Exchange Student Program The Soka University is presently engaged in academic exchange agreement
with 96 universities in the world. In the Philippines, U.P . had entered
into this agreement with the Soka University in 1988, and De La Sale in
1996. Every year, two exchange students from each university are dispatched.
Aside from that, because this is the only English speaking country in
Asia, many Soka University students came here to study at their own expense.
Furthermore, short term language training program is launched in Kalayan
College where Dr. Abueva, a friend of President Ikeda, serves as principal.
File 006: January 2007
Masae Takahashi (University of the Philippines, Diliman)
Hi, I'm Masae Takahashi, an exchange student from Soka University in Japan
to the University of the Philippines.
I came here to study economics from May 2006 to March 2007. I am very
happy to be here because I have wished for this since two years ago.
What Brought Me to the Philippines
with Soka Students in Manila
with SGI Members
In 2003, SGI President, Daisaku Ikeda received an honorary degree from Capitol University of the Philippines. At that time, I was in my 3rd year at Tokyo Soka High School and was given a chance to meet Dr. Rosales, the founder of Capitol University, who visited Soka High School during her stay in Japan. She told us about her experience during World War II.
She was around in my age when she was caught by Japanese military during
the war. She was then forced to walk miles of ways in Bataan Peninsula
with many other Filipino prisoners of war: this is now called "Bataan
Death March." Her story was unforgettable. I was so shocked as I listened
to her and imagined what if I were her in Bataan Death March.
At the same time, I wondered why she came to Japan because it must be the country she hates most, and I wondered why she was sharing her painful experience with Japanese students.
I realized that she did so simply because she was resolved to create world
peace. May be, she wanted to tell us that youth in the Philippines and
Japan should join hands toward world peace. That must have been her message.
I was so impressed by her experience and speech that I came to want to
do something to respond to her message. Since then, I have wished to visit
this country.
Life in the Philippines
at practice of Diamond Kotekitai
at "Paaralang Pantao"
Fortunately, I was able to come to the Philippines as an exchange student
from Soka University.
Although there are still some difficulties I face due to different culture
and environment, I enjoy my life here with many good friends.
SGI Philippines has a drum and fife corps called "Diamond Kotekitai."
I joined them ever since I came here, and I have been attending their practice every weekend to the present.
"Music is a language that brings people together."- said Dr. Daisaku Ikeda. With a belief in our heart that cultivating cultural exchange itself leads to world peace, we practice so hard, wishing that our music can bring courage and hope to our audience.
I am very proud of the members of Diamond Kotekitai. They all have great passions to lead the Philippines in their future.
Also, I belong to Southeast Asia Study Club in Soka University: it is a student organization aiming for deeper understanding and development of the relationship between Southeast Asian countries and Japan.
In the Philippines, we support a free school "Paaralang Pantao"
located in Payatas, Quezon City. My role is to liaise with the school.
I am happy to take part in this project because I believe that it promotes
friendly relations between the Philippines and Japan.
My Determination
with friends at the Japan Festival
Although there was a cruel history between Japan and the Philippines, Filipino
people around me are all kind to me, and help me a lot at every occasion.
Filipinos' kindheartedness has always touched me since I came here. I feel
very easy and relax when I am with my friends here.
As Dr. Rosales implicated, I would like to make friends with Filipinos,
join hands together and build world peace and happiness of all mankind.
There may be only a little I can do for the Philippines but I would like
to devote my life to building peace in Asia even after I go back to Japan.
