Jeepney Press September-October 2020 issue

Celebrating The Journeys Of Filipinos In Japan

Pahayagang pinoy sa japan

ジープニー プレス

在日フィリピン人 向 け マ ガ ジン

September-October 2020

107 ISSUE

Art & Design by DENNIS SUN

2020年9月-10月

Celebrating The Journeys Of Filipinos In Japan

Pahayagang pinoy sa japan ジープニー プレス

JEEPNEY PRESS welcomes articles of interest on Filipinos in Japan. Please email any photos, drawings, and other materials that you would like to accompany the article. Submissions can also be sent by postmail.

Photos, drawings and other materials will not be returned unless sent with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Deadline is one month before publication.

We reserve the right to edit or omit any submissions.

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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.

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by Asia Vox Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright 2020

JEEPNEY PRESS A sia Vox Ltd.

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

publisher ASIA VOX LTD.

IRENE SUN-KANEKO editorial & creative director

DENNIS SUN Editorial Board Contributors

Cover design and art: DENNIS SUN

Glen Atienza Jeff Plantilla Neriza Saito Karen Sanchez Anita Sasaki Wayne Sun Warren Sun Marilyn Rivera Loleng Ramos Alvin Tagle Bonifrank Lorenzo Alma Reyes Lita Manalastas-Watanabe Richine Bermudez Lala Lopez de Leon Mae Grace Jerry Sun Arenas Jasmin Vasquez Alma Fatagani-Sato Arnel Sugay

contents 06 YOMU Editorial / Dennis Sun 08 Life Is A Journey / Glen Atienza 10 On The Road / Neriza Saito 12 Traffic / Alma Reyes 14 Isang Araw Sa Ating Buhay/ Jeff Plantilla 16 KOTOBA 17 From TGIF to TGIE / Arnel Sugay 18 Take It Or Leave It / Lita Manalastas Watanabe 20 Dondake! / Karen Sanchez 22 Kwento Ni Nanay / Anita Sasaki 23 KOTOBA 24 Facing Grace / Mae Grace 26 Plantify / Wayne Sun 27 Am I Weird / Richine Bermudez 28 Footnotes / Lala Lopez de Leon 30 Autumn Foods / Alma Fatagani-Sato 31 Kapatiran / Loleng Ramos 32 Moving On / Jasmin Vasquez 35 Pasahero: Maritess / Dennis Sun 38 Ihawan / Irene Kaneko

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

Moving company? Cable and internet connection?

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

English and Japanese OK!

03-5292-2340

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

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

www.asiavox.com

VISA PROBLEMS??

VISA CHANGE VISA EXTENSION PERMANENT BUSINESS ELIGIBILITY KOSEKI JAPANESE CITIZENSHIP

TAWAG LANG PO SA AMIN PARA MATAPOS NA AGAD ANG PROBLEMA NATIN!

Mr. Ishikawa - Hinoshi, Tokyo Visa Lawyer (Gyouseisyoshi-Lawyer)

OK VISA OFFICE

090-2908-5088 (SB)

読む

YOMU

means to read in Japanese

editorial

by Dennis Sun

I FELL FOR FALL

Early this year in April, I fell in love with spring—so much! With hardly anyone outdoors to appreciate the beauty and colors of the flowers abounding in the parks because of the pandemic, I was mostly alone, but overjoyed to have witnessed the colorful, dewy splendor, and the sweet scented flavors of the season.

Early this October, I have been falling in love with fall. After the heat and humidity of summer, I welcome autumn with a wide embrace. And then, a tight hug! The leaves with their kaleidoscope of colors fall down fluttering gracefully as they sweep my heart right away with their friendly gentle breeze, as if you are making love with nature.

Fall is, indeed, the perfect time of the year.

Going out for a long walk becomes a heavenly gift any time of the day. The scent of the air and the chill of the wind are more than enough to make me fall in love with the season. What can be more beautiful than the sight of the Japanese autumn foliage, kouyou （紅葉）? From the green colors of summer, we see the whole of Japan wrapped with the changing colors in shades of red, orange, yellow, brown and gold. Hello to the magical wonders of the momiji, and the ginkos of Tokyo’s many wonderful neighborhood parks.

In Japan, they say food becomes more delicious in autumn. It’s a season for feasting of the new harvests of fruits and vegetables.

We welcome the arrival of MIKAN (mandarin oranges), a staple in Japanese households once the chill arrives. It always brings back a flood of beautiful memories of meals throughout the years, at home and during travels across the country.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2020

And yes, with the amazing Go To Travel campaign discounts now, there is no reason why you shouldn’t go out and discover more of Japan and travel. Fall in love with Japan more with its amazing natural sites and wonders. The possibilities are endless, and easier on the pocket. This is the silver lining of the pandemic. We may never have this discount opportunity again.

And while you start your journey around Japan, don’t forget to fall in love with the onsen! They say the most ideal way to appreciate the scenic views of the autumn foliage is while soaking in the hot springs.

Soak, and meditate. Breathe in, and out.

Enjoy being one with nature.

And while you are falling in love with fall, grab your phone and take lots of selfies with the beautiful sceneries and post them in your Facebook and Instagram accounts for all your friends to see and envy as you relate them your fabulous fairytales. This is no longer just for the millennial. Ojisans and obasans taking selfies are a joy to watch.

But I think the deeper message of the season is to learn naturally how to let things go and let things be. Listen to the lesson of the trees: “The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let the dead things go.”

And once you let go, you learn to appreciate more of life. You learn to fall in love with life, and maybe, fall in love with yourself.

Life is beautiful. Things come and go, but hope abounds. And before winter comes, you would be happy to say that you fell in love with fall after all!

07

Glen Gypsy’s

Life is a funny thing, the minute you think you've got everything figured out something comes along and turns it all upside down.

-

- Zayn Malik

08

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020

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

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

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

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

English and Japanese OK!

03-5292-2340

Neriza Sarmiento - Saito's

On the Road to:

Languages that connect, connections that bridge gaps and gaps that bond people with

ALVIN TAN

game “SUNGKA“ which he brought in with him from the Philippines that made him what he is now, someone with an accumulated series of experiences.

Assistant Manager, Planning & Communication Section Osaka International House Foundation

When Expo ‘90 was held in Osaka, a special edition of a major newspaper was published. I was one of the foreign residents asked to introduce an area that best represents globalization.

After studying at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, he taught Japanese language to university students. It was very instrumental when he applied for a study tour sponsored by the Japan Foundation. He was accepted because his score was high in Japanese proficiency.

So, I chose “International House” and a British Tea house beside it. In those days, the Filipino community gathered for a reception with former President Fidel V. Ramos and on some occasions watched a famous Filipino musical and other cultural events.

Many foreigners feel good about the place because of the friendly atmosphere where they can have a place to stay comfortably and they can have access to library and video facilities as well as a recommended list of translators and interpreters.

One of them is a Filipino named ALVIN TAN, whose parents hail from Batangas and Mulanay, Quezon, although he admits that he rarely visit his parents’ hometowns.

In spite of his many responsibilities in the planning and communication section of the International House Foundation, he also visits schools around Osaka to give lectures on culture. Alvin is always composed and cool.

Perhaps it is his fascination for the Philippine traditional board

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In 1998, Alvin started to settle in Japan with his SUNGKA and his parents advice - to be diligent always.

Unlike others who would naturally be homesick, Alvin says that he did not feel so. He was so engrossed with savoring the adventure in Japan. He wasn’t homesick about food in the Philippines but he was homesick about the people close to him.

One thing that he likes about the Japanese is their hygiene. Everything is clean, even the air smells good.

“Napakalinis ng kapaligiran kahit ang hangin mabango ang amoy!”

Life in a foreign country is not “always a bed of roses“ for all. Language barriers as well as cultural differences can be very taxing for newcomers.

Alvin hopes to be, not only a bridge to connect people of all races and creed but also eventually, they should use their connections to bond and be of assistance to those who are in need.

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020

Apostles Creed) Just before the year ends, communities are going to keep the holiday mood deep inside us. Whether it’s a big group or not, Filipinos have to hold Christmas parties complete with games and exchange gifts.

We were invited to Prof.

Miyawaki’s home this week for a Christmas Party with the sophomores and some third year students. Homemade adobo and pinakbet as well as well as our hearts with the warmth of the Miyawaki family.

Asaka chan sang Jingle Bells for us. Mrs. Miyawaki recalled that once her son asked her why people get Christmas presents, gift for the baby Jesus. Then, Kenji kun asked why she doesn’t allow them to eat a cake for Christmas. Then his mom replied that sweets aren’t good for their teeth. But then the boy said again, “But it’s going to be my gift for the Baby Jesus”!

In spite of the grief we had this year over the loss of some members of our community this year- Bimboy Latoja, Mr . Bibiana “Mommy“ Ishita and Annabelle Sosogi, the little boy‘s comment of hope and celebrate the birth of our true love... Jesus Christ!

MALIGAYANG PASKO AT MASAGANANG BAGONG TAON SA INYONG LAHAT!!!

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020

11

TRAFFIC by Alma Reyes

A

newly developed waterfront center can be enjoyed in Tokyo, facing the Tokyo Bay from Takeshiba Pier. Originally constructed by JR East Group to celebrate the supposedly Tokyo Olympics this year, Waters Takeshiba consists of a Tower building and a Theatre building. You can find restaurants on the lower floors of The Tower building, including a spacious organic food shop, Bio c’Bon. The most appealing treat is savoring a good meal or relaxing with your coffee or tea and some pastries out on a lawn overlooking the bay and the cruise ferry, which visitors can also ride for a cruise tour. Both the Tower building and Theatre building are designed with multi-leveled balconies so that you can stroll around and capture various angles of the scenery from different elevations. The Hamarikyu Garden sits on the left side of the bay, and adds a refreshing natural panorama to the waterfront. Inside the buildings you can also find a play and educational center for young kids, an entertainment section for playing billiards, darts and other parlor games. There is also a section of individual rooms that you can rent for private parties, meetings, presentations, and other activities. If you feel caught up with the daily buzz of busy Tokyo life of trains, commuters, and noise, Waters Takeshiba would make an ideal breathing space for leisure and relaxation.

Access: 6-minute walk from Hamamatsucho station on JR Yamanote line and JR Keihin Tohoku line or 1-minute walk from Takeshiba station on Yurikamome line.

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SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020

Discovering Waters Takeshiba

ni Jeff Plantilla Matagal ng gawain ng mga Hapones na magsuot ng facemask kapag may ubo o sakit at nasa labas ng bahay. Lalo pa itong ginagawa ngayon dahil sa COVID-19 pandemic.

Ganito din sa Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan at marami pang iba sa Asya.

May lumabas na tanong: Yun bang pagsuot ng facemask sa Asya ay dulot ng impluwensiya ni Confucius?

Si Confucius ay isang Chinese philosopher na naging popular simula nung 4th century BC (400 taon bago pa ipinanganak si Hesus). Siya ay kinilala sa kanyang pananaw tungkol sa paggalang sa matatanda, disiplina sa sarili, pagmamahal sa sangkatauhan, at iba pa. Ang kanyang kaisipan ay lalo pang pinaunlad ng kanyang followers paglipas ng panahon at tinanggap hindi lamang sa China kundi sa Korea, Japan at Vietnam.

Isang Magandang Pananaw

Kinikilala si Confucius sa kanyang pananaw tungkol sa dapat na uri ng tao – “noble person in society through self-cultivation.” (Charlene Tan, 2012). Ito ay maaaring isa sa mga itinuturo sa schools bilang bahagi ng moral education sa China, Korea at Japan. 3 bagay ang mahalaga sa pananaw na ito: noble person, society at self-cultivation. Ang “noble person” ay ang tinatawag na “junzi” sa salitang Chinese.

Kung ang kaisipan ng “noble person” ni Confucius ay natutunan din ng mga Hapones, ito kaya ang dahilan kung bakit malakas ang kanilang kahihiyan? Maraming beses na ang isang opisyal sa gobyerno o isang pulitiko na nasangkot sa scandal ay kaagad nagre-resign sa kanilang posisyon. Maaari kayang ito ang “noble way” na dapat gawin ng isang taong inaakusahan ng masamang bagay para manatili ang pagiging “noble person”? O, di kaya ay ayaw nilang lalo pang bumaba ang tingin sa kanila ng lipunan kaya resign kaagad?

Puna kay Confucius

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Hindi lahat ay masaya sa mga kaisipan ni Confucius. May nakikita na masamang epekto ang kaisipan niya sa gobyerno dahil nagiging authoritarian ang pamamalakad. Hindi lamang

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020

mahigpit ang sistema kundi mabigat ang parusa sa mga paglabag sa batas at regulasyon.

Malakas ang impluwensiya ng China sa Vietnam sa mahabang panahon. Minsan ay parang colony ang Vietnam ng China.

At nung sinusunod ang Confucian thinking ng hari ng Vietnamese dynasty ang mga batas ay malupit.

May nagsabi na nung ang hari ng Vietnamese dynasty nung 16th century ay naiimpluwensiyahan ng Buddhism, ang mga batas ay makatao at mas advanced pa sa mga batas sa Europe.

bahay sa Seoul na ginawang traditional Korean restaurant, nakasabit sa dingding sa isang kwarto ang isang lumang embre 24, 2019. Sakai city ang certificate na halos kasing lakihuling ng lugar dinaanan nina isang cartolina. Ito ayna dahil sa Pedro Bautista malaking karangalanPadre ang makapasa pag-alis sa civil service examsa nung 19thsa Kansai.

Bilang Fransiskanong century o early 20th century sa misyonero, nagtayo si Korea.

Padre Pedro Bautista ng kapilya sa noon ay Ganun din sa Japan. May nagsabi nana liblib na lugar ang Tokyo University aytinawag isang university na San para sa mga magigingFrancisco bureaucrats ng del Monte Japan. Kaya mas mahigpit ang (sakop ng mga Quezon city,na at ngayon regulasyon sa university ito at ay may simbahan na) Nung Buddhist-influenced ang hari ng sinasanay ang mga estudyante saat isa sa nangalaga sa Vietnamese dynasty, ang karapatan ng pag-iisip at gawainsiya ng mga mga Hapones sa mga babae at mga lalaki ay bureaucrats.

Maynila bago siya pantay-pantay, pinahahalagahan ang Ang civil service exam sa China, ipinadala sa Japan mga bata, at mas makatao ang mga Korea at Japan ay nagsasabi na nung 1593 ng parusa sa batas tungkol sa krimen. hindi ka basta-basta Governor General ng Parang itong mga kaisipan natin makakapagtrabaho sa gobyerno pamahalaang Kastila ngayon. hangga’t hindi kasanakakapasa sa Maynila para civil service exam.maiwasan Dahil dito,ang elitebanta Dahil dito, kapag Confucian thinking ang ang tingin ng mga ni taoHideyoshi sa mga nasa na sakupin ang Filipinas. pinag-uusapan, ang nagiging puna ay ang gobyerno.

Ukon sa Maynila kasama ang pamilya pagiging authoritarian ng gobyerno, ang Toyotomi. at iba Hapones Pag-aaral ng mahabang pangangailangan na sumunod ang mga taopang sa Kristiyanong Facemask Disyembre ng 1614.

Namatay si nga relasyon ng Filipinas Kung malakas ang impluwensiya ni Confucius saat anumang sabihin ng gobyerno, at angnung malupit na Si Sen Rikkyu ay malamang na may Ukon makalipas ang 40 araw dahilng sa mgaJapan pag-iisip Chinese, Koreans at Japanese, hindi parusa sa mga hindi susunod. ruson no tsubo para iimbak ang hirap ng biyahe sa dagat at tanda na kaya ito ang dahilan kung bakit pag sinabi ng dahon ng tsaa na ginagamit niya sa rin.

Isang paraan halos para maging gobyerno na mag-facemask, lahat aymalalim ang Mapapansin natin na ang gobyerno sa China, Korea at chanoyu. ugnayan ng Filipinas at Japandoctor, ay ang nga ng isang Koreyanong Japan ay malakas, kaya kinatatakutanSio Ruzon iginagalang Suzekaemon at sumusunod?

Sen Rikkyu Sabi pag-aaral ng kasaysayan ng ugnayan ng 2 angcity. paggamit facemask ay depende sa kultura ng mga tao. Ganito ang tingin ng ng Sakai Mayitokonting relasyon si Senrin Rikkyu sa sa aygobyerno ipinagmamalaki May ngbansa, lalo na ang kasaysayan ng ugnayan ng tao.

Yung taong may tao. kulturang hindi inuuna ang Singapore na malamang na sumusunod sa pag-iisip ni Filipinas dahil isa sa kanyang disipulo estatuwa si Ruzon Suzekaemon sa ng mga self pride ay magpe-facemask kapag sinabihan ng Confucius.

Mapapansin na ang gobyerno sa China, ay si Ukon Takayama.

Natutodin si Ukon port ng Sakai city, habang may kayKorea Sen Rikkyu na maging chanoyu museums naman para kay Sen gobyerno.

Kakaiba ito sa maraming taga-US at at Japan ay gumagana nang maayos, efficient master.

Alam natinsanamga si Ukon ay Rikkyu. na At ang may private museums sa ayaw magsuot ng facemask kahit Europe na ang paggawa bagay-bagay (kasama Sakai city na lumalawak na ang COVID-19 infection at may pagresolba sa mga kaso ng paglabag sa batas). ipinakikita ang mga pakiusap ang gobyerno na magsuot ng facemask.

Makikita natin sa Japan na kapag nagsimulang mag-aresto at mag-imbestiga ang pulis at prosecutor, natitirang ruson no tsubo, iba pa doon Pero ang pagsunod sa mga matatanda, di tatagal, magkakaroon na rin ng hatol ang korte. sa museums sa sa kapwa sa sariling lipunan at Bagama’t may tanong kung hustisya ba kaya palagi Kyoto atpangangalaga ibang pagsunod sa gobyerno ay hindi palaging dahil kay ang nakukuha sa ganitong sistema dahil baka lugar na may ruson Confucius.

Ito rin ang kaisipan ng mga taga inosente ang maging biktima sa pagtrato ng kaso, no tsubo din.

99% conviction rate ng korte.

Cordillera sa Filipinas. Ito ay ayon sa kanilang lumang

tradisyon. Maaaring ganun din sa iba pang Ang pinakahuling istorya komunidad ay ang Impluwensiya sa Filipinas.

Ang civil service exam para makapasok sa gobyerno paglalakbay nina ay matagal nang sistema sa China. Dulot din ito ng Padre Pedro Kaya hindi masasabi na ang impluwensiya lang ni mula Kyoto impluwensiya ng pag-iisip ni Confucius at iba pa. Sa BautistaConfucius ang dahilan ng pagsuot ng facemask. Ito patungong NagaKunming, isang city sa southern China, may lumang ay dahil nakikita ng tao ang kahalagahan ng isa sa boarding house para sa mga taong kukuha ng civil saki bilang pag-iingat sa sarili at ang pag-iingat na hindi kilalang 26 Martyrs service exam. Ang boarding house na ito ay simbolo na namatay ma-infect ang sa krus mga kasama sa sariling komunidad. ng halaga ng civil service exam nung 19th century sa sa Nagasaki nung China.

Ayaw mong ma-infect ng iba, at ayaw mo ring 1597. Dahil dito, maka-infect ipinatapon ni Hideyoshi sa Filipinas naging santo si Padre Pedro Bautista ka sa iba.

Ganun pagkapasa dahil ayawdin sa Korea. Ipinagmamalaki ang kasama ang 25 iba pang martyrs. Ang kanilang martyrdom angKaya dahilan sa civil service exam. Kaya sa isang luma at mayamang angng pagsuot ng facemask ay gagawin mo nang niyang itakwil ang kanyang pananapagpunta ni Pope Franciswalang sa Nagasaki pag-aalinlangan. mpalatayang Kristiyano. Dumating si 26 martyrs memorial nitong Noby-

KOTOBA言葉

KANOJO WA WATASHI NO OMIMAI NI KITE KURETA.

彼女は私のお見舞いに来てくれた。 She came to visit me at the hospital.

お見舞い

おみまい OMIMAI

means to visit someone who is not well, most often someone who is hospitalized (入院 にゅういん NYUUIN, to be hospitalized) in a 病院 (びょういん BYOUIN, hospital), though you can お見舞い someone who is sick at home or in a rest home, too.

By Arnel Sugay

From TGIF to TGIE

TGIF! This is what I usually get on some instant messaging apps every Friday.

My usual response to my friends and colleagues is TGIE!

with the bell sound and the food, the dogs eventually would salivate when they hear the bell, with or without food provided. It became a learned response based on stimuli.

Of course dogs, do not have awareness and imagination.

Human beings can rise above the program of responding right away to a stimulus because of our awareness and our ability to choose our response. When there is a stimulus we can pause and choose how we will respond.

When asked what TGIE is my reply is Thank God It's Everyday!

Why do we assign only a day to be happy and excited about in one week? Should we not remain happy and excited all the days of the week? This is something that we don't normally think about. We simply accept the expression TGIF without putting effort to rethink or question it.

Did you know that we can make a conscious effort to decide our attitude as we wake up each day? When I open my eyes each day, before I get up from bed, I tell myself "Today is a new day. Today I will decide that I will be happy, no matter what and that today no one can ruin my day without my permission. Today, I choose to make a difference." I woke up refreshed and renewed.

We are creatures of habit. We wake up and do things by default. We are a product of conditioning or programming. What we don’t realize is we can change the program because we are the programmer and not the program. I think I heard this from The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.

Ivan Pavlov, a Russian psychologist, introduced the Classical Conditioning Theory. In his experiment with dogs, Pavlov would ring a bell before feeding the dogs.

The dogs began to salivate in anticipation of the food. After conditioning the dogs

Let us say I said hi to someone on a busy street. I did not get any reaction. I can either respond in two ways. One way is I will get hurt because I was snubbed. The second way to respond could be, "He must not have heard me. He is deep in thoughts."

When we become aware, we can choose our response. Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor, wrote in Man's Search For Meaning, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

What is the best way to respond? When you respond on values or principles, then you can never go wrong. Even if your decision is not going to be popular, one can still have a restful sleep at night.

Proactive people choose their response.

They do not put the blame on others if they are not happy or were passed up for promotion. One way of exercising your "proactivity" muscles is to anticipate situations that would trigger your hot button. Think of responding based on your principles instead of being reactive.

Make a decision today and every day on how you will respond proactively.

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020

17

Take it or Leave it!

ADVICE NI TITA LITS

Isabelita Manalastas-Watanabe

Dear Tita Lits, Ako po si Alice, nakatira sa Fukuoka at nagta-trabaho bilang staff sa isang restaurant sa Hakata. Kumikita po ako ng halos 200,000 yen per month. Noong araw, nakaka-ipon po ako ng konti kada buwan. Sapat po dati ang sweldo ko para sa mga gastusin dito sa Japan, at pati na rin sa remittance sa Pinas.

Pero nagbago po ang lahat, Tita Lits, nung nagkaroon ako ng tatlong credit card.

Nalulon po ako sa pag-shopping; hindi ko na po ma-kontrol. Mahilig po akong mamili ng mga branded na bags, sapatos, at mga damit. Para sa akin, pang-alis ng stress sa buhay ang shopping.

Happy ako kapag nagkakaroon ako ng mga bagong gamit. At bukod dyan, masaya rin po ako kapag lumalabas kasama ang mga barkada sa mga karaoke at Pinoy omise, para naman malibang at malimutan ang mga problema.

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Tita Lits, dumating na po ako sa punto na nauubos na ang sweldo ko sa pagbabayad ng mga credit card bills. At minsan po, hindi na po ako nakakabayad, kaya nakatanggap ako ng notice from the credit card company at sinisingil na ako sa mga babayarin.

Payuhan po ninyo ako...

Paano ko po maaayos ang problema ko sa pagbabayad ng mga utang sa credit card, at paano makaka-recover mula sa ganitong sitwasyon?

Meron po akong tatlong credit card ngayon. Sapat na po ba ang isang credit card o mas maiigi po bang higit sa isa ang dalang card? Kasi, napakahirap din po ang ma-approve sa credit card application lalo na kapag ikaw ay isang foreigner.

Maraming salamat po, in advance.

Alice Fukuoka Dear Alice: Uuuyyyy… parehas tayo – may tatlong credit cards din ako!

Kaya lang tatlo, kasi iba-iba ang gamit ko sa bawat isa, for

better budget planning. Dito tayo nagkakaiba – ikaw, para feeling mo ay kaya mong mag-shopping ng kahit anong gusto mo, gamit mo isa, dalawa, or lahat ng tatlong credit cards mo, when you feel down and want to cheer up your mood.

Ang isang card ko, naka-attach doon ang nanay ko. Ni-rehistro ko siya sa credit card company at binigyan siya ng credit card.

Lahat ng gamit niya doon sa attached card niya, sa akin sinisingil ng credit card company. Pero super ka-disiplinado ang nanay ko (at tatay ko din, bago siya namatay – may attached card din siya). Ang bilin ko kasi, gagamitin lang ang credit card, para sa pagbili ng gamot nila.

Iyong isang card ko naman, para sa domestic shopping/dining ko sa Japan, kung nakalimutan kong mag-withdraw ng cash sa aking bank account. At iyong pangatlo, gamit ko lang kapag nasa overseas ako. So madali kong ma-track ang aking mga gastos at singil sa akin ng tatlong credit card companies.

Isa pang pagkakaiba natin – ginagamit ko lang ang aking dalawang cards, kung wala akong cash, or nakalimutan kong mag-withdraw ng cash, or may emergency purchase

akong dapat gawin. Tantiyado ko kung kailan darating ang bills ng credit card at alam ko kung kailan ibabawas ang credit card bills ko sa aking bank account na ni-registro.

Isang bank account lang din ang ni-rehistro ko para madali kong ma-check ang mga credit card bills ko, at masiguro kong may sapat na pondo kapag sisingilin na ako.

Tama ka sa sinabi mo na mahirap kumuha ng credit card sa Japan, lalo na sa ating mga hindi Hapon.

Understandable na proud ang feeling mo dahil nga na-aprubahan ka, at ng tatlong credit card companies pa! So kapag lumalabas ka, especially with your friends, parang sikat ang pakiramdam mo kapag binunot mo ang isa sa credit cards mo, para gamitin sa pagbayad.

Kaya lang, parang sakit din iyang walang pigil sa paggamit ng credit card. Mukhang mas gamit mo ang cards mo kapag may problem ka at isang bagay na nakakapagbigay sa iyo ng (temporary) happiness, para makalimutan ang problema. Ang paggastos mo at pag-shopping ay eskapo mo sa iyong problema kung ano man iyon. Ang ibang tao, kapag nai-i-stress, or may problema, kain naman ng kain. Iyon ang outlet nila para makalimutan ang problema.

May isa akong kaibigan na katulad mo – nalulong sa paggamit ng credit cards at dumating ang panahon na hindi na siya makabayad. Una, kinausap niya isa-isa ang mga credit card companies niya kung pwedeng unti-untiin

niyang bayaran ang naipong credit card bills niya.

Pagkatapos, he declared himself legally bankrupt, para hindi siya masyadong ma-pressure sa pagbabayad ng mabilis – unti-unti lang, pero may commitment siyang tapusin niya ang mga utang niya. Ginupit niya lahat ng credit cards niya para hindi niya magamit. Later, noong natapos na niyang bayaran lahat ng utang, hindi naman siya na-deny ng credit card renewal. Pero may lesson learned na siya at disiplinado na, hanggang ngayon.

More than sufficient na isang credit card lang ang hawak mo. Pang-emergency. Mas madali ding ma-monitor ang bills mo. Tapos, makakatipid ka rin sa annual credit card membership fees. As much as JPY25,000 ang yearly membership ng mga credit cards na medyo mataas ang credit card limit. Kung gusto mo pa ring i-maintain ang tatlong cards mo, nasa sa iyo iyon. Siguro happy ka kapag akala ng mga barkada mo (tipong pagmamayabang na rin) na medyo mas angat ka kaysa sa kanila. Kung isang source of happiness mo ito, baka naman sulit na rin ang pagbabayad mo ng yearly fee, kahit hindi mo gamitin ang cards. Hindi naman isasarado iyan ng iyong credit card companies kahit zero usage ka, basta’t you pay the yearly membership fees.

Alice, kapag hindi ka pa rin makapag-pigil sa non-stop shopping mo using your three credit cards, I suggest that you see a psychiatrist.

Seryoso ako na sakit iyang

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020

uncontrollable use of credit cards, para ma-feel mong kompleto ka, at maging masaya ka, at para makalimutan mo ano man ang problema mo.

Kung ayaw mo namang gawin ito, isipin mong mabuti, ano ba ang problema mo na siyang nagiging trigger para mag-shopping spree ka, etc.?

Miss mo ba family mo sa Pinas? Then, uwi ka at magbakasyon doon, when the pandemic is not anymore here with us. Malungkot ka kasi wala kang boyfriend?

Darating at darating sa buhay mo ang isang magmamahal sa iyo, in God’s time. Nag-away kayo ng boyfriend mo? Be humble and be the first one to greet him and ask to meet para ma-discuss ninyo kung ano man ang inyong di-pagkaka unawa. Wala na akong pwedeng maisip pa ng posibleng problema mo. We can cast our burden to the Lord, anytime, and He will help us carry them, and give us rest. Totoo iyan, Alice. Just have complete faith in Him. Good luck and God Bless!

Tita Lits

The Crucial Continuation Of Life Konnichiwa to all our kababayan out there!

Blessed be to all who are reading this issue. Praying for the healing of the world from this pandemic and to those who are suffering from this virus, the COVID-19.

The crucial continuation of life is the moment or stage when we are suffering something like failure in such a thing.

The critical moment of surviving our daily lives from fighting this pandemic. In every aspect of life, we are affected by this pandemic. Economies are down, jobs lessened, foods and supplies inadequate. Number of hungry people is rising due to the loss of work and companies’ closures and bankruptcy.

Everyday, the number of people suffering from this virus is getting worst which lead us in asking ourselves until when we have to suffer

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from this? Until when this pandemic ends? Until when do we have to wait for the cure or vaccine? And how will we survive this kind of situation?

This Covid-19 pandemic poses a crucial moment for science and public trust because doctors and government leaders are questioned by their effectivity in responding to Covid 19. In August 28, 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stepped down from his post as he admits he cannot make the best decision for his people in fighting this pandemic due to his illness.

Sad but I really admired him for his honesty. I cannot help compairing him with the leaders of our country. Some of our government officials are ill but they do not admit that they are, and it obviously affects their performances as leaders, such as giving wrong and ineffective ways in flattening the curve Covid-19, the overpricing of Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs), the "Balik Probinsya" program which worsened the situation in spreading the virus that caused individuals to be stranded in some places all over the Philippines, the "Laban-Bawi" protocols such as NO Tricycle on the main road is allowed but later they suggested it to the commuters, the No Backriding Policy even to married couples

or people living in the same household, the wearing of face shield while riding motorcycle seems to be the most "stupid" decision ever and the mass testing that never happened even from the returning stranded people because of insufficient supplies of test kits or swab tests available and the fund shortage in local government.

School opening which was supposed to start on August 24, 2020 was moved to October 5, 2020.

Philippines is a unique country in corruptions which involves the highest persons in position who resigned in their position due to their "such" illness after they were caught of being involved with their department’s anomalies.

Police and military officers involved in criminal activities or offenses are still on their posts or just transferred in other position and just seems like they did not do any violations at all.

The public relies in the true power and society's future.

Every public officials must be accountable to the people, to serve with their utmost responsibilities, integrity, loyalty and efficiency. But how can we, the people, trust these kind of leaders? How can we respect the way they perform their jobs, duties and responsibilities? Being a leader is not a joke. People’s lives and

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020

the future are in crucial stage right now, so they must be mindful and think more before giving statements, decisions and mandate rules to implement that may add burdens and sufferings to the people.

Fatality rates increase everyday. Depression, panic and anxiety can end someone’s life. If people in this situation cannot recover then their life is in crucial stage, too.

They cannot think as normal people can. They cannot do things that an ordinary men can. Sometimes it leads to suicide and mental blackout or having mental illness. With these disorders, people and the Government should do something to avoid these as they must because prevention is better than cure.

Everyday is a crucial moment.

We never know what will happen in every minute of our life. We really don't know what will tomorrow bring, so better to live every second as your last day on this earth. Show compassion, kindness and love to others. Make your day special and make beautiful memories as much as we could. Be prepared for whatever happens in the future so we can close our eyes with no regrets or bitterness.

Continue to choose what is good and be happy for it.

Choose what your heart desires even in crucial days.

Pray, ask for His guidance and blessing so we can overcome every bad things that may happen in our life. Life is a challenge and God never give burdens that we cannot carry.

Keep safe and our faith in Him as we are in our crucial days.

God bless us all!

Ngiti

ni Karen Sanchez

Kahit ang mundo ay puno na ng pighati Hindi pa rin naman natin mapigilang ngumiti At minsan kahit pa ang mga luha ay ikinukubli Makikitaan pa rin ng ngiti ang ating mga labi Masaklap man ang mga pangyayari Pasalamat minsa'y sa labi ay namumutawi Sabihin mang nagkukulang tayo sa salapi Kaligayahan minsan ay hindi pa rin maikukubli Sa araw-araw ng ating paggising Ito ay biyayang dapat nating damhin Pagkat hindi lahat ay may panahon pang magising At may lakas na ang mundo ay kaya pang harapin Kaya sa kahit anumang pagssubok ang darating At anumang pahirap at pasakit na maangkin Huwag na huwag bibitiw sa Panalangin Pagkat ang Diyos handa tayong dinggin Ngumiti ay huwag pigilan At ang buhay ay pasalamatan Dahil may pag-asa pang nakaabang Tiwala lang at ito ay ating makakamtan

KWENTO NI NANAY Anita Sasaki

EVERY GISING IS A BLESSING!

Nagpapasalamat ako sa ating Panginoon, sa buhay at kalusugan na araw araw NIYANG ibinibigay sa atin.

But if you will hear some good things that happen during this pandemic, we will realize that God is teaching us a lesson.

Araw araw ko pong sinasabi: “Every Gising is a Blessing to all.”

Sabi ni Hesus, “Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it for Me.”

Churches were closed. We are all staying home. Before the pandemic, families had no time for each other. It was all RUSH, RUSH, RUSH. IT WAS LIKE A RAT RACE BUT WHEN THE PANDEMIC CAME…

“I will pass this world only once. So whatever good thing and good deeds that I can do in my humblest way, I don’t let them pass by without raising even a finger.”

Families had come to sit, eat, and PRAY together. We were able to build churches in our homes. Then we start to clean our homes. We saw a lot of things we don’t need anymore.

In general, Filipinos anywhere in the world could have the usual answer on how they were affected by this pandemic. Not only physical but mental health, too. And of course the adverse effect to the individual who lost their jobs and precarious effect in their business and the entire economy as a whole.

NOT ONLY IN OUR HOMES BUT IN OURSELVES, IN OUR HEARTS. HINDI PO BA MAHIRAP MAG BIYAHE NG MARAMING BAGAHE?

For nobody was really prepared with this unwelcome visit of this very stubborn and persistent covid.

Ang puso po natin ay punong puno po ng galit (anger), ganid (greed), kaya laganap ang corruption, inggit, sama ng loob, selos, takot (fear).

This is because for the love of much money, more power, more fame.

Sooner or a later, with Divine Providence, Covid 19 will disappear and the whole world will be back to normal or new normal. Just the same, many Filipinos, would still go abroad and Japan is one of the favorite destinations of Filipinos.

With that, it is with more reason that the Philippine government especially thru DFA - the Philippine Embassy in Japan should reintroduce this program:

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Half-Way Home.

Kung kaya napakalakas ng aking paniniwala na sa pamamagitan ninyo ay maisasakatuparan na magkaroon tayo dito sa Japan ng kahit di-kalakihang tahanan.

Ito po hindi ko inaangking pangarap ko lang. Ito po ay isang proyekto na puwede nyong ipagmalaki sa ating mahal na Pangulong Tatay Digong.

Kayo po ang SUSI at SAGOT sa layuning ito. Sinubukan ko na pong ipaabot ang aking liham tungkol sa proyektong ito para sa mahal na Pangulo sa pamamagitan ng IBA IBANG paraan maski kay Speaker Peter Cayetano, subalit ako po ay labis na nalungkot dahil tila baga, hindi nakarating sa kaalaman ng ating Presidente.

Kaya lalo akong maniniwala sa: IN GOD’S PERFECT TIME. MAY EDAD NA PO SI NANAY ANITA AT NAKA UPO NALANG SA WHEELCHAIR. Hindi gaya noong kabataan ko pa na merong konting kinikita na pantulong sa mga kababayan.

Lakas lang ng loob at tiwala lang po sa ating Maykapal kaya naitatag ko po ang Tahanan Ni Nanay. Ngayon po ay wala na po akong maibayad sa upa sa lugar na puwedeng patirahan ang gaya ng nasabi kong kababayan na nangangailangan ng tulong.

Nagagawa ko pa rin ito pero ano po ang lakas ng isang inang matanda na. Kahit nasa dapit-hapon ng buhay

ko ay unti-unti nang binabalot ng dilim at hindi na aninag ang liwanag.

Lumipas man ang mga panahon ng aking buhay, ang Half-Way Home ay mananatiling kanlungan sa ating mga kababayan. At magmimistulang simbolo ng paglingap ni Nanay Anita at larawan ng pag-ibig ng Diyos sa atin.

At hangang sa huling hibla ng aking hiniga, iniaalay ko po ng buong puso sa Diyos at sa kapwa ko ang regalong bigay ng Diyos Sa akin - ang regalo ng paglilingkod.

Lagi ko pong sinasabi DASAL DASAL. DASAL po lamang.

“Let’s storm heaven with prayers “. Dahil hindi tayo iniwan ng Diyos. Huwag tayo BIBITIW. UULIT ULITIN ko po. Sa lahat ng bagay na atin gagawin araw-araw, palagi natin ibigay ang THE BEST NATIN. Hindi po natin alam ito na rin ang atin huling araw.

Although sobrang dami naapektuhan. Meron pa rin magandang nangyari. Like now for me these virtual meetings, I don’t have to go out in my wheelchair. ***** Si Nanay Anita ay nakilala hindi dahil sa pagkaka Gawad ng Presidential Award, kundi dahil sa pagtulong sa ating mga kababayan. Dahil alam po niya ang katayuan ng isang nangangailangan.

"HINDI MO KAILANGAN MAGING MAYAMAN O MATAAS NA TAO PARA MAKATULONG SA KAPWA MO PILIPINO.” - Nanay Anita

September - October 2020

KOTOBA言葉 AKI NI NARU TO YAMA ZENTAI GA KOUYOU SURU.

秋になると山全体が紅葉する。 The whole mountain turns red in autumn.

紅葉 KOUYOU こうよう

One of the most common symbols of autumn is the changing colour of the leaves. This is known as kouyou in Japanese. In Japan, people take this season to a whole new level, taking the time to look at and appreciate the changing leaves in the same way they hold cherry blossom viewing parties (hanami) in the spring. People often travel to famous viewing points to see the most beautiful red and gold leaves. The kanji, 紅葉, literally means “crimson leaves” – although it can mean yellow and gold leaves, too.

FACING GRACE by Mae Grace Have you ever felt so low and you don’t know where to go? Have you ever felt so homesick and the busy, noisy city cannot appease you?

Ganito ang naramdaman ko noong kararating ko pa lamang dito sa Japan. Nauubos ang budget ko sa kakatawag long distance sa pamilya

ko sa Pilipinas. Ngayon meron ng Messenger and Facebook, vivid pictures and video calls na ang uso ngayon.

But I guess it was those moments of extreme loneliness that made me become so curious about Japanese gardens and parks that I started spending more and more time visiting parks and discovering their beauty rather than get cooped up at home and feeling so moody and depressed. I was able to find quiet places to rest my mind, to meditate and to discover many wonderful things not only about parks but also about the Japanese people and their amazing culture.

the Jindai Botanical Garden located in the hilly and picturesque part of Chofu City, somewhere on the west side of Tokyo.

This park has been a huge part of my family life as it is here where we spent most of our bonding moments, having picnics, bringing family, guests and friends here when they come to visit us at any time of the year no matter what the season would be, Jindai would always have something for everyone.

These days, I still spend a lot of time visiting Jindai Botanical Park all by myself when I feel excited to take a peek at what’s blooming in here, or when I take my children along for a quick reenergizing visit. I took the new addition to our family here just a week ago, my two adorable “apo” for a fun picnic and had the joy of my life seeing their eyes widened with excitement when they saw the large lotus pads beckoning with beautiful blooms in a large pond by the tall pine trees. That was awesome experience indeed! I thank God for these precious moments and for this park that has now become a treasured part of my family and those I hold dear in my life.

One of my favorite places to visit is

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SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020

The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature.

To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.

— Linda Solegato

I have been a plant lover for about 15 years now. There is this unexplainable feeling that it gives me happiness whenever I see a garden full of different kinds of plants with

PL ANTS

PEBBLES

POTS and all!

By Wayne V. Sun I used to buy plants from garden shops but after learning about their unacceptable prices, I just resorted to bartering. This is another result of the pandemic where no cash is involved.

You just have to be resourceful in sorting out posts online where members will barter their plants in exchange of food items or any good offers. I liked this platform of exchanging goods since its cashless.

Little did I know that my hobby and passion has turned into an online business where people either barter for my plants and others buy them, too. So there seems to be a craze now where everybody is becoming a plant different colors. It brings serenity to a troubled mind and relieves stress especially at this time of pandemic.

There is no doubt that ever since the lockdown and breakout of the virus, a lot of people have resorted to home based businesses like food, online selling and the most fascinating change is the sudden love of people with plants.

This, in turn, caused a shocking elevation of prices. parent and so the term "plantitas" and "plantitos" were coined to describe people who love buying and collecting plants.

There seems to be a high demand for indoor plants specifically those what we call snake plants. They come in different varieties. Actually, NASA or the National Aeronotics and Space Administration has categorized snake plants as one of the best air purifying plants as they can remove toxins in the air. Due to this craze and the high

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demand of exotic and ornamental plants, there have been people resorting to plant poaching or what we call "plantnapping" where they go to forests and uproot them.

There have been reports too about people stealing plants at night caught in CCTV. Clearly with this situation, it’s becoming what we call a "Plantdemic"! It' s a good thing that people are now becoming aware of what is essential and beneficial to ones environment but we just have to observe the right behavior on how we get our plants by not sacrificing mother nature.

"Plantify" which may summarize the whole situation of sudden love of people with plants and at the same time happens to be the name of my online business. Free delivery within Angeles City, Pampanga for a minimum purchase of P500.

Have a Plant-tastic day, everyone!

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020

By Richine Bermudez

Am I weird?

All of us have our own “likes and wants” and they vary to what age of the person is.

Some people of my age like playing games like: video games, sports, online games etc. I would even hear some of them talk about the latest gaming gadgets especially their specs, what game to play with it, what character is famous in this next game etc. and I find myself “meh” whenever they talk about the topic.

Also, some people of my age like collecting jerseys of their favorite team.

This one, I can relate more since I love fashion, but I don’t think I would be willing to pay much money for a jersey that I wouldn’t be able to wear a lot like: going to work, to parties etc.

There are more things, people of my age love doing and love to talk about, but what one

topic that was not brought to the table was the thing I am fascinated of doing: Planting!

My love for planting began when I was 28 years old. Spring is very exciting for me. Not only because we are all finally set free from the “loneliness of winter” but also because, I get to go to flower shops or gardening section in some grocery stores and buy plants to plant in our front yard.

I base my choice of plants or flowers to plant in our garden not on what kind of plants are they or how they look but on the price. Well, real talk, I am not in the stage of my life where I am able to afford expensive plants...but what I can afford to do is to look for SALE! Some flower shops and gardening stores lower the price of their expensive plants and flowers and that’s what I am always watchful of.

would say it’s for people who are in their “mid-life”. But as for me, I find planting satisfying, relaxing and therapeutic. Especially when you see your plants healthy and green or your flowers blooming and adding colors to the surroundings. Some would have dogs or cats as their pet, but as for me, my plants are my pets.

They lift my spirits up when I am down and give me happiness and joy when I am tired and lonely.

People are like flowers and plants in a garden: there are many kinds, there are variety of looks and character, but if you look them as one, it’s beautiful.

I love gardening so much that I can compare people with flowers. Funny!! Or am I just weird?

Most of my friends never find planting amusing, they

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER

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footNOTES

Lala Lopez de Leon

Walk with me: Asakusa to Kappabashi Sunday October 11, 2020

The sun was a little bit shy… and it looked like rain any moment then. But I needed to go out and buy a new pot, and a frying pan, again. I had burnt a frying pan – the second one in five months! I really must drop everything and be all eyes on my cooking next time. Sigh!

If you’re in the restaurant business, or a serious stay-home housewife, you would know where to go for your kitchenware, dinnerware needs. Kappabashi, where else? I’m neither, but I was looking for cheap and didn’t mind the long walk to get what I wanted!

So, despite the lousy weather, I stepped out and headed for Asakusa, and walked to Kappabashi!

I haven’t been taking public transportation – not as often as before. I work from home now, like more than half of the working population in Tokyo, probably. And, I needed the exercise, and was excited to find out if I could beat the last reading on the pedometer app on my IPhone!

Just a few shops are open on Sundays, as I realized that day.

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But, voila! Exactly the place I was looking for! Got my pot and pan so quickly!

There’s more to see along this street! If there were more shops open, I just know I could spend hours and hours here!

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020

I’m definitely coming back to Kappabashi! But on a Saturday next time.

Ah, what a day! And for the finale…a stopover for merienda at Funawa for its

famous sweet potato cake Imo Youkan.

I don’t know about the calories…but, I had a good reading on the pedometer.

Total 6,908 steps. Not bad, not bad at all! Till the next walking tour!

Autumn Foods

Alma Fatagani-Sato

In Japan, there four (4) seasons – Winter, Spring, Summer & Fall/Autumn. I have been living in Japan for quite sometime, and I always look forward to Autumn. Born and raised in a tropical country, the cool autumn breeze has a very calming and relaxing effect on me.

When I think of Autumn, I imagine the beauty of the yellow and red leaves and the cool wind that blows on those colorful leaves. There are many activities that you can enjoy during Autumn – the arts (Geijitsu no Aki), reading (Dokusho no Aki), sports (Sports no Aki) and the one I love the most is eating (Shokuyoku no Aki).

During this season, there are many delicious food to taste like – sweet potatoes (satsumaimo), chestnuts (kuri), persimmons (kaki), lotus roots (renkon), pears (nashi),etc.

But my favorite is Matsutake also known as pine tree mushroom. It’s a kind of mushroom with strong aroma and mild taste. It’s quite expensive but it’s worth the price.

Just a pinch of Matsutake, on top of steamed rice, exudes a very strong aroma that stimulates your appetite. Since it’s quite pricey, a

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piece of Matsutake mushroom is used for many kinds of dishes like Matsutake gohan (steamed rice mixed with small bits of the mushroom), tempura, dobin mushi (steam-boiled in an earthenware teapot), etc.

There are many varieties of mushrooms all throughout the year in Japan, but the Matsutake mushroom can only be enjoyed during the Autumn season. If you happen to be in Japan during the Autumn season, better try tasting all the foods available during this season.

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020

KAPATIRAN

Loleng Ramos

Bigote

Kapatid, kumusta? Ano ang naisip mo ng mabasa mo ang titulo? Gwapo, genius, macho? Walrus, Chevron, Toothbrush? Salvador Dali, Chaplin, Hitler? Bigote, bigot, bigotry. Ang toothbrush style na bigote ni Hitler ay nagpa-alala sa akin ng salitang bigotry, maraming mga nangyayari sa mundo ang nagpapaliwanang ng salitang ito.

Nakakabagabag.

Kapag hindi mo matanggap ang paniniwala ng iba, kung nagagalit ka dahil iba ang opinyon nila, minamaliit ang lahat na kakaiba sa iyo, ito ay isang bigot. Marami itong anyo. Sa Estados Unidos ngayon, kumakalat ang mga white supremacist, ang paniwala nila, mga taong mapusyaw ang kulay ng balat ang nakakataas o superyor na lahi, ang ibang kulay ay mga nakabababa. Ang “alt-right” ay walang pinagkaiba, naniniwala sila na ang kanilang katauhan bilang isang puti ay nasasabotahe dahil sa pagkakahalo ng kultura at lahi ng ibang kulay ng balat.

Ang Xenophobia naman ang takot at mababang pagtingin ng mga katutubo ng isang bansa sa mga taong iba ang kultura o lahi sa kanila. Kaya sa maraming mga refugees, migrants at asylum seekers, mga taong nilisan ang kanilang sariling bayan dahil wala

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020

silang maasahang tulong sa buhay at kaligtasan sa sarili nilang gubyerno, nakararanas pa sila ng pang-aapi o kalupitan sa kanilang mga destinasyon.

Ang “anti-Semitism” o ang paglalait o pag-uusuig sa mga Jews ay lumalaganap muli matapos ang 75 na taon matapos ang World War 2 kung saan sinasasabing 6 na milyon sa kanila ang pinaslang sa ngalan ni Hitler.

Dumarami muli ang mga Neo Nazi at hindi lang sa bansang Aleman kundi sa maraming kilusan nito sa buong mundo, kung bakit malakas ang akit ng baliw na idelohiya ni Hitler sa kanila ay kadiliman lang siguro ang makakapagpaliwanag.

Sa pandemyang nangyayari ngayon sa mundo, hindi bully ang kailangan, ang kabaligtaran!

Pagtanggap, pagkalinga, pamamahagi sa kapwa. Isa lang naman ang pamilya natin, di ba kapatid? Isa lang ang Lumikha, bakit kailangan pang tumingin sa kulay ng balat o sa kaibahan ng mukha at anyo. Mas maganda sigurong bigote na lang ni Charlie Chaplin ang alalahanin ko, may hatid na halakhak at katuwaan para sa buong pamilya. Alam mo ba ang movie na ‘The Great Dictator”? Si Hitler at ang iba pang mga fascist o iyong mga nasa far-right katulad ng isang diktadurang gubyerno ay ginawan lang ng katuwaan ng the great comedian na may toothbrush style na bigote.

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MOVING ON Jesus The Gospel

by Jasmin Vasquez Nagano Japan Christian Church is a full gospel christian ministry with a global outreach. It is a religious organization and a Church of God. It is also one of the first international and revived churches in Japan. Reaching people for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ and serving God through others. Their mission is to spread unconditional love. If you want to find the place, you can google it. Just type “Life Center” in Kitaono Shiojiri, Nagano.

umattend kaso lang aayaw ayaw pa ako pero ngayon eto ako kasama nila. Sa katunayan recently ay nagdiwang sila ng ika 17th year anniversary. Could you imagine?

Mahaba haba ng taon yun at kitang kita kung gaano sila ka success sa mission nila.

Sobrang saya ng mga tao dahil nagbunga lahat ng kanilang mga pagsisikap.

Maraming na bless na tao at unti unting lumawak ang kaalaman patungkol sa Bible.

Jesus The Gospel Church International was founded in 1987 by ordained ministers under the Assemblies of God Philippines. Bishop Benjamin Ramos is recognized as an Apostle of God nationwide and abroad. He has shared his ministry and testimony in some parts of the world and highly regarded for his visionary insight into Pastoral Ministry. His bold, energetic, humorous, and dynamic ministries have encouraged the body of Christ.

Many pastors look to him as their father in the Lord. Bishop Methusela is gifted in the ministry of Prophetic Praise and Worship and Teaching. He and his wife started the “Times of Refreshing” in 1996.

Together as partners, they are sharing the “Times of Refreshing” to different churches nationwide and abroad.

Maraming nagsabi na pag nawala si Bishop Ramos ay mawawala na rin ang JTG ngunit mas lalo pa itong dumami at nag pagtuloy hanggang sa ngayon. Sa katunayan, marami na po sa ibat-ibang lugar sa ibang bansa lalo na po dito sa Japan. Talaga nga pong walang imposible sa Diyos kung maglilingkod ka ng tapat ay aani ka ng maraming blessings.

Pinamunuan naman ito dito sa Japan nila Pastor Marlon Villa La Rosa at ng kanyang wife na si Pastora Mhemeen Lyn La Rosa.

Sa pag sisikap at tiaga nila at sa dami ng

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Ako nung una pa attend attend lang pasulpot sulpot ako. Noong narinig ko na sinabi na hindi aksidente na ikaw ay pumunta dito. Ikaw ay tinawag ng panginoon at may plano sa iyo ang Diyos.

Napaisip ako at naitanong ko, ano po ba ang plano ninyo para sa akin?

Eto po ako ngayon, isa ako sa tumutugtog at kumakanta sa JTG Iida. At ngayon nga po sa anniversary ng life center naimbitahan ang inyong lingkod na maghandog ng awit.

Praise God at unti unti ay nakakakanta na ulit ako. Ang theme po ng kanilang Anniversary ay Forever Faithful. Sobrang saya ko po sapagkat lahat po ng tao ay welcome na welcome po kahit anong lahi, kahit sino ay pwede.

mga trials, lahat ng yon ay nakayanan nilang maitaguyod, mapalago at maparami ang mga manggagawa. Ang dating mga unbeliever ngayon pati mga anak, mga apo bitbit nila sa church.

Naalala ko dati ng unang beses kaming nagkita sa 7/11, inaaya nila ako na

Sana ay magpatuloy pa kayong lumago ng lumago. Dumami pa ang mga taong mabago ang buhay, at maging malapit sa Diyos.

“For with God, nothing is impossible”- Luke 1:37 All power, all thanksgiving, all praise, all glory belongs to Jesus.

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

pasaHERO Jeepney Press brings to you this singing siren from Shizuoka. She relates how she has overcomed poverty being born into a poor family in the slums of Manila to blooming into a beautiful jazz chanteuse of Shizuoka, Japan.

Maritess マリテス

Her Music, Her Life And All That Jazz

by Dennis Sun

I was invited once to emcee a Filipino event in Shizuoka where there was a gathering of many singers. And in most Filipino events, what I am looking forward to are not the famous celebrities they bring from the Philippines, but the LOCAL talents we have here in Japan. In this event, I was able to hear for the first time this Filipina singer who was already making waves in the Japanese jazz scene, most particularly in Shizuoka. There, I saw her perform live onstage and witnessed how she attacked every song and how she mesmerized the audience with her charming style and sweet but sultry voice.

A native of Manila,

Maritess Yasuhara is born singer. She started singing at a very young age. Her father who noticed the talent of her

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daughter, even at barely 5 years old, started bringing her to singing contests in many festivals. She was 12 when she won in a popular singing contest on TV, which led to her being scouted to sing professionally and make a record.

Maritess once dreamt of becoming a recording artist. That wish came true when she was signed under Alpha Records. She was able to release 5 singles under that label. That paved the way for her to sing in big hotels and clubs, singing mostly standards and jazz.

Her ‘ticket’ to the world is her voice. And it was during her singing stint in Singapore when she was scouted by a Japanese producer who provided the chance for her to shine her singing talent to the Japanese audience. There was a

big market for jazz in Japan even then.

Maritess started to dazzle Japan and landed a contract under the TDK records.

limelight of singing. Not only does she sing, she also teaches music and voice. She has her own group and they play actively in the Shizuoka jazz scene.

Jeepney Press asked Maritess a few questions:

She was also able to do songs for TV commercials.

But fate had different plans for her. She met her Japanese husband and they were based in Shizuoka from then. She concentrated in raising a family of 3 children. As the children are getting older and with the permission of her husband, she gradually is going back to the

What got you into music and how did you learn to sing?

My family really loves music especially my dad, who trained me to sing and showed me the tricks to stage showmanship, is my real inspiration. He really pushed me to join many amateur contests and this helped me boost my self-confidence even more.

I was also a member of our church choir and did many solo parts. It was there that I learned about music and making harmonies.

What made you decide to pursue a career in singing?

I wanted to help my

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family and I know that I could help them through my singing. Binigyan ako ng Diyos ng boses at talento at alam kong maiaahon ko ang aking pamilya nang dahil dito.

Napaka sweet ng voice mo at magaan pakinggan sa tainga. Nag vo-vocalize ka ba lagi? Anu-ano ang ginagawa para sa boses mo?

Una, no smoking and no drinking of alcohol and cold drinks especially after singing.

Bawal yan sa mga singers.

Bawal sumigaw. Nakakasira ng vocal chords. At kailangan, meron ka laging enough sleep. Since I have a voice class, sinasabayan ko yung training ng mga students para ma warm up na rin ng voice ko.

How do you balance your life as a mother, wife and your career?

I know my priorities.

Noong maliliit pa ang mga anak ko, once a week lang ako kumakanta.

Habang lumalaki sila, at kung meron man oras, dinadagdagan ko na lang ang pagkanta ko.

Ngayon, malalaki na sila, at iyong dalawa ay nasa Tokyo na. I have more free time to concentrate on my singing and even go to far away places like Tokyo, Nagano and Yokohama. Ang husband ko, very supportive naman siya!

He understands my career.

How does it feel singing to a Japanese audience?

Noong una, hindi pa ako masyadong fluent magsalita ng Japanese. It was so hard to entertain them kasi puro

English songs ang mga kinakanta ko. But now that I’m fluent in Japanese, I am able to explain the songs to them, and even tell jokes and stories.

What’s the difference singing to Japanese and Pinoy audience?

Generally, the Japanese audience is quiet. They really listen to you and clap after the end of the performance. Yung mga Pinoy, they show you if they are enjoying your performance. They clap, they shout, they sing-along and even

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dance sometimes when I sing. So, I think it’s easier to entertain the Pinoy crowd.

How have you survived singing during these corona times?

Oh, I had a 2 month-break. Later on, I had a guitarist friend who visited me twice a month so we could do some rehearsals for upcoming shows.

Any challenging experiences in your life?

Actually, for about 5 years, I suffered from depression and it seemed I couldn’t hear the voice anymore.

Siguro, hatid na rin ng menopausal period ng isang babae. I lost interest in everything.

But my husband was there to help me bring back the light again. He was there to bring me to the places that I was working at. Then, when I had free time, I began to read the bible even once

a week. Starting last year 2019, bumalik ang dati kong sigla. I got an offer from New Vintage Records in Nagoya and I recorded a mini album, My Favorite Songs 2019, which is available at Amazon!

Maritess has a Facebook account and you could follow her and her singing stints there. She would be happy to accept you as friend. She has many video recordings of her performances in Facebook. You can always contact her for singing performances in your events!

As they say, you can put a bird into a cage, but you cannot stop the bird from singing. A singer is always a singer. Maritess is born a singer. And no matter where you place her and whatever circumstances may happen to her life, she would continue to sing.

This is the mark of a true artist – filling the world with joy with the light of her voice like the blooming flowers and the singing birds.

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A Day in the Life of 4 Friendships at IHAWAN...

“You can’t control everything. Sometimes you just need to relax and have faith that things will work out. Let go a little and just let life happen.” – Kody Keplinger It was just an ordinary day that my good friends and I planned on going out.

Since it has been awhile, we thought of having an early dinner at IHAWAN of Mama Aki in Shinjuku, Tokyo. We all missed each other and the good food at Ihawan. Instantly, we became nostalgic when we entered the restaurant.

We suddenly missed UTAWIT as we always do one of the Regional From left to right: Ms Irene, Mama Aki, Ai Chan, Edith and Santi Qualifying Rounds here.

Mama Aki does not do Tabehodai buffet as of yet because of corona virus. But Ala Carte of sinigang, tokwa’t baboy, crispy pata and

pinakbet was a feast to the tummy already. Oh my, as usual, food at IHAWAN was superb. Next, we played our favorite songs and found ourselves immersed on singing and dancing this time. There were no other customers yet at that time so we sang and danced our hearts out.

Then, suddenly, Mama Aki came and joined us singing and dancing.

that and we can feel it.

Wishing you more success in your business.

I was laughing and enjoying so much when I thought that it’s been months I haven’t laughed, danced and sang like this. Thank you, Mama Aki, for your warm hospitality. Belated Happy Birthday last September 1st. You have been good to the FilCom and UTAWIT. We know

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SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2020

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

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

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

English and Japanese OK!

03-5292-2340

www.asiavox.com

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