They say all good things must come to an end. But as the Belt and Road Countries Journalist Leaders and Gen Z Young Leaders Seminar wrapped up on July 21, 2025, at the Research and Training Institute (RTI) of China’s National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) in Beijing, it felt more like a beginning than a goodbye.
Global bonds formed beyond borders as 27 delegates from 10 countries across five continents—and our ever-supportive Chinese hosts from NRTA — David, Alex, Jade, and Di —kept the connections alive through freshly created group chats.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, the seminar blended professional media and communication courses with rich cultural immersion. From lectures to breathtaking tours to iconic sites, including the Great Wall, Central TV Tower, Bird’s Nest, Terracotta Warriors, Fu Tea Town, and multiple museums, every day brought something new. Delegates also had the rare chance to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) TV Festival, immersing ourselves in global broadcasting trends.
The entire program unfolded across Beijing and Xi’an, transforming what began as classroom learning into a meaningful, cross-cultural journey.
Warm send-off
During the closing program, NRTA deputy vice president Liu Linhai awarded certificates to delegates from the Philippines (yes, that’s me!), Bulgaria, Cyprus, Honduras, Iraq, Kenya, Micronesia, Nigeria, Romania, and South Sudan.
Liu opened his remarks with a question: “Did this seminar meet your expectations—or exceed them?” Without hesitation, we all answered with a heartfelt, “Yes!”
He was referring to the heartfelt five-minute videos each of us submitted — reflections on what moved us most throughout the seminar. Watching those moments come to life on screen felt like the perfect conclusion to an unforgettable chapter.
“I need a moment to calm myself,” Liu said, visibly moved. “I’ve just watched so many touching videos, and I want to take a moment to express how I feel. I always look forward to the video presentations at the end of every seminar — it’s when we truly see what we’ve achieved together.”
He praised the delegates’ passion and authenticity.
Liu congratulated the participants and thanked them for their active involvement and cooperation. He also expressed gratitude to the lecturers who shared their expertise throughout the program.
He described the seminar as a platform known for its inclusiveness, integration, and multilateral approach, enabling meaningful engagement with China’s media landscape.
“We hope these lectures and exchanges gave you valuable insights to grow professionally — and that they serve as a foundation for future media cooperation among Belt and Road countries,” Liu said.
The delegates later received tokens of appreciation from the NRTA and were treated to a special luncheon banquet to celebrate the completion of the program.
A bit of everything
Jose Miguel Marichal Sandoval, a TV anchor, model, and content creator from Honduras, in his speech, humbly asked for understanding in case of any mispronunciations, explaining that he had created his video using his skills and experiences from the seminar.
If there had been a ranking, his video would’ve easily taken the top spot — entertaining, polished, and impressively well-produced.
“I shared a little bit of everything I went through here,” he said. “I prayed that everything would go well, and it did. I hope you felt the same way, too.”
He closed with a hopeful promise:
Despite the language gap, Miguel made strong connections. With translator apps and open hearts, he fit right in, even as the only non-English speaker in the group. Over time, he became like one of my adoptive sons during the seminar. We often talked about football, our families, music, faith, and our shared belief in Christianity. Food also became a favorite topic; we’d compare dishes from home.
I told him how many Filipino words sound like Spanish, thanks to centuries of Spanish colonization. That always got us laughing, discovering cultural overlaps we didn’t expect.
Delegates’ conversations would often drift to what life is like back in our home countries, from everyday routines to cultural quirks, and in those moments, the language barrier didn’t matter. What remained was connection, curiosity, and mutual respect.
Inspiration across borders
Saeed Sarwat Mahmood, news editor of Kurdsat Broadcasting Corporation in Iraq, expressed his deep appreciation for the privilege to be part of the seminar. Team Iraq presented a well-thought-out video on China’s bike-sharing program, highlighting how a similar initiative could be replicated.
“We’ve learned so much from the Chinese people — from their culture to the incredible progress they’ve made over the years,” Saeed shared. “We’re not trying to copy everything they’ve done, but we’re drawing inspiration. Coming from Iraq — the fourth most-affected country by global warming — we know how important it is to act.”
He ended on a hopeful note: “We’re truly grateful for everything you have done for us. We hope we can come back someday, say, after two years!” he said with a smile, prompting laughter and cheers from the rest of the room.
Life-changing experience
BJ Obispo, public relations commissioner of Pohnpei Utilities Corporation in Micronesia, shared that the seminar wasn’t just about experiences, but about how it felt to live the Chinese way of life.
“Through teamwork and collaboration, we told meaningful stories despite the limitations,” he said, adding that the laughter, friendships, and conversations over meals and travels made a lasting impact apart from the lectures.
“Let’s take those memories,” he added, “and plant them in our hearts, water them with our thoughts, and fertilize them with time — so they’ll grow and stay with us for life.”
Ester Nekesa Mabonga, senior communication officer of the University of Nairobi, shared how the experience made them reflect deeply: “There were times we found ourselves really asking, How do they do it?” she said. “We were challenged in time management, in discipline… It was life-changing. We were moved, and it pushed us in the best way. What we take home with us isn’t just what we did, but how we were challenged to grow. We just have to keep it going.”
Meanwhile, Vanessa Dagonyaro from Nigeria's Centre for Management Development said, “If there’s one thing we learned from this trip, it’s love,” she said. “We love to love — and that’s what our video was really about. A compilation of memories that will last forever.”
She shared how her image of China had been shaped by the kindness they experienced.
“We’re taking that love home with us,” she added. “We’ll carry the friendships, the memories, and the warmth. China has played such a vital role in shaping our lives and our future. Until we meet again — hopefully soon.”
What I brought home
Honestly, I thought I was just going to attend a seminar. What I didn’t expect was how deeply it would move me.
In just two weeks, I found friendships that felt like family, lessons that pushed me to grow, and stories that reminded me why I fell in love with journalism in the first place. This experience brought me back to the heart of storytelling — not just to inform, but to connect. To listen. To understand. To heal.
At SunStar Davao, we’ve written about Davao’s links with China — roads, bridges, trade. But being there, I felt the heartbeat behind those headlines. I saw the people. I understood the purpose. It’s a different story when you get to see it, breathe it, live it.
And now that I’m back home in Davao, I’m bringing more than just memories. I’m bringing stories — real, raw, human. The kind that stay. MLSA