A visitor from The Nippon Foundation
On July 2, 2017, the organization was fortunate to have Ms. Fumiko Nakai, Deputy Director, Project Management Division, Japanese Heritage Language Center, The Association of Nikkei & Japanese Abroad, visit Davao City. From Manila where she delivered a lecture in a gathering of Japanese-Filipino descendants, she flew to Davao City accompanied by MKD President and College
Administrator Mrs. Ines P. Mallari. Among those who welcomed her were Ms. Jalee Tagud, currently employed with the Consular Office of Japan in Davao City, her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Tagud, and PNJK President Ret. Judge Antonina
B. Escovilla who was with her staff.
Ms. Nakai was introduced to several places in the city, including Samal Island, the Mintal Public Cemetery, the Philippine-Japan Museum, and of course the PNJK Compound.
At Samal, she was impressed with the beauty of the island, particularly its white beaches and the various fruits that were served to the tourists. Thereafter, Ms. Nakai was ushered to PNJK Compound. She toured the area, viewed various
classrooms in both the college and high school building, including the gym where a lot of school children were taking lunch. She next visited the Mintal Public Cemetery, followed by the Philippine-Japan Museum located in Calinan where Angel Guimbaan explained the various artifacts therein displayed. Ms. Nakai likewise went to the school building in Calinan. She expressed her amazement at
how the schools were being run by Japanese- Filipino descendants, as well as at how PNJK progressed from the recognition of descendants to opening schools which catered to the general public.
Unfortunately time flew us by—and it was not long before we had to part ways. With the promise that she would return, Ms. Nakai flew back to Manila the following day. The PNJK family looks forward to having her again.
