USALUMNEWSSEPTEMBER 2014

ALUMNI Talks: Trash to Art by Allan Remedios, PYLP

Alumnews Bits: KL-YES Alumni Featured on Local US TV PYLP Alumni Protect the Environment Alumni Conduct Workshops in Marawi

#FORPEACE Campaign Launched in Iligan

Alumni Talks:“First Line of Defense: Your Community”

East West Center Alumni Association Launches Lecture Series

IN THIS ISSUE:

Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI)SPECIAL UPDATESeeds of the Future WINNERS

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USG ALUMNI PHILIPPINES NEWSLETTER

In June, U.S. Department of State international exchange alumni organized a nationwide coastal clean-up across the Philippines in celebration of World Ocean’s Day, Philippine Environment Month, and the State Department sponsored “Our Ocean” Conference. Volunteers collected a total of 275 sacks of garbage from the coastlines of Parañaque-Las-Piñas, Dumaguete, Ilocos Norte and Iligan City and more than 100 sacks in the follow-on activity in Lanao del Norte.

Alumni Lead Nationwide Coastal Clean-Up

Volunteers with 100 sacks of trash.

More on Page 03 ->

The coastal clean-up activity in Manila was held in Las-Pinas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Eco-Tourism Area (LPPCHEA). Deputy Chief of Mission Brian L. Goldbeck launched the event with representatives from LPPCHEA, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Parañaque Chamber of Commerce (PCCI). U.S. Government alumni, led by Sports United alumna Geraldine Bernardo, and more than one hundred volunteers from LPPCHEA, DENR, PCCI and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) participated in the clean-up.   After the activity, the volunteers toured the forest, home to endemic plants and birds.  

Metro Manila

Deputy Chief of Mission Brian L. Goldbeck participates in the clean-up activity at the Las-Pinas- Paranaque Habitat and Eco-Tourism Area (LPPCHEA).

Obama managed to squeeze in his tight 3-day state visit to Malaysia a conference with the ASEAN youth in a hope to inspire them to pursue impacting initiatives for the region.

Youth must lead forwardPresident Obama, who grew up in Indonesia, encouraged the ASEAN youth to lead forward.He started with his experience growing up as boy in the region and how he was exposed to the work his mother was doing to help the communities and women in Indonesia gain education so they could better earn a living.

YSEALIYSEALI is new program of the U.S. Department of State that seeks to engage young leaders aged 18-35 in solving economic, environmental, education and civic engagement challenges through creative, innovative and youthful initiatives in their communities. The program provides opportunities to strengthen people-to-people ties, training and workshops, fully-funded study trips to the U.S. and funding for inter-country community-based projects of U.S. government exchange program alumni. Obama himself announced the program in December 2013 during the LEAD ASEAN Youth Summit organized by the U.S. Embassy in Manila and the Ayala Foundation in Makati City.

Generating ideas into action103 youths from ASEAN, all alumni of U.S. international exchange programs, participated in the inaugural YSEALI workshop in April 26-29, 2014. The workshop, co-organized by Start Up Malaysia, equipped the young leaders from generating ideas to translating them into actions in their local communities. Assigned into groups that focus on environment, education, social entrepreneurship and governance among others, the delegates developed community projects with international partnerships in mind. They were assigned mentors who challenged them to refine their pitches before presentation.The winning project pitches were announced at the end of the workshop.Winning team URBRAL (Urban and Rural) seeks to encourage entrepreneurial activities among Cambodian youths through giving them unique internship experiences. The workshop will feature exchanges among urban and rural youths encouraging them to share their unique capacities. “We come up with this project because we see the needs for rural youth to understand entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation. So the idea is to send urban youth to rural area to organize this training on entrepreneurship to rural youth, which will create mutual benefits,” Elita Ouk, project team member, explained. Ouk said the project will be implemented in Cambodia as they return home and soon will be replicated in other SEA counties.

ALUMNI REFLECTIONObama Addresses ASEAN Youth Leaders in KLBy Anthony Esguerra, Study of the U.S. Institutes Alumnus

U.S. President Barack Obama addressed some 400 students and youths from the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in a town hall session of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders’ Initiative (YSEALI) inaugural workshop, Sunday, March 27 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur was the third leg of Obama’s week-long visit to Asia to “rebalance” U.S.’s strategic attention in the region.

Jennifer FoltzAssistant Cultural

Affairs Officer

(Top Left) Humphrey Alumnus Illac Diaz was invited as mentor in the program.

(Left)Alumni Coordinator Richmond Jimenez with YSEALI delegates from the Philippines.Allan instructing participants on how to create

arts from their trash.

MUGNA ARTS exhibitat the U.S. Embassy Indpendence Day Celebration.

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Welcome to the fifth edition of USAlumnews! Once again, I am impressed by the amazing achievements of our alumni and YSEALI members! I have traveled all over the Philippines meeting alumni and also enjoying the beautiful countryside. So, I was especially impressed by our alumni who organized a nationwide coastal clean-up across the Philippines. Congratulations to all who participated! If you are interested in organizing a coastal clean-up of your own, please check out the U.S. Embassy Manila’s Facebook page for our “Coastal Clean-Up Kit.” You will find more inspiring stories of alumni helping their communities in this newletter, from educating future leaders on the impact of the ASEAN integration, to donating books in rural communities. And if you are 18-35 years old and have not signed up yet for the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), please visit: https://youngsoutheastasianleaders.state.gov/ and register! It’s simple, and as a member you will be eligible for workshops, exchange programs, and grants! Check out this issue to learn about the projects of the Philippine winners of the first YSEALI Seeds for the Future competition. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to learn about more exciting opportunities.

Contributing Writers:Gloria Seno, International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) AlumnaJamsheed Abdul, Philippine Youth Leadership Program (PYLP) AlumnusAllan Remedios, Philippine Youth Leadership Program (PYLP) Alumnus

Jennifer FoltzAssistant Cultural

Affairs Officer

Letter from the Editor ALUMNI Talk:Trash to Art by Allan Remedios, Philippine Youth Leadership Program (PYLP) Alumnus

In response to widespread concern about our environment, my organization took the challenge to be a catalyst for social change through recycling and environmental crusades. I founded MUGNA ARTS in 2007, which became a banner organization for social entrepreneurship of the Holy Trinity College of General Santos City, with its sustainable programs of creating artwork and ornamental decorations from plastic, scrap metals, and driftwood. Mugna Arts’ unique artistry has earned numerous awards and citations including 6-time Best Non-Food entry for YAMAN GENSAN, an annual competition for the most innovative products in General Santos City.

As an advocate for social change, I feel that there’s more to just showcasing the art. Instead I use it as a tool to educate and create awareness in my community, and reinforce the importance of recycling and its positive effects for people.

Last July, U.S. Embassy Manila partnered with my organization to implement “Arts and Crafts: A Seminar on Social Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Intervention.” Participants came from underserved communities in General Santos City, as well as students from different colleges and universities. The project promoted civic awareness and alternative livelihood programs by creating a social connection among the community and academe. The first phase of the seminar was a lecture presenting the deplorable condition of our environment and its devastating effects. The participants were trained to utilize recyclable materials and transform it into art, which could be potentially sold as souvenirs, items for collection, and decorative items for households, restaurants, and even hotels.

I was also invited to exhibit my work at the Independence Day celebration at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. With pride and honor as the only exhibitor from Mindanao, MUGNA ARTS showcased its unique artwork, much to the delight of the visitors and other dignitaries. But for all the exhibitors who were present, the challenge still lingers on how to create sustainable programs and massive advocacy that will translate into social transformation. Admittedly, there are more hurdles to leap and a lot more barriers to break, but I am very optimistic that through our collective efforts, we can make things happen in God’s perfect time.

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Vice Mayor Art Gabon of Samar Art Gabon asking questions to the speaker during the seminar.

Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer Jenny Foltz welcoming the attendees.

alumni.state.gov

Alumni Lead Nationwide Coastal Clean-Up

Zumba/Taebo work-out before the clean-up activity in Ilocos Norte.

Women of Brgy. Santiago participated in the boat rowing competition at the end of the activity.

During the clean-up in Ilocos Norte, led by Florante Riego, and alumni of the Southeast Asian Youth Leadership Program (SEAYLP), alumni held a Zumba and Taebo class and an “Amazing Trash Mob Race” to get the volunteers energized. With the alumni, members of the community collected 29 sacks of trash. 

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SEAYLP alumna Kate Young and Fulbright alumnus Ramon del Prado led other alumni in Dumaguete to clean-up Silliman Beach. Eighty volunteers participated in the activity, including the Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (BFAR) Provincial Fisheries Office, Dumaguete City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Silliman University Student Government, Philippine Voyagers, and fisher folks. The group collected 35 sacks of trash, and ended the day with an “upcycling” contest where volunteers turned trash into art.  

Alumni from Marawi and Iligan City, headed by Philippine Youth Leadership Program (PYLP) alumna Ayana Maranda, held a coastal clean-up activity with volunteers from Barangay Santiago, Barangay Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council (BFARMC), Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) Department of Psychology, College of Arts Social Science Executive Council (CASS), Muslim Organization in MSU-IIT, and the Iligan Bloggers Society. The group collected 75 sacks of trash, and ended the program with a boat rowing contest by female members of the community.

Marawi

Ilocos Norte

U.S. Government alumni, led by PYLP Alumna Lynnrose Genon, held a follow-on coastal clean-up in Lanao del Norte in July. Two hundred and seventy-five volunteers from different government and non-governmental agencies, including the 15th Infantry Battalion of AFP, Philippine National Police, Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI), students of the Alternative Learning System (ALS), and residents of Brgy. Baybay and Poblacion, collected more than 100 sacks of trash in the area.

Lanao del Norte

Dumaguete

Volunteers collating the trash after the clean-up activity.

Volunteers after the clean-up at Silliman Beach.

In June, alumni from Marawi organized a creative writing workshop with U.S. Embassy Cultural Specialist Tony Perez as a speaker. The workshop focused on the role of youth in developing their communities. Students from different schools in Marawi participated in the event at Mindanao State University- Marawi. A month later, the same group of alumni screened environmental films for 70 student participants. After the screening, the participants created a public service announcement on how to protect the environment.

ASEAN Young Volunteers Program (AYVP) alumnus Ace Aniceto conducted a proposal writing workshop at the Philippine Science High School Cordillera Administrative Region (PSHS-CAR). This workshop followed another project, the 1st Cordillera Junior Environmental Scientists, which was launched by PSHS-CAR and AYVP in April 2014. The proposal writing workshop helped the first batch of junior environmental scientists to create environmentally sound projects. Ace also shared his experience as a participant in the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) workshop he attended in Kuala Lumpur in April.

Marawi Alumni Conducts Workshop on Creative Writing and Environment

ALUMNEWSBITS

AYVP Alumnus Conducts Proposal Writing Workshop in Baguio

U.S. local television program, FOX San Antonio 29’s Street Corner, featured Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange Study (KL-YES) alumna Nicole Linsangan on June 21. Nicole, who is deaf, shared her experience as an International Exchange Student in Texas and how she established an American Sign Language (ASL) Club in Marshall High School. The club became so popular that the Principal decided to include ASL classes in the school curriculum. Nicole’s host family shared how Nicole had become part of their family and encouraged American families to host exchange students. Nicole was also featured during the Education Corner on Texas Public Radio.

K-L YES Alumna Featured on TV in the U.S.

To watch: http://www.foxsanantonio.com/news/features/streets-corner/stories/streets-corner-deaf-foreign-exchange-student-makes-lasting-impression-399.shtml#.U6jQZvmx4RW

Alumni Talks and Community Building Workshop held in Samar

PYLP Alumni Protect the Environment

The latest batch of Philippine Youth Leadership Program (PYLP) alumni attended a follow-on workshop in General Santos in August 2014. The theme of their 4-week exchange program was “Environmental Leadership in the Philippines: Developing Youth as Agents of Change and Ecological Activism.” Each participant designed and implemented a community project upon their return to the Philippines. The participants, coming from all over Mindanao, showcased their projects including artificial coral reefs, mangrove rehabilitation, and fish sanctuaries. Several groups used recycled materials to design items such as paper beads, school bags and supplies. One alumni even produced bokashi fertilizer for use in container gardening and communal flower or vegetable gardens.

PYLP Batch 11 alumni at the follow-on workshop in General Santos City.

Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange Study (KL YES) alumni, headed by Abner Bayangan, conducted a workshop in Guian Samar entitled “Alumni Talks and Community Building Project” from August 21-24. The alumni held a dialogue on Community Building with 300 students of Saint Mary’s Academy of Guiuan (SMAG) and over 70 college students from Eastern Samar State University (ESSU). The four-day activity included a visit to Guiuan’s tent city, where a group of families displaced from their homes due to Typhoon Haiyan is temporarily sheltered. The alumni also made a book donation to nearby public schools.

USG alumni led by PYLP Alumna Alyssa Fatima Sali, replenish fish stocks in Marawi.

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Earlier, Art Tibaldo discussed new ways of dealing with vandals, one of the worsening problems of Baguio. Tibaldo reiterated that graffiti can be transformed into beautiful art. As an artistic self-expression, it can be an instrument in raising environmental consciousness. In carrying out such mission, the city government is urged to hold dialogues to transform this problem as an attraction.

Meanwhile, de Guzman, an alumnus of IVLP on Investigative Journalism in the U.S., discussed the role of media in environmental preservation and conservation. De Guzman, the main anchor of the local newscast TV Patrol Northern Luzon of ABS-CBN TV 3 Baguio and founder of Berdeng Karunungan (NGO), told the participants that media can awaken the conscience of the public. By awakening their conscience, the public would shift their behavior.

This was immediately achieved when de Guzman showed a minute video presentation of a landslide that killed almost a hundred residents in la Trinidad Benguet last 2009. The presentation suddenly changed the mood of the participants and some were seen holding back their tears as they vow their heads.

One hundred students and young leaders attended the launch of the ASEAN Youth Dialogues (AYD) on August 12 at Ateneo de Manila University. AYD is a series of conferences to engage young leaders and students in a dialogue about the impact and implications of the upcoming integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on issues relevant to youth. Filipino alumni of U.S. Department of State exchange programs and members of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) organized the forum with the support of U.S. Embassy Manila, the Department of Foreign Affairs- Foreign Service Institute, Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Sociology and Anthropology, and the Ayala Foundation Inc.

U.S. Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg closed the event with a reminder to the attendees that youth, as future leaders will have to address the challenges of the 21st Century including demography, climate, economic development, and varying political systems.

The ASEAN Youth Dialogues will be held in four other locations this year: Ateneo de Davao University in Davao, St. Louis University in Baguio and in two universities in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Youth Dialogues on ASEAN Integration Launched

ASEAN Youth Dialogues organizers and U.S. Government alumni Janvic Mateo, John Allanegui, and Renzo Guinto, with U.S. Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg.

YSEALI members from the Philippines, Nor-Ain Kumayog and Christine Delner, launched the ASEAN HUB Water Hyacinth Project in Cotabato City on August 26. The project will train housewives and unemployed youth to use water hyacinth, which has caused flooding in the Cotabato area, as a source of income. The organizers taught the beneficiaries how to make coin-purses and paper bags from hyacinth. Two YSEALI members from Indonesia will implement the same project in Jakarta.

ASEAN HUB Water Hyacinth Project Launched in Cotabato City

The “Streams of Hope” project, co-organized by YSEALI members from the Philippines Tobit Cruz and Sheryan Guialel, commenced river rehabilitation efforts through a series of community trainings. The group taught communities how to make and use Bokashi Balls, an organic filter, to clean rivers. The team has already conducted river clean-ups and community trainings in Agusan Marsh in Cotabato and Mahabang Sapa Creek in Taytay, Rizal. The project is in collaboration with YSEALI members from Vietnam and Cambodia who will clean rivers in their home countries.

“Streams of Hope” Commences River Rehabilitation Efforts

YSEALI Special Update

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YOU CAN BE A LEADER IN SOUTHEAST ASIA. JOIN YSEALI!

Do you have great ideas and want to make a difference in your community? Then check out YSEALI, the Young South-east Asian Leaders Initiative!

U.S. President Barack Obama launched YSEALI in 2013 to support youth like you who are concerned with economic development, environmental protection, education and civic engagement in Southeast Asia.

Join YSEALI and enjoy these benefits:

-YSEALI Seeds for the Future awards funding for your public service projects.

-YSEALI Generation Workshops provide hands-on training and peer networking to give you the necessary tools to take on leadership roles. -YSEALI Institutes and YSEALI Fellows invite students, young professionals, and mid-career community organizers to the United States to deepen their knowledge about regional issues and share their experiences.

-YSEALI Social Media and youth-to-youth outreach campaigns link U.S. embassies, young leaders, and communities together to collaborate and respond collectively to shared ASEAN challenges. YSEALI’s Facebook page and Twitter allow you to find out more about YSEALI and connect with other YSEALI members outside of your community and country. Facebook: www.facebook.com/youngsoutheastasianleaders Twitter: twitter.com/yseali

-Other Benefits include interacting with top U.S. leaders. Past YSEALI members have met ambassadors, the U.S. Secretary of State, and even the President of the United States.

Become a YSEALI member on our website youngsoutheastasianleaders.state.gov. It’s simple. Members must:Be between 18 – 35 years of age,Be a citizen and resident of an ASEAN country, andBe interested in working on economic development, environmental protection, education, or civic engagement.

We look forward to welcoming you into the YSEALI family!

Join YSEALI and enjoy these benefits:

• YSEALI Seeds for the Future awards funding for your public

service projects. • YSEALI Generation Workshops provide hands-on

training and peer networking to give you the necessary tools to take on leadership roles. • YSEALI Institutes and YSEALI Fellows invite students,

young professionals, and mid-career community organizers to the United States to deepen their knowledge about regional issues and share their experiences.

• YSEALI Social Media and youth-to-youth outreach campaigns link U.S. embassies, young leaders, and communities together to collaborate and respond collectively to shared ASEAN challenges. YSEALI’s Facebook page and Twitter allow you to find out more about YSEALI and connect with other YSEALI members outside of your community and country.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/youngsoutheastasianleaders Twitter: twitter.com/yseali• Other Benefits include interacting with top U.S. leaders.

Past YSEALI members have met ambassadors, the U.S. Secretary of State, and even the President of the United States.

Become a YSEALI member on our website youngsoutheastasianleaders.state.gov. It’s simple. Members must:

• Be between 18 – 35 years of age,• Be a citizen and resident of an ASEAN country, and• Be interested in working on economic development,

environmental protection, education, or civic engagement.

We look forward to welcoming you into the YSEALI family!

CONGRATULATIONS!Congratulations to the five YSEALI “Seeds for the Future” winning projects from the Philippines!

“ASEAN Open Institute”Paul Omar Gangoso

“ASEAN Youth Ending Slavery”Jose Mateo Dela Cruz

“Beyond ASEAN”Christian James Nazareth

“Green Education Initiative”Ace Mark Aniceto

“My Idea”Kathleen Dawn Young Ricardo

Watch out for more exciting YSEALI news and events in days to come!

YSEALI CALENDAR OF EVENTSOCTOBER 10Deadline: Call for Application Winter 2015 YSEALI Institute for Religious PlurarismInfo at http://manila.usembassy.gov

SEPTEMBER 21 “Streams of Hope” talk featuring award-winning Professor and Chairman of Environmental Science at Allegheny College, Pensylvania Dr. Eric Pallant in Taytay, Rizal

NOVEMBER 15First ASEAN Blogathon (Details to follow)

NOVEMBER 16ASEAN Youth Dialogues in Baguiowww.facebook.com/aseanyouthdialogues

Do you have great ideas and want to make a difference in your community? Then check out YSEALI, the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative!

U.S. President Barack Obama launched YSEALI in 2013 to support youth like you who are concerned with economic development, environmental protection, education and civic engagement in Southeast Asia.

YOU CAN BE A LEADER IN SOUTHEAST ASIA. JOIN YSEALI!

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Follow on Twitter

U.S. Embassy Manila : @USEmbassyManilaAmbassador Philip S. Goldberg : @AmbGoldberg

DCM Brian L. Goldbeck : @USEmbManilaNo2

Links to grants:• https://alumni.state.gov/member-resources/grant-opportunities

Links to job opportunities:• http://manila.usembassy.gov/employment_opps.html• https://alumni.state.gov/member-resources/job-opportunities

Useful Links

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Cecile AnchetaState Alumni Community - Philippines Facebook page

Philippine International Exchange Alumni have their own Facebook page: State Alumni Community-Philippines! This page and alumni.state.gov serve as social media platforms for alumni to share news, updates, insights, and opportunities with the Philippine alumni community. If you haven’t yet “liked” our page; please do so and connect, inspire, and empower!

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Fayyidh Norsieh Mallari Juhary MustaphaDatu Yoseff Pendatun Jayson PeraltaYusra SahiBai Alaisha Korina SaikolRabbiya Ahda SangkulaNashmerah SapadFirash Zhed UtutalumFatimatuzzhra AbdulmajidAthina AdjawiJherfhar AjirimJaymerose Heart ConcepcionLeopoldo Dacera III

The new batch of alumni with Ambassador Philip Goldberg.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Southeast Asian Youth Leadership (SEAYLP) 2010 alumna Alexandra Soledad was chosen as one of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) this year.

If you have an upcoming Alumni Event or interesting stories and experiences to share, please contact:

Richmond JimenezAlumni Coordinator,U.S. Embassy, Manilaemail: JimenezRL@state.gov

Ellyssahanna EspinosaBryan Khetmir GuardiarioNahida H. Ali Jianazen HapasLyn Dee Khareen Hussam Jaminah Jappalul Arrianna JupakkalNicole Joy Linsangan Nonie LumbisIrah Ezan Apil Sittie Ayeenah ArindigMona-Jean AwabAiza Dahman

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Welcome to the Alumni Community!Kennedy- Lugar Youth Exchange Study (KL-YES) Batch 2013-2014