Jeepney Press #104 April-March Issue Spring Edition 2020

Celebrating The Journeys Of Filipinos In Japan

ジープニー プレス

在日フィリピン人 向 け マ ガ ジン

Pahayagang pinoy sa japan

March-April 2020 2020年3月-4月

104 ISSUE

ART & DESIGN by DENNIS SUN

Celebrating The Journeys Of Filipinos In Japan

Pahayagang pinoy sa japan ジープニー プレス

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

ROGER AGUSTIN Tokyo MIRIAM SUN-ARENAS, MD Philippines MILES BORJA Tokyo GLEN GYPSY Tokyo FARAH TROFEO-ISHIZAWA Tokyo 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 ALVIN TAGLE Tokyo ALMA REYES Tokyo JASMIN VASQUEZ Nagano LITA MANALASTAS-WATANABE Tokyo

creative staff

ARLENE ESPERIDA Tokyo JERRY SUN-ARENAS Philippines NICK SANTIAGO Tokyo DANNY DUNGO Tokyo MARISOL KUDO Oita MARK WARREN DE LUNA Tokyo

Cover design and art: DENNIS SUN

CONTENTS 06 YOMU Editorial

by Dennis Sun 08 Life Is A Journey

by Glen Gypsy 09 KISAPMATA

by Loleng Ramos 10 On The Road

by Neriza Saito 12 TRAFFIC

by Alma Reyes 14 Isang Araw sa Ating Buhay

by Jeff Plantilla 16 POETRY

by Karen Sanchez 17 MOVING ON

by Jasmin Vasquez 18 Advice ni Tita Lits

by Isabelita Manalastas- Watanabe 20 DONDAKE

by Karen Sanchez 22 Kwento Ni Nanay

by Anita Sasaki 24 POLICY BRIEF 26 The Fisherman Survivor

by Warren Sun 28 The Invisible Enemy

by Herbert Benzon

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

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よむ

by Dennis Sun editorial These are certainly challenging times. The COVID-19 virus has turned the world as we know it upside down. Companies in Japan have been forced to catch-up with the rest of the world on the “work from home” concept. The Olympic Games have been delayed, schools put on hiatus, and the Shibuya Crossing lost its signature character.

We continue to pray for those who are sick, and the medical community who take care of them and risk their own lives. We also pray for the researchers who are racing to find the cure and a vaccine, which is our best hope to get back to normal. But we also need to take care of our ourselves.

Beyond frequent hand washing, we need to acknowledge that this virus is also taking its toll on our mental health.

We are friendly and social beings, yet the safest thing to do now is isolate ourselves, to stay at home and keep our distance from fellow human beings.

Anxiety abounds. How do we manage?

As I write this, it is the middle of April, and since March, I have been staying at home most of the times. I went back to reviewing my Japanese textbooks from a

06

読む

“YOMU” means to read in Japanese

long time ago. Started some online courses. Unstuffed some of the remaining boxes in the storage room.

Stopped buying bento and going out for lunch and dinner. I have been cooking healthy dishes everyday and am enjoying it immensely.

As I am asthmatic, it’s necessary that I get good fresh air. Tokyo might not have good air quality, but I am lucky to be living near the several enormous parks of Tokyo. Every time I do my groceries, I pass by Toyama Park where Mt. Hakoneyama stands in the middle and surrounded by giant sakura trees and other giant forest trees. It’s just a 5 minute walk from where I live. I spend about an hour or so walking, stretching, hiking on the slopes, and doing my deep breathing exercises. A few minutes of these and I am already feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Being alone with nature can bring back our energy and restore our mood.

In Japan, there is a practice called SHINRIN-YOKU which means forest bathing. With this practice, one doesn’t need to run, jog or do any sort of exercise. It is simply being in nature, and connecting yourself through your senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. By unplugging yourself from technology,

we can slow down our life through forest bathing and receive a good impact on our health. Feast your eyes on the verdant leaves, enjoy the scent of the fragrant flowers, damp soil, and grass. Taste the fresh air and just connect with nature.

We in Japan are very lucky that there are parks almost every where even in the metropolitan Tokyo.

Parks are an important part of a small community where families can play together. An hour train ride away from Tokyo could bring one to the mountains and seas.

But then, you don’t need a forest. You can forest-bathe anywhere. Just look for trees. Or do it at a nearby park or even a garden. And just start to breathe!

“Breathing in, I calm body and mind.

Breathing out, I smile.

Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is the only moment.”

– Thich Nhat Hanh

MARCH - APRIL 2020

Photo credit: Dennis Sun Location: Toyama Park, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Glen Gypsy’s

“All over the world, people are being quarantined and are being compelled to practice social distancing. We are trying desperately to remain sane in a world that seems bordering on the insane. So, the time is just right for us to ponder, reflect, meditate, and discover the world within our own minds.”

- Avijeet Das

08

MARCH - APRIL 2020

KISAPMATA ni Loleng Ramos Kumusta, kapatid? Sana ay ligtas ka sa panganib ng Covid-19 at kung sakaling madapuan o nadapuan ka na nito, gumaling ka sana agad at maipagpatuloy ang iyong buhay na ikaw lamang ang makakagawa. Pagandahin mong mabuti kasi sa isang kisap-mata, nawawala. Sayang naman kung wala kang mabubuong maganda na madadala mo pag-uwi sa Diyos Ama. Malapit na ang Easter!

Makata ba ang dating ko?

Habang sinusulat ko kasi ito, katabi ko ang isang malaking puno ng mangga. May mga nakasabit din na bunga at marami ding mga ibon. Ang veranda ng bahay namin ay nasa ikalawang palapag at iyong isang maya na tumutugis sa isang kulisap ay nagulat sa akin ng lumabas ako dito kaya lumipad na lamang pabalik sa kakapalan ng mga dahon. Ano na lang kaya ang nakain niya?

Ito ang hide-out ko ngayon habang stranded pa ako dahil sa lockdown. Hindi pa ako makakabalik sa Japan pero maaalagaan ko naman ng husto ang nanay ko na siyang dahilan kaya napauwi ako ng biglaan.

Isang malaking puno lang ito pero dahil sa katahimikan na dulot ng “community quarantine,” naririnig ko ang iba’t-ibang huni ng marami palang klase ng ibon na nakatira dito. Ang ganda, nakaka-relax. Naalala ko tuloy ang isang dentistang malimit ko puntahan dati. Kapag humiga na sa patient chair para umpisahan ang treatment, nag-uumpisa na ring mag-play ang kanyang music sa clinic.

Isang recording ng chirping ng mga ibon, pampakalma at pampa-tanggal ng takot kapag dini-drill na ang ngipin. Sa tabi ko ngayon habang

pinapakinggan ko ang ingay nila para ding puma-pagaspas na pakpak ang isip ko, lumalayo ang naaabot.

Kailan kaya ako makakabalik sa nakasanayan ko ng buhay sa Japan? May dahilan ba bakit nagkaroon ng Covid-19? Ito ba ay isang salot katulad ng pinadala noon ng Diyos sa Ehipto ng ayaw sumunod ng Pharaoh na palayain ang mga aliping Hebreo? Sampung salot bago nakinig sa tunay na Makapangyarihan. Padala din kaya ang virus na ito para magising ang kasalukuyang sibilisasyon sa kung anumang pagtulog, masyadong materyalistiko, ganid, mapanira ng kalikasan, malupit sa mga hayop, madamot sa kapwa?

Mula sa Japan, ang malimit kong mabalitaan ay pag-aaway, krimen at fake news. Pero ngayon, dala ng Covid-19 napapanood ko sa TV ang mga istorya ng damayan, ng pagkalinga sa kapwa. Ang paborito ko iyong isang nurse na galing sa duty niya sa hospital, hangang sa paglabas niya tumutulong pa din siya sa mga maysakit na pulubi sa kalye. Binibilhan niya ng pagkain at kung ano pang pangangailangan. Iyon ding isang may-ari ng restaurant na pinatira na lang doon ang mga homeless at pinapakain pa niya. Madami pa na hindi magkakasya kung isusulat ko lahat pero maibabahagi ko lang ang naramdaman ko para sa kanila ang saya dahil kalahi ko sila at saya sa ginagawa nila.

Ang punong mangga sa tabi ko, ang laki pala. Andito na pala ito noong bata pa ako pati iyong puno ng kamatchile sa harap.

Malalaki na nga pala ang mga pamangkin ko dito sa Pilipinas.

Naumpisahan ko muli ang seryosong pag-aaral ng Nihonggo. Marami pala akong nakikita at magagawa habang

MARCH - APRIL 2020

umaaligid pa ang virus.

Pagkatapos nito, makikita ko na hindi ko siya tiningnan bilang isang salot kundi isang oportunidad para sa isang bagong pag-asa. Para sa mga pumanaw dahil nahawahan sila, ipagdasal natin.

Ikaw kapatid, stay well and safe hah? “May palayok na ginto sa dulo ng bahaghari” at “may bahaghari pagkatapos ng ulan.”

09

Neriza Sarmiento - Saito's

On the Road to: With KUNGKUNG’s Eric and Celeste in Sannomiya, Kobe The moment I saw the first cherry blossoms bloomed in my neighborhood, it was a sight so different from all the springs I have experienced in Kansai and in my whole life. It gave me something to look forward to in spite of the global crisis we are all enveloped in!

To give us the much needed freshness of spring and of hope, I’d like to feature a family from Kobe who is trying to overcome these tough times - ERIC and CELESTE and their three young children. On April 27 last year, they opened KUNGKUNG, a new Philippine cuisine restaurant in Sannomiya. Since then, it has become the center of socializing for Filipinos in Kansai. As its lechon belly sizzles, so does SUPERMAN chef Eric excitingly goes from one table to another serving his specialties - lechon kawali, paksiw na lechon and dinuguan!

Recommendations from friends prompted me to visit there one day in the summer of 2019. Located in a quiet neighborhood of Yamamoto Dori, it is also conveniently situated near the Kobe Catholic Church, which is frequented by many Filipinos on Sundays. It’s a 10-minute uphill walk from JR Sannomiya and if you come by car, just look for Space 11 Darvish museum, and it’s just a moment away, not far from other international cuisine restaurants.

10

Inside, it’s like coming home to the savory aroma of lechon during town fiestas in the Philippines plus the refreshing goodness of our towering halu-halo.

Eric loves Superman and Superman that he is as he emerges from the neatly stacked kitchen, minus the soot, capped and dressed from tip to toe.

Celeste, his wife, assists him everyday, while looking after 3 young children Yumi Nicole, Yasumi and Yohan, the youngest whose

MARCH - APRIL 2020

nickname became the name of this restaurant!

It’s so easy to like this adorable couple. Eric from Bagumbong in Caloocan while Celeste is from Legazpi City. So how did these two meet?

“May maliit na negosyo po ako sa Pilipinas, at minsan pumunta ako sa bahay ng isang customer.

Aba, nang masilayan ko po ang kagandahan ng anak niya, madalas na po ako roon. Hanggang pumayag po siyang pakasal sa akin!“ says Eric with a grin. (I had a

Apostles Creed) small business in the Philippines, Just before the year ends, then once I visited a customer,

her beautiful daughter communities are going to keep caught my attention andinside since then I the holiday mood deep us.

Whether it’s a bigvisitor group or was a regular there until not, Filipinos have to hold she agreed marrywith me!“) Christmas partiesto complete games and exchange gifts.

We invited to Prof.

So,were Superman’s journey with his Miyawaki’s home this week for a new wife brought them to Japan Christmas Party with the in Nov. 2005, with him working sophomores and some third year Homemade as students. a welder and Celeste doing adobo and pinakbet as well as factory work related to fiber. It was lastwith year well as only our hearts thethat they decided toMiyawaki go intofamily. restaurant warmth of the Asaka chan sang Jingle Bells business.

“Mahilig poforkasi akong us. Mrs. Miyawaki recalled that magluto!

Every once her son asked hernew why year, I make it a point to cook as many dishes people get Christmas presents, as possible for good luck.” But

gift for the baby Jesus. Then, there was a time, after working Kenji kun asked why she doesn’t in the restaurant, allow them to eat a cake that for he Christmas.

Then repliedbelly realized, all his themom lechon that sweets aren’t good for theirhad to be were sold out, so they teeth. But then the boy said contented withtothe leftovers for again, “But it’s going be my the gift forNoche the BabyBuena!

Jesus”! But Superman

has a heart of gold, as long as his

In spite of the grief we had this customers are satisfied, he year over the loss of some wouldn’t mind.

This isthiswhat he members of our community yearBimboy Mr . Bibiana taught hisLatoja, children - to be “Mommy“ Ishita and Annabelle generous, patient, kind and Sosogi, the little boy‘s comment

most of all to be pious!

of hope and celebrate the birth ofIt’s ouralso true love...

Jesus Christ! fact that a well known

Eric did thePASKO renovation of the MALIGAYANG AT restaurant from scratch MASAGANANG BAGONG TAON and SA INYONG LAHAT!!! designed the interior by himself

to cut down on costs. It was designed skillfully so that customers can take a peep at the kitchen but not getting the

smoke from the grill. His restaurant was also featured on “Boken Hunters“ with HERBERT, his compadre and long-time friend. In the program, the foreign guests tried all everything especially “dinuguan“.

Eric and Celeste are so appreciative of those who come to patronize “Kungkung“. There is always a word of thanks on FB for those who have dined with them. No wonder, many are repeaters and many Japanese come from other areas in Kansai to try Eric’s specialties!

One of the events they have organized was a Karaoke competition but the 2nd competition was postponed because of the pandemic corona virus.

In the meantime, Eric and Celeste have accepted online orders in the Kobe area to be of service to customers who cannot leave home because of the current COVID 19 crisis.

Moreso, it will also help them earn a little to augment the family income. With their eldest daughter going to senior high school and the other two continuing their studies, there would be extra loads on Superman’s shoulders!

belly in your neighborhood, take a look. It’s Superman chef Eric delivering the best of KUNGKUNG to the world!

“My family’s dream is to acquire our own restaurant space so that we won’t need to pay for rent and where many Filipinos and Japanese can enjoy our delectable cuisine,“ says Eric with a smile.

The next time you smell the aroma of lechon

MARCH - APRIL 2020

11

by Alma Reyes

TRAFFIC

lives to save thousands, and world leaders combat economic and social challenges, the pandemic leaves plenty of room to dissect human behavior’s response to a global crisis.

THE VIRUS OF FEAR

On one side is a desperate public trapped in its own confusion. While not clearly grasping the criteria for trust in public information, they The biggest irony of 2020 swept the six months or a year? In my fall prey to media entire world with the rapid spread of memory, after the panic and manipulation. They may be the same people who take fear stretched too long for the understudied COVID-19 people to think of anything advantage of material Coronavirus during the weeks of the else, everything resumed to resources for their own Chinese New Year and which claimed normalcy as it were before personal needs, mock their to have originated from China. Since the earthquake. Electronics political leaders out of frustration and a need for shops glittered too much then, all nations have sheltered better answers. On another again, monotonous neon under one fragile umbrella of side is a rebellious faction lights and TV screens uncontrollable fear, with some that recklessly denies the reflashed everywhere shutting their borders to the rest of around cities, and people gravity of the infliction, or the globe. Many people talked about went back consuming as that simply bathes in the oil shock of 1973, or the Spanish much energy as they always animosity. There are those who purposely spread the did. flu of 1918. For Japanese, the virus without care, and those nationwide atmosphere appeared who pour their unfounded At the time of this writing like a mirror of the March 11, 2011 anger on racial when many countries Tsunami and Tohoku earthquake around the world have been discrimination, particularly disaster. Japanese could have learned subjected to lockdowns as a towards Asians. We have seen a shadow of modern immensely from those dawning hypothetical measure to apartheid in the mask of contain the virus, closing months of 2011 when panic buying also stirred the country. boundaries to foreigners has Asians being assaulted physically and verbally for felt like a universe divided.

Everyone also walked around the blame of the virus.

The new phenomenon of wearing masks. Many avoided social distancing has kept traveling to the north, afraid to Some countries, such as Italy intimacy frozen and be anywhere close to the radar and Spain have rediscovered interrelations far apart. of radiation, refrained from their souls while trapped Citizens have been waiting buying fresh vegetables from within the four walls of their the Northern region or drinking at a standstill at home, abodes. From their teleworking, parenting, tap water. The biggest lesson balconies, they voice out broadcasting changes in was energy conservation, their call for a healing their lifestyles on social teaching people to turn off through live music, media, which has been the unnecessary electricity and live communal games or only available medium of more frugally. Some office physical exercise, or communication, while buildings, commercial expression of gratitude to watching infections and establishments, and train the brave frontliners. The stations halted some escalators death statistics escalate. As emotional release has united frontliner (as they are called) and elevators. But, did the health workers sacrifice their common desires, fears and learning process carry on after

12

MARCH - APRIL 2020

the sweet air of national harmony.

Other countries, like the UK have mobilized volunteers to aid all sorts of urgent needs—driving the sick to hospitals, helping elderly with their grocery shopping or procuring medicines. In other nations, many individuals have offered their generosity through financial, social, economic, moral and spiritual aid. Yet, efforts have not been enough. Equipment has not been enough. Obedience to the government has not been enough. Hope has not been enough.

In the beginning, the fear that filled our nightmares was simply the naked fear of becoming a possible carrier of the virus; hence, the fear of death. As proven, man seems ever willing to do anything to uncross that fate.

Gradually, this fear has begun to discolor and mutate into other spectra.

We have been haunted by the fear of losing our jobs, fear of our businesses ruining, fear of not being able to protect our parents or grandparents in isolation, fear of not reconnecting with our families quarantined in other regions or countries, fear of not being to explain to our young children what the pandemic could mean for their future, fear of losing trust in our leaders and neighbors, fear of sacrificing our comfort for others, and the mere fear of helplessness and incapacity to comprehend what has befallen us.

Then, there is the invisible fear for the dying morals of our humanity.

Amidst the excruciating horror of listening to doctors agonize over choosing patients that live and die, and the sick and destitute who

starve, steal, and cry for their loved ones to hold their hands at the ultimate breath, how do we fathom leaders who lift their thrones above their people?

How do we fight politics that exploits the epidemic to enhance their wealth and power? How do we defy lies and cover-ups in the name of the only existence that we know as Truth? How do we swallow the filth of self-proclaimed superior races that spit at other cultures out of

discrimination? How do we turn a blind eye to mockery, insult, negativity, conceit and heartlessness? The fear of death may be fatalistic but while you trod along that path and feel human virtues collapse, that fear of losing life may ironically no longer be threatening. Have we faced the tormenting crisis with conscientious actions?

Alas, one of the unexplained fears is the fear of not knowing what to expect after the virus dissipates. Will cities, governments, families, and individuals be able to return to the way they were? Or will we be better, live better? Will our view

of the world, the future and our needs reflect something differently? Would we all be able to redeem ourselves from what may have been our unforeseen mistakes in our neglect of nature, our environment, protection of economies, and human values? Where had we gone wrong? How do we rectify our failures?

If the March 11, 2011 harrowing catastrophe of the Tohoku region barely planted seeds of nourishment into our morality, it

is my vain hope that the Coronavirus could do otherwise.

The sorrow of losing loved ones is the greatest sacrifice to reassess our minds on how we could instill more value into this life that now we realize is as fragile and fleeting as stories that escape us without warning. It is an ideal wish that the overflowing kindness, national harmony, and compassion that media have revealed to us prevail for long even after we have all overcome our fears. While many of us carry on day to day for personal enrichment and comfort, in the event of a crippling national or global crisis such as this, in the end the only thing we choose to preserve is our life of memories. Thus, how we cultivate this in heart, mind and body dictates the contours of our economy and welfare, our principles, relationships, behavior, and our honest and responsible choices. Without this in sight, all would deem meaningless, and the fear of undermining the essential may not be worth the desperation to terminate a pandemic.

Little do we all realize that this rare and precious time being given to us is the time to return to ourselves and to reevaluate the paths we have taken.

illustration by: Dennis Sun

ni Jeff Plantilla Walang araw na hindi laman ng balita ang COVID-19. Balita ang patuloy na pagtaas ng dami ng taong nahahawahan sa iba’t-ibang bansa, at ang dami ng taong pumapanaw dahil sa bagong virus na ito.

Global pandemic na ang COVID-19, mas malala pa sa SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) o MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome).

Ang huling global pandemic ay ang swine flu nung 2009, na tumagal ng 9 buwan nguni’t hindi kasing dami ang namatay.

Ang pandemic ay “illness that spreads far and wide throughout the world” ayon sa World Health Organization.

COVID-19 pandemic Ano ang mukha ng COVID-19 pandemic?

Nung Abril 4, 2020, mahigit sa 1 milyon na ang infected, mahigit na 58,000 na ang namatay sa mahigit na 200 bansa at mga territories. Ganito kalubha ang COVID-19 pandemic. At hindi pa tapos ang pagkalat ng virus na ito – kung may bansang umuunti na ang infected, may ibang bansa naman na parami pa ang dami ng nagkakasakit.

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Wala pang gamot sa COVID-19, at matagal pa bago masabi na may mabisang gamot na magagamit. Kaya ang ginagamit ngayon sa mga may malubhang kalagayan ay ang mga gamot

para sa HIV/AIDS, malaria at flu. Ito ang tinatawag na “repurposing” ng gamot, sinusubukan na gamitin sa COVID-19 infection ang gamot para sa ibang sakit dahil baka makapagpagaling sa pasyente. Minsan yata ay pinaghahalo nila ang mga gamot para mas malakas.

Patuloy ang pag-aaral kung alin nga ba ang tamang gamot, kasama sa pag-aaral ang Avigan na ginagamit sa Japan pa lamang bilang gamot sa flu.

Testing Maagap ang Korea at Taiwan sa pagkilos laban sa COVID-19. Napigilan nila ang paglawak ng infection ng COVID-19 dahil sa maramihang testing. Maraming tao ay na-test kaagad o hinihikayat na magpatest.

Sabi nung isang specialist sa Korea, yung mga nagpupunta sa ospital dahil masama ang pakiramdam ay binibigyan ng libreng test. Pero ang iba, kahit walang nararamdaman, ay hinihikayat na magpa-test – sariling bayad nga lang.

Mukhang maganda ang naging sistema sa Korea at Taiwan tungkol sa pagpigil sa paglawak ng infection ng COVID-19.

Pero may dahilan kung bakit ito nangyari. Isa ay ang kakayahan nila na makagawa ng mga kailangang bagay - masks, testing kits at PPEs (Personal Protective

MARCH - APRIL 2020

Equipment). Kaagad silang nagmass produce ng masks, testing kits, PPEs at baka iba pang gamit at kaagad kumilos ang gobyerno sa buong bansa. Marami ang na-test sa loob ng maikling panahon, samantalang naghanda at nagtulungan ang mga ospital nila sa pagtanggap ng maraming pasyente.

Ang US at Europe ay nag-i-import ng masks, test kits, PPEs at iba pang bagay mula China, Korea at ibang bansa dahil kulang ang kanilang produksyon ng mga ito.

Ngayon pa lang naghahabol ang mga Amerikanong kompanya sa paggawa ng mga ventilators na kailangan ng mga ospital.

Kaya ang isang lumalabas na kaisipan ay ang kahalagahan ng kakayanan ng bansa na maging handa sa mga gamit – sa pamamagitan ng kakayanang mag-mass produce ng mga kailangang gamit sa maikling panahon.

Lockdown, mask – kailangan?

Isa ding issue ay kung kailangan ba ng lockdown o hindi.

Napakaraming bansa ang nagpapatupad ng partial o full lockdown upang mapigilan ang pagdami ng mai-infect ng COVID-19. Yung ibang bansa, pinapayuhan ang mga tao na manatili sa bahay, hindi muna

lumabas para sa trabaho.

mga taong infected na at ng mga health care workers (frontliners).

Ganito na rin ang naging dahilan sa hindi pagkakaroon ng mass testing – kulang ang test kits.

Tokyo tulad ng New York at Paris. Sa imbes, naniniwala daw ang mga experts na ang pag-iingat ng mga tao mismo ang panglaban sa COVID-19 infection. Ang concentration daw ng gobyerno ay hindi sa mass testing kundi nasa sa mga pasyente na may pneumonia o malubhang sakit at baka may COVID-19 infection.

maaaring ma-infect uli ng COVID-19. Ang mga kabataan ay maaaring hindi sumunod sa regulasyon at 2019. Sakai embre 24, magpatuloy sa kanilang city ang huling lugar na dinaanan nina pagsasama-sama sa mga Padre Pedrobars Bautista parties at mga at sa pag-alis sa Kansai. mahawa sa virus.

Ang mga Bilang tao saFransiskanong China o Korea misyonero, nagtayo si ay uuwi na infected na sa Padre Pedro Bautista ibangngbansa.

Ito ang mga kapilya sa noon ay magiging dahilan ng liblib na lugar na pagdami muli ng tinawag na San COVID-19 infection Francisco del Monte (tinatawag na second (sakop ng Quezon wavecity, infection). at ngayon ay may

Walang lockdown sa Korea. Sabi ng gobyerno sa Korea ay hindi na nila kinailangan ang lockdown dahil sa Natuto na raw ang sistema nila sa Korea sa nangyari sa pagbibigay ng kanila nung nagkaroon information sa mga tao, ng SARS at MERS, kaya paggamit ng bagong alam na technologies (kasama ang app Pero sa pagdami ng para sa COVID-19 positive na tao smartsimbahan na) at isa sa Tokyo, nag-iisip na phone siya ng sa nangalaga ang gobyerno na Hamon COVID-19sa para mga Hapones sa magkaroon ng state of malaman Maynila tayo bago ng siya emergency sa bansa.

Hinahamon kung nasaan ipinadala sa Japan COVID-19 na magbago ang COVID-19 nung 1593 ng ng isip at gawa upang positive na tao Governor General ng Pagtatagal/ maging ligtas sa Kastila at mabigyan ng pamahalaang Pagbabalik ganitong virus.para Lalo sa warning ang iba sa Maynila ng mga maiwasan nakakaranas kung nasaan sila ang ng banta COVID-19 lockdown, dapatna ay may [COVID-19 positive ni Hideyoshi infection mga sakupin bagay na ang Filipinas. na tao]), mass Ukon sa Maynila kasama ang pamilya matutunan sa mga testing, kahandaan Toyotomi. at iba pang Kristiyanong Hapones Pag-aaral ng mahabang Maaaring kailangang gawin para ng kanilang health nung Disyembre ng 1614. Namatay si abutin relasyon ng Filipinas at ng maiwasan ang care system at Si Sen Rikkyung aymga malamang na may Ukon makalipas ang 40 araw dahil sa 6Japan na maramihang infection ng monitoring ruson no tsubo para iimbak ang hirap ng biyahe sa dagat at tanda na buwan o mga viruses. naka-recover sa dahon ng tsaa na ginagamit niya sa rin.

Isang paraan para maging malalim ang isang infection.

Isa ding chanoyu. ugnayan at Japan ang taon ng Filipinas Mukhang angay ating dahilan ang maagap na Si Ruzon Suzekaemon at Sen Rikkyu pag-aaral ng kasaysayan ng ugnayan kalabisan ang unangng 2 pagsunod ngrelasyon mga tao May konting si Sen Rikkyu sa ay ipinagmamalaki ng Sakai city. May bansa, lalo na ang kasaysayan ng ugnayan dahilan kung bakit tayo sa utos ng gobyerno – Filipinas dahil isa sa kanyang disipulo estatuwa si Ruzon Suzekaemon sa ng mga tao. nagkakaganito – abuso tigil bahay, gumamit ay sisa Ukon Takayama.

Natuto si Ukon port ng Sakai city, habang may kaymask, Sen Rikkyu sa ating kalinisan at sa museums naman para kay Sen ng socialna maging chanoyu master. Alam natin naetc. si Ukon ay Rikkyu. At may private museums sa ating kapaligiran. distancing, testing, Sakai city na Sabi nga ng specialist ipinakikita ang mga Ingat at ingat pa rin ang na Korean, taliwas sa natitirang ruson no kailangan ngayon at sa sabi ng WHO, sinabihan tsubo, iba pa doon darating pang panahon. ng gobyerno ng Korea sa museums sa na gumamit ng mask Kyoto at ibang nila bago Dagdag: ang lahat para hindi lugar na may ruson ang magkaroon ng mahawa o makahawa no tsubo din. gamot laban sa May isang video na may sa iba. dapat COVID-19. slogan na "Overcome Ang pinakahuling gawin kapag Together” tungkol sa istorya ay ang Ang paggamit ng mask paglalakbay nina may bagong virus Samantala, karanasan ng Korea sa ang isang malinaw na Padre Pedro infection na lalabas. hindi COVID-19 - parang tulad mensahe ng Korea, Bautista mula Kyoto masasabi sa Filipinas na may "Heal bagay na hindi narinig Sa Japan, wala pa ring patungong Nagakung as One" slogan. Narito sa US at Europe. Nung saki bilang isa sa state of emergency o kailan ang URL sa Youtube ng dumami ang nagkasakit kilalang 26 Martyrs lockdown. Sabi ng isang na namatay sa krus mapipigilan Korean video: at pumanaw, saka pa Japanese specialist sa sa Nagasaki ang pagdami ng https://www.youtube.co lang pinagmask ang nung isang NHK interview mai-infect ng COVID-19. m/watch?v=xbbU1PBem mga tao doon.

1597. Dahil dito, hindi dawnaging “magic” C4&feature=emb_logo. ipinatapon ni Hideyoshi sa Filipinas santo si Padre Pedro Bautista solution ang lockdown, ilangAng puwedeng Pero dahilmay ayawdahilan din kasama ang 25 iba pangMay martyrs. kahit maaaring mangyari upang tumagal kanilang martyrdom ang dahilan ng ang hindi pagsasabi na niyangmag-mask itakwil angang kanyang pananapagpunta sa Nagasaki magkaroon ng ni Pope Francis o bumalik ang COVID-19 dapat mpalatayang si 26 ng martyrs memorial nitong Noby-Ang mga “explosion” infection. lahat.

Kulang Kristiyano. ang masksDumating COVID-19 infection sa naka-recover ay at mas kailangan ito ng Guhit ni Dennis Sun

ni Karen Sanchez

Photo by Marisol Kudo Sa bawat umagang pag gising Sambit ay ang isang panalangin Pasalamat sa Amang Elohim Bagong pag-asa ang parating Sa panahong Covid-19 Bagong umaga ay siyang hinihiling Nagbibigay panimula sa atin Lumaban at ito ay harapin Kung tayo man nito ay dapuan At araw ay hindi na masisilayan Isipin na ito ay may dahilan Na Maylikha lamang ang nakakaalam Tibayan ang puso, isip at katawan upang lumaban Habang tayo'y may umaga pang nakakagisnan Pagkat ito ay hiram at panandalian lamang Na hindi natin tiyak kung kailan tayo nito iiwanan

16 MARCH - APRIL 2020

MOVING ON by Jasmin Vasquez

PANIC BUYING!!!

Simula ng umugong ang balitang may pandemic na virus ang kumakalat, hindi lang sa isang bansa kundi sa buong mundo ay kung ano anong pag pa panic buying ang ginawa ng mga tao.

Nauna sa talaan ang pag kaubos ng face mask.

Hanggang ngayon naubos na ng naubos ang face mask sa mga drug stores, supermarket at sa mga convenience stores.

Napakaswerte mo kung ikaw ay maaga at umabot sa pila at sa bilang ng taong pwedeng makabili ng mask. At take note, sa ngayon pang isang linggo lang ang pwede mong bilin o di kaya pang limang araw lang.

Sumunod na nag panic ang mga tao ng may nagbalita na magkakaubusan daw ng tissue.

Hala sige bilihan na naman ang mga tao. Naubos ang mga stock ng tissue, kitchen towel at kung ano anong klaseng tissue. Ano ba nangyayari? Pati toilet paper bigla nagkaubusan?

Mga ilang linggo pa alcohol at hand sanitizer at mga pang disinfect naubos na din.

Patunay na talaga palala na ang covid-19 sobrang naalarma na ang buong mundo. Pati sa supermarket, wala ng mabiling mga pang stock na food.

Paano naman ang ibang tao na naubusan. Paano yung mga tao na tuwing sahod lamang nakakapag grocery ng food?

Kung uubusin nyo lahat, wala na kaming mabibili. Yung mga namamakyaw ng alcohol at mask. Paano yung mga mas kailangan tulad ng mga frontliners? Mas dapat nating pagbigyan yung posibleng positive at lalo na yung mga matatanda dahil madali silang mahawa. Hindi bat mas mainam na mas maagapan yung pinaka pinag ugatan ng sakit? Nang sa gayon ay huwag na makahawa pa sa iba? Kung mayroon ka ng sapat para sa iyong need eh pag bigyan mo naman ang iba. Huwag kayong maging ganid at swapang.

Maraming tao tuloy ang nagsasabi na “Panic” lang ang

MARCH - APRIL 2020

kaya nilang gawin dahil wala silang pang “Buying”.

Dinaan na lang sa biro ngunit ito ay may katotohanan. Lalo na yung mga taong maliliit ang sweldo. Sa panahon kagaya ng krisis ngayon sa pandemic situation ngayon, pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan sa bawat isa ang kailangan nating gawin. Sundin natin ang mga bagay na makakabuti para sa nakakarami.

Huwag sanang puro pansariling kabutihan lamang. Huwag tayong magpanic buying dahil maraming nanamantala para itaas ang mga presyo ng bilihin. Kailangan ng 200% bayanihan full force para maagapan ang kumakalat na virus na yan.

Magtulungan tayo, mga kabayan. Mag-ingat at huwag ng maglalabas ng bahay kung hindi kinakailangan. Sabi nga nila your choice, your life.

Gusto mong humaba pa ang iyong buhay, manatili sa loob ng bahay.

Mag ingat po tayong lahat. At dalangin ko sa Diyos Amang nasa langit na humupa na o mawala na ang kumakalat na sakit na ito. Panatilihing malakas ang aming pangangatawan. Lahat ng ito ay itinataas namin sa pangalan ni Jesus. Amen.

17

Take It Or Leave It!

by Isabelita Manalastas-Watanabe PART 2 Dear Tita Lits, Magandang araw po sa inyo.

Meron po akong mabigat na dinaranas ngayon sa aking biyenan. Nang ikinasal po ako sa aking asawang Hapon, tutol na po ang mga biyenan ko sa akin dahil isa akong dayuhan at isa pang Pilipina.

Sabi pa nga ng nanay ng asawa ko na sana ay galing ako sa mayaman na bansa sa Amerika o Europa, mas maganda pa sa tingin ng mga tao. Nahiya po siya na ang pinakasalan ng kanyang anak ay isang pobreng Pilipina po lamang. Mahal po ako ng asawa ko at buntis na rin po ako ng kinasal kami. Gusto rin pong ipalaglag ng aking biyenan na babae ang anak na dinadala ko pero tinutulan ko po. Abort the child and no wedding needed ang utos ni biyenan. Bibigyan na lang daw ako ng maraming pera.

Simula pa lamang, mabigat na drama na ang dinanas ko po.

Buti na lamang at sa probinsiya po sila nakatira at kami naman po ay sa Tokyo. Malaking pagtitiis at pagdurusa na lamang ako kapag binibisita namin sila sa probinsiya tuwing Obon at New Year taun-taon.

18

Namatay po last year ang biyenan kong lalake. Nagiisang anak po ang aking asawa kaya sinabihan ako na aalagaan niya ang nanay niya at titira po sa aming bahay dahil meron naman isang kwarto na hindi ginagamit.

Alam kong wala naman pong masamang tumulong lalo na’t kung ito ay para sa magulang.

Ngayon, isang taon na po ang nakalipas. Punung-puno na po ako. Hindi ko na po kaya.

Feeling ko, ako na yata ang mauunang mamamatay kaysa sa kanyang ina. Utos dito, utos doon. Sinasabihan ko naman ang asawa ko, pero sabi niya lagi sa akin na konting tiis dahil matanda na ang nanay niya. Kahit matanda naman ay malakas pa po.

Gusto ko pong umalis sa bahay at pansamantalang umuwi sa Pilipinas at iwan ang asawa ko dahil hindi ko na kayang magsama kami sa bahay ng kanyang ina. Ang asawa ko po ay laging nasa kaisha. Umuuwi lang para matulog. 24 oras ko pong kasama ang kanyang ina.

Ayaw din ng ina na tumira sa mga tahanan para sa matatanda.

Hindi pa rin po ako matanggap hangang ngayon ng kanyang nanay kaya parang pinaparusahan niya ako, at parang gusto rin kaming ipaghiwalay. Sinisiraan niya po ako sa aking asawa. Lagi na po kaming nag-aaway at lagi niyang kinakampihan ang kanyang ina. Kung uuwi ako at iiwan ang aking asawa, parang nanalo ang kanyang nanay.

Ayoko ko namang lumaban sa biyenan ko. Hindi po ako masamang tao. Alam niya iyon. Kahit magkasakit siya, tinutulungan ko siya. Pero wala pa ring epekto sa kanya ang mga kabutihan kong ginagawa. Pagkalipas na mahigit na 20 taon, hindi pa rin nagbabago ang trato sa akin.

Pinagdarasal ko lagi pero parang meron akong kasamang demonyo sa bahay.

Ngayon, ang pag-uwi ko na lang sa Pilipinas ang naiisip kong gawin at baka magibang isip ang aking asawa.

Ano pa po kaya ang magandang gawin? Tulungan po ninyo ako.

Magdalena Tokyo

MARCH - APRIL 2020

Dear Readers of Tita Lits:

kang mag-leave sa Below are some trabaho on the dates na feedback I have received from my last on sale ang ticket; column, regarding 3. Sa next mong pag-uwi, Magdalena, the huwag kang magdala ng long-suffering Filipina pasalubong from Daiso married to a Japaneseor from any husband other store in whose seems to be good to her, but Japan. Tingin ko, bumili ka her nanot lang ngmother-in-law. envelopes I asked each and every kung isisilid ang onesaan if I can printmo their iyong Christmas gift na comments, and also peso cash;them by name identify and location.

All have 4. Sa atin, PHP1,000 is still agreed. a big amount. Sa Yen, a little over JPY 2,000 lang iyon.

Sa mga “Do you everbata, get tomalaki naknow ang PHP500 na cash – a what happens after your advice? little over JPY1,000 Do lang they write back?

Would ito.

Actually, PHP100-200 be interesting to your sareaders bata (aiflittle you over print some JPY200 – 400), ok nafrom ok na. feedback received 5.readers”.

Hindi masamang (Violy sabihin Laraya, hindi kaManila, Philippines) mag-tse-check-in ng bagahe, dahil magba-budget airlines “When I read your Tita ka.

Kasi, mga budget Litssa column, it reminded me of Tia Dely dishing airlines, may charge ang out advice to Filipino check-in baggage. So radio listeners at 3 in the sorry na lang, mo afternoon in hindi the early bibilhin ang sapatos or 60s. I also fondly recall mga bilin.niHand Mgaibang Kuwento Lola Basyang, and Diegong carry lang ika mo ang Tabak (isinilang iyong bitbit (7 kgsna kriminal)”. normally allowed); (Professor Renato 6.Cerdena, Kapag kasi sinanayUSA) mo Michigan, sila, aasa every year ang mga iyan. Kapag “Good advice”.kang hindi nakapag-start (Erasmo Cruz, naPhiladelphia, magbigay ng mga USA) sapatos and the like, siguro maghihinanakit, “I agree good pero maywith cashyour naman na advises Lits.

Parang ibibigay ka. Bahala ka teleserye yon ah.” kung magkano, (Elaine Lababit,pero tingin ko, malaking-malaki California, USA) na ang PHP1,000.

Pinakamaliit ng bigay mo Lits! Madami ay“Tks PHP100 siguro; pala Martir na Pinay. I 7.thought From January of each they were year, mag-umpisa ng matataray. Great ka advice.

But I think I'd run away ASAP!”

mag-alkansiya (Marilyn Nii, Tokyo,ng tig-500 yen coins. Hanggang Japan) mapuno mo. Ang isang maliit na alkansiya, kayang “Hi, Lit. You may include JPY50,000 ang my below comment with Hindi mo mymaipapasok. name and location. mapapansin na sa Natutuwa ako dyan advocacy mo. There nakakaipon ka kapag must belang a number of coins ang hulog mo women in that sa iyong alkansiya. Bili ka predicament and who can be in the best alkansiya (colored position to give your red, 2-cents worth advice.” shaped like of a mail box).

“Wow Lits, that was to at least JPY100,000. of your mother in law. something. I read it to You should be proud of Teng at natuwa kaming Hay naku, ganyan talaga the tolerance, sacrifice pareho.

Parang naririnig and care you have kaang mismo namin. buhay.

Kung mas Maganda mga masaya kang umuwi ng shown this far. But there is a time for sacrifice and suggestions mo. She Pasko, ipikit mo na lang a time to let go of that really needs some space. ang mata mo gastos. which does not serve Ipagpatuloy mo.sa Am you.

Isipin mo na lang sure nakatulong ka.”na (Dra. Nela Porciuncula, marami kang I’m sure your husband is Quezon City, napaligayang mga a kind man who is trying Philippines) kamag-anak at kaibigan. to keep the peace and Pero dapat din nilang tread the line carefully, but to continue in the malaman na hindi rin Dear Tita ang Lits, buhay nating situation where you, his madali mga OFWs – hindi tayo wife is so clearly unhappy and distressed Isa ako sa mga namumulot ng pera. means he is failing you tumatangkilik sa iyong Pawis at dugo ang as a husband. Simply column. puhunan sa ating sobrangput, your husband must Kahit saang bansapara ka lang put you, his wife first pagta-trabaho naninirahan, hindi mabuhay at makatulong before his mother. Yes, it will tear him apart, but nagkakaiba ang mga sa ating mga mahal sa so will you leaving him problema nang kapwa buhay. or ultimately having a natin.

Maganda ang breakdown due to the payo mo kay Magdalena situation. naSmile, isa sa Minda. mga humingi You are nang payo sa iyo noong blessed, kasi binigyan ka It is also the best lesson nakalipas na issue, na ng Diyos ng grasya (good to set your child about huwag siyang sumuko work andikaw goodang earnings). marriage, self-love, and pero dapat Sharing others your being in a real unahin na with unawain nang asawawill kaysa sa you partnership. I blessings bring understand this action is kanyang ina. more blessings. very rare in both cultures and you will have to dig Below is my opinion na deep and be very brave. dapat gawin ni Magdalena in her In a way, there is situation. compassion for to be had for someone so It sounds as if you have clearly unhappy and done all you can. 20 filled with hate and years is a long time to envy. She clearly has submit to the neurosis, deep seated issues insecurity, and bullying

stemming from trauma/s which is manifesting through her treatment of you. Make no mistake she is a weak person. Is it your responsibility, or your husband’s to try and work through this? No. It might take her a whole lifetime and the next to do that. And in the meantime most of your life will be over.

But to further continue, would be a disservice to yourself, what a real marriage is supposed to all about and the example you want to set for your child about how they should be treated in a marriage. Is it radical?

Will it be traumatic? Yes. But no less than subjecting yourself to another 20 years of this which will just a drawn out trauma.

I wish you peace it whatever route the situation takes.

Maraming salamat, Tita Lits, in publishing my comments. May God bless you and all your readers.

(AJ Vasquez, London, UK)

ni Karen Sanchez

DONDAKE! PASAKIT NG KORONA masusugpo ito at ang masaklap, wala pang sigaradong gamot o lunas para dito.

Maganda at ligtas na araw po sa ating lahat mga kababayan!

Kamusta po kayo?

Nawa ay nasa mabuti at ligtas po kayong lahat sa pasakit ng korona.

Ang alam natin sa korona ay tinitingala at halos lahat ay nangangarap na makamit o maranasan man lang ang buhay ng taong may angkin nito.

Ngunit sa kasamaang palad hindi lahat.

Kagaya nitong bagong korona na tinatanggihan ng lahat, inaayawan dahil pasakit at pahirap ang dulot nito sa buong mundo at ito ang "Corona Virus" o mas kilala sa pandemic COVID-19.

Sa bawat araw na lumilipas, mas dumadami ang naaapektuhan at lumalaki din ang bilang ng taong nagugutom, nahihirapan o naghihirap na humahantong sa pagkakasakit at kamatayan. Dahil mahirap at hindi basta-bastang

2o

Buong mundo ay nahaharap sa krisis na ngayon. Walang mayaman o mahirap. Lahat ay pwedeng dapuan nito. Lahat ay pwedeng maging biktima at mas madaling kapitan ng virus na ito ang mga taong may mahihina na resistensya o immune system, mga bata at mga matatanda. Marami na ding kilala sa buong mundo ang hindi nakaligtas dito, prinsipe, politisyan, artista, at iba pa. At mas higit na nanganganib din ang buhay ng mga taong humahawak, humaharap, nag aasikaso at naggagamot sa mga taong mayroon nito gaya ng mga doktor, nars, mga nasa ospital at ang pamilya, kasama o ang nakakasalamuha ng taong may dala nito. At ang masaklap ay hindi natin malalaman kung sino-sino ang mayroon nito. Kaya mahigpit na ipinatupad sa buong mundo ang "stay at home, social distancing and proper hygiene� para maiwasan ang pagkalat o pagkahawa dito. At nauso din dito sa Pinas ang "Stay at home or Kabaong" na slogan sa maliliit na mga baranggay sa buong Pilipinas.

Itong korona ay isa lamang sa mga epidemyang kumalat sa buong mundo. Nauna na ang HIV/AIDS noong 2005-2012, FLU noong 1889-1890, 1918 at 1968, ASIAN FLU noong

1956-1958, SIXTH CHOLERA noong 1910-1911, THE BLACK DEATH noong 1346-1353, THIRD CHOLERA noong 1852-1860, PLAGUE OF JUSTINIAN noong 541-542 at ANTONINE PLAGUE noong 165AD, SARS, MERS, EBOLA at iba pa. Lahat ng ito ay nakapinsala na ng mundo, sa tao, mga hayop at ekonomiya. Ipinakikita lang nito na ang mundo ay nagdaan na sa maraming pagsubok at mga kalamidad, at paghihirap. Ngunit nagpapatuloy na lumaban, nagsusumikap na ibalik sa normal ang takbo ng buhay o pamumuhay.

Sadyang walang permanente sa mundong ito. Sa isang iglap lang ay pwedeng mawala ang lahat. Buhay man o materyal, mamahaling mga bagay ay hindi makakasalba sa iyo sa panahon o oras na ng iyong kamatayan. Ngunit pwede tayong magtulungan, magmahalan at magsumikap na ito ay ating malagpasan.

Kagaya ng kasalukuyang korona, ang mas madaling paraan upang ito ay mapigilan.

1. Patayin ang pinagmumulan o ang nagdadala ng virus ngunit tayo ay hindi pwedeng pumatay ng kapwa natin kaya hindi po ito magagawa sa tao, sa mga hayop ay maari.

2. Ina-isolate o hinihiwalay ang mga may sakit sa mga iba upang hindi na makapang

MARCH - APRIL 2020

hawa pa dahil kagaya ng COVID-19 na ito mahahawa ito sa pamamagitan ng "droplets" kagaya ng laway kaya pinapayo na magsuot ng mask at takpan ang bibig kapag umubo o bumahin.

3. Ang maagang paglayo o pagdistansya isang metro bawat isa at pag iwas na lumabas sa mga bahay-bahay upang tuluyang mapigilan ito. Ipinaalala din ang palagiang paghuhugas ng kamay ng may sabon, paggamit ng alcohol o sanitizers. Dahil kusa naman "daw" itong namamatay kapag hindi nailipat sa ibang lugar.

Mahirap at hindi natin hawak ang nangyayaring ito. Kung titingnan natin ang nakasulat sa BIBLIYA, ito din ang paraang ginawa ng Amang Maylikha upang maalis ang kasamaan ng isang lupain. Ito din ang naging paraan upang ipakita Nya na dapat tayong mamuhay ng naayon sa nais Nya. Ngunit sadyang makasalanan tayong mga tao at hindi na natin naiiwasan ito. Wala namang perpekto ngunit tayo ay may kakayahang mamili kung gagawa ba tayo ng mabuti o masama.

Dahil sa inggit, kapangyarihan, katalinuhan at katanyagan ang mga tao ay higit ng nagiging agresibo.

Kung napapansin natin marami ng pag-aaral na ang dating imposible ay nagiging posible na ngayon na noon ang Dakilang Amang Maylikha lamang ang nakakagawa. At sa pag-aaral ding ito, sa kagustuhang maging una, kilala at kumita minsan nakaka panghamak at nakakapinsala na ng iba.

Tulad nitong mga "Man Made Disasters", etc.

Dahil din sa mga pangyayaring ito, tulad ko ay maaaring marami din kayong natutunan o napagtanto sa araw na inilagi natin sa mga bahay natin. Kasama ng pamilya at ang iba ay nag-iisa dahil naabutan ng "Curfew o Lockdown o Quarantine�.

Nakakapanlumo dahil hanggang sa oras na ito parami ng parami ang napipinsala, namamatay at kakaunti ang naagapang gumaling. At walang sinumang nakakaalam o makakapagsabi kung hanggang kailan ito matatapos o mawawala.

Mga kababayan, kagaya ng madalas kong sinasabi na ang buhay ay hindi natin tiyak. Bukas o samakalawa, pwedeng mawala tayo sa mundong ito. Maging positibo tayong lahat. Lahat ng nangyayari ay may katapusan, hirap, sarap at pasakit.

Huwag lang tayong makalimot sa Amang Maylalang.

Magbalik loob tayong lahat para sa kanya-kanya nating

kaligtasan. Sama-sama tayong magdasal sa kaligtasan din ng mga "Frontliners" na silang lubos na nanganganib sa pagsugpo at pagharap ng COVID-19 ang pasakit ng koronang ito sa buong sanlibutan. Hanggang sa muli po.

Ingat po tayong lahat. Abba Elohim bless us all!

By Anita Sasaki EVERY GISING IS A BLESSING TO ALL PO!

your people Lord.

Eto nandito po ang inyong Nanay Anita para sa ating mga KUWENTO Ni NANAY. Ngayon buwan ng Abril ay ang pagsapit ng Mahal na Araw o ang Holy Week.

Tamang tama sa ating pinagdaraanan ngayon na problema. Itong COVID-19.

Hindi lang sa Pilipinas at sa Japan kundi sa buong mundo. Meron tayong tinatawag na “quarantine” dahil sa virus na ito na lumaganap sa buong mundo.

WHY ARE WE AFRAID? Now, we should increase our faith in the Lord. Remember the Lord cares. If we believe in God, don’t let the virus destroy our peace.

Sabi ng ating Santo Papa naaangkop itong panahon ngayon upang ayusin natin ang ating mga priorities at manumbalik sa Dios. Pope Francis reminds us that this is the time to reset our priorities and to return to the Lord.

It’s the time to return to the Lord.

This is the time TO REFOCUS ON GOD. PRAYERS, PRAYERS ARE WHAT WE NEED. Save us, oh Lord. Bless us. We need You, oh Lord. Our boat is sinking. Our people are dying. We know you will never abandon us. We cannot survive alone.

We need one another. Continue to bless

FOCUS on God. Just continue to pray.

Sooner than soon meron ng kasagutan yan virus na yan. God wants us to be humble and to obey.

FEAR NOTHING. GOD IS WITH US. WHEREVER WE ARE, GOD IS THERE. GOD, FORGIVE US FOR HURTING YOU. ASK FOR FORGIVENESS TO THOSE WE HURT AND WHO ALSO HURT US. LORD, HAVE MERCY. PATAWAD PO SA AMING MGA KASALANAN. PATAWAD PO SA AMING MGA KAYABANGAN. PATAWAD PO SA AMING MGA KASINUNGALINGAN. PATAWAD PO SA AMING KATAPANGAN. HAVE MERCY ON US. WE ARE SINNERS. HAVE MERCY WITH OUR COUNTRY. HAVE MERCY ON THE WHOLE WORLD. WE HONOR YOU FOR BEING SO GOOD AND MERCIFUL. SAVE US FROM HELL AND BRING OUR SOULS TO HEAVEN. AND SAVE US FROM COVID-19.

THAT WE WILL SEE PEACE AND FORGIVENESS. THAT WE WILL FOCUS ON OUR BLESSINGS AND NOT WHAT IS MISSING. MARAMING SALAMAT PO SA INYONG PAGMAMAHAL WITH A GRATEFUL HEART AND HEART FULL OF HOPE.

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MARCH - APRIL 2020

P h i l i p

D iz o n

T o r r e s

Facebook : Philip D. Torres Mobile (Philippines) : +63-91-7605-6366 Model: Irene Kaneko Photography: Borg Meneses Hair & Make-up: Vela Mua Art Direction: Dennis Sun

ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS

POLICY BRIEF

No. 2020-09 (April 7, 2020)

Possible Economic Impacts of Falling Oil Prices, the Pandemic, and the Looming Global Recession Alvin P. Ang 1 and Jeremaiah M. Opiniano 2 The COVID-

-200 countries and territories) meets up with the global spread of the viral disease. Both the countries receiving overseas migrants and migrantmeet the needs o he scale of

With much of the global econom challenge, threatening the stability of OFWs in the Middle East.

Survey on Overseas Filipinos3 on overseas Filipinos (latest: 2013) disaggregates Filipinos overseas as follows: 4.2 million as temporary migrants (migrant workers), 4.8 million as permanent migrants, and 1.2 million as irregular migrants.

During the 2008-09 global financial crisis, the presence of OFWs in many parts of the world has spread the risk of slow planet. As of April 2, over-940,000 people have been infected with COVID-19 (including some Filipino migrant workers, Also, during the 2008-2009 crisis, oil prices did not go down to its present level —about US$ 22 per barrel.

The impacts of the 2008-2009 crisis on OFW and by coping and riding through the short-term impa

an)

In the current scenario, many countries are on lockdown and all the oil producers in the Middle East (where nearly half of our OFWs are based) are at risk with falling oil prices. If —including Filipinos.

1

Director, Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development (ACERD); Professor (Economics), Ateneo de Manila University.

2 Executive Director, Institute for Migration and Development Issues (IMDI); Assistant Professor (Journalism), University of Santo Tomas.

3 Since the SOF is just a rider to the October round of the quarterly Labor Force Survey (LFS), we are just taking samples of the bigger universe of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

1

With the combined impacts of the global economic stoppage, lockdowns and declining oil prices, base-to-worst case scenarios could lead to: Cash remittances potentially declining from US$ 30 billion in 2019 to US$ 27 billion (base case) to US$24 billion (worst case). That is roughly 10-to-20% or US$3 to US$6 billion less, year on year —this to become steepest drop of remittance inflows in Philippine migration history; and b) About 300,00 to 400,000 OFWs being affected by lay-offs and pay cuts, not to mention that some of them may need to be repatriated. a)

Note also that in 2019, at least 121 countries and territories where These base-to-

. With -

Some things that can be done now: Labor and foreign officials may have to start monitoring and informing the public how many overseas Filipinos will be displaced from their jobs —similar to efforts done during the 2008-2009 global economic crisis.

Embassies and consulates have to anticipate and monitor expected job displacements affecting Filipinos .

Diplomatic officials should also be given leeway to negotiate with ministries of labor possible steps to keep foreign workers and, to the extent possible, include them in their countries’ social protection programs.

Globally-mapped information on these arrangements must be tracked. That way, these resources from host countries will give overseas Filipinos and their families some wherewithal apart from what migration and nonmigration government agencies back home will be giving (e.g. social amelioration program funds under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act). Resources coming from host countries will buy relevant Philippine government agencies (e.g. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration [OWWA], Social Security System [SSS], Philippine Health Insurance Corp. [PhilHealth]) some time.

Labor and foreign officials may have to initiate dialogues with the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on how to assist distressed migrant workers affected by the pandemic.

OWWA may have to offer Metro Manila-based temporary shelters as 14-day quarantine facilities for displaced returning OFWs. Since PhilHealth will be covering hospitalization expenses of COVID-19 cases, this should also apply to COVID-19infected returning overseas workers through PhilHealth’s Overseas Workers Program (OWP).

The SSS and its OFW membership program should allow OFW members to avail of the benefits of membership at this critical juncture.

Prior to going overseas, OFWs are compelled to pay accredited private insurance companies insurance premiums so as to cover repatriation expenses. This arrangement must now be activated by the private insurance companies concerned.

References Bangko

Sentral

ng

Pilipinas

(2020

ncov2019 live (2020). World COVIDOpiniano, Jeremaiah (2020, 26 March). Pandemic, lockdowns test global endurance of overseas Filipinos’ spirit. Business Mirror.

Retrieved from < -lockdowns-test-globalendurance-of-overseas-filipinos-spirit/> <

-number-ofws-

ted-23-million-results-2018-survey-overseas-filipinos>

Survey. Manila, Philippines: Authors.

DISCLAIMER: The contents or opinions expressed in this brief are the author(s) sole responsibility and do not necessarily reflect the views of ADMU Economics Department and/or ACERD.

2

By: Warren Sun

Roland Omongos: The fisherman survivor

Roland was a simple 17-year old fisherman hailing from an impoverished community in General Santos City. At a very young age, he joined with other older fishermen to do fishing in the open sea to earn for a living.

Little did he know that he was about to face a life-threatening situation that would completely change his perception about the world. We had the chance to interview Roland while he was in Tokyo.

JP: Kung babalikan natin tatlong taon nakalipas, may naramdaman kabang di kanais nais nung paalis kayo ng Mati Davao Port palaot?

R: Wala akong masamang

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kutob. Masaya ako pag naglalaot kasi magkakapera na naman.

Apat na taon na akong nagingisda.

JP: Gaano ka katagal naglalaot?

R: Kung kaagad maraming makuhang mga isda, maiksi na ang isang buwan.

Kung matagal man ay umaabot ng tatlong buwan.

JP: Kasama mong naglaot mga ibang 29 na fishermen sa open sea.

Anung palagay mo ang dahilan bakit noong biglang bumagyo nakabalik kaagad yung 28 na fishermen sa mother boat at kayo ni uncle ay na stranded?

R: Papuntang east yung bagyo at nasa eastern area kami ng uncle ko.

Kailangan naming bumalik ng west pero nahirapan kami. So instead na papalapit kami sa mother boat, napalayo pa kami.

Hinanap kami ng mother boat kinabukasan din pero dina daw kami nakita.

JP: Nakalutang ka sa open sea ng Papua New Guinea ng mahigit dalawang buwan. Anung ginawa niyo ng uncle niyo para makapag survive?

Ikwento mo sa amin.

R: 58 days kaming nawala. Yon nagkukwentuhan. Kapag mainit, ilulubog ko buong katawan ko. Minsan sa ilalim kami ng upuan. Yung kinakain lang naming nung una ay yung tumutubong moss sa side ng bangka.

Kapag umulan, pinupuno namin yung mga water bottles.

JP: Namatay yung uncle mo sa ika 21 na araw. Anung ikinamatay niya?

R: Nawawala na sa isip yung uncle ko. Mejo hindi na wasto yung pag iisip bago siya namatay. Isang araw nagising nalang ako kinakausap ko si uncle at hindi na siya nagsasalita.

Paglapit ko sa kanya, matigas na ang katawan nung hinawakan ko siya.

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JP: Anung naging desisyon mo na ihagis nalang sa dagat yung katawan ng uncle mo?

R: Noong nangangamoy na yung katawan niya. Sinabi ko sa uncle ko, “Pasensha na. Hindi ko mauwi ang katawan mo.

Magpapakatatag ako dito para ma ikwento ko and ating istorya.” Noong pagkawala lang ni uncle na nakakain na ako ng iba’t ibang hayop: 15 birds at isang 20kg shark. Kinain ko lang yung liver part ng shark at hindi kona kinain yung natira.

JP: Ano yung feeling noong na rescue ka ng isang Japanese vessel?

R: Umiyak akong sobra nung nakita ko na yung rescue boat. Tinanong ako kung taga saan ako. Sumagot ako, “From the Philippines.”

Binilang ko yung dumadaan na vessels. Pang 128th yung Japanese vessel.

JP: Describe mo sa amin

yung Japanese captain na nag rescue sa iyo?

R: Mabait na tao. Lagi niya akong chine-check kung ok ako. Pinainom akong softdrinks, pinakain ng jelly at cup noodles. Pina shower ako at kumain na kasabay silang lahat. Tinanong ako kung anung nangyari sa akin. Nasabi ko January 9 pa ako missing. Tapos tumingin sila sa calendar March 9 na!

Almost two months na stranded.

JP: May binigay ba sa iyo yung Japanese captain bago ka umalis? May binigay din ba siya ng advice?

R: Binigyan niya ako ng Y20,000 at binigyan pa akong jacket.

Nagpasalamat naman ako at niyakap ko siya.

JP: Pagbalik mo sa Pilipinas, anu-ano ginawa mo?

R: Pumunta ako sa Cavite sa lugar ng tita ko and nag enroll ako para sa Automotive Mechanics.

Noong panahon na yon, hinanap ko rin sa internet yung Japanese vessel sa loob ng anim na buwan para hanapin si captain.

Nakita ko sa bandang huli yung Wakaba Maru #6.

JP: Pagkatapos ng tatlong taon, pumunta ka sa Japan para hanapin si captain?

Isaad mo nga paano mo hinanap si captain?

R: Ginoogle namin yung Wakaba Maru #6 and unknown daw yung location niya. Pagkatapos noon, sinearch naming yung #5 & #7 at nakita naming nasa Kagoshima sila. Pumunta kami derecho sa Kagoshima at pinagtanong namin sa #5 &#7 kung saan si #6. Nung nalaman naming sa ibang captain na yung #6 ay darating pero sa Shizuoka.

Kinabukasan, nag eroplano kami papuntang Shizuoka para hanapin si captain.

JP: Noong nakita mo na si

Captain, anong unang tinanong mo sa kanya? At kumusta yung pag-uusap niyo?

R: Masaya ako nakita ko siya! Hindi ko talaga ma describe yung feelings ko nung na meet ko siya ulit.

Tinanong ko siya bakit niya ako tinulungan?

Bakit marami siyang ginawa para sa akin kahit na dayuhan ako? Ang daming dumaan na vessel pero bakit napansin at tinulungan niya ako?

Maliban sa akin, may natulungan ba siyang ibang dayuhan na na-stranded din? Pang ilan ba ako sa mga natulungan niya?

Meron ba siyang mga anak? Ilan ba mga anak niya? Pwedi ko ba siyang maging Japanese father?

JP: Anung mga lessons natutunan mo sa trahedyang ito?

R: Mas naging open ako sa mas maraming tao. Noon bad boy ako. Ngayon may takot na ako sa Diyos.

JP: Anung napansin mo sa Japan? At anung masasabi mo sa mga Hapon at ang kanilang kultura?

R: Mababait ang mga Hapon at napansin kong sobrang linis sa bansa nila.

JP: Pagbalik mo sa hometown mo sa General Santos City, ano mga future plans mo?

R: Magpapahinga muna ako ng ilang buwan.

Pagkatapos noon, maghihintay ako itong taon na ito dahil gagawin nilang pelikula yung life story ko ng isang local film production company.

Personally, I was able to get a chance to be with Roland for about two weeks. Looking back at what happened to him getting stranded for 58 days was a very tremendous experience.

I take my hats off to this guy because he was courageous and brave enough to survive and did everything he could to stay sane despite the loneliness and hopelessness he felt inside. People have their own near-to-death stories to tell. With the tremendous life experience Roland had, the tragedy gave him full hope to prepare the blessings he is getting recently and for the

MARCH - APRIL 2020

years to come ahead.

He was extremely happy to meet the Japanese captain who saved him in Shizuoka, Japan. He plans to study the Japanese language so he can properly communicate with the Japanese captain the next time they meet up in the near future. He had the chance to meet up with an elite group of Pinoys in Tokyo as well and shared his story and was requested to sign autographs for them.

Later this year, a local film production company will be scheduled to do a TV shoot on his life story.

27

The Invisible Enemy By: Herbert Benzon (Boken Hunters) We make mistakes.

Then we find a solution. We err again, repeatedly and it won’t end. I am lost…

Covid 19 is fast becoming one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. But then again, is it an enemy? How can we go battle without a declaration of war? I don’t even know how to find the right words to describe what is happening now, not only in Japan but in the whole world.

Massive global efforts have been done to contain a situation from ever becoming very serious and urgent. Declaring a state of emergency for a condition that is outside of ordinary laws. Rules and orders to contain what appears completely beyond control.

Are we trying to control even the minutest details?

Are we doing enough to

28

fight against it? Fighting something we can’t see?

Fighting someone we can’t see? Tons of things that need to be done?

I believe one thing is certain now. What we thought we knew is no longer sufficient.

What we believed to have understood will not provide adequate analysis. We need new words…realization maybe?

Life is always exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed. But are the bare lives of the habitants on this planet in turmoil? We live our bodies as objects of distress. Bodies are not only vectors of epidemics or pandemics, but also the means of transmitting what we are, means of communication.

It is pointless to hypothesize forms of life without relations, to theorize life without relationships. It is pointless to blame the theory when someone stumbles. Abstraction is always real. It is one of the most sublime forms the body assumes, which it

needs.

If we were to care and pay close attention to the bodies that we use, which we thought we understood, they could carry us to previously unimaginable places.

This is not just about technology, discovering cure or preventing it from spreading, it’s about how we treat the most vulnerable among us. We’re in a situation where there’s no time to turn our eyes away from the sanctity of human life.

For those of us who are still healthy, who are watching the outbreaks through graphs, posts and tweets, it’s important to remember that the numbers we see are more than numbers. They are human lives, with their friends and families and everything else they contain.

This is an opportunity…an opportunity to perceive. We should not let it pass.

Photo credit: Marisol Kudo

MARCH - APRIL 2020

To All UTAWIT Regional groups, family, friends, supporters and sponsors, Fo l l ow ing th e wo r l dw ide s prea d o f t he new co ro n a v ir us in fec tio n a n d the d ec l a ratio n o f th e State o f E m ergen c y in Ja pa n , the U t aw it E xeco m h a s dec ided to fo re go U TAWIT 2020.

We a re m o re co n cer n ed fo r the s a fet y o f ever yo n e.

O n beha l f o f th e U taw it E xeco m , I wo u l d l ik e to expres s my d eepes t gratitude fo r yo u r co ntin ued s uppo r t.

Lo o k ing for wa rd to a bigger a n d m o re enj oya bl e U TAWIT 2021!

U ntil then, pl ea s e s tay h ea l thy, k eep sa fe a n d s tay po s itive!

G o d bl es s !

K in d rega rds,

Irene Kaneko I ren e K a n ek o J eep ne y Pres s Publ is h er U TAW IT Ch a ir m a n

Almighty God, we know that everything is in Your sovereign control. We ask that You keep this new coronavirus from continuing to spread. Give government officials the ability to safely handle people arriving from other countries. Help people decide to stay home instead of traveling or going out needlessly. Holy Spirit, remind people to wash their hands properly. And while it may be heartbreaking, comfort families as they decide to keep their distance from elderly or other high-risk family members.

AMEN

Photo by: Marisol Kudo

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