Philosophy Juniors Top UP Asian Center’s Japanese Research Competition

by John Vincent Balustre


Third-year BS Philosophy major in Applied Ethics student Jazztine Eve Paragoso copped the Overall Best Research award in the Undergraduate Category of the 7th Japanese Studies Research Development Competition, organized by the University of the Philippines (UP) Asian Research Center and the Japan Foundation, on March 15, Saturday at the University of the Philippines - Diliman (UPD).


With her paper entitled, “The Pursuit of Solitude: Analyzing the Authenticity of Japan’s Solo Katsu”, she explored Solo Katsu, a phenomenon of engaging in activities typically designed for groups but enjoyed alone and independently, forwarding the idea that Japan has liberalized the concepts of socialization and conformity as an empowering undertaking.


In the backdrop of communal relationships existing in the country, she also peered into how Japanese society perceives individuals who enjoy solitude; the role of media and commercialization in shifting this perception toward acceptance; and how this change relates to the Philippine’s context of how solitude is viewed.


“To be completely honest, I did not expect to win the competition, as I was very doubtful of myself during that time. But as it turns out, the panelists saw something in my paper that was worth researching, and I am very honored to have that placement,” Paragoso narrated, harking back with her presentation suffused with apprehension.


Paragoso added that the experience felt exhilarating during the announcement, as she was a bit bashful when named the winner but, at the same time, was proud to pour her passion into the paper.


Joining Paragoso in the finals was Khent Bryll Jarales, a fellow third-year BS Philosophy (Applied Ethics) student, who presented his paper, “Jouge Kankei: Exploring the Role of Friendships in Japan” which secured 4th place in the finals. He zeroed in closely on how friendships stand against and likely transcend the prevalent age-based hierarchy in Japanese high schools.


“Securing fourth place as a finalist in a competition with 17 outstanding participants was an incredibly rewarding experience. It was fulfilling to see my work to see my work recognized, contributing to the ongoing discourse on Japanese social structures, challenging established perspectives, and opening new avenues for discussion,” Jarales shared.


In a virtual interview, both Paragoso and Jarales extended their gratitude to their family, peers, and the Department of Philosophy and Humanities, especially to Prof. Lex Rei Hilario, who introduced and guided them all throughout the competition.


“Basically, winning the competition was not just [about] me alone, and it felt good and satisfying, especially [since] I was quite doubtful of myself in doing this. However, winning the competition, and learning about how I can share this passion with some people, not just in the academe but also with others is quite fulfilling in a way,” Paragoso added.


Similarly, Jarales disclosed how instrumental the support they received was in the endeavor. “Beyond the personal achievement, it felt like a collective victory, one that reflected not only my dedication but also the invaluable guidance and support I received throughout the journey,” he emphasized.


The competition traces its process from the submission of an abstract and a research writing workshop, in which four participants from the BS Philosophy (Applied Ethics) program of Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), namely Paragoso, Jarales, Yasstin Lair Nobleza, and Patrick Cajeta, actively participated.


One of its goals is to foster cross-cultural understanding and scholarly contributions to a novel perspective towards Japan and its culture.


The event saw 17 participants qualify for the presentation, with Paragoso and Jarales among those shortlisted for finals.