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CASS faculty members co-organize int鈥檒 workshop on Philippine migration in Kyoto, Japan

Feb 11 2025

Faculty members from the College of Arts and Sciences (CASS) co-convened and participated in an international workshop on the complex dynamics of Filipino international migration on February 8, 2025, at the Campus Plaza Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan. 

The workshop "Navigating the Complexities of Contemporary Philippine International Migration: Teachers, Nurses, and Spouses of Foreign Nationals in Focus," provided a platform for experts and researchers to analyze the economic, social, and human rights implications of this global phenomenon.

Organized by Dr. Maria Reinaruth Carlos of Ryukoku University, Japan, and Dr. Nelia Balgoa of the Department of English of MSU-IIT, and moderated by Dr. Hazel Jovita-Olvez, chair of the Political Science Department of MSU-IIT, the workshop addressed the increasing trend of Filipino professionals seeking opportunities abroad, particularly teachers and nurses. The participation of Balgoa and Jovita-Olvez in the international workshop was funded by Sumitomo Foundation project grant.

Participants explored the driving forces behind this migration, including the pursuit of better career prospects and higher salaries, while also acknowledging the challenges and complexities associated with working overseas and the subsequent reintegration process. The workshop featured several insightful presentations.  

John Rey Olpoc from PHINMA University of Iloilo presented his research on "International Migration Trends and Career Aspirations Among Nursing Students: Post-Pandemic Perspectives – Results from a Small Sample Survey." His study examined the motivations and preferred destinations of nursing students aspiring to work abroad. The findings revealed that family influence, professional recognition, and perceived overseas job opportunities were significant factors in their decisions. The United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom/Germany were identified as the top choices due to better compensation and career advancement possibilities.

Jocelyn Celero from the Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman, addressed the challenges of reintegrating returning Filipino migrant workers into the Philippine education sector. In her presentation, "When Returning Home Means Re-skilling: Challenges and Insights into Reintegrating Filipino Migrant Workers into the Philippine Education Sector," she discussed the government's "Sa Pinas, Ikaw ay Ma'am, Sir" (SPIMS) Program, which aims to re-equip Overseas Filipino Worker-Professional Teachers (OFW-PTs) with the necessary competencies to rejoin the Philippine teaching workforce. Celero emphasized the need for effective reintegration programs to address the challenges faced by returning teachers and leverage their skills and experiences for the benefit of the Philippine education system.

Ellie Fujimoto, President of FETJ-Global3 (Filipino English Teachers in Japan), shared insights into "The Filipino English Teachers in Japan: Their Current State and What We Can Do." Since its founding in 2000, FETJ-Global has assisted numerous Filipinos on various visas in securing teaching positions in English conversation schools and public schools across Japan. Fujimoto discussed the organization's work, the current situation of Filipino English teachers in Japan based on existing studies, including their motivations, difficulties, and discrimination faced by Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) in the workplace. She also shared her own experiences as an ALT in a public school in Aichi, highlighting programs offered by FETJ-Global to alleviate these challenges and prepare aspiring professionals.

Dr. Balgoa presented the paper "My Journey/Their Journey: Mapping the Philippine International Migration." Balgoa discussed her journey as a scholar of Philippine international migration, focusing on Philippine women migrating to Japan. She traced the evolution of scholarship on this topic, examining how previous studies have shaped the images, roles, and trajectories of these women migrants as they navigate the political, social, and cultural landscapes of international migration. She also elucidated how her research fits into existing scholarship and briefly introduced her current research on international marriages, highlighting the gap it aims to fill in migration studies.

Kimi Yamoto from Osaka University explored the "Impact of Family Members on Post-Retirement Plans of Female Filipino Migrants in Japan." Her paper discussed how female Filipino marriage migrants in Japan are impacted by their family members, particularly children and grandchildren, with regard to their post-retirement plans. Focusing on the aging population of Filipino women in Japan, many of whom arrived as entertainers in the 1990s and early 2000s, Yamoto discussed how their post-retirement plans are influenced by their desire to care for and be cared for by their families. The research revealed that many wish to live mainly in Japan but may oscillate between Japan and the Philippines depending on where their children and grandchildren reside. Language proficiency and the language environment at home were also identified as influential factors in their decision-making process.

The workshop served as a valuable platform for sharing insights, fostering dialogue, and promoting collaboration among stakeholders concerned with Filipino international migration. Participants stressed the importance of understanding the multifaceted factors influencing migration decisions, developing comprehensive support systems for Filipino professionals abroad, and facilitating their smooth reintegration upon return. It concluded with a call for continued research and policy development to ensure positive outcomes for Filipino migrant workers and their families.

Topics : research migration internationalization Japan international workshop