Asst. Prof. Mary Kristene D. Clariño joins fellow judges during the JLfest 2026 deliberation meeting. (Photo courtesy of Asst. Prof. Clariño)

University of the Philippines Open University’s Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS) faculty member Asst. Prof. Mary Kristene D. Clariño joined the international panel of judges for the SUGOROKU Language eBoard Game Design competition during the 19th Annual International Japanese Language Festival (JLfest 2026), held virtually on 25 July 2026. 

The SUGOROKU Language eBoard Game Design Competition was one of the 17 contests featured at JLfest 2026, inviting participants to develop interactive e-board games that promote Japanese language learning through play. Entries were evaluated based on their educational value, creativity, gameplay, and technical implementation. 

The official poster of the SUGOROKU Language eBoard Game Design Competition. (Photo courtesy of JLfest 2026)

Prior to serving as a judge, Clariño facilitated a three-day Scratch programming workshop during the Pre-JLfest 2026 Workshop, where she introduced participants to the fundamentals of game development using the Scratch programming platform. She was invited by Mr. Edward Lee Chee Peng, President of the Japanese Language Society of Malaysia (JLSM), to conduct the workshop and later serve on the competition’s international judging panel.

Asst. Prof. Mary Kristene Clariño (right) with Mr. Edward Lee Chee Peng (left) during the Judge Briefing Meeting. (Photo courtesy of Asst. Prof. Clariño)

Now in its 19th year, JLfest brings together educators, students, and Japanese language enthusiasts from different countries through competitions and learning activities that promote language education, cultural exchange, and innovation in teaching.

For more information about Clariño’s Scratch programming workshop, read the related article: FICS Faculty Teaches Scratch Programming to Pre-JLfest 2026 Participants.

Clariño’s participation in JLfest 2026 reflects FICS’ commitment to advancing innovative applications of information and communication technologies in education while contributing to international initiatives that promote meaningful learning and collaboration.

 

Written by: Loren P. Sta. Ana

Edited by: Asst. Prof. Shaira F. Tanay