Two Bacoleños
awarded in Japan

Two Bacoleños received citations recently from the Association of Filipino Students in Japan, in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Tokyo, for their contribution to the academic exchange between the Philippines and Japan, a press release from organizers said.

Stephen Diaz and Judie Alvaran, both graduates of the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod, received their award from Ambassador Manuel Lopez at the Philippine Embassy Building in Nampeidai, Tokyo.

Diaz, was cited for his service as a volunteer in various Filipino events during his student days in Japan, and for being the first Filipino to be hired as an elementary school teacher in Gyoda City where he is currently working. A former Monbusho scholar, he topped the qualifying examination in the Philippines before he was awarded a scholarship from April 2000 to March 2005, the press release also said.

Alvaran was recognized for his exemplary contribution to cultural events in Tokyo. He is presently the Globe Ambassador in Japan and an active officer of the Filipino community in Tokyo, he was responsible for inviting the MassKara performers during the 2014 Filipino Cultural event in Ueno. He first came to Japan on an exchange program in 1997, and after finishing his LiaCom degree at the USLS in 2001, he went to Kyushu International University for a degree in international relations.

Outgoing AFSJ president Aris Larroder, from Iloilo City, was also an awardee, and was the overall chairperson of the event, the press release added.*

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