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

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

2015 KAKE INTERNATIONAL NIHONGO SPEECH CONTEST HELD AT PIJLC-NCF (Sept 19, 2015)

September 19, 2015by Philip Sanvictores in PIJLC-NCF

The Nihongo Center Foundation/Philippine Institute of Japanese Language & Culture (NCF/PIJLC) co-sponsored with Kake Educational Institute 加計学園 of Okayama, Japan the Manila Competition for the 5^thKakeGakuen International Nihongo Speech Contest 第５回加計学園杯日本語弁論国際大会マニラ予選 . The speech contest, the second to include the Philippines, was held on September 19, 2015 at the Jose P. Laurel Hall, 4^th floor Philippines-Japan Friendship Center-Manila in Sampaloc, Manila.

There were nine contestants who prepared their own speeches in Nihongo on the theme: “My Message to the Future”未来へ伝えたいこと. Ms. Camille Valerie Torre of the NCF/PIJLC N1 Review Class who has been a student of NCF since 2006 won first place, entitling her to represent the country in the Final Competition in Okayama, Japan to be held on November 25-29, 2015. She was also granted 2-year scholarship at any of the three universities under the Kake Educational Institution System.

The second place was awarded to Ms. Jacqueline Okaya of the NCF/PIJLC Teacher Training Course, while Ms. Carmel Acuzar of the Intermediate 1 Class won third place.

The panel of judges consisted of Director Tatsuo Kitagawa of the Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan, Dr. Takuji Hoshino of the Okayama University of Science, and Prof. Kenjiro Ogata, Academic Advisor of NCF-PIJLC.

Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores, NCF-PIJLC President delivered an extemporaneous speech on the merits of participating in and preparing for a speech contestat the start of the Program. He was followed by Dir. Kitagawa who praised Kake Gakuen for hosting the international speech contest and thanked NCF-PIJLC for partnering with Kake Gakuen on this worthwhile project that promotes Nihongo education in the Philippines. At the end of the contest, Dir. Hoshino thanked all the participants and encouraged all the contestants to strive hard in learning Nihongo. He added that with the high quality of speeches presented during the contest, all the participants were actually winners.

After the Speech Contest, PIJLC hosted dinner for the guests from Japan at the Barbara’s Cultural Restaurant in Intramuros.

The Faculty Development Program of the Philippine Institute of Japanese Language & Culture- Nihongo Center Foundation (PIJLC- NCF) (Aug 2015)

August 21, 2015by Philip Sanvictores in PIJLC-NCF

The Faculty Development Program (FDP) of the PIJLC-NCF was launched in August 2015, with the objective of developing a stronger faculty to serve the needs of a growing demand for Japanese language courses. The PIJLC-NCF FDP aims to equip the faculty with updated teaching tools, and in the long term, gain know-how on designing customized courses to suite specific industry needs.

Among the activities of the PIJLC-NCF FDP are regular Faculty Meetings which customarily start with a study session. Here, faculty members take turns in giving presentations, sharing their teaching techniques and methods acquired from various trainings. Faculty Meetings are also the venue where KAIZEN discussions on course offerings, teaching materials, and other school-related matters are held, with all members contributing ideas to find ways to improve the quality of service that the school can offer.

Besides the Faculty Meetings, the PIJLC-NCF FDP strives to maintain the school’s teaching standard through its Internal and External Training Programs. Part of Internal Training is done by the more experienced faculty members through periodic class observations, followed by advice and feedback sessions with the observed instructors. In the External Training Program, qualified faculty members are given a chance to participate in trainings and seminars related to Japanese Language Education conducted by both local organizations and overseas institutions.

Apart from the activities involving the current faculty members, the PIJLC-NCF FDP aspires to increase the number of Japanese-language instructors by developing ties with local educational institutions and providing qualified candidates with training in Japanese-language and pedagogy.