Philstar and PDI feature NCF Hotel Nihongo Course

The Philippine Star and Philippine Daily Inquirer, two of the country’s leading broadsheet newspapers, recently featured NCF’s Hotel Nihongo Course on January 18 and on January 22 respectively.

The special course, which was headed by NCF Academic Adviser, Kenjiro Ogata-sensei, trained 10 selected graduates of hospitality-related courses from the Lyceum of the Philippines (LPU)-Manila on Japanese language used in hotel operations. The students started as absolute beginners and attended the intensive classes that totaled 600 hours. Their training covered writing, reading, speaking, and listening and special training for business/polite Japanese.

Both write-ups included the names of the Lyceum students who will soon leave for Japan to start their employment in the Japanese hotel industry.

For more details about the course, please read our full article here.

 

Resources:

PhilippineStar-HotelNihongo.jpg


PDI-HotelNihongo.jpg


November 2017 Activity:
PJLA Members Visit Yakult Factory

On November 22, 2017, the ladies of PJLA visited the iconic Yakult factory in Calamba, Laguna for their association’s monthly activity. The ladies assembled early, around 8:30 a.m., in Makati City and traveled together to the Southern province to see a glimpse of how one of the world’s most loved and recognized dairy product is made.

Upon arrival, the PJLA members were welcomed by factory manager Ms. Bela Sta. Elena who gave an overview of the Yakult production process. PJLA Vice-President Tomoko Nakagawa said that they were oriented about the process of making Yakult until it was packed into its very unique small bottles. They also received some free Yakult products before proceeding with the guided factory tour. After the tour, the ladies enjoyed posing for their group photos with the Yakult mascot and at other areas around the factory.

Lunch was provided by Yazaki-Torres Manufacturing Inc. courtesy of PJLA treasurer Dra. Nora Torres. A Yazaki-Torres staff also gave a brief orientation to the visitors about their company before lunch.

“The factory was impressively clean and the lunch was super delicious!” exclaimed PJLA President, Mrs. Ma. Elena L. Loinaz.

For photos of the Yakult factory visit, see resources below.

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Resources:
PJLA Yakult Factory Visit Photos

 


10th Batch of Filipino Nurses and Care Workers for Japan Start 6-Month Intensive Nihongo Training

In an Opening Ceremony held last November 9, 2017, NCF Manila welcomed its 10th batch of students for the Preparatory Japanese Language Training for Nurses and Care Workers under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA). NCF will train 110 students who, after finishing their intensive 6-month course in Manila, will move to Japan for another six months of further language studies before finally starting their work at different Japanese hospitals and care-giving facilities.

Head lecturer of the program, Josef Orillo-sensei, said that the goal of the training is not only to study and understand Nihongo as a language, but also to practice and apply it as a method of communication. He explained:  

“Learning Nihongo is very similar to learning a physical activity, like basketball, for example. Anyone can sit down and learn the rules and how to play the sport. But to actually learn how to play and play well, there’s no other method than to go out and practice every day until your body learns and moves through instinct.

Both Orillo-sensei and Mr. Hiroaki Uesugi, Director of The Japan Foundation Manila Office (JFMO), which oversees the program, also emphasized in their messages to the students the importance of developing the habit of self-training.

“After finishing the training here in the Philippines, and in Japan, you will start training and working at Japanese hospitals and care-giving facilities. Therefore, it is very important that you establish this basic Learning Cycle – preparing, attending class, reviewing and self-study during the training period,” said Mr. Uesugi.

Other honorable guests during the afternoon event included NCF President, Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores, Atty. Rosemarie G. Duquez who represented the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and Mr. Manabu Yasukawa, First Secretary, Labour Attaché of the Embassy of Japan.

President Sanvictores, in his message, reminded the students about how being among the few chosen Filipinos in the EPA program is truly a great opportunity that also comes with great responsibility.

“…this did not come by going to the sari-sari store and say, “Pa-order nga ng isang trip to Japan para mag-trabaho ako doon. At kung ayaw ko na, sauli ko na lang sa inyo. Can you imagine, “hindi lang yun basta-basta na ordinaryong kontrata between me and Director Uesugi. Hindi. Our government, the Senate, had to pass it as it was a Treaty.”

“Japan also needed to pass this Agreement through their parliament more than 10 years ago. So what you entered now, what it means, is you are blessed. But it also means you have the responsibility to work hard. Not only to yourselves, but also to your families; and also to our Government that has worked so hard to make this thing happen.”

As a response, Ms. Shydney Faye E. Quillosa, representative of the 10th batch, acknowledged in her speech the opportunity and challenges that they may face

“I would like to take this chance to express our gratitude to the Philippine Government as well as the Japanese Government for this wonderful opportunity. We also have the added honor and responsibility in representing fellow professionals of the Philippines overseas. We do know that caregiving is a noble and fulfilling job, and I can say that not all have the guts to pursue it.”

For 2018, the JPEPA Program for Nurses and Care Workers has more than 300 candidates. Aside from NCF Manila, two other institutions—TESDA and the Personal Ability Development Foundation, Inc. (PAD)—are conducting the preparatory language training including lectures about Japanese society, customs and manners, geography, and other topics related to general life in Japan.

For the full speeches of the guests and photos of the Opening Ceremony Program, see resources below.

 

Resources:

Opening Ceremony Photo Collage
Speeches:
Josef Orillo-sensei, Program Head Teacher
Mr. Hiroaki Uesugi, Director, JFMO
Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores, NCF President
Atty. Rosemarie G. Duquez, Director II, POEA
Mr. Manabu Yasukawa, First Secretary, Labour Attaché, Embassy of Japan
Ms. Shydney Faye E. Quillosa, Batch 10 Representative


Lyceum Graduates Ready to Work in Japan After Finishing Intensive Hotel Nihongo Course

After six months and 600 hours of classroom instruction, 10 fresh graduates of hospitality-related courses from Lyceum University successfully finished their Intensive Hotel Nihongo Course at NCF Manila. QRD International Placement Inc. recruited the 10 participants for Japanese company, Ken Corporation, and will all start work in Japan early this year.

In a graduation ceremony held last November 3, 2017, the students each gave a short speech and thanked their teachers and important people that helped them throughout the intensive course.

私の日本語はまだまだですが、いい基礎ができたと思います (I still have a long way to go with my Japanese studies, but I think I have a good foundation),” said Roselle P. Leones in her speech during the graduation program. Another student, Jeremy Faith N. Seruelo, shared how she continues to learn Japanese and hopes to have a good job in Japan: “私の勉強法の一つは、大好きな日本のアニメやJドラマを見ることです。これからも楽しみながら勉強を続け、日本でいい仕事ができるように頑張りたいと思います。(One of the ways I study is by watching my favorite Japanese anime and TV dramas. I will do my best to have a good job in Japan and continue enjoying my Japanese studies.)

NCF President, Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores, gave the Welcome Remarks and awarded the Certificate of Completion to the students. Other honored guests who gave their Congratulatory Remarks were Mr. Gerald B. Sanvictores, Chairman and President of QRD International Placement Inc.; Mr. Shuichiro Fujita, Global Business Development Executive at With Us Corporation; and Mr. Toshihiko Ogata, Senior Managing Director of Ken Real Estate Lease Ltd.

NCF Academic Adviser, Kenjiro Ogata-sensei, headed the program with Jovita Sancho-sensei and Vianca Ramirez-sensei as co-teachers. The classes were held from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:40 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. Students were also given a unit test every two weeks to constantly check their learning progress throughout the intensive course.

 

Resources:

Intensive Hotel Nihongo Photo Album
Intensive Hotel Nihongo – Speeches of Students


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