The third batch of trainees from Fine Chemical & Materials (FCM) Co., Ltd. celebrated the successful completion of their four-month Intensive Irodori Course in a Closing Ceremony held last May 24, 2023, at the Nihongo Center Foundation Manila. The 456-hour intensive course, conducted five times a week from Monday to Friday, was a course designed for learners who will be working in Japan in the future, using a situation-based learning approach which focuses on building communication skills useful for real-life situations in work and everyday life in Japan.

The ceremony began with the singing of the National Anthems of the Philippines and Japan, followed by the welcome remarks of Mrs. Carmencita ‘Keli’ Biscarra, Faculty Development Manager at Nihongo Center Foundation, Inc. In a sentimental speech, Mrs. Biscarra reminded the trainees of how much progress they’ve made in only a span of a few months, and encouraged them to believe in themselves and to not be afraid to dream big.

The welcome remarks were followed by twelve graduation speeches composed by the FCM trainees themselves. One by one, the trainees talked about their experiences with learning the Japanese language, their impressions of the language and how these may have changed from the beginning of the course until its completion, as well as their own personal hopes for the future. They also conveyed messages of gratitude for their teachers, their fellow classmates, and for FCM, who made this opportunity possible.

Once all the trainees had presented their speeches, Mr. Ronnie N. Ferma, Resident Agent of FCM Co., Ltd., then took the stage to give his Congratulatory Remarks. Aside from giving the trainees their well-deserved congratulations, Mr. Ferma also took the opportunity to remind them of what’s expected of them once they start working in Japan: “Kumbaga sa NBA (If we’re to compare it to the NBA), the elimination round is over. This is it. (…) We will be going to the playoffs. The playoffs (are) in Japan. That is where the rubber meets the road.”

Soon after Mr. Ferma’s rousing speech came one of the most anticipated parts of the ceremony: the Awarding of the Certificates of Completion. The awarding was led by Mrs. Glenda T. Ferma, Administrator at Nihongo Center Foundation, Inc.

This was then followed by a photo session and a simple salo-salo, which marked the end of the ceremony.

The trainees are targeted to head to Japan in a month from now, where they will undergo another month of Japanese language training before being assigned to their respective posts.

For inquiries about our Intensive Irodori Course, please contact us at [email protected] and/or [email protected].

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