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 013: August 2007
Masayuki Sekiguchi
(Alumnus of Soka University)
My name is Masayuki Sekiguchi. I graduated from the economics department
of Soka University in 2004. I am working in a Japanese logistics company
in Batangas since May 2007. This is my second job here in the Philippines.
Before, I also worked for a Japanese logistics company in Subic Bay Freeport
Zone (SBFZ) from April 2005 to March 2007.
Before working in SBFZ, I studied in Kalayaan College in Marikina City
from November 2004 to March, 2005.
School Days in Soka University
with my colleagues
I really spent meaningful days in Soka University when I was still a student.
Founder Ikeda-Sensei keeps on encouraging Soka students wholeheartedly
every spare moment he can. Through founder Ikeda-Sensei and Mrs. Ikeda’s
ceaseless encouragement to the students, I realized that I must achieve
my goals in life and that I have to respond to their expectation as a disciple
of Ikeda-Sensei.
I was a working-student during my student days in Soka University although
I received a scholarship. I worked 5-6 days a week in midnight part-time
jobs as a gasoline boy in a gasoline station; as a cook and a waiter in
a Chinese restaurant; I also worked in a soy sauce factory, electric job
site, and so on. Sometimes I worked daytime, sometimes at nighttime during
my semester break. Yet I never complained because it was my choice to study
in Soka University even though I am suffering from financial problem.
I belonged to the rugby football team in Soka University. During my freshman
year, I joined an international rugby football competition held in Hong
Kong. It was my first time to go abroad and this experience made me notice
many new things outside of Japan and it made me realize the fact that there
are many unfair and poor people in the world. Since that time, I changed
my outlook in life especially, about foreign things.
Most of days, my time was spent in practices of rugby football even during weekends. But I did not think of quitting rugby football due to my part-time jobs. Honestly speaking, rugby practices involve hard physical exertion and working at midnights after such practices proved to be quite tiring for my body. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the struggle in that stage of my life.
Thankfully, I got a lovely set of friends who embrace the same faith and
who respect Ikeda-Sensei and at the same time, dedicate themselves for
Kosen-rufu. They kept on helping me both mentally and physically. They
are my very precious treasure that I found in Soka University. After graduating
from Soka University, I went back to my home province to help in my mother’s
business but deep down inside, I was still very much eager to go abroad.
There are many serious problems in the world and a lot of people are suffering
even today. But the sad fact is that many of us Japanese are unaware of
such things. Consequently, I would like to dedicate myself in creating
a better world and to realize Kosen-rufu.
In my great days in Soka University, I got to learn how to live life while embracing faith and to realize what my goals and aims are in life through my struggles and the warm encouragements I received from Ikeda-Sensei and Mrs. Ikeda.
Unforgettable Memories
with Young Men's Division members in Olongapo
When I first came to the Philippines, I studied at Kalayaan College and
at the same time I had a job interview at a Japanese logistics company.
After studying in Kalayaan College, I started to work in that Japanese company in SBFZ. Actually it was my first job and I was assigned to take charge of the warehouse even though I was still young and had no experience and knowledge concerning logistics work. To gain the confidence of my staff as their boss was quite hard for me at first but I discussed and worked with them closely and gradually gained their trust.
I belonged to the YMD Olongapo chapter while I was in SBPZ for 2 years. No YMD member is doing SGI activity so; even YMD meetings weren’t being held when I got there. So what I did first of all was that I started to find members in Olongapo city with a YMD leader and gather information about other members. I tried to hold a YMD meeting monthly and a one hour Daimoku meeting every Thursday night. Besides this, we have also started to hold Future Division meetings monthly together with the YWD leader. There were times when only the YWD leader and I attended the meeting. In any event, I really appreciate the members who supported me always to hold meetings and do house to house and treat me as their friend, brother and one of their families. Although I was the only Japanese member in Olongapo chapter, I didn’t feel lonely at all and I didn’t think of escaping from my difficult circumstances, thanks to my beloved members.
What I found difficult in Olongapo chapter was that most of the members speak a few English and mostly Tagalog (Filipino language) which I don’t understand well. Communication with the members was indeed very difficult for me then.
Traveling from Olongapo to Manila, it takes around 3 hours. After every meeting I attended in Manila, I took a bus going back to Olongapo city even though everyone advised me not to take a bus during nighttime. I was able to muster up courage and do this because I was chanting in the trip all the way from Manila for safety.
My stay and the SGI activities I did in Olongapo are my most unforgettable memories. I will never forget them with my sincerest gratitude for loving and accepting me as one of their own fellows.
I have maraming nanay, tatay (many mother, father) and kapatid sa (brothers and sisters in) Olongapo.
My Determination
with Future Division members in Olongapo
Now that it has been 2years and six month since I stayed in the Philippines,
I would like to dedicate myself for peace of the country and the people’s
happiness. I love this country, people and culture so much even though
everything is so different from Japan. Filipinos have quite nice hospitality
and potential to change any situation into joy. The best way to make the
entire country happy is to propagate the Daishonin’s Buddhism all over
the country. I believe that we can change this country to the better through
SGI activities.
My present target is to manage my schedules of both work and SGI activity. If I am busy in my work, I easily forget my mission as a disciple of Ikeda-Sensei. I like to be a person who keeps Ikeda-Sensei in his mind as his mentor every moment so that I can advance myself day by day with my mentor.
There is plenty people in the Philippines who are suffering in their daily life. I determined to move on for Kosen-rufu with Soka spirits.
