In this Issue - The Japan Foundation, Manila

I realized that the common challenges
of Asia would have to be shared by
everyone for it to be solved. We are
affected by the degradation of our
environment, by poverty, and by not
knowing the solutions to the pressing
problems of our countries. However,
we saw that we can be creative
with our solutions like the Neo-
Angono Artists Collective. We can use
leadership to take our constituents
where we need to go as exemplified
by the Municipality of Teresa’s Solid
Waste Management Program. We can
work together, like the Gawad Kalinga,
so that poverty does not trap us in a
vicious cycle.
2. Building relationship is essential
in seeing things clearly.
During those four days, the participants
conversed with one another, ate
together, heard each other out, had fun
together, plotted adventures together,
and built a road together. These simple
acts of doing things together somehow
created a bond that I will share with the
participants for as long as I live.
laying the brick with me. I will never
forget you guys, for you are now my
friends. Expect me to help you and
your country in the future, in whatever
small way that I can.”
I realized that this activity is not just
about one big project - it is about
a personal relationship that we can
share with one another. While it talks
about Asia as a concept, it is brought
together by personal relationship
that we can actually experience. In
the end, the bridges that would
be built are made stronger by the
relationships that exist beyond the
titles and formalities.
3. We can start now.
Being aware of our differences and
uniqueness paved the way for us to
see clearly the things that we can do
either individually or as a group. Yes,
there are differences that separated
us like our geographies, histories,
tradition and cultures. But we are also
now in a position to shape our future
and Asia as our home. We said that
we would do this by doing something
together on October 10, 2010. We
look forward to the activity, Day 1:
Building a Shared Future, in which
we shall start and show an Asia-wide
FEATURE 13
simple act of collaboration by planting
trees in wherever we are.
This is not just a tree planting activity.
This is us, asking our countrymen to
see that we can work for our future
together. That cooperation and doing
something together could lead to
a synergy that might be the way to
solve our deepest and most difficult
problems. For more information about
this activity and if you want to join in
building a shared future, see (http://
www.facebook.com/ref=home#!/
pages/Day-1-Building-a-Shared-Futur
e/148548191835474v=info&ref=ts).
I took that initiative with me, and am
now actively talking to friends in the
Philippines from Mindoro to Davao
to explore whether they can plant
trees on October 10. The energy is
so strong that it has been infecting
everyone. After this activity, we are
going to celebrate and explore more
ways of working together.
I am aware that the future is still
very much uncertain. But with new
friends, creative ways of doing things, and
agreements to work together, I feel a little
less anxious - knowing that the future is
going to be shared and shaped by the
young leaders of today.
In the reflection session after the
Gawad Kalinga activity, I told my
fellow participants: “Thank you for
helping my country, thank you for
eginnings
Photo courtesy of Jerry Jose
Photo courtesy of Jerry Jose
The JNB participants pose for posterity after they have built the road in the BASECO Gawad Kalinga Village
looking forward!
Jerry Jose is a Program Manager at the AIM Team Energy Center for Bridging Leadership. He enjoys traveling as much as he is passionate in helping to create a better future for the
Philippines.