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.

5TH KAKE International Japanese Speech Contest

Theme: My Message to the Future

Prizes:

1st Prize

a.) Educational Trip to Japan

b.) a chance to win a 2-year scholarship at any of the three universitites under the KAKE International Institution

c.) Kenjiro Ogata Prize (P3,000.00)

d.) Nihongo Books, etc.

e.) Certificate of Recognition

2nd Prize

a.)full one semester tuition waiver, as well as waiver of entrance fees at any of the three universitites

b.) Japanese-English Dictionary

c.) Certificate of Recognition

3rd Prize

a.)full one semester tuition waiver, as well as waiver of entrance feesat any of the three universities

b.) Nihongo Books, etc.

c.) Certificate of Recognition

The Nihongo Center Foundation granted scholarships for the top three finalists of the recently concluded 2015 J-Pop Anime Song and Dance Contest Grand Finals, held on July 25, 2015 at the SM Cinema Centerstage, SM Mall of Asia. There were 10 finalists in the Song Category and 5 in the Dance Category. Special performances by the Hikari Band, Doraemon & Friends, and the No Plan Band which is composed on Embassy of Japan staff who performed to wildly cheering fans like a professional rock and pop band.

The NCF scholarships consisted of:

• First Prize – full tuition scholarship for Elementary 1 Nihongo Course (64 hours); awarded to Maychell Hernandez ;
• Second Prize – full tuition scholarship for Marugoto Course (24 hours) ; awarded to Kenichi Go Uang ; and
• Third Prize – 80% tuition scholarship for Marugoto Course (24 hours) ; awarded to Lou Angeline Buenaventura Ulanday .

The scholarship certificates were presented by NCF President PHILIP B. SANVICTORES in the presence of AMBASSADOR KAZUHIDE ISHIKAWA, as well as the Board of Judges led by Mr. Tetsuo Kitagawa (Director – Japan Information & Cultural Center) and Mr. Shuji Takatori (Director – Japan Foundation Manila) to the following:

The J-Pop Contest is an annual event organized by the Embassy of Japan in celebration of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month (held every July). Besides NCF, the other sponsors were the Japan Foundation Manila, Japan National Tourism Organization, All Nippon Airways, Animation International, Ajinomoto PH, Bandai Namco PH, Bobson, Canon Information Technologies, Canon Marketing, Center for Pop Music, Hero TV, Hikkaido Ramen Santouka, Japan Chamber of Commerce & Industry of the PH, Lotte Confectionary, Panasonic, SM Cinema, SM Mall of Asia, Sony, Toei Animation, Yakult and Yoshinoya. http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/pressandspeech/press/pressreleases/2015/33.html

The annual membership meetings of the Philippine Institute of Japanese Language & Culture Foundation (PIJLC) and the Nihongo Center Foundation (NCF) were held on July 29, 2015 at the Board Room of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Foundation. The Chairman of PIJLC and NCF, Ambassador Benjamin F. Sanvictores presided over the meeting. The President, Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores submitted and discussed the 2014 Joint Report for PIJLC and NCF to the members, which was unanimously approved.

The following Trustees were reelected for the ensuing year 2015:

1. AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN F. SANVICTORES
2. GOVERNOR JOSE C. LAUREL V
3. FRANCIS C. LAUREL
4. MRS. MERCEDITAS LAUREL-MARQUEZ
5. PHILIP B. SANVICTORES

Thereafter, the following were reelected to positions opposite their respective names:

1. Chairman: AMBASSADOR BENJAMIN F. SANVICTORES
2. President: MR. PHILIP B. SANVICTORES
3. Treasurer: MRS. MA. ELENA LAUREL-LOINAZ
4. Secretary: MRS. GLENDA T. FERMA
5. Academic Advisor: PROF. KENJIRO OGATA

Ms. Carmencita Biscarra was appointed Manager of the Faculty Development Program which is the centerpiece of the new strategic direction for PIJLC and NCF.

Besides the abovementioned Trustees and Officers, others in attendance were Ms. Betty P. Mojica (retired Vice-President for Academic Affairs), Prof. Kenjiro Ogata (Academic Advisor), Mrs. Ysa Laurel-Dimayuga, Mr. Homer Aniceto and Engr. Reggie Ofrin.