Davao Region’s Sole SSEAYP Ambassador from ADDU Shares Journey with Fr. San Juan
Mr. Sung Goon Acosta, Ateneo de Davao University’s Class of 2026 Salutatorian, paid a courtesy visit to University President Fr. Karel San Juan, SJ, on October 28, 2026. Mr. Acosta is the only Davao Region representative among the 18 Philippine Youth Ambassadors of Goodwill chosen by the National Youth Commission (NYC) for the 50th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP). He used the visit to Fr. San Juan to share his upcoming participation in the program and to express his thanks to the University for its continued support.
Carrying the blue knight leadership abroad
During the visit, Mr. Acosta spoke about the journey ahead as one of the country’s delegates to the international youth exchange, which gathers young leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Member States and Japan. Shaped by the University’s tradition of leadership and service, he voiced his commitment to live out the blue knight leadership on the global stage. He pledged to bring the Davao Region and the wider Mindanao to the forefront by presenting the diversity of their cultures, identities, and stories.
The road to the 50th SSEAYP
His preparations begin with the Pre-Embarkation Activities (PEA) in the National Capital Region from 5 of November 2026 to 5 of December 2026. The month-long program will prepare the Philippine delegation for the voyage through team building, cultural preparation, and discussions on issues concerning the country and the ASEAN region.
After the PEA, Mr. Acosta will sail aboard the Mitsui Ocean Fuji, the official ship of the 50th SSEAYP, from 3 January 2027 to 5 February 2027. The voyage will take the youth ambassadors from Japan to Cambodia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, and back to Japan. Over the course of the voyage, participants will join cultural exchanges, institutional visits, dialogues, and community activities meant to build friendship and cooperation among young people in ASEAN and Japan.
Global minds with a Mindanawon heart
This is not Mr. Acosta’s first time representing the University abroad. He previously represented Ateneo de Davao at the 31st Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASEACCU) Annual Conference through the Ateneo Internationalization for Mindanao Office (AIM).
His experiences reflect the University’s commitment to forming global minds with a Mindanaoan heart, preparing its students to engage the world while staying rooted in their communities.
Mr. Acosta was earlier announced as the Class of 2026 Salutatorian and Davao Region’s sole Philippine Youth Ambassador to the 50th SSEAYP.
