Jeepney Press 92 March - April 2018

ジープニー プレス

在日フィリピン人 向 け マ ガ ジン

Celebrating The Journeys Of Filipinos In Japan March - April 2018 2018年3月-4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.

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

Jeepney Press is published online bimonthly by Asia Vox Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright 2018

JEEPNEY PRESS Asia Vox Ltd.

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

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

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

creative staff

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

CONTENTS

06 YOMU Editorial

by Dennis Sun 08 Life Is A Journey

by Glen Gypsy 10 Musings Of A Gardener

by Rogelio Agustin

12 Sakura...Sakura...

by Marisol Punzalan Kudo 16 Kwento Ni Nanay

by Anita Sasaki 18 Signpost

by Karen Sanchez

22 Isang Araw Sa Ating Buhay

by Jeff Plantilla 25 Kapatiran

by Loleng Ramos 26 Moving On

by Jasmin Vasquez

29 Entertaining is in the Blood

by Abie Principe

30 On The Road To:

by Neriza Sarmiento-Saito 34 Family Escapade

by Marilyn Rivera

MARCH - APRIL 2018

Every flower must grow through dirt.

- Laurie Jean Sennott

06

Photo by Mark Warren de Luna MARCH - APRIL 2018

EDITORIAL by Dennis Sun very year during April, I celebrate my birthday. I don’t know if I should be happy or sad. Happy - because I move on to another year in my life and count all my blessings. Sad - because I am going to be a year older.

And at my age, a single increase in number makes a scary huge difference.

For the past several Aprils during my birthday, I celebrate the occasion dipping in one of the best onsens of Tokyo at the Garden Spa in Toshimaen.

When I was young, I wanted to celebrate my birthday with a party blast surrounded by all my friends in Tokyo. But now, I prefer being alone.

Alone so I can contemplate more on what I have done and accomplished for the past year and the previous years. I was born into this world alone, without a twin to share the single womb of my mother. So now when my birthday comes, I want to nourish the day alone. Call me selfish, but I have the rest of the year to everyone.

A few years ago, I would celebrate my birthday strolling in one of the most beautiful parks in Japan, Shinjuku National Park. It’s just a few minutes walk from where I live. Unlike in an onsen where I bathe myself in water, strolling in the park feels more like being bathe in air. I breathe and enjoy the fresh clean air and feast on the beauty of the verdant trees and colorful flowering sakuras.

A few days after my birthday, I was confined to the hospital. What a great post-birthday gift! I confess I had been so busy with work the past year combined with unmanageable stress from difficult people so being confined to a hospital was really what I was looking forward to. It’s vacation time. A few days of total relaxation in the hospital. Actually, after seeing the

YOMU means “to read” in Japanese.

results of my blood sugar test, my doctor didn’t want me to leave anymore and stay at the hospital.

My blood sugar numbers were dangerously high that I could collapse anytime on my way home.

This was my third bout of being confined to the hospital. I already knew what was in store and the way of life inside. Wake up at 6 AM and sleep at 9 PM. And because of my diabetes, the already insufficient Photo by Dennis Sun (Shinjuku Chuo Park) and bland regular hospital meal will be Help us to be ever faithful gardeners of the spirit, reduced in amount who know that without darkness nothing comes to avoid spiking up to birth, and without light nothing flowers. my blood sugar level. In a few days time, I lost several kilos! Oh, what an added birthday gift this is! I have been going to the gym for workout. As I trying hard to lose those unwanted walked in the middle of the park, I was kilos for years. Now, it only took a few welcomed with a bed of colorful tulip days to get a few kilos out of my flowers. It was fabulous sight to see. system.

Indeed, it was a grand sight. It made me realize how beautiful life is no I was able to bring my computer to the matter how tough it can be and if I hospital so I can continue doing some were suicidal that moment, I would graphic design jobs. I was able to bring have thrown away that knife in the a few books on Japanese study to garbage. polish my Japanese reading and writing. Still, those were not enough. I have learned that even though life is Boredom is such a difficult companion tough, so long as you want to do to be with in the hospital. There are something remarkable and worthtimes that you have done everything while, life is easier to cross. to make yourself busy, and then you just ask yourself what else there is to Life is, indeed, so beautiful! Just look at do. Once, I was given permission to all the flowers of spring. Use your walk to the nearby park in Shinjuku. I smartphone and take time to catch wanted to do some exercise as before the beauty of the moment and spread my confinement, I have been actively the love and energy on your FB!

MARCH - APRIL 2018

07

Glen Gypsy’s

“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul."

- Luther Burbank

08

MARCH - APRIL 2018

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

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

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

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

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

090-2908-5088(SB)

Visit our campus and experience the warm atmosphere of Nishimachi!

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

www.nishimachi.ac.jp

“I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose, I would always greet it in a garden.”

- Ruth Stout 10

MARCH - APRIL 2018

Musings of a Gardener The annuals, the biennials and the perennials.

For years I have been trying to build up my garden, planting more each year so it was like I was always on a buying spree for plants every change of the season. But starting this year, I am trying to shift to a more natural and sustainable gardening, more of an excuse for not being able to garden as I would have liked. Instead of adding more, I have decided to focus on what I have and make the best out of them.

In gardening, plants are categorized as annuals, biennials, and perennials.

Annual plants are those that complete their life cycle within a year or less. They are the plants that I probably buy the most to enjoy for a short season such as violets, pansies, and petunias. Sometimes I am lucky to see them around next year because of seeds that survive the season. Biennials are those that complete the flowering cycle in two years such as foxgloves (digitalis) and hollyhocks. They are quite interesting because they do flower every two years. The perennials are the most versatile because they would almost permanently stay in your garden and multiply every year such as my tulips, daffodils, and lavenders. But some perennials could be nasty because they get invasive and multiply easily. It is interesting to realize that life is indeed like a garden. You will have annual, biennial and perennial friend throughout your life. Annual friends will give color to your life once, biennials appear every two years for what reasons. Perennial friends are those who stay with you no matter what but be careful with the bad perennials as well as they can be invasive and not easy to get rid of.

In my garden, the annuals, biennials and the perennials all live in peace and harmony and that makes me happy. So in your garden of life, which ones do you have the most?

MARCH - APRIL 2018

11

Sakura... Sakura...

Photography by Marisol Punzalan Kudo

The significance of the cherry blossom tree in Japanese culture goes back hundreds of years.

In their country, the cherry blossom represents the fragility and the beauty of life.

It's a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful but that it is also tragically short.

- Homaro Cantu

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13

by Marisol Punzalan Kudo 14

MARCH - APRIL 2018

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15

KWENTO NI NANAY

by Anita Sasaki

EVERY GISING IS A BLESSING!!!

Ang paksa ng kuwentuhan natin ay ang TREN na mas kilala sa atin sa Pinas na MRT o LRT. Ang ating buhay para nating hinahambing sa paglalakbay sa isang tren.

Nang tayo ay isinilang doon, lulan tayo ng isang tren. At doon natin makikilala ang ating mga magulang, na sa

ating paniniwala ay kasama natin sila at kaagadbay sa ating paglalakbay. At makakasama natin ang mga taong may kahulugan sa atin gaya nang ating mga kapatid, kaibigan, mga anak at maging ang ating kabiyak sa buhay.

Ngunit dumarating na bumababa na ng estasyon ang ating mga magulang at naiiwan tayo sa ating paglalakbay sa buhay mag-isa.

Mayroon din sumasakay at kasama natin nang matagal sa ating paglalakbay at permanente ring nawawala sa kanilang upuan.

At meron din na di natin napapansin ang ibang bumababa o lumilisan at nawawala na sa kanilang upuan.

Ang paglalakbay natin sa tren na

Photo by Mark Warren de Luna

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ito ay puno ng kaligayahan, kagalakan, hapis, lungkot, mga kababalaghan ng ating mga sarili. Kaya kailangan ibinibigay natin ang “the best” natin.

Ang mysteriyo ng ating buhay sa paglalakbay ay kung saang estasyon tayo bababa kaya dapat ipakita natin ang pinaka “best” natin sa pagmamahal, pagpapatawad at kung ano ang pinaka mabuti at maganda sa atin dahil hindi natin alam kung saan tayo bababa sa ating paglalakbay at maiwan natin ang ating mga upuan na bakante ngunit mag-iiwan tayo ng mga magagandang ala-ala para sa mga magpapatuloy ng lakbay sa tren ng buhay.

Binabati ko po kayo ng maligayang paglalakbay sa inyong buhay.

Ang paglalakbay natin patungo sa ating Panginoon. So, see you in heaven!

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

By Karen Sanchez

Many of our kababayans are enjoying or are addicted on playing pachinko, slots or casino. I myself once was addicted into these but I realized that when you have your goals or priorities in life, you will forget to go or you will choose not to go or not to do it again. People who play games know or can relate immediately while reading this.

grabbed it and it changed my entire life and the life of my family in a positive way.

When you feel you're losing, just call Him and pray. He will never leave you in anyway.

You won't notice at first but sooner or later you will realize why it happened and you will be thankful for that.

Searching yourself and taking your journeys in life has the big factor of what your life may become. Your I want to share my point of life right now is the result of view in learning how to be the decisions you've made. strong on your own. 2006, "The strongest people aren't always And in reaching your goals when the big break or I the people who win but the people or ambitions, a lot of trials, should say "opportunities" who don't give up when they lose." risks and circumstances that came to me. That was the time when I was eager to go you may have to encounter.

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you abroad to help my family or Sometimes, it’s the feeling learn." like losing someone, the to send my siblings to precious things you have or college. But before that, I sometimes you wanted to must leave, I must give up "Shippai shite mo akiramenai!" give up and end your own my work. I tried my luck in life but after fighting and Brunei but, unfortunately, I Hello again everyone! Hope you’re ended up paying the debt of overcoming these, you have having a good day! the feeling of winning and others who used for their relief. own pleasures. I was Festive months and summer is on scammed, betrayed or the way. And for sure our kababaySome people will criticize dumped by the people I ans’ daily routines are the same. But believed and trusted to help you for what you are doing. everyone is excited again for festime reach my dreams for my Some will let you down and vals (matsuri), outings, beer gardens, family. I learned to fight for leave you like they don't barbecue, beach, cold rivers and of what I think is right and what know you. Sometimes they course the beautiful, expensive and I wanted to do. So, I asked will use your actions against amazing fireworks. Our life is like about the law and how I can you without knowing the fireworks, too. Why? Because every- handle my problems and entire story. By knowing and one has a unique characteristic, thanks GOD for guiding me loving yourself, nobody will beautiful and shines differently that to the right path. be successful of letting you some would love, patiently wait and down, instead they will hurt adore. And everyone has their own I was devastated but I never themselves because they are time to shine and fall as well as gave up. And one day, by the fighting against their "Losing and Winning". conscience. And these are grace of GOD, the second signs of the true meaning of opportunity knocked and I

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MARCH - APRIL 2018

winning.

There are scenes in our life that we need to pause, quit, give up, let go or walk away and move on. This is not cowardness but the bravest thing you will ever do because you know there is nothing you can do or you have nothing to do at all to stay or to change the situations. And being strong to face all these are also a sign of winning and at the same time you are learning.

When you're at business and the business is not doing well or about to go bankrupt, you should not give up but you have to try harder and never stop learning on how to develop yourself more or your company. As I was watching Nihon Terebi about interviewing well known or famous business shachou or big company owners, they tried everything they can and never stop until today because they said everyday is a learning process.

When you fail, then try again and never think of quitting.

When you're in love, you also have to bet once, twice or more for the people or the person you loved. Never give up. Try everything to win him back and sometimes trying is not enough and you look like you were dumped. Sometimes,

when after trying everything and you get nothing, it will lead you to exit and try or start a new life.

but as a proverb says "the story repeats itself". But one thing for sure, when God is the center of your life, happiness and success is with you. So

By starting your new life, again

you’re back to zero and life is still the same. The only changes you will encounter are the ambiance, the environment and the people you will meet. Fighting and overcoming the daily routines will eventually change

MARCH - APRIL 2018

again, just keep on dreaming, loving, praying and moving on because life is like a game sometimes you lose and sometimes you win.

19

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21

ni Jeff Plantilla Nagpalabas ng isang lumang pelikulang Pilipino sa Osaka Asian Film Festival nung Marso 12, 2018 bilang pagdiriwang ng 100 taon ng pelikulang Pilipino.

Libre ang palabas ng pelikulang Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos na ginawa ni Mario Ohara nung 1976 kasama sina Nora Aunor, Christopher de Leon at Bembol Roco. Ito ay tungkol sa World War II, “war time” sabi nga ng mga matatanda nung 1960s at 1970s.

Kakaiba ang pelikulang ito sa mga pelikulang tungkol sa giyera nung 1960s. Wala ditong napakaraming putukan, ito ay tungkol sa pag-ibig – pag-ibig sa kapwa at sa bayan.

Sa gitna ng pelikula, sinabi ng Japanese military officer (Christopher) na siya ay Japanese-Filipino. Pilipina ang nanay niya.

Nabigla ako sa dialogue.

1976 ito at hindi pa pinag-uusapan ang Japanese-Filipino children dahil iilan pa lang sila. Hindi pa dumadagsa sa Japan ang ating mga kababayang kababaihan – mga musikerong lalaki pa lang ang bumibiyahe dito nguni’t hindi pa marami ang mga anak nilang Japanese-Filipino kung meron man. Bigla kong naisip ang mga Japanese-Filipino children dito sa Japan.

Tulad sa pelikula, karamihan sa kanila ay Pilipina ang ina.

Kasiyahan Taon-taon Sa Marso at Abril ng 22

bawa’t taon, maraming Pilipinong magulang ang masayang ipinahahayag sa buong mundo ang pagpasok o pag-graduate ng mga minamahal na anak sa eskwelahan – elementary, highschool o university. Sabi nga nila, ito na ang masayang bunga ng kanilang mahabang panahong pag-aalaga. Sa mga nakatapos ng junior highschool, natapos na rin ang obento na araw-araw inihahanda.

Napakagandang tingnan ang mga Pilipino na may mga anak na nag-aaral o nakatapos na ng pag-aaral. Palaging may photo ng graduation or welcome ceremonies at yung pagtindig sa tabi ng school sign (mahabang telang may kanji) para sa okasyon. Napakasaya ng pakiramdam na makita na lumalaki na ang mga Japanese-Filipino children.

Sa bilis ng panahon, makikita na natin silang magtatrabaho sa mga kompanya, pamahalaan o eskwelahan, o magiging kasama sa mga taong magpapalakad ng industriya, pamahalaan o ng lipunan. Ang iba sa kanila ay maaaring magsarili sa kanilang propesyon bilang mga artists at iba pang gawain.

Sa kanilang parating pa lang na mga responsibilidad, madadala kaya nila ang kanilang identity bilang Japanese-Filipino? May magagamit kaya sila sa kanilang natutunan sa mga Pilipinong magulang?

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017

Karamihan sa kanila ay ipinanganak at lumaki sa Japan, samantalang marami na rin ang ipinanganak at lumaki sa Pilipinas na ngayon ay dito na nag-aaral. May pagkakaiba ang mga batang dito lumaki, sa mga batang dumating sa Japan na malaki na.

Iba’t-iba ang kanilang hinaharap na kalagayan.

Impluwensiya ng magulang Sa ikalawang Kapihan at Talakayan sa Kansai, nung Marso 4, 2018 sa Osaka, nagpaliwanag si Pen Takahashi kung paano niya pinalaki ang kanyang mga anak.

Ipinaliwanag niya na may panahon na naghirap ang buong pamilya. Nguni’t siya bilang magulang ay naniwala na kaya nila ang problema. Ginawa niya ang lahat na makakaya para sa mga anak. Kahit ano kakayanin, ito ang kanyang motto.

Hindi din siya nagkulang sa pagpapakilala sa kanyang pamilya sa Pilipinas at tungkol sa buhay ng mga Pilipino kasama na yung naghihirap. Nakita ng mga anak niya ang mga batang walang tsinelas na naglalaro o nagbebenta sa lansangan.

Naipaliwanag niya sa kanyang mga anak kung bakit ganun yung mga batang nakita.

Tulad ng maraming Pilipino, may kasayahan sila sa bahay na puno ng tugtog, sayawan at mga kaibigang Pilipino. Dinala din niya ang mga anak sa simbahan para sa

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2017

23

kanilang pananampalataya.

Isa sa kanyang kilalang anak, si MaryJun Takahashi, ay sumulat ng libro tungkol sa kanyang buhay. Kasama doon ang buhay ng kanilang pamilya.

May cover photo ng isang dining table na may 5 na silya at isang stool. Ipinaliwanag ni Pen na ang stool na yon ang kanyang upuan sa bahay. Yun ang gamit niya para mapagsilbihan ang pamilya.

Yun din ang simbolo ng pagmamahal niya sa kanyang pamilya. Parang sinasabi niya: Basta’t ikasasaya ng pamilya ko, OK lang.

Ang title ng libro ni MaryJun ay Difficult? Yes. Impossible?

No. Bagama’t itong libro ay tungkol sa kanyang buhay, sa problema na kanyang hinarap, malaki ang kinalaman nito sa pangyayari sa buong pamilya.

Sa isip ni Pen, kaya siguro ganito ang title ng libro ay dahil nakita ni MaryJun sa nanay niya na walang imposible. Meron siya palaging solusyon sa lahat ng bagay.

Dala ni MaryJun, at mga kapatid na sina Yu, na isa ring artista at modelo, si Genji, na nasa kompanyang nagpo-promote ng K-1 World GP (kickboxing competition) at si Yuji, na isang player sa Kyoto Sanga Football Club ang kanilang identity bilang Japanese-Filipino.

Ang istorya naman ni Armando Maningas (Minoru Eguchi) ay isang kinatawan ng

24

istorya ng mga Japanese-Filipinos na ipinanganak sa Japan bago mag-World War II. Umalis ang pamilya niya nung 1940 bago mag-giyera dahil hindi na makatugtog ng jazz ang kanyang ama na isang musikero. Nagsimula nang ipagbawal ang jazz sa Japan noon dahil itinuring na musika ng kalaban (Amerika) ang jazz.

Sikat ang mga musikerong Pilipino sa pagtugtog ng jazz sa Osaka, Kobe at Tokyo mula pa nung 1930s. Lumaki si Armando sa Pilipinas, nag-aral ng musika at nakabalik sa Japan bilang musikero ng big band ni Anastacio Mamaril nung 1968 sa Tokyo. Tumulad siya sa kanyang ama. Nung taon ng Expo 70, si Armando ay nakarating sa Osaka. Siya marahil ang unang musikerong Pilipino na tumutugtog sa Osaka nung 1970. Simula noon, dumagdag na ang ibang musikerong Pilipino, kahit ilang buwan lang ang kanilang entertainer’s visa sa bawa’t biyahe. Siya mismo ang sinabihan ng may-ari ng supper club sa Osaka na magrecruit ng mga banda ng musikero mula sa Pilipinas at ibang bansa. Nung bago mag-1972, puwede daw makakuha ng Japanese entertainer’s visa sa Okinawa dahil sakop pa yon ng mga Amerikano.

Marami pang istoryang makukuha tungkol sa iba’t-ibang Japanese-Filipinos – matanda man o bata.

Ang kanilang istorya ay

MARCH - APRIL 2018

April 7th, 2018 POLO. OWWA. meeting with the Filipino community leaders in Kansai at I-House hosted by Philippine Consulate General- OSAKA. magandang malaman ng mga Japanese-Filipino children ngayon. Maganda silang pagkunan ng inspirasyon.

Congratulations to the first Filipino ordained in Japan, Fr. Eric De Guzmán!

KAPATIRAN ni Loleng Ramos kung hindi pa ninyo alam.

Dumbo

P h i l i p

D iz o n

Danboru-bako? Hindi carton box, Dumbo cartoon! Hi Kapatid! Napanood mo ba ang Walt Disney film na ito?

Animated classic na panahon pa ng World War 2 ginawa, tungkol lang naman sa istorya ng isang elepanteng nakakalipad pero noong napanood ko ito, tulo ang uhog ko.

Sa totoo lang, isa ang “Dumbo” sa mga paborito kong pelikula, siguro nga mababaw ako pero ilang beses ko na napanood ito pero palagi, naantig at naantig pa din ang puso ko. Kapag naiisip ko si Mrs. Jumbo na nanay ni Dumbo na naka-kadenang bakal ang mga paa, inilayo sa kanyang anak at si Dumbo na iniiyakan ang inihiwalay niyang nanay, hindi na anthropomorphism o ang pagtalaga ng isang katangian ng isang tao sa isang walang buhay o buhay na bagay katulad ng hayup ang nakikita ko, hindi na ang mga elepanteng umaarte na parang tao, kundi ang tunay na hayup na nakakaramdam din ng mga bagay na nararamdaman nating mga tao. Saya, galit, lungkot, pangungulila, pighati.

Pareho lang naman tayong may mga puso. Totoong totoo ang dating sa akin ni Dumbo, hindi isang palabas na ginawa mula sa imahinasyon.

Naalala ko si Dumbo kase nakukunsyensya ako sa ginawa ko o hindi ginawa para sa katulad niya. Sabi kase ng isa kong kakilala pupunta daw silang mag-anak sa Thailand at ang una sa kanyang agenda ay ang elephant ride para maranasan din ng anak niya ang na-experienced niya dati. Hindi ko alam kung dapat ko siyang hayaan sa kanyang excitement o pigilan. Bakit ko ba siya pipigilan sa makakasaya sa kanya, tama ba na ikwento ko sa kanya ang kapalit ng tila isang simpleng elephant ride? Noong nakabalik na sila at pinakita niya sa akin ang kuha nilang litrato na katuparan ng kanyang wish, napako na ang mata ko sa hitsura ng elepanteng kanilang sinasakyan. Sa kabila ng saya at ngiti ng mga nakasakay, hirap at dusa ang sa kanila! Sana may makabasa ng sinulat ko na ito

MARCH - APRIL 2018

Nakakamangha ang hitsura ng elepante, di ba? Ang laki, sila ang pinakamalaking hayup sa lupa.

Nakakalangoy, nakakatanda, nakikidalamhati. Tumatawa, umiiyak, (maraming clip sa internet kung saan mapapanood mo ang iba’t-ibang katangian ng napakagandang hayup na ito). Alam nilang magmahal, lalo na ang masaktan. Napakalupit ng paraan para mapaamo ang isang elepante, para sila masakyan. Nag-uumpisa ito sa kanilang pagkabata, sapilitang tinatanggal sa tabi ng kanilang ina, madalas, para makuha ang isang batang elepante mula sa pamilya nito, pinapatay ang lahat ng nagtatanggol sa kanya. Matapos mahuli, kinukulong sila sa isang hawla o isang pinaghukayan sa lupa para hindi sila makagalaw, dito na mag-uumpisa ang pagpapa-amo o ang tinatawag “Phajaan”, “Crashing”, ang pagdurog ng kanilang kalooban. Nilalatigo, ginagamitan ng bullhook, sinusunog ang balat, sinusugatan, pinapalo, ginugutom hanggang sa matanggap ng mga elepanteng ito, na dapat silang sumunod sa isang tinatawag na trainer o mahoot para matapos ang lahat ng pagpapahirap at para sila mapakain at makainom ng tubig. Habang-buhay na ito para sa kanila, hanggang sa sila ay mapagpapakitaan pa ng pera. Ang saklap.

T o r r e s

Parang sumpa ang ganda at laki ng elepante. Pinapatay sila dahil sa kanilang mga ivory na ginagawang lilok, mahjong, billiard balls, piano keys, hanko, chopsticks, mga bagay na hindi naman kailangang gawin mula sa kanilang dalawang ngipin na nakalabas at nakabaon sa kanilang mga bungo. Inaalipin din sila sa mga circus, sa pagbubuhat ng mga mabibigat na bagay katulad sa logging, at sa walang saysay na elephant ride. Sana hindi sumapit ang panahaon na tuluyang maubos sila, maglaho.

Hindi pa ako nakakapunta sa Thailand, sa mga zoo pa lang ako nakakakita ng mga elepante. Sa bucket list ko, kasama ang makapaggugol ng oras sa isang elephant sanctuary. Doon ko sila gusto makita kung hindi man sa wild, mahawakan, makipaglaro at maparamdam na masaya ako kase masaya din sila.

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By Jasmin Vasquez

Mahal Ka Namin, Anak

uli pagkatapos ng dalawang taong pagsisikap at paghahanapbuhay, pagtitiis na mabuhay ng malayo sa aking mga mahal sa buhay kapalit ng magandang kinabukasan na haharapin sa mga darating pang pagsubok sa buhay.

Parang kailan lamang ay napakaliit pa ng aking bunsong anak ng ito ay aking iwan.

Ngayon ay sobrang tangkad na niya at nalagpasan na nga ang height ko at ng mga kapatid at mga pinsan niya. Malaking “bulas� wika nga ng mga matatanda. Bagamat napakatangkad niya ay sobrang lambing pa rin na parang baby.

Siya ngayon ay magtatapos sa ika-anim na baitang sa mababang paaralan ng Jose Rizal University sa Malabon. Batid sa kanyang mga mata ang saya na makauwi ako sa araw ng kanyang pagtatapos sa elementary. Masaya siya dahil andyan ako at ang kanyang ama na palaging sumusuporta sa kanya, sa lahat ng bagay.

6 na taong gulang ang aking bunso nang kami ay nagkahiwalay ng kanyang ama, dahil sa mga bagay-bagay na hindi namin madalas pagkasunduan. At dahil hindi kami magkasundo, nagpasya kami na maghiwalay na lang. Batid kong malaki ang magiging epekto nito sa aking anak ngunit naniniwala ako na balang araw maiintindihan niya rin kung bakit nagkaganito.

Sa umpisa ay galit ang nananaig sa aking puso, ngunit sa bandang huli ay naisip kong mas magaan ang buhay kapag walang galit sa iyong puso. Kaya nagsimula ulit ako na buksan ang aking puso upang maging magkaibigan kami alang-alang sa aming anak.

At dahil doon naramdaman kong mas gumaan ang buhay at napalitan ng saya ang dating malungkot na mata ng aming anak.

Kapag may mga gustong gawin ay sabay naming sinusuportahan ang hilig ng aming anak. Nang sa gayon ay mas magsikap pa ang aming anak dahil alam niyang andyan lang kami parati para sa kanya.

At ngayon sumapit na ang araw ng kanyang pagtatapos sa elementarya. Umuwi ako ng

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Pilipinas upang ipakita sa kanya ang aking suporta.

Kitang-kita at damang-dama ko ang kanyang pananabik na muli akong mayakap at mahagkan.

Masaya siyang makasama ako sa kanyang pagtatapos. Higit sa lahat masaya siya dahil kahit hindi kami perpekto o hindi buo ang aming pamilya, kahit paano ay alam nyang pwede kaming maging buo dahil naging mag kaibigan kami ng kanyang ama. Hiwalay man kami ng kanyang Dad, hindi yun hadlang para hindi siya maging masaya. Buo pa rin kami dahil andyan ako, andyan ang Dad niya at andyan siya. Mahal na mahal ka namin, anak. Ikaw ay binuo at bunga ng pagmamahalan. Kaya kahit ngayon na magkaibigan na lang kami, lahat ay gagawin pa rin namin para sa iyong ikabubuti.

Congratulations, anak!

Matapos ang isang linggong nilaan ko para sa iyo, ako ay babalik na muli sa Japan upang doon ay muling magsikap para sa ating kinabukasan.

Malungkot ako dahil mawawalay na naman ako sa inyo ngunit baon ko ang saya ng iyong tagumpay.

Lumaki ka sanang palaging malambing at mapagmahal sa iyong mga magulang at kapatid. At higit sa lahat may takot sa Diyos. Mahal na mahal ka namin, anak.

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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

Entertaining is in the Blood Maraming Pilipino ang talagang talented. Likas na magaling kumanta o sumayaw. Mula sa pagkabata, halos lahat tayo may memory ng pinapakanta o pinasasayaw ng magulang, tuwing may party.

Kahit na wala naman talaga tayong abilidad, pakakantahin pa rin tayo.

by Abie Principe

Noong bata ako, di namang kalayuang panahon, pero medyo malayo na rin, ang paboritong ipagawa ng Nanay ko ay ang mag piano.

Talagang patutugtugin kami ng ate ko sa piano pag may bisita. Lalo na kapag mayroong family gathering, kadalasan dapat mag-practice before the event.

Medyo stressful. Pero ganoon talaga noon. Sa totoo lang, wala talaga akong talent. Mabait lang ang mga kamag-anak ko, dahil pinapalakpakan nila ako.

At sa tingin ng Nanay ko, magaling ako.

Ganoon naman talaga ang mga Nanay, di po ba?

Isang shared experience sa marami sa atin ang mag perform mula bata. Kaya siguro napakaraming talented Filipinos, all over the world, dahil kalakip na ito ng ating kultura. Sana lang nga, kapag nalaman natin na ang ating anak, pamangkin, o apo, ay hindi gaanong talented, huwag natin silang i-discourage. Hanapin natin ang galing nila, o ang hilig nilang gawin, kung ito naman ay hindi nakakasama sa kanila, suportahan natin ito. Hindi lahat ay born entertainers. Mayroong mga teachers, scientists, nurses, care-givers, painters, designers and engineers, mahabang-mahaba pa ang listahan. Of course, kapag may talent sila, maganda ring suportahan ito. Life is diverse. Dapat maging open-minded tayo, lalo na sa ating mga anak, pamangkin o apo.

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Neriza Sarmiento - Saito's On the Road to:

Our Heritage . . .

From Bahay Kubo to Bahay na Bato

ear after year, I have always wished that Spring could stay on a little longer so that at least I can relish on the sight of the delicate cherry blossoms before its petals get blown by the wind or washed away by the rain!

On that pensive mood, one day, while watching those blossoms from my window, I read a story of a foreigner who ordered green tea in a tea shop in Kyoto. When his tea came, he asked for some sugar.

Bewildered, the waiter politely told

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him that they do not serve tea with sugar. The foreigner insisted: “But I want my green tea sweet!”

After a few more minutes, the manager came and explained: “We sincerely apologize for your inconvenience, but all we can tell you is that we give you the best of what we can offer although it might not be the best for you.” So at the end, the foreigner changed his mind. He ordered coffee and you know what? It came with two spoonsful of sugar!

the fact that Japan is techie savvy or multimodal, it has remained a country where its rich cultural heritage is preserved.

The tea shop manager's reply to the foreign customer was a fine example of how we should preserve a tradition. In spite of

A long time ago, houses in the Philippines were made of “nipa” or palm trees and houses were called Bahay Kubo, or nipa huts because of its

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On Holy Week, I went on a journey with some of my students to one of UNESCO's World Heritage Site. VIGAN, in Ilocos Sur, where over 120 ancestral houses made of brick and stone have withstood time, weather and political eras and are now silent but gallant witnesses of the fight for freedom of our ancestors.

Baquiran came with “ryugakusei” Daiki, Hideaki, Shun and Kurusu and Special Adviser to PEZAS Director, Ms Noemi Ronquillo Itsukage.

The following day, Good Friday, we flew to Laoag and were surprised that the DOT Region 1 Director, Mr. Martin Valera, Asst. Director Ding Baloloy, Ms. Cellie and their staff were at the airport to welcome us with leis in spite of the Lenten holidays. The long drive from Laoag to Vigan on Good Friday was an opportunity for us to witness Holy Week vigils, pabasa, penitensya among others! We stopped and prayed silently in the famous Paoay Church. The sight of the old heritage suitability to the tropical climate in the Philippines, cool in summer, because the floors were made of bamboo, no dividers or rooms, wellventilated and families could share meals together and sleep together on the floor.

But somehow, when heavy storms come, those houses get blown away. So, when the Spaniards introduced the “Bahay na Bato”, many affluent families had those built for them and their extended families.

On the day we arrived in Manila, we had a walk through Rizal Park, where we stood silently at the site of the former Bagumbayan, where our national hero was executed, read the multilingual version of “Huling Paalam” (My Last Farewell or Mi Ultimo Adios) and visited the University of Sto. Tomas. Dinner was at Casa Roces (known before as the Cocina de Tita Muning, the matriarch of the Roces family) where a rare Hidalgo painting is displayed. Former Tourism Attaché in Osaka, Mr. Valentino Cabansag and his wife Mandy, UP Professor and former visiting professor at Osaka University's Minoo campus, Dr. Joey

houses of Vigan was a sight to behold like entering a set from yesteryears, kind of “Once upon a Time” story and honestly, I felt like I was wandering through the scenes of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo where the sounds of the calesas and galloping horses brought us back to that period.

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Dinner was hosted by DOT Region 1 at the historic Luna Hotel! The next day, we visited the home of Fr. Burgos, one of the three martyred priests who are better known as Gomburza.

The house of Fr. Burgos was very well preserved with a huge staircase that lead to the spacious sala, the bintanilla’s could still be opened to get a better view of the street below. The silyon and the divan and antique beds as well as the altars and “luhuran” of Fr. Burgos are still in his room. We walked through the azotea as if reliving a scene of Maria Clara and Ibarra!

Three Vigan teenagers inspired us as they tediously sold drinks and other snacks at the Bantay Watch Tower. When you get a chance to visit Vigan, don't leave the place without trying Vigan longganiza, bagnet and empanada with papaya and eggs. For Director Valera, he recommended Laoag’s carrot cake!

ICHI-GO, ICHI-E, or One moment, one time in English was inspired by the ideas of Sen no Rikyu

(1522-1591), a very inspirational figure in the history of tea ceremony. Truly enough, we should treasure every experience that we go through, because it is unique and special exactly like our experiences in Vigan, and maybe next time, let us not expect sugar to be served with green tea!

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Family Subic Escapade: Enjoy the Beach, Explore Nature and Ready Your Palate

by Marilyn Rivera

very Holy Week, the family goes out together for a summer getaway.

For this summer 2018, we put on our adventure sneakers to pump up our adrenaline and embrace the challenges ahead. And Subic, Zambales was definitely the perfect fit for this year’s trip.

Holy Week means peak season.

Due to most people has no work on this holiday, we needed to make sure that we will be accommodated for this outing.

The peak season made it challenging to find the right place for our booking. It narrowed down our options to just a handful available. So we searched online for good hotel bookings near Baloy Beach, Subic as early as February. We also planned for an adventurous engagement with nature while staying there for two days like in Magaul Bird Park in Jest Camp.

Booking online in advance gave us a great deal of savings, advantage and not to mention the convenience.

The journey begins. We left Pampanga at 5:45 am, took the SCTEX route via Clark straight to Subic. The trip to our accommodation took around two hours and a half including a single restroom break and quick stop at the Subic Tourist Office.

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We were early several hours because our check in was at 12 noon so we enjoyed the rest of the morning eating in a rented cottage by the beach front. The sun was setting high but most of the senior people with us enjoyed the cool breeze chatting away under the hut while the rest relaxed and others took a bite of this and that. And some of us had a quick deep in the sea. Surprisingly, the water was cold despite the bright hot sun hovering so close.

We had our lunch at the resort hotel by the pool. Everybody joined in, shared their viands

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and drinks and exchanged stories. Nothing could be more epic than a satisfying meal with cold drinks after a long trip and a good swim. The rest of the day was spent in our rooms, playing billiards and swimming in the pool or at the beach. The night could not come faster and before we know it everybody was already sleeping soundly.

Magaul Bird Park was set for the next day after checking out from the hotel. The trip going up the steep hill was riveting and hair-raising at the same time. We could not see what comes next after the curving climb if it is going to be another

road or already the side of the hill. But it was truly worth the journey. Entering Magaul Camp was eye-filling. A big bird house greets you at the entrance, selling sophisticated bird cages and other bird paraphernalia.

After surrendering our e-vouchers which includes a bird show, photo-taking, ostrich feeding, a tour and survival training, our guide took our pictures first and introduced the rules before going inside the park. We love birds and I can feel that everybody was already anxious for the bird show.

Wings of the World took us with awe. The first bird was a hornbill.

It glided from the entrance of the dome and perched at the hand of our stage host. There were countless of birds presented, even birds of prey like the Philippine Eagle, Palawan Owl, hawk and vulture.

There were cockatoos, parrots, canaries, geese, and ducks, local and Chinese chickens. The show also provided constant reminder to show care and be aware of the effects of deforestation and poaching of these great birds. It was the first bird show that I watched in my entire life and I am willing to go there again and watch for the second time.

After the bird show, we have our tour of the whole park. Different types and species of birds are present. From big birds like ostriches, to different species of eagles, to the alluring peacock, to the mysterious crowned crane, different pigeons from Africa and other countries and lots more. In between stops, we had photo shoots at the view deck overlooking Bataan. We also have a pictorial with a giant red parrot that left a good luck charm on one of my nephews shoulder. Awhile after, we had a quick tour of the Insectarium filled with real preserved bugs, insects and spiders and the likes.

Afterwards, we went to feed the ostriches and got to touch ostrich eggs. Their shells are

surely a hundred times stronger than chicken eggs.

Our last stop was our jungle survival training. The Aeta instructors taught us how to build fire using only a bamboo, how to cook rice and sinigang in bamboos, make utensils with bamboo strips, how to find water in vines, and what roots to use for shampoo. And after the tour, we satisfy our palates in the Kawayan Restaurant where everything is cooked and served in bamboos. And I have to say, everything we ordered really tasted better. Even the rice in the bamboos was already a meal on its own.

I have to say that this year’s summer getaway is one of the best. As a family, my husband, daughter and I, all had a great time. The joy of everything was more enhanced when my husband’s twin, my mother-in-law with her two younger sisters and younger brother with their families shared this wonderful and momentous adventure with us.

Have a great summer and stay Green!

“Our Family, like branches on a TREE, we all grow in different directions, yet our roots remains as one.” - unknown

Our visit to Magaul Bird Park opened our eyes to the importance of valuing our forest, trees, plants, and most especially our birds. The objectives of the staff were to deliver their message that it is not too late to save our birds whose existence is being threatened by us. It is about time to be cautious citizens and have more knowledge on how to dispose of our waste properly, to recycle and how to conserve more water. Everyone is held responsible. We all share this planet so everyone should pitch in with their efforts.

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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.�

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

FILCOM EVENTS Philippine Assistance Group Charity Ball 2018 entitled Pagmamahal and Kapayapaan on 17 March 2018 at The New Sanno Hotel Dinner Party with a Retro theme from the 70’s and 80’s Sayonara Party for Congen Joy and Minister Josel

UTAWIT Execom with Congen Joy for her Sayonara Dinner in Roppongi, Tokyo on 17 April 2018.

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Samahang Pilipino - Tokyo 42nd Anniversary on 31 March 2018 at The New Sanno Hotel SP Mutya 2018 Popularity Contest Winners SP Mutya - Editha Casco Catangay (center) 1st runner up - Lyeen Ditching Mori (L) 2nd runner up - Vivian Escala Sarutan (2nd from L) 3rd runner up - Shamae Lorzano Titan (2nd from R) 4th runner up - Megu Matzuzaki (R)

Organized by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office

HANAMI Filipino Community in Tokyo at Ukimafunado Park on 1 April 2018

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AROUND JAPAN WITH UTAWIT 2018!

Jeepney Press, Samahang Pilipino, Teatro Kanto Organization

in cooperation with the different Filipino Organizations in Japan Nationwide with the support of The Philippine Embassy, Tokyo, Japan present.....

Kitami Jul 15 Iwate Aug 19

GRAND FINAL

October 20, 2018 Tokyo, Japan

Sendai Jul 15

Nagano TBA Kyoto Sep 16 Fukuoka Jun 17

Nagoya Tokyo Jul 29 Aug 12 Sep 2 Shizuoka JUL 1

GRAND FINAL on 20 OCT, Sat. in TOKYO from 5pm - 9:30pm Dinner Charity Show by Reservations Only PM Utawit, Glen Atienza and Justina Hazama