Eight Benildeans were among the 50 delegates and 25 organizers who joined the fourth Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Youth Leaders Association (AYLA) general assembly held in the country last January 29 to February 1. The general assembly aimed for enlightenment on the ASEAN integration and promotion of unity in diversity as well as to create socio-cultural exposure to our country.
Organized by the Philippine chapter of AYLA, the assembly’s goal is for its local and international boards to discuss their constitution, charter, and by-laws, and to create collaborations on international projects involving ASEAN countries. Benildeans who were part of the said event were Jianna Robles, Gugu Francisco, Luis de Jesus, Yya Iadignon, Christian Gabilo, Katrina Balinang, Carlos Rivera, and Jefferson Wang.
The delegates had their four days and three nights stay in Linden Suites, Pasig City. For the first day of the event, they had their “salubong dinner” and get together followed by a team building in an amazing race format, where they went to different landmarks around Metro Manila–Intramuros, National Museum, Rizal Park, and SM Mall of Asia–for the second day. They had 25 stations throughout the race.
Day three focused on the conference proper when they had their formal assembly at One Corporate Building, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Danille Soria, AYLA international secretary general, gave the opening remarks, followed by a series of talks and open forums. Speakers include Mr. Joey Dela Cruz, Mr. Leon Flores, and Engr. Roy Joseph Roberto who tackled the role each country play in the ASEAN integration, the importance of youth policy in preparation for ASEAN integration, and the role of youth in leading organizations on youth empowerment, respectively.
Participants also had their focus group discussions and their first phase of project planning competition after the talk. They ended their third day with a social night at Bonifacio Global City.
“The participants were foreseen to create a lasting bond between each other especially that they are part of the ASEAN. It is beneficial for its integration and also in building the economic community of the said region,” said Arielle Rose Oropesa, AYLA Philippines President.
“In this activity we really sowed the seeds of what we hoped to plant [in] people from different backgrounds, countries, and cultures collaborating together and bonding over a cup of coffee and manila paper,” Rivera said.
The said assembly is held semi-annually, the last of which was in Indonesia. AYLA is formed through the International Youth Leaders’ Summit in Manila by five founding nations namely: Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Currently, all ten ASEAN countries have their representatives, wherein seven of them have their respective presidents and local boards.
AYLA is a youth movement which caters the needs of future leaders in building social responsibility and its communities by participation and involvement. Participants include delegates from various countries around Southeast Asia.
Written by Jason Fajardo and Bryan Nonay
