Dumaguete student a finalist for SSEAYP

A COLLEGE student from Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental made it to the final leg of the 38th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP).

Regina Clarina Niala Elmaco, 20, of St. Paul University Dumaguete, is one of the 28 finalists chosen after weeks of regional interviews and deliberations done nationwide by the National Youth Commission (NYC).

The finalists were picked based on self-assessment focusing on personality and competencies, level of awareness on local, Asean-Japan and international affairs, and community involvement and talent, according to NYC Cebu office.

The finalists are set to face another series of trainings and tests to determine who are qualified to become the country’s ambassadors of culture and goodwill during the SSEAYP voyage around the Asean and Japan, said NYC Commissioner Georgina Nava, chairperson of the SSEAYP organizing committee.

SSEAYP is an annual cultural exchange program for young people from Asean member states and Japan. The program is highlighted  by a cruise in Southeast Asia and Japan on board the Japanese ocean liner Fuji Maru.

This year’s cruise will take the participants around Southeast Asia on Oct. 25 to Dec. 16, with the Philippines as its first port of call.

The boat will dock in Manila on Nov. 10 to Nov. 13, during which the NYC will show to the participants the country’s colorful festivals.