Four young Filipinos are carrying the spirit of bayanihan and global friendship to new heights as they take part in the 37th Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention (APCC), held from 11 to 22 July in Fukuoka, Japan.
The APCC, now in its 37th year, brings together more than 200 eleven-year-old children from over 34 countries and regions across Asia and the Pacific. For 11 days, these children live with Japanese host families, immerse themselves in cultural workshops, attend school visits and connect with peers from diverse backgrounds.
Representing the Philippines with pride are four junior ambassadors: Stephanie Lauren Andrade, Theana Ijssel “Yana” Leonin, Matthew William “Willy” Rodriguez, and David Francis “Davis” Modesto. They are accompanied by peace ambassador Aaron Michel Hernandez, a student from the University of the Philippines Manila and a proud APCC alumnus, and their chaperone, Ricky Sabino, head of the Internationalization and Exchange Programs Office and concurrent Advancement and Linkages Office Head at De La Salle-Santiago Zobel School.
“APCC is more than just an exchange program,” Sabino said. “It’s a powerful reminder that empathy — what the Japanese call Omoiyari — is the heart of global citizenship. Our delegates are not just meeting other cultures; they’re learning to see the world through someone else’s eyes.”
Lauren, a Grade 6 student at De La Salle Santiago Zobel and her school’s current Student Council president, dreams of becoming a singer and actress. Yana, also in Grade 6, wants to become a lawyer.
Davis, a Grade 6 student from Montessori de Manila, is a budding chess master and a drum enthusiast with an inquisitive mind. Meanwhile, Willy, a Grade 5 student and passionate football player, discovered a universal language in sports.
“This program changed my life when I was their age,” Hernandez added. “Now, I get to help these kids discover that same sense of wonder and global connection. It’s like watching the next generation of peacemakers come to life.”
One of the highlights of the program is the Cultural Exchange Day where each delegation takes center stage to share a piece of their heritage. The Filipino group will present a stylized performance of the traditional dance Pandanggo sa Ilaw, complete with flickering lights that represent the resilience and elegance of the Filipino spirit. They’ll also introduce fellow delegates to Filipino greetings and the respectful tradition of pagmamano, offering a glimpse into the country’s deeply rooted values of respect and family.