PJS holds Welcome Reception for H.E. Endo Kazuya

April 23, 2024by secretariat in PJS tagged ,

The Philippines-Japan Society, Inc. (PJS) held a welcome reception for the newly appointed Japan Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Endo Kazuya last April 19, 2024 at the Grand Pavilion of the Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City.

Mr. Francis C. Laurel, PJS President, welcomed Amb. Endo in the opening remarks he gave to start the event. H.E. Endo, delivered a message to the attendees as a response to the reception. 

Amb. Endo highlighted in his speech the extent of the flourishing partnership the Philippines and Japan have cultivated through the years, from economy, people to people exchanges, and at present extending to defense and security. He expressed his wish for the strong bond between the two countries to reach greater heights, “As our strategic partnership continues to evolve, I hope to find in every one of you a partner in building a more prosperous and sustainable future for our people.” In closing his message, he acknowledged the efforts and support of the people involved in the continuous growth of the Philippines and Japan’s partnership, “I would like to express my deep appreciation to all of you in this room for your warm support, friendship, and commitment to strengthening the ties between Japan and the Philippines.”

Prestigious guests graced the event including Mr. Ramon S. Ang, President and CEO of San Miguel Corporation; Mr. Hans T. Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime; Mr. Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman, President, and CEO of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation; and Mr. Edgar O. Chua, Chairman of the Makati Business Club. The LG Strings played the music accompaniment during the dinner.

Corporate Secretary Atty. Jose Vicente E. Jimenez served as the master of ceremonies for the event. Mr. Gerard B. Sanvictores, PJS Vice-President, concluded the night with his closing remarks.

References:
Welcome Remarks by Mr. Francis Laurel
Speech of Ambassador ENDO Kazuya
Closing Remarks by Mr. Gerard Sanvictores
Photos

PJS hosts its 43rd Philippines-Japan Friendship Golf Tournament

January 26, 2024by secretariat in PJS tagged , , ,

Last January 17, 2024, the Philippines-Japan Society, Inc. (PJS) held its 43rd Golf Tournament at the Wack Wack Golf & Country Club, Mandaluyong City. 

With 111 players participating, it broke the record of the highest number of players to attend in the history of the organization’s golf tournament. The Ceremonial Tee Shot officially kicked off the competition followed by the shotgun starts of every flight at their respective assigned holes. The players were divided into 28 groups with four members each, switching turns in a Scramble Best Ball honesty game. 

Team 6 composed of JJ Atencio, Paolo Cagalingan, Masatoshi Saito, and Keishi Saito bagged the victory with a gross score of 65, a handicap of 19, and a net score of 46. Filemon Del Carmen, Alfredo Del Carmen, Michael Del Carmen, and Yasunori Takamatsu of Flight 11 took 1st runner up with 67 gross score, 20 handicap, and 47 net score. For 2nd runner up, Harutaka Ishikawa, Yasuhiro Fukuki, Edwin Umali, and Shinichi Kusunoki’s team garnered a gross score of 69, handicap of 22, and net score of 47.

Fun holes were also awarded to the following:

Nearest to the Pin: Hole #8 – Takao Shinohara, 4 ft

Nearest to the Pin: Hole #14 – Ichirou Iwabuchi, 1 ft

Longest Drive: Hole #13 – Joel Aguada, 300 yards

Most Accurate Drive: Hole #13 – Toshiaki Fujioka, 1 ft

Golf Committee Chairman Ramon Maria Abaquin announced his retirement from the committee at the awards ceremony and introduced the new members: Atty. Carrie Bee Hao, Mr. Archie Sanvictores, Mr. Tomohiro Koseki, and Mr. Kunihiko Nimura.

Resources:
Photos

FUKUDA SHIGEO CALLS ON PJS

October 3, 2023by secretariat in PJS

Mr. FUKUDA Shigeo – son of former Prime Minister FUKUDA Yasuo – paid a courtesy call on Mr. Francis C. Laurel, President of the Philippines Japan Society (PJS) last July 13, 2023.  Mr. Fukuda was accompanied by Mr. TAKANO Seji, President of the Japanese Association Manila, Inc. (JAMI), and President of Sumitomo Corporation of the Philippines (SCP). Also, on hand to receive the guests were Mr. Ricky Osmond, Chairman of The Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee (PHILJEC), Mr. Gerry B. Sanvictores (PJS Vice-President), and Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores, President of the Nihongo Center Foundation. 

Messrs. Fukuda and Takano were received at the Ambassador Jose S. Laurel III Room where the memorabilia of the late Ambassador and Founder of the Philippines-Japan Society and its affiliate organizations are housed.  Photos of Prime Ministers FUKUDA Takeo and FUKUDA Yasuo – Mr. Fukuda Shigeo’s grandfather and father, respectively – are among framed pictures prominently displayed in the Laurel Room.  

During the call, Mr. Laurel presented Mr. Fukuda with a copy of the book – Jose S. Laurel III, Filipino Samurai. Interestingly, Mr. Fukuda brought with him a copy of the same book which was earlier given to his father – PM Fukuda Yasuo – with a request for a dedication from Mr. Laurel.  Of course, Mr. Laurel obliged and wrote dedications on both books for the personal collection of father and son.

Mr. Fukuda was previously stationed in SCP and lived in the Philippines for several years and is quite familiar with the country.  Currently, he oversees the industrial estates development business of Sumitomo Corporation. 

Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V awarded 42nd PJS Medal of Merit

August 11, 2023by secretariat in PJS tagged , ,

On July 19, 2023, The Philippines-Japan Society, Inc. (PJS) awarded Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V the 42nd Medal of Merit for his outstanding achievements and contributions in promoting and strengthening Philippines-Japan relations at the 42nd Philippines-Japan Friendship Celebration Awards Night held at New World Hotel in Makati City.

PJS Corporate Secretary, Atty. Jose Vicente Jimenez, read the Citation which was followed by the bestowment of the Medal of Merit and the plaque of the Citation to Ambassador Laurel V by PJS President Francis C. Laurel and PJS Vice-President Gerard B. Sanvictores.

A culminating highlight of his service to the country was with his appointment as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Philippines to Japan in June 2017, a post he held with distinction until June 2022. Among his major accomplishments as Philippine Ambassador to Japan were: management of high-level official visits between the Philippines and Japan, the State Visit to Japan of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in 2019 and the Official Visit of Foreign Minister Taro Kono, also in 2019, including three working visits of President Duterte to Japan; and the supervision of large-scale projects involving Japanese corporations such as the Metro Manila Subway project.

Aside from his term as Ambassador of the Philippines to Japan, Ambassador Laurel V also served as Governor of the Province of Batangas from 1980 to 1988.

PJS President Laurel gave the opening remarks, followed by the greetings of The Philippine Society of Japan President, Ambassador Makoto Katsura and H.E. Kazuhiko Koshikawa, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Philippines which was read by Minister Kenichi Matsuda, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission of Japan to the Philippines.

The Children of Ambassador Laurel V and Mr. Victor “Cocoy” Laurel delighted the guests with their own musical pieces.

Attachments:
Citation of the Medal of Merit
Opening Remarks by Mr. Francis C. Laurel
Greetings by Amb. Kazuhiko Koshikawa (read by Minister Kenichi Matsuda)
Program
Photo Gallery

PJS hosts its 42nd Golf Tournament with the Unveiling of its New Perpetual Trophy

March 8, 2023by secretariat in PJS tagged , ,

On February 13, 2023, the Philippines-Japan Society (PJS) held its 42nd Golf Tournament at the Alabang Country Club, Muntinlupa.  With 84 players participating, it broke the record of the highest number of players achieved in 2019 which had a total of 80 players. 

The Ceremonial Tee Shot was done by former Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Toshinao Urabe. Afterwhich, the tournament formally started with a shot-gun start at 6:40 a.m. As in previous years, the tournament was a four-man team Scramble (Best Ball) honesty game. After a fun and interesting game, Team 11 emerged victorious. Its members Emmanuel Barcelon, Fernandel Evangelista, Shinji Kudo, and Noel Ramirez garnered a score of 70. Minus the handicap of 20.9, they got a total score of 49.1. 

With a gross score of 68, a handicap of 16.6, and a net score of 51.4, Team 12 with its members Keiichi Matsunaga, Atsushi Okubo, Takahiro Machiba, and Edwin Umali takes the 1st runner up place. And coming in as the 2nd runners up are Martin Guantes, Hiroshi Nakagawa, Kazuma Nakagomi, and Jonald Vergara with a gross score of 70, a handicap of 18.2, and a net score of 51.8. 

Also receiving recognition are the winners of the fun holes, namely:

Nearest to the Pin: Hole #6- Tetsuro Fujii, 7ft

Nearest to the Pin: Hole #12- John Laurel, 12 ft

Longest Drive: Hole #9- Kian Yang, 361 yards

Longest Drive: Hole #18- Ramon David, 290 yards

At the awards ceremony, Golf Committee Chairman Joseph Uy, Jr. announced his retirement and succession of the chairmanship to Mr. Ramon Abaquin, co-chairman of the committee. Afterwhich, the new championship trophy was presented to the winning team. This new perpetual trophy was made in the 18th century for King George V and was donated to the society by the heirs of the late Joseph K.H. Uy. 

For detailed results and photos of the event, please refer to our Resources.

Page 2 of 16123...Last
RSS
Facebook
LinkedIn

Archives