20th SIGA in Cebu, Philippines Report

15 delegates (10 PYs, 4 host families and 1 guest) from Brunei Darussalam attended the 20th SIGA in Cebu, Philippines organised by the SSEAYP Alumni Association of Philippines, Inc from 1-4th May 2008 at the Waterfront City Hotel in Cebu City. The Bruneian delegation was headed by the Secretary General of Bersatu, Fakhri 04.

The events started out with the opening ceremony on the 2nd of May at the Ballroom of the Waterfront City Hotel. The Opening Ceremony was also lucky to have received an address from Dr Surin Pitsuwan, the Secretary-General of ASEAN.

Dr Surin Pitsuwan giving his address at the Opening Ceremony

The events of the Opening Ceremony included a photo session, gift presentation to the Guest of Honour and address, ribbon cutting of an ART exhibit (made out of garbage waste) and presentations of activities by the respective SSEAYP International Members.

Presentation of Bersatu activities for the past year...

Gift presentation to the Guest of Honour at the Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony also revealed the announcement of Mr Masanobu Shiratori (JPY93, JNL '03) as the Secretary-General of SSEAYP International.

The afternoon session included workshops for PYs (Managing Human Resources, Volunteer Network and Travel Network) as well as a separate workshop for host families wishing to set up their own associations in their respective countries.

The delegates then attended a Welcome Dinner hosted by the Tourism Secretary at the Cebu Grand Convention Centre. Everyone attended in their National Costumes.

Gift Exchange with the Guest of Honour at the Welcoming Dinner
SSEAYP Batch '07 at the Welcoming Dinner

The following day included institutional visits to various tourist attractions in Cebu City as well as a trip to see the famous Dancing Inmates from the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Centre. You can check out their famous dances here on Youtube.

Some delegates also took part in a mini-Amazing Race organised by the Organising Committee that morning.

Inmates performing their famous "Thriller" dance.

The farewell dinner took place at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, hosted by the Cebu Provincial Governor. Activities included the SSEAYP Raffle Draw (to help fund the SI Welfare Scholarship), a presentation of the next host of SIGA from SI Indonesia, and of course the Nippon Maru song to end it.

Gift Exchange with the Governor of Cebu

Winners of the Amazing Race wearing their cool prizes. BPYs Chris 07 and Tasha 07 were part of the winning team. Congrats!

SIGA delegate heads

At the Farewell Ceremony

Congratulations to SSEAYP Alumni Association, Philippines, Inc, for hosting the 20th SIGA. It really was "beyond the usual".

See you all at the 21st SIGA next year in Yogyakarta, Indonesia (30 Apr - 3 May)!