15th PHILFEJA General Assembly (June 20, 2015)

June 20, 2015by Philip Sanvictores in PHILFEJA

The 15th Philippine Federation of Japan Alumni (PHILFEJA) General Members Assembly was held at the Philippines-Japan Friendship Hall last June 20, 2015. It was attended by members of the five PHILFEJA Chapter Associations namely:

Association of Philippine Private Alumni of Japanese Universities (APPAJU)
JICA Alumni Association of the Philippines (JAAP)
Philippine Association of Japanese Government Scholars (PHILAJAMES)
Philippine Cultural and Technical Association of Returned Overseas Scholars (PHILCULTAROS)
Samahan ng mga Pilipinong Nag-Aral at Nanirahan sa Nippon (SAPILNIP)

PHILFEJA attends 30th ASJA Board Meeting (Mar 27, 2015)

March 27, 2015by Philip Sanvictores in ASCOJA, ASJA Relations, PHILFEJA

The 30^th Meeting of the Board of Directors of Asia Japan Alumni (ASJA) International was held on March 27, 2015 at the 43^rd Floor, Moonlight Suite, Keio Plaza Hotel, Shinjuku, Tokyo. PHILFEJA was represented by its President, MR. PHILIP B. SANVICTORES, who serves as the ex-officio Director for the Philippines in the ASJA Board. In 2014, Mr. Sanvictores served as the Acting Chairman of the ASJA Board representing the late BENJAMIN C. LAUREL, who was then the incumbent ASJA Chairman but was unable to attend due to his failing health.

The Directors in attendance were:

SI SI SHIEN – ASJA Chairman; Director for Mynamar
TAKASHI TAJIMA – Director for Japan
TINEKE MANDANG – Director for Indonesia
OOK CHEE KEONG – Director for Malaysia
PHILIP B. SANVICTORES – Director for the Philippines
TAN KAY GUAN – Director for Singapore
SAMRAN CHOODUANGERN – Director for Thailand
VUTHY MONYRATH – Director for Cambodia
NGO MINH THUY – Director for Vietnam
BOUASONE VONTHAPHONG – Director for Laos
CHIN WEI KEI – Director for Brunei

Also in attendance were:

ISMADJI HADISUMARTO – Vice-President, PERSADA
INDRI TOFIR – PERSADA
HIDEKI AMANG – PERSADA
SALENA GOH BEI HONG – wife of Dr. Ooi Chee Keong
GO NEE SHEUNG – Director, PERSADA
PATRICIA MARIBEL C. SANVICTORES – wife of Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores
MA. ELENA LAUREL-LOINAZ – Project Manager, 21^st ASCOJA Conference
GLENDA T. FERMA – Deputy Project Manager, 21^st ASCOJA Conference
YEE JEN EN – Vice-President, JUGAS
SURAWUT CHUANGCHOTE – Director for External Affairs, OJSAT
MO MO SAN – Secretary-General, MAJA
SAN SAN LUIN – Deputy Secretary-General, MAJA
MYO KIHN – Vice-President, MAJA
MON SU – Vice-President, MAJA
TON TON TEH – Member, MAJA
PHAN THRUN GIAN – Secretary-General, JAV
GUEN FEN THIAN – Deputy Secretary-General, JAV
TAN THUY KIM THUEN – Committee Member, JAV

Other attendees were:

SHINADA, Director – MOFA
MIWA KISHIMOTO– MOFA

ASJA International Secretariat members in attendance were:

JIRO SATO – Secretary-General, ASJA International
IWAMOTO – Editor, ASJA International
CHIKAKO HAGIHARA – ASJA International Secretariat
FURUTA – ASJA International Secretariat
ARIMA – ASJA International Secretariat

In total, there were 38 participants in the 30^th ASJA International Board Meeting.

The Schedule for the 2-day affair was as follows:

March 26, 2015 (Thursday)

13:00: Assembly of ASJA Directors at Moonlight Room, 43^rd Floor, Keio Plaza Hotel

13:15: Briefing for the Program by ASJA International

14:00: Departure from Keio Plaza Hotel for Diet Members Office, Building No. 1

15:00: Round Table Conference with Diet Members

16:00: Tour of the National Diet Main Building

17:00: Return to Keio Plaza Hotel

18:30: Welcome Dinner hosted by ASJA Secretary-General Mr. Jiro Sato; Comet Room, 43^rd Floor, Keio Plaza Hotel

March 27, 2015 (Friday)

09:00: ASJA International Board Meeting, Moonlight Room, 43^rd Floor, Keio Plaza Hotel

12:00: Lunch, Moonlight Room, 43^rd Floor, Keio Plaza Hotel

14:00: ASCOJA Governors Meeting, Moonlight Room, 43^rd Floor, Keio Plaza Hotel

16:30: ASJA International Graduates Presentation and Completion Ceremony, Comet Room, 43^rd Floor, Keio Plaza Hotel

18:30: Dinner Reception, ASJA International, Starlight Room, 43^rd Floor, Keio Plaza Hotel

AGENDA

Proposed Budget for FY2015
- Plans for FY2015
  - Scholars Intake – 18 graduate students, 5 undergraduate students
  - Total current scholars – 30 students
  - Plans and Programs
    1. Orientation for new scholars
    2. Cultural exchange and networking
    3. Homestay
    4. Sociocultural exposure
    5. Commencement exercises
    6. Research reports
    7. ASJA Newsletter and Homepage
  - ASJA Annual Board of Directors meeting in March 2016
  - Participation in the 21^st ASCOJA Conference in the Philippines
  - Assistance for Strengthening the ASCOJA Network
    1. Online Communication Platform
    2. ASCOJA Symposia on Labor and Business

FY2015 Budget
- Proposed Budget – JPY46,625,000 vs JPY64,869,000 (FY2014)
- Breakdown of FY2015 Budget
  - Assistance for ASJA Scholars – JPY8,958,471
  - Assistance for ASCOJA / Alumni associations – JPY5,575,970
  - Strengthening ASCOJA Network – JPY27,476,950
  - ASJA Secretariat – JPY20,197,371
  - Audit fee – JPY660,000
  - Total – JPY62,868,762
  - Government Proposal – JPY46,625,000

List of Scholars Accepted for FY2015
- Indonesia – 2 scholars
- Malaysia – 2 scholars
- Philippines – 2 scholars
- Singapore – 3 scholars
- Thailand – 2 scholars
- Myanmar – 3 scholars
- Cambodia – 3 scholars
- Vietnam – 2 scholars
- Laos – 3 scholars
- Brunei – 1 scholar
Report on ASJA Activities in 2014
- April 25-26, 2014: Orientation for new ASJA-MEXT Scholars
- May 9, 2014: Welcome party for new scholars
- August 1-5, 2014: Tochigi-Ken Homestay
- August 7-11, 2014: Shizuoka-Ken Homestay
- August 29-31, 2014: Interaction with Japanese University Students
- September 2-5, 2014: Fukuoka-Ken Volunteer Work
- September 9, 2014: Lecture on International Understanding
- September 27, 2014: ASEAN Festival
- November 1, 2014: Workshop on Research of Experiences in Japanese Life
- November 2, 2014: Experiencing Japan Culture
- November 2, 2014: Orientation for new ASJA-MEXT Scholars (October Intake)
- December 4-7, 2014: Kyoto Workshop on Life in Japan
- January 23-25, 2015: ASJA-ASCOJA Consultative Meeting on the 21^st ASCOJA Conference and the Proposed ASCOJA Online Communication Platform
- February 5-6, 2015: Tour of Industrial Japan
- February 27, 2015: Lecture on International Understanding
- March 6-8, 2015: Cultural Interaction
- March 15, 2015: Experiencing Japan Culture
- March 27, 2015: Commencement Exercises; ASJA Directors Meeting
Guidelines for Selection and Acceptance of Research Students
- Candidates must understand the purposes of ASJA and commit to participate in its activities and programs
- In principle, must desire to continue studies towards a masteral degree
- Study in a school in Tokyo or its suburbs and cities nearby
- In principle, start in April
- Undergo 6-months Nihongo Training at the Tokyo Japanese Language Training Center prior to starting work on graduate studies
ASCOJA Online Communication Platform
- Factors behind the establishment of the ASCOJA Online Platform to be developed and administered by ASJA
- ASCOJA participation in the development of the platform
- ASCOJA Committee on the Online Platform Development and Contribution of Content – PHILFEJA, PERSADA, JAGAM, OJSAT, JAV.
ASJA-ASCOJA Symposia Series for FY2015
- Topics will generally be on Labor and Business Flows
- Frequency – once every three months; i.e., quarterly
- Venue – in different ASCOJA countries
- Budget coverage – travel expenses of participants (1-2 persons per country), venue rental, travel expenses of symposium speaker-expert (1 person per symposium), lecture costs, documentation and report costs
Matters for Decision by the Board of Directors
- Election of new ASJA Chairman
- Minutes of the 29^th ASJA International Minutes of Meeting
Other matters
- ASCOJA to conduct pre-departure orientation for all ASJA-MEXT scholars
- ASJA-MEXT Scholars required to attend the Welcome Party and Orientation to be held on April 25-26 in Tokyo
- ASJA-MEXT Scholars staying outside Tokyo to bear all transport and lodging expenses to be incurred in attending ASJA Activities
- Contact details (email address, mobile phone, etc.) to be provided ASJA
- Students to allow ASJA to use personal information submitted to and provided the MEXT for their respective applications for scholarship

Toshiba Youth Club Asia (Mar 17, 2015)

March 17, 2015by Web Administrator in ASJA Relations, PHILFEJA

written by Ms. Keli Biscarra

With the aim of creating a network of young Asian leaders, Toshiba International Foundation, together with the joint sponsor Toshiba Thai Foundation and executor BeGood Café, organized the Toshiba Youth Club Asia (TYCA) Program, an all-expense paid one-week Exchange Camp to be held at the National Olympic Memorial Youth Center in Yoyogi, Tokyo. In this program, 16 students from Japan and 6 ASEAN countries will gather from March 23 to 30, 2015, to think about critical issues such as world energy, disaster prevention, and advanced technology. The program also includes visits to museums and various Tokyo landmarks, cultural activities, several workshops including one with students from Keio University Shonan Fujisawa High School.

The Philippine representatives, who were selected on the basis of a qualifying essay and interview, are Sydney P. Mateo of Marikina Science High School and Mark Ulysis Romulo of City of Mandaluyong Science High School. They will be accompanied by their adviser, Carmencita Biscarra, a Japanese-language instructor of Nihongo Center Foundation and Japan Foundation Manila. Other participants who will join the program are from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan.

Click Here to view Ms. Keli Biscarra’s report

: L-R: Mr. Makoto Katsura, President of Toshiba Internatiional Foundation; Mr. Naoku Ishibashi, CEO of Governance Design Laboratory, Inc. and Assistant Professor, Faculty of Global Media Studiesof Komazawa University; Mrs. Glenda Ferma, Philippine Representative, Mr. Mark Romulo of Mandaluyong Science High School; Ms. Sydney Mateo of Marikina Science High School and; Ms. Keli Biscarra, Supervisor for the Philippine Delegates; and Mr. Kiyoshi Shikita, Chairperson of BeGood Cafe

PHILFEJA holds 2015 Shinnen Kai (Jan 24, 2015)

January 24, 2015by Philip Sanvictores in PHILFEJA

PHILFEJA held on January 24, 2015 its annual New Year Party (Shinnen Kai 新年会) at the Philippines-Japan Friendship Hall (3^rd Floor Dominion Building, A. Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City). More than 50 guests were in attendance, led by the Deputy Chief of Mission of Japan to the Philippines, Min. Mitsuru Amano, Ambassador Benjamin F. Sanvictores – PHILFEJA Advisor, Mr. Francis C. Laurel – President of the Philippines-Japan Society, Director Tatsuo Kitagawa – Japan Information & Cultural Center (JICC) and Director Shuji Takatori – Japan Foundation Manila. Also present was Mr. Seiki Furudate, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Manila.

The 2015 Shinnen Kai was made even more memorable by the attendance of high-ranking representatives from member associations comprising the ASEAN Council of Japan Alumni (ASCOJA) as well as officials of the Asia Japan Alumni (ASJA) International of Japan who met earlier in the day for a Special ASCOJA-ASJA Consultative Meeting at the AIM Conference Center. The special meeting tackled issues pertaining to the forthcoming 21^st ASCOJA Conference which will be held on October 2-4, 2015 at the Dusit Thani Manila. PHILFEJA is hosting and organizing this major event.

Representatives from the five chapter associations of PHILFEJA were likewise present, led by Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores – President, PHILFEJA; President – SAPILNIP. As PHILFEJA President, Mr. Sanvictores concurrently serves as the Chairman of ASCOJA. PHILAJAMES, PHILCULTAROS, APPAJU and JAAP were all represented at the affair.

PHILFEJA President Sanvictores welcomed all the guests at the start of the party. In his opening remarks, he enjoined everyone to support the 21^st ASCOJA Conference which, his predecessor, the late PHILFEJA President/ASCOJA Chairman Benjie Laurel had looked forward to hosting. He also said that as ASCOJA Chairman, Mr. Laurel had pushed for a new Vision-Mission for ASCOJA, which he was happy to announce, was drafted during the just concluded special ASCOJA meeting.

Over the dinner buffet, a medley of songs was rendered by a trio of UP College of Music students. They sang and played Filipino love songs and ballads. A special “Koto” 箏performance was rendered by Mr. Yu Miyoshi, a Manila-based business executive who plays this special traditional Japanese stringed instrument as his art and hobby. Later, he was joined by Mr. Gazan Watanabe – master Shakuhaku 尺八artist – who is Mr. Miyoshi’s personal friend and fellow-artist and who had just arrived from Tokyo for several performances in Manila.

The high point of the evening’s entertainment was the impromptu and awe-inspiring rendition by the UP tenor of the popular Pilipino love song “Ikaw” seamlessly accompanied by Mr. Miyoshi on the Koto and Watanabe-san on the Shakuhaku.

Min. Amano was then asked to address PHILFEJA in the New Year 2015 and he pledged the full support of the Embassy of Japan, especially for the 21^st ASCOJA Conference. This was echoed by Mr. Francis C. Laurel who committed to PHILFEJA the full support and assistance of the Philippines-Japan Society and all its affiliate organizations, to the rousing applause of the audience.

PHILFEJA consists of five (5) chapter associations: the Philippine Association of Japan Ministry of Education Scholars (PHILAJAMES), Philippine Cultural & Technical Association of Returned Overseas Scholars (PHILCULTAROS), Association of Philippine Private Alumni of Japanese Universities (APPAJU), JICA Alumni Association of the Philippines (JAAP), and the Samahan ng Mga Pilipinong Nag-Aral at Nanirahan sa Nippon (SAPILNIP). It was first established in 1975.

2014 PHILFEJA Shinnen Kai (Dec 1, 2014)

December 1, 2014by Philip Sanvictores in PHILFEJA

The Philippine Federation of Japan Alumni (PHILFEJA) held its 2014 Shinnen Kai 新年会 on January 18,2014 at the Board Room, Dusit Thani Manila at the Ayala Center in Makati. It was hosted by the Association of Philippine Private Alumni of Japanese Universities (APPAJU) headed by its President, Mr. Domingo Go.

The 2014 Shinnen Kai was graced by PHILFEJA President Benjie C. Laurel and his wife Auring, Amb. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Sanvictores, Amb. Pete Firmalino, former PHILFEJA Presidents Atty. Ernie Martinez, Engr. Erni Abrenica and Mr. Ed Valencia. Officials of the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) of the Embassy of Japan in Manila likewise attended the affair. Other officers of PHILFEJA affiliated organizations joined the annual New Year party, i.e., PHiLAJAMES, PHILJAFA, PHILCULTAROS and APPAJU.

PHILFEJA President Benjie Laurel, though weakened by a lingering illness, bravely attended and made an impassioned speech, encouraging PHILFEJA to actively support the organization of the 21^st ASCOJA Conference which is slated to be held in Manila in 2015. He said that in his capacity as the President PHILFEJA, he is now the Chairman of both ASCOJA and ASJA International. He sought the members’ all out support and cooperation as PHILFEJA performs its new responsibilities. He also noted that this will be the last time PHILFEJA can occupy this position of leadership in ASCOJA, since its chairmanship rotates around all member countries, which now include all 10-member states of ASEAN. The ASCOJA Chairman normally holds office for two years.