Filipino-Japan Journal February 2022

ISSUE #61

FEBRUARY 2022 • FREE

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

EXPLORING SHIBAMATA

Philippine Airlines’

TOMOYUKI NAGAO

Answers Questions on Chapter 11, COVID-19 and More

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

DINGDONG DANTES

Showcases Acting Chops in ‘I Can See You: AlterNate’

Kishida to People on COVID-19 Booster: ‘PRIORITIZE

SPEED

Over Vaccine Brand’

JOHN LLOYD CRUZ

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th

Anniversary Issue

HAPPY TO BE BACK IN THE LIMELIGHT

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Contents

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Editor's Note

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IN FOCUS

TRAVEL JAPAN

Philippine Airlines Emerges from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Process

Exploring Shibamata

EXCLUSIVE

e had a good start to the year as two-time FilipinoJapanese Journal cover girl Heart Evangelista shared our January issue with her 9.5 million Instagram followers – a kind gesture that we appreciate so much because it helped our magazine’s social media presence grow.

In 2019, we marked our third anniversary by officially launching our website. This year, we are celebrating it by humbly accepting the Interactive Media Award for the Best Website category from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas – 2021 Migration Advocacy and Media (MAM) Awards.

As we begin our seventh year in the publishing industry, we are proud and elated to present to you our sixth anniversary issue featuring the multi-awarded TV and movie actor John Lloyd Cruz, who is now a Kapuso.

Filipino-Japanese Journal wouldn’t have made it this far without the support of our advertisers, one of them is Philippine Airlines. Know the latest information on the national flag carrier through our exclusive interview with Country Manager for Japan Tomoyuki Nagao.

This anniversary issue is also a time for us to reflect on what really inspire, move and drive us. And we couldn’t think of any other reason but you – our dear readers. Maraming salamat po!

Tomoyuki Nagao Answers Questions on Chapter 11, COVID-19 and More

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ON THE COVER

13 ENTERTAINMENT EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Dingdong Dantes Showcases Acting Chops in ‘I Can See You: AlterNate’

John Lloyd Cruz Happy to be Back in the Limelight

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14 IN THE NEWS

SPOTLIGHT

Approximately 5,500 Visitors Enter Japan from Philippines in 2021

Heart Evangelista Shares Filipino-Japanese Journal Cover on Instagram

Japan’s Kishida to People on COVID-19 Booster: ‘Priotize Speed Over Vaccine Brand’

Florenda Corpuz Editor-in-Chief

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IN FOCUS

Philippine Airlines Emerges from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Process WORDS BY FLORENDA CORPUZ PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF PAL

TOKYO/MANILA – Philippine Airlines Inc. (PAL) announced on Dec. 31 last year that it has completed its financial restructuring process and emerged from Chapter 11, slashing over $2 billion in debts, less than four months after it filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States on Sept. 3.

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he Philippine flag carrier said it is well-positioned for the future with a strengthened balance sheet, streamlined fleet, reduced debt and additional liquidity.

“We have achieved this milestone with the strong support of our creditors, the enduring commitment of our shareholders, the collective efforts of the 4,500 outstanding members of the PAL team around the world, and the continued collaboration with our

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industry partners like you,” PAL Sales and Marketing Senior Vice President Oscar Enrico Reyes Jr. said in a statement sent to Filipino-Japanese Journal (FJJ).

He added that PAL expects to restore more routes and increase flight frequencies as travel restrictions ease and borders reopen.

“In all our operations, we will continue to uphold the strictest safety measures in line with our highest priority: the safety and health of the passengers who entrust their journeys to us,” he said.

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Furthermore, he assured passengers that PAL will continue to fulfill all refund obligations in accordance with existing company policies.

Philippine Airlines operates the most flights between Japan and the Philippines of any airline. It was recertified by Skytrax as a four-star global airline based on comprehensive quality audits performed in December 2018 and January 2019, and was likewise voted the World’s Most Improved Airline in the 2019 Skytrax worldwide passenger survey.

EXCLUSIVE

Tomoyuki Nagao Answers Questions on Chapter 11, COVID-19 and More WORDS & INTERVIEW BY FLORENDA CORPUZ PHOTOGRAPH BY KEIKO FUKUDA MATSUMURA

TOKYO – Tomoyuki Nagao, Philippine Airlines (PAL) Country Manager for Japan, exclusively answers questions from Filipino-Japanese Journal (FJJ) on topics such as the novel coronavirus, Chapter 11 bankruptcy process, what he looks forward to post-pandemic, and his message to the Filipino community in Japan.

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agao has been working for the Philippine flag carrier since 1999. Before being promoted, he held different positions in the company for the past two decades. Like PAL, it is his mission to ensure that each passenger feels “The Heart of the Filipino.”

How is Philippine Airlines weathering COVID-19? And as the country manager, how do you handle the challenges brought about by the pandemic?

It is still a very difficult progress for all types of businesses. Due to the surge of the Omicron variant in Japan, people are refraining from traveling abroad.

Only those with approved visas can travel between Japan and the Philippines, as of the moment. Considering the circumstances, we are very careful in evaluating how to manage our operations and how many flights can we operate between the two countries.

I have meetings with our head office in Manila weekly regarding the operation plans for the coming week. It is very hard to predict the situation of the market in

advance during the pandemic because of the constant changes.

Would you consider the pandemic as one of the most turbulent things that you encountered while working at Philippine Airlines?

It is challenging as this is something nobody had experienced or expected. We are learning something new every single day and also learning to cope with each new situation that might arise.

Is PAL ready to take off after Chapter 11? What do you look forward to after the bankruptcy process?

We are grateful to achieve this with the strong support of our creditors, the enduring commitment of our shareholders, the cooperation of our industry partners and government, and the collective efforts of the outstanding members of the PAL team around the world.

We look forward to maintaining relationships of our business supporters and also to make new ones and together overcome any difficulties and grow successfully.

With all the negative things that are happening brought about by the pandemic, what are the positive things that you see in the aviation and travel industry?

We have seen many airlines coming up with amazing and creative ideas to cater to those who cannot travel and offers and promotions to those who can travel. These ideas have given both the airlines and passengers a chance to learn and experience many things.

Moving forward, PAL will invest in its operations to better serve its valued customers.

What words would you like to give to PAL’s loyal customers in Japan?

We thank our customers for their support, and the Filipino people for keeping faith in their flag carrier through the entire restructuring process. There are immense challenges ahead to be better positioned for strategic growth to continue serving our customers. We shall continue to fly between Philippines (Manila/Cebu) and Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka) for them.

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ON THE COVER

JOHN LLOYD CRUZ Happy to be Back in the Limelight WORDS BY LEN ARMEA PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF GMA

Much has been said and written about John Lloyd Cruz and his solid showbiz career that spans 20 years and counting. He has played various iconic roles in teleseryes and rom-com films that the public know by heart and love to the core.

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here is definitely a whole generation that adores John Lloyd as a multiawarded actor, top leading man, and credible endorser. With an acting talent that draws the audience in, an enigmatic personality, and a giant network as back-up, John Lloyd has built a formidable career that any actor could ever dream of.

And yet, at the peak of his career, he decided to drop everything.

Back In The Limelight Since 2017, the public has seen less of John Lloyd on most commercial platforms. In the period of four years, they were only treated to two indie films: “Culion,” and “Historya ni Ha” and a few sightings of him in El Nido, Palawan, where he spent his muchneeded vacation.

“Dalawang dekada akong kayod nang kayod. The thing with acquiring ‘yung mga natututuhan natin, may mga kaakibat iyang mga bagay na kakapit sa’yo na mahihirapan kang ipagpag,” John Lloyd explained on why he left showbiz in an exclusive interview with “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.”

“Kaya for me, panahon muna para huminga, be kind to myself, start healing and start the journey of unlearning,” he added.

Fast forward to 2022, John Lloyd is all recharged and ready to take on new roles and exciting contents for his legion of fans. He surprised the public by signing up with GMA-7 to do the comedy sitcom, “Happy ToGetHer,” which the actor said is not his comfort zone that is why he was challenged to do it.

“Siguro, mas malaking challenge na nasa bagong bakuran tayo. It’s challenging kasi nangangapa kaming grupo. Kaya napakaswerte namin dahil iyong assistance, paggabay, at pagtulong ng GMA sa amin ay talagang hindi matatawaran,” JL, as he is also known in showbiz, enthused.

In “Happy ToGetHer,” John Lloyd plays the role of Julian, a handsome mechanic and single

dad who aspires to give his son a better future and find his one true love. The sitcom airs every Sunday on GMA Pinoy TV for Filipinos in Japan who want to watch the show.

“Abangan ninyo kami!

Pupuntahan namin kayo diyan.

Sana magkaroon ng opportunity in the future na makahalubilo namin sila nang personal ‘pag okay na. At sana wag ninyong kalimutan ang Happy ToGetHer,” he told his fans.

Creating Content With his partnership deal with the Kapuso Network, the awardwinning actor is set to do more projects that will showcase him going back to his core, that is drama, as well as tackling new and exciting contents.

“Siguro nasa punto ako na susundan ko na lang iyong trabaho,” he said.

With his onscreen perennial partner Bea Alonzo now at GMA7, too, many are clamoring for a reunion project.

“Ang dami naming pwedeng magawa eh. But, I’m looking forward to that day, especially si Ma’am Annette (GMA Films President Annette Gozon-Valdes) gustung-gusto niyang makagawa kami ng pelikula eh,” John Lloyd explained about a possible project with Bea. Unlike before when he kept on chasing for contents, John Lloyd said that he will allow things to take its natural course.

“Siguro itong pagkakataon na mas hindi ako maghahabol sa content na gusto ko. Hayaan ko silang dumating nang kusa.”

By choosing the process of unlearning, John Lloyd can now fill his cup with more exciting things and thrills armed with more motivation, wisdom, drive and eagerness that he recharged himself with in those four years.

“Importante rin ‘yung may tama kang motivation habang sinusuong mo ‘yung daan doon sa hinahanap mo. Sa karanasan ko kasi, hindi ko nabantayan ‘yung kapit ko sa sarili ko, sa kung ano ‘yung mga prinsipyong pinapaniwalaan ko.”

In this case, the John Lloyd Cruz is really back in the limelight.

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SPOTLIGHT

Heart Evangelista Shares Filipino-Japanese Journal Cover on Instagram WORDS BY FLORENDA CORPUZ

TOKYO/MANILA – Heart Evangelista let her 9.5 million Instagram followers know that she is the cover star of Filipino-Japanese Journal (FJJ) January 2022 issue.

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ollowing the magazine’s release, the Queen of Creative Collaborations and Kapuso star shared a photo of it on her Instagram Story.

In the said issue of the magazine, Heart talked about her feelings wearing many hats.

“Actually, I’m not going to lie. I’m also pressured and stressed sometimes. It’s not easy to do so much all at the same time and a lot of people expect you to do great. But then again, you just really have to give your best in everything that you do,” Heart admitted in an exclusive interview with FJJ. The “I Left My Heart in Sorsogon” actress also shared the one thing that comes to her mind everytime she hears name of the province.

“Sorsogon is the place to be. Hindi siya masyadong napag-uusapan so it’s finally nice na may spotlight sa kanila. And I also want to inject that the story itself is so beautiful,” she beamed with pride.

She also shared the best part of doing the series.

“It’s unique in a way na walang kontrabida.

Lahat ng characters ipapakita iyong good side and bad side. It’s real life na hindi tayo lahat perfect. It’s a real story about love and life,” she uttered.

Heart, who is a frequent traveler to Japan, didn’t forget to give a special message to her fans in the “Land of the Rising Sun.” “Sa ating mga lovely Pinoys diyan sa Japan, I miss you, guys. Madalas ako riyan, but of course because of the pandemic, this is the best way that we can connect at this moment in time. We have worked very hard to give you something that is unique, that is one of its kind, and that is special.

I hope in a way ma-feel niyo na nasa Pilipinas kayo with I Left My Heart in Sorsogon.”

The 36-year-old fashion icon first graced the cover of the magazine in February 2019.

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IN THE NEWS TRAVEL JAPAN

Kamui

Exploring Shibamata WORDS BY FLORENDA CORPUZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY DIN EUGENIO

Tokyo still has a few areas where you can experience the shitamachi or old downtown vibe, and one of them is Shibamata, a retro neighborhood popularly known among the Japanese as the fictive hometown of protagonist Torajiro Kuruma or Tora-san, the kindhearted vagabond who is always unlucky in love

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hibamata, located in the Japanese capital’s northeastern Katsushika Ward, is not on most foreign tourists’ travel radar.

However, it is a place that has its own unique traditional charm that is reminiscent of the good old days.

Meet Tora-san: Shibamata’s Famous Son The life-sized bronze statues of Torasan and his sister, Sakura, will greet visitors outside Shibamata Station. A museum that showcases some of the costumes, props and stage sets that were

used in the comedy film series, “Otoko wa Tsurai yo (It’s Tough Being a Man)”, is just nearby.

Next to it is another museum dedicated to Yoji Yamada, the legendary director who helmed almost all of the 50 Tora-san movies.

What to See and Eat The 200-meter-long Taishakutensando can’t be missed when visiting Shibamata. It is a street lined with restaurants and souvenir shops that add to the nostalgic atmosphere of the area. You don’t want to miss out on the food that local vendors offer here,

particularly the tasty oden and kusadango.

At the end of this shotengai is where you will find the Taishakuten, a Nichiren Buddhist temple that has been treasured by the locals for almost 400 years.

The Yamamoto-tei, a unique building that combines the aesthetic designs of the Japanese and Western architectures, is a must-see. Its exquisiteness can be best enjoyed while sipping a cup of green tea or coffee and gazing at the Shoin-style garden at the same time.

On Feb. 18, 2018, Shibamata became the first area within Tokyo to be chosen as a Natural Important Cultural Landscape.

Photograph by Din Eugenio 12

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

ENTERTAINMENT

Dingdong Dantes Showcases Acting Chops in ‘I Can See You: AlterNate’ PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF GMA

2020 Seoul International Drama Awards Asian Star Prize and Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes is back on GMA Telebabad as he portrays for the very first time a dual role in the latest installment of the hit drama anthology, “I Can See You: AlterNate.”

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he new mini-series, which started airing on Jan. 10, narrates the story of a refined man whose marriage is tested when his wife unknowingly cheats with someone who looks completely like him and is apparently his long-lost twin brother.

“Isa ito sa mga pinakamahirap na nagawa ko talaga. Hindi lang siguro sa trabaho ko bilang artista pero sa buhay din in general dahil ang daming elemento na kaakibat ng experience na ito. Isa na riyan, first time ko na maka-experience ng mahabang lock-in taping and be away from my family for 30 days,” said Dingdong who plays identical twins Nate and Michael.

“Plus, the fact na mahirap ‘yung role.

Pero iyon din naman iyong hinihingi ko sa sarili ko kapag pumipili at nagkocommit ako sa isang bagay, ‘yung sana mas mahirap ‘to kaysa sa mga nagawa ko na in the past, in order to challenge myself as an actor. All other elements combined, ‘yung hirap na ‘yun, nag pay-off naman.

Lumabas kami sa taping bubble nang very fulfilled dahil we were able to tell a compelling story in the context of a very challenging time,” he went on.

In a virtual interview with FilipinoJapanese Journal (FJJ), the actor who graced the cover of the magazine in January 2020, shared what could be an alternate life choice for him.

“Probably social worker ako,” he enthused.

Dingdong also revealed his inspiration in keeping up with the

demands of the showbiz industry.

“Simple lang po ‘yung sa akin, kapag siguro nagka-apo na ako, kung talagang hindi na ako makapag-perform at makita ng mga apo or anak ko ‘yung trabaho, something lang na magiging proud ako sa trabaho ko. ‘Yun parati ang motivation ko sa lahat nang ginagawa ko,” he said.

“I Can See You: AlterNate” is directed by Dominic Zapata. It also stars Beauty Gonzalez as Sheila, Nate’s wife; Jackie Lou Blanco as Carmencita, Nate’s foster mother; Joyce Ching as Angie, Michael’s younger sister; and Ricky Davao as Lyndon, Nate’s foster father.

Viewers in Japan can catch the program via GMA Pinoy TV. - GMA, With interview from Florenda Corpuz

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IN THE NEWS

Japan’s COVID-19 Pre-Emergency Now Covers 34 Prefectures PHOTOGRAPH BY DIN EUGENIO

TOKYO – After placing 16 prefectures under COVID-19 pre-emergency measures, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has decided to expand the declaration to 18 more areas in an effort to stop the rapid spread of infections driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

Approximately 5,500 Visitors Enter Japan from Philippines in 2021

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TOKYO – Around 5,500 foreign travelers from the Philippines have touched down in Japan in 2021.

he preliminary data published by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) on Jan. 19 revealed that the number of visitors from the Philippines fell by 99.1 percent last year compared to two years earlier.

“We compared visitor arrivals figures for 2021 to those for 2019 to get rid of the effect of COVID-19,” the JNTO stated.

Based on the same data, Japan

welcomed 245,900 foreign travelers in 2021, the lowest since 1964, down 99.2 percent from the previous two years.

Visitors from China accounted for the largest number of arrivals at 42,300.

Vietnam was second with 26,500, followed by the United States with 20,000.

Japan’s border controls were tightened in November last year in an attempt to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the country. - Florenda Corpuz

Japan’s Kishida to People on COVID-19 Booster: ‘Prioritize Speed Over Vaccine Brand’ PHOTOGRAPH BY DIN EUGENIO

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okkaido, Aomori, Yamagata, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Ishikawa, Nagano, Shizuoka, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Shimane, Okayama, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita and Kagoshima join Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Niigata, Aichi, Gunma, Gifu, Mie, Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Miyazaki where the restrictions are already in place until Feb. 13. The designation for the 18 prefectures will remain in effect through Feb. 20.

The prefectures of Okinawa, Hiroshima and Yamaguchi are already in that status since Jan. 9 and was extended until Feb. 20 from the previously planned expiration at the end of January.

Under the pre-emergency measures, bars and restaurants are requested by prefectural governors to close by 8 p.m. and stop the serving of alcohol. Group dining is limited to four people per group.

- Florenda Corpuz 14

TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to get boosted once they receive their vaccination voucher, as Japan battles the sixth wave of the pandemic caused by the highly infectious Omicron variant.

“A

s infections continue to spread, the most effective prevention method is a third shot of vaccine,” he said in a video message posted on the Twitter and Instagram accounts of the prime minister’s office on Jan. 26.

“Please prioritize speed over the type of vaccine and get the third dose,” he stated.

Japan approved the use of Pfizer and Moderna novel coronavirus vaccines as booster shots at least six months after an individual aged 18 or older has received their second dose.

Japanese media reported that many people are skeptical of the mix-and-match inoculations resulting to a slow-paced booster vaccine rollout.

As of Jan. 27, Japan had given booster shots to 3.16 million people, a little over 20 percent of the government’s target of 14.7 million by the end of the month. - Florenda Corpuz

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The mass novel coronavirus vaccination center run by the SelfDefense Forces in Tokyo’s Otemachi business district on July 30, 2021.

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