Ric Jan Gabales, a fourth-year Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages (BAFL) student from the College of Arts and Sciences at West Visayas State University (WVSU), has been selected as one of the official Philippine delegates to the Youth Camp for ASEAN and Friends’ Engagement (YCAFE) 2025, held from August 3 to 8 in Seoul, South Korea.
The camp, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, gathers outstanding youth leaders from ASEAN Member States and South Korea to promote cultural exchange, deepen regional cooperation, and strengthen ASEAN-Korea relations.
This year’s camp is themed “ASEAN in Talk with K-Culture”, highlighting the role of cultural dialogue in building mutual understanding across borders. Over the course of the week-long program, delegates participate in policy forums, lectures, field visits, and youth exchange activities designed to foster regional dialogue and collaboration.
One of the culminating activities of the camp is a TED Talk-style final presentation, where participants share their reflections and key insights. These presentations are evaluated by Korean government officials, university professors, and media professionals.
Gabales expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying,
“I feel incredibly grateful and excited to represent WVSU and the Philippines in YCAFE 2025, as I see this not solely as a personal endeavor, but as an avenue to showcase what WVSU has to offer—especially in promoting our growing Korean language program and the potential of our BAFL students to take part in international exchanges. I am also deeply honored to have been given this opportunity by the Korean Embassy in the Philippines, whose support made it possible for me to join this transformative camp.”
His selection marks a significant milestone not only in his personal journey but also in the university’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its internationalization agenda.
By Gladwyn B. Gustilo/ILLO
