History

The Association of Philippine Private Alumni of Japanese Universities (APPAJU) is an association of Filipino students who studied in Japanese colleges and universities not under the Japanese Government Scholarship Program.

APPAJU applied for membership in PHILFEJA on August 13, 1991 and on September 3, 1991, its officers and directors were inducted into office by the then PHILFEJA President, Atty. Ernesto P. Martinez. The Association was incorporated on October 4, 1991.

The Articles of Incorporation of APPAJU state that the purposes for which the Association is formed are:

• To promote deeper and better relations and understanding between the Filipino and Japanese people;
• To ensure at all times all members are updated on current and relevant issues affecting the Association;
• To utilize the services and influence of the Association in resolving issues of mutual interest between Japan and the Philippines;
• To work for the interest of the members of the Association in Japan related activities;
• To identify, establish linkages and cooperate with government and private agencies whose programs may redound to the benefit of the Association; and
• To strengthen the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation among the members of the Association.

The By-Laws of APPAJU start with the Preamble whereby the members shall aspire to perpetuate the ideals and objectives which caused them to undertake private academic studies in Japanese universities, to further promote their established friendships and relations with their Japanese colleagues and co-alumni, and to encourage their active participation in Philippine-Japan affairs.

Since its Incorporation, APPAJU has undertaken worthwhile activities independently or in cooperation with its sister organizations under PHILFEJA, and sometimes, with other civic-oriented groups as well. Worthy to mention is its annual Orientation for Japanese students. In cooperation with the Embassy of Japan, Japanese students enrolled in Philippine universities are usually invited to an Orientation Seminar (after the start of the first semester of the school year) where they get the chance to meet their fellow-Japanese students and listen to lectures on how to cope with different Philippine situations and enjoy their Philippine stay. The orientation always ends with a Japanese dinner either on buffet or bento style.

APPAJU also undertakes lectures on the Japanese education and scholarship programs in different venues outside Metro Manila. It has conducted such lectures in Cebu City, Ilocos Norte and the latest in 2005 at the University of Northern Philippines in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

For the annual Philippines-Japan Festival celebrations, APPAJU has always participated either in the form of musical concerts by Filipino graduates of Japanese music colleges or the Student-Dialogue held for the past two years at the Asian Center of the University of the Philippines.

APPAJU hopes to continue with these traditional activities and come up with more projects that could further deepen friendship ties between the Philippines and Japan.

Get-together Meeting and Welcome Party for New Returnees,  Orientation Party for Japanese Students Enrolled in Japanese Colleges and Universities  (always held at the Embassy of Japan Multi-Purpose Hall),  Lectures on Japanese Scholarships at selected Universities, and Pre-Orientation Seminar for Non-Monbukagakusho Scholars.

APPAJU Board of Directors

 President                   :  Mr. Domingo C. Go

Vice-President          :  Dr. Mayu Munarriz

Secretary                   :  Ms. JoAnne P. Tolentino

Treasurer                   :  Ms. Raquel Nakayama

Auditor                       :  Ms. Natalie Victorino

PRO                           :  Mr. Jon Cariston Lim

Adviser                       :  Mrs. Cecilia P. Tolentino