A 4th grade student from Cebu has joined Vice President Sara Duterte in her trip to South Korea as she led an education-related engagement there.
Nine-year old “Kester” came with Duterte, also the Department of Education (DepEd) secretary, as she visited Seoul for the Global Education and Innovation Summit (GEIS) to serve as a keynote speaker on Thursday, Sep. 21.
Kester, the third participant in the Office of the Vice President (OVP)’s special project You Can be VP (YCBVP), is “expected to observe and experience what is it like being the second high-ranking leader of the country,” Duterte’s office said.
The OVP’s YCBVP project aims to give the participants the chance to see first-hand the job of the vice president by allowing them to follow her and observe her official engagements.
Participants must have impressive academic records and must show commitment to finish their studies and fulfill their dreams, according to OVP.
The project also encourages other learners to aim high and develop their leadership skills.
The YCBVP was launched in 2022. Grade 9 student Trix from Dinalupihan, Bataan was its first recipient.
Trix accompanied Duterte in her inaugural foreign travel to Japan to attend the state funeral of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visit the Shibahama Elementary School.
In June 2022, Grade 8 student Naomi from Bacolod City accompanied the Vice President in her activities in Brunei and Singapore.
This time, Kester joined Duterte in her official engagements, which includes being one of the guest speakers during the GEIS.
They met with several high ranking officials from the Republic of Korea, and concluded the trip by meeting members of the Filipino community there.