37th Philippines-Japan Friendship Dinner & Awards Night (July 24, 2015)

July 24, 2015by Philip Sanvictores in Featured, PJS tagged 37th awardee, pjfc awards night

The 37th Philippines-Japan Friendship Dinner and Awards Night was held on 24 July 2015 at the Solaire Resort & Casino in Parañaque City, with former the Honorable Makoto Katsura, former ambassador of Japan to the Philippines as Awardee and recipient of the Philippines-Japan Society Medal of Merit¹ .

In his Opening Remarks, President Francis C. Laurel noted that the first treaty between the Philippines and Japan on Trade, Amity and Navigation was signed and ratified in 1973, while the second, the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement was signed in 2008 or 37 years later. He said that the “latter has become the new platform for our two countries to work together to achieve a mutually beneficial future”.

He then stressed that these milestones in the two countries’ bilateral ties “would not have been possible had it not been for the hard work of a few good men”. “One of these is our awardee in the person of Ambassador Makoto Katsura, whose tireless dedication ultimately produced the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement,” President Laurel said.

Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa, the current Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Philippines also conveyed his greetings and appreciation to the Philippines-Japan Society for hosting this annual dinner and awards night for the last 37 years. He said that he had attended one such dinner in 2013 as a member of the official entourage of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who was then visiting Manila and who upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport immediately proceeded to the Intercon Hotel to address the 35th Philippines-Japan Society Friendship Dinner. He added that he never thought then that he would one day address the same Annual Dinner as Japan’s ambassador to the Philippines.

After the sumptuous dinner, the Philippines-Japan Ladies Chorale performed the Dinner’s traditional intermission number² with three beautifully rendered songs, “Katakataka” – a joyful Filipino song; “Anata” – a Japanese song; and “Maria Elena” – a Spanish ballad. Special numbers were also given by Mr. Yu Miyoshi playing the Koto, Ms. Mariko Saito – flutist, and Ms. Maasa Kawasaki, vocalist. The famed Manila Glee Club of the Japanese Association Manila also rendered their impressive songs acapella.

Atty. Jose Vicente Jimenez, Corporate Secretary of the Philippines-Japan Society read the 1,189 worded Citation, while Ambassador Makoto Katsura stood at the dais, flanked by his wife, Mdme. Yasuko Katsura, Mr. Francis C. Laurel and Mr. Gerry B. Sanvictores, President and Vice-President respectively of the Philippines-Japan Society. The Medal of Merit was donned on Ambassador Katsura, assisted by Mdme. Katsura. The Plaque with the Citation engraved thereon was also presented to Ambassador Katsura.

Thereafter, Ambassador Katsura delivered a heartfelt Response, the full text of which can be read at this link.

The program thus ended, commemorative photos were taken which can be viewed at this link: 37th Philippines-Japan Friendship Celebration Photo Gallery.

Mr. Raymond C. Sanvictores served as the Master of Ceremonies.

Opening Remarks links:
Mr. Francis Laurel
Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa

¹The Philippines-Japan Medal of Merit is conferred annually to Filipino or Japanese nationals who have distinguished themselves in the promotion of friendship, trust, understanding, goodwill, mutual respect and shared benefits. See Medal of Awardees

²The Philippines-Japan Ladies Choral has regaled all the Philippines-Japan Friendship Dinners with Filipino and Japanese songs since 1979, under the direction of Maestra Teresita Agana-Santos.

JLPT N1, N2 and N3 Review Courses Offered by Philippine Institute of Japanese Language and Culture (PIJLC)

July 15, 2015by Philip Sanvictores in PIJLC-NCF

Courses	Regular Tuition	Subsidized Tuition	Days	Duration	Venue	Other Information
N1 (for N2 Passers)	P12,400.00	P6,120.00	Saturdays (9:30am-12:30am 51 hours)	August 8, 2015 to November 28, 2015	Manila Campus	inclusive of materials
N2 (for N3 Passers)	P16,560.00	P8,280.00	Tuesdays & Thursdays (9:30am-12:30am 69 hours)	September 8, 2015 to November 26, 2015	Manila & Makati Campus	inclusive of materials P5,000.00 cash prize for December 2015 N2 Passer
N3 Intensive (for N4 Passers)	P15,840.00	P7,920.00	Monday & Wednesday (2:00pm-5:00pm)	September 7, 2015 to November 23, 2015	Manila & Makati Campus	inclusive of materials P3,000.00 cash prize for 2015 N3 Passer
N3 Evening (for N4 Passers)	P9,600.00	P4,800.00	Tuesdays & Thursdays (6:00pm-8:00pm 40 hours)	September 16, 2015 to November 26, 2015	Manila & Makati Campus	inclusive of materials P3,000.00 case prize for 2015 N3 Passer
N3	P10,800		Saturdays (2:00pm-5:00pm 45 hours)	August 8, 2015	Manila Campus	inclusive of materials

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6th Asian Business Summit at Tokyo, Japan (Jul 13, 2015)

July 13, 2015by Philip Sanvictores in Featured, PHILJEC

The 6th Asian Business Summit was held in Tokyo on July 13, 2015 attended by delegates from 13 business organizations from 11 Economies across Asia. The business leaders discussed the major challenges for Asian economies in view of the emerging global economic realities. The delegates agreed to playan active role in realizing the goals laid down at the Summit and to provide actionable inputs to the policy makers of their respective Economies. A Joint Statement was issued at the end of the Summit reflecting the expectations and aspirations of the Asian business community, and delineates the future role of the privuate sector in sustaining Asia’s economic dynamism.

Dr. Sadayuki Sakakibara, Chairman of Keidanren, chaired the Summit. The Summit discussed several issues affecting the Asian Economies such as regional economic integration, human resource, infrastructure, environment, and security issues. The Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee (PHILJEC) delegation to the Summit was led by Chairman Roberto L. Castillo, Co-Chairmen Atty. Aniceto G. Saludo, Jr. and Gerard B. Sanvictores, Secretary-General JJ Samuel A. Soriano, and PHILJEC Advisers and former chairmen, Tomas I. Alcantara and Atty. Eusebio V. Tan. Mr. Sanvictores delivered a presentation on “Perspectives on Human Resource Development” to kick-off the discussions on this topic. The delegation was ably supported by its Secretariat composed of Ma. Elena Laurel-Loinaz, Glenda T. Ferma and Ma. Salvacion Saludo.

The Joint Statement was presented to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was the special guest of honor during the reception at the end of the Summit.

At the Luncheon, two distinguished guests, namely, H. E. Mr. Yoichi Miyazawa, Minister of METI and Mr. Kazuyuki Nakane, Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, delivered their greetings to the 6th ABS delegates.

Photos taken by KEIDANREN can be viewed at this link

Mdme. Yuko Ishikawa hosts luncheon for PJLA (July 7, 2015)

July 3, 2015by Philip Sanvictores in PJLA

Madame Yuko Ishikawa, the wife of Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa hosted a Luncheon for the Board of Trustees and Advisers of the Philippines-Japanese Ladies Association (PJLA). It was held at the Ambassador’s Residence in Forbes Park on July 3, 2015.

Photo above shows, seated L-R: Mrs. Marilen Laurel-Loinaz (PJLA President), Mdme. Yuko Ishikawa, Mrs. Tomoko Nakagawa; standing L-R: Mrs. Soonduk Amano, Mrs.Amelia Lapeña, Mrs. Alice T. Guerrero, Mrs. Herminia L. Alcasid, Mrs. Bernadette B. Sanvictores, Mrs. Haruko Murakami, Mrs. Yoshiko Suzuki and Mrs. Hiroko Fukui.

LIKHA Foundation Bazaar (Jul 7, 2015)

July 1, 2015by Philip Sanvictores in PJLA

Japanese NGO Bazaar organized by the LIKHA Foundation at the Ambassador Jose S. Laurel III Hall at Philippines-Japan Friendship Center 3rd Floor Dominion Building, A. Arnaiz Avenue Makati City (Nihongo Center Foundation)