What can we do to protect the environment?

This was the question posed to the students of the Nihongo Center Foundation (NCF) and the Philippine Institute of Japanese Language and Culture (PIJLC) in the 8^th Kake Speech Contest, held last September 22 at the NCF Makati Campus. Eight students stepped up to the task and shared their ideas on what each individual can do to protect our natural environment.

Zoe-Agatha Serrano, this year’s first place winner, urged others to look no further than where they stand. Within their own worries and circumstance, people can find opportunities to contribute to society and to the world.

In Ms. Serrano’s speech, she recounted how she found her answer in her choice to quit relying on a diet-plan service that resulted in plastic containers to pile up in her home. Since then, she has decided to prepare her own meals herself and in so doing, she has saved on expenses while reducing waste in her life.

As the top prize winner, Ms. Serrano received an educational trip to Japan and other special prizes. She will also represent the Philippines in the Grand Final Contest in Okayama, Japan. The winner of this grand contest will receive a 2-year scholarship at any of the three universities under the KAKE Educational Institution.

Similarly, Francesca Lucia Galve and Tessa Garcia, the second and third prize winners respectively, also shared their insights on environmental protection and preservation. With a focus on taking responsibility for one’s use of resources and committing to doing the right thing, no matter how small, everyone can make an impact in reversing the damage to the environment brought about by the wasteful lifestyles of recent times.

Mr. Ken Nakamura, Director of the Japan Information and Culture Center of the Embassy of Japan, Ms. Hitomi Kohara, Department of International Affairs of the Kake Educational Institution, and Mr. Kenjiro Ogata, the Academic Adviser of NCF-PIJLC were the panel of Judges for the 8^th Kake Competition. Also in attendance were: Ms. Ma. Isabel Laurel-Dimayuga, Deputy Administrator of the PJFF, and Ms. Carmencita Biscarra, the Faculty Development Manager of NCF-PIJLC.

The KAKE International Japanese Speech Contest is an annual competition that gives international learners of the Nihongo an opportunity to showcase their skills. Meanwhile, by listening to the speeches of their peers as well as the contestants in the International round, students of NCF-PIJLC can also deepen their understanding of the language and ‘the Japan’ that is felt by other generations and by people from other countries around the world.

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Resources:

Speech by Zoe-Agatha Serrano

Speech by Francesca Lucia L. Galve

Speech by Tessa Garcia

8th Kake Speech Photo Album

Calling all students of Nihongo Center and the Philippine Institute of Japanese Language and Culture Foundation: registration for the 8th KAKE International Japanese Speech contest is now on-going. Participants must prepare to deliver a four to five minute speech on the theme: “環境保護について〜私ができること〜 or “What I Can Do to Protect the Environment.”

The contest is open to students currently enrolled at Nihongo Center or PIJLC who are Filipino citizens and have not resided in Japan for more than 12 months in total.

The first prize winner will receive an all-expenses-paid educational trip to Japan, among other special prizes. They will also have the opportunity to represent the Philippines in the Grand Final Contest in Okayama, Japan. The winner of this grand contest will receive a 2-year scholarship at any of the three universities under the KAKE Educational Institution.

The second and third prize winners will receive a full one semester tuition waiver, and a waiver of the entrance fees at any of the three universities under the KAKE Educational Institution, plus other special prizes.

Those interested to participate may send their speech entry with their profile (CV) to ncfmanila@gmail.com or nihongocenter@gmail.com by July 28, 2018. The competition will be held on September 22, 2018 from 2:00 – 5:00 PM.

In an opening ceremony held last June 28th, the Nihongo Center Foundation officially welcomed the second batch of trainees for a specialized pre-departure language training program, dubbed the Hotel Nihongo Course.

Headed by NCF Academic Adviser, Kenjiro Ogata-sensei, the program entails 600 hours of classroom instruction to learn the Japanese language. Upon completion of the language training, the candidates are poised to work in one of hotels owned, managed, and operated by Ken Corporation in Japan.

Selected from a pool of over 100 applicants, the ten candidates who passed the rigorous application process are: Ryan Chester Tan, from Our Lady of Fatima University; Mikka Robles, from Polytechnic University; Jerick Marasigan, from Technological University; Gizelle Aguinaldo, from Jose Rizal University; Michael John D. Yokoi, from De La Salle University; Mark Joven Laderas, Yomiko Arbino, Maria Fenella Regala, Jolan Formigones, and Bryan Kevin Ricohermoso, from Lyceum of the Philippines University.

Also gracing the ceremony were esteemed guests Mr. Toshihiko Ogata, Senior Managing Director of Ken Real Estate Lease Ltd; Mr. Shuichiro Fujita, Director, Global Business Development of With Us Corporation; Mr. Gerard B. Sanvictores, Chairman and President of QRD International Placement, Inc.; and Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores, President of Nihongo Center Foundation, Inc.

In his speech, Mr. Ogata enjoined the trainees to first enjoy their learning and also set very high goals moving forward.

“In our Ken Corporation Group, if you are capable, if you prove that you can contribute to the corporation – You have a chance. You can be executives, you can be directors, you can even be general managers. So please understand that you have a lot of chances in our organization,” said Mr. Ogata.

He shared that, in their hotels in Saipan and Guam, the capability and quality of work of Filipino workers have indeed been recognized. “In this Guam operation, we can see there are so many (Filipino) managers, senior managers, controllers, or even assistant General Managers,” he said.

To the parents and guardians of the trainees, Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores said: “Thank you […] for all the work and sacrifice you’ve given to bring your loved ones to where they are now. They are in good hands at Nihongo Center. They’re in very capable hands, in the hands of QRD. And they are going to a very good company – Ken Corporation.”

In addition, Mr. Sanvictores encouraged the trainees to grasp the opportunity that is now within their reach.

“Keep in mind the words of Mr. Ogata. You are looking at a career. Keep in mind that what is at stake here is your future,” Mr. Sanvictores said. “There’s so much opportunity for you, please do not waste it.  Everything is given to you, it’s all in your hands.”

Resources:

Opening Ceremony Photos

The Nihongo Center Foundation (NCF) and the Philippine Institute of Japanese Language and Culture (PIJLC) treated its teachers and staff to a relaxing stay at Cintai Corito’s Garden in Batangas last June 23 and 24.

Cintai is a Balinese-inspired sanctuary that features lush greenery, great architecture, and various picturesque spots that are ideal for taking memorable photos. Indeed, the teachers and staff took full advantage of these features as they took wacky photos that featured their playfulness and creativity.

Among the highlights of the trip was an evening of fun and games. While the agenda was to simply unwind and have fun, it seems that it is impossible to take the learning out of the outing. Over the course of the game night, some of the teachers were also taking note of the fun board games that they’ve tried and were thinking of how to emulate the mechanics of such games for their classroom activities.

“Maybe we can use this to make learning Kanji more fun,” and “This could be used to help students remember the vocabulary,” were some of the lines of thought that arose from playing board games. Indeed, this may result in classroom activities that students at NCF and PIJLC will enjoy.

After six months of intensive Japanese language study at NCF Manila, the 10th batch of Filipino nurses and care workers under the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) program will soon head for Japan to continue their language training for another six months, and then start work at Japanese hospitals and caregiving facilities. For this batch, a total of 109 completed the course.

Mr. Hiroaki Uesugi, Director of The Japan Foundation, Manila, opened the afternoon ceremony by congratulating the trainees and the staff for their efforts and cooperation in the grueling six months:

“Maligayang bati sa inyong matagumpay na pagtatapos sa training na ito. Congratulations! おめでとうございます. Likewise, I deeply appreciate the efforts and teamwork of the lecturers and staff members who have been trying hard to make this program the best.  To all concerned – congratulations for a job well done. お疲れさまでした。”

Mr. Uesugi also headed the Awarding of Certificates to the nurses and care workers, who were represented by Ms. Yvanjovi Ann Evangelista Ramos. In her speech, Ms. Ramos looked back at the effort they all put in the training and the hard work of the teachers and staff as well:

“I cannot believe that it has already been 6 months. As I look back at our time in NCF, so many words can describe the events and feelings. Not knowing a single word of Nihongo, we started learning Hiragana and Katakana, which we found so difficult to memorize at that time. As the days went by, the grammar and Kanji lectures became increasingly difficult to understand, but one step at a time, we succeeded with the help of our hardworking teachers who did their best to make each lesson enjoyable and easy to understand.”

Honorable guests who also gave their congratulatory remarks included Mr. Claro A. Arellano, Undersecretary, Department of Labor and Employment; Mr. Virgilio L. Carreon, Director, OIC- Director IV, Welfare and Employment Office, POEA; and Mr. Manabu Yasukawa, First Secretary, Labour Attaché, Embassy of Japan.  Head lecturer, Josef Orillo-sensei, gave the closing remarks and encouraged students to not just take what they learned in Nihongo, but also important things outside of the language:

“Also, take with you what you have learned outside of the language. The skills of self-evaluation, planning, and carrying out your self-studying, and use them for your continued advancement and learning, so you can be well prepared in the workplace and when the time comes to take the licensure examination in Japan. This is just the first step of your journey, and when you go to Japan for further training and future work, I am sure you will all discover more about yourselves and the strength you have as learners and professionals.

The 6-month course is part of the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to train Filipino healthcare workers in Japanese before they are assigned to different hospitals and caregiving facilities all over Japan. Aside from NCF Manila, two other institutions—TESDA and the Personal Ability Development Foundation, Inc. (PAD)—are conducting the preparatory language training including lectures about Japanese society, customs and manners, geography, and other topics related to general life in Japan.

Resources:
Closing Ceremony Photos

Speeches:
Josef Orillo, Head Lecturer
Mr. Hiroaki Uesugi, Director, JFMO
Mr. Manabu Yasukawa, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan
Mr. Claro Arellano, USEC, DOLE
Mr. Virgilio Carreon, Director, POEA
Ms. Yvanjovi Ramos, Batch 10 Representative