His Excellency Manolo M. Lopez, Philippine Ambassador to Japan inducted the 2011-2012 officers of the Philippine Society in Japan, Nagoya Chapter at a ceremony held at the Rose Court Hotel in Nagoya City recently.
Inducted were Virj Salaver Ishii, President; Evelyn S. Pastor, Vice-President; Maria Bueno-Yagi, Secretary; Rosemarie S. Fujiwara, Treasurer; Lovelina G. Torigoe, Auditor; Anna Linda C. Kumeta, P.R.O.
Also inducted were committee chairpersons Ma. Jennifer A. Sano, Finance; Desmond Audrey G. Segovia, Welfare; Juvy Oliva Q. Subere, External Affairs; Morelle T. Estioca, Membership and Teresa S. Nishizawa, Cultural Affairs.
In his inspirational talk, Ambassador Lopez congratulated the officers and members of PSJNC for promoting understanding of the Filipino culture among the Japanese by sponsoring annual concerts focusing on the rich cultural heritage of the Filipinos. He also thanked the members for remembering and giving continued support to their countrymen in the Philippines. PSJNC has partnered with Alpha Phi Omega International Service Fraternity and Gawad Kalinga by funding the construction of thirty houses for the homeless in a project called Nagoya Village in Barangay Gatid, Santa Cruz, Laguna.
Apart from gift giving activities in different parts of the country, feeding programs and responding to calls for donations to various local projects, PSJNC has also built a school at the Smokey Mountain called PSJNC Sandiwaan Learning Center and has adopted Parang Elementary School through the ABS-CBN Adopt a School Program.
Outgoing President Gigi N. Itoh thanked the members for their unending support and challenged the incoming officers to continue serving the community and those who have less in life by supporting the projects undertaken by the organization.
Incoming President Virj Salaver Ishii talked about how she was attracted by what PSJNC has been doing through the years and finally decided to join. She said that after years of living and working in Japan, she realized that life was not just making money in a foreign land, but also giving of oneself to the needy. She asked the members of PSJNC to support her in the coming year and promised to uphold the vows she made as president.
The affair was also graced by the presence of the ambassador’s wife, Mrs. Ma. Teresa Lagdameo Lopez, Vice Consul Christian de Jesus, representatives from Philippine Airlines, the Philippine National Bank and heads of different Filipino organizations in Aichi Ken.
PSJNC Adviser and past president Susan de Ono-Laset and Dennis Sun of Jeepney Press emceed the event while entertainment was provided by the Japanication Band, The Pilgrims Band, hula dancers Miho Nishi and Fumie Masuda and singers Ms. Maria and Menji Kobayashi.