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 004: November 2006
Masataka Takayanagi (St.James College of Quezon City)
Hello, I am Masataka Takayanagi.
I came from Tokachi city, Hokkaido, which is located at the northern part of Japan. In my hometown, there are no mangoes, pineapples and coconut
trees
but we have many vast plains, and the snow piles up high during winter.
Indeed, everything there is so different from the Philippines.
Before My Departure
at Youth Cultural Center in Cavite
When I first told my mother that I decided to go to the Philippines for
my study, she seemed very surprised as she knew I wasn't such a studious
boy. Besides, I had never disclosed my plans of studying abroad to her.
In 1998, my hometown was hit by a severe cold wave. My mother then wrote
to Ikeda Sensei about the event and the Tokachi members' struggles. In
response, Ikeda Sensei sent a message to Tokachi members, showing his utmost
concern and conveying his heartfelt encouragement to all the members in
Tokachi. Furthermore, he mentioned that he would plant commemorative trees
of Tokachi members in Hong Kong and the Philippines during his trip to
the said region and country. The trees were named "Tree of Tokachi"
wishing that the members of Tokachi would visit the Philippines or Hong
Kong with their children and grandchildren to see the trees someday.
My sister and I grew up without knowing this story, so when my sister decided
to study in China and I, the Philippines, my mother was doubly surprised.
Unknowingly, we were about to fulfill Ikeda Sensei's wish towards Tokachi
members. My mother never imagined that it would be so soon and that it
would be fulfilled by her own children – my sister and me.
Nichiren Daishonin says, "A blue fly, if it clings to the tail of
a thoroughbred horse, can travel ten thousand miles, and green ivy that
twines around the tall pine can grow to a thousand feet." (WND p.
26)
My parents, my sister and I have walked on the path of our mentor, Ikeda
Sensei, as his disciples, and the next thing I knew I am in the Philippines
where Ikeda Sensei had the "Tree of Tokachi" planted. I couldn't
help but feel as if I am embraced by Ikeda Sensei's profound compassion.
Experiences in the Philippines
with children in Payatas
I came to the Philippines last March, 2006. 8 months have passed since
then. I would say that the Philippines is full of smiling faces everywhere.
People here are friendly, cheerful, and warmhearted. I feel this especially
when I ride jeepneys: where people in jeepneys help fellow passengers sitting
away from the driver pass his fare to the driver. For example, when I sit
at the extreme end seat and can't reach the driver to pay my fare, the
other passengers sitting before me extend their hands and pass my fare
hand to hand till it gets to the driver's hand. I was able to see people's
warm heartedness from such occasion.
And also, when I feel lonely at times, what I usually do is to step out
of my house to hear children's laughter. I saw how Filipinos love and value
their families. Family bond in the Philippines is very strong. This is
something we cannot see in Japan nowadays.
My Determination
at Grand Culture Center in Tagaytay
To me, problems in the Philippines such as poverty, an unstable political system, internal disputes, etc. are related to one another. Having witness various problems and situations even for a while, I firmly believe that the ultimate solution to all these is to strengthen the people. And to do so, education is the only way.
I remember what Ikeda Sensei often says. He says that his lifework is education.
I think I now understand how truly important an undertaking it is. I also
realized how valuable SGI activities are because through them, we can learn
the most important things in life through Ikeda Sensei's guidance.
Through my experiences in the Philippines, I feel like I understand my mission as a Soka University student. Thus, I have resolved to contribute to Philippine society in anyway I can. Although right now, I know I am not capable of doing this yet but I am sure I will be able to do so in the near future.
"Now is the time to patiently build our strength".
This is a line in the song dedicated to the Hosu-group, a group composed of high school students formed by Ikeda Sensei. Embracing this line in my heart, I will continue to study hard to enable me to get closer to my goals.
