PHILFEJA President Philip Sanvictores recently called on officials of the Japan Alumni of Vietnam (JAV) and the Japan Alumni Graduates’ Association of Malaysia (JAGAM), at the sidelines of a business trip to Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur.

On November 22, 2014, he met with Dr. Ngo Minh Thuy, JAV President and Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Binh, immediate past President of JAV at the JAV office within the sprawling Vietnam National University.  Also attending the meeting were Dr. Phang Trung Nghia (General-Secretary), and Ms. Nguyen Huyen Trang (Vice General Secretary).  They discussed various matters concerning ongoing plans for the ASCOJA 2015 conference which PHILFEJA is organizing.  Dr. Binh and Dr. Thuy shared valuable insights on their experiences when they hosted the 20^th ASCOJA Conference in Hanoi in 2013.

The following Monday, November 24, Mr. Sanvictores met with Dr. Ooi Chee Kong and Dr. Goh Nge Seung at the Marriott Putrajaya Hotel, also to discuss the status of preparations for the 21^st ASCOJA Conference to be held in Manila in late 2015.  Dr. Ooi pledged the full support of JAGAM and revealed plans of accelerating the 22^nd ASCOJA Conference to 2016 (instead of 2017) which it will be hosting.  Dr. Ooi also suggested that Mr. Sanvictores call for a meeting of the ASCOJA Governors soonest to thresh out the many outstanding issues relating to the 2015 conference, ASCOJA projects and programs with ASJA International and other matters.

The Philippine Federation of Japan Alumni (PHILFEJA) held a Memorial Service for its late President Benjamin “Benjie” C. Laurel during the PHILFEJA General Members Assembly held on October 11, 2014 at the Dusit Thani Manila.

The meeting started with the recognition of officers and representatives of the various PHILFEJA Chapter Associations, Dir. Tatsuo Kitagawa of the Japan Information and Cultural Center (JICC), Amb. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Sanvictores representing the Philippines-Japan Society and OMNI Ventures (the group of wartime Filipino students to Japan known as the Nampo Tokubetsu Ryugakusei 南方特別留学生), Messrs. Jimmy Ng and Freddie Chia of the Japan University Graduates Association of Singapore (JUGAS) who came from Singapore to attend the Memorial, and members of the Laurel family, notably Ms. Auring Montano and Mr. Jingjong Laurel, son of Benjie Laurel and his wife Cristalle.

The first order of business was the induction of Mr. Philip Sanvictores as President of PHILFEJA, succeeding the late Benjie Laurel and who will serve the latter’s unexpired term until the end of fiscal year 2015 (i.e., March 31, 2016).

Mr. Philip Sanvictores then shared the eulogy he read during the necrological rites for Mr. Laurel during his wake as a tribute to his “senpai” and predecessor.  This was followed by speeches in memory of the departed PHILFEJA President by: Amb. Pete Firmalino, former Consul General of the Philippine Consulate in Kobe; Dr. Lydia Tansinsin of PHILAJAMES, Ms. Tina Francisco, past President of PHILCULTAROS, Mr. Rene Guatlo of SAPILNIP, Prof. Kenjiro Ogata of the PIJLC-NCF, and Mr. Jimmy Ng of JUGAS.  Finally, the eulogy given by Amb. Benjamin F. Sanvictores during the necrological service was read, where he reminisced about his long association with Benjie-san in the various PJS organizations since the mid-70s.

PHILFEJA President Philip Sanvictores then presented a Plaque of Recognition in honor of Mr. Benjie Laurel to Ms. Auring Montano and Mr. and Mrs. Jingjong Laurel, for his lifetime advocacy and leadership in strengthening relations between Filipinos, Japanese and peoples of ASEAN.

In closing, Gov. Jose C. Laurel, elder brother of the late Benjie delivered a response on behalf of the Laurel Family, expressing gratitude for the honor and recognition given to his late brother.

Merienda Cena was served upon adjournment of the meeting.

PHILIPPINE FEDERATION OF JAPAN ALUMNI
Manila, Philippines

RECOGNITION

By unanimous decision of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Federation of Japan Alumni (PHILFEJA), this Recognition is posthumously presented with deep and grateful appreciation to the Family of our dearly beloved President

Benjamin “Benjie” C. Laurel
August 17, 1953 – August 10, 2014

for his lifetime advocacy of and outstanding contributions in the promotion, enhancement and strengthening of interpersonal and institutional relations between the peoples of the Philippines and Japan, and of all the countries comprising ASEAN, through his steadfast and dedicated leadership in, among others, the following organizations:

PHILIPPINE FEDERATION OF JAPAN ALUMNI (PHILFEJA)
1996 to 1999; 2012-2014

SAMAHAN NG MGA PILIPINONG NAG-ARAL AT NANIRAHAN SA NIPPON (SAPILNIP)
1993-2014

ASEAN COUNCIL OF JAPAN ALUMNI
1996 to 1999; 2012-2014

ASIA JAPAN ALUMNI INTERNATIONAL
2013-2014

PHILIPPINES-JAPAN FRIENDSHIP FOUNDATION
1992-2014

PHILIPPINES-JAPAN SOCIETY
1986-2014

PHILIPPINES-JAPAN ECONOMIC COOPERATION COMMITTEE
2011-2014

Done this 11^th day of October 2014 in the City of Makati, Metro Manila

PHILIP B. SANVICTORES, President, PHILFEJA/ SAPILNIP

GILDA L. UY, President, PHILAJAMES

DOMINGO GO, President, APPAJU

DAN LEONARD RAYO, President, PHILCULTAROS

ENRICO HILARIO, President, PHILJAFA

CECILIA TOLENTINO, Secretary-General