Jeepney Press 84 November-December 2016

PAHAYAGANG PINOY

November-December 2016

e magazine

PINOY JOURNEYS in JAPAN

Cover Photo: Rogelio Agustin

PAHAYAGANG PINOY

e-magazine JEEPNEY PRESS welcomes articles of interest on Filipinos in Japan. Please email any photos, drawings, and other materials that you would like to accompany the article.

Submissions can also be sent by postmail. Photos, drawings and other materials will not be returned unless sent with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Deadline is one month before publication. We reserve the right to edit or omit any submissions.

Disclaimer: Jeepney Press is not responsible for the transactions between its advertisers and their clients. Publisher does not endorse or make any representation or warranty, express or implied, with respect to any of the products or services advertised herein. We recommend that you independently evaluate all products/services before purchasing. Jeepney Press is not accountable for any claims on the articles in this magazine. They are purely the writer's idea and opinion. The views expressed herein are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers'. Public and private parties approached by those claiming to work for or on behalf of Jeepney Press should call our office to confirm truth of any such claim, especially where money may be involved.

Jeepney Press is published online bimonthly by Asia Vox Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright 2016.

JEEPNEY PRESS Asia Vox Ltd.

Takadanobaba Bldg. 701, 1-26-12 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0075 Tel : 03-5292-2340 Fax: 03-5292-2341 e-mail: jeepneymail@yahoo.com website: http://jeepneymail.wix.com/jeepneypress

publisher ASIA VOX LTD. IRENE SUN-KANEKO editorial & creative director DENNIS SUN editorial staff

ROGER AGUSTIN Tokyo MIRIAM SUN-ARENAS, MD Philippines RENALIZA CHAVEZ Tokyo GLEN GYPSY Tokyo FARAH TROFEO-ISHIZAWA Tokyo MICHELLE G. ONG Osaka JEFF PLANTILLA Nara ABIE PRINCIPE Nagoya MARK QUIJANO Kyushu MARILYN RIVERA Philippines NERIZA SAITO Osaka ELENA SAKAI Tokyo KAREN SANCHEZ Kanagawa ANITA SASAKI Tokyo WARREN SUN Tokyo WAYNE SUN Philippines SALLY CRISTOBAL-TAKASHIMA Osaka ALMA REYES Tokyo JASMIN VASQUEZ Nagano LITA MANALASTAS-WATANABE Tokyo

creative staff

ARLENE ESPERIDA Tokyo JERRY SUN-ARENAS Philippines VAL AMOR C. PALO Tokyo JOSE MIGUEL PARUNGAO Philippines CHINO MANDING CADDARAO Tokyo NICK SANTIAGO Tokyo DANNY DUNGO Tokyo MARISOL KUDO Oita

PAHAYAGANG PINOY

e-magazine

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2016 06 remem-BER?

by Dennis Sun 10 2016 UTAWIT Champion 12 Isang Araw Sa Ating Buhay

by Jeff Plantilla 14 Life Is A Journey

by Glen Gypsy 16 Advice Ni Tita Lits

by Isabelita Manalastas-Watanabe 17 Miss International 2016 Experience

by Bon Urven Paye Dampor 18 Kwento ni Nanay Anita 20 Just Jos

by Dennis Sun 22 Michael Bodin: Chasing Dreams With Music

by Dennis Sun 24 The Toys We Love

by Abie Principe 04

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

The cover photo this issue was taken by Rogelio Agustin. Roger works in the automotive engineering field with a multinational company. Landscape photography is his longtime hobby and he is also a certified garden coordinator spending most of his weekends in his Tokyo garden.

26 SIGNPOST: Mapalad Ka!

by Karen Sanchez 28 Musings of a Gardener: War With The Hornets

by Rogelio Agustin 32 TRAFFIC: Chickening Out of the Christmas Chicken

by Alma Reyes

36 Moving On

by Jasmin Vasquez 38 On The Road...

by Neriza Saito 40 UTAWIT Grand Final Event

35 Ang Christmas Wish Ko

by Loleng Ramos NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

05

remem-BER?

The Best Months of the Year 2016

by Dennis Sun Photo by: Rogelio Agustin

by DENNIS

SUN

Photo by Marisol Kudo This year, pag dating ng mga “BER” months, biglang naging busy ang mga Pinoy dito sa Japan. Iba talaga kapag naging “BER” na ang mga buwan. Na-e-excite ba ang mga Pinoy dahil malapit na ang pasko?

At lalong na-e-excite ang mga Pinoy dito dahil malapit na ang winter?

Napaka dynamic lalo na ang October. Kay rami kasing nangyari dito sa buwan na ito.

Isa na rito ang Grand Final ng UTAWIT kung saan ang mga iba’t-ibang Pinoy communities from around Japan travel to the center in Tokyo to attend this annual prestigious event to witness who will be the next UTAWIT Grand Champion for 2016. Ang nanalo ay ang representative ng Oita, si Vanessa Yoshida. Basahin ang kwento ng bagong kampeon sa mga sumusunod na pahina. Napakahirap husgahin itong 2016 Grand Final competition dahil marami po kasing magagaling na contestants at iba-iba ang kanilang mga katangian sa pagkanta. Siguradong nahirapan ang mga judges sa pagpili. Ito ang unang beses na nakuha ng Oita ang UTAWIT Grand Champion.

This October, president-elect Rodrigo Duterte visted Japan upon the invitation of Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Duterte described Japan as a "special friend who is closer than a brother", that Manila would work closely with Japan on regional issues of common concern and uphold the values of democracy, the rule of law and peaceful settlement of disputes including the South China Sea.

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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

This 27th of October, Kylie Verzosa Miss Philippines, was crowned Miss International 2016 besting more than 65 other representatives from other countries, held at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo. “If I become Miss International 2016, I will devote myself to cultural understanding and international understanding because I believe that it is with developing in each of us [the] sensitivity to other cultures, that we expand our horizons tolerate difference and appreciate diversity,” Verzosa said during the segment Then, at the start of November, another win for the Philippines for Paolo Ballesteros as Best Actor in Tokyo International Film Festival 2016. His portrayal of a transgender woman whose dying wish is to be dressed as Katy Perry for her funeral in "Die Beautiful" won him the award.

As of this writing, hindi pa natatapos ang November at parating pa ang December. The “BER” months are really the most exciting months of the year.

For now, we look forward to Christmas, of course! We look forward to giving and receiving gifts. We look forward to the long winter vacation. Some of you might be going home these holidays so it will not only warm your bodies by going to to the Philippines and escape the wintry season of Japan but warm your hearts as well by meeting all your loved ones back home.

As we still have some time left, let’s still make the most of the remaining “BER” months memorable and joyful. Then, in a blink of an eye, 2016 will be gone and we go on and start another year in 2017.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

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UTAWIT 2016 GRAND CHAMPION

Vanessa Yoshida Believe!

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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

Seriously, I did not expect to win.

Being part of this big event is such an honor and winning the title is just a bonus.

Vanessa’s encore number with Ms Dang Yoshitake, the President & Founder of OPFA

Hailing from Manila, Van, as she is fondly called, has been in Japan for 13 years now. Her passion in singing is what brought her to Japan.

She was a member of a band when she first came here.

But it was her family that really influenced her to sing at an early age of 3. Her dream is to become a professional singer. Van works hard in life. She has 2 kids and works in a pastry shop to get additional income.

Then, she still sings as a vocalist in a band. Life maybe hard but she keeps going on to pursuing her dreams.

She knew about UTAWIT from a friend and told her to join the competition. Always wanting to share her talent and inspiring people through her voice, she eagerly applied for the contest in Oita.

She chose the song “Believe”

by Che’nelle because the lyrics of the song resonate in her life.

It talks about trusting yourself and believing in the power of love. Just like what the song says, she wants to tell her fellow Filipinos to have courage no matter how tough life could be.

“Seriously, I did not expect to win. Being part of this big event is such an honor and winning the title is just a bonus.”

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

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May edad na 37 anyos, nagretiro bilang boksingero at naging pulitiko, nguni’t bumalik sa training at nanalo.

Yan ang ating Pambansang Kamao, nanalo na naman nitong ika-6 ng Nobyembre 2016 laban sa isang mas batang boksingero ng 10 taon. Si Manny Pacquiao ay muling nagwagi at nagpakita ng galing sa boxing.

Ang mga laban ni Manny ay may mga itinuturong aral na mabuting gabay sa buhay.

Kanazawa Boxers Nung ika-11 ng Setyembre 2016, 2 boksingerong Pilipino ang lumaban at nanalo sa Sangyo Hall, Kanazawa city. Isa ay si Genesis Servania ng Cebu City (pero ipinanganak sa Bacolod City). Hindi pa siya minsan natalo sa mga laban niya. Sa kanyang 28 na panalo, kasama ang panalo sa Kanazawa city, 11 ang knock-outs (KOs). Tinalo niya sa Kanazawa city si Alexander Espinoza na taga-Venezuela.

Lumaban din si Jonathan Baat kay Iwier Henriquez na tagaVenezuela. Panalo si Jonathan, na taga-Davao city. Sa Super Bantamweight Division, nasa top 100 siya sa mahigit na 1,200 na mga boksingero sa buong

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mundo Sina Genesis at Jonathan ay parehong nasa pangangalaga ng Kashimi Gym sa Kanazawa city. May isa pang boksingero sa Kashimi Gym, si Mark Ecoh Melligen. Marami na ring panalo si Ecoh.

Nauna naman sa kanila ang isa pang boksingerong Pilipino, ang Bikolanong si Rolly Lunas (Rolly Matsushita). 7 taon siya sa Kashimi Gym at nanalo ng Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantamweight nung 2007.

Laban sa Japanese Boxers Sina Genesis ay lumaban na rin sa mga boksingerong Hapones.

Genesis kay Konosuke Tomiyama. Si Jonathan naman ay nanalo na rin sa ilang boksingerong Hapones tulad nina Kenta Ono, Takahiro Shigee and Takafumi Nakajima. Nag-draw sila ni Hikaru Maugame. Nguni’t natalo si Jonathan sa laban kay Yusaku Kuga sa Strongest Korakuen nung ika-22 ng Oktubre, 2016.

Dating Kalagayan Sikat ang mga boksingerong Pilipino sa Japan sa mahabang panahon. Sa ngayon, si Manny Pacquiao ang maaaring pinakahinahangaan ng mga boksingerong Hapones. Pero noong mga 1950s-1960s, ang mga boksingerong tulad nina Flash Elorde at Baby Gustilo ang kilala sa Japan.

Si Joe Eagle naman ay kilala nung pre-war.

Nung 2013 sa Macau, nanalo si

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

Nagtagumpay din siya sa pulitika.

Naging isang matapang na Senador, at parang boksingero siyang walang takot ipaglaban sa Senado ang kanyang pinaniniwalaan. Sa isang bagitong Senador, ang kanyang performance sa Senado ay angat sa ginagawa ng ibang Senador – bago o dati nang nakaupo.

Nung dekada 1990s, nagbago ng konti ang tingin sa boksingerong Pilipino. May mga report ng pagkuha ng boksingero sa Pilipinas para ilaban sa boksingerong Hapones at matalo. Ito ay naging paraan para daw mai-angat ang confidence ng mga boksingerong Hapones.

Hindi rin ito kataka-taka dahil may nabalita na ganitong pangdaraya na ginawa din sa Thailand para sa ating boksingero.

Kung ang ating boksingero ay matatalo, mas mabuting matalo nang pantay ang laban at marangal kaysa dayaan at pera lamang.

Role Model Alam na natin ang kwento ng buhay ni Manny. Hinahangaan siya sa kanyang matagumpay na pagsisikap na makaahon sa hirap sa pamamagitan lamang ng kanyang galing sa boxing.

Kinilala ang kanyang bait sa pagtulong sa mga taong nangangailangan.

May isa pang katangian ang dapat matutunan kay Manny. Paulit-ulit niyang sinabi na kailangan upang maipanalo ang laban ang tamang paghahanda. Kailangang masigurado niyang nasa tuktok (peak) siya ng lakas at kahandaan bago ang laban.

kung magso-short-cut siya sa ensayo. Hindi niya madadaya ang kanyang katawan. Nung minsang ginawa niya yon hindi matanggap ng kanyang katawan ang mga suntok – talo siya nang walang kalaban-laban.

Ang sapat na paghahanda ay kailangan sa mga gawaing apektado ang iba. Minsan, nagsabi ang isang propesor na ang sikreto sa pagpanalo sa kaso sa korte ay PPP. Ibig sabihin: Preparation, Preparation at Prayer. Kahit palitan mo ang huling salita ng iba na nagsisimula sa “P” hindi mo mapapalitan ang unang dalawang salita “Preparation,” “Preparation” – puwede ring ”Paghahanda,” “Paghahanda.”

Walang kasing sarap ang tagumpay na pinaghirapan - hindi ka nandaya, hindi ka naging “wais” – naging tapat ka sa iba at sa iyong sarili.

Mahalaga ang prinsipyong ito ni Manny sa kanyang paglaban. Mahalaga din ito sa ating buhay. Sa anumang gawain, ang tamang paghahanda ang magbibigay ng pagkakataong makamit ang nilalayon.

Hindi mabuti ang madaliang pag-aaral (cramming), dahil madalian ang pag-alam sa karunungan. Pumasa man sa exam, limot kaagad ang napagaralan.

Nalaman ni Manny na ang pagtagal niya sa loob ng ring ng 12 rounds ay hindi mangyayari

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

TUNGKOL SA MANUNULAT: Si Jeff Plantilla ay naninirahan sa Nara-shi kasama ang kanyang pamilya mula pa nung 1995. Siya ay kasapi sa Nara Filipino Community at sa iba pang networks ng mga komunidad ng mga Pilipino sa Kansai.

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Glen Gypsy

I will show you my love.

I will draw my love for you so you will see it.

I will draw a heart here and there and everywhere So I will see your smile Not only on your face, But I will see a smile on your heart Forever it will be sealed So you will know that love is all we need.

Show your love to everyone!

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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

Student? Just arrived in Japan? Lipat bahay? Bagong opisina?

Moving company? Cable and internet connection?

“Our Mission is You! Let us support your life in Japan.�

English and Japanese OK!

03-5292-2340

Only 1-min. walk from Takadanobaba Eki (Yamanote Line or Tozai Line) Very near Big Box and Donki

1-26-12-701 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

www.asiavox.com

Nishimachi is...

Academically rigorous.

A Pioneer... in English and Japanese language education in Japan.

Multicultural... with a student body of 390 children representing some thirty countries.

Small and intimate... which enables us to promote the optimal well-being and growth of each individual.

Co-educational and non-sectarian... Kindergarten through Grade 9.

Accredited... by the Council of International Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and recognized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

Conveniently located... in a residential area of central Tokyo favored by the diplomatic and expatriate communities.

090-2908-5088(SB)

Visit our campus and experience the warm atmosphere of Nishimachi!

2-14-7 Moto Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0046, Japan Tel: +81-(0)3-3451-5520 Fax: +81-(0)3-3456-0197

www.nishimachi.ac.jp

by Isabelita Manalastas-Watanabe

Dear Tita Lits, 44 taon gulang po ako at 20 years na sa Japan. Asawa ko po ay Hapon at may isang anak na nagta-trabaho sa Tokyo. Sumulat po ako dahil sa aking problema. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin ko.

Natuklasan ko po na meron kabit na babae ang aking asawa. Ang masaklap po ay isa po siyang Pilipina at halos kalahati ng gulang ko. Maganda po siya at bata pa. Sabi po ng kaibigan kong Pilipina, nagkita sila sa isang omise sa gabi. Wala po akong ginawang hakbang nang malaman ko isang taong nakaraan na. Pinagdasal ko na lang sa Diyos na sana ay

Dear Mina:

maghiwalay silang dalawa at bumalik loob sa akin ang asawa ko. Pero isang taon ang nakaraan, nalaman ko po na buntis po yung babae. At hindi rin po iyon ang problema niya. Wala na rin po siyang visa.

Hanggang ngayon, hindi po alam ng asawa ko na alam ko ang nangyayari.

Mahal ko pa rin ang asawa ko pero hindi ko alam kung mahal pa rin niya ako. Kung mas mahal niya yung kabit niyang buntis, baka i-divorce niya ako para matulungan niya siya. Hindi naman ako natatakot mag-isa at ma-divorce dahil malaki na rin ang anak namin. Masakit lang po sa akin dahil sa nangyari.

Hindi ko po alam kung paano ko kakausapin ang asawa ko tungkol dito. Lagi rin po siyang wala sa bahay at para na lang akong furniture sa bahay na hindi iniimik kung darating man siya. Lagi rin siyang galit sa akin sa bawat kilos ko at laging umaalis.

mo ng wala kang consent. So, huwag na huwag sa iyo mag-umpisa ang pag-uusap Ang naging unang impresyon sa divorce. At huwag kang ko pagkatapos kong mabasa magbigay ng consent kung ang sulat mo ay sobrang i-bring up niya ito sa iyo, dahil napakamabuti at mabait dapat mo ding isipin ang mong tao. anak mo. Kapag nag-divorce kayo, kanino mapupunta ang Wala akong makitang bahid custody ng anak ninyo? Kung ng paghihiganti sa iyo – sa iyo, dapat may kasunduan paghihiganti sa iyong asawa din ng sustento galing sa sa ginawa sa iyo, o paghihikanyang ama. ganti doon sa naging babae niya. Pati welfare noong Iyong pagiging mainit ang babae, na baka may tinutuulo ng asawa mo sa iyo, at lungan din siya sa Pilipinas palaging wala sa bahay – kaya ayaw mong i-report sa umpisa na ng kanyang immigration, ay iyong naisip. kalbaryo ang pagbubuntis noong babae niya. Iyong init Natiis mong hindi sumbatan ng ulo, palagay ko, hindi ang iyong asawa, at lumapit talaga sa iyo – isang pagpaka sa Panginoon para patunay iyon ng kanyang humingi ng tulong na sana’y dinadalang mabigat na maghiwalay na sila. Ngunit problema. Iyong palagi kahit hindi ibinigay ng Diyos siyang wala, baka nandoon sa and iyong panalangin, babae niya, dahil nga baka mahinahon mo pa ring anytime ay kailangang dalhin tiningnan ang situwasyon at sa ospital kapag nag-labor na. nag-iisip ka ngayon kung ano ang iyong dapat gawin.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang taon na ang iyong anak. Kasi, Regarding divorce – hindi ka nasabi mong gusto mong pwedeng i-divorce ng asawa umuwi muna sa atin. Kung

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Iniisip ko na umuwi na lang kaya muna sa Pilipinas kung sakaling maghiwalay kami pero nahihiya rin po ako sa mga pamilya ko sa aming probinsiya kung malalaman nila ang nangyari sa akin. Marami pa namang tsismosa doon.

Sabi ng isang kaibigan ko, i-report ko daw yung babae sa immigration. Pero, hindi po ba masamang gawin yon dahil kapwa Pilipino at buntis pa siya?

At baka may tinutulungan din siya sa Pilipinas? Alam ko po nasaktan ako pero ayokong gumawa ng masama sa ibang tao.

Litung-lito na po ako at hindi ko na alam ang magandang hakbang para gawin ko sa buhay ko.

Salamat po sa inyong advice.

M ina

Gifu-ken

bata pa ang anak mo, maiiwan mo ba siya muna kung sakaling umuwi ka, for a change of environment, at para makapag-isip kang mabuti? O, malaki na ba siya (as in university student, at kayang iwanan muna)?

Depende kung ano ang situwasyon ng anak mo, mabuting umuwi ka muna siguro? Pero uuwi, tulad ng sinabi ko, para lang makapag-change ng environment. Mag-relax ka doon sa atin; magpa-feel good, tulad ng pagpapaganda (facial, esthe, etc.). Then balik ka sa Japan ng refreshed, at handang harapin ulit ang unos sa pagsasama ninyo ng iyong asawa.

Ituloy mo ang iyong pagdadalangin, para mai-guide ka ng Diyos kung ano talaga ang nararapat gawin. In the meantime, have your own life – labas ka with your friends, be more active in your church, magpa-beautybeauty to feel good, etc.

Tita Lits

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

A little information on Tita Lits: Tita Lits was chosen as one of the Global 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World in 2013, by the Filipina Women’s Network based in San Francisco, USA. She won under the Founder and Pioneer Category, basically due to the successful launch of Speed Money Transfer Japan K.K., of which Tita Lits is the President and Representative Director. Tita Lits has 20 years of banking experience, heading the Asia Pacific, and also the Europe, Israel, and Africa region while at PNB. She was Deputy Director for Investments at the ASEAN-Japan Centre in Tokyo for 9 years, promoting Japanese investments to the ASEAN countries.

by Bon Urven Paye Dampor The Philippines made history on October 27th, 2016 as our delegate, Kylie Verzosa, captured our 6th crown in the 56th Miss International Beauty Pageant at Tokyo Dome City Hall, edging out 68 other candidates from all over the world. This is the shortest wait for the Philippines for a Miss International crown after Bea Rose Santiago won the same title in 2013.

On a personal level, what made it more historic was the fact that I was there at the venue to witness her glorious victory for the Philippines. As an active member of the Filipino Community in Japan, I am so proud to have seen in my very eyes how she well represented our country in all segments of the competition.

She sealed the win when she delivered the most wellthought and sensible speech on why she thinks she should be the next Miss International.

That night, there were a lot of Filipinos in the audience. I was ecstatic to have distributed Philippine flaglets I requested from my friend at the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, to

some Filipinos present, which we used to cheer for Kylie. It was also heartwarming that when we were proudly waving the Philippine flaglets and cheered for her, she would wave at us, placed her right hand in her chest with a Japanese bow, to acknowledge her staunch supporters.

That night, Miss Philippines garnered the loudest cheers from the audience members, a manifestation that indeed, the Filipinos are the best fans in the world.

The 56th edition of the Miss International

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

Beauty Pageant would go down in my personal history as one of the most overwhelming moments in my life, having personally experienced the crowning of a Filipina in a major beauty pageant. Congratulations, Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa of the Philippines! Mabuhay ang gandang Filipina!

Mr. Bon Urven Paye Dampor is the Country Representative of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) in Japan. BPI Japan Representative Office is located in Roppongi, Minatoku, Tokyo near the Philippine Embassy. He has been living in Japan in the last 3 years and is a visible figure in the Filipino Community.

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by Anita Sasaki EVERY GISING A BLESSING!!!

Lahat nang kailangan natin upang maging maligaya ay nasa sa ating sarili. Ayon kay Sydney Smith,"To love and be loved is the greatest happiness of existence.” Sang-ayon ba kayo sa kasabihang ito? Pagkalipas ng araw, iisa lang ang makakapagpaligaya sa atin. Ito ay ang PAGMAMAHAL o ang tinatawag nating LOVE. Ito ay katotohanan, sapagkat tayo ay ipinanganak nang dahil sa PAGMAMAHAL. Bawat hibla nang ating katawan, bawat parte ng ating kaluluwa ay hinubog sa pagmamahal. Maipagmamalaki kong sabihin sa inyo at sa buong mundo: TANGING PAGMAMAHAL LAMANG ANG TUNAY NA MAKAKAPAGPALIGAYA SA ATIN!!!

Only love can make you truly happy.

Paligiran natin ang ating mga sarili ng pagmamahal. Gawin o kaugalian natin ito araw-araw. Surround yourself with love.

Practice it daily!

Walang taong nasa pingit ng kamatayan ang magsasabing, "Sana bumili na lang ako ng mansion, Mercedez Benz, o sana mas maraming oras akong ginugol sa pagtratrabaho sa opisina o sa ibang bansa. Subalit ang maririnig natin ay "Sana mas mahaba ang ginugol kong oras sa PAGMAMAHAL." Listen to people in their dying hour and you'd hear the same regret: "I wish I spent more time loving…”

Naniniwala ako na ang "Relasyon" ay ang mas mahalagang bagay sa ating buhay kaysa anumang yaman sa buong mundo. "I believe that relationships are the most important things in our lives—more important than all the wealth in the world.

Napapawi ba ng tubig ang ating uhaw? Di ba hindi, kung hindi lalo lang tayo mauuhaw. Ang pera ay parang tubig—dagat walang katumbas na kayamanan o sa dami ng pera ,ang papawi sa ating uhaw ay tunay na pag-ibig o kaligayahan. Lalo lang tayong mauuhaw, dahil pag ginusto natin ang pera, pera rin ang katapusan. Tayo ay mamamatay nang spiritual malnutrisyon. Matuto tayong magmahal araw-araw!

photography by Marisol Kudo

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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

WORLD CLASS EXCELLENCE JAPAN AWARDS Hotel New Otani Hakata Red Carpet Dinner Tribute to Outstanding Achievers November 7, 2016

CATCH Ms. Emma Cordero!

Nov 18 & 20 in Los Angeles, CA, USA Nov 19 in Hollywood, USA Nov 21 New York, USA Nov 23 in Las Vegas Awards Night Nov 28 at EMCOR Music Bar, Fukuoka Dec 4, 5 & 6 EMCOR 6th Anniversary Dec 20 – Fukuoka Tenjin Liberty Lions Club X’mas Party at Hotel New Otani, Hakata Jan 27 World Class Excellence Philippine Awards Charity Dinner – Tribute to the World Class Achievers at San Pedro Astro Dome at 6pm On Nov 19 in Hollywood, USA, Ms Emma is the Awardee of the Most Outstanding Filipino in the Field of Universal Beauty and Compassion (Woman of the Universe 2016).

Congratulations!

EMCOR VOAA MUSIC INTERNATIONAL http://www.emcormusicbar.com/

Congratulations to Miss Emma Cordero!

Asia’s Princess of Songs Multi-Awarded Entertainer & Civic Leader 2016 Woman of the Universe

Tel/Fax 092-724-3386 / 090-4511-6934／090-5025-5991

email address: voaamusic@yahoo.com

810-0003 福岡県福岡市中央区春吉 3-21-28 ロマネスク西中州ビル 7F

810-0003 Fukuoka-ken Fukuoka-shi Chuo-ku Haruyoshi 3-21-28 Romanesque Resorts Nishi Nakasu Bldg. 7F

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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

Just Jos

by Dennis Sun Kyoto-based Filipino singer, Jos Garcia, was born and raised in the City of Antipolo, Rizal before she came to Japan with a 3-year singing contract at a tender age of 16.

After releasing her first album in the Philippines under Ivory Records, she produced her second album in Kyoto entitled, Pag-ibig Ba Ito? Currently, she is busy with her singing engagements at several hotels around Japan. She is also very active lending her singing talent to charitable activities of several Filipino events particularly in the Kansai region.

Jos had a difficult time adjusting to the different culture of Japan during her early years in this country.

Life was a bit different from what she had learned back home. But she had learned to love Japan. Jos admires the discipline and the punctuality of the Japanese. She learned the true meaning of being professional.

Jos has fallen in love with the 4 seasons of Japan. The different changing seasons bring smile to her face especially that she lives in Kyoto where every season is always beautiful.

Being in the music profession, Jos has experienced professional rivalry and jealousy. There were also instances where she had been discriminated because of being a Filipino.

However, she always proves to everyone that she is a professional and good at her talent and being a Filipino makes it even a bigger challenge to show to the Japanese audience that Filipinos are very talented and gifted people.

Jos would like to tell the Filipinos living in Japan that we are by heart and by deed still Filipinos. “Japanese will learn more about who the Filipinos are through us. Once we achieved our goals here in Japan, we should always look back and be proud of where we came from,� Jos explains as she puts a smile on her face.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

“Love Japanese culture!

Love Japanese artists! And most of all, love Japanese songs!” This is the battle cry of “Song For Japan: NODOJIMAN The World.” It’s a national TV program for foreigners who compete by singing Japanese songs.

NODO means throat and JIMAN means boast.

This year’s winner of the nationally televised annual foreigner’s singing contest in Japan, NODO JIMAN, is from the Philippines, Michael Bodin. Mikey, as he is called by his friends, was born and raised in the province of Pampanga in Angeles City and finished AB Mass Communications at Angeles University.

It was in 2007 when he first went to Japan as an English Teacher at Takada English School in Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture. Michael loves learning new languages so it was a big opportunity for him to have worked here. Not to mention, his family lives here, too, so there was no reason for him to get homesick.

Currently, he resides in Saitama which is about 40-50 minutes to Central Tokyo. He works as an English teacher and a musician. He is in a band called "Last Call" - an acoustic pop/rock duo based out of Tokyo, Japan.

The band covers lots of popular and classic songs and have recently also begun writing and recording their own music.

Michael talks about his journey: I knew this show for a very long time and I have always wanted to join, however, didn't really know how to apply/audition for it. A Japanese friend of mine sent me a link on how to apply and I remem-

ber her exact words saying “You'll definitely win this so you better try and apply.” I sent them a video of me singing a Japanese song and they responded after a few months of my application and started requesting for more songs. There were around 21,000 applicants from all over the world this season so it took them a while to decide the final 13. I was really excited to represent our country but at the same

song and I think it worked. The judges loved my performances.

Right now, I'm hoping to be back on the show again next and sing another inspiring Japanese song. In addition, my bandmate/songwriter, Steve Sato and I am planning to release our next single sometime soon so please check us out on facebook/instagram @michaeldavidbodin @lastcalltokyo.

time I felt a bit pressured knowing how excellent Filipinos are in singing and I didn't want to disappoint them. I thought about it very hard and in my mind was to do what I do best, which is to sing from the heart and let them feel that I understand the

Michael’s message to fellow Filipinos in Japan: There’s only one thing I could say and this maybe a cliche but it's true.

Hold on to your dream and never give up! Thank you so much for the support and to all the wonderful messages on facebook, likes and shares! I hope you will continuously support my journey here in Japan.

For more information on Michael, check his FB @ michaeldavidbodin

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

Michael talks about life in Japan: Life here in Japan could be a challenge especially if you don't speak the language. It didn't take that long for me to adjust because I guess I'm really independent and very adventurous. I love Japan simply because of its very rich culture. It has an interesting history, mythology, literature, art, calligraphy, theater & modern tech fads (video games, comic books, anime, video games...etc). I can't think of one person I know who hasn't been here and didn't like it.

Photo credit: Tia Haygood (TopTia Photography)

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by Abie Principe

The Toys We Love Minsan, nahuhuli ninyo ba ang inyong sarili na naaalala ang mga laruan noong bata pa kayo?

Maaring sarili ninyong laruan, o di kaya, ginusto mo, pero hindi nabili para sa iyo. Madalas nakakalimutan na natin ang mga laruan habang tumatanda na tayo. Yung paborito nating manyika o kotse-kotsehan, isinasa-isang tabi na kapag high school na tayo. Hanggang makatapos ng kolehiyo at makapagtrabaho, madalas hindi natin naalala ang mga laruan natin noon.

Pero, kapag umabot tayo sa isang punto ng ating buhay na masasabing maayos na ang kalagayan natin, may trabaho, malaki na mga anak, at may bahay na, bigla nating naalala ang mga laruan na nagbigay sa atin ng kasiyahan noong bata pa tayo.

Minsan nga, hinahanap natin ang mga laruan na ito, at kahit na medyo mahal, binibili natin. Hindi naman lahat ng tao ganito, may mga ilan lamang na talagang nagiging seryoso sa pag-collect ng mga laruan. Minsan nagiging negosyo na nila ito.

Maraming maalam sa sales and marketing, alam ang ganitong trend, ika nga nila "nostalgia sells."

Sa tingin ko bukod sa nostalgia, isa ring rason kung bakit big business ngayon ang vintage toys, ay dahil ang pag mamay-ari ng mga ito ay isa ring status symbol. To own a piece of your childhood.

Maraming naniniwala na nagbibigay ng ibang kasiyahan ang mga laruan, mga piraso ng nakaraan na hindi man maibabalik, maaring maalala at maibahagi sa ating mga anak. At yan ang tunay na nagdudulot sa atin ng kasiyahan.

Photos by Abie Principe

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SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

Mapalad ka!By Karen Sanchez “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.“ John 3:16 Konnichiwa, minasama!

Kamusta po kayong ulit lahat diyan?

Alam kong naging abala na naman kayo sa magkakasunod na malalaking kaganapan diyan. Ang matagumpay na hinintay, pinanabikan, inabangabangang championship ng UTAWIT kung saan naglaban-laban o nagpagalingang umawit ang mga kababayan pinakamagaling na mang-aawit mula sa iba’t-ibang nayon o lugar diyan sa Japan. At kasunod nito ay ang pagdalaw ng ating Pangulong Duterte na tulad ng UTAWIT ay dinayo pa ng mga kababayan nating mula sa mga probinsya upang masaksihan, mapanood o makita ang mga bagay-bagay na kapana-panabik sa buhay nating nasa abroad.

Mapalad ka kababayan, alam mo ba iyon? Mapalad ka. Mapalad tayo sapagkat mahal tayo ng Diyos.

Mapalad ka dahil lumahok ka at nanalo ka sa UTAWIT. Mapalad ka at

nabubuhay kapa gaya ng kasabihan “everyday is a a blessing” at nararanasan o nasasaksihan ang mga bagay-bagay na nagaganap sa ating paligid. Dahil aminin man natin o hindi, hindi lahat ay nakakaranas o nakakasaksi nang mga bagay na nakikita at mga bagay na mayroon ka sa ngayon. Kaya dapat natin itong ipagpasalamat sa Kanya.

Mapalad tayo pagkat dahil sa pagmamahal ng Diyos na May Likha ay nalampasan natin ang anumang hindi kanaisnais na nangyari sa ating buhay.

At marahil dahil na rin po iyon sa inyong tiwala at pananampalataya at lakas na rin ng loob na harapin ang mga ito. Na lahat tayo ay may pagkakataon pang baguhin ang nais nating baguhin o gawin sa ating buhay lalung-lalo nat nalalapit na naman ang inaasam-asam ng mga tao, ang Pasko---kung saan marami na naman pera ang mga tao dahil bigayan ng bonus at mga regalo at Bagong Taon na kung saan ang ilan sa atin ay may new year’s resolution pa.

Pasko na naman at mapalad tayo dahil ito ang tanda o ang paggugunita o patunay sa pagmamahal ng Diyos ama sa tao. Binigay ang bugtong na anak para maisalba o mailigtas tayo sa kasalanan atin pang minana sa ating

pinagmulan. At ang kamatayan ni Hesukristo ang patunay sa sobra o walang sukat na pagmamahal ni Kristo. Dinanas ang matinding pasakit emosyonal at pisikal para sa ating lahat. Na minsan nalilimutan na natin ito dahil na rin sa makamundong mga bagay na inuuna natin at pinaniniwalaaan nating mas dapat nating unahin. Nawa’y mamuhay tayo ng ayon sa kagustuhan Nya nang sa ganun ay makamit natin ang tinatawag na peace of mind kung saan nasusukat dito ang tunay na kaligayahan at kapayapaan sa puso ng sangkatauhan.

Hanggang sa muli po! Nawa’y mapasa ating lahat nang kagalakan na ating inaasam-asam sa Pasko at sa Bagong Taon na darating. Kung anumang pangyayari ang nangyari na sa atin, mga bagay na hindo o ayaw na natin itong alalahanin eh dapat na natin po itong isantabi at mag move on para maganda din ang pasok ng Bagong Taon.

Smile lang po ng smile. Ito daw po ang magandang gamot sa patanda na nating mga mukha dahil sa mga karanasan sa ating buhay.

Advance Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! God Bless you all!

Photo by Marisol Kudo

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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

by Rogelio Agustin

War with the Hornets

For different reasons, I feel like I missed the whole of summer this year. Too much rain kept me away from my garden for a long time although at the least it saved me a lot on water bills. So, this summer, I kind of just left the garden on its own for a while thinking I will spare more time for them when it cools down in September. But September came with a few days of sun and too much of rain that I totally missed two months of summer gardening.

Recently I slowed down in buying more to plant but instead started cleaning up, creating more space by reducing the species to mostly perennials. I also did some heavy pruning on the roses and maple tree to bring more light to the ground. While I was cutting the branches of the rose vine, I heard some buzzing around me. I thought the bees are just curious wondering what I was doing with the rose, until I felt an intense pain on my hand which I thought was a rose thorn. But there it was, a very angry hornet (the deadly suzumebachi) was stinging my hand over my gloves! The sting was so painful I think the whole neighborhood heard my screaming!

Anyway, to make the story short I headed to washing room to wash my hands, sterilize it with vinegar and squeezed the stung part as hard as I could to get the poison out. Luckily the inflammation was minor but the pain remained for weeks. Further

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internet searches taught me that the first sting is OK but the second is deadly! A week after that painful encounter, there were many hornet/wasp stinging incidents across the country reported daily on TV. Lately did I know that hornets, wasps and bees are very active in late summer as they grow their nests and become very aggressive when disturbed. It seems like the tie I left the garden alone, these winged beings have built a few nests on my windows.

Too bad for them and for me, I accidentally knocked off one of their nests while I was cutting a branch. Can’t blame them though. Tthat incident was very traumatic that I didn’t go to tend to my garden for another few weeks!

Summer is finally over and it is getting colder than usual. The autumn flowers are out on bloom like my pink cosmos, the very tall Dahlia Imperialis, and the chrysanthemums. Strange as it may seem, the summer flowers are still in bloom like the rudbeckias (black-eyed susans), English lavenders and my mini bougainvillea. The strangest thing is finding the spring flowers like the daffodils showing up in autumn. That’s how real global warming is.

Soon it would be winter. I should be planning for spring already. I’ve already bought a box of pansies and violas. I’m still thinking about tulips but I need to create some space…sounds like I will be busy again!

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

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by Alma Reyes

CHICKENING OUT OF THE CHRISTMAS CHICKEN Now, that’s a lot of C’s; maybe a whole lot of too many things in this country as well. People often call Japan “extreme, eclectic, full of contradictions.” Certainly, when it comes to holidays, Japan has a lot of and somewhat too much of events to celebrate that practically make no sense—“Mountain Day”? Seriously?

The nice (and healthy) thing about skipping a few weeks (months, if you can afford it) away from Japan is that when you return, you realize the time away has made you unconsciously forget all the idiosyncrasies you left behind. Coming from Japan, believe me, this is a GOOD thing. Having said that, when I walked in the local supermarket in my neighborhood after being away for about a month, I was struck to see flyers on a counter advertising early reservations for the “traditional” Japanese Christmas cake and Christmas chicken. In October.

Oh God—exactly, my thoughts.

Oh, that’s right. The Christmas cake that needs to have a Santa on it; with snow-covered mountains and pine trees; the one with definitely perfectly shaped shiny, ruby strawberries; the one that looks like those French Bûche de Noël Christmas rolls, except it’s not a roll but a round cake. A Japanese family can’t have a Christmas cake without a Christmas chicken. Oh, you mean Colonel Sanders’ KFC?

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I am not a Christmas poop or a holiday poop, but I admit it has bothered me “quite” for years why Japanese feel they “have” to celebrate Christmas at all (except for Christians). It’s pretty much like Filipinos “having” to butcher sheep and feast on them on Tabaski day even if they are not Muslims, or Arabs “having” to dress up in green and invite buddies to a bar for a long night of beer fest on St. Patrick’s Day even if they're not Irish. When in Rome, do as the Romans do may make sense to foreigners living in Japan to, let’s say, line up at a Buddhist temple to say a prayer on New Year’s eve, even if they aren’t Buddhists by religion or Japanese by nationality, since they ARE LIVING in Japan. In most cases, foreigners with Japanese lovers or spouses would be “obliged” to do this to keep the “harmony” within the relation or family, especially if they have children. No strict obligation by all means, of course! NonChristian Japanese, however, buying Christmas cake and Christmas chicken, hanging Christmas wreaths on their doors, and exchanging Christmas gifts is more in the spirit of When NOT in Rome, do as the Romans do.

What actually makes the Christmas chicken less “romantic,” “sentimental,” or festive in all their appropriate meanings (after all, Christmas celebrators do like that “romantic” feeling of the holiday soft candles, tinsels and glitter, snow flakes and chimes in carols) is when you know that the so-called “tradition” of delighting

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

Alma Reyes works as an editor, writer, graphic/layout designer, and music artist promotion/event coordinator based in Toky. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, studied Computer Graphic Design at University of California Berkeley, Japanese language studies at Osaka University of Foreign Studies, and received her Master's degree in Product Design & Design Management at Kyoto Institute of Technology.

Thus, if you go around window-shopping and spot all the Christmas decors left and right, here and there (snowman, Santa, reindeers, pine trees, pine cones, Christmas stockings, wreaths, stars, snowflakes--oh, no angels or manger or those symbolically Christmas things like that), don't fret if you suddenly feel a stomach ache of artificiality as I do. Jewish people don't celebrate Christmas--thank God for them! Well, Japanese don't celebrate Thanksgiving either (not yet), but oh do they love Halloween and getting married in churches, most times by a fake priest. Those, too, belong to the When Not in Rome do as the Romans do category.

As said earlier, Japan: extreme, eclectic, full of contradictions. If you want not to understand anything in life, this is the place to be.

Happy Non-chicken Christmas!

illustration by: Dennis Sun

over chicken during Christmas was initiated in Japan by the nonetheless over-rated Kentucky Fried Chicken itself that jumped at the golden business opportunity to market chickens for Christmas as substitute for the American Thanksgiving turkey.

It’s true Christianity arrived in Japan in the 16th century, although a population of Japanese Catholics was heavily tortured thereafter for adopting the faith. It wasn’t until after the Second World War when foreign travel increased gradually, together with employment at foreign companies that Japanese soon learned the US Christmas turkey tradition, and tried to adopt this custom…why?? Who knows! To “internationalize” Japanese traditions? Finally, KFC released its successful slogan “Christmas is Kentucky,” and there you have it, Colonel Sanders was never more adored in this country. Not to spoil Valentine Day lovers, but Morinaga chocolate company did the same thing to market their chocolates on Valentine’s Day. Of course, all Japanese know all these facts. So, you can say it is really a one happy country helping businesses make business.

FREE JAPAnese lessons for work Speak proper Japanese and read kanji! in tokyo

はたらくための日本語 COURSE DURATION

placement test schedule

PLACE

COURSE

shinjuku-ku

Level 1

December 7 - February 24 nov 25 Mon-fri 10:00-13:00

nov 30 10:00 ~

shinjuku-ku

Level 3

December 5 - February 21 Mon-fri 14:00-17:00

nov 25

nov 30 14:00 ~

shinjuku-ku or shibuya-ku

Level 2

December 5 - February 21 Mon-fri 10:00-13:00

nov 25

nov 29 10:00 ~

shinjuku-ku JLPT N 3 December 7 - February 24 Mon-fri 14:00-17:00 preparation or shibuya-ku

nov 25

nov 29 14:00 ~ nov 25 10:00 ~ nov 30 14:00 ~

COURSE SCHEDULE time

application deadline

taito-ku

Level 3

December 5 -February 20 Mon-fri 09:15-12:15

nov 22

taito-ku

KAIGO class

December 5 - February 14 Mon-fri 13:00-16:00

nov 25

JOb training preparation class

December 9 -February 6 08:50-11:50 Mon-fri

nov 29

dec 2 09:30 ~

December 8 - February 23 Mon-fri 09:30-12:30

nov 18

nov 21 09:30 ~

edogawa-ku fussa shi

Level 1

classes are taught by professional Japanese language teachers. limited number of students per class so apply soon!

VISA requirement for applicants:

Spouse or Child of Japanese, Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of a Permanent Resident, Long-term Visa inquiries: SHINJUKU-ku or SHIbUya-ku:

Sone Cesar 080-4105-1518 Takemura Kimiko 070-1484-2976

taito-ku:

Hanajiro Susana 070-1484-2830

edogawa-ku:

Chin Gan 070-1484-2981

fussa-shi:

Yagi Jisera 070-1543-3716

Ang Christmas Wish Ko ni Loleng Ramos Merry Christmas Kapatid!

Ano ang wish mo ngayong Pasko? Bakasyon sa atin ba o sa medyo malayo-layo naman? Sosyal! Bagong bag na LV ba? Air Jordan sneakers? Michael Kors wallet? Ang luho mo naman!

Kotse? Hirap kaya ng parking saka ng maintenance dito, ang bilis pa ng tren! O iyong practical na lang saka pinaka-maraming gamit, Pera! Ano pa? bagong trabaho, papa, honey, ang dami nating gusto saka Pasko naman eh, kahit di ka na bata, pwede ka pa rin mag-wish, di na kay Santa, sa Real One dapat na makakapag-grant ng “whatever you wish will come true”, kaya milagro na ang hingin mo!!

Kung pagbibigyan mo ako, gusto ko mag share ng wish ko, mga wishes ko. Gusto ko sana huwag na madagdagan ang puting buhok ko hahah, kase parang nakikita ko dumadami na sila, iyong balat, pwede bang balik sa dati? Naku

mahirap man aminin, may sagging na, iyong tipo bang bakit dati di ko kailangan ng lotion ngayon parang emergency ang isang litro, isang buwan! Ito yata ang milagrong gusto ko, eternal youth!!! Pero hindi! Gusto ko to “age gracefully”, hindi ako magpapasindak sa mga pagbabagong panglabas, mahal kaya ng botox saka facelift! Gusto ko maging paalala lang ang mga “physical changes” na mas marami pang dapat pagtuunan ng pansin sa buhay, hindi lang panay sarili, bukod sa pamilya, meron pang iba na kailangan ding alalahanin, lalo na ngayong Pasko.

2. Kung may anak ka, naranasan mo na ba na mawala kahit saglit lang ang tsikiting mo kase nakatakbo pala ng malayo? Para kang aatakihin kahit wala ka namang sakit sa puso ano? Sana lahat ng mga batang nawawala, na-kidnap katulad nina Megumi Yokota na dinukot ng mga North Korean, sana makauwi na sila sa kanilang mga magulang.

3. Ano ang mas gusto mong palamuti kapag Pasko, christmas tree o parol? Ako, iyong Belen.

Natutuwa ako sa maliliit na figurine na nasa sentro si Baby Jesus. Kapag iniaayos ko na ito, palagi ko naiisip, siguro ganito ang posisyon nila talaga noong unang 1. Naranasan mo na bang Pasko at ang mga hayup, magtago? Tulad na lang ng mawalan ng visa at manganib na nakayuko sila na parang sumasaludo sa pagdating ng ma-deport? Paano kaya kung gusto nating umuwi kasi sabik na sanggol na Hari. Nakakaintindi sila, sabik na tayo sa Pilipinas pero wala bahagi sila ng Pasko, kasama sila. na pala tayong bansa! Tapos ang Gusto ko talaga maalala ng Japan, ayaw na sa ating mga gaijin maraming tao, lalo na iyong mga kase pabigat na tayo, wala nang hindi nakakaisip na may damdamin din ang mga hayup, trabaho, hawak na ng mga hindi sila dapat pinagmamamamayan nila? Alam mo malupitan o pinapatay ng walang kapatid sa Syria, grabe sa katuturan. hirap ang kalagayan nila.

Limang taon na ang giyera sa kanilang bansa, kalahati Heto ang aking mga na yata ng populasyon nila, Christmas wish, alam ko, in due time, migrants na ngayon at refugees sa maraming bansa matutupad lahat!

Merry Christmas, sa Europe. Sana kapatid! maibalik na sa mga Syrian ang kanila bansa, ang kanilang buhay, dignidad at mabuo muli ang kanilang pamilya!

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

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Moving on... ni Jasmin Vasquez “Pasko na naman ngunit wala ka pa, hangang kailan kaya, ako maghihintay sa iyo? Bakit ba naman kailangan lumisan pa? Ang tanging hangad ko lang ay makapiling ka. Sana ngayong Pasko ay maalala mo pa rin ako hinahanap hanap pag-ibig mo... At kahit wala ka na nangangarap at umaasa pa rin ako. Muling makita ka at makasama ka sa araw ng Pasko.”

Hay naku! Kapag sumapit na ang ganitong panahon, palagi ko na lamang naririnig itong kantang ito. Tulad ko, naaalala mo pa rin ba sya?

Bumabalik din ba ang mga matatamis na alaala ninyong dalawa? Parang kailan lang ang saya-saya nyo pero dumating yung panahon na bigla ka niyang iniwan ng hindi mo alam kung anong dahilan, at ikaw, hanggang ngayon, umaasa pa rin na isang araw babalik siya.

Mahigit dalawang dekada na nang ako ay kanyang iniwan at pinagpalit sa iba. Noong una, sobra akong nasaktan dahil siya ang kauna-unahang tao na nagmahal sa akin bilang kasintahan. Unang hawak kamay. Unang kiss. Unang tibok ng pusong pakiramdam mo ay nadidinig ng lahat dahil sa sobrang lakas ng pintig. Yung akala ko na hindi ko malalagpasan ang lahat pero eto ako ngayon. Pagkalipas ng maraming pagsubok ng panahon.

Tinatak ko na lamang sa aking isipan na ‘everything happens for a reason’. Maaring ito talaga ang nakatakdang mangyari. Wika nga nila ay tadhana.

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Isang araw, pagkagaling ko sa trabaho tulad ng aking nakagawian, ako ay nag check ng aking Facebook account sa aking cellphone. People you may know: XXXXX XXXXXX... nang bigla kong makita ang kanyang name. Bigla ko siyang naalala. Kumusta na nga kaya sya? Dahil gusto ko malaman ano na ang look nya tiningnan ko yung profile nya. Medyo inaantok antok na ako that time. Sa sobrang pagod ay marahil nabitawan ko ito. Nang biglang... Klinggggg (message tone ng fb) xxxxxxxxx accepted your friend request.....

Waahhhh! Bigla akong napabalikwas sa aking higaan. Oh, my God! Anong nangyari? Bakit ganoon? Biglang nawala ang antok ko. Hindi ko alam na na tap pala ng di ko sadya yung add friend. Ayun nag sorry ako sa kanya sabi ko: “Pasensya ka na ha, di ko alam na add pala kita...”

Iyon yung naging start para magkausap kami ulit. Nag-sorry siya at ako naman matagal na akong naka move-on sa mga nangyari. Naging malaking bahagi siya ng buhay ko. At dahil dito, naging matatag ako bilang isang babae, magpasa hanggang ngayon although nasaktan pero naging motivation ko iyon to stand on my own, to be a much better and a stronger woman who can overcome trials no matter how hard it is. You know sometimes, hindi sa lahat ng heartaches ay talo ka. Hindi mo alam na minsan, mas makakabuti iyon dahil may nag hihintay sa iyo na mas magandang buhay. Sabi nga nila, kung talagang para kayo sa isa at isa, sa bandang huli kayo pa rin. Pero sa nakikita ko ngayon, maayos naman ang buhay niya kasama ng pamilya niya. At masaya ako dahil pagkatapos ng lahat, magkaibigan pa rin kami.

Salamat sa padala mong moon-

cake. Sana may kasunod pa. Pero kung mapilit ka, hihihi sige, thanks.

Dito sa Japan, mabubuhay ka naman kahit wala kang lovelife. Bakit? Kasi dito priority ang trabaho. Trabaho ng trabaho hanggat kaya. Kaya nga yang mga heartaches niyo, madali lang yang lampasan. Pag-araw ng pahinga mo, pasyal ka lang, punta sa karaoke at ikanta mo yan at malilibang ka. At kay dami mong pwedeng pasyalan.

Napakaganda ng Skytree at Disneyland sa Tokyo. May Mt. Fuji sa Yamanashi.

Kung gusto mo mamili ng mga gadgets na mura, punta ka ng Akihabara. Kaya nga kung magsisipag ka magtrabaho, lahat ng lugar na gusto mong puntahan, mapupuntahan mo, at di mo mapapansin na wala na palang space sa puso mo yung mga lungkut-lungkot na yan dahil malamig ang iyong Pasko at kahit anong panahon pa yan: taglamig, tag-init at tag-ulan, at kailanman. Importante pa nga minsan yung may mga tropa ka o kaibigan na para mo na ring mga kapatid na palaging andyan kasama mo. Katulad ngayong Pasko, malayo tayo sa pamilya natin sa Pilipinas kaya eto ang palagi kong nakakasama mga tropa ko, kantahan na lang tayo.

Let sing Merry Christmas and a happy holiday this season! May we never forget the love we have for Jesus. Let him be the One to guide us as another New Year starts. And may the spirit of Christmas, be always in our hearts.

Merry Christmas and A happy New Year to all my family, friends, and all the readers of Jeepney Press e-magazine. Till next time!

About the writer:

Jasmin is a person who is very positive about every aspect in life. She’s passionate, optimistic & a dedicated woman who takes up responsibilities with utmost enthusiasm. She has a great amount of perseverance to achieve her goals. Her optimistic and planned approach in things she does is what is driving her towards success.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

Learn Japanese language skills needed in the NURSING profession!

Kaigo course in tokyo, FREE! From December 5, 2016 - February 14, 2017 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Monday - Friday

Sakuradamon Gate, Imperial Palace Garden TOKYO, JAPAN DECEMBER 4, 2016

Deadline of application is on November 25! Hurry!!!

Location of class in TAITO-KU IRIYA STATION along HIBIYA LINE LIBRE! FREE! WALANG BAYAD! MURIO! LIBRE! FREE! WALANG BAYAD! MURIO!

Interested applicants, call: HANASHIRO SUSANA 070-1484-2830

BEEP-BEEP!

Guest Runners Toyo University Track and Field Team Sponsored by: AIRMART

by Jose Miguel Parungao

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

Ngayong pasko, medyo gipit sa pera, kaya kailangan na dapat ituro kay bunso ang tunay na kahulugan ng pasko.

Kailangan niyang malaman na hindi regalo lamang ang pasko. Ang pasko ay araw ng kaarawan ni Hesukristo.

Tulad ng kanyang turo, dapat sabihin natin sa mga anak natin na ang tunay na kahukugan ng pasko ay pag-ibig kaya isinilang siya. Ang pagmamahal natin sa bawat isa ay ang pinakamagandang regalo na pwede nating ibigay sa ating mga anak.

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Neriza Sarmiento-Saito's

ON THE ROAD TO...

Sabay Sa Ihip ng Hangin With JOEY CRUZ MANALANG Grand Prize Winner, 1st POLO-OWWA Songwriting Competition

The supermoon appeared surreal on the 16th of October... 14% larger and 30% brighter. That was when Bob Dylan was chosen for the Nobel Prize for Culture, a recognition on the contribution of musicians to culture and the arts and to humanity.

Others were surprised at how he bested other contenders like Japan's Haruki Murakami for the coveted award. In a "dog-eat-dog" world of music, only the tough and the iconic can prevail. For instance, "The Beatles,� who started their career at a small bar in Liverpool, are now commemorating their 50th Anniversary.

In Japan, some Filipino musicians have probably been heard from the bars in Roppongi to the streets and alleys in Shinsaibashi. And one of them is now making a name for himself. He is JOEY CRUZ MANALANG, this year's grand prize winner in the 1st POLO OWWA Songwriting Competition, organized by the Filcom Community in Tokyo in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy, Philippine Overseas Labor Office represented by Labor AttachĂŠ Ms. Luz Talento and OWWA Welfare Association Welfare Officer Ms. Carmelita T. Raquiza. With the theme "Buhay at Pag-ibig ng OFW," this event was held on Aug. 28, 2016 at Azabu Kumin Hall in Tokyo with about 300 people in the audience.

Joey was just a normal kid who played with jolens and teks, turumpo and patintero in a neighborhood in Kamuning where he lived with his parents and 9 siblings. However, there was one old toy that he was particularly fond of.

A battery operated jukebox! And that

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magic jukebox ignited his passion for music. At 12 years old, he started playing the piano and the acoustic guitar.

As if written in the stars, his first visit to

Tokyo in 1978 with his family, was Joey's sojourn with music. He and his brother were lost in Akihabara looking for Voltes 5. They were frantic but waited and waited until their parents came back to the same spot they

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wandered off. As a teener, he began to write songs, and gave them as presents in cassette tapes to "chicks " he loved before. Some of those early compositions were sent to record companies and songwriting contests like the Metro Pop in the 80's but the budding composer had yet to hone his skill.

Joey's dad was against his wish to study Fine Arts, so reluctantly, he finished Architecture in UST. But still, his fate brought him back to Japan.

After training with his other brothers on operating machines for furnitures, he returned to Kyoto to study Nihonggo. It was his involvement in some musical productions of the Kansai Nippi Tomo No Kai and the Philippine Community Coordinating Council that defined his musicality! His song "Nippon" among others was featured in our original production of "Loretta de la Rosa Tanaka," funded by the Gender Equality Foundation of the Osaka Prefectural Government. At the 1998 Centennial Celebration of Philippine Independence, Joey was musical director of "Ang Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas" that I wrote and directed. Joey followed this up in 1999 with his original story "The Gaijin" and more original songs that highlighted Joey's talent. Again, this project received the support of the Levi's Community Fund of the Japan Center for International Exchange. These projects, rekindled his passion for his first love -- Music ! And soon he also pursued his other interests like movies and photography. He went to the New York Film Academy in 2001 to study film directing and screenwriting where he witnessed the 9/11

tragedy. He moved to Los Angeles Film School to study cinematography and it also gave him time for bonding with his siblings in Seattle and Austin. Coming back to Japan in 2007, he was involved in major film projects like "The Last Samurai" starring Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe, "Lost in Translation" (Bill

Murray), The Grudge "Bill Pullman and recently, the independent Sci-fiction movie "Equals" starring Kristen Stewart.

Asked about how he got into the POLO-OWWA contest, he nonchalantly said that his friend, Oyee Barro, encouraged him to join to the point of sending e-mails and text messages and calling him everyday until he finally agreed.

"Actually, I was trying to concentrate on scriptwriting since 2005. And I am really getting surprises this year! Imagine, my original 20 minute film "El Diablo" co-produced with my friend Philippe Brochen got a Rising Star Award at the Canadian Film Festival and an Honorable Mention for Best Cinematography by the Los Angeles Film Review. And now the Best Composition Award at the Himig At Pag-ibig ng OFW 1st Song-

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writing Contest! And would you believe that I only hummed the melody on my cellphone during my lunch break!"

His winning composition echoes the joys, triumphs and woes of millions of OFW's. The lyrics of his song is simple yet something that will struck the heart of every OFW. His conscious effort to care for and worry about his kin. Unmindful of wherever the wind will carry them‌ AKO ANG PINOY SA HONGKONG, SA AMERIKA, SA SAUDI, SA DUBAI, SA AFRICA, SA EUROPE AT SA JAPAN (I'm the Filipino in HK, America, Saudi, Dubai, Africa, Europe and in Japan) He also mentioned his idol Senator Manny Pacquiao, who won the WBO's Welterweight title last Nov. 3 in America.

HINDI KO NAMAN HANGAD YUMAMAN, KASINGYAMAN NI PACQUIAO! (I'm not aspiring to be rich, as rich as Pacquiao) Then Joey goes on with... NAIS KO LANG MAKAAHON, MAKAAHON SA KAHIRAPAN... ( I want to be released... Released from Poverty) When he sang "Sabay Sa Ihip ng Hangin" at the Program during the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte at the Palace Hotel in Tokyo on Oct. 25, his "kababayans" cheered for him. His song will be featured in the airwaves for a month on FM radio MOR 101.9 in the Philippines.

Knowing Joey "like the back of my hand" may be an exaggeration but I am very sure that he will shine brighter and appear bigger like the mega supermoon because this "rock and roller" will get us all moonstruck with his songs.

Songs from the Heart of the Filipino Overseas Worker!

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A. The UTAWIT National Execom Chairman: Ms. Irene Kaneko, B. UTAWIT Adviser: Charge D’Affairs and Consul General, The Philippine Embassy, Tokyo, Japan: Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio , C. The Emcees: Dennis Sun and Glen Gypsy

The UTAWIT Honorable Board of Judges: Dr Mel Kasuya (Chairman), Mr Tony Herrera, Ms Emma Cordero, Ms Eva Yokoyama, Maestro Hisayuki Yoshioka, Mr Susumu Yoshida, Ms Cristina Kanakubo The guests enjoying their dinner buffet while listening to the great voices of the grand finalists held at The New Sanno Hotel on October 22, 2016.

Photos by: Nick Aguilar 40

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1st

UTAWIT 2016 GRAND GRAND CHAMPION: Vanessa Yoshida Regional Group Winner: Oita-Philippines Friendship Association

2nd

UTAWIT 2016 Grand Final Result OVER-ALL R ANK ING: 1. Vanessa Yoshida - Oita 2. Ernest Acson - Shizuoka 3. Miki Orbigoso - Tokyo 4. Edralin Ishizaki - Tokyo 5. Jocelyn Kuroda - Nagano 6. Mary Ann Sasaki - Iwate 7. Ronilo Jose Flores - Kyoto 8. Asuka Hirata - Fukuoka 9. Aya Ozaki - Kagawa 10. Aloha Tanaka - Nagoya 11. Jamaica Hoshino - Sendai

2nd Place winner: Ernest Acson Regional Group Winner:Philippine NAKAMA (Shizuoka)

3rd The RAFFLE headed by the Samahang Pilipino - Tokyo Execom Members with Avel Estolas.

Winner of the Cebu Pacific plane ticket is Ms Cristina Kanakubo from Saitama.

3rd Place winner: Miki Orbigoso Regional Group Winner: Abraenian Association in Japan

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Winner of plane ticket sponsored by ACT Tourist is Ms Virginia Salaver Ishii from Nagoya.

Congratulations!

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The UTAWIT EXECOM would like to thank our BELOVED SPONSORS: Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, International Support Driving, Ms Emma Cordero Seven Bank, Ihawan of Mama Aki, ACT Tourist, Red Media Production Excellent Cordes Co. Ltd., Daisy’s Balikbayan Box, Asia Vox Ltd. Thank you very much, Mr Ruben Castillo, for your kindness, support and trust to the Utawit Execom group.

Photos by: Nick Aguilar 42

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There’s no stopping the UTAWIT BEAT!

Model: Irene Sun-Kaneko Make-up Artist: Bianca Vela Designer & Stylist: Philip D. Torres Photographed by: Borj Meneses Graphic Design: Dennis Sun

Bridging Fashion with Culture

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Salamat po!

photo by: Marisol Kudo