More than a hundred elementary school students from Tondo were treated to a morning of Japanese culture through the Hello Japan Special, a program by the Embassy of Japan in cooperation with The Japan Foundation Manila (JFM). On March 11, 2011, the Embassy of Japan conducted the Hello Japan Special at the Lakan Dula Elementary School and F. Benitez Elementary School, both located in Tondo, Manila . In both schools, some teachers and several sections of grade six students attended the program, who enthusiastically participated in the various activities.
The students learned about the Japanese national sport - sumo , through a demonstration presented by Mr. Yasuyuki Niimi, the Japanese Language Adviser from the JFM. They were also able to introduce themselves and exchange simple greetings in the Japanese language, through introductory lessons facilitated by Ms. Chisato Ofune who is also a Japanese Language Education Adviser from JFM. The festivities were capped off by contests about the presentations, where the participants eagerly showed off their understanding of Japanese culture. Through the said activities, students were able to enjoy and at the same time, discover the various aspects of Japanese culture.
“We sincerely appreciate it that the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation, Manila took the time to visit our school to share Japanese culture to our students. Our students, were really happy and eager to learn simple Japanese greetings as well as learn a bit about Japanese writing,” Ms. Nieves Boco, F. Benitez Elementary School Principal, said about the event.
“I was really excited with our Sumo session and I'm really happy to win in it!” said a student from Lakandula Elementary School, in Filipino, after the short Sumo game between the students.
As a token of appreciation, both schools received two panels from the Embassy of Japan depicting a landscape and a map of Japan.
In 2010, the Japan Foundation Manila and the Department of Education concluded an “Exchange of Memorandum of Cooperation” regarding the “Special Program in Foreign Language – Nihongo” for secondary schools in the National Capital Region and soon to include other regions/localities ( Cebu ), which includes the “Japanese Language and Culture Class”. The Hello Japan Special was also geared towards encouraging the elementary students to enroll in the pilot program for the Japanese language upon entering high school.
Hello Japan is a regular program conducted by the Embassy of Japan, which allows participants to explore the rich tapestry of Japanese culture through interactive activities and presentations. Interested parties may visit the website at www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp or call 551-5710 local 2313 for more information.
