The Nihongo Center Foundation/Philippine Institute of Japanese Language & Culture (NCF/PIJLC) co-sponsored with Kake Educational Institute 加計学園 of Okayama, Japan the Manila Competition for the 5^thKakeGakuen International Nihongo Speech Contest 第５回加計学園杯日本語弁論国際大会マニラ予選 . The speech contest, the second to include the Philippines, was held on September 19, 2015 at the Jose P. Laurel Hall, 4^th floor Philippines-Japan Friendship Center-Manila in Sampaloc, Manila.

 There were nine contestants who prepared their own speeches in Nihongo on the theme: “My Message to the Future”未来へ伝えたいこと. Ms. Camille Valerie Torre of the NCF/PIJLC N1 Review Class who has been a student of NCF since 2006 won first place, entitling her to represent the country in the Final Competition in Okayama, Japan to be held on November 25-29, 2015. She was also granted 2-year scholarship at any of the three universities under the Kake Educational Institution System.

The second place was awarded to Ms. Jacqueline Okaya of the NCF/PIJLC Teacher Training Course, while Ms. Carmel Acuzar of the Intermediate 1 Class won third place.

The panel of judges consisted of Director Tatsuo Kitagawa of the Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan, Dr. Takuji Hoshino of the Okayama University of Science, and Prof. Kenjiro Ogata, Academic Advisor of NCF-PIJLC.

Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores, NCF-PIJLC President delivered an extemporaneous speech on the merits of participating in and preparing for a speech contestat the start of the Program. He was followed by Dir. Kitagawa who praised Kake Gakuen for hosting the international speech contest and thanked NCF-PIJLC for partnering with Kake Gakuen on this worthwhile project that promotes Nihongo education in the Philippines. At the end of the contest, Dir. Hoshino thanked all the participants and encouraged all the contestants to strive hard in learning Nihongo. He added that with the high quality of speeches presented during the contest, all the participants were actually winners.

After the Speech Contest, PIJLC hosted dinner for the guests from Japan at the Barbara’s Cultural Restaurant in Intramuros.

The Faculty Development Program (FDP) of the PIJLC-NCF was launched in August 2015, with the objective of developing a stronger faculty to serve the needs of a growing demand for Japanese language courses. The PIJLC-NCF FDP aims to equip the faculty with updated teaching tools, and in the long term, gain know-how on designing customized courses to suite specific industry needs.

Among the activities of the PIJLC-NCF FDP are regular Faculty Meetings which customarily start with a study session. Here, faculty members take turns in giving presentations, sharing their teaching techniques and methods acquired from various trainings. Faculty Meetings are also the venue where KAIZEN discussions on course offerings, teaching materials, and other school-related matters are held, with all members contributing ideas to find ways to improve the quality of service that the school can offer.

Besides the Faculty Meetings, the PIJLC-NCF FDP strives to maintain the school’s teaching standard through its Internal and External Training Programs. Part of Internal Training is done by the more experienced faculty members through periodic class observations, followed by advice and feedback sessions with the observed instructors. In the External Training Program, qualified faculty members are given a chance to participate in trainings and seminars related to Japanese Language Education conducted by both local organizations and overseas institutions.

Apart from the activities involving the current faculty members, the PIJLC-NCF FDP aspires to increase the number of Japanese-language instructors by developing ties with local educational institutions and providing qualified candidates with training in Japanese-language and pedagogy.

5TH KAKE International Japanese Speech Contest

Theme: My Message to the Future

Prizes:

1st Prize

a.) Educational Trip to Japan

b.) a chance to win a 2-year scholarship at any of the three universitites under the KAKE International Institution

c.) Kenjiro Ogata Prize (P3,000.00)

d.) Nihongo Books, etc.

e.) Certificate of Recognition

2nd Prize

a.)full one semester tuition waiver, as well as waiver of entrance fees at any of the three universitites

b.) Japanese-English Dictionary

c.) Certificate of Recognition

3rd Prize

a.)full one semester tuition waiver, as well as waiver of entrance feesat any of the three universities

b.) Nihongo Books, etc.

c.) Certificate of Recognition

The Nihongo Center Foundation granted scholarships for the top three finalists of the recently concluded 2015 J-Pop Anime Song and Dance Contest Grand Finals, held on July 25, 2015 at the SM Cinema Centerstage, SM Mall of Asia. There were 10 finalists in the Song Category and 5 in the Dance Category. Special performances by the Hikari Band, Doraemon & Friends, and the No Plan Band which is composed on Embassy of Japan staff who performed to wildly cheering fans like a professional rock and pop band.

The NCF scholarships consisted of:

• First Prize – full tuition scholarship for Elementary 1 Nihongo Course (64 hours); awarded to Maychell Hernandez ;
• Second Prize – full tuition scholarship for Marugoto Course (24 hours) ; awarded to Kenichi Go Uang ; and
• Third Prize – 80% tuition scholarship for Marugoto Course (24 hours) ; awarded to Lou Angeline Buenaventura Ulanday .

The scholarship certificates were presented by NCF President PHILIP B. SANVICTORES in the presence of AMBASSADOR KAZUHIDE ISHIKAWA, as well as the Board of Judges led by Mr. Tetsuo Kitagawa (Director – Japan Information & Cultural Center) and Mr. Shuji Takatori (Director – Japan Foundation Manila) to the following:

The J-Pop Contest is an annual event organized by the Embassy of Japan in celebration of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month (held every July). Besides NCF, the other sponsors were the Japan Foundation Manila, Japan National Tourism Organization, All Nippon Airways, Animation International, Ajinomoto PH, Bandai Namco PH, Bobson, Canon Information Technologies, Canon Marketing, Center for Pop Music, Hero TV, Hikkaido Ramen Santouka, Japan Chamber of Commerce & Industry of the PH, Lotte Confectionary, Panasonic, SM Cinema, SM Mall of Asia, Sony, Toei Animation, Yakult and Yoshinoya. http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/pressandspeech/press/pressreleases/2015/33.html