Jeepney Press 95 September-October 2018

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 2018 2018年9月-10月

Cover art and design: Dennis Sun

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 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 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 Cover design and art: DENNIS SUN

CONTENTS

06 YOMU Editorial

by Dennis Sun 08 Life Is A Journey

by Glen Gypsy 10 On The Road To:

by Neriza Sarmiento-Saito

12 Advice ni Tita Lits

by Isabelita Manalastas-Watanabe 14 UTAWIT 2018 GRAND CHAMPION

by Rodelio Laed

16 The Contagiousness of a Smile

by Marilyn Rivera

18 Kwento Ni Nanay

by Anita Sasaki 20 Signpost

by Karen Sanchez 22 Picasso Overload

by Monette Lamsen-Obera

24 Isang Araw Sa Ating Buhay

by Jeff Plantilla

26 Moving On

by Jasmin Vasquez 28 Kapatiran

by Loleng Ramos

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29 MESSAGES from the UTAWIT 2018 2nd & 3rd Place Winners 30 UTAWIT GRAND FINALS

by Irene Kaneko

Art by Dennis Sun

Nothing can dim the light that shines from within. – Maya Angelou

- art by Dennis Sun

EDITORIAL by Dennis Sun edyo na late po ang labas ng Jeepney Press this issue. We were waiting for the UTAWIT Grand Finals event to finish so we can include the winners and write a press release of the event.

Anyway, in Japan, being PUNCTUAL is a law even though it is not written anywhere. All Japanese know this for a fact. In fact, even if you are late for only one minute, you will make people angry already. So this issue, let’s learn the different ways to express our apologies for being late.

Here are some of the many ways to express tardiness.

Sorry, I am late. すみません、遅くなりました。 Sumimasen, osoku narimashita.

Sorry , I have kept you waiting. お待たせして,すみませんでし た。Omataseshite sumimasen.

If you think you are going to arrive late, you need to inform them beforehand.

Sorry, I may be about 5 minutes late. すみません、５分ほど遅れ るかもしれません。Sumimasen, go fun hodo okureru kamo shiremasen.

Sorry, I might be late. すみません、遅れそうです。 Sumimasen, okuresou desu.

You really need to be ON-TIME in Japan. I have seen during many times I was riding the

YOMU means “to read” in Japanese.

trains and when they arrive 10-20 secconds late, the train staff will announce on the speaker their apologies and the train conductor will even walk to the train cars from the first to the last and apologize personally to everyone in the train. That is how they value TIME in this country.

From the time they were still small, they were drilled in school and at home the utmost importance of punctuality. Now as grown-up workers, in order to avoid being late, they will go to work extra early. So there is no reason to say that the trains stopped. Most Japanese workers have already anticipated that already.

In the Philippines, you can be 5-15 minutes late, and they consider it normal. However, in Japan, you need to be 5-15 minutes early. And that’s the norm!

Medyo mahirap minsan. When I am meeting my Filipino friends here, most of them still use Filipino time. I wish they would have adjusted to Japanese time already as they have stayed here for so many years already.

At some Filipino events here in Japan, I noticed that some organizers still wait for their VIPs to arrive before starting the show. In UTAWIT, we strictly follow the schedule. If the VIP arrives late, we will not wait and continue the program as scheduled. The audience is the VIP (whether they are paying or not).

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Someone said: If you are 15 minutes early, you are on time. If you are on time, you are late. And if you are late, you didn't want to be there. I think this is how the Japanese people think and they apply this unwritten rule everywhere.

I hope one day, the co-called “Philippine Time” will all be gone. But that may depend on the traffic condition. For now, especially in Manila and the other cities, traffic holds power over time. And that, my friend, will need another story. Another article. And a long one! For now, we hold our life here in Japan and let’s adapt the good things here and teach them to our countrymen at home.

Arriving late is a way of saying that your own time is more valuable than the time of the person who waited for you. - Karen Joy Fowler 07

Glen Gypsy’s

“To ride a bicycle properly is very like a love affair—chiefly it is a matter of faith.

Believe you do it, and the thing is done; doubt, and, for the life of you, you cannot.”

- H.G. Wells, The Wheels of Chance: A Bicycling Idyll

08

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2018

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Neriza Sarmiento - Saito's On the Road to:

“UNDOKAI” the Filipino WAY “UNDOKAI” is one special event in the life of Japanese children and their family. It is also one special day when anyone or anybody can be a superhero depending on how fast he can run that day!

When my children were in kindergarten, it was a day when I labored day and night in the kitchen to make the perfect lunchbox that can compete with the other housewives “tamagoyaki”, “karaage”, sausages shaped like octopus and dried seaweed cut like Crayon Shin-chan’s face resting on top of the rice. That was decades ago but still, the Japanese way of making “Undokai” a family relaxation event probably left a lasting impression on me as something similar to how the we do Field Day or Sports Day events in the Philippines.

named Health and Sports Day. So, when the Philippine Community Coordinating Council held its 2nd Indoor Sports Fest last Sept. 2nd at the Toyonaka Shiritsu Senri Taiikukan, the same excitement was there as if I was going to my children’s “Undokai”.

But this time, I would be cheering for second or third generation Japanese -Filipinos who came all the way from different Filcom groups from Kyoto, Nara, Hyogo, Osaka, Kobe, Shiga, Hikone, Hirakata and as

Undokai in Japan has been held since 1966 after the Oct. 10, 1964 opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics.

Since then it has become popular and was 10

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2018

far as Okayama.

Way back in 2009, the idea of holding an Undokai was proposed

by Ms. Marie Hashizuka who was very enthusiastic to have an event where everyone can enjoy camaraderie in a relaxed and informal setting. Although others were not totally sold to the idea, the first event was held in October 2009 in an open area beside the Yodogawa river. Consular officials also participated. From that time on, the PCCC Undokai has remained as one of the major annual activities of the umbrella organization.

At one time, the event was held in Nagai Koen because the space In Yodogawa could not be reserved. In another occasion, it was postponed due to rains.

Because of that, it was proposed that it would be practical to hold the

fest, the Cultural Committee prepared incredibly crafted trophies, made of snacks, which was Tess de Asia’s idea!

The program followed a typical Undokai from Radio Taisho but the games could not be seen in any Japanese Undokai like human wheelbarrow, basketball relay and Maria went to town. event indoors and so the first indoor sportsfest was held at the Momo no Hiroba in Higashi, Osaka City. 2nd Vice Chairperson, Ms. Ma. Luz Shimizu, coordinated the first ever Indoor Sports Fest. This year, Toyonaka International Center and Atoms Toyonaka extended their assistance to the PCCC in looking for an appropriate place for an indoor sportsfest.

first indoor sportsfest, 4 team colors were formed: blue, red, yellow and white. So, what makes our “Undokai” unique? Well, if it’s a Filipino gathering, food takes center stage, for without Pinoy

Unlike the previous sports fests, where teams from various communities competed.

But PCCC Chairperson, Mr. Jeff Plantilla noticed that it did not give them a chance to mingle and talk with other Filipinos from other communities. And in 2018, for the

food, many won’t be too motivated to go. As in the last sportsfests, some communities brought their own “obento” of adobo or pancit while others had barbecue. Some caterers sold arroz caldo, turron and halu-halo.

On Sept 2, 2018 Sports-

Last year’s Utawit RQR winner, Rose Ohnishi, had an intermission song number.

And for better health and fitness for senior citizens, the Toyonaka Koureisha Taishou explained Power up Taishou.

And what really makes a

Filipino Undokai unique, is their ability to UNDO or maybe cancel any bad or negative effects of tiredness.

Sportsfest is a way to loosen up and be in harmony with yourself and others!

So next time you join our sportsfest... read it the English way... UNDO-KAI!

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11

Take It Or Leave It!

by Isabelita Manalastas-Watanabe been bothering me for some time, and for which I and my Japanese husband do I originally wanted to not seem to agree on how to properly defer answering handle. I decided I questions to me by one of Jeepney Press’ will defer asking for readers for this issue, your advice - will as I, this time, wanted probably do this in to be the one to get the next JP column, as the question I have your advice, on received from Noli of something that has My dear readers of Dear Tita Lits column:

Dear Tita Lits, Ang hirap po talagang maging isang OFW. 3 years na po akong nagta-trabaho dito sa Gifu ken bilang isang trainee. Hindi naman malaki ang sahod pero nakaka-ipon na rin kahit konti. Libre po ang dorm namin at nakakatipid naman sa pagkain dahil nagluluto po kami imbis na kumain sa labas.

Ang problema ko po ay ang asawa ko sa Mindanao. Sabi po ng nanay ko ay meron daw siyang kabit sa amin.

Meron po kaming dalawang anak pero bata pa sila para malaman itong mga nangyayari. Nag usap na po kami ng asawa ko at umamin na po siya. Wala daw po ako. Nalungkot at 12

natukso siya. Ginawa daw niya ang lahat para umiwas. Sabi ko sa kanya, mas malungkot ako dito sa Japan at mas marami ang tukso dito at ginawa kong umiwas dahil mahal ko siya at ang mga anak ko. Araw-araw, sila lamang ang nagpapalakas sa akin para magising araw-araw.

Mahal ko po ang asawa ko. Mahal pa rin daw niya ako. Pero mahal din niya yung kabit niyang lalake.

Sabi ng nanay ko, palayasin na siya sa bahay at ang nanay ko na lang ang mag-alaga sa dalawang anak ko. Pero ayaw ng asawa kong umalis at iwanan ang mga bata.

Uuwi man ako at mag-resign sa trabaho, wala naman akong trabaho sa Pinas. Nasira na ang hanapbuhay ko, sira na rin ang relasyon ko sa asawa ko.

Patawarin ko man siya, mahirap makalimot at

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2018

Gifu-ken is too important for me to ignore, or even postpone responding to.

Hereunder is the letter from Noli, and my response.

Tita Lits

mahirap na rin magtiwala ulit. Gulung-gulo po ang utak ko at nahihirapan na rin ako ngayon sa trabaho.

Sabi ng kaibigan ko dito, pabayaan ko na lang daw.

Kung kayang gawin ng asawa kong magmahal ng iba, eh di, mag mahal na rin ako ng iba dito. Para hindi masakit at para malibang na rin ang utak at puso ko dito. Para makalimot. Para patas na lang kaming dalawa.

Meron nga isang Pinay na trainee na may gusto sa akin.

Ganoon na lang ba ang buhay ko? Mag papadala pa rin ako ng pera sa asawa at anak ko? Pag uwi ko, nandiyan ako para sa kanila. Pag balik ko sa Japan, balik ako sa pagiging binata at libreng mag mahal sa iba?

Ano po ang payo ninyo?

Salamat po!

Noli Gifu-ken

Dear Noli: Pasensiya ka na, pero para sa akin, hindi kapani-paniwala ang sabi ng asawa mo na “Ginawa daw niya ang lahat para umiwas”.

Kung hindi talaga interesado ang isang babae sa isang lalaki, walang mangyayari kahit ayaw tumigil ang isang lalaki sa paghabol sa babae.

Hindi titigil sa paghahabol at panunukso ang isang lalaki kung wala siyang makita na opener sa isang babae. Alam ng lalaki kung kaya niyang makalusot sa kanyang pag-akit sa babae. Kaunti lang siguro ang mga lalaking sasabihin na challenge sa kanilang pride at pagka-macho ang pagtanggi ng isang babae, at ang pagtanggi ang mag-uudyok sa lalaki na lalong i-pursue si babae. Siguradong may pakendeng si babae, para maka-attract din ng attention. Lalo na, lonely si babae.

Kung seryoso ang asawa mo sa pag-iwas, at derechong sinabihan niya, in a very firm manner iyong sino mang lalaking lalapit/lumapit sa kanya, hindi magpapa-pursue si lalaki.

Hindi man lang ba naisip ng asawa mo, kahit man lang mga anak ninyo, di-bale na kung hindi niya naisip ang feelings and pride mo, noong pumatol siya? Too selfish to think of her own claim na “Nalungkot at natukso siya”!!!

Mabuti naman at umamin siya, at hindi nagsinungaling sa iyo regarding her relationship sa iba.

Pero nag-iisip ako - kung hindi nalaman ng nanay mo ang situwasyon (at nagsumbong nga sa iyo), magsasabi kaya at aamin sa iyo ang asawa mo? Tapos, sinabi pa ng asawa mo, “Pero mahal din niya yung kabit niyang lalake”.

Haven’t you any pride? Ganoon ka

na ba ka-desperate na pabayaan mo ang asawa mo to continue having a relationship with his kabit?

Kasi, sa sulat mo sa akin, parang continuous pa ring namamangka sa dalawang ilog ang asawa mo!

Tungkol sa pagpapadala ng pera, I hope you can trust your nanay sa pag-handle ng pera (sorry – marami rin akong alam na kahit magulang, kahit kapatid, kahit asawa, kapag pera ang pinag-uusapan, maraming mga nagiging problema).

Kung may proper ID ang nanay mo, pwede siyang magbukas ng “ITF” (In Trust For”) na bank account para sa iyong mga anak. If your mother’s name is Maria Dela Cruz, for example, and your son’s name is Juan Dela Cruz, then the name of the account that will be opened is “MARIA DELA CRUZ ITF JUAN DELA CRUZ”. It means the money is really for your son Juan Dela Cruz, but it is your mother, Maria Dela Cruz, who has access to the account (she can withdraw directly without your or your son’s consent). When your son becomes of majority age, he can already directly do banking transactions pertaining to the ITF account. Your mother will need a copy of an ID of your son – in this case, a birth certificate will do, dahil walang ibang ID itong mga bata.

She can get a copy of your birth certificate which will show your name and your parents’ name, and then a birth certificate for your son, wherein it will also show your name as his father. The bank will then be able to connect the relationship na nanay mo nga si nanay mo, at apo nga niya ang anak mo.

Or kung uuwi ka, better ikaw na lang ang magbukas ng ITF account for your children. Nakapangalan sa iyo “IT” (name of your child/children). Pang-savings for their future ang mga ipapadala mo sa account/s.

As regards support for your wife, nasa sa iyo ito. Wala akong opinion – gusto ko lang, mayroon talagang makuhang pera ang mga anak mo, para sa kanilang sustento, or savings nila for the future (meaning hindi magwi-withdraw si nanay mo). Kung hindi ka makakauwi, at kung hindi naman masyadong abala kay nanay, siya na muna.

Isa pa – kung hindi sensitive si nanay mo at maintidihan niya ang purpose mo, at hindi dahil wala kang tiwala sa kanya, pwede mong i-request na ipadala sa iyo ang bankbook/s kapag nabuksan na ang account/s. From Japan, you can remit to the account/s ng anak/mga anak mo. Next time kang makauwi, pwede mong dalhin na lang din sa Japan ang mga bankbooks na binuksan ni nanay. I-update mo din muna sa kahit anong branch ng banko where the ITF accounts were opened. Papasok at mapi-print lahat doon ang mga padala mong pera, at ma-tse-check mo kung pumasok lahat, or may na-withraw, magkano at kailan.

Huwag kang gaganti sa iyong asawa, at magde-decide na mag-girlfriend ka din dahil lang malungkot ka, at mas masama, dahil gusto mo lang gumanti. Tingin ko, ang bait mong asawa, at ang bait mong tatay sa iyong mga anak.

But if I were you, I will give your wife an ultimatum – cut the relationship with the other guy. Loneliness is a very selfish and self-centered reason para gawin niya ang ginawa at ginagawa pa niya. When RESPECT is lost between a husband and wife (in this case, hindi ka nirespesto ng asawa mo), then LOVE cannot survive.

May God guide you on the best way to handle the situation. Pray, pray, pray.

Tita Lits

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2018

13

UT A

n pio am Ch

018 Gr 2 an IT d W

odeli o aed L R

Rocks!

Photo: Bonbon Garbanzos

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SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2018

MESSAGE FROM THE UTAWIT 2018 GRAND CHAMPION: Ms. Rosemarie Aritaka.

Hi! I’m

Rodelio Laed and I

am the National Grand Champion of Utawit Himig Pinoy at Hapon 2018!

First of all, I would like to thank the all the people who made this event very successful.

It was so exciting because all competitors in every region became friends. We took pictures, we shared our nervousness that was a happy moment for me.

That year, Mr. John Alejandro won the Grand Champion. I was the second place winner and Mr. Bong Alicando was the third place winner.

After that, I joined and supported Utawit Fukuoka Regional Qualifying Round as one of the emcees for several years.

This year, it came to my

mind to join again. I had this feeling like what if I try to join the Utawit again for the last time: it will either be a win or a lose. So, I called Ms. Rosemarie Aritaka and told her that I want to join the contest. Luckily, I won in the RQR and went to Tokyo to represent Fukuoka again. And I am very lucky that I won the Grand Champion this year!

Thank you so much, UTAWIT!!! My message to everyone as the the Grand Champion is, if you are going to compete in a singing contest like Utawit, just always feel confident, relax, sing from your heart and first of all put God first.

Once again, thank you and God bless us all!

The first time I joined Utawit Fukuoka Regional Qualifying Round in 2010, I was the third place. The second time was 2013, I got the first place and so I we went to Tokyo for the Grand Final to represent Fukuoka under the Global Filipino-Japanese Friendship Association, the Regional Host Organizer, Photo: Bonbon Garbanzos

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2018

15

It’s More Fun to Survive in the Philippines

The Contagiousness of a Smile

by Marilyn Rivera

I am especially glad of the divine gift of laughter.

It has made the world human and lovable, despite all its pain and wrong.

– William Edward Burghardt Du Bois It is more fun in the Philippines. Our beautiful islands are one of the most visited tourist’s spots in the world. And aside from that, we are one of the countries known to have the happiest bunch of people in the world known to always smile. It is not about the islands or beaches that make our country more fun or enjoyable but it is the people who are living in it.

improving. Not because of our government leaders. We are rich because we make “fun” exists. We make striving and surviving fun. We are rich because we make happiness as our coping mechanism to survive.

It is true that it is so difficult to think that with the corruption, political issues and inflation, we still manage to be happy.

Filipinos would often say that our problems will always be there, but this moment, we can never get back and will not last forever. We smile and laugh despite the hardship that we face day by day I once saw a facebook video because we know that our created by a foreigner who families are waiting home for featured Filipinos in Luzon, us. Because we know that Visayas and Mindanao. He was every morning is another in search to answer the beginning. Because we know question why Filipinos are so that our dreams are closer at happy and always smiling. He hand today than it was said that it is outstanding that yesterday. And most of all, we even in depressed areas and know that with faith and hope barangays (small towns); you we survive the most would see a lot of people devastating typhoons and laughing or joking around start anew amidst the with their friends, singing crumbles that was left to us. videoke and would even get We still survive. out of their way just to help a One of the famous ways that stranger or foreigner. He said we have fun is through that the Philippines is not singing. Internationally, poor. Filipinos are rich.

Filipinos are known to be We are rich not because of the great singers. In the likes of amount of money that we Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon, Les have. Not because how largely Miserable, Disney’s Jasmin and we attract tourists to our Mulan), Charice Pempengco (now waters. Not because our Jake Zyrus), Arnel Pineda economy is somehow

16

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2018

(Journey), Bruno Mars, Allan Pineda (Black Eyed Peas), TNT boys (featured in Ellen), KZ Tandingan (Sing Contest in China with Jesse J, the X Factor Philippines Champion 2012) and other artists that are being discovered for their mega-talented skills in singing.

We love to sing. If you have a Filipino friend, when you went to their house, more often than not, they have a mic in the house.

Almost every Filipino household celebrates with a videoke machine. If there are birthdays, fiestas, graduations, anniversaries, etc. You can expect that there will be singing or a singing contest involved. We love singing so much that in almost every establishment, big or small, a videoke or karaoke is within reach.

Definitely, we know how to party and let loose. And it has been proven as well that singing produces endorphins that make as calm and makes us more happy.

So why is it more fun in the Philippines? If you lived in the Philippines, you would see that it is because of the people’s way of thinking. It is our attitude. It is our culture. And it is our tradition. We, Filipinos, are optimistic people who do not linger in our problems like it is the end of the world but rather we look at the brighter side of things and thrive with hope.

Even amongst the cruelty and negativity around us, we still find a reason to laugh. And we share the contagiousness of this good feeling through our smiles.

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2018

17

KWENTO NI NANAY

by Anita Sasaki Photo by Marisol Punzalan Kudo

EVERY GISING IS A BLESSING!!!

Ang kuwentuhan natin ngayon ay tungkol sa aking mga experiences o naranasan ko sa “Day Sabis” o ang tinatawagan sa Ingles na “Day Service.”

Noong 2014, ang aking nasubukan ay parang rehabili lang or parang gym. Exercises lang at puro mga malalakas pa ang mga nagpupunta. Walang naka wheelchair.

Pero nitong mga nakaraan mga buwan nakapasok ako sa Day Sabis na ang ambiance ay talagang napakaganda. Maganda po ang serbisyo. Pagdating mo meron silang binibigay sa mga pasiyente na welcome drink.

Merong oras kayo mag gym, mag play ng games, mga card games na parang scrabble dahil pinag iisipan ang mga sagot. May games na na-exercise ang mga reflexes nila. Meron din mga gumagawa ng mga art works like making of rings, flowers, keychains, frames, decors at kung ano ano pa. Meron din ofuro time.

Oras ng ligo or bath time. Then they will serve lunch na akala mo nasa fine dining ka. Pagkatapos ng lunch, ay “free time” kung gusto nilang manood nang TV sa TV room. Yung iba sa Theater room at araw-araw iba din ang pinapalabas. At yung gusto magkaraoke meron din Karaoke room. At bago matapos ang karaoke time ay merienda time o ang “oyatsu” time. Ganoon din ang sa mga

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SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2018

nanood ng sine. At pagkatapos, class dismissed na o uwian na.

Ihahatid na lahat sa kanilang mga bahay.

Ito ang tinatawag na “What a life!”

Kaya nga, COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, NOT WHAT IS MISSING. Marami tayong blessings o mga biyaya na di natin napapansin.

Puro yong reklamo natin ang nasa isip natin at puros problema.

Problema sa financial, kalusugan, physical na anyo o panlabas, sa asawa o relation. Sabi kasi nang Diyos, “LOVE ONE ANOTHER.# Pero ano ang ginawa mo “LOVE ANOTHER.” Hindi natin naisip na life is not a journey but a pilgrim. What is important in our pilgrim in life is to be closer to God. Lagi tayong naka-focus sa mga kunsimisyon sa buhay at nakakalimutan natin ang ating MISSION. Kaya paalala lang po: PAGKAGISING NATIN, LUMUHOD TAYO AT MANALANGIN. MAGPAKUMBABA. BE HUMBLE. MAGPASALAMAT TAYO SA LAHAT NANG MGA BIYAYANG DUMARATING SA ATIN. GAYON DIN BAGO TAYO MATULOG. SUSI SA PAGSIMULA AT PAGTAPOS NANG ATING ARAW. “KEY TO OPEN AND CLOSE OUR DAY.” PRAYERS, PRAYERS, PRAYERS. Ang kalabaw nga lumuluhod bago humiga, di po ba?

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By Karen Sanchez

Buhay Pipti-pipti (50/50) "Di bale nang maubusan ako ng pera kung buhay naman ang aking maisasalba.�

Magandang araw na naman po mga kababayan. Kamusta po muli? Nawa’y ligtas po ang lahat sa hagupit ng bagyong nagdaan.

Nandirito na naman po kami upang maging parte ng inyong isang araw. At sa pagkakataong ito, nais ko pong ibahagi ang aking kwento upang manghikayat at ipaalam ang aking karanasan sa kahalagahan ng pagtulong ng bukal sa loob at ang kaligayahang maidudulot nito sa ating mga sarili.

pumunta ng ospital baka sakaling maagapan pa at kahit alanganin dahil nahihiya agad silang nagpaospital at bago ako umalis binilin ko sa aking ina at sa kanyang pamilya na hindi na baleng hindi maipagawa ang bahay ng nanay ko ng mga panahong iyon mailigtas lang ang buhay ng taong iyon. At ang bilis ng balita ay nakarating sa mismong kaanak at dagli silang tumulong at awa ng Diyos naghahanap buhay na muli ang may sakit noon.

Ang isa pang kwento ay tungkol din ito sa matalik kong kaibigang nagkasakit at binigyan ng taning ng mga dalubhasa. Gusto nang Una, hinde po ako mapera kagaya bumigay ng kaibigan ko at tanggap na din ng kaanak kasama ng iba sa atin at yung kinikita ko na ang asawa na hanggang doon ay totoo namang pinaghihirapan na lang at kukunin na sya. Isa ako o pinagtatrabahuhan ko. Kaya sa hinding-hinding bumitiw sa minsan kung may ibang paniniwalang tanging ang Diyos nanghihingi ng tulong o lamang ang may kakayahang mangungutang at hindi ko napagbigyan, sumasama ang loob gumawa ng milagro o himala at tanging taga pagligtas sa at ipagkakalat na naghihirap na ako kung saan naghihirap naman anumang uri ng karamdaman maging ang mga dalubhasa ay talaga ako sa kakahanap buhay nagkakamali din naman kung para sa mga gusto kong gawin sa minsan. Abot langit ang aking kinikita ko. panalangin sa kanyang kaligtasan.

Pipti-pipti ay ilang mga kwento ng Gaya ng aking karanasan at napatunayan ang bisa ng mga taong nag-aagaw buhay dahil sa kapos sa pera at di madala panalangin ay makapangyarihan. sa ospital kahit magpatingin man Lahat naman tayo nagkakasala lang. Isang malapit na kaanak ang ngunit hindi ito balakid kung patuloy tayong manalangin sa halos naghihingalo na ng ating May Likha dahil tinubos na madatnan ko isang araw dahil sa malaking bukol sa dibdib sanhi ng nya tayo bago pa tayo isinilang sa mundong ito. Sa taimtim na TB o tuberculosis na lumala dahil panalangin at sa tulong din ng napabayaan ang sarili at mga dalubhasa masasabi kong napabayaan ng mga kaanak na maililigtas pa ang buhay ng mapepera kumpara naman sa kaibigan ko. inyong lingkod, walang ibang malapitan at sa nakita ko, naantig Marami ang nagagalit sa akin at ang puso ko at kinausap ko bakit nagsasabi o nagtatanong bakit nangyare yaon at nang nalaman kailangan kong tulungan o bigyan ko sa oras ding iyon pinaghanda ang mga iyon dahil wala naman ko sila ng kanyang asawa na daw ako mapapala. Ang hindi nila

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alam o ng karamihan sa atin, yung totoong kaligayahan ay yung balik o galak sa puso dahil ikaw ay nakatulong sa tao. Pansariling kaligayahan na maituturing ngunit sa bawat buhay na naililigtas ay walang kabayarang galak naman ang mararamdaman.

Hindi lamang sa may mga sakit ang Pipti-Pipti kundi yung mga taong wala nang pangarap o wala nang nagmamalasakit sa kanila ultimo pamilya nila at ang iba kapit sa patalim kung maituturing.

Sila ang mga taong wala nang direksyon ang mga buhay ngunit sa pagbibigay ng trabaho at gabay nagkaroon sila ng direkyon at nagsimulang mangarap muli.

Mga simpleng bagay ngunit nagbibigay buhay muli sa kanila.

Nagbibigay inspirasyon upang patuloy na mamuhay sa marangal na pamamaraan.

Hindi po ito pagbibida, ito po ay mga katotohanang nangyayari sa ating kapaligiran. Maaring hindi nyo po ito napapansin o isinawalang bahala nyo na lamang. Hindi po ba na may kasabihang "it’s better to give than to receive" at "what you sow, you reap"? Isa po ito sa mga ehemplo laman at isa po itong makatotohanan.

Ano mang bagay ang ibinigay mo sa kapwa mo ng walang pag iimbot, sigurado pong may balik ito..."karma-karma" lang po, di po ba? Samakatuwid, kung masama man o mabuti ang ibinigay mo, yun din ang babalik sayo at kadalasan, ito ay siksik, liglig at umaapaw pa.

Hanggang sa muli po! Maraming salamat sa muling pagtangkilik at pagpalaain po nawa tayong lahat ng Poong Maykapal.

By Karen Sanchez Sa mundong makulimlim At ang langit ay kay dilim Nag-iisa at walang makapiling Pikit-matang ika'y aking panalangin Matapos ang unos o malakas na ulan Kung ikaw ay aking masisilayan Tiyak na gagaan aking pakiramdam At pag-asa ay akin nang nararamdaman Kulay mo ay nakakaaliw pagmasdan Nakakalimot ng lungkot kung minsan Pagkat nagtataka kung saan ang pinagmulan Dahil dito mga pasakit ay nakakalimutan Di ko man alam ang tanging dahilan Ang Diyos sa amin ay ika'y inilaan Upang magbigay pag-asa kanino man Sa tuwing ikaw amin nang nasisilayan

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By Monette Lamsen-Obera Last summer, my family and I went to Hakone Open-Air Museum. The first among many remarkable open-air museums in Japan opened in 1969. Though it was a typhoon season, in our visit the weather was kind enough to give us sunshine. This made the landscape more breathtaking and our roaming more enjoyable.

The museum has approximately 120 sculptural works displayed outdoors, made by artists from Japan and around the world. Everything was worthy of attention.

But there was this area that made me forget the time - The Picasso Museum.

entrance. His first word was "piz" which is Spanish for pencil. He received his painting instruction from his father, who was also an artist, when he was 10. He rented his first studio when he was 14.

From that point on, art was his life- doing, learning, and improving himself to be a better artist. He died at 91 with much art discoveries

All artists know Picasso. Many admire him. This Spanish, who made a name through his artworks, is respected all throughout the world.

His creative works (drawings, photographs, ceramics) can be viewed inside the enormous building named after him. More than his output, what fascinated me more was his life chronology displayed at the

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and techniques that are being used today by contemporary artists.

Picasso's life story made me remember the 10,000-Hour Rule from Malcolm Gladwell.

In his book, The Outliers, he explained that the people at the very top don't work just as harder or even much harder than anyone else.

They work much, much harder. The key to success in anything is 10,000 hours of practice to achieve the level of mastery.

This trip was worth it. I was happy to experience Hakone Open-Air Museum than the usual onsen (hot spring). Good thing, we did not let the weather forecast stopped us from going. Also, as of this writing (October 25), it is Picasso's birthday.

Coincidence? That's another good thing.

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ni Jeff Plantilla

Isa sa kilalang matsuri sa Osaka ang Midosuji Parade. Bawa't taon, iba't-ibang grupo ng mga Hapones kasama ang mga Pilipino sa Kansai (at iba pang mga dayuhan) ang nagpaparada sa mahalagang kalsada ng Osaka - ang Midosuji.

Nagsimula ang Midosuji Parade nung 1983 sa Osaka upang ipagdiwang ang ika-400 taon ng pagkakatayo ng Osaka-jo (Osaka castle).

Sa unang tingin parang isang kilalang kastilyo lang ang Osaka-jo. Pero ito ay may mahalagang bahagi sa kasaysayan ng Japan. Ito ay naging simbolo ng kapangyarihan ni Hideyoshi Toyotomi, na siyang nagharing daimyo nung 16th century. Sa Osaka-jo tumira si Hideyoshi bilang daimyo.

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May mahalagang kinalaman sa atin bilang mga Kristiyano ang Osaka-jo. Nung ipinatatayo ni Hideyoshi ang Osaka-jo nung 1583, halos sabay ang pagpapatayo ng Kristiyanong Ukon Takayama ng mga simbahan sa Takatsuki, na pinamamahalaan ng kanyang pamilya.

At pagkatapos mamatay si Hideyoshi nung 1598, ang Osaka-jo ay inatake ni Ieyasu Tokugawa nung 1615 (na siyang humalili bilang daimyo). At nung taong ding yon namatay si Ukon sa Maynila.

May pagkakasabay ng pangyayari sa buhay ni Ukon ang nangyayari sa Osaka-jo.

Nung 2017, pagkatapos ng mahigit na 400 taon, si Ukon ay na-beatify sa Osaka Dome, parte ng koen ng Osaka-jo.

Ipinatapon si Ukon ni

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Hideyoshi sa Pilipinas nung 1614 dahil sa kanyang Kristiyanong pananampalataya at “nagbalik� siya sa lugar ng Osaka-jo nung 2017 para ma-beatify dahil sa kanyang paghihirap bilang Kristiyano na dulot ni Hideyoshi.

Mahalaga ang mga simbolo sa ating pag-iisip.

Ang Osaka-jo ay simbolo ng kapangyarihan ng mga daimyo (Hideyoshi Toyotomi at Ieyasu Tokugawa) na siyang bumuo sa bansa ng mga Hapones, at sila din ang nagsimula ng malupit at marahas na pagbabawal sa relihiyong Kristiyano.

Ang Midosuji Parade ay naging simbolo naman ng patuloy na pag-unlad ng Osaka. Isa sa naging tema nito ay ang pagdating ng bagong isang daang taon - 20th century. Ang naging mensahe ng Midosuji Parade ay ang

Osaka bilang sentro ng industriya at turismo sa bansa sa bagong century.

Ang mga Pilipino ay sumama sa Midosuji Parade sa loob ng maraming taon. May Philippine float sa bawa’t taon ng parada na sinusuportahan ng Philippine Consulate General at Department of Tourism office sa Osaka.

Iba’t-ibang tradisyunal na pananamit ang suot ng mga Pilipino sa bawa’t taon ng parada. Naging isang paraan ang Midosuji Parade para magsama-sama ang ilang

mga Pilipino sa Kansai lalo na at suportado ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas ang kanilang pagsali sa parada.

Pero pagkatapos ng 25

taon, nung 2007, itinigil ang Midosuji Parade. Ang malubhang problema sa pera ng Osaka city government (isang epekto ng bursting ng economic bubble ng Japan) ang naging dahilan sa pagtigil ng Midosuji Parade na dati ay napaka-positive sa pagpapahayag ng magandang kinabukasan dulot ng pagdating ng 20th century.

Kahalagahan ng Paglingon sa Kasaysayan Mahalagang alamin ang kasaysayan ng relasyon ng Japan at Pilipinas.

Magandang isipin na may mahabang relasyon na ang dalawang bansa bago pa isilang ang Republika ng Pilipinas.

Magandang malaman na maraming Japanese migrant workers na pumunta sa Pilipinas nung panahon ng mga Amerikano dahil sa pangagailangan ng manggagawa sa pagpapatayo ng mga riles ng tren at mga daan. Kasama ang mga Japanese migrant workers sa paggawa ng Kennon road, isa sa mga kilalang proyekto ng mga Amerikano dahil ito ang daan papuntang Baguio na kanilang bakasyunan.

At mula sa pagiging

migrant workers, sila’y naging immigrants (o permanent residents) nung lumipat sa Davao para magtrabaho sa mga kompanyang Hapones na nagsimula ng industriya ng abaca sa Davao Gulf region. Noong tinatawag na “peacetime,” malaking industriya ang abaca sa Davao kaya nagkaroon ng isang malaking nihonmachi doon na tinawag na Dabao-kuo at tinitirhan ng sinasabing 20,000 Hapones (matanda at bata).

Ang industriya ng abaca ang sinabing nagsimula ng pag-unlad ng Davao.

Kung hindi sa giyera, maaaring lalo pang lumaki ang Dabao-kuo.

Kahulugan ng Simbolo Ang watawat ay simbolo ng isang bansa, at kahit daang taon ang lumipas hindi ito nawawalan ng halaga sa kanyang mga mamayan.

May isang Hapones na bumisita sa Pilipinas nung 1898 na nakita ang lakas ng industriya ng abaca ng mga panahon iyon ang nagsabi: Manira no asa motte Nippon no hata o tsunagu ni tariru (It is Manila hemp that would tether the Flag of the Rising Sun). [Shinzo Hayase, “The Japanese Residents of ‘Dabao-kuo,’” Setsuo Ikehata and Ricardo Jose, editors, The Philippines Under Japan, 1999].

Ang paglalagay ng ganitong relasyon ng ating abaca sa watawat ng Japan ay may

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malaking kahulugan. Ang industriya ng abaca ay nakikitang isang mahalagang negosyong mapapasukan ng mga Hapones. At ito ay nangyari nga nung magsimula ang mga Dabao-kuo nung mga 1905.

Ang manila hemp (abaca) at manila rope (na gawa sa abaca) ay kilalang export products ng Pilipinas bago mag-giyera. Gamit ang manila rope sa mga barkong lumalayag sa buong mundo dahil sa tibay. Ito ang isang mahalagang simbolo ng ekonomiya ng Pilipinas nung “peacetime,” kasama ang asukal at manila paper.

Kaya’t may bahagi ang mga Hapones sa isang simbolo ng ating ekonomiya mula pa nung panahon ng mga Amerikano.

At ang relasyong ito ay nagpapatuloy sa pamamagitan ng mga apo ng mga Hapones na simulang pumunta sa Japan bilang nikkeijin nung dekada 1990 o mas matagal pa.

Ipina-aalala sa atin ang Dabao-kuo ng mga Pilipinong nikkeijin mula sa Davao na ngayon ay nasa Japan.

Kaya nga, ang kasaysayan kung tutuusin ay hindi lang bagay na nakaraan kundi bahagi ng kasalukuyan.

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By Jasmin Vasquez

Karangalan ng Ating Bayan: Ingatan at Pangalagaan Maraming Pinoy ang dumayo sa iba’t-ibang bansa upang makipagsapalaran para sa ikauunlad ng ating buhay. At para maibigay ang pinapangarap na kaginhawaan sa ating mga pamilya.

Ilan sa hirap na pinagdadaanan ng mga Pilipino sa ibang bansa ay ang hirap ng pakikisama at pakikibagay sa mga iba’t ibang lahi lalo na sa national na lahi ng bansang iyong napuntahan.

Dahil sa ikaw ang dayuhan sa kanilang bansa, napipilitan kang makisama at habaan ang mga pasensya upang maiwasan ang magkaroon ka na hindi magandang record sa mga taong nakapaligid sa iyo.

Marami sa amin ang madalas na naaapi ngunit kailangan magtiis dahil kailangan.

Partikular dito ang mga eksena halimbawa sa loob ng ating trabaho. Kahit sobrang pagod kana at nahihirapan kana, tinitiis at kinakaya mo kapalit ng perang iyong kikitain, kesehodang masigaw sigawan ka at halos sa iyo na lang ipagawa lahat ng mahihirap na gawain. Sa bawat kumpanya ay hindi maiiwasang may mapang-api, may mapangmata na tingin sayo ay napakababa. Na akala nila ay sila lang ang pwedeng makaangat sa buhay. Ganyan noon ang tingin ng mga ibang lahi sa mga pinoy.

Katulad ng mga Pinoy dito sa Japan. Sobrang baba ang tingin nila noon sa atin, sapagkat nagsimulang magpunta dito ang mga Pinoy bilang isang entertainer hanggang sa makapag asawa ng mga Hapon. Hanggang sa dumami ng dumami ang mga Pilipino.

Kalimitan, ayaw ng mga biyenan sa mga Pinay kasi tingin nila ay mababa ang level ng pagkatao nito. Ngunit ng

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tumagal ng tumagal, nag-iba na ang tingin nila sa mga Pinay dahil iba tayo magmahal. Maalaga, malinis at may malasakit. Karamihan sa mga matatandang Hapon ay dinadala parati sa mga Home for the Aged. Kasi wala na silang oras para sa kanilang magulang.

Hindi katulad sa ating mga Pinoy na nakaugalian na palaging binibigyan ng oras ang ating mga lolo at lola, nanay at tatay.

Nang lumaon dumami ang mga Hapon na gustong magka-asawa ng Pinay dahil alam nila na maalagaan nito ang kanilang mga magulang. Gayundin maraming matatandang biyenan ngayon na mas nagnanais na Pilipina ang mapangasawa ng kanilang anak.

Unti-unti, binago ng henerasyon ang imahe ng mga Pinoy dito sa Japan... Marami na ring nakikilala sa industriya, mga anak ng Hapon sa Pinay na sumikat bilang isang artista, mang-aawit, mga kabilang sa Sumo wrestling na kailan lamang ay nag Grand Champion, ang ating Pinoy pride na taga Nagano na si Mitakeumi. Maraming artista ngayon na nakikita sa telebisyon na lingid sa akala ng iba ay mga half Pinoy. Nung nagsimulang dumami ng dumami ang mga Pinoy dito sa Japan at nagkaroon ng mga Filipino Commmunity sa iba’t ibang lugar, unti unti ay naipakita natin ang magandang kultura ng Pilipinas. Lalo pa ngayon na taun-taon ay ginaganap ang Philippine Festival na palaging dumadagsa ang tao na pumupunta.

Unti-unti ay naiangat natin ang level ng ating lahi at hindi na ganoon kababa ang tingin nila sa ating mga Pilipino. Maraming mga talento, mga artista sa sining at iba pa. Maraming humanga sa maraming bagay na kaya nating gawin at marating.

Maganda na sana, subalit bakit may mga tao na sadyang hindi na

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yata marunong rumespeto sa ating mga Pilipino. Umalis na lang sana kayo dito sa Japan kesa magkalat kayo ng kahihiyan dito. May mga nag akyat bahay, may mga nakipag basag-ulo sa park, may mga nanghold-up, may pumatay.

Ang daling kumita ng pera para mabuhay ka dito sa Japan. Hindi mo kailangan gumawa ng masama para lang sa pera. Lumapit ka sa mga Filcom na malapit sa iyo.

Maaring matulungan ka nila makahanap ng magiging trabaho mo. At lagi mong tatandaan na ang pera ay kailangan nating pag hirapan.

At para sa ating mga Pinoy na medyo nakakaginhawa sa buhay, tulungan din natin ang ating mga kapwa lalo na mga Pinoy sa kanilang mga problema, ng sa gayon ay hindi sila makaisip ng masamang paraan para ma solve ang kanilang mga problema. Kung minsan kasi sa sobrang stress at depresyon, bigla na lang silang nakakagawa ng mga bagay na mali.

Kung sana lang ay magtutulungan tayo sa isa’t-isa.

Maging bukas palad sa mga nangangailangan upang maiwasan ang mga bagay na negatibo sa ating pamumuhay. Dahil lagi nating tatandaan na ang karangalan ng Pilipinas ay dapat nating pangalagaan. Karangalan mo karangalan natin. Kahihiyan mo ay kahihiyan nating lahat. Huwag nating hayaan bumaba ulit ang ating level sa kanilang paningin.

Hanggang sa muli. Maraming salamat po! God bless us all!

P h i l i p

Facebook : Philip D. Torres

D iz o n

Mobile (Philippines) : +63-91-7605-6366 Model: Irene Kaneko

T o r r e s

Photography: Bonbon Garbanzos

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Art Direction: Dennis Sun

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ni Loleng Ramos

Tulog na Bangkay Kumusta kapatid? Sana ay nasa mabuti kang pangangatawan at kalusugan. Alam mo, nakapag-muni-muni na naman ako ng ikli ng buhay, hindi dahil sa nalalapit na halloween, kundi dahil sa isang kulugo! Ganito iyon.

o sukdulang lamig. Ano na ang temperatura dyan sa inyo? Dito sa banda namin sa Kyoto, nasa 8 °C kami ngayon. Kapag winter mas bumababa pa sa 0 °C ang temperatura, kaya syempre nagyeyelo na. Sa Hokkaido, normal ang -3 °C sa buwan ng Pebrero.

Trivia muna. Bakit bago mag-araw ng mga patay, meron munang “Happy Halloween”? Para ding Christmas Eve na December 24, bago ang November 1 na “All Saints’ Day” at November 2 na “All Souls’ Day”, October 31 naman ang “All Hallows Eve” na isang pista ng mga naunang simbahahan bilang pag-alala sa mga namayapa na. Ang ibig sabihin din noon ng “hallow” ay isang santo o banal na tao at ang Hallows Evening ay umikli na ngayon sa “Halloween”.

Balik tayo sa kulugo.

Napag-alaman ko na ang temperatura pala ng liquid nitrogen ay nasa -196 °C? At sa isang tangke na naglalaman nito, pwede ipreserba ang katawan ng isang namatay hanggang sa dumating ang panahon na madiskubre ng Syensiya ang lunas sa sakit na ikinamatay nito. Ang bangkay na ilang panahon na naka-freezer ay tutunawin at bubuhayin muli. Ang tawag dito ay Cryonics.

Sa isang idineklara na ng medisina na huminto na ang tibok ng puso, ang mga taong kaugnay sa kumpanyang maggagawa ng cryopreservation ay kailangang kumilos agad para maisalba ang utak, binibigyan ito ng oxygen para hindi tumigil ang paggana, iniineksyunan ang katawan ng pangpa-kontra sa pagbuo ng dugo at pinapalitan ng isang kemikal ang tubig na nasa mga cells upang maproteksyunan sa gagawing pag-freeze.

Matapos nito ay ang hindi paglibing sa katawan kundi pag-iimbak na nito sa isang

Mahigit isang taon na ang napansin kong parang lumalaking nunal sa daliri ko, akala ko ay salubsob lang kaya tinangka kong kutkutin hanggang parang naimpeksyon. Noong pinatingnan ko sa doktor at napag-alamang kulugo, tinanggal niya ito sa pamamagitan ng “cryotherapy”, o ang paglapat ng parang dry ice na liquid nitrogen. Ang salitang cryo ay nangangahulugan ng yelo 28

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metal na tila kapsula hanggang dumating ang panahon na posible ng buhayin muli.

Parami na ng parami ang mga taong nanalig sa Cryonics. Sa kanila, hindi bangkay ang isang taong naka-cryopreserved dahil maari pang mabigyan muli ito ng buhay kapag nadiskubre na ang paraan kung papaano. Kung baga, naka-suspindi ang kanilang mga katawan sa ngayon, maaari pang magising. Ano ang palagay mo kapatid? Kung may pera ka, kase nasa sa ¥22,000,000 ang pagpapa-cryopreserve ng isang buong tao, maaari din na utak o isang bahagi lamang ang ipre-preserba at mas maliit, mas mura, gusto mo rin bang isalba ang iyong katawan sa pag-asang maari kang muli mabuhay sa kinabukasan?

Siguro, kung naniniwala ka sa Kanya sa Taas, iba ang magiging pananaw mo sa Cryonics. Merong dapat paghandaan ang isang tao, hindi ang madugtungan ang buhay ng nabubulok na katawan kundi ang susunod na buhay ng kaluluwang hindi mamamatay. Saka mas maganda kung sa pagdating ng araw na iyon, mag-organ donation siguro, iyon merong pang hahaba ang buhay dahil sa isang maluwag na pagtanggap ng kamatayan sa mundong ibabaw.

MESSAGES FROM UTAWIT 2nd and 3rd PLACE WINNERS 2nd Place: Ma. Cecilia Endo Last Oct. 20, 2018 (Saturday), I took part in a singing competition "UTAWIT(Himig ng Pinoy at Hapon) 2018" organized by Jeepney Press, Samahang Pilipino,Teatro Kanto, in Tokyo. A total of 8 Regional winners, representing their own prefectures participated in the contest.

My family members and friends came to see me and supported me on that glamourous night of competition. That night was indeed one of my very memorable experiences in my singing career. That was not my first time to join a singing contest. But because it's been a long time that I stopped singing, naturally, I'll be nervous.

The majority of participants who sang before me performed well. Upon seeing their fine performances, I was a little nervous and suffered from a slight stage fright. When it was my turn to sing, I walked up the stage. While I was facing the audience, I lost my self-confidence. I was about to give up and leave the stage, 'coz I even had this feeling that i will forget the lyrics of the song. But I saw my family members and friends.

Grinning amiably at me, they clapped and and i can still hear them inside my heart as they cheered loudly before the competition which started to encourage me... “You can do it!”

The encouragement and reassurance that they provided me rekindled the spark of self-confidence in me. I decided to take the bull by the horns and give it a try. Surprisingly, I sang confidently. After my performance, everybody applauded. I was grateful for the applause. Before leaving the stage, I said ‘thank you’ and took a bow.

When my name was announced as the second-place winner, I was on cloud nine. My family members and friends were extremely proud of me.

They were overjoyed at my success, too. I am glad to be able to participate in UTAWIT for I had learned a lot from the experience. I was able to improve my singing skills. I also learned how to face the audience bravely and confidently. I am deeply indebted to my ‘team’ for their encouragement and support.

3rd Place: Catherine Pad I am extremely honored to be part of the UTAWIT 2018 and giving me the bonus to be one of the Top 3 Winner3! I know that every other contestant are capable of winning but the Lord has chosen me to be the 3rd Place Winner and I am really greatful for that.

Thank you Lord!

strength to challenge myself and perform better at each stage.

I sincerely thank every person who supported me through all the way, those people who believed in me.

And it really helped me reach a stage where I can proudly hold up this award as a mark of my achievement. It added me I have faced several more confidence and made challenges on my way to be me realize that if you strive able to join this contest, but harder and believe in each one of them has only yourself, you can achieve strengthened me to make everything that you desire me the person I am today. as long as you have faith Winning this award would and always keeping your not have been possible feet on the ground. without the inspiration I have received from my love Thank you very much! ones for whom I have the deepest respect, and from whom I have derived the

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UTAWIT 2018 Grand Final

by Irene Kaneko t was a nice and sunny October 20, 2018 when the more than 200 guests, all dressed in their finest formal attire, came to watch and witness the UTAWIT Grand Final at the New Sanno Hotel in Hiroo, Tokyo.

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The UTAWIT Filipino Regional Host Group’s officers, members, families and friends nationwide came to cheer their regional champions.

Special guest was headed by our Philippine Embassy Minister and Consul General Robespierre L. Bolivar, who was also one of the members of the Board of Judges with

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Prof. Charles L. Abing who acted as the Chairman of the Board of Judges. Dr. Mel Zulueta Kasuya, Prof. Leith Casel-Shutz and Ms. Cristina Kanakubo comprised also our members of the Board of Judges. UTAWIT Adviser Consul Kristine Margret M. Malang was also present.

The UTAWIT EXECOM would like to thank our major sponsors: Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, ACT Tourist, COCONA Health & Beauty, Ihawan Restaurant of Mama Aki in Shinjuku. We would also like to thank AsiaVox Ltd./ Plaza Housing, BeautyMate, HILOT, Lounge Haru of Mama Hana, DF4T-Daisy Cargo, Joyful Learning International Language School, Arnold

Heramis, Bonbon Garbanzos, Pnoy FM Radio, Tokyo. Thank you also to our Guests who gave special numbers. Special thanks to Mr. Ruben Castillo for his kindness in sponsoring the venue for us..

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

The Top 3 Winners came out.

Grand Champion: Fukuoka Representative – Mr. Rodelio

Laed with Dito Sa Aking Mundo 2nd Place: Iwate Representative – Ms. Ma. Cecilia Endo with Pagsubok 3rd Place: Kyoto Representative – Ms. Catherine A. Pad with Narito.

See their UTAWIT Journey in the inside pages. After the wrecking contest proper and the announcement of winners, nothing beats the enjoyment that dancing gives.

Everybody enjoyed the buffet, the program and the dancing afterwards.

See you again next year!

This is all for the UTAWIT beneficiary - Gawad Kalinga Sibol, Child & Youth Development. We are helping poor kids, ages from 3-5 years old, from Gawad Kalinga villages jumpstart their education. Thank you very much!

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“The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let the dead things go.”

– Unknown