Pinoy youth join ASEAN outreach to disaster-stricken Japan
06/13/2011
GMAnews.tv
Four Filipino youth volunteers recently took part in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Youth Caravan of Goodwill, which sought to bring comfort to victims of the recent twin disasters in Japan.
Held on June 3 to 5, the outreach caravan brought together four Filipino volunteers and other participants from ASEAN-member countries in order to "strengthen the human bonds of goodwill" between Japan and ASEAN.
"Of the four Filipinos volunteers, two were high school students studying in Yokohama, Aira Palima and Norel Palima. The other two were Ronnel Del Rio, a blind musical performer, and Maricel Manalo, both of whom are based in the Philippines," the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, Japan said in a news release posted on its website.
While the Filipino students said it was "heartbreaking" to see the devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami, they said the experience was rewarding because they were able to help and make new friends.
The caravan conducted outreach activities in Ishinomaki, a community in Miyagi prefecture in Northeast Japan, which was badly devastated by the March 11 disasters.
The idea for an ASEAN Youth Caravan was hatched at the Special ASEAN-Japan Ministerial Meeting held in April 9 in Jakarta.
"Noting that there are still thousands of people being housed in evacuation centers, the ASEAN and Japanese Foreign Ministers endorsed a proposal to organize an ASEAN Youth Caravan to strengthen the human bonds of goodwill that have long existed between the peoples of ASEAN and Japan," the Philippine Embassy said.
ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan of Thailand led the caravan.
Some 70 participants from the ASEAN member states engaged in clearing up debris in the affected areas and entertaing evacuees through song and dance performances.
Southeast Asian food and delicacies were also served in the evacuation center. — JMT, GMA News
Held on June 3 to 5, the outreach caravan brought together four Filipino volunteers and other participants from ASEAN-member countries in order to "strengthen the human bonds of goodwill" between Japan and ASEAN.
"Of the four Filipinos volunteers, two were high school students studying in Yokohama, Aira Palima and Norel Palima. The other two were Ronnel Del Rio, a blind musical performer, and Maricel Manalo, both of whom are based in the Philippines," the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, Japan said in a news release posted on its website.
While the Filipino students said it was "heartbreaking" to see the devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami, they said the experience was rewarding because they were able to help and make new friends.
The caravan conducted outreach activities in Ishinomaki, a community in Miyagi prefecture in Northeast Japan, which was badly devastated by the March 11 disasters.
The idea for an ASEAN Youth Caravan was hatched at the Special ASEAN-Japan Ministerial Meeting held in April 9 in Jakarta.
"Noting that there are still thousands of people being housed in evacuation centers, the ASEAN and Japanese Foreign Ministers endorsed a proposal to organize an ASEAN Youth Caravan to strengthen the human bonds of goodwill that have long existed between the peoples of ASEAN and Japan," the Philippine Embassy said.
ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan of Thailand led the caravan.
Some 70 participants from the ASEAN member states engaged in clearing up debris in the affected areas and entertaing evacuees through song and dance performances.
Southeast Asian food and delicacies were also served in the evacuation center. — JMT, GMA News
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