Jeepney Press 83 September-October 2016

PAHAYAGANG PINOY

September-October 2016

e magazine

PINOY JOURNEYS in JAPAN

Cover Photo: Marisol Kudo

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 : 03-3200-2559 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

September-OCtober 2016

06 AUTUMN!

by Dennis Sun Photos by Mari Kudo 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 18 KWENTO NI NANAY

by Anita Sasaki 20 REYNA NG INDAK: Susan Bernal 22 WORDS OF WISDOM

by Michelle Ong 24 MUSINGS OF A HIKER

by Abie Principe

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26 SIGNPOST 28 30 32 36 38

by Karen Sanchez MUSINGS OF A GARDENER

by Rogelio Agustin SA TABI LANG PO

by Renaliza Rogers TRAFFIC

by Alma Reyes PASYAL

by Jasmin Vasqiez ON THE ROAD

by Neriza Saito

42 EMMA CORDERO: Mrs. Universe 44 BOOK REVIEW

by Marilyn Rivera 45 JEEPNEYLICIOUS

by Josie Nistal 46 UTAWIT JOURNEYS

39 KAPATIRAN

by Loleng Ramos 40 KANSAI CRUSADE

by Sally Takashima

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016 05

Autumn The Changing Colors of the Season Photos by: Marisol Kudo

by

DENNIS SUN

Photos by Marisol Kudo If the cherry blossom season starts from down in Okinawa going up north of Japan, kabaliktaran naman ang simula ng autumn dito. Autumn colors start from the north in Hokkaido going down. Kung bulaklak ang main focus natin sa spring, during autumn, ang mga makukulay na dahon ng mga puno (KOYO) naman ang kinagigiliwan ng marami. Kung merong HANAMI (flower viewing), siempre, meron din autumn leaves viewing. Most KOYO spots are located in the mountains pero marami ring mga KOYO spots sa mga ciudad tulad ng Tokyo, Kyoto at Osaka.

Maikli man ang NATSU (summer) dito sa Japan, grabe naman sa init kaya inip na inip na ang marami sa pagdating ng AKI (autumn).

I must confess that I love spring more than autumn. Spring is my most favorite season. But autumn comes next! So don’t get jealous, Autumn! Exactly during the week of the blossoming of sakuras in Tokyo comes my birthday. Kaya siguro love ko talaga ang HARU (spring).

Pero sabi nila, marami raw ang nabibigay na milagro ang AKI. Kasi raw, during summer, mainit ang ulo ng mga tao.

Maraming nag-aaway. Maraming nauuwi sa divorce in Japan. Nauubos ang pasensiya ng mga tao. Pagdating ng autumn, medyo lumalamig na ang panahon. Biglang nawawala ang init ng ulo ng mga nag-aaway.

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Ibang klase talaga ang dulot ng AKI. Meron siyang kakaibang kagandahan. Maganda ang umakyat sa bundok para makita kung paano nag-iiba ang mukha ng mundo. Parang artist canvas na may iba’t-ibang kulay: green, yellow, orange, red, brown to gold!

Very enchanting!

Isa pang magandang dulot ng AKI ay ang fashion! Masarap magbihis dahil malamig. During summer, dahil sa init, kung pwede lang nga na short pants, tank top at tsinelas, OK ka na. Pero during autumn, kasali lahat sa rampa ng FALL fashion show! Scarves, vests, long sleeve shirts, boots, etc. Gumaganda at pumopogi ang lahat!

Autumn is a season for eating.

Masarap kumain kasi malamig ang panahon. Masarap kumain ng ramen, shabu-shabu at sukiyaki.

Nagpapainit ito ng katawan. Take care ka lang kasi sumasarap ang kain at baka masira ang dyeta mo.

Sayang mga damit mo, Inday, at baka hindi na magkasya bigla.

And during autumn, invite friends and go hiking at your nearby mountain. Maraming bundok sa Japan kaya wala kang excuse.

Umihip ng sariwang hangin. MagONSEN! Kung hindi pwedeng sumama ang mga kaibigan, go alone! Siguro, it is also the best time to spend time by yourself in the mountains, meditate and reflect about your life.

Huwag mag-aksaya ng oras dahil hindi magtatagal ang autumn. Sige lang. Rampa at pasyal pa more.

Dahil pagdating ng winter, tignan natin at kung makakalabas pa kayo.

Definitely, magkukulong na lang sa bahay si Inday dahil sa grabeng lamig.

O, ano pa ang hinihintay ninyo?

Rampa na! Go!

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“Autumn is the time of balance and of sacrifice, a time when the light is defeated by darkness, a time when night takes over and brings the coming winter.

Photo: Marisol Kudo

The ancient wisdom says that those who long for light must face their inner darkness and overcome it.�

- Tony Riches, The Secret Diary of Eleanor Cobham

Marami siguro sa mga hindi madalas umuwi sa Pilipinas na nakakaramdam ng halong saya at disappointment sa pag-uwi. Saya dahil nakikita ang pamilya at mga kaibigan, may mga biyahe sa magagandang lugar, at may mga reunion parties. Baka sa ilan, araw-araw na inuman at kantahan. Disappointment dahil mabilis mawala ang pera at kulang ang oras para ipagpatuloy ang saya.

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Pero mas mabuti na rin ang sandaling uwi para hindi rin tatagal ang disappointment.

Matatapos din ang malaking gastos sa pagbalik sa Japan.

Pagbabago

Sa paglipas ng mahabang panahon, maraming bagay ang nagbago. May nagbago sa bahay na kinalakihan – may mga nawala at may dumagdag.

Marami ding nagbago sa mga kakilala o kababata. May mga tumanda na nang husto, may nagkasakit na, may namayapa na, may nagkaroon na ng malaking pamilya at may tumandang hindi na nakapag-asawa.

Ang bayan ay maaring nag-iba na rin. Maaaring may covered basketball court na, kaya hindi na naglalaro ang mga basketball players sa ilalim ng silat ng araw.

Meron na rin sigurong concerts ng mga banda sa bayan. May mga computer shops para sa computer games, at para na rin sa mga estudyante na nagre-research sa internet para sa kanilang school assignment. At iba na rin ang mga hilig ng tao.

May nagmamarathon na, may long-distance bicycling, may nagmamountain climbing pa. At ang bayan ay may website na rin para maipakita at maipagmalaki ang yaman mga lugar na mapapasyalan o

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

mapag-uusapan. Ang kasal ay ginagawa na sa mga resorts at may video pa na kuha ng kamerang nakakabit sa drone para may magandang shots mula sa mataas na lugar.

Sa mga mas malalaking siyudad, may mall na, hindi lang Jolibee.

Ang dating tahimik at simpleng bayan ay naging maunlad. At ang kaunlaran ay pagbabago at pagpapalit ng mga bagay.

Maaaring nakabuti sa iba, pero nakasama sa iba pa.

Pagbabago ng sarili

Kasabay ng pagbabago sa bahay at bayan sa Pilipinas ang pagbabago ng sarili. Sa tagal ng pagtigil sa Japan, ang mga habits ay nagbabago. Dahil malakas ang pag-a-adjust sa sistema ng Japan – sa isip at sa gawa – kaya malaki din ang pagbabago ng sarili. Nasanay na sa pag-iisip na ang mga bagaybagay sa trabaho, sa gobyerno, sa negosyo at sa pang-arawaraw na buhay ay naka-ayos na, may oras, at may mga regulasyong sinusunod.

Umaasa na ang service sa restaurant ay mabilis, maraming pagpipilian sa menu, ang pagkain ay hindi lang masarap at kaluluto lamang kundi maayos na inilagay sa plato at sa mesa, magalang ang mga waiters o waitresses, at ang lugar ay palaging malinis.

Nagbago na rin ang panlasa dahil nasanay na sa pagkain sa Japan. Umaayaw na tayo sa maalat na pagkain, o masyadong maraming oil o fat. At nagkagusto na sa maraming gulay sa pagkain.

Nasanay na rin tayo sa “quality” ng mga produkto. Hindi lang mababang presyo ang mahalaga kundi ang kalidad. Kung minsan OK lang ang mataas na presyo dahil “quality product” naman ang kapalit.

Pag-uwi

Sa madaliang bisita sa Pilipinas, nakikita natin ang pagbabago sa bayan at ang pagbabago sa ating sarili. Napapansin natin na hindi na tayo sanay sa dating gawi tulad ng pagsakay sa jeepney (hirap sa pagbabayad dahil nagbago na rin ang pamasahe at ang coins na ibabayad), at para sa cellphone, hindi gusto ang mahinang signal.

Pero paano kung uuwi na ng permanente? Kung anuman ang hirap na naranasan sa panandaliang bisita ay baka araw-araw nang daranasin.

Ano na ang gagawin sa arawaraw? May bagong trabaho ba o gawain para may kita kahit konti?

OK ba ang tutuluyan? May bahay ba na nakahanda? O kwarto man lang?

Ang pag-uwi pagkatapos ng mahabang panahon ay parang muling pagbibiyahe palayo sa “tahanan.” Parang pagsisimula

muli ng buhay sa bagong lugar.

Ito ay parang pagpapakilala muli sa mga taong ngayon lang makikilala nang lubusan (maaaring sila ang mga pamangkin at pinsan na mga baby pa nung umalis sa Pilipinas).

Kapag hindi handa sa magiging buhay sa Pilipinas,

iiwan sa Japan.

maaaring hirap ang dadanasin.

Maaaring dala ito ng limitasyon sa pera, problema sa relasyon sa kapamilya, at pagbabago ng uri o kalidad ng buhay (hindi komportable ang pamumuhay – hirap sa transportasyon o komunikasyon, hindi maayos na medical service, mabagal na serbisyo sa gobyerno, at iba pa).

Paghahanda sa pag-uwi

Halos mahirap mag-isip na uuwi na sa Pilipinas kung may sariling pamilya sa Japan. Mahirap ding isipin ang permanenteng pag-uwi dahil sa mga serbisyong

Pero may mga taong naghahanda na para dito.

May mga nagsimula ng negosyo sa Pilipinas, nagpagawa ng bagong bahay o nagpa-ayos ng dating bahay, o nag-ipon ng pera sa bangko sa Pilipinas.

Nguni’t higit pa sa materyal na paghahanda, ang paghahanda ng isip at damdamin. Desidido ba sa pag-uwi o napipilitan lang?

Handa ba sa pakikipaghiwalay sa pamilya sa Japan?

Naunang iniwan natin ang ating pamilya sa Pilipinas, ngayon sa pag-uwi, iiwan naman ang pamilya sa Japan. Sana ang teknolohiya ang siyang maging tulay, upang ang pag-uwi ay hindi maging paglayo.

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with Glen Gypsy

Carry your love. Carry your passion.

Whatever brings you happiness will lead you to your destination.

Nothing is ever heavy when you love something or someone.

You will be able to carry your happiness wherever it leads you!

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SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 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!

03-3200-2559

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, Bakit po biglang tumaas ang value ng yen against the dollar, pesos and other currencies? Siempre, masaya po ako pero baka biglang bumaba na naman ng biglaan at baka mashock naman ako. Meron po rin ba kayong advice kung paano mag-ready sa mga pag-taas at pag-baba ng yen? Tulad kaya ng magpapalit agad ng maraming yen sa peso at ilagay sa banko sa Pilipinas? Sa palagay niyo po, tataas pa ang yen? Hindi naman siguro papayag si Prime Minister Abe, diba po?

Charlie Okinawa Dear Charlie: Maraming factors na nag-dedetermine ng paghina or pag-strengthen ng isang currency. I will do my best to explain, in a very simplistic way, para lang madaling maintindihan.

Kunwari, ang main export ng Japan ay kotse, at ang main market ay ang Amerika. Kunwari, ang selling price ng isang kotse ay JPY 1 million.

Kunwari rin na ang current exchange rate ng US$/JPY is 100.

Ibig sabihin, ang kotse na JPY 1 million ang halaga ay equivalent sa US$10,000 ang tag price sa America

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(JPY 1,000,0000 divided by 100 = US$ 10,000).

Namamahalan ang potential buyer sa America sa presyo ng Japanese car. Mas mura ang offer na kotse kunwari ng Korea. Kung ang quality ng Korean made car ay halos pareho ng Japan made car, natural, magiging attractive sa American buyer iyong Korean car.

So worried ngayon ang Japanese car makers dahil hindi maka-compete.

Pwede nilang babaan ang presyo kung kaya nila. O kaya naman ay pwedeng mag-institute ng various policies ang gobyerno ng Japan para humina ang Yen. Dahil dito, pwedeng maging JPY 120 ang exchange rate ng US$/JPY. Ang magiging presyo sa America ng Japanese car na JPY 1.0 million ay US$8,333, hindi na US$10,000 kung JPY 120 ang exchange rate sa US$1.

Mas mura in US$ terms, pero pareho pa rin ang presyo sa Yen, di-ba. So mas magiging attractive na ngayon ang Japanese car kasi parehongparehong Japanese car pa rin ang ibinebenta, pero ang presyo sa US$ ay naging mura na, at wala namang lugi itong Japanese car maker dahil JPY1.0 million pa rin ang selling

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

price ng kotse in Yen terms.

Another possible product na pwedeng maging example naman ay ang langis. Imagine that there will be war in all the oil exporting countries, at disrupted ang oil production dahil sa giyera. There will then be less supply of oil, but demand will still be the same or more. So tataas ngayon ang presyo ng oil, dahil nga marami pa rin ang gustong mag-import kahit mataas ang halaga dahil necessity ang oil doon sa importing country. Kunwari Japan ang importer. Since normally in US$ ang international fund settlement currency, kapag gustong mag-import ni Japan, ay dapat bibili siya ng US$ na pambayad. Magkakaroon ngayon ng demand for more US$, at kapag marami ang demand, pwedeng taasan ng mga nagbebenta ng US$ ang presyo ng US$ against the Yen. Kunwari naman, nanalo sa pagkaPresidente ng America ang isang kandidato na iniisip ng marami na magiging daan ng pagkasira ng ekonomiya ng America. Siyempre, kapag iisipin ng mga investors na hihina ang US economy, mawawalan din sila ng trust and confidence sa US$ currency. So ang mga currency

traders, ibebenta nila ang US$, for another currency na tingin nila ay safer, kunwari, ang Yen. So lalaki ang demand for Yen, at hihina naman ang demand for US$. So kapag ang daming nagbebenta ng isang produkto (US$) at wala namang gustong bumili, pwedeng magbababa ng presyo ang nagbebenta to attract buyers. Iyon namang nagbebenta ng Yen, dahil ang daming gustong bumili, pwedeng maging mayabang, at itaas ang presyo, kasi marami pa rin ang gustong bumili kahit mahal (strong Yen).

Ang tatlong above simplistic examples ko ay ang sinasabing the law of supply and demand in economics. The more there is a demand for something, then the price of that something can go up and still there will be buyers, so the price can then again go up. Kapag naman sobrang dami ng supply at walang interested buyers, pwedeng ibagsak ang presyo, para lang maka-attract ng buyers.

Mahirap mag-advice kung bibili na today ng US$ using your Yen, or send Pesos to the Philippines using your Yen kasi posibleng bukas ng umaga, paggising mo, biglang may drastic change na ng exchange rate.

Swerte kung lumakas ang Yen; malas kung hindi. So kapag tingin mo OK na ang US$/JPY= 100 na exchange rate, or JPY/PHP=0.45 na exchange rate (personally, sa akin, OK na ito), e di bumili ka na ng US$, o kaya’y mag-remit na ng peso sa iyong bank A/C, using your Yen. Posibleng tumaas pa ang Yen. Around 5 years or so ago, US$/JPY = 80 lang. Ibig sahin, ang JPY 80 mo ay equal to US$1. Ngayon, ang JPY 80 mo ay less than US$1 na sa current exchange rate na around JPY/USD = 100 (US$80 divided by 100 = 80 cents). Pero posible ding humina depende sa nangyayari sa mundo.

Re President Abe – ang alam ko, mas gusto ng Abe regime na humina ang Yen para nga mas magiging mura ang exports ng Japan, at mas maraming bibili ng products nila.

Magiging mura din ang mag-tour sa Japan lalo na at gustong palakihin ng Japan ang number ng mga turista. Tapos, may 2020 Tokyo Olympics pa. Kapag too strong ang Yen, pwedeng ma-discouage ang mga Japan visitors kasi magiging mahal in terms of US$ ang presyo ng mga bagay-bagay sa Japan. Iyong coke, kunwari, kung JPY 150 per bottle, at ang exchange rate ng US$/JPY = 100, kailangan mo ng US$1.50 (150 divided by 100) para makabili ng JPY 150 na coke. Kung hihina ang Yen at magiging US$/JPY = 150, ang US$ 1 mo ay equivalent sa JPY 150. E di US$1 lang ang kailangan mo para makabili ng isang coke (150 divided by 150). Same price pa rin in Yen yong coke (JPY150), pero different ang price in US$ (US$ 1; US$1.50).

presently sa Japan! Ibig sabihin, imbes na kikita ang pera mo, mababawasan pa! Actually, applicable ito sa mga deposit ng mga Japanese banks sa kanilang central bank. Para ma-encourage magpahiram ng pera ang mga Japanese banks at ma-discourage na ilagay lang sa deposito sa kanilang central bank, penalized sila with negative interest earnings kapag naka-park lang ang pondo nila as deposits.

Tita Lits

Sa business, siyempre posibleng kumita ng mas malaki. Pero posibleng malugi din. Baka nga maubos pa ang iyong inilagay na capital! So kung magbi-business ka, pasukan ang isang business na intindi mong mabuti, para mapalakad mong mabuti, at ma-lessen mo ang business risks.

Dear Tita Lits, Tatlong taon na po akong nagta-trabaho sa Japan.

Naka-ipon naman ng konting savings sa bangko. Sabi po ng isang kaibigan ko, mas magandang i-invest ang pera sa business kaysa sa bangko kasi konti lang daw ang makikita nito...or as in wala o katiting. Kung sa business daw, mas malaki ang kita. Ano kaya ang magandang business sa Pilipinas ngayon? Iniisip ko rin mag-invest sa real estate pero hindi ko pa talaga alam ito. Ano po ang advice ninyo?

Sa Pilipinas, ang liit na rin ng kita sa savings sa banko. Depende sa banko, naglalaro na lang sa around 1% annual interest earnings. Maliit ang kita, pero maliit din ang risks na matunaw ang pera mo. May mga ibang mga bank products na mas malaki ang potential returns, pero mas malaki din ang potential risks.

Dear Sheila:

Sa real estate – lupa, bahay at lupa, condo, farm land, etc. – at least nakikita mo ang binili mo. Kung house and lot iyon or condo, pwede mong matirahan at pakinabangan ang iyong investment dahil may sarili ka ng bahay at lupa or condo.

Ngayon, kung tataas ang presyo ng real estate, e di suwerte ka. Pero kahit tumaas, paper profit lang iyon, kung wala namang bibili ng iyong property kapag gusto mong ibenta.

Ako, I will advice na mag-invest sa real estate na pwede mong magamit. Tulad ng isang condo na pwede mong pa-rentahan habang ikaw ay nasa abroad. Kapag uuwi ka na, pwede mong gamitin na as your home. Pumili lang ng good location, hindi bumabaha ang lugar, maganda ang materiales sa pag-construct ng property, good reputation ang pangalan ng real estate company, at kakayanin mo ang down payment at monthly amortization.

Negative interest regime na nga

Tita Lits

Sheila Aomori

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by Anita Sasaki EVERY GISING A BLESSING!!!

Sa mundong ito na ating kinaroroonan kahit na anong buti nang ating gawin ay laging may masamang isip ang tao sa ating ginagawa.

May mga tao na kahit anong buti at katapatan ang ating ipakita ay hindi nila matanggap kapag may magandang nangyari sa ating buhay. Hindi nila matanggap ang maging masaya para sa atin. At natutuwa sila kapag tayo naman ay nagkamali o may di magandang nangyari sa atin.

"Inggit" ang tawag sa larong ito. At marami ang naglalaro nito.

Gagawin nila ang lahat para tayo ay bumagsak at nagdiriwang sila sa ating pagbagsak.

May kasabihan na ang inggit ay nakakamatay. Dahil sa ganitong pag-iisip, wala po itong maidudulot na mabuti.

Kaya payo lang po alisin natin sa ating mga isipan at puso ang "inggit". Sapagka't ang inggit ay nakakamatay. Ito ay di magandang pag-uugali.

Kaya huwag tayong makakalimot manalangin para ilayo tayo sa ganitong pag-iisip.

"HINDI MO KAILANGAN MAGING MAYAMAN O MATAAS NA PINAG-ARALAN UPANG MAKATULONG SA KAPWA MO PILIPINO."

photography by Marisol Kudo

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SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

Taga-saan ka sa Pinas? Makati Kailan ka nakarating sa Japan?

20 years ago.

Saan ka sa Japan?

Sa Tokyo.

Ano ang trabaho mo ngayon?

I am currently working as an assistant nurse at Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital in Itabashi ku.

You are involved in a dance troupe?

Yes, I'm the founder, the dance teacher and owner of InrayogPhilippines folkdance Troupe.

Please tell us something about your dance group.

We were all commited in educating the people specially the young generation, half Filipino and half Japanese children, to broaden and deepen their understanding of the Filipino life and culture. And also to uplift the image of Filipinos living here in Japan.

The group's accomplishments include performances in community events, international festivals, private functions, concert for a cause, etc.

Sinu-sino ang mga members? Puro ba mga Pinoy? Meron din mga Hapon?

Open ba ito sa ibang gustong sumali?

Members are Filipinos, half Filipino & Japanese, & Japanese. Everybody is welcome to join the group.

Paano ba kayo pwedeng ma-contact sakali gusto kayong imbitahin sa mga events?

Send an email to: webmail@inrayog-philippines.com or check their website at: http://Inrayog-Philippines.com

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“Huwag kang uuwing mukhang kawawa!” at iba pang words of wisdom mula sa mga titas of Japan

Ni Michelle G. Ong Sa anim na buwang pamamalagi sa Japan, marami akong nakahalubilo at nakakwentuhan na mga kababayang nakatatanda sa akin ng kaunti. Karamihan sa mga nakahalubilo kong Pinay rito ay nasa edad 50 pataas.

Karamihan ay bumilang na ng dekada sa Japan, at marami-rami na ring hirap at sayang pinagdaanan. Lahat ay may anak, at karamihan ay may asawang Hapon (o may asawang Hapon dati). Maraming pinagkakaabalahan ang mga ito--- maraming may trabaho pa rin (sa omise, sa English school, sa gobyerno), maraming aktibo sa mga gawaing pangsimbahan at pangkomunidad, at syempre pa, marami ang busy pa din sa pag-

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aasikaso sa kanikanilang mga asawa, anak, at apo.

Sa aming mga kwentuhan, mahalagang topic ang mga plano para sa pagtanda.

Marami sa kanila ang nag-aalala--“Ayaw kong maging pabigat sa aking pamilya!” sabi ni Tita Jeng (Hindi po tunay na pangalan).

Kung tutuusin, hindi naman ito kataka-taka. Maraming Hapon ang nag-aalala rin sa kanilang pagtanda na baka sila ay maging pabigat sa kanilang pamilya, at sa lipunan. Kaya naman, marami sa mga nakakwentuhan ko ang nagsabing matiyaga silang nagbabayad ng insurance buwan-buwan. Panigurado raw ito na sa oras ng kanilang pangangailangan ay may maaasahan sila. Maigi raw na

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sa Japan ay may ganitong mga patakaran, at walang ‘age limit’ sa trabaho. May ilang nagsabi na makakakapagtrabaho sila hangga’t gusto nila dito sa Japan, di gaya sa Pinas na laging bata ang hinahanap sa mga

trabaho.

Kaya naman sa sampung nakakwentuhan ko, tatatlo lamang ang walang trabaho; karamihan ay mayroong sariling kita galing man sa part-time o full-time na trabaho.

Maraming mahahalagang advice ang mga Tita ko. Dapat daw ay habang bata pa at malakas ang kita ay maging wais sa pag-iipon at pagpu-

pundar, pati na rin sa pangangaral sa mga kamaganakan na hindi pinupulot ang pera sa Japan. Kung hindi raw ganito ang gagawin ay baka umuwi kang mukhang kawawa—walang ipon, walang uuwian, at walang kamag-anak na mag-aalaga sa iyong pagtanda.

Sa edad na 38, napapaisip na rin ako tungkol sa aking pagtanda, at marami talaga akong napupulot na magagandang tip mula sa mga nakakakwentuhan ko. Makabubuti naman talaga na huwag maging magarbo at aksayado sa pera, at mabuti rin na magtrabaho nang husto habang kaya pa ng ating katawan. Kaya lang, iniisip ko rin, hindi lahat ng tao ay pare-pareho ng sitwasyon. Mayroong mga minalas sa asawa at nagdiborsyo, kaya mas kaunti ang naiipon at mas bugbog ang katawan sa pagtatrabaho.

Mayroon ding minalas sa mga anak o kamaganakan sa Pilipinas, na maaaring dahil sa mga di-maiwasang pangyayari (kagaya ng pagkakasakit, biglaang pagkamatay) at pati na rin siguro kakulangan ng kaalaman (o malasakit) ay hindi mapalago ang perang ipinapadala ng mga

nasa Japan.

Mayroon mas kaunti ang ipupuhunan --- walang pangsimula ng negosyo, hindi mataas ang pinag-aralan, --kaya hindi masyadong bongga ang kita. Paano na sila? Anong kinabukasan ang pwedeng mapasakanila?

Magkakaiba man ang pinanggalingan at pinagdaanan, iisa ang ating gustong patunguhan--- isang maginhawang buhay sa ating katandaan, kung saan may kasapatan: sapat na pera, sapat na pagkakaabalahan, at sapat na pagmamahal mula sa pamilya at mga kaibigan. Kahit alam natin na marami tayong magagawa sa sarili nating buhay para makamit ito, sana mapag-isipan din nating bilang mga tao at bilang isang

komunidad kung paano natin matutulungan ang mas marami na magkaroon ng maginhawang buhay sa pagtanda ano pa man ang kanilang pinanggalingan at pinagdaanan.

Si Michelle Ong po ay isang titser sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Departamento ng Sikolohiya na nakisilong sa Kyoto University sa tulong ng Japan Foundation. Binigyan po siya ng pagkakataon na mamalagi ng anim na buwan dito upang mag-research tungkol sa kalagayan at kaisipan ng mga Pilipinang nagkaka-edad na sa Japan.

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by Abie Principe react-text: 207

Tayong mga nakatira sa Japan, madalas nakakalimutan ang kagandahan ng kalikasan ng Pilipinas. Kasi nga naman, tuwing umuuwi tayo, shopping malls at restaurants ang focus natin. Ako po, dear reader, ganyan rin. Pero noong aking kabataan, napaka-dalas ko umakyat ng bundok. Una, noong nasa unibersidad pa lamang ako, at sumunod noong nagtatrabaho na ako. Ito ay noong hindi pa ako napadpad sa Japan.

react-text: 210

Recently, na-realize ko na ang tagal ko na palang hindi umaakyat sa Pilipinas.

Medyo nalungkot ako, siguro signus ito ng melancholy, dahil na rin sa madalas na paalala ng Facebook ng mga pangyayari "8 years ago." Kaya, noong nag plano ang mga kaibigan ko na mag-hike sa Mt. Ulap, nag desisyon akong sumama.

react-text: 213

Ang Mt. Ulap ay nasa Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet. Dumaan at tumigil muna kami ng isang gabi sa Baguio bago kami umakyat.

react-text: 216

Impormasyon ukol sa Mt. Ulap ay makikita dito: http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2015 /11/mt-ulap-1846m-in-itogon-benguet.html

react-text: 221

Umakyat kami ng August 13, Sabado. At papunta sa jump-off point, medyo malakas ang ulan. Pagdating namin sa Barangay Hall, kung saan kukuha ng

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guide at mag re-register, sinabihan kami ng Kapitan na hindi advisable na tumuloy kami dahil ulan at fog lang makikita namin. Halong disappointment and relief yung naramdaman ko. Disappointment dahil andun na kami, tapos hindi matutuloy? Relief dahil medyo nakakatakot nga naman mag hike sa ulan at kapag walang visibility. Pero, habang naghihintay kami ng guide na papayag samahan kami, medyo tumila ang ulan. At natuloy ang aming hike. Miraculously, the weather cleared! Nakita namin ang kagandahan ng Mt. Ulap, at talagang makikita ang ulap na halos kasing level sa amin.

react-text: 224

Habang naglalakad papaakyat ng Mt. Ulap, naalala ko ang aking kabataan, medyo matinding "natsukashii" dahil biglang naramdaman ko uli kung bakit noon, rain or shine, akyat ako ng akyat.

Iba talaga feeling ng bundok. Doon, nakikita ang majesty of nature. Doon, nailalagay sa perspektibo ang mga araw-araw na harapin ng buhay. Doon, maipaaalala natin sa ating sarili na hindi lahat ng problema babaliin ang likod natin, minsan kailangan lang natin isa-puso na ang mundo ay hindi natin pasan, akala lang natin ito. Ang buhay parang hiking, we hope for the best, we prepare for the worst, and we do what we can, as best as we can, and in the end, it's worth it. Sa aking opinion, kapag nagkakaroon tayo ng totoong "facetime" with nature, we realize how small we are, and yet, we can do so much. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit ako mountaineer noon, ngayon at sana hanggang magpakailanman. /react-text

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ni Karen Sanchez

Panalangin “And if we know that He hears us- whatever we Ask – we know that we have what we asked Him.” - John 5: 15 Magandang araw na naman po sa mga kababayang laging abala diyan sa Japan. Muli naririto na naman po kaming nagbibigay ng aming mga munting kakayahang maging bahagi ng inyong buhay. At lubos na nagpapasalamat sa walang sawang pagbabasa, pag-aabang, paghihintay o pagtatangkilik sa amin.

Nais ko pong ibahagi sa inyo ang isang bagay sa ating mga buhay na hindi nabibili, madalas natin itong nakakalimutan, nakakaligtaan at maaalala lamang natin ito kapag tayo ay nasa panaganib, kalungkutan, kapahamakan, problema o suliranin at ito po ay ang “PANALANGIN,” dasal o “prayer.”

Bata man o matanda ay nakaugalian o marunong magdasal ang mga Pinoy. Ngunit kapag bata ang nananalangin siyempre ito ay limitado. Bata mag-isip, bata kung humiling at karamihan ay hindi alam ang totoo o malalim na kahulugan nito. At hindi lamang mga bata kundi marami din sa mga matatanda o nakakatanda ang tulad nila. Lalo na ang mga taong hindi naranasan o nakaranas ng matinding problema, dagok, hirap at mapag-isa na ni walang sinumang makakatulong, masandalan, matakbuhan o maaasahan kundi ang sarili at ang matinding pananampalataya o taimtim na panalangin sa Kanya.

Nakaranas napo ba kayong mapagisa sa isang matindi o nakakapanlumong sitwasyon? Wala kang malapitan? Yung gusto mo na lang mag-isa at magkulong sa madilim na kwarto?

Nag-iiyak? Walang masabihan o

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makausap? Hindi po ba sa ganitong pangyayari sa ating buhay ay madalas naaalala na nating magdasal o manalangin? Magsusumamo?

Magtatanong? Bakit? Bakit ito nangyari? Bakit ako? Mga katanungang sa Diyos ating itinatanong.

Hindi po natin alam o namamalayan na minsan gumagawa ang Diyos ng mga pagsubok sa ating buhay dahil mahal Niya tayo. Gusto Niyang alalahanin natin Siya dahil masyado tayong naging abala sa ating “daily routine”, trabaho, negosyo at iba pa na dumadating sa puntong nakakalimot na tayo. At kinakailangan nya tayong gisingin o kabugin.

Ngunit ang sinuman daw na nagdadalamhati at nagsusumamo sa Kanya ay pinakikinggan Nya. At tunay na makapangyarihan ang ating dasal o panalangin kapag tayo ay lumuluhang nagsusumamo at taos-pusong lumalapit sa Kanya. At hindi din natin namamalayang sinasagot agad-agad ng ating Poong Maykapal ang ating mga hiling o panalangin o hinaing.

Sa maraming paraan, na hindi natin kaagad-agad na nakikita, di lang direktang binibigay ng Diyos ang ating mga kahilingan dahil madalas gumagamit Siya ng bagay o taong makakatulong sa ating mga suliranin.

Sila ang nagiging instrument upang maiparating o maipadama ng Panginoon ang Kanyang pagmamahal sa atin. Dahil Siya ay espiritu na laging nandiyan na nagmamahal, nag-aantay at gumagabay sa atin sa araw-araw, oras-oras na tayo ay nabubuhay.

Sa mga kamalian, kabiguang ating naranasan, hindi ito nangangahulugang pinabayaan Nya tayo at hinde Niya tayo minahal. Lagi po nating tandaan na sa bawat isa sa atin ay binibigyan Nya ng mga pagkakataong paulit-ulit na mamili sa anumang ninanais natin o tinatawag na freedom makapag-isip o makapagdesisyon o “will” at ito ang kakayahan natin gumawa o sumunod sa gusto ng puso natin.

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Sa anumang pagkakamali natin sa buhay ay nanatili Siyang gumagabay at naghihintay na Siya’y tawagin o alalahanin. At sa anumang desisyon na ating gagawin, mas epektibo ito kapag may Kristo sa puso natin at lalo nating mararamdaman ang tagumpay, kaligayahan, at pagkakontento kapag naging sentro ng bawat buhay natin dito sa mundo ay ang ating Panginoon.

At muli po, isang paalala po ang aking ibibigay sa inyo sa araw-araw na tayo’y nakikibaka sa hamon ng buhay at ito po ay ang salita o katagang “ASK” A = Ask - magtanong, humiling o magdasal kung anong iyong gustong gawin, malaman o anu pa man.

S = Seek - maghanap, hanapin at baka ang matagal na nating hinihintay o inaasam-asam ay nandiriyan lamang at hindi natin ito nakikita at naghihintay lang din na atin silang mapansin.

K = knock - kumatok-sa anumang pagkakataon dumarating, kumatok, mangulit ng paulit-ulit dahil minsan kahit ayaw o mahirap pagbuksan nakukuha natin ang isang bagay sa pangungulit din. Dito sinusubok ang ating tiyaga o patience sa isang bagay na gusto o ninanais natin. Sabi nga nila subok ng subok o try and try until we succeed. At darating din ang tamang pagkakataon sa tamang panahon.

Kapag tayo ay natitigilan at nag-aalinlangan dasal po tayo upang tayo’y mabigyan ng kaalaman o wisdom nang sa ganun ay ating maunawaan ang mga bagay-bagay na nangyayari sa ating buhay. Na anumang pagsubok by God’s grace, lahat atin itong malampasan o makayanan. At kaya nating ipagpatuloy ang buhay, at ialay ang lahat sa Kanya dahil lahat ng mayroon tayo ay pag-aari Niya. At walang imposible sa Kanya kaya lagi lang tayong manalig, manalangin, at sa kabiguan man o tagumpay, ibahagi natin ito sa Kanya.

Hanggang sa muli po mga kababayan, pagpalain nawa tayo ng Poong May likha sa ating lahat.

Simple “Secrets” Whenever others see pictures of my garden or listen to my passionate talks about gardening, they would always say I have a green thumb so they assume it is easier for me put seeds to life and flowers to bloom.

Actually, it’s not about having the green thumb or some very special skills that makes me look like a good gardener. But in fact, when I am in the garden, I am always a “newbie”. Every minute I spend with the plants is a time of discovery and learning. I have a library of books on plants and gardening, but the real learning happens where the action is – in the garden! Although I must admit that some basic knowledge is required so you don’t end up with dead or rotten plants, the basics are common sense, knowledge and facts.

One of my office colleagues always tell me that all the plants she bought either wither or die after a few days so she has resigned on the idea of raising plants again. Even the rosemary herb shrub she liked, which typically survives in harsh environments, was not spared. She doesn’t know how many plants have disappeared in my garden through the years so I told her it’s too early to give up. It is still a puzzle for me what caused them to go so soon, but I learned some after many trials and by many errors.

One of the biggest mistakes that I and most people make is the excessive care they give to plants. Anything in excess is always bad even for us humans. Very common is too much water or too much fertilizer. It is a bad habit because we think we

by Rogelio Agustin are doing a favor to the plants by giving them extra water or extra “vitamins” so we can speed up their growth.

Water is both a friend and an enemy of plants. Plants obviously need water to grow, but too much water will rot the roots. I myself love watering my plants because it is a refreshing activity (cools the surrounding in the heat of summer) so I have tons of experience seeing rotten roots! But that’s ok. The most important thing is a well-drained soil, not too dry and not too wet, just enough to hold some water during the day. The same goes for fertilizers which are important nutrients but too much makes them a poison.

When you buy potted plants, most of them carry instructions which are very

simple to follow. Water the plants only when the soil is dry. Apply a “small” amount of fertilizer once in a while, like every two weeks or once a month. If you plant them on the ground, it could be best to just leave them alone and let nature tales its course. These are some of the simple “secrets” I found actually just recently.

Gardens, big or small, they all follow the same rules.

But of course it doesn’t end there. The more you understand your plants, the more you can expect for better results. I hope the hot summer is over soon so I can start planting and replanting for the next season. In fact, autumn is the best season to plant to be ready for spring blooms. I suggest you start with tulips. Happy planting in autumn!

“If you wish to make anything grow, you must understand it, and understand it in a very real sense.

“Green Fingers” are a fact, and a mystery only to the unpracticed.

But green fingers are the extensions of a verdant heart.”

– Russel Page-

Ni Renaliza Rogers

Georgina: Ikaw? Gusto mo rin ba dito sa Batanes ikasal?

Pong: Syempre. Dito ako lumaki eh.

Georgina: Eh pano kung sa ibang lugar gusto magpakasal nung papakasalan mo?

Pong: Okay lang. Eh di dun kami magpapakasal.

Georgina: Ganun lang ka simple yun?

Pong: Oo. Kung gusto niyang magpakasal sa Palawan o sa Manila Cathedral, sige lang. Kung gusto niyang magpakasal sa umaga, tanghali o gabi, sige lang.

Georgina: Eh pano yung gusto mo?

Pong: Eh ang gusto ko lang naman pakasalan niya ako eh. 'Yun lang.

(Georgina & Pong, You're My Boss) May kasal akong dadaluhan sa December. Kasal ito ng isa sa mga pinaka-matalik at pinakamamahal kong kaibigan. Ang kasal na ito ay pinaghandaan ng matagal at simula last year pa ang aking mga kabarkada hindi magkamayaw sa susuotin, tema ng kasal, sa bridal shower, at kung anu-ano pa. Sila kasi ang nataasang mag-isip ng idadamit naming mga bridemaids tutal kami din naman ang magbabayad ng sarili naming gown at make-up dahil nagtitipid ang mga ikakasal. Naiintindihan ko naman yun dahil ang hirap kumayod upang magkapera at isa pa, regalo na lang namin yun sa kasal ng aming kaibigan. Ang hindi ko lamang maintindihan ay kung bakit sadyang napaka-engrande ng kasal na gusto nila kung sila naman ay nagtitipid.

Ang gusto ng bride ay theme na "elegant & classy." Ang inakala ko ay isang simple ngunit eleganteng gown ang susuotin naming mga bridesmaid. Laking gulat ko noong una dahil ang gown na para sa aming bridesmaids ay tadtad ng crystals and sequins na animo'y daig pa ang

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kasal nina Marian at Dindong Dantes.

Ang gowns na ipapagawa ay nagkakahalaga ng mahigit 4k each, di pa kasama ang make-up by one of the best and most expensive makeup artists dito sa amin, ambagambag para sa bridal shower, regalo sa kasal, etc. Parang gusto kong magtanong kung bridesmaid nga ba

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talaga ang role ko sa kasal or Principal Sponsor na sa laki ng gagastusin.

Hindi mayaman ang ikakasal, nagsisimula pa lamang silang mag-ipon, at lalong hindi ako mayaman para gumastos ng ganoon ka laki para sa isang gown na susuotin ko once in my life at hindi pa sa

aking sariling kasal. At isa pa, December gaganapin ang kasal kung kailan maraming pag gagastusan.

Hindi ito maintindihan ng mga nag oorganisa. Ang dahilan nila ay minsan lang naman daw ito mangyari at malaki na ang gagastusin ng ikakasal sa reception kaya kailangan namin silang tulungan matupad ang kanilang dream wedding. Usapusapan din na nanghihiram daw ng

pera si groom sa iba naming mga kaibigan, panggastos daw at may mga babayaran. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang maisip na marahil ay inutang din ang panggastos sa kasal o di kaya'y inubos na lahat ng ipon para lang dito ngunit hindi din sapat, pwera na lang kung sponsor nina

nanay at tatay.

Marami sa ating mga Pinoy ang likas na gustong makita ng lahat na kaya natin. Ayaw man nating sabihin pero marami sa atin ang pasimple kung magyabang. Gusto natin mataas ang tingin ng tao sa atin. Uutangan ang lahat para sa graduation ni ineng, birthday ni junior, fiesta ng barangay, pamasko sa mga inaanak at kamag-

anak, binyag ni baby, tour with barkadas, and last but not the least dream wedding, etc. Ngunit kung ating iisipin, hindi naman importante ang engrandeng okasyon at mga papuring sasabihin ng ibang tao tungkol sa inyong kasal o kung anumang pagdiriwang dahil kayong

gumastos naman ang magkakandaugagang magbayad ng lahat, hindi sila. Okay lang naman sana kung kayo ay sadyang mayaman o may ipong sapat at may kakayanang gumastos ng malaki. Ang masaklap ay kung pati ang pang honeymoon ninyo ay inutang na din.

May isa akong kasal na napuntahan noon. Matagal na silang magkasintahan. Ikinasal sila sa isang maliit na chapel sa simbahan. Ang suot ng bride ay isang simpleng damit na puti at ang groom naman ay nakasuot ng puting polo. Ang mga dumalo ay tig-tatatlong ninang at ninong na talagang ka-close ng mga ikakasal (hindi yung kinuha lang dahil kapitan, engineer, general, politiko, mapera, kakilala ni nanay at tatay na may koneksyon at pwedeng mahingan ng pabor sa huli kung kakailanganin ngunit di naman gaanong ka-close ng mga ikakasal), immediate family, iilang mga kaibigan at abay sa kasal. Kung bibilangin ay mga 30 katao lang ang nandoon. Simple ang kasal, solemn and very intimate. Walang maraming pakulo pero napaka-ganda. Mararamdaman mo ang pagmamahalan na walang halong pretention.

Pagkatapos ng kasal ay sumakay ang mag-asawa sa kanilang makintab at brand new na kotse pauwi sa kanilang bagong tayong bahay kung saan gaganapin ang kainan. Talk about priorities diba? Naikasal ng maayos at maganda, hindi lubog sa utang, may sariling bahay at kotse, swabe ang honeymoon pagkatapos.

Hindi mahalaga ang napaka engrandeng selebrasyon at hindi kailangang perpekto ang lahat. Wala sa laki ng ginastos o sa kasosyalan ng event ang pagiging espesyal nito.

Hindi na din mahalaga ang sasabihin ng ibang tao, kung nagandahan ba sila o hindi. Ang mahalaga nagmamahalan at masaya kayo, naidaos ito ng mabuti kasama ang mga malalapit na kaibigan at mahal ninyo sa buhay at maganda ang sitwasyon ng pamumuhay pagkatapos nito...hindi yung engrande nga ang pagdiriwang ngunit lubog naman kayo hanggang leeg sa utang pagkatapos. Malay ba naming mga umattend sa hirap ninyo at kami'y makikikain lamang.

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by Alma Reyes

AFFAIRS OF THE HEART “For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer…to love and to cherish, till death do us part…”

Belgians, having the highest divorce rate in the world (71%), according to the UN demographic statistics, must be looking elsewhere when they proclaim those tingling marriage vows. In Japan, the divorce rate has also plummeted to 36%, with over 250,000 divorce cases in 2008.

Indeed, the halo of sanctity over pledged love between two people seems to float turbulently in the air, where fragile matters of trust, fidelity, respect, and obligation break callously like thin ice.

For many star-eyed lovers, Romeo and Juliet have always been the poignant epitome of “true love” because in their story, self-sacrifice completed ardent desire—the art of martyrly “selflessness” that defies expected norms of family, social status and duty, all for the savor of passion. Yet, the Shakespearean fiction was a manifestation of forbidden love, the primary ingredient of extramarital affairs—and this flare of risk and danger ironically sets the stage for romanticism that lovers find quite unreachable in a tranquil marriage.

Lissy Ann Abella Puno is a trained psychologist, specializing in family and marital guidance counseling, with decades of experience across Asia. On her last trip to Japan a few months ago, Lissy Ann observed the prevalent Japanese social lifestyle: working husbands staying out late till midnight for work or no work; segregated marital roles leaving wives with that inevitable choice for self-reliance; and abridged mutual communication among couples, sacrificed by time, social obligation and that inherent inhibition to express.

Lissy Ann’s book, “Affairs Don’t Just Happen,” to be released this year, speaks of the pitfalls of relationships—why they fall in the

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risk of infidelity, how the outburst of affairs can be prevented, and what measures can be taken to rebuild the bond. “In my years of counseling experience, I have discovered how the dynamics of couples work so differently from that of the individual’s and the family’s. Life today is more active and filled with a variety of lifestyle options, which take two people away from each other and their family life. There are more commuter marriages due to employment opportunities all over the world, and spouses who travel on business trips. The society has become “disposable and replaceable,” with the advancement of phones, computers, gadgets, and transportation. There is also a push to “take care of the self” and to seek better ways to be happy. We see less willingness to sacrifice and endure.

On the typical closely-knitted and extended Filipino family life and its positive and negative impact on marriage The Filipino family is a culture we can take pride in for its close-knit structure. There is great demand and influence in a marriage mainly because of parental loyalty, economic needs and societal expectations. I think the positive contributions are: love and support, financial assistance, and hopefully a good model for marriages and family life. The negative effects may be: pressure on the couple, expectations from immediate families, financial drain, and time away from the couple.

On the differences between the Japanese and Filipino approach of sustaining marriage and family and Japan’s high divorce rate My experience in counseling Japanese marriages reveals that the roles are clearly defined and maintained between genders. Women are at home focused on child rearing and the men are providers who don’t get much involved in family life and parenting. Japanese women are left on their own to fulfill their roles while men are quite individualistic with career demands. I see more parallel than connected lives among

Japanese couples. There does not seem to be enough time to socialize as a couple. Emotions are not well expressed in Japanese marriages.

Spouses pretty much do separate things. However, the younger ones are trying to focus more towards family time. Extra marital affairs begin when one’s needs are met elsewhere. Why do Japanese husbands spend more hours outside the home? The reason may not necessarily be due to work, but socialization, clubbing, or going to bars, which may also be considered part of their work. If Japanese women can tolerate it, then the behavior persists, but if they have needs their spouses should meet, then they should communicate and ask for them.

On the plight of affairs between same culture couples and international marriages I would not say that there is a big correlation regarding affairs between same and mixed culture couples. Affairs generally arise from a void in the marriage due to unmet

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needs. In an international cross-cultural marriage, it’s true there may be more contributing factors to the differences in frustrations, misunderstandings and disconnections.

However, these are also the stressors in same culture couples.

For Filipino couples, there are strong demands on the spouses from the immediate families. Both same culture and international couples experience varied issues, which contribute to the initiation of an affair.

and meeting people outside the home, hence, their needs can be met elsewhere. Yes, there is still that shocking reaction about philandering wives, but in this day and age, it is not at all surprising. Women nowadays are empowered to go for what they want.

On the concept of open marriage In my counseling experience, open marriages don’t really work. The basic foundation of a marriage is to be faithful, exclusive, and monogamous. Clearly, the original marriage commitment is not honored nor maintained. The advantages are mainly self-indulgent. The concept is basically for one spouse to get what he or she wants. The disadvantage in an open marriage is that the original marriage is not given its proper attention, so technically the relation ends. Love and respect are taken away. Open arrangements are exits from the marriage. If you want to seek intimacy elsewhere, you might as well end the marriage, or call it something else.

On her book, “Affairs Don’t Just Happen” Most people say they need to find and be with the “right” partnertheir “soul mate.” However, what a couple truly needs is to continuously work hard at being the right person for each other. I hope that my book will help all couples to attain solid, happy and committed relationships.

It is available to you if you have a clear vision of your desired marriage, and are prepared to put in the time and effort to make that vision a reality. This is possible once you are aware of the ingredients for a good and affair-proofed marriage, so that you can use them in both good times and in bad. If you feel that your relationship is beginning to show signs of distancing, you can catch the issues early on to make the damage easier to repair, rather than waiting until it’s too late. My book presents valuable tools and strategies on how you can be the best possible partner in a supportive and loving relationship.

On the philandering husband vs. the philandering wife Currently, although the rate of men having affairs is higher than that of women, the rate of unfaithful women has been rising, especially as more women spend time working

On the pursue of love vs. trust in relationships Romantic love exists before marriage. It’s like a love cocktail.

There is a chemical in the brain that makes you believe this “in love” feeling will last forever. After marriage, couples need a lot more than trust to maintain their unity.

Trust, respect, communication, intimacy, time and a lot more…

On the youth’s view of marriage Young people today are marrying much later than their parents. The so-called courtship is carried out more quickly due to social media.

They can get to know someone much more easily and conveniently, believing they can be in love sooner than expected. Sex before marriage is also very casual.

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

Pasyal-pasyal din pag may time para alisin ang stress.

Agosto ang panahon kung kailan may ilang araw na bakasyon ang mga tao dito sa Japan matapos magpunta sa mga ohaka o puntod dahil ito rin ang panahon ng Obon, kanya kanyang pasyal dito, pasyal doon. Maraming matsuri (fiesta) at hanabi (fireworks).

Karamihan ay nagsu-swimming dahil sa sobrang init dahil summer pa rin, punta sa pool, sa ilog, o sa dagat. Punta sa mga amusement park. Yung iba, punta sa Disneyland sa Tokyo, Universal Studio sa Osaka, FujiQ sa Yamanashi. Yung mga mahilig naman pumunta sa bundok, madalas sa Mt. Fuji sila umaakyat kapag ganitong panahon. Balang araw maakyat din kita dahil tulad ng iba nais ko rin maranasan at makarating sa tuktok ng bulkan ng Mt. Fuji.

ni Jasmin Vasquez

na or typhoid fever na.

Isa sa pinaka-malakas makapag pa stress sa tao ay ang init. Hindi ka makapag trabaho o makakilos ng maayos. Nai-irita ka dahil sobrang init, kaya. Kung ikaw ay walang aircon sa bahay ay malamang tumaas ang presyon mo at ikaw ay ma heat-stroke. Ilang libong katao na ang nabalitang isinugod sa ospital sa bandang Tokyo dahil sa sobrang init. Kaya dapat, palagi tayong uminom ng tubig ng maiwasan ang panunuyo ng lalamunan ng hindi tayo magkasakit. Ang prutas naman na masarap sa buwan na ito ay momo o peach.

Pagkatapos ng tag-init. Papasok naman ang buwan ng September.

Dito magsisimula ang tag-ulan at bagyo. Noong nakaraang taon katulad sa Pilipinas may mga ilang lugar ding binaha. Mabuti na lamang at mataas ang lugar namin dito sa Nagano at hindi kami binabaha. Ngunit delikado naman kami kapag nagka-landslide dahil malapit kami sa mga bundok. Pero kahit tag-ulan, maari ka pa ring mamasyal sa bandang Yamanashi.

Dahil sa panahong ito, masarap mamitas at kumain ng ubas.

Maraming mga tao ang hindi nakakaalam na kapag summer dito sa Japan ay mas higit na mainit kumpara sa Pilipinas. Sa Pilipinas pag-akyat ng 31 to 33 degrees ay dumadaing na ang mga tao sa init. Dito sa Japan umaabot pa ng 40 degrees na kung baga sa lagnat, high fever

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SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

Huwag lang sumobra at baka tayo ay malasing.

Sa buwan naman ng October, napakasarap ng mga nashi (Japanese pear). Sa dami ng natikman kong peras, dito ako nakatikim ng pinakamasarap.

Katulad ng mansanas, dito sa Nagano ang pinakamasarap at matamis na aking natikman. Itong buwan naman ito magsisimula ang aki. Napakaganda ng mga puno sa kabundukan dahil magsisimula na itong mamula. Ito ang pinaka paborito kong panahon dahil tamang-tama lang, hindi mainit at hindi malamig, presko sa katawan.

At syempre ito rin ang birth month ko. Yun nga lang hudyat na madadagdagan na naman ang edad ko, huhuhu.

Araw-araw puro tayo trabaho, puyat, pagod at stress. Maraming mga Hapon dito sa Japan kung minsan hindi nakakayanan ang stress nagiging dahilan kung bakit sa di maipaliwanag na dahilan nagpapakamatay o pumapatay.

Marami tayong pwedeng gawin para maiwasan ang mga ganitong pangyayari. Yung iba kung saan saan nag ta-travel na bansa o lugar.

Kaya kung may libreng oras, pasyalpasyal lang kung saan mawawala ang stress natin. Kain ng mga prutas na napapanahon, hanging out with friends will help. Pwede kayong mag karaoke, mag disco.

Minsan kailangan natin talagang mag enjoy. Kung ayaw mong masiraan ng ulo dahil sa sobrang lungkot at malayo ka sa iyong pamilya. Masarap mabuhay ng na-e-enjoy mo ang bawat araw sa iyong buhay.

Ikaw, paano ka ba nagtatanggal ng stress mo? Nanood ka rin ba ng movie sa sinehan? Namamasyal sa park with BF/GF? Kung oo, mabuti ka pa. Huhuhuhu. Masyado ng mahaba, hanggang dito na lamang hanggang sa muli mga ka peeps!

Ingat tayo palagi and God bless!

BEEP-BEEP by Jose Miguel Parungao

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

37

Neriza Sarmiento-Saito's

ON THE ROAD TO...

Business Mission in Osaka Philippine Tourism Promotion Board June 9, 2016 , Hotel New Otani , Osaka

Congen Ma. Theresa Taguiang addresses the seminar participants TBP and The Philippine Delegation

Grand Raffle Draw

Mr. Val Cabansag and Mr. Tony Herrera, PAL Country Manager - Japan Tourism AttachĂŠ Leona Nepomuceno 38

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

ni Loleng Ramos

Pagmumuni ng Isang Katoliko leven years ago, I was on my way to church when from the adjacent school, I saw little children in blue uniform and hats forming two neat lines as they were being led by their teacher. In front of a white statue of the Mother of Jesus standing on the facade of the main building, they clasped their hands and bowed. It was a very lovely scene that I assumed there must be many Catholics in the neighborhood.

Only when my daughter started going to this school, did I find out that in a population of about a thousand, less than five are Catholic.

The religious custom I thought I have identified as from my belief was but an action being taught by the school to believers of other faith and yet without hesitation, they all follow.

Majority of Japanese are Buddhists and Shintoists, these two religion interplay in the lives of most of the people. They go to temples, maintained by Buddhist monks, when they visit the grave of their departed ones. Every New Year, they go to Shrines, maintained by the Shinto priests, to pray. It does not matter to a parent if they send their children to a Catholic institution, the rituals here do not connote an importance except some actions which without conflict, they can perform. If Shinto and Buddhism coexist in their lives, it can be extended more by their tolerance and respect to other faith.

I have learned that in this Catholic school where people from many religion are gathered, belief is something they can set aside and is subjective to each individual.

Clashes in principles or beliefs do not even happen as everyone respects the opinion of another.

If different religions can live in harmony in one small community, could it be possible in a bigger picture? in the whole one world?

but ceremonies distinct to each kind of religion but One Creator sees it all and planned it this way? Does the freedom given to creatures in human form necessitated the birth of these

A friend whose husband is a Buddhist monk told me this. When she first visited this place she had the feeling of being hugged. By who?

“Maybe God”. She said that the human mind is weak and so our mind needs a place to relax, a place to keep our mind strong so we can live in this world. A place called religion! She specified that children needs this place. If religion is a place in the mind, everyone can go there, everyone can afford that place where our mind can rest and keep it strong.

Her view puts no distinction in the different kinds of religion. When she mentioned “God”, she was not particular of who, the God of Christianity? There is no difference. She meant God, the Supreme Being unseen but can be felt, hugging her and her children and everyone else.

She added too that most parents want their children to be “the angels of peace” and religion can start that.

different beliefs where but the origin is one and the same? If religion can exist without the ceremonies, rituals and different beliefs then the world is one and we will all be equipped to survive a world of temptations and tribulations because there will be a common purpose. To live a world of peace and bliss, a paradise. I have thought too of the secularist, agnostics, atheist, those without religion. If the human mind cannot relax and be strong in a place called religion, the human mind can relax and be strong too in a place called the heart. Will religion matter if the heart is clean? I think religion matters if the heart is black. If the purpose of religion is to arm our mind and soul with strength, a religious person who has darkened his heart has defeated the purpose.

So is religion goodness or is goodness religion? I think one can always ask his mind relaxing in a place called religion or his mind at peace maintaining the cleanliness of the heart.

I was startled by her responses that it moved me to think, is religion

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

39

by Sally C. Takashima

Recently, halos wala ka ng mabasa sa mga social networking sites at iba pang mga pahayagan na walang kinalaman sa droga, durogista at mga taong nakikinabang sa pagbibenta ng droga.

Shabu is not derived from an organic plant and is not a poppy derivative. At present, there are over 3 million Filipinos already afflicted with drugs or are dependent on drugs.

Shabu is a deadly mix of chemicals while poppy seeds and marijuana are natural. Shabu is bad. Meth is bad. After prolonged use, the person can no longer be rehabilitated and will no longer have cognitive abilities, in short, a living dead, a useless eater.

Nakakasuka, nakakadismaya ang lalim ng problema ng droga sa Pilipinas. Akalain mo pati de ranko na militar ay nakikisawsaw na din sa negosyo ng droga. Easy money for these pigs but they are destroying the future generations.

Tama ka Presidente Duterte na kasuhanang mga taong salot ng ating bansa at ang iba na may pag-asa pa for rehabilitation ay tulungan mag bagong buhay.

Ganoon na lang ang dagsa ng mga tao sa Bilibid Prison. At karamihan ay nagsisiksikang matulog sa basketball courts, sa corridors at lugar na maaaring tulugan. Pero kailangan

Marami na din mga pangalan na natukoy si Pres.

Rodrigo Duterte na may kinalaman sa droga.

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SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

pakainin at pabahayin ang mga taong ito. Napakalaking problema. Susmaryosep! Ano ang dapat gawin?

From what I have read, Pres.

Duterte's next target are businessmen who don't pay the correct taxes. Habulin at kaladkarin sa Plaza at ipakita sa madla ang mga mandaraya. This is a warning for all businessmen to pay the right taxes or incur the wrath of the government. Barely two months in office since his assumption in June 30, Pres.

Duterte will not tolerate. To businessmen who cheat the government and the people, the president will not hesitate naming the erring tax evaders.

In Kansai, we recently held the much awaited event Banda Rito, Banda Roon -Jamming for a Cause at Nishi Yodogawa Kumin Hall. It was another well attended yugyugan event. It was also a Despedida Party for Osaka-Kobe Consul General Maria Teresa Taguiang who is completing her duty this September. We will all miss you.

Thank you for everything and we wish you good luck and good health.

It seems that another sizzling Summer is about to come to past so dear readers of Jeepney Press, seize what's left of it. The march of the seasons goes on bringing joy and happiness to men of goodwill. Hanggang sa muli.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

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Popularly known as Asia’s Princess of Songs, Emma Cordero has embarked on a career far from the world of music. This year, she stepped into the path of beauty pageants. Last August, she brought home the crown of “Woman of the Universe” at the recently concluded Mrs. Universe 2016 held at Guangzhou, China.

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SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

An active member of the Manila Sunrise Lion’s Club (MSLC), she chairs the International Affairs and was proudly a former president of the group.

Emma, through her Voice of An Angel Class in Fukuoka, teaches talented children music while supporting scholars in the Philippines.

“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the owner and organizer of Mrs. Universe for giving me a chance to share my advocacy and to have this title as WOMAN Of The UNIVERSE. Likewise, I would like to thank the people who prayed and supported me. Most of all, thanks to the Almigthty God who allowed me to have this title because He saw the sincerity of my intentions in joining this pageant. I love you all and God bless!�

MRS. UNIVERSE 2016

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

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BOOK REVIEWby Marilyn Rivera Eat, Pray and Love…

Eat, Pray and Love…

Authored by Elizabeth Gilbert In this rainy season, it feels ideal to grab a book and find the perfect spot to sit or lay down cozily with a book that you longed to read for several weeks now but just can’t find the time.

Upon reading this book, my first intention was to explore the author’s perspective of how she saw these three things in her journey around the world. But around the middle of the book, I find that it is more of being conscious of what Eat, Pray and Love means to us. As she went to Italy to enjoy the pleasures of food and good company, she discovered how great tasty food goes beyond our taste buds and fills in another hole in us aside from our stomach. She went to India to know more about the fascinating culture on how the people treasure their closeness to their spirituality, their beliefs and the true peace that they find in it. And lastly, her journey to Indonesia helped her find the balance on what she brought with her in Italy and in India into something more profound, which is Love.

I find it true that often a person’s divine intervention in life can take place different situations and different forms as well. Often this awakening can be triggered when a person hits rock-bottom. In this situation her thoughts and her own self-evaluation creates a completely different meaning before and after this turning point.

This proves to be true in the book, where the author embarks to her journey around the world after being devastated with her divorce and then facing another failure in love in a rebound relationship.

This book portrays how a careerdriven individual may not always

44

find the reciprocal equivalent of everything she worked hard for through material things or in her social status. This read goes deep on how we should measure true success and true happiness in life.

Each individual carries their own definition of what these so-called important things can be. What may matter to us may not mean a thing to the next person in the room. I find this so close to how I find my own self in life. Sometimes, we look so far when the things that should really matter to us are so near and within reach. We take advantage of situations and regret after when we have already lost them. It is easy for us to forget the people that we love and value the most, because we tag it in our minds that they will always be there, thick or thin, regardless what happens in the end.

After reading this book, I realized that it is better to lose love than not love at all. Being able to love and invest time on someone you value is just as important as living.

And the more sacrifices you make, makes you feel more alive and more in love with that person. It is a fact that not all relationships are successful or lasts long. But that does not mean that you failed in

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

love when you suffered a broken heart. If you always have a failed relationship that does not depict you as a person making wrong decisions, it just means that you are willing to risk yourself and your emotions with no strings attached.

Being able to step outside your comfort zone and put your heart and feelings down on your cards, is just as brave as being able to jump off a plane holding the hand of the person you love and not knowing if your parachute will deploy just in time. And yet, you still took the leap of faith. Being able to love someone is already a sign that you are living the life that you choose.

In my own perspective of true happiness and true love, it goes beyond the success stories. For me, as long as you are happy with your choices in life, these are the things that truly matters in the end and what other people say are their own business. No one would better know this fact as true but you.

Measurement of success is not the quantity of your awards or your recognitions in your work. These things vary from one person to another. It is not measured on how people like you because of your position or status in life. Not everyone find this true because it may not always be applicable to others when it comes to rating their happiness in life. For most, simple joys in life are better than things that have monetary value.

Being self-content on what you have and being satiable on what you can have are the true secrets of joy and happiness. One can have all the riches in the world and still be unhappy. Let us make things simpler, when you compare a little girl’s smile holding a new balloon against a wealthy man and all his billions. You would see that that little girl’s smile can beat the scale of a rich person’s smile with all his money.

Simple things and simple joys are my true happiness. This is what makes life more bearable and worth living for.

JEEPNeylicious Chef Josie Nistal Ingredients : 1 teaspoon white sugar 1 (.25 ounce ) package active dry yeast 1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F /45 degrees C ) 1/2 cup milk 1/4 cup white sugar 1/4 cup butter 1 teaspoon salt 2 eggs (beaten) 4 cups all purpose flour 3/4 cup butter 3/4 cup brown sugar 1 cup chopped pecans 3/4 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1/4 cup melted butter

Procedure : In a small bowl, dissolve 1 teaspoon sugar & yeast in a warm water. Let stand until creamy & rise about 10 minutes. Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Mix in 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup butter & salt, stir until melted. Let to cool until lukewarm.

In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture, milk mixture, eggs & 1 1/2 cup flour, stir well to combine.

Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition.

When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface & knead until smooth & elastic, or you can do this if you have the machine for 5 - 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough & cover & rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about an hour or

more. While dough is rising, melt the 3/4 butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 3/4 cup brown sugar, whisking until smooth. Pour into greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan.

Sprinkle bottom of pan with 1/2 cup of pecans, set aside. Melt remaining butter, set aside. Combine remaining 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup pecans & cinnamon, set aside.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into an 18 x 14 inch rectangle. Brush with 2 tablespoons melted butter, leaving 1/2 inch border uncovered, the filling: sprinkle with brown sugar & cinnamon mixture. Starting at long side tightly roll up, pinching seam to seal.

Brush with remaining 2 tablespoons butter, cut & divide into 15 pieces, place in the prepared baking pan.

Cover & let rise again for

another 1 hour or until doubled in volume.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let it cool & you can add the the glaze,1/4 cup

cream cheese, 1 tbsp. of butter, 1 cup powdered sugar and 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract.

Enjoy!

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

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Hosted by:

DAMAYAN and THE KAPATIRAN at Media Techque Building, Sendai Leaders: Ms. CHARITY D. SATO & Mr. JOHN JEWISH A. DOMINGUEZ

Winner:

JAMAICA MAMARIL HOSHINO Song: Isang Lahi

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SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

Hosted by:

PHILIPPINE NAKAMA ORGANIZATION

at Miraie Hall, Shizuoka Leader: Ms. BELINDA B. PALIMA

Winner:

ERNESTO M. ACSON Song: Dito Sa Aking Mundo

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

47

Hosted by:

GLOBAL FILIPINOJAPANESE FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION at Fukuoka Shiritsu Chuo Shimin Center Leader: Ms. ROSEMARIE ARITAKA

Winner:

EDGARDO ARRIETA JR. Song: Nais Ko

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SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

Hosted by:

Samahang Pilipino Public Alliance Iwate Japan (PAIJ)

at Aiina Building Hall, Morioka Leader: Ms. MILA E. MUKAI

Winner:

MARY ANN SABELLINA SASAKI Song: Yozakura wo Shichi

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

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Hosted by:

KAGAWA FILIPINO COMMUNITY at The Kagawa Museum, Takamatsu Leader: Ms. MARIA ESTRELLA B. INUBUSE

Winner:

AYA OZAKI

Song: Huwag Ka Ng Umiyak

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SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

Hosted by:

Mother Earth Connection Kyoto, Japan

at Wings Kyoto Leader: MS. MARIA EMELIA M. ARAI

Winner:

RONILO JOSE D. FLORES

Song: Ikaw ang Aking Pangarap

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

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Hosted by:

Abraenian Association in Japan at Azabu Civic Hall, Tokyo Leader: MR. ALDEN ESTOLAS

Winner:

MIKEY ORBIGOSO Song: Ai Shiteru

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SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2016

TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE!

LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

8,000 yen includes entrance and dinner buffet PM Justina Hazama or Luisa Mendoza Inducal in FB for tickets, reservations and details.

PAYMENT DEADLINE on 30 SEPTEMBER 2016