Ateneo JHS and Sophia Fukuoka JHS strengthen Jesuit bonds through Cultural Exchange Visit

From 5 to 6 November 2025, 159 Year 9 students, along with 6 faculty members and 1 administrator from Sophia Fukuoka Junior High School—a Jesuit school in Japan—visited the Ateneo de Manila Junior High School (AJHS) campus. The visit aimed to give students from both institutions the opportunity to interact and explore similarities and differences in their respective school cultures and practices.

Both days followed similar schedules, beginning with an Opening Program at 10:00 am at the Tanghalang Onofre Pagsanghan, where the Japanese guests were warmly welcomed by AJHS administrators, faculty, and students. The program was ably hosted by AJHS students Martina Abella (8-Fugishima), Talita Costa (8-Cottam), and Santi Lopez (9-Isore).

AJHS Chaplain Fr Mamert Mañus SJ opened the event with a prayer—offered in both English and Japanese—saying:

“Please bless this exchange so that our compassion, friendship, and understanding will deepen. Through this day, may Your love and light reach each of us, helping us to build a future that is bright together.”

In her welcome remarks, AJHS Principal Gen Sanvictores noted that while Ateneo and Sophia Fukuoka might seem very different — given their languages and countries — they share a deep commonality through their Jesuit roots. She highlighted shared Ignatian values such as Magis, servant-leadership, and being persons for others, encouraging students to “focus on these shared values so that you will be able to form friendships and deepen bonds with one another.”

Mrs Sanvictores also mentioned that this was Sophia Fukuoka’s second visit to Ateneo de Manila and expressed hope that AJHS students would one day visit Sophia Fukuoka in return.

Mr Iwao Funabashi, principal of Sophia Fukuoka Junior and Senior High School, echoed her sentiments, affirming that both schools share the same ideals—to form students who are “compassionate persons for and with others.” He added that everyone who studies in a Jesuit school “has friends in every continent of the world,” but that there is a special joy in meeting these friends face-to-face. 

“Today is the day that you really meet these friends… I hope you have a great time,” he concluded.

Cultural Presentations 

Following the welcome, AJHS Sanggunian student leaders delivered a brief presentation about the Philippines and the AJHS. They talked about the tropical country’s warm climate, explained Filipino customs such as saying “po” to show respect for elders, and shared the story behind the long campus walkway known as the EDSA Walk. 

This was followed by lively numbers from the Music Industry Organization (MIO), IndAK, and the AJHS Folk Dance Organization. These were not just performances but interactive exchanges.

MIO, represented by the band Moon Hug Lolo, performed three popular OPM songs, much to the visitors’ delight—many of whom waved their hands in rhythm with the music.

The dance numbers by IndAK and the Folk Dance Organization were equally engaging. Despite the language barrier, IndAK successfully taught the Sophia Fukuoka students a short dance sequence — about 30 seconds long — from the song Pantropiko by BINI. Meanwhile, the Folk Dance group invited three Japanese students to try the tinikling, who impressively managed to complete the dance without getting injured!

At 10:30 a.m., it was the visitors’ turn to take the stage. On Day 1, the Japanese students led a lively gesture game — similar to charades — with prompts such as camping, basketball, and Santa Claus. A group of boys from the Gymnastics Club also formed a human pyramid to the cheers of the Ateneans, who do not have a gymnastics club of their own. On Day 2, a different group presented a traditional tea ceremony performed by three girls. The Ateneans who were invited to drink the tea were the winners of a paper plane contest, in which the Japanese students taught them how to make and fly paper planes inside the theater. Those whose planes flew the farthest were declared the winners and were thus invited to join the ceremony. Finally, a talented Japanese boy serenaded the audience with three songs, including the theme from the Voltes V anime series — a tune beloved by generations of Filipinos.

Campus Tour and Class Observation

At 11:00 am, the visitors toured the AJHS campus with the help of student volunteers. During their stop in the AJHS Library, the guests were surprised by the size of the school’s manga collection — which includes One Piece, Spy x Family, and other titles — as well as large window stickers depicting Dragon Ball Z, Gundam, and My Hero Academia. 

The tour was followed by class observations from 11:35 am to 12:20 p.m., where students from Sophia Fukuoka joined various Grade 9 & 10 classes in Science, Art, Music, Math, Computer, and English across different classrooms.

Lunch followed at 12:20 pm, highlighted by a lighthearted moment when one of the Japanese students joined an ongoing open mic activity in the AJHS cafeteria (on November 5) and performed a song to everyone’s delight.

Cultural Interaction and Gift Exchange
At 1:00 pm, everyone reconvened at the Tanghalang Onofre Pagsanghan for an interaction session and exchange of gifts. AJHS students presented their Japanese guests with Filipino delicacies such as dried mangoes and other local treats. It was heartwarming to see both groups communicating enthusiastically—often using Google Translate on their smartphones to bridge the language gap. One AJHS student even expressed surprise upon learning that the Sophia Fukuoka campus is located on a mountain.

To conclude the program, several Sophia Fukuoka students shared their impressions of AJHS, expressing appreciation for the friendliness and warmth of the Ateneans and their joy in forming new friendships.

Before departing, both groups gathered at the Promenade for photo-taking. As the buses carrying the visitors drove away, Ateneans and Japanese students waved enthusiastically, reluctantly saying goodbye to their new friends.

Message from Sophia Fukuoka
A few days later, on 8 November, AJHS received an email from Momoko Yoshioka of Sophia Fukuoka Junior and Senior High School.

In her message, Ms Yoshioka expressed Sophia Fukuoka’s heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended by AJHS. She shared that both students and teachers were “deeply moved” by the kindness, friendliness, and “Christian spirit” they experienced at Ateneo.

The students particularly enjoyed interacting and taking photos with Ateneo students, appreciated the thoughtful explanations during the day’s activities, and were touched by the generosity shown through the thank-you gifts.

The teachers described the visit as “inspiring,” noting that it reaffirmed the global and spiritual character of Jesuit education. They also expressed their hope to reciprocate Ateneo’s hospitality by welcoming Ateneo students and teachers to Japan in the future.

“We sincerely hope that Ateneo students and teachers will visit Japan someday. We would love to welcome you and show our heartfelt hospitality in return,” Ms. Yoshioka wrote.

Overall, her message conveyed deep appreciation, joy in the shared Jesuit connection, and enthusiasm for continuing the friendship between Sophia Fukuoka and Ateneo de Manila.

Acknowledgments
AJHS recognizes the invaluable contribution of its Culture and Collaboration Committee, headed by Clive Español and Cami Ciruela, for their role in organizing and managing the visit of the Sophia Fukuoka delegation. The school also extends its thanks to Ms Dickel Dagoc and Mr Samuel Yucoco for ensuring the school’s readiness and smooth coordination throughout the visit.