Attended the 2nd JAAP General Assembly

I had the opportunity to attend the 2nd JICA Alumni Association of the Philippines (JAAP) General Assembly at the Asia and the Pacific College in Makati City, Philippines. The event was, of course, for the Filipino scholars sent by the Philippine government to Japan to study or to be trained on their respective fields. I, for example, an employee from the Department of Education, was trained in 2007 to 2008 on the "Application of Multimedia Technology for e-Education" in Okinawa, Japan which also happened to be my first trip outside the Philippines.

The event was well-attended by talented government scholars (TPYL, JDS, and TESDA Group Training Course) from targeted institutions. Likewise, I was so lucky to participate in the board of directors election process. During the event, I was able to mingle with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) participants esp. with a lady candidate who approached me to include her name in my list of candidates to be elected. I later watched her presentation about her struggles in Japan as a trainee. I was able to see my kids pediatrician from Tanza, Navotas whom I didn't know was a JICA grantee too. I also found a friend whom I meet at the JICA, Makati office a couple of weeks ago. What made my day interesting was the fact that I saw and talked to someone from DAR who also went to Okinawa, the year I was there. I felt very happy during that moment.

Things were going well before the President's report and all were in their jolly mood but not until the items for amendments were read. A long and heated debates ensued. There was a motion to retain the 15 board of directors (BODs) instead of having only 10 BODs, other suggested to have 11 BODs so that a tie would be break. I was so impressed with the way things were going, I felt I was watching a parliamentary procedure. Other issues were raised but those were settled as some lawyers and scholars intervened. BTW, in between the discussion raffle(s) were being held.

During the election proper, I finally recognized (upon reading their profiles posted on the wall) that candidates came from different parts of the country and to my disbelief they were not just ordinary employees or mid-career professionals bur rather lawyers, local government officials, etc. Wasn't that amazing? Simultaneous to the election a sumptuous dinner was served. A video presentation on Japan's tsunami tragedy was shown the same time the votes were counted.

It was getting late and I felt that I would not know the elected BODs so I planned to leave the hall but as luck would have it my name was called as one of the winners of the raffle - a wall clock, so my departure was deferred for about 30 minutes. Nice.

I would like to thank JICA officials, the organizers, and my fellow government servants for an opportunity to be with you during the 2nd JAAP General Assembly. I wish to see you again soon! Dozo yurishiko onigaishimasu.