BY EDISON JOSEPH GONZALES
Four Filipino children are representing the Philippines at the 37th Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention (APCC), a global youth program that gathers over 200 eleven-year-olds from across the Asia-Pacific to promote peace through cultural exchange.
Held from July 11 to 22 in Fukuoka, the convention immerses participants in Japanese life through homestays, cultural workshops and school visits. The event highlights omoiyari, the Japanese value of empathy and consideration, as its guiding principle.
“APCC is more than just an exchange program,” said chaperone Ricky Sabino of De La Salle-Santiago Zobel. “It’s a powerful reminder that empathy, what the Japanese call omoiyari, is the heart of global citizenship.”
Representing the Philippines are Junior Ambassadors Stephanie Lauren Andrade, Theana Ijssel “Yana” Leonin, Matthew William “Willy” Rodriguez and David Francis “Davis” Modesto. They are joined by Peace Ambassador Aaron Michel Hernandez, an APCC alumnus and student at the University of the Philippines Manila.
Each child brings a unique lens to the experience.
Andrade, a Grade 6 student and student council president, shared how music bridges cultures. “Here in Japan, I’m singing for new friends,” she said. “It’s amazing how music connects us even when we speak different languages.”
Leonin, who hopes to become a lawyer, said, “Being here has shown me that kindness and understanding are just as important as knowing the rules.”
Rodriguez, a football player, found shared joy in sport. “We didn’t even need to talk,” he said. “We just passed the ball and everyone joined in.”
Modesto, a chess player and drummer, connected the discipline of the game to the program’s values. “Chess teaches you to think before you move,” he said. “That’s like omoiyari. You think of others before you act.”
For Hernandez, returning as a mentor was personal. “This program changed my life when I was their age,” he said. “Now, I get to help these kids discover that same sense of wonder and global connection.”
On Cultural Exchange Day, the Philippine team is performing a stylized version of Pandanggo sa Ilaw, symbolizing resilience and grace. They are also introducing pagmamano, the Filipino gesture of respect to elders.
“It’s amazing how fast you can make friends,” Leonin said. “We’re all different, but we all want to understand each other.” Andrade added, “It’s like the world is getting smaller in the best way.”
Founded in 1989, APCC is a Fukuoka-based nonprofit that aims to build peace by connecting children across borders. In the Philippines, it is represented by Muffet Roberto and supported by The Bridge Club Philippines, an alumni network that mentors future delegates.
“They’ll return home with more than souvenirs,” Sabino said. “They’ll carry stories of courage, laughter and friendship, and a message that peace begins with understanding.”
For more information, visit https://apcc.gr.jp/en.
