One morning, before heading out for another day of work in the muddy fishponds which I consider my office, I was encouraged to join the Generation of Sea and Earth Advocates (GenSEA) camp. In the program, I saw “project pitching” and immediately thought, “Is this like Shark Tank?”. So without much thinking, I said yes.

A few weeks later, straight from our site in Surigao del Sur (check out the work we’re doing there) I arrived in Nasugbu, Batangas. There it hit me – this would be my first time attending a conference in the marine science space, and I’d be one of the oldest in the cohort. Still, I stayed open and curious, ready to learn from the experience and the people around me.

The Power of Community

GenSEA, organized by Save Philippine Seas and supported by the French Embassy, brings together youth across the Philippines with the potential to become changemakers and environmental advocates in their hometowns, schools, or workplaces. The camp went beyond just meeting like-minded peers. It tackled the state of our seas, the challenges they face, and how each of us could lead change. What stood out the most to me, however, was a powerful sense of community.

The cohort included students from various fields and a few early-career professionals like myself. Many of the facilitators and speakers were alumni of Sea Camp, an earlier youth program also organized by Save Philippine Seas. This community so lovingly called “seablings” was built on generous knowledge-sharing and honest, encouraging conversations. The alumni spoke about how being part of this network had shaped their careers and advocacies. This community reminded me that you don’t need to be the most experienced person in the room to make an impact, you just need to show up, and be willing to learn, connect, and take action. 

“Whatever it is you want to do, chances are, the only thing standing in your way is you.” – Anna Oposa, Chief Mermaid of Save Philippine Seas

“Malayo pa, pero malayo na”

This phrase, currently trending on Filipino social media, translates to “still far, but already far” captures the feeling of still having a long way to go, while also recognizing how far you’ve already come. It concludes how I felt after GenSEA. I’m still early in my career, learning as I go, and I often catch myself belittling my wins against the accolades and hard-won milestones of those around me (why so competitive in the first place? haha). 

I didn’t bring home a project after GenSEA, but this was actually not surprising since it was my first time at a project pitch. I was not discouraged, though, because I knew that I was going to walk away with something even more valuable – a confidence that I have something to contribute. Outside the project pitching activity, spending time among curious peers helped me see that my background in marine biology and training with Oceanus Conservation was valuable. I got the chance to share what I’ve learned so far, and in return, I gained just as much, if not more, from the stories and experiences of others.

Giving back

As a field officer, the heart of my work lies in empowering communities. However, I did not realize until now how important it is to be part of a space that encourages you to show up fully, keep learning, share, and belong to something bigger than yourself. Now, I look forward to stepping into that space more boldly, sharing what I can, and keeping learning from the very community I work with. –

Written by: Andreu Bayongasan

Photos by: Save Philippine Seas