By GABRIEL KATUHO
PHILIP Counsel, who hails from Yaul Island, is not just a yoga teacher and dance instructor; he is a beacon of inspiration for the youth of Papua New Guinea.
Previously associated with ‘You Yet PNG Limited,’ an initiative funded by the National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop, and founded by Miss Fazila Bazari, Philip is now on a journey to create his own path.
His journey began with the Active City Development programme, a commendable initiative that united youths from diverse backgrounds and steered them away from illicit drugs and anti-social behavior.
Philip’s life story is one of resilience. Despite dropping out of school in the middle of the tenth grade due to financial constraints, he found work as a seaman in a Taiwanese company operating under a PNG license.
He later left school to pursue this job full-time. Tragically, he lost his mother in 2013 while working in the Solomon Islands, prompting him to return home for her funeral. Although he left his seafaring career, he continued to contribute to PNG’s development by working with Lohberger Engineering and later returning to international waters.
In 2016, after returning from Hong Kong, Philip joined the youth program, where he discovered his passion for yoga, acrobatics, and dance. This year marks his seventh year in the programme, and he plans to establish his own dancing and acrobatics studio to train interested youth. Currently, he has eight members, including two girls and six boys, training with him.
Today, Philip sustains himself through small betel nut sales while working towards establishing his own marketplace, with hopes of expanding it into a mini trading shop.
Philip’s true passion lies in dance and acrobatics, art forms that he describes as beautiful, entertaining, and universal languages.
His goal is to build a website that will allow clients to easily book his dance performances for various events, from kids’ birthday parties to Independence Day celebrations.
Joseph Goiye Kanene, his website developer from Linezie Data Analytics, also contributes to empowering youths with disabilities and supporting sporting communities.
“My main passion is dance and performing acrobatics. It is a beautiful thing, an entertainment, exercise and most of all it is a universal language. I am currently saving up to build a web site so clients can easily book my dance show for kids’ birthday parties or events like the Independence Day celebrations and so on,” he explained.
Having performed in numerous awareness shows, including prestigious venues like the Hilton Hotel and Cosmopolitan, Philip’s journey almost took him to the Dubai World Cultural Expo in 2020 as a part of the Active City Development dance troupe.
Philip is particularly passionate about acrobatics, a gymnastic sport that is relatively rare in PNG.
He believes that showcasing talents such as dance could put the country on the global map, as exemplified by the success of groups such as One Squad.
He encourages young people who may feel marginalised or underprivileged to explore yoga programmes and classes at designated locations.
For Philip, yoga has been a transformative force in his life, especially the meditation aspect, which has enabled him to connect with his inner self, body, mind, and thoughts.
He emphasises that external distractions often hinder young people from focusing on their goals, and meditation through yoga has helped him discover his true self and aspirations.
Philip believes that today’s youth face unique challenges, including a challenging job market, a growing population, and limited opportunities. Despite these obstacles, he strives to earn a living while pursuing his dreams. He also hopes to teach children and young people and perform with his dance troupe at various events.
In Port Moresby, ‘You Yet PNG Ltd’, now known as the Active City Development Programme, is the sole programme of its kind. Philip’s studio will add to the program’s offerings. He appeals to the Member for Kairuku Hiri, Peter Isoaimo, to support similar initiatives beyond traditional sports in the province to empower underprivileged youth.
Furthermore, Philip’s story is a testament to the power of determination and resilience, offering hope and inspiration to young men and women seeking to pursue their passions and dreams in life.
Philip Counsel, is not just a yoga teacher and dance instructor; he is a beacon of inspiration for the youth of Papua New Guinea. – Pictures supplied
