By Jonah Mae B. Gabayeron, BA ELS – 4, Centralian Link Intern
Building bridges, one word at a time! The ESL graduation ceremony for Nagoya Gakuin University students at Central Philippine University marked not an end but a beginning—a launchpad for future collaborations and global understanding. Posing for a photo are Ms. Jesselle Kayla C. Articulo (far left), Dr. Annalee Lacuesta Cocjin (third from left), Prof. Lesley Joy L. Dignadice (fourth from left), Prof. Rhys Vincent Camacho (far right), and Ms. Alyssa Hope Joyce D. Trespecios (second from right).
Fifteen students from Nagoya Gakuin University (NGU), Japan, recently completed their English language immersion program at Central Philippine University (CPU) with a culminating activity on March 6, 2025, at the CPU IELTS Center, Henry Luce III Library. The event highlighted the students’ improved language skills and celebrated their experiences during the exchange program.
The ceremony began with a prayer led by Dr. Annalee Lacuesta Cocjin, Chair of the Department of Languages, Mass Communication, and Humanities (DLMCH), followed by a warm welcome from Prof. Lesley Joy L. Dignadice, Acting Director of the Local and International Linkages and Affiliations Center (LILAC). The spotlight belonged to the NGU students as they showcased their English proficiency through performances and speeches. Musical interludes by Mr. Hayato Takano and Mr. Riku Ikeuchi, including a duet, provided delightful breaks between presentations.
The ESL Graduation Ceremony was a resounding success, thanks to the collaborative efforts of many, including our dedicated ESL interns—Ms. Jonah Mae Gabayeron, Ms. Sharah Alingalan, Mr. Louise Ramos, Ms. Jansryl Lamzon, and Ms. Donnabel Bantolo (top)—and student assistants—Ms. Johnessa Bensurto, Mr. Dayne Mucho, and Mr. Greg Bosque (bottom).
Three students—Ms. Kiki Tsujii, Ms. Manami Fukai, and Mr. Shun Ohno—delivered heartfelt speeches about their experiences. Ms. Fukai expressed her willingness to return to CPU, emphasizing the program’s positive impact. Mr. Ohno extended his gratitude to his teachers for their excellent instruction, particularly in helping him improve his pronunciation and grammar. He also appreciated the kindness of his teachers, classmates, and friends, which contributed to a welcoming learning environment.
The students’ dedication to completing the English Language Program was recognized with the awarding of certificates. This was followed by a musical performance by Prof. Rhys Vincent Camacho and his students.
The graduation program ended on a high note, with expressions of gratitude from student assistants and ELS interns to their instructors. Memorable highlights included a vocal performance by Ms. Alyssa Hope Joyce D. Trespecios, a TikTok dance number by Ms. Jesselle Kayla C. Articulo and ELS intern Ms. Sharah Alingalan, and an energetic dance performance by student assistants Mr. Greg Bosque and Mr. Dayne Mucho.
The activity successfully showcased not only the linguistic growth of the NGU students but also the positive intercultural relationships between Filipino peers, faculty, and Japanese exchange students. The event reaffirmed the effectiveness of cross-cultural academic exchange programs in fostering language learning and cultural understanding.