NCF receives catalog of Madame Akie Abe Library (Nov 19, 2015)

November 19, 2015by Philip Sanvictores in PIJLC-NCF

Madame Akie Abe, the wife of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, donated to the Nihongo Center Foundation (NCF) numerous books on Japan and Nihongo education. The donation was personally conveyed by Mrs. Abe, who was accompanying her husband – the Prime Minister – during the 27th APEC Summit held in Manila in mid-November 2015. A simple but meaningful donation ceremony was held on November 19, 2015 at the Manila Diamond Hotel.

Mrs. Glenda Toral-Ferma, Deputy Administrator and Faculty member of the Nihongo Center received the donation during the Presentation Ceremony. She was accompanied by selected Nurse and Careworker candidates undergoing Japanese Language Training under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA). Also present during the turnover rites were officials of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines and the Japan Foundation Manila.

The donation consisted of books on current approaches to teaching Japanese Language, as well as books on Japanese culture and history, publications on Sights of Japan, various magazines, and personal books written by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Madame Abe herself.

Mrs. Abe had a fruitful exchange of opinions and insights with the NCF representatives on how Japan views Filipinos in the service industry and how Filipinos view Japan as a country and people. She expressed her appreciation of the warmth and hospitality of Filipinos and their innate nature for caring of the sick and the elderly. The Filipino nurses and care workers in turn expressed their gratitude to the Government of Japan for opening the doors for Filipinos health workers.

Photo Credits: Japan Embassy and Japan Foundation Manila

ASJA-ASCOJA Symposium Series Launched

November 11, 2015by Philip Sanvictores in ASCOJA, ASJA Relations, PHILFEJA

ASJA International of Japan announced in early October the schedule of four symposia to be held in association with counterpart ASCOJA associations in Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore.

Highlights of the Series –

ASJA-ASCOJA Symposium Series for FY 2015 (ending 31 March 2016)

Country	JAV (Vietnam)	PERSADA Indonesia	OJSAT (Thailand)	JUGAS (Singapore)
Date	10-13 December 2015 (F)	18-19 December 2015 (F-Sn)	19-20 February 2016 (F-Sn)	4 March 2016 (Sat)
Venue	ULIS-SUNHWA, University of Languages & Intenational Studies (VNU), Hanoi	Graha Wikta Bakti Hall, Darma Persada Univeristy, Jakarta	Kingpetch Room, Asia Hotel, Bangkok	Japanese Association, Singapore
Theme	Japan ASEAN International Symposium on Education	Implementation of Monozukuri Spirit for Local Industries in ASEAN	Contemporary Japanese Language Teaching in ASEAN and Possible Roles of ASCOJA Chapters in Promoting Japanese Language for Business Practices under AEC	Talent Management and Globalization – the impact on ASEAN and Japan

All ASCOJA Chapter Associations are invited to attend the 2015 ASCOJA Symposium Series, where travel and lodging costs for two (2) official delegates from each country-association will be provided by ASJA International. PHILFEJA will be participating in these symposia with nominations to be provided by the following associations:

Country	JAV (Vietnam)	PERSADA Indonesia	OJSAT (Thailand)	JUGAS (Singapore)
Date	10-13 December 2015 (F)	18-19 December 2015 (F-Sn)	19-20 February 2016 (F-Sn)	4 March 2016 (Sat)
Theme	International Symposium on Education	Monozukuri for ASEAN Industries	Contemporary Japanese Language Teaching in ASEAN	Talent Management and Globalization
Nominating Association	PHILAJAMES	PHILCULTAROS	SAPILNIP	APPAJU

Click this link for a more detailed prospectus of the Series.

NIYE Junior Program 2015 (Nov 8, 2015)

November 8, 2015by Philip Sanvictores in PHILFEJA

By Mrs. Bernadette Hieida, Delegation Advisor-Attendant

I always believe that EXPERIENCE is the BEST TEACHER!

Today’s generation is blessed, especially these six high school students who represented the Philippines in the NIYE Junior Program 2015.

We had a very busy 10-day schedule to maximize the objective of the program which is to foster future leaders of Japan and respective countries in ASEAN. The journey was not easy. Waking up at 6am (or earlier) was a challenge everyday with an average temperature of 8°C. Our day would usually end at 10pm. We had to think and move fast. We are grateful for all the activities prepared for us because they combined pleasure and education, with a twist of something new. I’ve been an attendant or faculty adviser of different exchange programs and the learning never ends. We expected something but our experience was extraordinary. We started with some frustrations but came back home fulfilled and better Filipinos.

Please enjoy the journey of each student in this program by clicking on this link.

2016 EPA Nihongo Course Begins (Nov 6, 2015)

November 6, 2015by Philip Sanvictores in Featured, PIJLC-NCF

The NCF Class of 2016 of the Preparatory Nihongo Training Program for Filipino Nurse and Certified Care Worker Candidates under the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) was formally opened on November 6, 2015 at the Jose P. Laurel Memorial Hall, Philippines-Japan Friendship Center, R. Papa Street, Sampaloc, Manila. A total of 112 students were admitted into the Program or 32% of the total 352 candidate-students. The rest are enrolled at the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Taguig City.

This is the second year that the Nihongo Center Foundation (NCF) was tapped by the Japan Foundation Manila (JFM) to conduct the Japanese Language Training Program on its behalf for the entire 6-month course. The first batch started in November 2015 and 89 graduates left for Japan in June this year. Similarly, the current batch will end their language training in end-May and those who pass will leave for Japan in June 2016 for the second phase of Nihongo training before they are deployed to pre-matched hospitals and caregiving institutions in Japan.

NCF President Philip B. Sanvictores led the opening ceremony and delivered an inspirational Message after the Opening Remarks given by Mr. Hiroaki Uesugi, Director of Japan Foundation Manila. Director Nimfa de Guzman of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) read the Message of Atty. Hans Leo Cacdac – Administrator. Finally, Economic Affairs Minister Makoto Iyori of the Embassy of Japan, who had just assumed his post in Manila encouraged the student-candidates to study hard and to do their best. Other guests who attended the opening ceremonies were First Secretary and Labor Attaché of Japan, Mr. Hiroyuki Enoki, Mr. Tetsuya Koida, Assistant Director of JFM, Mrs. Marilen Laurel-Loinaz, Treasurer and Administrator of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Foundation, Inc.

The Head Lecturer, Professor Kenjiro Ogata was the last to address the students. He enjoined them to concentrate on their studies as this will be the single most important tool for a successful work life in Japan that could help create a brighter future for them and their families. Speaking mainly in English, Prof. Ogata surprised the students when he fluently spoke in straight, flawless Tagalog; he also introduced the NCF Teaching Staff for the EPA.

¹Welcome Remarks of Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores, NCF President