TISネットワーク通信vol.43-NEWS(ENG)

Thank You, Tokushima!

　October 18, 2021. It was still the height of the pandemic when I finally arrived in Tokyo. After a strict two-week quarantine at the Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku (including an entire week locked inside my room!), I finally made my way to Tokushima to begin my work as the Prefectural Government’s first Filipino Coordinator for International Relations (CIR).

　Over these past almost five years as the CIR for International Affairs in the Consumer Policy Division, I have learned and experienced so much. My work has ranged from participating as a panelist at the Ethical Koshien, to interpretering for the Governor (including the translation of his presentation materials) on an overseas business trip to Thailand. Of course, I must also mention the annual online exchange program and the Tokushima International Consumer’s Symposium, which I have been a part of since coming here. The behind-the-scenes preparation and wrap-up work for international events of this scale are no easy feat. I am so glad that Tokushima champions these initiatives, as it reaches out from Tokushima to the rest of the world, because I truly believe that learning from and understanding other countries’ cultures makes this world a better place to live in.

　Now that my time here is ending, it feels as though these five years have flown by in the blink of an eye. I don’t think my departure has fully sunk in yet. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Consumer Policy Division, and especially to the past and present members of the International Affairs Section. Thank you for being such kind colleagues and for your endless patience as I navigated working in Japanese.

　As I step into my next chapter, I take with me invaluable lessons and cherished memories. I look forward to applying everything I have learned as a Tokushima CIR to my future endeavors. No matter where my journey takes me, Tokushima will always be a part of who I am, and I plan to proudly remain a lifelong ambassador for this beautiful prefecture. Thank you for everything!