The Philippine Federation of Japan Alumni, Inc. (PHILFEJA) held its annual Shinnenkai last 28 January 2023 after having been put on hold for three (3) years due to the pandemic. The event took place at the Manila Pianos, Makati City, with Past President Raquel Nakayama of the Association of Philippine Private Alumni of Japanese Universities (APPAJU) as the Master of Ceremonies. 

Introduced by the master of ceremonies, PHILFEJA President Domingo Go delivered his welcome remarks. In his remarks, he warmly welcomed Economic Minister Daisuke Nihei of the Embassy of Japan, Dr. Jaime Laya, Chairman of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Chief Representative Takema Sakamoto of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Director Shigehiro Matsuda of the Japan Information and Cultural Center (JICC), Director Tsutomu Suzuki of the Japan Foundation, First Secretary and Labor Attaché Chihiro Kanno of the Embassy of Japan, PHILFEJA trustees, and all the guests attending the concert. 

President Go talked about the many diverse backgrounds and experiences of those in PHILFEJA. He pointed out how each one of its members is different from the other but blossoming in his/her own field. 

“ …Although we have diverse trainings and backgrounds, we come together to be one as PHILFEJA as we are united by the common thread of our bond with Japan through our encounter with Japanese colleges, universities, and institutions that have significantly influenced our lives.” 

To celebrate this bond, the new year, and its 47^th year, PHILFEJA decided to hold its first concert as music unites diverse people, transcends language barriers, and makes the world a more harmonious place. 

Following the welcoming remarks, PHILFEJA Vice President Philip Sanvictores introduced the performers: Anna Migallos (soprano), Marvin Bautista (tenor), and Mariel Ilusorio (piano). After which, the concert proper began. 

After the opening song “Some Enchanted Evening” from South Pacific, Ms. Ilusorio introduced the collection of music to be performed. The first half featured songs from famous musicals while the second half featured songs from operas and popular Filipino folk songs such as Leron Leron Sinta and Pakiusap by Francisco Santiago. 

At the end of the program’s repertoire, the artists performed an encore. Once the first encore piece had finished, President Go delivered a toast and the performers serenaded the audience through a toast song. The performers were given flowers in gratitude for the enchanted evening and the stage was opened for a photo opportunity. Though the program had ended, participants continued to talk with one another over food and drinks, thereby strengthening the bond we have with one another.  

Resources:

Welcome Speech (Mr. Domingo Go)

Program

Photos

PHILFEJA, in cooperation with Asia Japan Alumni (ASJA) International and the ASEAN Council of Japan Alumni (ASCOJA) will host the symposium “ASEAN-Japan Relations Caught on FIRe” on February 7, 2020 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Makati Diamond Residences, Makati City. 

The symposium is about the state and direction of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIRe) in the context of strategic bilateral and multilateral partnerships between Japan and ASEAN. It aims to spur discussions and an exchange of views on the impact, opportunities, and challenges of FIRe particularly for ASEAN.

Renowned international speaker on FIRe, Dr. Yoshinori Fujikawa, Ph.D. and Former Governor of the Philippine Board of Investments, Hon. Henry Co. will be the guest keynote speakers for the symposium. There will be three sessions where speakers from ASEAN and Japan will present papers on topics related to Science & Technology, Human Resource and Ecosystems, Connectivity, Internet of Things, and the Integrated Society.  

Session 1: Science & Technology – Core of FIRe

Topics:

• Industry 4.0: In a Future Development of Agricultural Industry in Indonesia
• Use of AI for Early Detection of Breast Cancer in ASEAN Countries

Session 2: Connectivity, IoT, and Integrated Society

Topics:

• Thailand Toward Industry 4.0
• Data Privacy Issues and Challenges

Session 3: Human Resource and the Ecosystem

Topics: 

• The Effects of Human Resources Practices on Organizational Innovation Enabling Enterprise Transformation Riding the FIRe Wave
• The Effects and Impacts of FIRe on Human Resources Management: Comparative Studies Between Brunei, Japan, and Selected ASEAN Countries
• Laos Digital Manpower Development
• Enhancing Accounting Workforce in FIRe: The Case of SMEs in Vietnam

For more information and updates about the symposium, please follow PHILFEJA’s Facebook page. 

The Philippine Federation of Japan Alumni (PHILFEJA) held its Regular Annual General Members Assembly on Saturday, 27 July 2019 from 2:30-5:30 PM at the Philippines-Japan Friendship Hall at the Dominion Bldg. in Makati. The new President of PHILFEJA from the JICA Alumni Association of the Philippines (JAAP), Ms. Junelyn A. Pagunsan, presided over the Meeting.

After determination of the quorum and approval of the Minutes of the Meeting held on July 7, 2017, the Annual Report of the President followed. Mrs. Cecilia Tolentino, Secretary-General of PHILFEJA presented the Power-Point Report in the absence of the Immediate Past President, Atty. Powell del Rosario who is based in Capiz. Highlights of the Report were the activities of member Associations- APPAJU, JAAP, PHILAJAMES, PHILCULTAROS and SAPILNIP for fiscal year 2018. Also presented were the Conferences and Symposiums where PHILFEJA Officers and members participated:

• Awarding of Japan’s Foreign Minister’s Commendation on September 18, 2018 in
  recognition of “its significant contributions in advancing Japan-Philippine relations
  through its role of connecting Filipino Japan alumni and in promoting Japanese
  educational values in the Philippines”
• The 24 th ASCOJA Conference in Siem Reap, Cambodia on October 19-21, 2018 where the
  Philippines had the biggest delegation of 38 participants
• The ASJA-ASCOJA-PERSADA Symposium in Jakarta, Indonesia from December 14-15,
  2018
• The ASJA-ASCOJA International Meeting in Tokyo on March 14-15, 2019
• The Toshiba Youth Club Asia Program in Tokyo from March 20-17, 2019
• The Pre-ASCOJA Conference in Luang Prabang, Laos on June 22, 2019

Toshiba Youth Club Asia is a highly unique program that aims at fostering a network of next- generation Asian leaders with a long-term vision to sustain the future of Asia. Selected high school students who qualified through a nation-wide essay contest are Vivienne Angelica Viernes and Bertrand Michael Diola, both from Philippine Science High School. They participated in the program together with their attendant, Ms. Natalie Victorino of the Department of Finance.

The financial statements for the periods ending 31 March 2018 and 31 March 2019 duly certified by the independent auditor, Diaz, Murillo, Dalupan & Company were also presented to the Assembly.

Pursuant to the provisions of the By-Laws, the election of the members of the Board of Trustees who shall serve during the ensuing fiscal year 2019-2020 was held. The remaining term of Atty. Powell del Rosario of JAAP as PHILFEJA President will be served by Ms. Junelyn A. Pagunsan who was elected during the JAAP elections early this year.

Other matters discussed were the forthcoming Asean Council of Japan Alumni (ASCOJA) 25 th Conference in Vientiane, Laos from October 4-6, 2019 which will be proceeded by the ASJA- ASCOJA-JAOL Symposium on Food Safety on October 3, 2019. PHILFEJA is sending Dr. Neil tan Gana of Ateneo de Manila as panel speaker. Speaker for the Conference will be Dr. Gilda Lasay-Uy of the UP School of Kinetics. Also mentioned is the National Institute of Youth Education (NIYE) Junior Program inviting 6 high school students 13-16 years old and one attendant from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines from November 18- 26, 2019 at the National Chuo Youth Friendship Center in Shizuoka Prefecture. Also presented is the proposed ASJA-ASCOJA-PHILFEJA Symposium in February 2020 with the topic “Fourth Industrial Symposium (FIRe)”.

Immediately after the Regular Annual General Assembly, the organizational meeting of the Board of Trustees was held for the purpose of electing the President and other officers and constitute the Execom.

Miss Junelyn A. Pagunsan was elected President, Mr. Orlando Bautista of PHILCULTAROS as Vice President and Mr. Domingo Go of APPAJU as Treasurer. Trustees are Ms. Lavi Penaverde of PHILAJAMES and Mr. Philip Sanvictores of SAPILNIP. Mrs. Cecilia Tolentino was re-appointed Secretary-General. The Execom members are Ms. Pagunsan, Mr. Sanvictores, Ms. Penaverde and Mrs. Tolentino.

The meeting was followed by Fellowship and Merienda.

Photo Gallery

(This article was written by Mrs. Cecilia Tolentino)