“Tayo no Tabi,” the inaugural Ateneo–Bunkyo International Friendship Encounter, marks a turning point in the partnership between Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) and Bunkyo University that began in 2020. After years of hosting Japanese students in Naga for the Koshigaya-based B Project and the Adachi Campus’ Project BASE, ADNU has now sent its first group of student volunteers to Japan. The eight-day program is jointly hosted by Bunkyo University’s Koshigaya Campus in Saitama Prefecture and its Adachi Campus in Tokyo.
The program formally opened on November 2, 2025 at Bunkyo University’s Koshigaya Campus, coinciding with the campus’ Festival Days. Seven ADNU students, namely Kyla Eunice Barnuevo, Melchor Filippe Choi Bulanon, Joepet Joe Carreras, Jerick Jim JJ De Lima, Marijoy Jae Marfega, Jesse Gabriel Obsuna, and Axyl Genesis Quibral, joined the engagement. They were accompanied by Office of Student Affairs Director Rodolfo Sonny Virtus Jr. and Program Officer Janice Tresvalles.
The opening days in Koshigaya highlighted cultural exchange and campus activities. During the welcoming program, the ADNU delegation performed a Filipino folk dance and a musical skit featuring contemporary Filipino songs. They also witnessed Festival Days presentations, including traditional drum and koto performances that introduced them to Japanese artistic and cultural traditions.
On December 4, Japanese students guided the Filipino visitors through an Immersive Cultural Experience tour that included sites such as the Meiji Jingu. Later that evening, both groups gathered at a community center for Cultural Kitchen: Cooking Up Bunkyo ADNU Friendship. There, they prepared traditional dishes from the Philippines and Japan, shared their meals, and used the cooking session as a way to share culture and build friendships.
The delegation then traveled to Tokyo to continue the program at Bunkyo University’s Adachi Campus. From November 5 to 8, the ADNU students lived with Adachi student hosts through homestay arrangements that offered direct exposure to Japanese family routines and strengthened relationships among participants.
On November 5, ADNU volunteers Jae, Axyl, and Choi addressed nearly 200 Japanese students in a seminar class. Their lecture focused on energy in the Philippines, the related difficulties communities face during disasters, and the country’s exploration of sustainable energy options, including nuclear energy. They connected their discussion to lessons from the Fukushima incident. Small-group discussions followed, giving Japanese students time to share their experiences and engage with the issues raised.
The next day, the students joined Prof. Akiko Watanabe’s Cultural Anthropology class and participated in small-group conversations about family life before sharing their insights in plenary. They later reunited with Japanese students who had visited ADNU in 2024 and 2025 for a joint seminar that featured a mini-debate on family issues and traditional Japanese games. After the debate, Filipino and Japanese students joined a mini-sports fest, providing an opportunity to interact, collaborate, and strengthen camaraderie.
A Closing Program organized by Prof. Watanabe and her students concluded the Adachi leg. The ADNU delegates once again presented the Pantomina and their musical skit before receiving Certificates of Completion from Prof. Watanabe and Prof. Alec.
Upon returning to Naga, the student volunteers facilitated a Japanese Language and Culture Workshop on November 18, which drew more than 200 participants.
What began as Prof. Lemay’s visit to ADNU in 2007 and his exploratory meeting with Virtus eventually led to the formal establishment of the B Project in 2020. It has grown into a sustained platform for cultural exchange, volunteerism, and academic collaboration. The partnership later expanded through Project BASE at Bunkyo University’s Adachi Campus. Over the years, four groups of Japanese students have visited ADNU, strengthening ties and building lasting friendships. With the launch of “Tayo no Tabi,” the exchange has come full circle, as ADNU students travel to Japan for the first time, further cementing the partnership’s commitment to mutual learning and cross-cultural understanding.
The partnership continues through the weekly online meetings of the B Project, where Filipino and Japanese volunteers reflect on their shared experiences and discuss topics such as climate awareness and action. Their final meeting for the year on December 22 will focus on planning initiatives to address environmental concerns. A new batch of Koshigaya students will visit ADNU in February 2026 for the third on-site B Project.
