Pinoy students awarded in South Korea pro-environment forum

Philippine delegates Hannah Joy Alcomendas, Debby Sy and Camille Joy Buron wore their Filipiñana outfits during the Cultural Night. Photo courtesy  Dennis Espineli Salcedo, coordinator of 5th APYPW.
The Philippine delegation to a recent gathering in South Korea that seeks to raise public awareness of water usage habit and youth participation in solving water-related issues has won several awards.
Debby Sy and Hannah Joy Alcomendas were recognized for their contributions to the four-day Asia Pacific Youth Parliament for Water (APYPW) event by the Korea Water Forum at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology.
The two were sorted into four commissions with the following themes: Climate Change Adaptation, Water Quality Conservation, Ethics for Water, and Sustainable Water Use.
Sy took home the President of Korea Environment Corporation and Outstanding Youth award in her commission after identifying key issues in the communities and presenting solutions that could reach the targets they set up.
“For me, after the forum, it goes to show that even if we are indirectly part of the political system, and whether we have a position or not, as long as you advocate for what is right and actively do what you can in your own simple way, we all can help make the world a better place," Sy said.
The Development Communication student of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños is currently an exchange student under the Global Business Administration program in Far East University in Eumseong.
On the other hand, Alcomendas, a Development Studies major at De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, received the President of K-water award, named after Korea Water Resources Corporation CEO Choi Gye-woon.
Sy and Alcomendas were joined by Filipino delegate Camille Joy Buron. The three were selected by the KWF out of 2,000 Filipino applicants.
“I learned how to make a commission statement, declaration, etc. I also learned how to communicate with people from other cultures, including how to ask without offending them. I think I was hesitant at first since I was intimidated, so I only shared my ideas with a few people. Now, I know how these things work and I will do better next time,” Buron said.
The APYPW is an annual youth water education program aimed at encouraging young leaders to investigate and solve water-related challenges within their respective countries.
About 78 students from 25 Asia-Pacific countries determined that public awareness of water usage habit  and youth participation in solving water-related issues must be the target of this year's program.
Their solutions include the promotion of free existing educational mobile application; volunteering in educational events; using social media to promote water-related opportunities to individuals and youth groups; and broadening public access to seminars. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News

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