Miguel's Bio-Sketch

I am Miguel Anton R. Marfori. I'm 19 years old and currently studying in Far Eastern University Manila.
My course is Financial Management, and my college is the Institute of Arts, Business and Finance (IABF). People call me Migz or Marfori or Miguel. Call me however you want, just don't call me Migzy (It's a long story).

One of my hobbies as of now is studying Japanese language. My interest in the language dates back to my younger years, when I started watching anime (cartoons in Japan) . My first anime was Dragon Ball Z. I didn't really understand much of the story but I was hooked on the show because of its fantasy setting and the way the characters moved , unlike other cartoons during that time. I moved on to other anime, from Yu Yu Hakusho (or Ghost Fighter, as its known in the Philippines), Naruto and many others. The anime was drastically different from American and Filipino cartoons. There was something dynamic about them and it showed a bit of Japan in every way. As I watched more and more anime, I became interested in everything Japan had to offer. Along with watching anime, I also got into reading manga (comics in Japan) and they were just as good as watching anime. The art styles, the story, the characters and the variety kept my interest and until now, I read manga every week.

My interest in the Japanese language also extends to video games. I liked Japan's ingenuity and creativity when it comes to their video games. Some of them are weird, some of them are plain silly, and some can make people say "are you REALLY playing this Miguel?". And along with this I also got interested in learning about the country and everything about it.

Because of these developments, my interests in Japanese led me to start studying the language last December. I motivated myself to study it, not to be cool or to be popular, because it is a self-interest. I really just like it.
I might even plan on living there too but it's only a thought. We'll see what happens when I graduate college.
But I think what drew me more into studying the Japanese language besides motivation was the fun and uniqueness of it. Or maybe because it keeps my brain active. Whatever the reason was, learning the language is a benefit to me.

Since starting my studies, I am able to assess my level of proficiency in the Japanese language. First, I have become proficient in writing with the first two systems: Hiragana (the natural Japanese writing system) and Katakana (the Japanese writing system for foreign words and slang). Second, I have learned 80 of the 2,000+ kanji studied in the country, which to some is a hard feat considering that many of the kanji (Chinese characters used by the Japanese) have multiple meanings and readings. Third, I have learned some of the basic greetings, such as "Sumimasen" (Excuse me), "Ohayou Gozaimasu" (Good morning), and "Ogenki desu ka" (How are you?). Fourth, I have learned some ways Japanese do their everyday tasks, like how to order in a restaurant and how to introduce people in a party. Overall, I still have a lot to learn.

People are amazed I study the Japanese language. They wonder how I'm able to fit it in my everyday time, and how I can remember so many letters and words. Even I find it amazing myself. Every time I see some words used in Hiragana or in Katakana, I can't help but read them. It helps me to remember what I learned.
And I teach a few people in life what I've learned.

And so this is why one of my hobbies is studying the Japanese language.

ありがとう for reading!