Jenesys Essay

Why do you want to join the JENESYS 2.0 programme?

I have always considered Japan as a nirvana – from the breathtaking landscapes overlooking Mt. Fuji to the scrumptious Japanese cuisine. It has always been a dream of mine to visit the Land of the Rising Sun, but it seemed impossible because of its visa requirement. So, when I heard about the news of the visa-free Japan for the Philippine citizens earlier this year, I was glad, since this means that it was a step closer to my dream of visiting Japan. And when information about the JENESYS 2.0 has been disseminated, I was ecstatic, because if I can be a delegate of this programme, I will be hitting two birds with one stone – to visit Japan and to bring honor to my country. If I were to join the JENESYS 2.0, it will set groundwork for the future bond and the mutual understanding and friendship of Japan and Philippines.

And with this foundation, it will also strengthen the diplomatic relations between the two countries. These reasons will greatly benefit my country and Japan, and it contributes for the Philippine’s economic progress. I have always been infatuated to the way of Japanese, and it all started from my love of anime, the Japanese version of cartoons. Anime taught me how to understand Japanese and taught me how to embrace the foreign country. The most important reason why I want to visit Japan was to read the literary works of the Japanese poets, to hear Japanese music, to watch the dancing prowess of lovely geishas donned in kimonos, to know more of the Japanese culture, to critique their paintings, to ride on a crammed subway train, to eat onigiri, to experience the daily living of a Japanese and to do all of these up close – to experience all of these in Japan.

If ever that you’ll be chosen as one of the delegates, what can you contribute?

Eight delegates will represent each region of the Philippines, and if I were fortunate to have been chosen as one, I will contribute to the foundation of the...