Press Release

Recognizing the role of the Filipino youth in shaping international cooperation in the future, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Japan's largest airline All Nippon Airways Co. Ltd. (ANA) announced the search for the best video blog on the impact of JICA and Japan to Filipinos.

JICA said the competition is an opportunity to "listen to the voices of young Filipinos on development issues and encourage the youth to participate in international cooperation." More than half of the Philippine population is 24 years and under, government data showed, and said demographic sweet spot presents opportunities for the Philippines to attain its development agenda by engaging the country's future decision makers.

The JICA Video Blog Contest is open to Filipinos from the age group 18-24 years old. Participants are encouraged to tell their stories using a video blog on the question: How does Japan and JICA impact my life? The entries should appeal to both Japanese and Filipino audiences and can be 5 minutes maximum in length. Participants are also encouraged to use their creativity in telling the stories and should upload their video on YouTube.

"With more and more young Filipinos eager to travel and explore different career possibilities, JICA is confident that the winner in the video blog contest will have a meaningful experience going to Japan and learning from Japanese people and culture," said JICA Philippines Senior Representative Aya Kano.

ANA is the largest Japanese airline in terms of revenues and passenger share and is also committed to supporting social issues in Japan to help revitalize the economy and promote better international understanding of Japan. JICA, on the other hand, is a key development partner of the Philippines since the 1960s implementing hundreds of development cooperation initiatives anchored on sustaining economic growth, overcoming vulnerability, and promoting peace and development in Mindanao. In 2017, the total value of JICA's Official Development Assistance to the Philippines was JPY47.41 billion.

All entries for this competition must be submitted by 17 November 2019. More information is available on the JICA website: https://www.jica.go.jp/philippine/english/office/topics/190718.html and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jicaphilippines

The contest is also supported by Business Mirror, BusinessWorld SparkUp, Japan Foundation, and Japan National Tourism Organization.