JFMO 20th Anniversary Series:
Suki Features Amb. Benjamin Sanvictores’ “Still Travelling After a 73-Year Journey”

 

Since its establishment in June 1996, the Japan Foundation Manila Office (JFMO) has remained true to its mandate of fostering friendship and promoting stronger cultural ties between Japan and the Philippines.

This year, JFMO marks its 20th anniversary, which fortuitously coincides with the 60 years of Philippines-Japan Friendship. And so, there had been major gatherings and special events since June 18 when the foundation formally celebrated its 20 years in the country.

But perhaps, among all the grand activities and painstakingly planned events and programs surrounding JFMO’s 20th Year celebration, the most insightful and inspiring would be its collection of essays written by colleagues, students, and friends of the foundation and published on its newsletter, Suki.

In its October Issue, Suki featured the story of Amb. Benjamin F. Sanvictores, Executive Trustee of The Philippines-Japan Friendship Foundation.

Reflective and lyrical, Amb. Sanvictores’ essay recalls his personal experience as an impetuous 15-year-old who joins a select group of young Filipino students bound for Japan during the height of World War II. He narrates, through his rich store of anecdotes, how his seemingly dangerous decision to live in the land of the “enemy” turned out to be a destined journey that gave him the privilege to work towards developing and maintaining the friendly Philippines-Japan relations that peoples of the two countries enjoy today.

Following is the full article of Amb. Sanvictores entitled “Still Travelling After a 73-Year Journey” as it was published on Suki and his Congratulatory Message delivered at JFMO’s 20th Anniversary Celebration:

Article and photos courtesy of Suki and The Japan Foundation Manila Office.


Annual Ambassador’s Dinner for Former Filipino Students in Japan:
PHILFEJA President Sanvictores Expresses Gratitude; Assures Stronger Phil-Japan Relations

Speaking in behalf of PHILFEJA, President Philip B. Sanvictores expressed his sincerest gratitude to His Excellency Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa for hosting the Annual Dinner for Former Filipino Students in Japan and for recognizing the value, achievements, and work of former Filipino ryugakusei. The dinner was held at the Ambassador’s residence last April 14, 2016.

Below is the transcription of President Sanvictores’ extemporaneous speech:

“… like Min. Ueno, I also took a little wine already, so I can speak even without my notes. (laughter)
Min. Ueno, the DCM of the Embassy of Japan in the PH
Dir. Kitagawa of the Japan Information and Culture Center
Our friends from the Embassy of Japan
Fellow former Filipino ryugakusei

On behalf of the PHLFEJA I would like to express our sincere gratitude and thanks to the Embassy of Japan led by His Excellency Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa, and his dynamic and friendly team at the Embassy, for hosting this annual dinner for former Filipino students in Japan.

Hosting this dinner, this annual dinner is a recognition of the achievements and work of Filipinos whom you have educated and trained in Japan. And by being here, we also express our thanks and gratitude not only for the fact that you spent for us to study in Japan, some as your scholars, others as your trainees, and (still) others as students on their own, but more so because you put value to our being former students (in Japan) in the work and professions that we pursue. And, to us this is very important and much appreciated …”

President Sanvictores also highlighted the continued support of the Japanese Embassy and the Japan Foundation not only to PHILFEJA but also to the ASEAN Council of Japan Alumni (ASCOJA). He recalled specific instances during the ASCOJA 2015 Conference that demonstrated just how the Embassy of Japan and Japan Foundation have truly been dependable partners of their organizations:

“Min. Ueno made mention of the ASCOJA Conference held last October (2015) and I would like to take this opportunity to express once again, and in this particular occasion, the strong support and hard work that the Embassy of Japan extended to PHILFEJA. There were many side issues around that conference – like for instance the fact that (former) Prime Minister (Yasuo) Fukuda became our guest of honor; my goodness, the Embassy (of Japan) was really involved all the way from preparation up to departure. The program that we to put together – the Embassy was always involved in supporting us and I would say they facilitated it, not only with financial contributions of (the) Japan Foundation which was allocated from Tokyo. All these are concrete evidences or concrete occasions where Japan through its Embassy in the Philippines continued to express the value of former students, former ryugakusei and the trainees, to current Philippines-Japan bilateral relations; not only in the bilateral field, but also in supporting us in our multilateral ASEAN-Japan relations.

I am happy to say that the conference was a huge success and it is all because of everyone’s support – my colleagues at PHILFEJA worked hard; but our support from the Embassy and the Japan Foundation should be mentioned because without their support, we would not have achieved the same level of success.”

2016-04-14-18-53-19

“I would like to also take this opportunity to present the Conference Compendium, to the Embassy of Japan, to Ambassador Ishikawa and Minister Ueno. We prepared a close to 200-page Compendium. It is a chronicle, a record of what transpired in those three days. And this is not to just say that this is what we accomplished; (rather,) more so I think this is something that we can look forward to, to prove that there is much to accomplish from now on, especially for future generations of Filipino and ASEAN students and trainees in Japan.

And so, I would like to take this opportunity to present to Min. Ueno, a copy of (the) Compendium, and we will give you more copies because we printed quite a lot.” (Presents the Compendium to everyone’s applause.)

After presenting the ASCOJA 2015 Conference Compendium, President Sanvictores shared his and other former ryugakuseis’ once-in-a-lifetime encounter with Their Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the San Diego Gardens in Intramuros, Manila. The historic Imperial Visit was held on January 26, 2016:

“The good Minister also mentioned the visit of Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan last January. And again, we were honored – former students – to be given 30 minutes of an audience in Intramuros with Their Majesties. We can talk all night about our experience; we can talk all day and for many months and I will continue to talk about it to my children and grandchildren, because it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be able to welcome Their Majesties and be able to mingle with them, to experience them mingling with former foreign students (in Japan). I found that experience to be not only extraordinary but very gratifying to know that Their Majesties are truly interested in Filipinos who studied in Japan.

All of us felt honored that they would ask pointed questions – not only where we studied, what we took up. They engage (us) in very specific discussions and conversations with each and every one of us; and there were more than 50 of us. I believe they spoke with each and every one of us.

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko  meet  the representatives of the Philippine Federation of Japan Alumni (PHILFEJA), Thursday, January 28, 2016, at the ancient San Diego Garden, located along  the walls of Intramuros in Manila.(Photo by Benhur Arcayan/Malacañang Photo Bureau)

(Photo by Benhur Arcayan/Malacañang Photo Bureau)

I remember the Imperial Household aide say, “Mou jikan de gozaimasu” (laughter); but then they continued. Then His Excellency Ambassador Ishikawa also whispered into their ears, “Hontou ni, jikan de gozaimasu” (laughter) … oh they continued, so the 30 minutes became 45 minutes. I mean I was really flabbergasted.

And as I was escorting them out to their vehicle, they thanked me for introducing the (Filipino) ryugakusei. It was supposed to be the other way around. We should thank them for the signal honor. But they have honored not only the former Filipino students (in Japan); they honored our country, the Philippines with their visit. And being part of that, even for (just) those precious 45 minutes was really a once in a lifetime experience that we will all cherish.”

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko  meet  the representatives of the Philippine Federation of Japan Alumni (PHILFEJA), Thursday, January 28, 2016, at the ancient San Diego Garden, located along  the walls of Intramuros in Manila.(Photo by Benhur Arcayan/Malacañang Photo Bureau)

(Photo by Benhur Arcayan/Malacañang Photo Bureau)

Towards the end of his speech, President Sanvictores summed up what it means to be a ryugakusei and assured the audience that the relationship between The Philippines and Japan will continue to strengthen and deepen:

“To me, that is at the heart of Philippines-Japan relations. And we, through the Embassy and our friends in Japan in the Philippines – we really have a strong partnership. And we can look forward with hope that our relationship will only be stronger.

And this is what being a ryugakusei is all about. That from generation to generation, we can be assured that friendship between our countries and our peoples will continue to strengthen and deepen.

Minister Ueno, thank you very much for this evening. We are all so blessed and honored to be invited.

Thank you.”


An Imperial Encounter

 


PHILFEJA members attend 22nd ASCOJA conference in Malaysia; 3 product innovations win awards

The PHILFEJA delegation to the 22nd ASCOJA conference held in Malaysia (Photo: G. Ferma)

The PHILFEJA delegation to the 22nd ASCOJA conference held in Malaysia (Photo: G. Ferma)

With nearly 400 total registered delegates, the Philippine Federation of Japan Alumni (PHILFEJA), comprised one of the largest delegation with 44 participants who joined 22nd Conference of the ASEAN Council of Japan Alumni (ASCOJA) held on September 30 to October 2, 2016 at E-City Hotel@One City in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia with the theme “ASEAN-Japan: Bridging Cultural Ties in Trade, Tourism and Technology.”

The conference, which also featured the Asian Japan Alumni (ASJA) International Symposium, was organized by the Japan Graduates Association of Malaysia (JAGAM) a year after it was held in Manila with the successful hosting by PHILFEJA under the leadership of Mr. Philip Sanvictores. The conference’s other major highlight was the holding of Japan Graduates’ Invention Exhibition with the theme “Japan Graduates Impact Lives”. The three PHILFEJA members’ product exhibitions won major awards.

The presentation of product invention-innovation awards to PHILFEJA delegates.

The presentation of product invention-innovation awards to PHILFEJA delegates.

Strengthening trade, tourism, technology and heart-to-heart relationship

In his opening speech, Dr. Ooi Chee Keong, JAGAM president and ASCOJA chairman, explained that “the conference will provide the opportunity to discuss how Japan and ASEAN can work together in trade, tourism and technology for mutual benefit as it provides platform not only to share knowledge but also to foster better relationship and understanding among member countries.” His speech was followed by the keynote message of Y.B.Dato Seri Ong Ka Chuan, Malaysia’s second minister of international trade and industry. He described how “Japan remained as ASEAN’s third largest trading partner and the second largest source of foreign direct investment inflows.” He expects that these rankings will be strengthened substantially with the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community and with the establishment of closer economic ties through various agreements such as the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement as well as the bilateral agreements signed between individual SAEAN member states with Japan.

The congratulatory message of Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was also read during the opening ceremonies. He said that “for the coming years from the next fiscal year, Japan will receive a total of 1,000 university students from ASEAN countries at leading-edge laboratories of post-graduate courses of universities.” This, he said, “will reinvigorate exchanges of talented brains, expected to shape our future, and will push up innovation in Asia.” In the same vein, Japan’s former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda assured ASCOJA of Japan’s continued support through the “sincere activities conducted by Asian Japan Alumni (ASJA), the Japanese counterpart of ASCOJA.” In a message read on his behalf, he said that the “heart-to-heart relationship have been central to the basic philosophy of ASCOJA since its foundation and will remain so going forward.”

Conference Highlights

The three-day 22nd ASCOJA conference was also highlighted by an ASCOJA council meeting, a welcome reception, city tour and golf tournament. It was concluded by a dinner hosted by Japan ambassador to Malaysia-Dr. Miyagawa Makio, an invention awards presentation and ASCOJA members’ cultural performance, In the ASJA international symposium, Dr. Philip Ian P. Padilla, PHILAJAMES vice president, represented PHILFEJA by presenting a paper entitled “State of Science and Technology Education in the Philippines”.

The PHILFEJA delegates in a group photo and the well-applauded cultural performance presentation directed by Lavi Penaverde and Dr. Gay Paller during the ASCOJA conference ’s farewell dinner (Photo: G. Ferma)

The PHILFEJA delegates in a group photo and the well-applauded cultural performance presentation directed by Lavi Penaverde and Dr. Gay Paller during the ASCOJA conference ’s farewell dinner (Photo: G. Ferma)

Major Exhibition Awards Garnered

In the invention exhibition, PHILFEJA showcased three product innovations. These were the following: “Bioorganic Fertilizers: Working with Microbes for Agricultural production Sufficiency” by Dr. Mannix S. Pedro and “Increasing Crop Productivity with Vesicular Asbuscular Mycorrhizal Root Inoculant (VAMRI)” by Dr. Marilyn Brown. Dr. Pedro and Dr. Brown are both Japan-trained researchers at the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), University of the Philippines Los Baños. On the other hand, Mr. Dan Leonard L. Rayo, president, PHILCULTAROS and Jose Clemente H. Zulueta, IT professional and expert of Samba Corporation and Portal 4 Youth Foundation, Inc. presented “SAMBACiTIES – an online directory dedicated in promoting tourism and businesses in the ASEAN Region and Japan. ” This innovation aspires in making businesses of ASCOJA members readily accessible to a broader community to provide value to its membership.

The viewing of PHILFEJA and other ASEAN chapters’ booth during the ASCOJA’s Japan Graduates Invention Exhibition .

The viewing of PHILFEJA and other ASEAN chapters’ booth during the ASCOJA’s Japan Graduates Invention Exhibition .

PHILFEJA members’ innovation exhibition garnered medals and certificates as follows:

International Federation of Inventors’ Association (IFIA) certificate of award;
Invention award gold medal;
ASCOJA invention award medal
“Increasing Crop Productivity with Vesicular Asbuscular
Mycorrhizal Root Inoculant (VAMRI)”, by Dr. Mannix Pedro
Invention award silver medal;
ASCOJA invention award medal
“Bioorganic Fertilizers: Working with Microbes for Agricultural
production Sufficiency”, by Dr. Marilyn Brown
Invention award silver medal;
ASCOJA invention award medal
“SAMBACiTIES – an online directory dedicated in promoting tourism
and businesses in the ASEAN Region and Japan”, by Jose Clemente
H. Zulueta & Dan Leonard L. Rayo

Onward to 23rd ASCOJA Conference in Brunei!

As the conference approaches to its conclusion, conference delegates felt the celebration of success, warm friendship and hospitality, understanding and harmony. Finally, they realized ASEAN’s unity in spite of diversity and the social and economic relevance of Japan alumni in more years to come as they witnessed the memento presentation and handover ceremony with Brunei Association of Japan Alumni (BAJA), host of ASCOJA 23rd conference.

Conducting the ASCOJA conference in tandem with the ASJA symposium and Japan alumni exhibition of technology and innovation was a bold act and challenging task to do for these demonstrate the significant impact and contribution of Japan alumni in the ASEAN communities. “It was indeed a very enjoyable experience. My family had a grand time here”, says Dr. Ma. Luisa Enriquez, professor at DLSU and past president of PHILAJAMES.

The PHILFEJA delegation in the 22nd ASCOJA conference, Malaysia. Kampai!!

The PHILFEJA delegation in the 22nd ASCOJA conference, Malaysia. Kampai!!


PJLA September Activity:
Ladies Get Bonding Time at Art in Island 3D Museum

Last September 14, members of the Philippines-Japan Ladies Association (PJLA) spent bonding time at the Art in Island museum located in Brgy. Socorro, Cubao, Quezon City as part of their monthly get-together activity. PJLA president, Ma. Elena Laurel-Loinaz, led the assembly around 8 a.m. at the Ambassador Jose S. Laurel III Hall in Dominion Building, Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City.

Known as an interactive 3D museum, Art in Island has gained popularity as it allows visitors to “play” with the artworks. With an entrance fee of P500 (P400 for seniors), people can spend the entire day being creative with their “selfies” since the artworks are mostly 3D murals that present either historical locations and landmarks like the leaning tower of Pisa and Trevi Fountain in Italy or art installations that create optical illusions such as Michael Angelo’s Creation of Adam.

“The museum had almost everything from Disneyland scenarios to the current characters. It also depicted scenes from Rome and Venice, Italy and old scenes, waterfalls and inverted like rooms,” said Mrs. Loinaz.

PJLA members who participated in the activity enjoyed taking photos and walking through rooms with wall-to-wall artwork and hallways filled with famous paintings given a twist. After the morning museum trip, the ladies got more boding time during lunch in the area.

Asked about their overall experience, Mrs. Loinaz recalled, “The experience we had in the museum was taking photos with different 3D artworks making it look so real through the lens. The museum was clean, had good lighting and worth the price. Our expectations were not much but to our surprise we enjoyed it.

With recommendations coming from its members and interesting feedback about the museum, the association decided to visit Art in Island for their September activity. “The activity was fun and something different. I think PJLA can visit other museums as well since it is a good bonding activity among the members,” she concluded.

For October, PJLA will hold a Filipino cooking demonstration that will be presented by one of its members, Mrs. Regine Velasquez-Alcasid.

 

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References:

PJLA Art in Island Photo Album
Trip to Island List of Attendees


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