PJS Members Meet for 2019 Annual General Assembly

September 20, 2019by Philip Sanvictores in PJS

PJS President, Mr. Francis C. Laurel, led the organization’s 2019 Annual General Meeting held last July 17, 2019 at The Philippines-Japan Friendship Center in Makati City. The presentation of the President’s Report, the election of new members for the Board of Trustees 2019-2020, and plans for the 41st Medal of Merit Awards Night were among the activities on the agenda for the afternoon.

As stated on The President’s Report, PJS’ main activities from July 2018 to July 2019 included the 40th Medal of Merit Awards Night in honor of Mr. Tomas I. Alcantara, Chairman and President of Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc., and the 41st PJS Friendship Golf Tournament, which had the highest number of players and first all-ladies team.

The report also highlighted special events such as The Symposium on the Fukuda Doctrine & Installation of the Commemorative Marker, the 2nd Japan-Philippines Business Matching Forum, and the conferment of The Order of the Rising Sun with Neck Ribbon upon Mr. Feliciano Torres, PJS Trustee and Medal of Merit Awardee. PJS members also attended a photo session at the Marker of Dr. Jose P. Rizal and the Former President Elpidio Quirino with DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, and Magsaysay Group President and CEO, Ms. Doris Magsaysay Ho, at the Hibiya Park, Chiyoda, Japan.

The Treasurer’s Financial Report and the Ratification of the Acts of the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee and Management for the year 2018 were carried out after the presentation of The President’s Report.

PHILJEC Welcomes New Members and Board of Trustees in an Afternoon Get-Together

September 18, 2019by Philip Sanvictores in PHILJEC

The new Board of Trustees and members of PHILJEC were welcomed by the organization during an afternoon get-together on August 15, 2019 in Makati City. The casual event provided a relaxed environment for the members to mingle and talk about the different activities and goals of the organization. These activities include the upcoming 45th ASEAN Japan Business Meeting (AJBM) to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2020 and the 38th PHILJEC-JPECC Joint Meeting in 2020.

Based on the positive feedback from members and the success of the mini-gathering, PHILJEC plans to host more similar casual gatherings in the future for its members.

The current PHILJEC Board of Trustees are:

Gerard B. Sanvictores Chairman
Edwin L. Umali Co-Chairman
Richard Albert I. Osmond    Co-Chairman
JJ Samuel A. Soriano    Secretary-General
Ferdinand A. Ferrer Treasurer
Atty. Jose Vicente E. Jimenez, Jr. Assistant Secretary
Ma. Elena L. Loinaz Assistant Treasurer
Glenda T. Ferma    Coordinator

PJLA Holds 2019 Annual Membership Meeting

September 16, 2019by Philip Sanvictores in PJLA

PJLA members gathered for their Annual Membership Meeting last August 8, 2019 at The Philippines-Japan Friendship Center in Makati City. The different activities and accomplishments of the organization so far for this year was summarized in a presentation led by PJLA president, Mrs. Nora A. Torres. The highlights included January 2019’s Shinnenkai, the Japanese cake and tea ceremony hosted by Madame Ihoko Haneda, and the conferment of the Imperial Award to former PJLA President, Ma. Elena Loinaz.

The afternoon event also doubled as a celebration for members who had their birthdays in July and who are celebrating it this month of August.

July:
Maria Rita Baltasar (10)
Nora Torres (15)
Yoko Kurihara (23)

August:
Glenda Ferma (5)
Alice Guerrero (6)
Yoko Iori (11)
Aurora Montano (22)
Joy Sanvictores (26)

Honoring Jose S. Laurel III—a Filipino Samurai—in New Book by Historian Dr. Rico Trota-Jose

September 13, 2019by Philip Sanvictores in PJFF

The world knows the samurai as Japan’s warrior class who strictly followed the Bushido—a code of ethics characterized by loyalty, self-discipline, respectability, dignity, chivalry, valor, courage and honor. But there is a Filipino samurai who held true to these virtues and whose life is now chronicled in the new book “Filipino Samurai: The Life and Times of Jose S. Laurel III.”

The book—a work of love by Ambassador Laurel III’s children and written by renowned historian Dr. Rico Trota-Jose—was launched last August 27, 2019 at the Manila Polo Club, Forbes Park, Makati City. Mr. Antonio C. Laurel, the eldest son of Ambassador Laurel III, welcomed guests with his opening remarks followed by a message from Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose C. Laurel V.

The afternoon’s emcee, PIJLC & NCF President, Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores, shared the message on behalf of his father, Ambassador Benjamin F. Sanvictores, and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda gave a toast during the event. Dr. Rico Trota-Jose also graced the event and intimated some of his experiences while writing the book.

PJS President, Mr. Francis C. Laurel, delivered his closing remarks to wrap up the momentous occasion. This was followed by a serenade of songs by Mr. Cocoy Laurel.

Ambassador Jose S. Laurel III had a long-standing relationship with Japan and the Japanese people. He lived and studied in Japan for several years and eventually served as the Philippine Ambassador to Japan from 1966 to 1971. To the community of former Filipino students in Japan, Ambassador Laurel III is affectionately referred to as “Dai Dai Senpai” who established The Philippines-Japan Society and The Philippines-Japan Friendship Foundation and endeavored towards his lifelong advocacy of strengthening friendly relations between Filipinos and Japanese based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and better understanding.

“Filipino Samurai: The Life and Times of Jose S. Laurel III” is only available for purchase at the PJFF office, 6th floor, Electra House Building, 115-117 Esteban Street Legaspi Village, Makati City. We only accept check payments payable to TERCERO REALTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. Strictly no cash payment.

For inquiries, please call Frei A. Tan of PJFF at 02 892 4916 or 0917 596 2931.

Resources:
JSL Book Launching Video
Book Cover
Event Photo Gallery