Jeepney Press 90 November - December 2017

PAHAYAGANG PINOY SA JAPAN 在日フィリピン

人 向 け マ ガ ジン

ジープニー プレス

Celebrating The Journeys Of Filipinos In Japan November - December 2017

PAHAYAGANG PINOY SA JAPAN

ジープニー プレス 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 2017

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

CONTENTS

06 YOMU Editorial

by Dennis Sun 08 Life Is A Journey

by Glen Gypsy 10 Musings Of A Gardener

by Rogelio Agustin

12 The Colors of Autumn 16 Kwento Ni Nanay

by Anita Sasaki

18 On The Road To:

by Neriza Saito 20 Signpost

by Karen Sanchez

22 Isang Araw Sa Ating Buhay

by Jeff Plantilla 24 Kapatiran

by Loleng Ramos

26 Moving On

by Jasmin Vasquez 27 Advice Ni Tita Lits

by Isabelita ManalastasWatanabe

28 Notes2Life

by Marilyn Rivera 04

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november- december 2017 30 UTAWIT 2017 Grand Final 32 Lean Cano: A Journey to the Top 36 Mikey Orbigoso My Utawit Journey 37 Masaki Okawachi’s “Journey” in Utawit 38 TRAFFIC:

by Alma Reyes

Be honest, be nice Be a flower, not a weed.

- Aaron Neville

Photo by Dennis Sun 06

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017

EDITORIAL by Dennis Sun hen it comes to Filipinos in Japan, Jeepney Press has you covered. Delivering stories of Filipino voices in the Land of the Rising Sun, the pages of Jeepney Press, from the time it was on paper print to the time it metamorphosed into the digital edition, were packed with writings, photos, illustrations, and designs which display the creative excellence of the Filipinos in Japan. Jeepney Press dedicates your reading pleasure as enjoyable as possible by delivering diverse and colorful features and artworks from Filipinos across the islands of Japan.

I write this as I wait my flight leaving Tokyo for the long winter holidays. Narita International Airport is full-packed with so many foreigners, tourists and foreign residents, going back to their home country to reunite with their family, friends and loved ones.

YOMU means “to read” in Japanese.

couldn’t cope up with the way the country is running.

Too much corruption. Pollution. Too many natural and man-made disasters. Brownout. Traffic. Noise. Dirt.

Garbage everywhere. Undisciplined people. Unsafe.

This could go on forever.

Since it’s the holiday season, let’s think more positive.

For those who went back home to the Philippines, let’s enjoy the short time with the family and friends. Go to the beach. Watch a few movies. Get a massage. And delight on those food you have been craving for. For those who stayed in Japan, enjoy the technology and convenience our new home country has to offer. Take a trip to the onsen. Sweat it out in the sauna. Have fun with the snow and build a snowman!

The year is almost over. As we say sayonara to 2017, let’s reflect on our lives and see what happened to our lives this year. Let’s give thanks to the people who made us happy and bless those people who made it a difficult year for us to survive. Soon, we start anew!

Whether it’s a holiday season or not, we do have this instinct of going back to our origin. There is always a voice inside all of us that calls us to go back to a place called HOME. For a few days. For a week.

Some months. A year or two. For some, it’s time to go back home for good.

But where is HOME exactly? Perhaps, for some of us, Japan is home already. I know so many people who have spent their lives living in Japan longer than they did in the Philippines. I always ask them if they plan to retire in the Philippines. Some have tried and were okay.

Some have come back to Japan. They

You’re here for just a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry.

And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.

- Walter Hagen

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07

by Glen Gypsy Life is like riding a bicycle, to stay balanced, you must keep on moving!

08

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017

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

From Winter to Autumn

10

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017

Musings of a Gardener This year I have been traveling so much that I basically spent very little time in my garden. My trips though gave me a chance to see other gardens in different seasons and also meet some people with the same interest. There are so many other reasons and excuses why I almost neglected my garden, my work schedule, the wasps…and the weird weather. But somehow my garden survived in my absence so as I have learned through the years, I can leave it alone and I don’t have to worry so much when I’m gone.

Last time I was lamenting about not seeing summer so I looked forward to autumn only to see my plants battered by the strong rains and winds. And later on there were some winterlike cold days that some of my plants withered because of frost. And a few weeks ago I went to Hokkaido and saw heavy snow so I thought there’s no autumn to see anymore. But when I got home, my garden was an autumn paradise! My maple tree finally showed its crimson hues, different chrysanthemums are blooming here and there. The tall dahlias that got knocked down by the winds lay down on the ground and still bloomed!

So the garden survived without me. What a relief. It will be winter very soon so I will just leave the garden alone and let it go to sleep until next spring.

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11

The Colors of Autumn

as seen by Filipino Eyes

by Marisol Punzalan Kudo 12

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by Rogelio Bella Agustin

by Marisol Punzalan Kudo NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017

13

by Nick Santiago 14

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by Dennis Sun

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15

KWENTO NI NANAY

by Anita Sasaki Photo by Marisol Punzalan Kudo nararamdaman at pag aalala kaya ipagdarasal kita Ginoong Daga.

Asahan mo ang aking mga panalangin.”

AN ANIMATED STORY WITH A MORAL LESSON AT THE END. ISTORIYA NG MGA HAYOP NA MAY MAPUPULUTANG ARAL. May daga na nakasilip sa butas ng dingding ng bahay ng magsasaka at ng kanyang maybahay na may binubuksang regalo. Pagkain kaya ito ang isip ng daga ngunit laking kabiguan niya nang makita ang laman ng regalo ay patibong sa daga (mouse trap).

At bumaling ang daga sa baka at muling nagsisigaw. “May patibong!

May panghuli ng daga sa bahay! May panghuli ng daga sa bahay!”

At ang sabi ng baka sa daga, “Wow Ginoong Daga, bale wala sa akin yan.

“Pacencia na po.”

At nakatungong lulugo si Ginoong Daga na bumalik sa bahay para harapin ang panghuli ng daga.

Nang gabing yon ay mayroon ingay na narinig sa buong kabayan. Ang tubig ay parang mayroong hinuhuli, ang panghuli ng daga.

Bumalik sa farm ang daga at binalaan ang mga kasamang hayop. “May patibong sa bahay!

May patibong sa bahay!

Mayroong panghuli nang daga, may panghuli nang daga!”

Ang maybahay ng magsasaka ay tumakbo para makita kung ano ang nahuli. Dahil sa madilim, di niya nakita agad na ang buntot ng makamandag na ahas ang siyang nahuli nang patibong at ang maybahay nang magsasaka ay nakagat nang ahas.

Ang manok ay biglang nagkalaykay ang mga paa at itinaas ang ulo. At tumilaok at ang sabi, “Ginoong Daga, alam kong malaking problema sa iyo ito.

Ngunit sa akin, hindi ako nababahala nito.”

Kaya ang maybahay ng magsasaka ay isinugod sa pagamutan at umuwi siya na may lagnat. Alam naman natin na ang manok na sinabawan ay mabuti ipakain sa may lagnat o maysakit. Kaya kumuha ang magsasaka ng lulutuing manok sa manukan.

Kaya ang hinarap ng daga ay ang baboy at nag pababala. “May patibong sa bahay! May panghuli ng daga! May panghuli nang daga.”

Nagpatuloy ang karamdaman ng maybahay. Dumaksa ang mga kaibigan, kapitbahay na dumalaw sa maybahay na maysakit.

At ang baboy ay nakidalamhati sa daga, at ang sabi ng baboy, “Naiintindihan ko ang inyong

16

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017

Para mapakain ang mga bisitang dumadalaw. Ang ginawa nang magsasaka ay kumuha ng baboy na kakatayin upang mapakain sa mga bisitang dumadalaw.

Nguni’t ang maybahay ng magsasaka ay namatay. Maraming tao ang nakiramay. Kaya kinakailangan ng magsasaka na magkatay nang baka upang maipakain sa mga nakiramay at nakikilibing.

Napatingin na lang si Ginoong Daga sa maliit na lamat sa kanyang dingding na nag umpisa nang malaking kalungkutan sa mag asawang magsasaka.

Kaya sa susunod, pag meron tayong narinig na nanganganib na tao o pamilya at inakala natin na tayo ay walang pakialam sa problema nila.... isipin po natin PAG MAYROONG ISANG NASA PANGANIB, TAYO AY DAMAY DIN SA PANGANIB. Tayong lahat sa lakbay ng ating buhay na tinatawag natin sa Ingles na “LIFE”, dapat maging bukas ang ating mga mata or dapat sensitive tayo sa mga pangangailangan nang ibang tao at mag extra effort naman tayo to encourage one another.

At dito para malaman nila na IMPORTANTE SILA SA ATIN MAGING SINO MAN SILA. AT NAKATULONG DIN SILA SA ATIN MINSAN SA ATING BUHAY. REMEMBER…. ANG BAWAT ISA SA ATIN AY IMPORTANTENG HIBLA NANG ATING CANVAS OR TELON NANG ATING BUHAY. AT ANG ATING BUHAY, HINABI TAYO NANG MAGKASAMA NANG MAYROON DAHILAN.

133-0057 Tokyo, Edogawa-ku, Nishi Koiwa 4-1-22 Takeda Bldg 6th Floor

Neriza Sarmiento - Saito's On the Road to:

Interacting with the Filipino ALT's in Japan with HERBERT BENZON

One famous story about our national hero, Jose "Pepe" Rizal, was that of young moths frolicking around the oil lamp one evening as Jose "Pepe" Rizal was studying with his mother. He was not paying attention to his mother and was more engrossed with thinking how the light seemed to be dazzling and attractive for the little moths that fell into the oil one by one.

In Kobe's Harborland, Umie is a popular place for locals and tourists which consist of the South Mall, the North Mall and Mosaic that stretches along the beautifully illuminated waterfront! This is where Rizal's kababayan "Herbert Benzon" watches, not the moths but, the ships sailing by. And this is where he spends quiet moments in his favorite restaurant, away from his "choc-abloc" schedule as an "ALT" (Assistant Language Teacher) of the Hyogo Board of Education.

Herbert was born in Los Banos, Laguna. In the 1960's, his parents met at the boarding house his mother's family owned. His father was a boarder there while studying Agriculture at the University of the Philippines in Los Banos. His mother was a librarian in UP Diliman campus. After 10 years, they tied the knot and since then, the Benzon family made the scenic town of Los Banos their home.

Well-known for hot springs and tasty buko pie and the majestic view of the legendary mountain said to be protected by a very beautiful goddess, Maria Makiling.

Herbert received his MS in Microbiology in UPLB and taught

18

Economics and Water Shed management in the town of Pahiyas. Two years later, after reading an Ad looking for researchers, he moved to Japan and was immediately hired in 2010 as a researcher of climate change at the Asia Pacific Network for Global Changes. The visa grant was only for 3 years so Herbert switched to a teaching job in Kakogawa.

As if a parallel to what Natsumi Soseki's "Botchan" experienced as a teacher, Herbert got his share of the challenges faced by

educators in the real classroom.

Contrary to some preconceived ideas about education in Japan especially on the secondary level, Japanese teachers of English as well as the ALT's do not only have to break communication barriers but will also have to deal with unruly behavior of today's teenagers and their "toxic parents" who do not respect boundaries, sometimes intimidating and overly critical of the school and those who hover over their child, hence, the term helicopter parents.

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On his very first day of teaching, a student assaulted a teacher, on one occasion, the science lab was set on fire, and he even saw one student who was about to jump off a building! But all of these did not stop him from pursuing his passion for teaching.

Patient and warmhearted Herbert endeared himself to the students.

Aside from his teaching job, Herbert is also the Auditor of the Philippine Community Coordinating Council (PCCC) for two consecutive terms now. His pet project for this umbrella organization of Filipino Communities in Kansai is a 2-day Leadership Formation Seminar for community leaders to be held in Nibuno Himeji, where Jeepney Press editor-in-chief Dennis Sun is the guest speaker! He

He would always ask why they did not have breakfast or why they seemed not in the mood and they would open up to him about their family problems

foreigner in Japan.

and Herbert was quick to give them proper advice. As a teacher, he was very innovative and uses creative approaches in teaching. With 480 names of students to memorize, and hundreds of original visual aids to make and updating himself with current learning strategies for language development and enabling students to equip themselves with 21st century skills like critical thinking, exploring new ideas instead of simply memorizing, Herbert was able to inspire many students with his own experiences as a

"I always see this as a starting point to help my students discover their own potential and improve from there!"

Eventually, he was offered the position of head foreign teacher in Kakogawa. He would visit other schools where ALT's were assigned to observe and evaluate their teaching methods.

Sometimes, he had to give demonstration classes to newcomers. Occasionally, he was asked to sit at meetings with the Hyogo Board of Education and the prestigious English Education Company, INTERAC, that employs native English teachers to schools nationwide.

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hopes that this project will give Filcom leaders in Kansai a better perspective on how to lead their respective groups into the right direction.

"I'm just happy to be able to help people especially my compatriots.

You know, it is a different feeling... a great sense of achievement and satisfaction".

Herbert Benzon, from Laguna will surely lead his students and his fellow Filipinos into the "light" but unlike the fate of the moths that Jose Rizal saw, they will not let their wings burn in the flames and fall.

They will instead soar up high and succeed!

MASAYANG PASKO AT MALUGOD NA PAGSALUBONG SA 2018 ANG NAIS NAMING IPAHATID SA INYONG LAHAT !

19

By Karen Sanchez Konnichiwa Minasama!

Christmas is coming and I know everyone is busy again preparing their gifts and schedules where to spend their Christmas and with whom to celebrate it.

And I just want to share our story with you guys, to encourage you of how

Language is not a hindrance important to be friendly, optimistic, understanding and patient to everything here in this world.

The world or universe is difficult, hard, too big and too expensive for us to travel and get from place to another. Only people who has lots of money can do these things without thinking and doing hard work.

I want to share our story and this is the story of friendship and understanding despite of some differences. This story started December 2010 during Christmas eve at Jaragua Hotel and Casino in Sto. Domingo, Dominican

20

Republic when my Japanese and Korean friends (businessmen) met. They were both single or alone during Christmas obviously because of work and business. It started when Kim (Korean) greeted Gen (Japanese) by saying "Merry Christmas, Tsino?� Are you a Chinese? Asking in Spanish language then Gen replied "Merry Christmas too, Hapon" and they continued to play black jack and went back home without saying goodbye to each other.

After a week, they met again at the Casino. Kim approached Gen again asking if he can borrow his chips and Gen gave him a 5000 chip and he was surprised. Then again, they went home without saying goodbye that night.

On the third week, they met again. When Kim saw Gen, he wanted to return the money he borrowed and Gen replied "no, no problem.... me win" which means he gave that chip as a tip.

And from that moment, they became friends without talking too much but smoking, drinking and playing casino together.

And some things followed like they told each other where they were staying and working at, through every single, simple and easy English and Spanish words, signs, facial expressions and body language which they can both communicate with each other.

After two years in some

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coincidental reasons, when I want to go far from Japan and Gen needs a translator and called me if I want to take a vacation for a month and of course I went there and met Kim and his family.

I enjoyed the beautiful beaches, hotels, foods, soccer, everything I can't imagine when I was simply working here in the Philippines even in Japan. And I went back there again for two times.

After 5 years without any communication, who will expect that Kim will visit us here in the Philippines by searching our restaurant address in google and facebook with the help of his son who now can understand English very well and message me thru facebook that his

father is coming and wanted to meet us again which surprised us and made us wonder and of course we are so happy.

Being with my two friends, I need to change my English grammar into "english barok" which is not straight or fluent for them to understand easier.

I need to use our inborn Spanish and some Korean Language which I learned and heard from Korean

telenovela. I need to use my common sense and IQ so that I can communicate with them.

And of course being patient, listening to what they are saying, trying to say and wanted to tell me. Learning these things is a challenge for me. And being with them is a blessing because it helps me improve myself more. I can learn from them of how being a businessman or woman can be. How to run business abroad and how I can be a good and trusted friend.

A lot of challenges in life which now I can weigh and make it lighter than it used to be. With my own techniques and thinking I know everything will be okay but of course with the power of "prayers". We can do nothing and we cannot become successful in anything

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017

without the blessings from our creator.... GOD. This world is full of "plastic" or untrue people, pretenders, liars taking advantage to the people who are very kind to them. The person who helps them in times of troubles and problems but after they got what they want, they will leave as if they don't know you in anyway.

So guys, base on my own experiences, we must think that we can become successful in our very own way, by standing all alone with our feet. Don't be afraid to take challenges because it will help you grow in all aspects in life.... so before this year ends, I want you to go on and on in life no matter how hard or difficult it is.

Merry Christmas everyone!!! :-)

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ni Jeff Plantilla Ang dating haram (bawal) na pagmamaneho ng kotse ng mga babae ay pinayagan na sa Saudi Arabia. Ito ay dahil sa bagong hirang na Prinsipe ng Saudi kingdom.

Sinabi ng gobyerno ng Saudi Arabia na napapanahon na para baguhin ang patakaran.

Ang kapansin-pansin dito ay ang dahilan: panahon na para magbago.

Kaisipan Tungkol sa Panahon Sa isang bansa, sinabi sa amin na maghintay ng 2

minuto at matatapos na ang aming transaksyon.

Inabot kami ng 2 oras. Hindi namin naisip na bukambibig lamang ang 2 minuto, at hindi dapat paniwalaan. Pero hindi rin namin alam at hindi kami sinabihan kung hanggang kailan kami maghihintay.

Dati sa Pilipinas, kapag sinabing ala-una, puwedeng ala-una imedya o puwede ring alas-dos.

Pero ngayon, kailangang matawagan o padalhan 22

ng text/message ang naghihintay para sa oras ng pagdating kung mahuhuli. Nabago ang sistema, bagama’t nahuhuli pa rin, at hinihintay pa rin.

Sabi naman ng isang kakilala, sa isang bansa sa Europe na istrikto sa oras, tama sa oras ang pagsisimula sa umaga nguni’t singbilis ng alas-kwatro sa pag-uwi (walang extension ng panahon sa trabaho kahit konti).

May kani-kaniyang kaisipan tungkol sa panahon, depende sa kalagayan ng lipunan.

Dahil sa communication technology nagbabago din ang kaisipan tungkol sa panahon. Hindi ba’t may mga taong hindi mapakali kapag hindi nakatanggap ng sagot sa kanyang mensahe sa loob lamang ng ilang minuto?

Hindi ba’t halos hindi mabitawan ang smartphone dahil naghihintay ng bagong mensahe, lalo na sa social media?

Itong pagiging mainipin sa paghihintay sa sagot sa mensaheng ipinadadala sa pamamagitan ng e-mail, Line, Viber, Facebook, Twitter o ano pa mang social media ay ang bagong addiction. Nagiging addict na ang mga tao sa mabilis na palitan ng mensahe, istorya, balita, biro at litrato.

Mga Pagbabago sa Japan Sa teknolohiya, walang tigil ang pagbabago sa Japan – taon-taon may

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bago o may pag-unlad sa dating teknolohiya.

Para sa ating mga Pilipino, may mga pagbabago tungkol sa batas at sistema na naging dahilan ng pagdating ng maraming kababayan dito sa Japan.

Nung 1990, ipinatupad ang pagbabago sa batas tungkol sa immigration (Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act) at nagkaroon ng “spouse or child of a Japanese national” residence status para sa mga apo (nikkeijin na tinatawag) ng Hapones sa Pilipinas, at para sa kanilang asawa “long-term resident” status naman. Ito ang malaking dahilan kung bakit maraming nakapunta sa Japan simula nung 1990s na mga Pilipinong may dugong Hapones.

Nung 2008, nagdesisyon ang Korte Suprema ng Japan na napapanahon na para baguhin ang batas tungkol sa pagbibigay ng citizenship sa mga batang may amang Hapones na hindi kasal sa kanilang inang Pilipina at hindi nag-acknowledge sa kanila bago sila ipinanganak. Dahil dito nabago din ang batas tungkol sa Japanese citizenship nung 2008.

Kaya maraming batang Pilipino (yung wala pang 20 anyos) na nasa Japan na makakakuha na ng Japanese citizenship, at yung mga nasa Pilipinas ay makakapunta sa Japan para makakuha ng citizenship na ito.

Dahil sa pagbabago ng

batas, nagkaroon ng bagong visa para sa mga Pilipinong nanay para alagaan dito ang mga anak na Japanese citizen o puwedeng maging Japanese citizen.

Nung 2010, binago uli ang batas ng immigration para naman mapoprotekhan ang mga trainees sa pamamagitan ng mas maayos na residence status. Nung 2017, nagkaroon ng batas para sa mga trainees (The Law on Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of Technical Intern Trainees) para idagdag ang “caregiving” bilang category sa training nila.

At nung 2016, binago uli ang batas ng immigration para idagdag ang “nursing care” status of residence para sa mga dayuhan na makakapasa sa national examination sa caregiving license. Dahil dito, may mga dumarating na mga Pilipino mula April 2017 para mag-aral ng nihonggo at caregiving sa loob ng 3 hanggang 5 taon para makakuha ng exam. Puwede din silang magtrabaho bilang part-time work sa caregiving institutions habang naghahanda sa pagkuha ng exam.

Ang mga pagbabagong ito sa mga batas at sistema para sa mga dayuhan sa Japan ay pagtugon sa mga problemang sosyal (pangangalaga sa mga tumatandang Hapones) at pang-ekonomiya (pagbaba ng dami ng mga Hapones na magtatrabaho sa kanilang factories at ibang kabuhayan).

Nguni’t may bahid din ito ng mga pagbabago sa kaisipan oras na para magkaroon ng bagong pagtingin sa mga dayuhan, sa kanilang pagpasok sa lipunang Hapones.

Pananaw ni Einstein Nung 1922 sa Tokyo, sumulat si Einstein ng ganito: “Stilles

bescheidenes Leben gibt mehr Glückals erfolgreiches Streben, verbunden mit beständiger Unruhe.”

Maaaring nakikita natin ang ating mga magulang sa kanila, o maaaring dala ito ng ating

Kahit ito ay isinulat nung pre-war pa, malaking bagay ito sa ating buhay sa ngayon. Para saan nga ba ang ating buhay kundi para sa ating kaligayahan? Nguni’t anong kaligayahan ang ating hinahanap?

Isang bagay ang malinaw sa buhay Japan: isogashi - palaging may ginagawa at may oras ang mga bagay-bagay kaya stressed ang mga tao.

May tao na araw-araw ay tatayo sa iisang lugar sa platform sa istasyon ng tren sa oras na itinalaga.

Dapat ay walang mintis ang pagsakay sa tren arawaraw sa lugar at oras na yon.

Parang robot ang buhay sa araw-araw – may oras at sukat ang kilos. Tayo rin ang naglalagay ng stress sa ating buhay, hinahabol ang tren, hinahabol ang oras. Ang buhay ay orasan, tuloy-tuloy ang pag-ikot ng paulit-ulit bawa't araw.

Nung 1936 sa pelikulang Modern Times, ipinakita ni Charlie Chaplin ang stressed na buhay manggagawa sa US. Kung ito ay noon sa US, ganun din sa Japan ngayon - buhay na walang hanggang suteresu.

Kaya magandang pag-isipan ang isinulat ni Einstein nung 1922: “Ang mapayapa at payak na pamumuhay ay magdudulot ng mas maraming kaligayahan kaysa sa paghahabol sa tagumpay na may ibinubungang palagiang pagkabalisa.”

May nagsasabi na kakaiba ang pangangalaga ng mga Pilipino bilang caregiver sa mga matatandang Hapones. Hindi naman lahat, pero maaaring totoo na iba ang tingin natin sa pag-aalaga ng matanda.

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kultura na minamahal at iginagalang dapat ang mga matatanda.

Hindi lang trabaho ang caregiving, kundi pagtulong sa mga matatanda na napakatagal na nagtiis ng stressed na buhay at ngayon ay nag-iisa na lang halos sa mga rogin home. Dinadaan sa bait at tawa (o kanta) para mapaamo ang matatandang sutil. May nagsasabing lumalambot ang puso nila dahil nararamdaman nilang binibigyan sila ng pansin at pahanon.

Kung may pagbabagong idudulot tayong mga Pilipino sa lipunang Hapones, sana ito ay ang paraan at kaisipan tungkol sa pagbabawas ng suteresu sa buhay.

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KAPATIRAN

ni Loleng Ramos

Ang Santo Niño ang tingin ng maraming tao sa Sto. Niño. Pero sabi pala ng simbahan, kung nakakapagpatibay ito ng ating devotion kay Lord, walang masama.

In the eyes of a child there is joy, there is laughter, there is hope, there is trust, a chance to shape the future.

For the lessons of life, there is no better teacher Than the look in the eyes of a child.

(The Eyes of a Child, Air Supply)

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Hi Kapatid! Tsaran! Siya si Niño ko. Sinama ko siya pabalik dito sa Japan ngayong November kase mahigit 20 years na kaming nagkahiwalay.

Natatandaan ko pa noong nilako siya ng isang ale, sabi niya hindi daw ito pwede bilhin, pero kapag magbigay ako ng alahas, tutunawin nila para sa isang korona sa Mahal na Birhen na nililihok nila, at dahil na love at first sight na ako sa imahen ni Niño, tinanggal ko agad ang suot kong antigong hikaw na merong bato at binigay sa babae.

Syempre pa noong nalaman ng nanay ko, parang gusto niya ako sabunutan kase nagpaloko daw ako. Hindi naman ako pinasaya ng hikaw na iyon, pero nang nasa bahay na namin si Niño, lahat natuwa, ako hanggang ngayon, kapag nakikita ko ang mukha ng Niño ko, sumasaya palagi!

Sa atin, kapag pista ng Sto. Niño, sinasayaw siya di ba?

Sinusuotan ng sari-saring damit, minsan nga naisip ko, parang manika na yata

Madami-dami na din akong nabasang mga pahayag ng milagro ng Sto. Nino, pero hindi naman iyon ang basehan ng isang paniniwala.

Siguro sobrang bait ng Diyos, palagi Niya tayo inaalala na kahit sa ating pananampalataya sa Kanya, Siya mismo ang nagpapakumbaba para maabot natin Siya. Kaya siguro nagpapakilala din Siya bilang isang bata.

Kapag nagdarasal tayo sa Cross at kapag nagdarasal tayo sa Sto. Niño, hindi pareho ang tono natin napansin mo na ba? Pero parehong si Jesus ang kaharap natin.

Kung nakakapag-novena ka sa Mother of Perpetual Help, sabi sa lyrics ng “Mother of Christ”, ang ating ligaya at ilaw ay ang nasa bisig ni Mama Mary, Siya nga, si Niño, ang batang si Hesus! Kapag pasko, mas bata pa Siya, bilang Bambino o ang baby Jesus. Inaabot Siya ng Kanyang Ina, sa atin, sige nga, imagine-nin mo na bubuhatin mo Siya, ano ang pakiramdam?

Nitong October, bago ako umuwi sa atin, sobra akong excited kase miss na miss ko na iyong atmosphere ng maagang pasko.

Sabi ko mararamdaman ko ulit iyon, pero iba na pala.

Parang sobrang busy ang

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mga tao na ang dami-dami kahit saan ako pumunta, wala akong narinig na Christmas carol sa radio, wala pang Christmas commercials sa t.v., konti ang mga palamuti sa paligid, ang nakain kong puto bumbong, purple malagkit lang pala na kinorte, waaah! Ang nakita ko lang mga gusali na bago o hindi pa tapos itayo, mas madaming kotse, mas mahabang traffic, mas madaming pwedeng gastusan ng pera. Noong nakita ko ulit si Niño, Siya lang nakita kong walang pagbabago, maliban sa damit niya na pinagawa ng nanay ko.

Syempre maraming nababago, siguro sabi din ni Niño sa akin, ‘parang iba na ang hitsura mo’ haha!

Sana lumalaki at tumatanda ang mga tao na kasing ganda noong pinanganak siya, hindi sa anyo kundi sa kalinisan ng budhi, pantay na pagtingin sa kapwa, may pananalig, at sumasaya sa pinaka simple o pinakamababaw na bagay sa mundo.

Ang sinasabing palaboy na Batang Niño, lumaki Siya na Hari sa Langit at Lupa, pero sa anumang panahon, ng nuno natin o ng magiging apo natin sa talampakan, ang batang si Hesus ay ang Panginoong Hesus. Palagi, nasa tabi natin. Sana katulad Niya ay maabot din ng lahat nating mga nilalang ang tugatog ng ating kakayahan at hindi kumakalimot sa pagiging bata ng bawat isa sa atin.

Philip Dizon Torres

Facebook : Philip D. Torres

Mobile (Philippines) : +63-91-7605-6366

Photographed by Bonbon Garbanzos

By Jasmin Vasquez

“May gayak ang ayos ng tahanan, masdan nyo at nagpapaligsahan. May parol at ilaw bawat bintana. May sadyang naiiba ang ibang kulay.�

Pagtuntong palang ng ber ay sige na ang tugtog ng pamaskong awitin mula sa mga radyo, at telebisyon.

Masasayang awitin na gumugunita sa paghahanda ng araw ng pagsilang ni Jesus. Na simula ng tayo ay isilang ay nakaugalian ng ipagdiwang.

Napakasaya ng lahat ng tao, mula matanda higit labis para sa mga bata, gayundin ang mga mag-sing irog sa paligid. Pati ang klima ay umaayon. Para bang ito ang totoong panahon ng pag-ibig.

Dahil lahat halos ng mga tao ay nagbibigayan. Palitan ng mga regalo. Mga taong nagkaroon ng alitan ay nagkakapatawaran.

Masaya ang pasko kahit na munting salu-salo lamang basta’t buo lamang at hindi naghihiwalay sa isat isa.

Ngunit mapaglaro ang tadhana kung kayat kailangan naming lumayo sa aming mga pamilya upang mas magkaroon pa ng mas masagana ang kanilang susunod na mga pasko. At mas mabigyan sila ng magandang kinabukasan.

Ilang pasko pa kaya ang darating upang muli kayo ay aming makapiling.

Kung sa Pilipinas ay masaya ang pasko, dito naman sa Japan eh kabaligtaran. Dahil ubod ng lungkot, hinding hindi mo mararamdam yung saya na nakagawian mo. Kaya naman aking ipinasyal ang mga kasamahan ko sa trabaho na mga pinay na trainee.

May kaunting ulan ngunit hindi alintana at hindi kami nagpapigil

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sa lagay ng panahon dahil minsan lamang magkaroon ng ganitong pagkakataon na makaranas at makakita ng mga pambihirang tanawin. Kami ay pumunta sa Alps Azumino National Government Park. Isa ito sa mga lugar na maipagmamalaki ng Nagano.

Nakakaaliw ang dami ng ilaw na naka disenyo para bang pakiramdam mo ay isa kang bata na naaliw sa mga ilaw na kumukuti-kutitap at kumikislap kasabay sa saliw ng tugtugin na talaga namang mapapatigil ka at madadala na para kang nasa langit kasama ang mga bituin. Pansamantala mong malilimutan ang lungkot. Tatlong taon lamang ang ilalagi ng mga trainee dito kayat sa tuwing may pagkakataon ay sinasama ko sila sa mga lugar na sila ay maaliw at nang maibaon nila ang saya pag uwi nila ng Pilipinas. Mga alaala na kanilang dadalhin saan man sila mapunta.

Ganito lamang ang buhay naming.

Pagsapit naman ng Christmas Eve, magsisimba at kakain lamang ng cake. Pag uwi sa bahay, matutulog na dahil kinabukasan na mismong araw ng kapaskuhan ay mayroon kaming pasok sa trabaho. Hindi katulad sa Pilipinas na ang haba ng bakasyon. O diba ang lungkot?

Mabuti na lamang at mayroon ng internet at kahit paano ay madali ng magkaroon ng komunikasyon sa pamamagitan ng video call para mo na rin silang nakasama.

Gustuhin mo man silang mayakap eh tiis na lang muna hanggang sa makauwi ka.

Kaya para sa aming mga pamilya na andyan sa Pilipinas, sana maintindihan nyo na malungkot at mahirap ang buhay namin dito sa Japan. Kaya sa tuwing palagi kayong nag send ng messages o may tawag ay labis ang aming kasiyahan, ngunit sana ay wag naman palaging puro pahingi ng pera. Yung mangamusta kayo at mag alala sa aming kalagayan ay malaking bagay na para sa amin.

Mahirap man, malungkot at nakaka home sick ay pilit pa rin kaming lalaban para sa kinabukasan. Maraming, maraming salamat po! Mabuhay tayong lahat at isang Maligaya at Masaganang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon sa inyong lahat!

Take It Or Leave It!

by Isabelita Manalastas-Watanabe something fulfilling ang ginagawa niya.

Siguro, best na huwag mong pahintuin ng todo sa pag-a-arubaito. Huwag kang magluto ng dinner every now and then, and tell him mag-meet kayo sa ganitong drinking place para uminom at kumain. Generally, enjoy ang mga Hapon uminom.

Kung hindi ka umiinom, pagtiyagaang mag-oolong tsa or soft drink ka lang, habang inaantabayanan mo siya sa pag-inom. lunch out or mag-dine out kayo. Slowly, slowly, baka ma-enjoy niya iyong inuman outing ninyo.

Dear Tita Lits, Magandang araw po! Hingi lang po ako ng konting advice. Matanda na po ang asawa ko at nag retire na po siya sa dating kumpanya niya. Ang problema po ay hindi pa rin lubos siyang huminto sa trabaho. Arubaito dito. Arubaito doon. Ayaw po niya na walang ginagawa. Sabi ko po ay huminto na lang siya at magpahinga na. Gusto ko po sana na mag-travel na lang kaming dalawa habang umuugod pa siya. Pero dahil busy pa rin sa trabaho, wala na naman siyang oras sa kanyang sarili at sa akin. Paano ko kaya ma convince ang asawa ko na mag relax na lang siya at huminto sa trabaho? Iba po talaga ang mga Hapon.

Nina Okinawa

Huwang ka munang mag-propose ng travel overseas. Start domestically muna, paunti-unti.Tingin ko, mari-realize niya in due time, na may buhay at excitement pala outside of the work place.

Ang problema ko lang nakikita: Baka siya ang may control ng inyong finances, so wala kang masyadong freedom na mag-choose ng gagawing enjoyable outing/date ninyo.

Goodluck!

Tita Lits Dear Tita Lits,

Dear Nina: Maraming posibleng dahilan kung bakit puspos pa rin ang pagta-trabaho ng iyong asawa. Mukhang hindi kasama dito ang pangangailangang pinansiyal dahil wala kang nabanggit na anak ninyo na sinusuportahan or pinag-aaral pa. The fact that niyayaya mo din siyang mag-travel kayo ay indikasyong may pera na kayong naiipon na maaaring gastusin sa iyong proposal na mag-travel.

Posible kayang nag-e-enjoy talaga si Mister sa pagta-trabaho? Baka source ng enjoyment at fulfillment niya ang kanyang pinagkakaabalang trabaho.

Ibig sabihin, wala siyang stress, so parang hindi trabaho sa kanya, kundi

Minsan, i-propose mo na mag-overnight kayo sa isang onsen.

Enjoy ang mga Hapon na magpunta sa onsen at kumain ng masarap na dinner at breakfast bago mag-check out.

Meron po akong malaking problema. I am in love with my BFF, my best friend forever! Nahihirapan na po ako. Since high school, best friend na po kaming dalawa. Lahat na naging girlfriends niya, kilala ko po at ako lagi ang naging sandalan niya kung na broken hearted siya. Alam ko po lahat ng kwento ng buhay niya. Sabay rin po kaming pumunta ng Japan as trainees. Ngayon, may bago na naman siyang crush. Nasasaktan ako kapag nag ku-kwento siya tungkol sa mga crushes niya. Hindi ko po alam kung paano ko sasabihin sa kanya na matagal ko na siyang minahal.

Natatakot po akong magbago ang relationship namin kung sakaling umamin po ako sa kanya. Ayaw ko po

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siyang mawala sa aking buhay kaya kahit di ko linya ang trabaho dito ay pinasukan ko na rin para kami magsama kahit kung saan. Kaya ganito na lamang ako nagtiis. Kahit nagbigay ako ng maraming senyas na mahal ko siya, friend pa rin ang turing niya sa akin. Hindi naman po ako pangit. Tulungan po ninyo ako.

Mira Kanagawa

Dear Mira: Dapat may sarili kang social life.

Mukhang hindi lang social life, parang buong life mo ay naka-focus kay BFF. Kapag ganito, hindi ka magkakaroon ng chance na makapag-develop ng ibang friendships, or better still, ng isang relationship beyond friendship.

Dapat ma-miss ka naman ni BFF. Kung nandoon ka palagi, ready to be with him, listen to his stories, escapades, etc., he will just take your presence for granted.

Magkunwari ka kayang may lakad at talagang gumawa ka ng lakad na ikaw lang (habang wala ka pang maka-share na iba sa lakad mo). Kahit mag-window shopping ka lang, mag-browse ng magazines sa isang book store, magpunta sa isang museum, etc., to occupy your time without the presence of your BFF. In fact, kung kaya mong maggawa ng kwento na may date ka kunwari (kung wala pa talaga), palagay ko good to do this. Tingnan ko kung ma-intrigue or maging curious.

Medyo pa-misteryoso ka muna ng kaunti. Smile ka lang kapag nagtatanong ng details tungkol sa date mo. Tell him, some day, you will introduce that person to him, kapag medyo seryoso na kamo. Later, kung wa-epek, ikaw na ang gumawa ulit ng istorya, na mukhang di kayo compatible noong dine-date mo currently, kaya nakipag-break ka na.

But really, try to have time to explore things, places, and the like on your own. Build a life of your own. You may be surprised that you will enjoy din pala, kahit hindi mo kasama si BFF. I wish you can write again, and update me on what happened.

Tita Lits

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Notes2LIFE

By Marilyn Rivera

Oi namo?

How are you? wo weeks ago, I invited my Dad to my daughter’s 5th birthday, hoping that we could have a small reunion after months of not seeing each other. Our conversation took 8 to 10 minutes. But during the whole time, one phrase kept echoing on that moment while I had him on the line... Oi namo? This is in Hiri language in Papua New Guinea that means “How are you?” or can also be interpreted as “Are you good?”

It has been years that somebody talked to me in Hiri, or more commonly known as Pidgin by my family and I. We had been immigrants in Papua.

My brothers and sisters practically had their whole childhood in Kimbe. Being the youngest of seven siblings, I was born there, baptized there, and raised there. My parents shared their language and talked to us in either Pidgin or English.

This phrase, “Oi namo?” raised so many nostalgic memories back in those days where we lived in Kimbe, just minutes away from the beach. For years we co-existed in a community with mixed races and there we lived a bountiful life. We had neighbors that were British, French, Malaysian, Japanese, Dutch and natives of the land.

In this subdivision, we were one big family. Everyone shared baking pans and recipes, gave pies, baked breads and all types

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of pastries.

The beach was part of our lives.

Almost every weekend, we would play in the sand and stay there until the evening. And before the dark creeps in, we would already be making bonfires and cook the small crabs we caught by the shore. I remember sailing with my father and his friends. They would fish from morning until afternoon and in the boat I would play with Sandy, our dog.

He loves the water just as I do and we would even take a deep every now and then while waiting for them. I also remember the parrot that we had in our backyard, the swarm of butterflies that comes by at the start of summer, the small crocodiles in the river, the spiky red little seeds that’s scattered across the beach front, the rag dolls that our neighbor makes and… the beautiful big blue ocean.

If I were given a chance to go back in time and relive a part of my past, I would choose this chapter of my life in Papua New Guinea. And I hope one day, I can show my daughter this beautiful place where I once had a great and wonderful childhood where race does not mean anything, but just a friendly competition where we get prizes when we won.

When I called my Dad and he asked me, “Oi namo?” I answered, “Namo, namo herea.” And I’ve never been better. Thank you Mom and Dad for giving me such a wonderful childhood.

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UTAWIT 2017 Grand Final

t was a rainy October 28, 2017 but that did not stop the more than 200 guests to watch the UTAWIT Grand Final at the New Sanno Hotel in Hiroo, Tokyo.

All UTAWIT Filipino Regional Host Group’s officers, members, families and friends nationwide came with their Regional Champions in their most grand outfit.

Special guests was headed by our Philippine Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Eduardo M.R. Menez, who was also the Chairman of the

Board of Judges, and Madam Marissa Menez. Minister and Consul General Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol Ignacio, Dr. Mel Zulueta Kasuya, Prof.

Leith Casel-Shuetz, Prof.

Charles L. Abing, Ms. Mercy Pondoyo and Mr. Dave Aguilar comprised also our members of the Board of Judges.

The contest proper was shown live in FB with more than 4,000 viewers.

UTAWIT would like to thank our major sponsors: Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Solaire Resort & Casino in Manila, ACT Tourist, Ihawan Restaurant of Mama Aki in Shinjuku. We would also like to thank the Department of Tourism in Tokyo, Ohara Gakuen, Plaza Housing/ Asia Vox Ltd., DF4T-Daisy Cargo,

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Joyful Learning International, Nick Santiago, Bonbon Garbanzos and the TomsWeekAnd. Special thanks to Mr. Ruben Castillo.

All Regional Winners, especially this year, were all superb!

The Top 3 Winners came out.

Grand Champion: Hamamatsu Representative – Ms. Lean Cano with Banal Na Aso 2nd Place: Tokyo Representative – Mr. Miki Orbigoso with Story 3rd Place: Hokkaido Representative – Mr. Masaki Okawachi with For You See their UTAWIT Journey in the next pages. After the nerve wrecking contest proper and the announcement of winners, nothing beats the enjoyment that dancing gives. Everybody enjoyed the buffet, the program and the dancing afterwards. See you again next year!

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Lean Cano Utawit 2017 Grand Champion

A Journey to the Top

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he first time I heard about UTAWIT was when I saw a picture of my brother auditioning in Nagoya many years ago. I never had the chance na mag-audition kasi wala ako nun sa Japan.

I’m not really fond of joining singing contest din talaga. Siguro kaya hindi ako masyadong nag-e-effort sumali.

Siguro kasi sobrang magkaiba ang pagkanta with the band and yung mag-isa ka lang lalaban. Sa banda kasi, magkamali ka man kaya kang saluhin ng mga ka-member mo. Pero sa singing contest, wala kang pwedeng kapitan kundi sarili mo lang talaga and it was out of my comfort zone.

Kung gaano ako ka-confident kumanta every time may gig ako, sobrang kabaligtaran kapag singing contest na.

Nagkakaroon ako bigla ng stage fright or performance anxiety. Pagdating sa singing contest, wala akong tiwala sa sarili ko. Madami akong doubts and takot na baka magkamali ako. Pero pinaka natatakot ako is baka makalimutan ko yung lyrics!

Hahaha! Sa banda kasi, I have my lyrics sheets ready all the time para in case makalimutan ko, pwede ko tignan. Sa singing contest kasi, dapat perfect mo talaga lahat and once magkamali ka sa lyrics, kakainin ka na kagad ng kaba hanggang sa ma-mental block ka. Dun ako takot. As a vocalist ng banda, andun na kasi yung pride ko as a musikero. Kaya siguro takot

ako na baka sa isang contest lang mawala lahat ng pinaghihirapan ko kapag natalo ako. Hahaha! Praning lang diba hahah!

But you know what? The first time na sumali ako sa Utawit?

I lost! Like big time, kasi wala man lang akong nakuhang place! Hahahaha! Pero I’m not ashamed nung time na yun kasi pinilit lang ako sumali talaga nun, parang filler lang ako nun. Hahahaha, ni 1% di ko talaga naramdaman na gusto ko sumali nuon kasi like what I said, hindi talaga ako interesado sa mga singing contest.

Kumanta ako ng parang wala lang that time kaya nung natalo ako expected ko na din talaga.

Wala na akong balita sa Utawit simula nuon.

Hisashiburi kong nabalitaan ang Utawit when I saw their banner sa FB. At first glance, sure na kaagad ako sa sarili ko na sasali ako. Hindi ko alam anong sumapi sa akin pero that day, 101% nagdecide ako na gusto kong sumali.

The whole time na nagsasabit ako ng bakal sa kaisha, paulit-ulit kong kinakanta yung version ko ng Banal na Aso. Simple lang kasi yung version ko nung una. Walang masyadong high notes. Kaya I’m convincing myself na mas may igaganda pa sya, then ayun na yung result!

RQR pa lang natakot na ako, kasi nagstalk ako sa one of the contenders coz super galing nya! Muntik na ako gumive up kagad. That time

naisip ko kaagad na hindi ako mananalo, kinain na kaagad ako ng takot. Kaya I decided na hindi na lang ako lalaban talaga. Kakantahin ko na lang sana yung kaka-release ko lang na Tagalog version ng Pero Atik Ra para maiplug ko din yung song. Pero deep inside, gusto ko pa rin talaga kantahin yung Banal na Aso kaya nakikipagbrainstorming talaga ako sa mga friends ko kung ano ba gagawin ko. Ang ending ayun, Banal na Aso pa rin talaga. Then ayun Hamamatsu RQR, hindi ko ine expect na makukuha ko yun

Wala pa akong damit. Wala pa kong na-prepare na kahit ano.

So inasikaso ko lahat ng mabilisan. Pero nakatatak na talaga sa isip ko na malabong makuha ko yun. Last day, tinray ko kantahin ung Banal na Aso if alam ko pa ba kantahin. Sabi ng boyfriend ko ok pa naman daw, kaya sabi ko “Sige Push bahala na si God, mas okay ng itry kesa hindi ako magpakita dun nakakahiya kela Tita Darlene and Tita Grace.“ Everytime nakikita kong nagmemessage sila na “magpahinga ka or magensayo ka” nagi-guilty ako kasi hindi nila alam na deep inside gumive up na ako. Nung

kasi magaling din talaga yung mga kasali lalo na yung contender na inistalk ko yung videos. Hahahah!

dumating na ang Grand Finals, naloka ako kasi ako lang ang hindi naka-gown! Mas lalo akong na-down kasi feeling ko na outcast ako. Nai-intimidate ako sa presence nilang lahat mas lalo akong kinakain ng takot. Pero paulit ulit ko sinasabi sa sarili ko, “Ok lang yan, basta mairaos mo lang yung event, pwede na yun.”

Ang tagal bago nag-sink-in sa akin na ako ang lalaban sa Grand Final sa Tokyo! There are times na ayaw ko na umattend, daming hassle kasi that time. Iniisip ko din kasi na puro champions from different regions yung makakalaban ko so it means lahat sila super galing. As usual, muntik na ako gumive up ulit. The whole time after ng RQR, hindi ko na naisip yung finals. Lumakad yung mga month and days na parang wala lang. Na-shock ako ng 1 week na lang pala!

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017

Sobrang na-enjoy ko lahat ng contenders to the point na hindi ko na napansin na malapit na pala ako sumalang. Pakonti konti nakakalimutan ko na yung mga words and tono, kinakain na ko ng kaba. Nung natapos si Ms. Eva, muntik na akong kainin ng lupa sa sobrang kaba, pero at that moment din sinabi ko sa

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sarili ko na hindi na ako pwedeng umatras. Heto na talaga ito, hinga ng malalim then lakad to the stage. Tinitignan ko lahat ng tao, isang bagay lang ang nasa isip ko nun. Makikita kasing effective na vocalist ka ng banda kapag kaya mong kunin ang attention ng crowd from what they are doing. Inapply ko yung thinking na yun that time.

Sinabi ko sa sarili ko na dapat pagtapos ng 1st verse, nasa akin na dapat lahat ng attention nila.

If hindi ko yun magagawa, then that’s it, wala akong laban.

Habang kumakanta ako, kinakain ako ng kaba at the

oras, tapos na pala akong kumanta. Nakahinga na ako ng maluwag and excited na akong kumain! Pero hindi ako nakakain kasi 2nd to the last akong nagperform, and after ng last contender, pinaakyat na kami ulit sa stage. Naiiyak akong tignan na nililigpit na nila yung plates sa table hahaha!

Anyway, during the announcement of winners, I was praying “Lord, kahit 3rd lang, please!”

Feeling ko kasi nun, kapag hindi ako nakapasok ng 3rd place, wala na talaga akong pag-asa kasi super gagaling talaga ng lahat! As in solid! When they called the 3rd placer napa sigh

speechless ako na hindi ko maintindihan yung nararamdaman ko. I just wish na sana andun buong family ko para kasama ko sila sa napaka-special na experience. Super saya! Ngayon ko lang talaga napatunayan sa sarili ko, kaya ko din palang pumalag sa mga ganito, hahahah!

Thank you so much UTAWIT! Thank you so much Filipino Nagkaisa especially to Tita Grace and Tita Darlene. Thank you so much sa lahat ng sumuporta. To my mom and kuya na palaging anjan, sa family ko sa Pinas and kay papa na kahit alam kong nasa malayo na naniniwala talaga sa mga kaya kong gawin and of

Lessons learned: Chill lang.

Magtiwala ka sa sarili mo. same time I’m trying na kumalma para mairaos ko yung song. Hindi ako maka-focus.

Hindi ko makita if nasa akin na ba attention nila. Kaya sabi ko bahala na talaga. Nung pumasok yung unang chorus, nakita ko nag-angatan na yung ulo nila from eating and started watching, mejo natuwa ako nun pero grabe pa din yung kaba ko.

Sabi ko nun, this is it, push mo na, i-enjoy mo na lang yung song. Ang key lang talaga siguro, i-enjoy mo yung kanta mo, dibdibin mo kung ano yung message. Kung galit dapat galit ka din. Kung malungkot, dapat malungkot ka din. Ang bilis ng

na lang ako, naiisip ko nun “wala na to, uwi na kong luhaan :( “ I have my own bets din kasi sa mga contenders. Nung tinawag ung 2nd place, nawalan na talaga ako ng pag-asa kasi for sure yung bet ko na yung mananalo. Costume pa lang kasi alam kong deserve niya talaga yung 1st place. Habang naririnig ko yung drum roll for first place, nagco-congrats na ako sa kanya, pero nung tinawag yung name ko, naloka ako! Napaupo talaga ako sa pagka-shock like parang sure ba kayo ako yan?! Hahaha!

Hindi ko alam if maiiyak ako or matatawa kasi ewan sobrang

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course kay Bajun na talagang never nagkulang sa pagpapalakas ng loob ko everytime na gumigive up ako. Maraming salamat UTAWIT sa pagbibigay sa akin ng napakagandang memories, and of course kay God. Maraming salamat! Never mo akong pinabayaan.

Lessons learned: Chill lang.

Magtiwala ka sa sarili mo.

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Mikey Orbigoso My Utawit Journey I remember joining Utawit when i was still very young, where music and singing was out of instinct and came from a pure place. Utawit was actually the stepping stone for me to meet different singers and performers who helped me become a local performer myself. And it was also because of Utawit which helped me meet my wife! Ha, ha! Kaya mga loves, may forever sa Utawit!

I am blessed to win all the Regional Qualifying Rounds na nasalihan ko to be able to join in the Grand Final.

And you know, kapag kontesero/kontesera ka, hindi ka na sanay na matalo minsan.

It’s part of your growth ika-nga.

Kahit masakit minsan, but wounds remind you of your mistakes. It hones you to become a better singer, which is you today.

My first 2 years to join, I didn’t get any awards in the Finals.

One judge told me that it was a sign that I still needed some proper training and experience, yet I was in the right path. Then, I stopped joining contests to take a break and focus performing first to places to enhance my craft until last year, I got the 3rd place in the Utawit Grand Final. A lot of people told me, “We thought ikaw ang mananalo, sali ka ulit next year!” So here I was again.

For me, winning was just the strawberry on the cake.

The experience, recognition, the friendships and the memories are the prizes worth the keep. Kaya sa mga hindi nananalo na katulad ko dati, keep your feet on the ground, pray to God to give the desire of your heart, and keep practicing!

Never give up! It doesn’t matter how many times the people around you say it, you just have to keep on believing it!

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NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017

UTAWIT 2017 2nd Place Winner

Masaki Okawachi’s “Journey” in Utawit 私は今回、 ウタウィット２０１７に参加させて頂いて、本当に嬉しかったで す。北海道代表で、東京ファイナルに出場した時、全国のチャレンジャー達 の歌のレベルの高さに、ビックリしながら、そして感動しながら聞いていま した。私も、遠い北海道から仲間達が応援に来てくれたので、全力で歌いま した！そして３位の賞を頂いた時は本当に嬉しかったです。 でも、 自分の賞 よりも、仲間達が北海道にトロフィーを持って帰るー！と喜ん でくれた事が何よりもー一番嬉しく、そしてホットし ました。今回の大会で友達もたくさん出来まし た。そして日本国とフィリピン国がもっとも っと絆を深め、 これからも仲良く出来た らいいなぁーと思います。最後にこの 大会の為に、見えない所で、時間と 、体と、お金を使い、準備に頑張 って下さったスタッフの皆さん に心から感謝します。本当に ありがとうございました！ ＊苦労した事 実は、２年前くらいからの どの（声帯）にちょっとし た病気があって、毎日、朝 、晩、薬で治療してます。 それで本番まで調子を 崩さない様に、するのが 一番苦労しました。

UTAWIT 2017 3rd Place Winner

Translated by: Nesie Momiji I was really happy I had an opportunity to join the UTAWIT 2017 and being the representative of Hokkaido to the Grand Final in Tokyo. I was amazed with all the contestants’ performance. It was a very high level. So I did my best for my friends who came from Hokkaido to support me. And luckily, I won the UTAWIT 2017 Grand Final 3rd place. I was so happy but most of all, when Hokkaido friends said “We’ve got a trophy” and saw the smiles on their faces, this was the most memorable and a moment to treasure for me. Because of UTAWIT, I met a lot of nice persons and new friends and I think that UTAWIT is one way to deepen the bonds between Japan and Philippines and keep a good relationship.

Lastly, I would like to extend my gratitude to the officers and members of Samahang Pilipino ng Hokkaido for their full support to me, for your effort and hard work behind the scenes. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. *The difficulty I experienced.

Actually, I have a problem with my vocal cords and I have been suffering from this since 2 years ago. I have been taking medicine twice a day for this. I always worry if I could still sing well but I always do my best performance during a contest.

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by Alma Reyes

Beneath the Waters a careful dip in warm ripples of aroma lift sketches of the past sink deep and beyond leave you afloat and for how long? far and beyond, where do the waters go? rays of sun call to lead the way or chase the restless breath of wind on these siren waves, stars glisten rush rainbow hopes to your fingertips leave your woes on these rugged waves where the current knows no more and skies open, clouds blow new colors to your eyes from sunset to morn

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