PHILIPPINES
On August 15th, 2024, the International School Network visited the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Tokyo to interview Her Excellency Ms. Mylene de Joya GARCIA-ALBANO.
What unites the people is the unique Filipino concept, Bayanihan. Bayanihan is the spirit of communal unity and cooperation to achieve a shared goal. In education, for example, Ms. GARCIA-ALBANO explains extended families often contribute financially to support a relative’s schooling. “People give what they can, even when they don’t have much,” she said, “and that’s something very good about the Philippines.”
When asked about what she’d like Japanese people to know about the Philippines, Ms. GARCIA-ALBANO emphasizes the country’s beautiful beaches and other important tourist sites. The Philippines is known for beaches and surfing spots like La Union in the north and Siargao in the south but there’s also cultural heritage, like the Banaue Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Their tourism goes far beyond sand and sea. Ms. GARCIA-ALBANO also pointed out that while tourists tend to focus on Manila, Cebu, and Boracay, the Philippines has so many more regions worth exploring.
Ms. GARCIA-ALBANO’s story of how she became an Ambassador was very inspiring. As a child, she aspired to become a lawyer, influenced by her father, great-grandfather, and other relatives who were lawyers. She pursued law after working for several years after college. “I didn’t plan to become an ambassador either,” she admitted. “It was an opportunity that came up later in life. But I always tried to do my best in whatever role I had. One thing led to another, and here I am.”
With over 320,000 Filipinos living in Japan, Ms. GARCIA-ALBANO’s primary goal is to ensure their welfare. She also highlighted Japan’s crucial role in Philippine development. Japan is the Philippines number one source of development aid. Japan’s contributions can be seen in their roads, bridges, and first subway system.
Speaking of gender equality, Ms. GARCIA-ALBANO proudly shared that the Philippines ranks highly in global gender gap indexes. The country is third in East Asia and the Pacific, and 25th in the world. Gender equality isn’t just a concept in the Philippines but is mandated by law. Government departments are required to allocate at least 5% of their budgets to gender and development programs.
Finally Ms. GARCIA-ALBANO expresses gratitude to the Japanese people for their friendship and hospitality. She expresses gratitude for accepting many Filipino workers in Japan. She encourages Japanese students to come visit the Philippines, learn English, experience their culture, and enjoy their beaches and food. Finally, with the 70th anniversary of Philippine-Japan diplomatic relations approaching in 2026, she hinted at more cultural exchanges and celebrations on the horizon.
PHILIPPINES
The international School network was invited to an online festival event, “Fiesta Filipinas Season 2” by the Philippine embassy to Japan on April 2nd, 2022. An Online Celebration of Philippine Festivals”, the Department of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Department of Tourism and National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
It was held through a Zoom meeting. The Philippine Embassy sent us a kit* for this event beforehand. Over 280 people including 94 Philippine Embassies and Consulates General from around the world are joined and connected.
The event was carried out by the two cheerful MCs, Chal Lontoc-Del Rosario and JC Tevez. The participants are called “bisitas” which means “guests” in Tagalog. MCs sometimes chose some bisitas to talk and ask questions. We could see faces from all over the world and could share global connections.
It introduced the Pahiyas Festival, the most colorful Philippine festival to bless their harvests at Lucban City, Quezon Province, celebrated every May 15th.
The event consisted of three parts. First, the video of the colorful food, beautiful beach, introducing exciting kite surfing was introduced. Second, we cooked Pancit Habnab using the kit following the direction of Chal and the cooks. All the audience started cooking and sharing cooking videos. This physical experience made the event lively and entertained. Last listening to audio quietly and imagine we traveled the province with the room spray of the kit by using the sense of smelling and listening.
*The kit included Pancit Habnab noodles, chicken broth cubes, a banana leaf (not a real one), a cooking recipe, Pahiyas Arangra decoration DIY kit, Pahiya Festival cute magnet, Coconut sweetener, and Pahiya scented room spray in a box.
Youno Sudo
Fiesta Philipinas was a very enjoyable event. We enjoyed a video which was filled with charms of the Philippines, cooking Habhab, Philippine traditional food, relaxing music, and so on. When I was eating Habhab with a plate and chopsticks, the hosts spoke to us, and told me to put the cuisine onto a banana leaf and to eat directly. I had never eaten food on that way, but I tried. I think it was a good experience for me because to do as people in other country do is one of the best ways to understand their culture. I had a good time and I want to participate in this event again.
Nao Kiwaki
We had an online event called ‘Fiesta Filipinas.’
It was a project in which people from all over the world could experience the Festival in the Philippines.
What impressed me most was making PANCIT HABHAB. I enjoyed making it with all the people who joined the event via the Zoom platform.
It was so delicious!!
I was very surprised that Filipinos serve ‘PANCIT HABHAB’ on a leef and eat it without chopsticks.
I could find the difference between Japanese culture and Filipino culture.
Through the movie,I felt like I’m traveling in the Fiesta Filipinas.The decoration was very gorgeous!
Everyone looked like they were having fun and the mood was wonderful.
Thank you very much for inviting us to this event.
Mito Kimura
Before attending this event , I didn't know much about Philippine. Thanks for participating this festival,I could know more thing about Philippine.
I like eating food, especially Southeast Asian food, but I have never eaten Philippines food and I didn't know much about them.I am very happy
to know a little about food such as Habhab and Egg biscuits.
I wanted to really visit Lukuban someday and participate in this festival,Pahiyas.
Kanna Nagano
Thank you for teaching about the "Pahiyas Festival"!
I had a good time to join this event. Especially,I enjoyed cooking HABHAB. It was fresh for me to eat without chopsticks. Someday I want to go and to eat it in the Philippines. And I want to talk with people in the Philippines about each cultures.
Aria Miki
Fiesta was a colorful festival and looked like a picture book. I want to participate it someday.
I was very surprised and worried. Because I didn't hear that I would cook. Actually, the dish was so simple that We were able to cook easily.However, I didn't understand the story well so I add all the cubes . That's why the finished dish was a little salty.However,It was delicious to me.
I was given several quizzes. However, I couldn't raise my hand because I understand only a part of story. There for I want to improve my listening English skills.
"On September 21st, 2017, the International School Network visited the Embassy of the Philippines to interview the Ambassador, His Excellency Jose Castillo Laurel V.
The Ambassador first talked about the origin of the country as it first consisted of tribal families who lived in the respect of nature. However, this certain lifestyle is becoming less common as many people have adjusted to the modern times in hopes for an easier life. "
H.E. Mr. Laurel V mentioned that the Philippines have similar cultural values with that of Japan as the people respect their families and the elderly. The people are taught to honor their parents and grandparents while the elderly take care of the young as they are the ones that hold the future of the Philippines. One quality he would like to bring awareness to the people of Japan is to display more love to one another. He has noticed that Japanese people, especially women, are very shy whereas the the people in the Philippines show their affection more visibly. Moreover, H.E. Mr. Laurel V hopes for Japanese people to have show more character and think for themselves.
Although this could have both positive and negative aspects to, it brings out the creativity from within the person. He had expressed his strong feelings towards this value by stating that we must “love [ourselves] first and then love one another.” Finally, the Ambassador commented on how he believes that literacy is a strong tool that must be emphasized more. Those who have the ability to read and write must teach those who do not, especially about communication and understanding, which is a life skill that we all need. By Kokoro
