youth Ambassador
Region VIII representative