Philippine Contingent To 49th SSEAYP Engages PH Embassy, Called To Further Strengthen ASEAN-Japan and PH-JP Ties
Philippine Embassy in Japan Deputy Chief of Mission Christian L. De Jesus and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Antonio Emmanuel R. Miranda (1st row, 5th and 6th from left, respectively) with the Philippine contingent to the 49th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) led by National Leader Metodio B. Maraguinot, Jr. (1st row, 4th from left), during the Cultural Exchange Program on 23 January 2026 at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center.
The Philippine Embassy in Japan extended its support to the Philippine contingent to the 49th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) through its participation in the Cultural Exchange Program on 23 January 2026 at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center, and the Departure Ceremony on 26 January 2026 aboard the Nippon Maru vessel docked at the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal.
“The Embassy is truly proud of all the Philippine delegates to the 49th SSEAYP for representing the country in this prestigious ASEAN-Japan youth exchange program. I am certain that they will showcase the best of the Philippines and the Filipino youth to their ASEAN and Japanese counterparts. More importantly, I call on them to be ambassadors of goodwill and to further strengthen the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as we serve as Chair of ASEAN this year, as well as Philippines-Japan ties while we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the normalization of Philippines-Japan diplomatic relations,” stated Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano following the events.
During the Cultural Exchange Program on 23 January, the 18-member Philippine contingent, bearing their batch name Bagani (hero) and led by its National Leader, Mr. Metodio B. Maraguinot, Jr., mounted an exhibit showcasing the Philippines’ cultural and culinary heritage, natural wonders and renowned tourist sites, as well as the priorities of the Philippines’ chairship of ASEAN with the theme “Navigating the Future, Together”. Through the immersive experiences offered by the ASEAN Member States’ contingents and exchange of tokens, the event fostered friendships among the ASEAN and Japanese youth as they celebrated the spirit of the ASEAN Community and the richness of its cultural diversity.
The Philippine contingent to the 49th SSEAYP presents its token from the Philippines to the representatives of the Cabinet Office of Japan, namely, Mr. Atsushi Mizuno, Director General for Promoting Cohesive and Mutual Assistance Society (2nd from right) and Ms. Junko Minami, Deputy Director General for Promoting Cohesive and Mutual Assistance Society and Director General for International Youth Exchange and Office for the Advancement of Measures to Address Loneliness and Isolation (rightmost) during the Departure Ceremony on 26 January 2026 aboard the Nippon Maru vessel docked at the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal.
The Departure Ceremony on 26 January was attended by members of the diplomatic corps and officials from the Cabinet Office of Japan, which provided an opportunity for guests to tour the historic Nippon Maru,the home of the SSEAYP delegates for 35 years. The vessel will undertake its final voyage during the 49th SSEAYP before its retirement at the conclusion of the program.
The Philippine contingent, composed of Filipino youth representatives from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, the National Capital Region, and the National Youth Commission of the Philippines, joined youth delegates from other ASEAN Member States in Tokyo as the program commenced on 15 January 2026. After a 10-day stay in Japan, the delegates will sail onward to Singapore and then Thailand.
The month-long program, from 15 January to 17 February 2026, consists of both onboard and port of call activities, including homestays and exchanges with local youth, visits to various institutions, seminars, and discussion sessions.
The Nippon Maru vessel, which will undertake its final voyage, serves as the home to the 49th SSEAYP delegates, and will be retired after the end of the program.
SSEAYP was launched in 1974 as a joint project between ASEAN Member States and Japan, sponsored by the Government of Japan, to promote friendship, cooperation and understanding among ASEAN and Japanese youth, and to nurture the next generation of leaders in the region.
