Firstly let me apologize for submitting this post a bit later than I would’ve liked.  You can thank my unbearable fatigue and certain Internet mishaps for that.  I am actually rewriting this post after having lost it…

Finally, I can tell you all about the Philippine Youth Leadership Program since today was the first official day of the PYLP Follow On Program.  The PYLP is a United States State Department sponsored initiative designed to encourage and promote inter-ethnic dialogue and conflict resolution amongst the various religious (mostly Christian and Muslim) and indigenous groups in the war embattled region of Mindanao.  As I alluded to before, the Philippines government has been involved in a large-scale armed conflict with the Muslim separatist groups for a while now.  The rebels are asking for complete severance from Manila and want complete independence as opposed to the loose semi-autonomy that exists in the region.  The main group, MILF (Morros Islamic Liberation Front), is carrying out bombings, kidnappings, and guerilla warfare against the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).  Expectedly, such conflict terrorizes and impacts civilians in a very destructive way.  Most people in the volatile regions live with the fear of mortars landing in front of their houses and constant evacuations—not a pleasant way to live.  Interestingly enough, the manner in which the conflict is conducted is quite a contrast to the patterns and moulds we’re used to hearing about.  Apparently, the rebels are not afraid to hide here and are as visible as the never-ending Sulu Sea enveloping the Island.  It seems that this particular dynamic arises from the fact that these rebels consider this region their rightful homeland and their efforts as a way to protect their homes.  Historically, the Muslim-dominated regions have enjoyed relative autonomy both under Spanish rule (largely because they were difficult to conquer) and US colonization.  Thus, as one can imagine, being forced into a geographical and political union with the other islands was seen as a huge encroachment on their sovereignty.  Nonetheless, armed conflicts rarely help and advance the true objectives of the people for whom they claim to be fighting.  The conflict also has some peculiar twists that I find fascinating as an observer.  The Philippine army is rendered inept in the unfamiliar terrain of the region, which serves as an inviting opportunity for the smaller but powerful rebel forces to capitalize on such vulnerability.  This sounds awfully similar to the American military failures in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.  Interestingly enough, the newspapers reported that two days ago that the Philippine army’s ammunition stocks have been depleted so severely that Manila has entered into a cease-fire agreement with the rebels. Yupp, they’ve run out of guns.  Who knew?!?  Don’t you worry, people will be suffering soon enough because we have plenty of marauding and selfish governments ready to assure that gun supply isn’t the reason for peace.  On the flip side of things, both warring parties have openly and explicitly asked for US assistance in mediating the conflict.  In fact, the rebels have agreed to renounce links with other terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda in exchange for support.  I didn’t realize to the scale to which the US is expected to police the world.  I always figured that we forcibly intervene for our own selfish pursuits but that is a gross simplification of global dynamics and regional influences.  I guess, I’ll leave the intricacies of the matter to the political scientists here. 

 With that “brief” sketch of the conflict out of the way, one can only imagine the destructive impact that this can have on the youth.  The US stepped in to empower the communities here by developing youth leaders through several programs including the PYLP.  The PYLP is a very comprehensive and selective program that is run through cooperation amongst many NGOs and institutions in the Philippines and Northern-Illinois University (NIU) on the State side.  High school students are recruited from all over the Mindenao region and are invited to a rigorous application process.  Everything from academic achievement, community service, extracurricular commitments, vision for the future, to language ability are thoroughly scrutinized and analyzed for compatibility.  The program is so well received to the point parents and families engage in chicanery by producing spurious birth certificates and documents to by pass qualifying criteria.  Naga told me that there are many instances of such drama.  After being selected for interviews, the applicants are subjected to an involved interview process with the admissions committee akin to the Fulbright Fellowship.  Following interviews, the selected applicants are brought to the US at NIU to engage in a month long training program.  During the month, they learn leadership skills and gain confidence through targeted workshops, community service, site visits, foster families, and lectures etc… Actually, that is how I got involved because I was invited to do one of the workshops during the month and absolutely enjoyed working with these bright and highly engaged students.  The students then bring back their newfound skills and experiences to their respective communities to engage in service projects to empower their communities.  They are heavily supported by the PYLP network of organizations and institutions.  Isn’t that awesome?!  I feel extremely proud as an American to be funding something like this with my tax dollars.  Apparently, we fund similar programs in other countries including Afghanistan and Iraq.  Wow!  I just wish that initiatives like this got more press and support than our bomb-dropping campaigns.  The PYLP has been in action for 6-years now and Dr. Russell told me that she got a 3-year renewal on the grant.  Awesome!  We do some good after all! Yay!  So, this week’s program is a reunion of sorts for the kids sent to the US. They are all invited to come back and share their experiences and obtain the support they need for moving ahead.  I will be keeping you all updated on the activities as the days proceed. 

 Today, we were a tad bit late getting to the Silsala community center largely because of me forgetting that we were in the Philippines not the US.  I needed to print out documents for my workshop and that involved finding a place that has a USB reader with a capable printer and then finding a Xerox machine to run copies.  A process that would’ve taken 10 minutes tops in the US took 30 minutes!  Sometimes, we take our conveniences and progress for granted.  I am sure if some of us spent more time abroad, we would rejoice and quit complaining.  After reaching the community center, we began the introductory session, which featured opening remarks by Dr. Nagasure Madale (Naga) and Dr. Russell (She is a tenured professor of Anthropology with a specific expertise in the Philippines at NIU so naturally she was dubbed as the director of the program), testimonials from previous PYLP alumni, and solidarity prayers.  Hearing the testimonials was particularly heart warming since these were participants from 6 years ago sharing the role that PYLP played in their lives in terms of their development and maturation.  I could literally write pages about these testimonials themselves but don’t worry I won’t.  :)  After the opening program, it was my turn up at bat.  Light, Cameras, and Action….

Dr. Madale ready to begin!

Passing along instructions before my workshop

 As I mentioned previously, I was responsible for leading a workshop.  The topic and framework was left entirely up to me.  The workshop entitled Spiritually-based Activism: Fueling Inspiration and Overcoming Challenges was designed with the intention to precipitate the excitement and inspiration that lays dormant in us due to the self-imposed and socially-imposed barriers that exist as one is growing through the challenges of youth.  I wanted to make my talk very interactive so I had the students do a self-identity exercise, which helped illustrate to them that they are influenced by many things and are much more than the labels that people ascribe to them.  Following that, we discussed a few religious narratives to see how others have employed their spirituality and belief system to empower the global community.  From what I gather, the students really enjoyed the activities.  I also threw in my words of encouragement.  Of course, I spoke more than I should have. Lol  I know some of you are chuckling at reading this.  Yes, I did shower them with my rosy and “cheesy” views. Honestly, I feel extremely proud of the kids since they are so highly engaged and active.  They treated me respectfully and appreciatively for which I am definitely grateful.  I just hope I did some good today. 

Following my workshop, we had lunch.  I enjoyed some rice, fried chicken, organic salad (veggies farmed at the Sisila community center), mangoes (yummy) and a fruit called Santos.  Oh man, Santos tastes sour and sweet like sour patch kids.  Sooo good!  After lunch, the students split into four groups to go to various private schools in the area to help campaign for the week’s service project (a brainchild of one of the past PYLP alumni).  The service project was called “operation shoe-box” in which High School students were expected to donate school supplies and a letter of peace and encouragement for the indigent peoples in the public schools of the region.  This gave me an opportunity to see the kids in action speaking passionately and cogently for a venerable cause.  Also, I got to check out the other High Schools in the area.  It was pretty amazing I must say.  And I have to mention my Hollywood (or as Gerald would say my Bollywood) stardom with the girls at these schools.  Apparently, me being different and having the Philippino desired features makes me a hot shot with the girls here.  Embarrassed in even communicating this via a public blog, the girls were swooning over me and were utterly fascinated with me.  Literally, all you needed were the paparazzi to complete my celebrity.  Dr. Russell and I just laughed it off.  Quite cute, if I must admit.  Anyways, enough with my vanity.  As we were returning to the community center, I treated my group of students to a local ice cream creation called Knickerbocker or Halo Halo.  It was fruits and ice cream in a cup and was absolutely delicious.  Thoroughly spent, we were all pretty fatigued once returning to the community center. 

 At the community center, I met Martha Buckley (the US embassy representative) and we chatted a bit.  We had a few hours before dinner.  So, while the kids were debriefing, I decided to get some exercise in.  I went out for a jog and was extremely exhausted a half-mile in.  The humid air and the hilly path are elements that I am not quite used to.  Once realizing that the path was extremely muddy, I tried an alternative route and came upon a basketball court.  I joined in a game with a few locals and we had plenty of fun.  I got to exercise and made some new friends.  Also, a Philippino who is 6 inches shorter and wore sandals did school me.  Well, as my buddies at NU know, I gamble way too much on defense and that’s what burned me.  However, I did hold my own on offense.  :) I can’t wait to play with them again.  Being thoroughly exhausted and panting vigorously, I returned to the community center for a quick shower and dinner.  Dinner was delicious!  I had calamari, fried fish, rice, organic salad, a potato dish, and some mangoes.  Yummy!  At dinner, I got a chance to talk to Martha more about her experience as a diplomat.  She was quite impressed with my ambitions and particular career route.  She also suggested that I look into employment through the Foreign Service as a Physician if I really like traveling and different cultures.  Good to know that this option exists.  Later, I joined a few of the girls out in the courtyard.  They were all already feeling sad that they had to leave their friends once again.  They also told me about their lives in their respective communities.  Some of them told me about the constant fear, flying mortars, and evacuations that they have to live with on an everyday basis.  Hearing young people talk about such pervasive violence produces strong and vivid feelings for me: anger and extreme sadness to name a few.  Anger at the perpetrators and sadness for those suffering.  I would expand on this but I really can’t bring myself to do it because, honestly, it will just be too heart wrenching. 

Walk pathway at Silsala

After joking and bantering with the kids, I got a ride to our hotel.  I was soo exhausted and had a headache brewing that I could only bring myself to check my e-mail and do nothing else.  I fell asleep right away and woke up naturally after a 7-hour slumber.  I headed down to the coffee shop for breakfast and to type away my blog post.  Unfortunately, my hour-long typing escapade was all for naught as I lost it completely due to the mishaps I mentioned at the outset.  :( I hope my efforts are much appreciated.  Let’s see what Tuesday has in sore for me.

Palum, 

Mokaram