ICHIGO ICHI

Do you believe in destiny, fate or purpose? It’s a rare opportunity for an ex-PY to be visited especially in Mindanao since you have to take a domestic flight from Manila to reach the island. But what amazes me the most is to find out the reason for their visit was more because of some divine or greater purpose – to indeed make this world a better place.

Let me tell you a story:

On the 16th of December 2011, we left Japan after the SSEAYP. I remember myself giving my best smiles knowing that we won’t be seeing each other just like the 53-days journey we had , and also , a friend told me to save my tears at the airport because usually PYs   still have the chance to meet there. It was more than a 5-hour ride in Japan Airlines and we finally arrived in the Philippines.

Who would not miss his homeland after being away for almost two months? Filipinos just can’t live too far away from their families because we easily get HOMESICKNESS (more that seasickness or landsickness). We had some rest and I informed my family that I’m back and chat with my friends in Iligan with regard to our planned reunion on December 22 or 28th. Who would have thought that night that a  Bagyong Sendong ( TS Washi) would kill more that One Thousand People in Iligan and some parts of Mindanao not counting the millions of properties destroyed. We had seen lots of pictures on Facebook about that natural disaster and that worried me because we were just chatting last night and I couln’t reach their phones when I called them.

Who would have thought that some natural disaster will lead to another milestone of my SSEAYP journey? I volunteered myself in January for relief operations and play with Kids through Gawad Kalinga. I was pretty excited also for the Bayani Challege on April (for our Post Program Activity) which was planned even before Sendong striked Iligan City. The calamity made PintigPinoy more eager to come in Iligan and help rebuild the lives of our Fellow Filipinos.

How small do you think the world is? On February, I applied as an Humanitarian Volunteer in Health Organization for Mindanao ( HOM) which was founded by an Ex-PY (Dr. Khasmin Ismael).  There, I also meet ate Malou Eudela who’s from Bacolod city and batchmate of Dr. Khas in SSEAYP. And of course, w/o ate Malou, we won’t be able to see you here in ILIGAN. J (Hope you could also meet out two beautiful workmates ate Hanna and ate Sabel)

To Jinnie, Sir. Vg and Maam Grace:

1.       Next time? We know were to find a more tasty vegetarian food minus the 90-minute wait? We’ll find tea and more durian?

2.       We had so much fun giving candies to the people we met on the streed during the WHD. J Simple joys in life.

3.       You shouldn’t miss visiting Maria Christina falls , Tinago falls and more places in the City of Water Falls.

4.       More interaction with local youths like Rene, Niel , Kaye, Karen, Charity and Jen? And more stories from Sir Melchor and Jamal?

5.       Well, on December, should learn to cook at least 1 Filipino Dish. J

6.       I still don’t know whether I’ll be here in Iligan on December  but if ever , send me photos of them climbing that hill? (haha)

7.       Finally, I had seen your overflowing kindness by just coming over in Iligan. Your enthusiasm and the spirit of  volunteering  for a great cause awes me. As what SNL Alvin said, we can really get to know more about the person after the program. I find it hard to express what I feel towards the three of you. But, to tell you, I am grateful – so much grateful. I will miss you. I enjoyed a lot! :D Next time I’ll talk more (maybe haha). And, Ill also miss kuya Jose ( our friendly driver). 

Jinnie, Maam Grace and Sir Vg

      I could recall SNL shared to us while on board ship Fuji Maru, about the tea ceremony. It was unforgettable to me. ICHIGO ICHI. Its a once in a lifetime experience. It will never happen the same way as before but for sure the journey will always be filled with love, compassion, joy and happiness. SSEAYP is the bridge that linked us together. Though I didn’t have a homestay in Singapore, but I know I have a FAMILY in there. Till we meet again. J

Domo arigatou gozaimasu! J

Francis Alain L. Ebardo

An ex-PY, A friend, A family

A Drop of Water

After returning to Philippines from Japan after the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program last December 16, 2011, I was indeed filled with so much excitement and enthusiasm after being away for more than a month. Filipino food is such a craving and most importantly the desire to get connected with my family and friends. My college batchmates and I were chatting on our planned reunion on December 22 in Iligan City that night and it was like an overflow of nostalgia knowing that we will see each other once more after more than a year of separation.

Who would have thought that night was a tragic and disastrous experience Iliganons would have in their lifetime. It was typhoon Sendong who devasted our beloved City killing almost a thousands of lives , hundreds were missing and billions worth of properties were destroyed. Few days later were post inviting Psychology graduates and professionals for immidiate intervention but I wasn't available at that time. Later I heard about Health Organization for Mindanao (H.O.M.) that provides psycholigical services and so I decided to be part of the volunteer team for Iligan City.

With the HOM team, we assessed random Evacuation Centers and Internally Displaced Persons to get the over all view on what intervention can be applied. Hearing the cries of the survivors literally teared my heart into pieces especially on how they fight for their lives during the dashing floods. There were several sharings of despair and pian especially those who lost very important persons and it would take a lifetime to heal.

I realized how important and salient our work is as Mental Health Specialist and the urgency of response. The Sendong experience is like a very large rock on our history - but like a drop of water that constantly falls on it, it will soon break , it will wither and someday, it will be a rich soil where plants can grow. Just like every trails we face, together, it will bear fruits and that is one thing I know I will see. And as one HOM Team, we will fight not just for ourselves but especially for our fellow Iliganons who needs us because every Filipino is worth LIVING for and FIGHTING for. And I believe that being a true brother means WALANG IWANAN ( Leaving No One Behind). Together, we will rise. :)

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I'll Be Here to Stay

I'm not really good at Writing Poems but I wrote this after the Lao NDP night. I was pretty touched by the song be with us forever. I guess, I have learned to live by the moment. :)

When I close my eyes
I see those wonderful memories
When I close my eyes
There's this feeling growing in me

It was not all the time happy
It was not all the time full
But there was true friendship
That's always ready to reach for

When we part each other don't think I'll be too far,
You can reach me with your hand,
You can let me feel your touch,
Our shared moments together will keep us one forever
I'll be here to stay, Let me stay inside your heart.

It's easy to say I'll be fine when each of us depart,
But longiness for each other is a lifetime to take part,
Just promise me my friend Let me stay in your heart,
 I'll be here to stay. Forever in your heart.

Flight 364

 Its been almost 2 months after our Pre-departure training last July 29, 2011 when 28 Young Leaders all over the county were confirmed as Youth Ambassadors to the 38th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP). As I watched the clouds on the airplane window traveling to Manila, I felt excitement and fear but inside of me is a growing strength and courage knowing that representing my country is a once in a lifetime opportunity that only 364 youths has the chance to experience.


SSEAYP is like waking up from a very beautiful dream and then finding things were already happening as you had seen it before you opened your eyes. During our 12-day training in Tagaytay International Convention Center, I found friendship and had seen the beauty of Philippines through the faces of my comrades. It is where i realized that every Filipino value their relationship with each other beyond fame, power or pride. Regardless of our age differences, our backgrounds or our religious beliefs, we came to understand that we have one mission to fulfil upon joining the program - to  make our country proud and see the sun and three stars shinning through the skies.

First Group Picture Taken at NYC, QC

If I would describe "PintigPinoy" ,which is our batch name,it best represents our group. It's a word that commemorates the 150th Anniversary of Jose Rizal by which through him, people from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao came to realization that we are all Filipinos - the start of the Filipino heartbeat. Going deeper, 'Pintig" which means heartbeat and "Pinoy" or Filipino literally means Filipino Heartbeat or the Filipino heart beats to serve his countrymen. Love for country cannot be true unless you love the people in it. And true love can only be expressed through service that does not expect something in return.


As I continued to watch the amazing view from  21,000 feet above the ground, I can't help to say to myself how extravagant God is for making this country like a paradise. The more than an hour trip was worth the wait and as I stepped down the plane, we will be on a month long series of trainings, activities and seminars to prepare for our 52 days cruise around Japan and ASEAN. One thing is true, when we return after this program -  we will continue what we have been doing and we will carry out here what is applicable from what we have learned. 


For now, I came to a conclusion that we just have to put on a little sacrifice by going out of our usual routines or being away from our comfort zones, and always remembering that its not our name that we carry when we meet other young leaders from other participating countries but - we will be waving our very precious and noble country - PHILIPPINES. Only the best,nothing less.

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PintigPinoy CulCom

Francis, Effie, Fae, Adrian, Jhoan, Ed, Kwen, Kim and Uno