Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) hosted Bunkyo University from Koshigaya City, Japan, for the second face-to-face run of the “B Project.”
The visiting group from Bunkyo University included six students—Akiho Arai, Katsuto Takeda, Miyuki Hayashi, Rio Miyauchi, Mei Murao, and Hana Yamaya. They were accompanied by Prof. Alec R. LeMay from the Faculty of Foreign Letter, and Junta Matsushima from the International Programs Division.
During their 14-day visit, the Japanese students engaged in cultural immersion, built connections with Filipino student organizations, and participated in community outreach initiatives in Naga City and Camarines Sur. The ADNU Office of Student Affairs (OSA), led by Rodolfo “Sonny” SB. Virtus Jr., managed the project and organized a team of student “buddies” to support the activities.
Before the visit, students from Bunkyo University and ADNU participated in weekly online discussions and presentations from September 2024 to January 2025. These sessions served as preparation for their collaboration.
The project focused on education and environmental awareness. Two of the five service areas involved schools, namely Don Manuel Abella Central School (DMACS) in Naga City and Our Lady of La Porteria Academy (OLPA) in Calabanga, Camarines Sur. Activities included teaching traditional Japanese arts such as shodō (calligraphy) and origami (paper folding) to students. The Japanese university also donated printers to both schools.
In addition to educational activities, the group carried out clean-up drives and tree planting efforts. At Belen, Calabanga, a community vulnerable to storm surges, the group collaborated with local youth volunteers in collecting trash and planting mangrove 300 propagules over two days. ADNU has been supporting mangrove reforestation efforts in the area for several years.
The group also planted over 70 saplings in the Forest-in-Our-Midst area at Barangay Panicuason, Naga City, with assistance from the ADNU Center for Community Development. This activity contributed to local environmental conservation efforts.
The program included a two-day homestay, where the Japanese students stayed with Filipino families, experiencing Filipino culture in both urban and rural settings.
The Japanese participants also joined cultural activities, including a cosplay event organized by the OSA in partnership with The Otaku League. Traditional Filipino games were introduced as part of “Laro ng Lahi,” promoting cultural exchange between the participants.
The project concluded with a gathering where Japanese students prepared Japanese dishes, while Filipino students shared popular local street food. This culinary exchange marked the program’s conclusion.
Bunkyo University and ADNU anticipate the continuation of the “B Project,” supported by a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2023. The agreement aims to sustain the partnership and enhance collaboration between the two institutions.
