Lakbay-Aral Program

WHAT IS THE LAKBAY-ARAL PROGRAM?

Lakbay-Aral is a Filipino term which means "travel study". It is a two-week cultural immersion program in the Philippines. The Lakbay-Aral, developed and implemented by CFO since 1983, enables Filipino youth overseas to rediscover their Filipino roots and appreciate the richness and diversity of their heritage. The program combines lectures on Philippine history and language and guided tours to scenic and historical landmarks. Interaction with Filipino students, public officials and members of indigenous communities and participation in local festivities are also included in the program.

HISTORY

Lakbay-Aral is the result of a survey conducted by CFO in 1981 among immigrants from selected cities of Canada and U.S.A. The survey showed that immigrants agreed that it was important for their children to know and appreciate their Filipino heritage. The Lakbay-Aral program which was first implemented in 1983 has been conducted in 1985, 1987, 1988, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. The program has enabled 180 participants from France, Spain, Switzerland, and U.S.A., to learn more about the Philippines and its people.

OBJECTIVES

The program seeks to provide youth overseas with opportunities to trace their roots and rediscover their identities as Filipinos. After the two-week experiential program in the Philippines, the participants should have a better understanding and appreciation of the Philippines and its people. The experience and knowledge gained will hopefully serve as catalyst in the participant's search for and realization of his/her Filipino identity.

PROGRAM FEATURES

The activity is an immersion program in the Philippine studies which enables participants to learn and appreciate Filipino socio-cultural dynamics and environment through field tours combined with on-site lectures conducted at historical landmarks and scenic spots in selected urban and rural areas in the Philippines.

An actual exposure to Filipino customs, traditions, arts and crafts is highlighted by the participants' participation in traditional festivities. The program also offers opportunity for interaction with Filipino students, government and community leaders, and members of the indigenous community.

PROGRAM MECHANICS

The program is open to all Filipinos or of Filipino descent abroad who are 15 years old and above, and physically fit. This is also open to anyone who would like to learn more about the Philippines.

Program modules may be developed by interested groups in consideration of their interests and availability. Interested participants will be required to submit the duly accomplished registration form, parental consent, and medical authorization, together with the non-refundable confirmation fee of $50. The payment for the required confirmation fee can be sent through bank remittance to the following account:

Acct. Name: Commission on Filipinos Overseas
Acct. No. : 000012-1149-23
Swift Code: TLBPPHMMAXXX
Bank Name: Land Bank of the Philippines
Branch : Intramuros, Manila

PROGRAM COST

The program cost includes all inland transportation, food (breakfast, lunch and dinner), hotel accommodation, tour packages, and medical and accident insurance for the duration of the program. The program fee does not cover international airfare to and from Manila.

LAKBAY ARAL SA PILIPINAS : YouLeaD Experience

22-30 September 2011

Recognizing the vital role of the overseas Filipino youth in the country’s migration and development agenda, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO)decided to reach out to them and call them “YouLeaD” or (Youth Leaders in the Diaspora).

This CFO initiative will take two (2) forms:

1. the 9-day YouLeaD Experience, where 100 Filipino youth leaders ages 16-34 years old, per UN standard, from across the globe will gather from September 22 to 30, 2011 in Manila and Palawan and

2. the participation of the YouLeaD in the forthcoming 3-day Global Summit of Filipinos in the Diaspora from September 27 to 29, 2011, at the PICC, Manila.

This means that both the participants of the 2011 YouLeaD Experience and overseas youth leaders who can not participate in the former will be able to meet each other, interact and network during the September 27 to 29 Global Summit especially on September 27, when YouLead will have a separate set of plenary session and workshops simultaneous to those of the 3 organizers: CFO for the Presidential Awardees, NAFFAA and USPinoys for Good
Governance for their respective members attending the Global Summit.

9-Day Program for the YouLeaD Experience

Day 1: September 22, 2011 (Thursday)

Theme: The Journey of Discovering Your Filipino Ancestry

•Arrival in Manila and check-in hotel
•Introduction and Program Orientation
•Walking tour of Malacañang Museum that combines history of Philippine Presidency and artworks and collections from the Spanish Era
•Calesa (horse-drawn carriage) tour of Intramuros, the old walled city of Manila
•Visit Luneta/Rizal Park, an urban and historical park and artist’s sanctuary
•Group discussion (Expectation Setting)

Day 2: September 23, 2011 (Friday)

Theme: The Journey of Discovering Your Filipino Ancestry

•Arrival in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
•Visit and meet with students at local school / college / university in Palawan
•Lecture on Filipino History: Colonization and its impact on Filipino Culture, Values and Language
•Visit non-traditional artists space and learn about the Filipino Arts and its evolution
•Learnabout your ancestral roots

Day 3: September 24, 2011 (Saturday)

Theme: The Influences and Effect of Migration

•Eco-tour of Palawan (island hopping)
•Lectures on Filipino food, Filipino social norms, dialects, religion and its preservation or loss through the generations
•Visit grassroots organizations: sustainable and innovative programs impacting lives of vulnerable populations on the island
•Discussion on Filipino social or culture norms that have been internalized in our generation and how it impacts volunteerism, social responsibility, and life

Day 4: September 25, 2011 (Sunday)

Theme: Being a Change Agent in Today’s World

•Visit Palawan Underground River
•Meet with Local Government of Puerto Princesa City to learn how participatory leadership and good governance engages the entire community/city to actively take part in development initiatives
•Participants will discuss laws that have been enacted in their residing country that show good governance and leadership

Day 5: September 26, 2011 (Monday)

Theme: Creating and Becoming a Catalyst of Change

•Arrive in Manila and check-in the hotel
•Visit Senate and meet with Senators: Introduction on Overseas Absentee Voting and Dual Citizenship
•Visit the office of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas to learn about its function and the programs it provides to all Filipinos across the world
•Volunteer at Gawad Kalinga, whose mission is to reduce poverty in the country
•Discussion on how to encourage and reach out to Filipinos abroad in volunteering in the Philippines

Day 6: September 27, 2011 (Tuesday)

Theme: Defining Leadership Styles of the Next Generation

Venue: Philippine International Convention Center, Manila

Morning Sessions:

•Leadership
•Volunteerism
•Diaspora to Development

Afternoon Session:

(Sectors were selected based on the popularity, interest, and rising careers of Filipinos abroad and locally)    

•Arts and Culture Exchange – covering media, martial arts, dance, film, fashion, etc.
•Health, Wellness, and Sports – covering popular sports (boxing, basketball, and soccer), healthcare industry in the Philippines, non-traditional medicine, hilot, etc.
•Science and Technology – covering animation, social networking, environmental Protection, etc.
•Social Entrepreneurship – covering successful businesses run by youth (recycled bags and accessories, blogging, eco-tourism, food, etc.)
•Education – covering literacy, mentoring, work-based education projects, non-traditional learning, etc.
Evening Session:

•Recognizing and understanding generational barriers

Day 7: September 28, 2011(Wednesday)

Venue: Philippine International Convention Center, Manila

•“YouLeaD” will join the plenary sessions and workshops of the Global Summit.
They will gather after 5:00pm to debrief and to prepare for the next day.

Day 8: September 29, 2011 (Thursday)

Venue: Philippine International Convention Center, Manila

•“YouLeaD” Participants will join the succeeding workshops and closing ceremonies of the Global Summit. They will present YouLeaD’s action plan: How Filipino Youth Leaders can remain engaged in the development of the country and encourage youth participation among Filipino associations abroad.

Day 9: September 30, 2011 (Friday)

•Closing ceremonies of “YouLeaD”.  Finish by noon.