14 August 2015 – During the last two weeks, the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong warmly welcomed three batches of young Filipino visitors of different background and interest but bound by a common aspiration, that is, to show the world the innate talent, leadership potential, and caring service of the Filipinos.
The Consulate General’s honored guests were four young musicians who successfully passed the audition and became members of the Asian Youth Orchestra, 10 volunteers aboard the Logos Hope, and 48 student delegates taking part in a leadership symposium.
Philippine Consul General to Hong Kong Bernardita Catalla personally met and conferred with them, applauded their efforts of bringing honor to the Philippines, and encouraged them to be ambassadors of goodwill everywhere they go. True to the Filipino tradition of hospitality, visitors were welcomed and treated to a meal, no matter how simple, to make them feel at home. Consul General Catalla hosted the young visitors to dinner at the Consulate General residence and at the Consulate.
4 Pinoys Lend Their Talents to the Asian Youth Orchestra
During the opening ceremony, 12 volunteer-representatives wearing dresses distinctly representing their respective countries, introduced themselves using their national language. The ship’s captain also gave a short talk describing how, as a small boy in Denmark, he was captivated by the noble purpose of the predecessors of Logos Hope and made it his quest to someday be the ship’s captain.
Consul General Catalla was delighted to personally meet the 10 Filipino volunteers aboard the ship, led by the couple-pastors from Cebu, Danny and Cory Varela. The Varelas, who came aboard almost two months ago, are the first Asians who have been invited to serve as the ship’s chaplain.
The husband and wife tandem also arranged the guided tour of the ship of 16 personnel of the Philippine Consulate General on July 31. Not only did the personnel enjoy and learn from the tour, they also made sure that they bring home with them delightful books and souvenir items, all purchased at especially discounted prices.
Students Participate in Leadership Symposium
Close to 50 tertiary students from various colleges and universities in the Philippines participated in the week-long 6th University Scholars Leadership Symposium, which officially opened on August 02 at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The event was organized by the Humanitarian Affairs Asia in collaboration with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Hong Kong Tourism Board.
The Symposium, which ended on August 06, carried the theme “Enrich, Educate and Enlighten.’’ The program proper lined up a host of speakers who spoke on various topics on leadership and social change, e.g. living a purposeful life, joy of giving, overcoming fear, chasing dreams, among others.
Consul General Catalla graced the opening ceremony and personally met the Filipino youth delegates. She lauded the energetic and enthusiastic contingent for proudly and ably representing the Philippines in this annual event. The youthful ‘ambassadors’ in Filipino attire stood tall among some 900 promising young leaders from 57 countries. END