Tuesday, December 15, 2009

WYAAP Christmas Outreach

Everyone is invited to our Christmas Outreach Party with the kids of Aklatang Pambata in Paltok, Quezon City. On December 19, 2009 from 1-4pm, We are hosting 100 people for this event and we need your support to make this happen. We are receiving food and cash donations for the snacks of the kids. We hope that you can also be present in the event to watch the Christmas play that the kids have been preparing and to hang-out with them.

If you want to be part of the fun or for more details, you can contact Jack Fortuno at 09194351777 or at fort_jack@yahoo.com. You can also contact the WYAAP office at asiapacific@wya.net or at 4330715. Deadline to confirm is on December 17, 2009.
You can also visit http://www.wya.net/events/eventitem.html?id=252&year=&month= for more information.
Hope to see you there!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

iFaith Lecture: Different Faiths, Sharing Traditions





Dear Friends,

Hello! I am pleased to invite you to our 2nd iFaith Lecture for 2009. Please don't miss this unique opportunity to learn about the traditions of three faiths: Catholicism, Islam, and Buddhism. We have invited three speakers (refer to poster) who will be sharing about how their practice their faith.

Please refer to the details below:

When: December 5 (Saturday)
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 NN
Where: WYAAP office, Unit 203 Torres Building 321 Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights Quezon City

Feel free to forward this invite to your friends. Please RSVP thru email or text: 0917-8130264

P.S. Please refer to the attached invite and program.

See you all on Saturday,
Ren

--
RENELYN TAN
Regional Director
World Youth Alliance Asia Pacific 

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

World Youth Alliance (WYA) in Cebu










by Rhea Carmelotes Yray
Member, WYA Philippines – Cebu

           
World Youth Alliance (WYA) is one of the greatest blessings that poured down to the young people here in Cebu- “the Queen City of the South”. As one of the active chapters in the Philippines, World Youth Alliance- Cebu helped in making these young Cebuanos to grow and realize the value and importance of human dignity through developing their potentials, talents and capabilities.



As a member of WYA here in Cebu, I am so proud and thankful that we, young Cebuanos are already aware and are conscious of the realities and happenings in the status quo; realized the importance of human dignity as the foundation of human rights; respect each other’s views; educating other youth; serving others and develop our skills through incorporating in our training our abilities and expertise in different fields of endeavour, all of these are empowered and made easy through WYA.



As far as my training is concerned, WYA has made a great impact in my life, as a Filipino youth and as a young member of the society. Moreover, WYA is very relevant for me as it is one of the major avenues for me to relate and broaden my knowledge regarding historical events, international issues and global concerns, which are among the focus of my chosen field- Political Science. Moreover, WYA helped me to analyze the changing events in world politics, developed my knowledge regarding the different ideologies and principles that emerged in the history, widen my scope in looking at the progress of international organizations, and helped me to address and apply my learnings. This is also the reason behind the eagerness of my colleagues in the University of the Philippines to become a part of World Youth Alliance as I introduced and told them about World Youth Alliance’s advocacies. I enjoyed my training in WYA very much, as it grounded me to a lot of important realizations of my value as a human person, respecting others and living my life as a responsible youth. Furthermore, my training in WYA helped me to grow with commitment, patience and on how to value my time. I am very much grateful to have and be a part of WYA in Cebu.








A very important event that highlighted WYA Cebu was last July 20, 2009 when Ms. Mary Halpine, (WYA President) and Ms. Renelyn Tan (WYA Asia Pacific Director) visited WYA Cebu. During their visit, WYA Cebu team (Ms. Charrise Piramide, Mr. Mark Chang, Ms. Tiny and yours truly) with Ms. Mary Halpine and Ms. Renelyn Tan made an introduction session to a class of Mr. Mike Mende in the University of the Philippines- Cebu (UPVCC) as well as a class in the University of San Carlos (USC). Moreover, the whole-day visit of the President is not complete without visiting the Gawad Kalinga site in Budlaan, Talamban here in Cebu, wherein WYA Cebu considers it as one of the important sites for our projects and immersion; helping and taking part in building communities and homes for our less fortunate Cebuano brothers and sisters. The day was also an important event for WYA Cebu to introduce the President to our culture, beliefs, historical and captivating sites.









With the strong support of World Youth Alliance Asia Pacific and other chapters in World Youth Alliance- Philippines, WYA Cebu looks forward to inspire more youth and initiate more projects for the young people in Cebu. World Youth Alliance already started to educate young people in the academe and in small communities. I do hope that WYA spirit will continue to grow in Cebu, educating young people, making them wide awake of their worth as human beings and enkindle in them the fire of social responsibility and human development towards a stronger generation.







        


Sunday, November 15, 2009

Catch Cinema Ubuchinami on November 27, featuring The Incredibles!



Click on the picture to make it bigger.
Feel free to copy and repost it on your Facebook/Multiply or pass it along via email.
Help spread the word :-)






Everybody loved the Disney animated feature film - The Incredibles. It was hilarious! But did you ever stop to consider that it also gave some lessons to learn about what it means to be human?


Join for the World Youth Alliance's Cinema Ubuchindami for a fun night of watching and discussing this well-loved movie, and discover what it can actually tell us about Human Dignity.


Friday. November 27, 2009. 7:30 PM.
World Youth Alliance Asia Pacific Headquarters
Unit 203 Torres Building, 321 Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Q.C.



To RSVP, or for inquiries, contact Christine Violago at:
Email: wyaap.christine@gmail.com
Mobile: +63906.4200.553


It's open to everyone and admission is free, so you're welcome to bring your friends. But, if you're coming alone, that's fine, too. We guarantee that our World Youth Alliance members are extremely friendly and will give you a warm welcome!


What is Cinema Ubuchindami, in a nutshell?

Cinema Ubuchindami selects films that portray the broad
elements of truth about the human person. Each film reflects
 a shared experience of humanity and helps an audience
empathize with what it means to be human. As an introduction
to the World Youth Alliance's vision of the person these films
 look at specific themes related to the common search for meaning,
justice, freedom and peace. The list aims to reflect on the
transcendental nature of the person, and the ability and need
for beauty in the world around them.


To learn more about Cinema Ubuchindami, visit the World Youth Alliance website


To read about past Cinema Ubuchindami events of WYAAP, check out our multiply account:










Thursday, November 5, 2009

Lilia Patricia Cornelio's WYAAP Internship Experience


Summer.

It’s the time when boys and girls frolic under the sun. The beach is there just waiting for you to take a dip, the wind is gently combing your hair, friends are waiting for you to go on an adventure road trip, ice creams are dripping down on children’s fingers and I am just ready to kick off my shoes and unwind on my comfortable bed away from everyone and everything else. Then, after a few weeks or so, it goes downhill. Pleasure island is infested with rats of boredom after all. You feel the sun’s heat becoming too harsh with global warming, the beach trip that you’ve been waiting for has been brutally cancelled, the wind suddenly spits dust in your eyes, your road trip friends are not available after all, your favorite ice cream is now too expensive because of the recent recession, and suddenly lying down on even the most comfortable bed is an extremely trying task because of the construction that’s going on in your bathroom. The only way to cope with this is to get a task done. I had to apply for an internship for one of my majors. This is not just for the gratification of my bored soul, but also to boost up my resume to help me compete in the cruel world of job searching in the very near future.


I honestly didn't know what to apply for. I have no real lasting interest in anything and any kind of job would have been good enough for me. It was fortunate for me, therefore, to be able to talk to several EU Studies alumni and ask for their advice. One of them suggested that I should try to apply for World Youth Alliance. These same alumni have asked me to become a member of the organization before and I signed the charter but I wasn't active. I thought to myself that maybe this was the time for me to become an active member and so I decided to send in my application form and resume.


I was happy that I got in knowing that there were many students, like in any kind of internship application, that I was in competition with.


I could remember my first day very well. I was so nervous because it was my first time to be in that kind of situation. I was comforted that I didn't apply for the cutthroat corporate world and that I found myself in a small, homey office with five other interns of my age group and only three supervisors.


I was very happy to be working in a very casual and relax atmosphere that is far removed from the usual corporate shark pool. I could do what my internship entailed me without too much pressure. I also liked the fact that I became friends with the people I was working with. But, what I like most about working in WYA is that they also trained their interns to know the history of the organization and what it stands for.


I know for a fact that this usually doesn't happen in other corporations or organizations. Most likely, in those kinds of companies they merely give you clerical assignments that turns you into a managerial robot. You don't gain a passion for what you're working for because you have no means of gaining the knowledge about the company you work for. In my opinion, this practice is not sustainable and it only creates mechanized workers without a hint of creative thought in their head. I am glad that as an intern I had the opportunity to have a moment to think of who I was working for and what I am working with.





With my fellow interns, from L to R: Andrea, April, Josh, yours Truly, Pat and Dawn.



Learning about human rights and focusing on a daily basis on specific issues that continues to plague the marginalized such as AIDS/HIV, cloning, population growth, urban development, to name a few, has given me a broader environment that cultivates on thinking and discernment. I was glad that I was able to share my ideas to my fellow interns and that their ideas were also shared to me. It was like being in a classroom minus the boring lectures.

I enjoyed doing a lot of things during my internship period at WYA. The Dignity Projects were a blast. I was afraid to share my interests to others at first, but with them being receptive to it was a welcome relief. Assisting in project management has also given me a wide range of experience. I learned how to contact people and make appointments with them. I learned how to assist and to give support. I also think that I did a terrific job at being patient with Razor's Edge even though I wanted to smash the laptop when I couldn't find the place where I ended the day before and have to repeat the process all over again.


Even though I spent my whole summer cooped up in the office, I thought that it was one of the best summers I've ever had. The experience of working for WYA was well worth it. I was glad and thankful to have been accepted and I hope that I could work for them all over again.

Lilia Patricia T. Cornelio
WYAAP Intern April-June 2009

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Jessa's New York Internship Experience







Over the course of my internship, I have gained knowledge, developed my skills and found a new confidence in me. I was brought out of my comfort zone, which had forced me to be open and take initiative in discovering and learning. I had to teach myself to learn how to navigate in Adobe InDesign and manage the WYA Google Ads account. My people skills were challenged when I had to entertain during events and network during UN excursions. I also learned not to avoid confrontation and to be ready for the unexpected. But besides the obvious working experience I have gained, which surely has improved my project management and interpersonal skills, I have also gained friends. A friendship that literally crosses seas and oceans.
There is E, short for his long, winding Nigerian name (Aboyeji Iyinoluwa), who is only 18 years old but a boy genius. He is a president in the making whose laughs resonates throughout the WYA house and whose flexible arms could become his own personal jump rope. Hailing from Scarnton, Pennsylvania, Joe is the resident gentleman. A thoughtful and generous guy, whose pantry shelf never runs low on food and a stomach that never seems to be full. Chiara, my bella meastra, is an Italian who loves anything American from its cupcakes and cheeseburgers to its homegrown designers Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren. Always caught in Facebook, she is as sweet and patient as an older sister. Despite the long history between Spain and the Philippines, Teresa had become my partner in crime. Full of energy and enthusiasm, she has braved get-togethers being the only minority in a room full of Filipinos.
This mix of people coming from all parts of the globe, who I was with day and night for 3 straight months, had made my internship unexpected and unforgettable. I await the day when we will see all each other again.

The article was written by Jessa Cruz,  World Youth Alliance Asia Pacific member who joined the 2009 International Internship, Summer Term in our New York headquarters.

Monday, September 28, 2009

WYA Asia Pacific's Response to Typhoon Ondoy

The World Youth Alliance Asia Pacific Response to Typhoon Ondoy (International Name: Ketsana)

The home of the WYAAP headquarters, Manila, Philippines, has been devastated by Typhoon Ondoy (international name: Ketsana). The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) has reported 83 persons killed, and 32 still missing according to an Inquirer.net article. The same article reports an estimated “initial cost of damage to infrastructure has been reported at P41.1 million, and P212,000 for agriculture”.

In an article of the Philippine Star, it likens Ondoy to Katrina, leaving Metro Manila and 25 provinces in a state of calamity. CNN reported it “pummeled the capital Manila with its heaviest rainfall in more than 40 years.”

As of now, we do not know how many of our members have been affected. We are very proud to see that many of our members and friends have already started doing their parts to help.

STAY SAFE
Typhoon Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) has left the Philippines and is now headed to other ASEAN countries. We call upon all our members based in these areas to be prepared. We will update this with more specific details as soon as we get them.

There are reports that another typhoon is about to hit the Philippines again in a few days. We urge our members in the Philippines to prepare for the coming typhoon and learn how to stay safe. Read up on how to prepare for a coming storm.

KNOW WHERE TO GET HELP, IF YOU NEED IT
To those who are in affected areas or have relatives who have been stranded, several bloggers have consolidated lists of how numbers and hotlines that can be called to get help. Please click here to view the list.

KNOW HOW YOU CAN HELP
WYAAP is unable to coordinate it’s own disaster response efforts as of the moment, but for our members who wish to help out, we have compiled some information for you on other existing operations.

To those in the Philippines who want to help out, please check Inquirer.net’s consolidated information on ways to help.

For those based in Cebu, Philippines, a WYAAP member has consolidated a list of Cebu drop-off centers where you can bring your donations.

To those who want to help out but are based outside the Philippines, you can call 1-800-5272820 or you can log on to www.abscbnfoundation.org.

IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION FOR US
Should you have any additional information that may help us, please get in touch with us at asiapacific@wya.net.