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SEPTEMBER 2015 Issue 33
Brings New ‘Mission’ to Tokyo
Arnold Schwarzenegger Promotes ‘Terminator Genisys’ in Japan
Free ¥0
Tom Cruise
Tokyo Int’l Film Festival Announces 2015 Event Outline
Award-winning Filipino Director
Brillante Mendoza to Showcase Films at Tokyo Film Festival Photographed by DIN EUGENIO
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what’s inside...
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12 13 14 16 payong legal Ang Pagkilala ng Nakuhang Diborsyo sa Japan ng Bansang Pilipinas
PHILIPPINE ADVENTURES Charmed Plains: Calatagan
FilCom Watch Efren Peñaflorida Visits Japan To Get Support For Manga Project in the Philippines
Celebrity News Arnold Schwarzenegger Promotes ‘Terminator Genisys’ in Japan
Spotlight Tom Cruise Brings New ‘Mission’ to Tokyo
I
t’s an honor for FILJAP Magazine to share with our readers the one-on-one interview we had with multi-awarded Filipino filmmaker Brillante Mendoza during his visit to Tokyo to attend the 28th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) press conference. We appreciate being given the opportunity by TIFF organizers. In this issue, we’re proud to bring you two of the biggest names in Hollywood, Tom Cruise and Arnold Schwarzenegger, who recently visited Japan to promote their latest box office movies. This issue also celebrates the goodness of everybody’s favorite CNN Hero Efren Peñaflorida, who continues to bring inspiration and empowerment for educators in the Philippines, Japan and around the world. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our perennial photographer Din Eugenio, who has accompanied yours truly in covering the biggest entertainment events in Tokyo this summer and who continues to support our vision. We would also like to thank our growing list of readers – for your continued supFlorenda Corpuz port and enthusiasm. Editor-in-Chief
COVER STORY Award-winning Filipino Director Brillante Mendoza to Showcase Films at Tokyo Film Festival
EDITOR’S NOTE
Special Feature Tokyo International Film Festival Announces 2015 Event Outline
Sept 2015
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Din Eugenio:
The Man Behind the Camera
D
in Eugenio is a Tokyo-based Filipino freelance press photographer whose work has appeared in publications like TIME (digital edition), ABC News, Philippine Star (digital edition), Pinoy Gazette, Philippine Digest and The Filipino-Japanese Journal. He completed his professional photography course at the prestigious New York Institute of Photography in 2004. Before coming to Japan, he worked as a still photographer for Regal Films, a film outfit in the Philippines, from 1997-1999. He was the only Filipino photographer officially accredited to cover the Tokyo International
Film Festival since 2013 and the Osaka Asian Film Festival since 2014. He regularly covers Hollywood movie premieres in Tokyo.
facebook.com/FilJapMagazine issuu.com/filjapmag Publisher: Yonei Toshikazu Telephone: 03-6903-2100 Editor-in-Chief: Florenda Corpuz Fax: 03-6903-2101 Associate Editor: Nel Salvador Toll-Free Fax: 0800-919-3633 Contributing Writers/ Arlene Donaire Editorial Office: 332-0034 Saitama-ken, Photographers: Oliver Corpuz Kawaguchi-shi, Namiki 4-10-6 Din Eugenio Wakosou 101 Advertising Executive: Judith Enfectana Mobile: 080-9153-2430 Distribution Executive: Genie Omata Manila Office: 407 Adalla Street, Palm Village, Layout Artist: VerJube Photographics Makati City, Philippines Telephone: 63(2) 403-42-06 Advertising & 114-0004 Tokyo-to Kita-ku E-mail: filjapmagazine@yahoo.com Sales Office: Horifune 1-26-14-501 FilJap Magazine is published by FilJap Consulting. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any manner without the permission of the publisher.
FILJAP MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
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TOKYO, Japan – Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) announced on July 28 the event outline for this year’s festival at a press conference held in Roppongi Hills.
special feature
L-R: Isao Yukisada, Sotho Kulikar and Brillante Mendoza
Tokyo International Film Festival Announces 2015 Event Outline Photo by Din Eugenio
T
he press conference opened with a welcoming address from TIFF Director General Yasushi Shiina. He announced the addition of new festival venues in Shinjuku, new sections: Panorama, Japan Now and Japanese Classics and the launch of the omnibus film project, “Asian Three-Fold Mirror.” “This year is a milestone year for TIFF, which started 30 years ago in 1985. While we respect Cannes and Venice, which have much longer histories than TIFF, we would like to maintain ‘Tokyo taste.’ TIFF is a significant platform in which Japanese films gain exposure from overseas. To enhance the role, we reestablished sections this year to display the diverse works of Japanese cinema. To attract wider audience, we will expand the festival area and number of screenings and hold special events
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that everyone can enjoy,” Shiina said. Acting as jury president this year is Hollywood director and producer Bryan Singer, known for “The Usual Suspects” and “X-Men 2.” The festival’s opening film will be Robert Zemeckis’ “The Walk” starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, while Tetsuo Shinohara’s “Terminal” starring Koichi Sato will close the fest. Filmmakers Isao Yukisada (Japan), Sotho Kulikar (Cambodia) and Brillante Mendoza (Philippines) were introduced as the three directors of the omnibus film project. They will be filming it in Asian countries and the world premiere of their completed project will be screened at the 29th TIFF. “I did some similar project in the past, and I am thrilled to work on this,” award-winning Filipino director Mendoza said.
FILJAP MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
“Also, I appreciate that TIFF will show five of my films this year,” he added. Other announcements include the screening of the films of the late Japanese actor Ken Takakura, the special animation program “Mobile Suit Gundam,” the Japan premiere of the 4K digital restored version of Akira Kurosawa’s “Ran” and the collaboration of TIFF with Kyoto Historica International Film Festival. TIFF organizers will hold a second press conference on September 29 to announce the festival’s film line-up. The 28th TIFF will be held October 22-31 at Roppongi Hills, Shinjuku Wald 9, Shinjuku Piccadilly, TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku and other theaters in Tokyo. TIFF is one of the biggest film festivals in Asia. It offers film fans the chance to watch high-quality, world-class films from Japan and other countries.
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Cover story
Award-winning Filipino Director
Brillante Mendoza to Showcase Films at
Tokyo Film Festival Interview by Florenda Corpuz Words by Nel Salvador Photos by Din Eugenio
A great number of Japanese and foreign press gathered recently at the 49F Tower Hall, Academy Hills in Roppongi Hills --- a kind of gathering that usually happens when an important Japanese politician or a Hollywood star is set to do a press conference.
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IVE EXCLUS
FILJAP MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
W
hat made it different this time was the fact that one of the personalities headlining the event is a Filipino and he is none other than critically-acclaimed director Brillante Mendoza, or called by most as “Direk Dante,” whose independent films were praised and recognized in different film festivals internationally, most notably at Cannes Film Festival. Clad in a black long-sleeved shirt and jeans and with the help of a Japanese interpreter, Direk Dante gamely entertained questions from the press about his films and answered each with distinct sincerity and humility --- traits of the well-accomplished director that are worth mentioning. The event was in line with Mendoza’s participation in the Crosscut Asia Section of the 28th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) in October where five of his films will be showcased. It’s a great feat not only for the award-winning director but to Philippine cinema as well for it will focus on current themes and topics that Asia is facing now. Ambassador of Philippine Cinema More than strings of awards and accolades, Mendoza is ecstatic to share to the Japanese audience and to the world the dignity and resiliency of Filipinos when faced by tragedy and real-life issues through his films. “This is the first time that my films will be shown at TIFF and I’m very happy and proud of it. “From among the films that were chosen, I think it’s the special quality of Filipinos to share to the rest of the world that there is dignity, resiliency despite of the tragedy that are happening in their lives. These are special stories of real people and I think when you tell real stories of real people coming from their emotions and their experiences, I think the rest of the world can relate to that,” Mendoza who granted FILJAP Magazine an exclusive interview held at the TIFF conference room. What is admirable about Direk Dante is the thought that he uses his films as a
medium to promote Philippine cinema and Filipino artistry, and not for selfish gains. It is like finding a purpose and breathing it at every chance and every opportunity. “Kapag dala-dala ko ang mga pelikula ko at nagpupunta ako sa ibang bansa, dala-dala ko rin ang Pilipinas at ang mga Pilipino. Siyempre proud ako kasi somehow nagiging ambassador ako not only of Philippine cinema but also of our culture, of our tradition, of who we are as Filipinos. That’s why I’m very careful in portraying the Filipinos in my films,” he emphasized. He is known for films that tackle gritty and controversial issues such as “Serbis” that follows the travails of a family who owns a porn cinema and his latest film, “Taklub” that talks about the story of “typhoon Yolanda” survivors and how they moved on from the tragedy that befell them a year after. His films are definitely not for the faint of heart but he thrives in telling human stories and issues like poverty and betrayal in the most honest and truest form, the kind that is bold and daring and moving. “Sa akin kasi importante na magkwento ng totoo. Minsan ang katotohanan ay masakit at hindi maganda, hindi ko iniiwasan ang mga ‘yun. Kaya minsan sinasabi nila na ang mga pelikula ko raw ay masyadong harsh, masyadong brutal, to the point of exploitative, to the point of exploiting the poor o iyong tinatawag nilang “poverty porn.” “Kapag nagkwento ka na 80 percent ng mga Pilipino ay naroroon sa ganoong klase ng sitwasyon sa buhay, e mali ba ang representasyon mo nun? ‘Di ba tama lang kasi iyong 80 percent ng mga Pilipino ay naranasan nila ‘yung ganitong klase ng buhay so hindi rin mali ang pagpo-portray ko sa kanila,” said Mendoza who revealed that “Tirador” is his favorite among his films.
Film Festival in Switzerland and paved the way for the rise of alternative cinema in the Philippines or more known as indie film. Even well-respected director Quentin Tarantino were all praises for Mendoza when he released “Kinatay” that earned him the Best Director award from the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in 2009. The year before, “Serbis (Service)” was selected in the competition for the same festival. He is the first Filipino to compete and won in three major international film festivals showing authentic Filipino stories to the world. His film, “Captive,” competed at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2012, while “Tirador” (Slingshot) won the Caligari Film Award in 2007 of the same festival. “Thy Womb,” on the other hand, won the La Navicella Venezia Cinema Award in the equally prestigious Venice Film Festival in 2012, while “Lola” was selected in competition for the same festival in 2009. His new film, “Taklub,” which was selected in the Un Certain Regard section of Cannes Film Festival this year, received a special commendation from the festival’s Ecumenical Jury.
Critically-acclaimed Director Direk Dante has earned good film reviews since he debuted his film “Masahista (The Masseur)” in 2005, the film that immediately won the Golden Leopard Award in the 2005 Locarno International FILJAP MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
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spotlight
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FILJAP MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
“When I was a kid, I dreamt of making movies, travelling – wanting to learn about life and my passion for movies. And to be able to fulfill that dream I know it’s something that is privilege and I feel very grateful for it.”
Tom Cruise Brings New
‘Mission’ to T okyo
Japan’s most beloved Hollywood superstar and FILJAP August 2014 cover boy, Tom Cruise, brought his new movie, “Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation,” to Tokyo. Text by Florenda Corpuz
T
he 53-year-old actor, who reprises his role as agent Ethan Hunt for the fifth time in the new movie, arrived at Haneda Airport on July 31 where hundreds of Japanese fans welcomed him. On August 2, Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie spoke at a press conference held at the Peninsula Hotel Ballroom. “I’m very honored to be here today, and I’ll always come and visit your extraordinary country. We just finished the film two weeks ago, and we’re very excited to share it with the Japanese audience,” Cruise told the Japanese press.
Photos by Din Eugenio The two attended the film’s premiere on August 3 in Shinjuku along with their producer Bryan Burk. Cruise wore a black denim pants and black polo shirt on the premiere’s red carpet. He happily granted TV interviews, signed autographs and posed for pictures with ecstatic fans. After the red carpet appearance, Cruise and McQuarrie were joined on stage by Japanese guitarist Miyavi who performed the MI5 theme at the premiere. “Thank you so much to all of you for coming out tonight in this heat. It is always such a privilege to be here in Japan. I think you want to know what you’re gonna see
in ‘Mission.’ Well, you’re gonna see great drama, some things that are impossible to pull off, some wonderful characters, some dangerous action, edge of your seat suspense and a lot of humor. This is a summer popcorn movie! So if you wanna have fun, this is the movie you’re gonna go see,” Cruise said with excitement. Cruise’s visit to Japan was his 21st, a record for a Hollywood celebrity. Distributed by Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions, “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” also stars Alec Baldwin, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames and Rebecca Ferguson. It opened in Japan on August 7.
FILJAP MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
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FILJAP MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
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CELEBRITY NEWS
Arnold Schwarzenegger Promotes
‘Terminator Genisys’ in Japan
TOKYO, Japan – Hollywood action star Arnold Schwarzenegger visited Japan to attend the premiere of his latest movie, “Terminator Genisys” held at Roppongi Hills Arena last July 6. Text by Florenda Corpuz Photos by Din Eugenio
I
t was Schwarzenegger’s first visit to Japan to promote a “Terminator” movie since 2003. “12 years ago, I was here. And before I left, I said ‘I’ll be back.’ And the Terminator always keeps his promise,” said the 67-year-old action star. Schwarzenegger wore a black suit as he hit the stage and walked the red carpet. “We prepared very hard. It means a lot to us to entertain people all around the world and I think that we have accomplished that with this movie so I hope you enjoy it,” he told his Japanese fans. He was joined by his co-star Emilia Clarke who is known for her portrayal of the silver-haired Mother of Dragons Daenerys Targaryen in popular HBO series “Game of Thrones.” “It was a joy to play with Arnold and we had such an incredible time. I’ve learned so much from him and I have such a deep admiration and respect for him as a person and as an actor. I was the luckiest girl alive to have Arnold protecting me,” revealed the 28-year-old British actress who plays Sarah Connor. Japanese actress Mariya Nishiuchi, a big Schwarzenegger fan, presented the action star with a huge teddy bear. The former California governor reciprocated the sweet gesture with a kiss on her cheek. Yo-kai Watch’s Robonyan also made a surprise appearance at the premiere. Japan was the last stop of the movie’s world press tour. “Terminator Genisys” opened in Japan on July 10.
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FILJAP MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
philippineFILCOM adventureS WATCH
Efren Peñaflorida BE PUBLISHED Do you have the knack for writing? Do you have something in mind that you want to Share? This is your chance to be heard! FilJap Magazine is inviting you, our valued readers, to submit informative, entertaining and interesting articles (must be written in 300-500 words, MS Word format) and photos (should be in high resolution, 100 dpi at the minimum), which are original and never been published in other newspapers or magazines. Announcements of events are also welcome. You can send them to filjapmagazine@ yahoo.com.
Visits Japan To Get Support For Manga Project in the Philippines
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OKYO, Japan – 2009 CNN Hero of the Year and pushcart educator Efren Peñaflorida recently visited Japan to disseminate information and get support for his new project in the Philippines. Together with his group Dynamic Teen Company (DTC), the Department of Education (DepEd) and New Life Ministries (NLM), Peñaflorida introduced “Hope For Living Philippines: Children in Crisis,” which aims to use Japanese manga booklets in teaching values education to Filipino street kids through the Kariton Klasrum. At a press conference held in the Embassy of the Philippines, Peñaflorida told the local and Japanese media that they need to get as much support as they can in printing the said materials. “One of the reasons why I’m here in Japan is to ask for support from Japanese people to help us print more manga booklets because we are targeting 8,000 children in Metro Manila,” he said. Peñaflorida said that manga booklets gave them an opportunity to present values to street children in a more effective way. DTC has already used these materials in their outreach in Tacloban, right after Typhoon Haiyan, to reach out to the child victims. “Japanese animation is very popular in the Philippines. Children and adults love it. Although they don’t understand what is written because it’s in English, they can easily connect with the stories because of the illustrations.” For this project, DepEd is rolling out 100 pushcart classrooms. DTC for its part is mobilizing its roster of community volunteers to reach out to children in 44 activity centers across the National Capital Region. NLM is providing DTC with the manga booklets. The project is now being implemented in phases, and a public awareness campaign is being conducted until end of this year. The use of the manga booklets by the Kariton Klasrum started in August and is expected to be completed by December. DepEd hopes to continue this project in Visayas and Mindanao next year. The manga booklet entitled “The Messiah,” contains stories taken from the Bible.
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FILJAP MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
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Charmed Plains:
philippine adventures
Calatagan
Calatagan Stilts
“There is nothing plain about the plains, it is a canvass of possibilities…” Calatagan derives its name from the Tagalog root word “latag” and is synonymous to “kapatagan,” which means plains or flatlands that lie in between hills and mountains. With this geophysical feature and given that the national highway system in the area is well developed, it is easy to imagine that a road trip around the southwestern-most Calatagan Municipality of resource-rich Batangas Province would be a breeze. Located only 125 kilometers southeast of Metro Manila, the 2 to 3 hours drive either via the Tagaytay-Nasugbu or Tagaytay-Tuy routes is scenic, refreshing and enjoyable. A worthy stopover on the way to Calatagan is Nasugbu’s famous Calaruega Chapel and Sanctuary, a romantic setting for many a couples’ marital vows.
C
alatagan is the site of the historically and archeologically famous “Calatagan Excavation” whose findings of antique Chinese origin pottery and other utensils contributed important facts about the culture and activities of the Filipinos before the coming of the Spaniards. This archaeological discovery pointed to the existence of a thriving trading activity with the Chinese who travelled the seas to
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Text and photos by Arlene Donaire what is now known as Sitio Balong-Bato. The land currently occupied by the municipality of Calatagan was acquired by Don Domingo Roxas from the Spanish Crown in 1829 and was then called Hacienda De Calatagan. The successors Don Pedro P. Roxas and Don Antonio R. Roxas continued to develop it and by the first decade of the century, it had progressed sufficiently. In 1931, Doña Carmen Roxas, the last heir of
FILJAP MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
the Roxas Clan transferred ownership of the Hacienda to the Zobel brothers, Don Jacobo and Don Alfonso. During the time of the Zobels, the hacienda came to be known as Central Azucarera de Calatagan. In 1957, post-independence from the Americans, the Philippine Land Tenure Administration, upon petition of the people of Calatagan, bought the Hacienda Lands from the Zobels. (Source: Wikipedia)
While Calatagan, by its very name, can be easily branded as all farms and pasturelands, it is more than that! Being bound on the west by the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea, it is naturally endowed with coastal and fishery resources. The gray or white sand beaches of Calatagan are home to numerous sea-centered/water-themed resorts that range from public to exclusive, and therefore, an easy choice to spend a weekend or longer vacation by the avid sun and sea lovers, the urbanweary residents, and tourists of all kinds, that are looking for accessible and relatively short-travel distance destinations from Metro Manila. On the weekend that FILJAP road-tripped around the town, Lago de Oro, a wakeboarding and beach resort rolled into one, located just near the border with Tuy Town became our staging point. The place has a quick access to the national highway when heading into Calatagan Town proper or out towards the next municipality of Nasugbu. Lago de Oro also happens to have a great vista of the sun setting over the horizon, casting a brilliant golden hue over the beach and the mangrove area, as fisher folks docked nearby to sell their catch and, on clear full moon night, a haunting view of the moonbeams being reflected by the sea’s gently flowing low tides. A go-to place for lunch with a perfect overview of the endless azure seas, a feel of the warm breeze, and a good dose of sunlight just casting its full strength over the expanse of the beach resort is the Calatagan Stilts. Feasting on their huge helping but reasonably-priced “binalot” meals (Filipiniana fusion cuisine of meat, veggies, and rice neatly wrapped in banana leaves) over fun conversation with your road trip-mates is just priceless. After lunch, head on over to the Parola Lighthouse, also known as Faro de Punta de Santiago, which is located just after Barangay Sta. Ana, about minutes from the Calatagan Stilts. Unique in structure because of its rounded shape and spiral cast iron staircase leading to the top, the lighthouse is fully functional, serving navigators and fisher folks that ply the area since it was first established towards the end of the 1890s during the Spanish period in the country. It was named after Don Santiago Zobel who donated the land where the structure now stands. The unpaved road leading to the parola is a bit overrun with vegetation but the reward at the end is an amazing view of the Calatagan coastal side. On the way to the Stilts, a stopover at the town proper’s central part, would also be worthwhile. As in many typical Spanish-era planned settlements, Calatagan’s central area has the town’s Sto. Domingo de Silo Catholic Church, conveniently surrounded by commercial establishments, the town plaza with its lush mini-forest, police station, school and residences. As a coastal town, Calatagan’s miniport offers an insight into the sea-based aspects of the local economy, which include transportation of people and products to nearby towns and islets. Calatagan is also located adjacent to a couple other interesting towns – Lian, Balayan, and Nasugbu, each one claiming their respective unique natural, historical, cultural, and gastronomic characters. But these would be an entirely different set of road trips, each one deserving a story of its own.
Calaruega Chapel in Nasugbu
Lago de Oro Sunset
Calatagan Lighthouse
Calatagan Grazing Field FILJAP MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
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Payong Legal
Ang Pagkilala ng Nakuhang Diborsyo sa Japan ng Bansang Pilipinas Akda ni Atty. Cheska Maude L. Arraiza
P
ara sa ating mga Pilipino, ang general rule o pangkalahatang patakaran ay nakasaad sa Article 15 ng Civil Code na nagsasaad, “Laws relating to family rights and duties, or to the status, condition and legal capacity of persons, are binding upon citizens of the Philippines even though living abroad.” (Ang mga batas na may kaugnayan sa karapatang pampamilya at tungkulin, katayuan, kalagayan at legal na kapasidad pantao, ay umiiral sa mga mamamayan ng Pilipinas kahit pa sila ay namumuhay sa ibang bansa). Subalit may mga pagkakataon na ang patakarang ito ay tumatanggap ng mga pangyayaring hindi sumusubay dito. Isang pangyayaring ito ay ang pagkakaroon ng diborsyo ng isang Pilipino at ang asawa nitong banyaga o foreigner. Ito ay papasok sa 2nd paragraph ng Article 26 ng Family Code na nagsasaad, “Where a marriage between a Filipino citizen and a foreigner is validly celebrated and a divorce is thereafter validly obtained abroad by the alien spouse capacitating him or her to remarry, the Filipino spouse shall have the capacity to remarry under Philippine law.” (Kung ang kasal ng isang Pilipino at isang banyaga ay mabisang naisatupad at may diborsyo na mabisa rin na nakuha kinalaunan ng banyagang asawa, na nagbibigay sa kanya ng kapasidad na makapag-asawang muli, ang Pilipinong asawa ay maaari rin na makapag-asawa sa ilalim ng batas ng Pilipinas). Sa kapakinabangan ng petisyong ito upang makilala o i-recognize ng ating bansa ang diborsyong nakuha sa Japan ay kinakailangang makuha ang mga sumusunod na dokumento: a) Certified copy ng Marriage Certificate 16
galing sa National Statistics Office (NSO). b) Certified copy ng mga sumusunod sa orihinal na lenggwaheng Hapon o Japanese text na may DFA o Philippine Embassy Red Ribbon: i. Japanese Divorce Decree; ii. English ng Japanese Divorce Decree; iii. Notification of Divorce; iv. English translation ng Notice of Divorce; v. Kopya ng batas ng Japan na basehan para magkaroon ng diborsyo ang magasawang Hapon at Pilipino; vi. English na translation ng nasabing batas; vii. Special Power of Attorney na nagtatalaga ng isang representante o kamag-anak na notaryado ng Embahada ng Pilipinas o Philippine Embassy o Konsulado ng Japan sakaling hindi makakadalo ng hearing o pagdinig ang kliyente. Ang taong ito ang magiging kinatawan ng kliyente sa mga pagdinig sa kaso ng petisyon. Ang dokumentong ito ay kinakailangan lamang sakaling hindi makakadalo ng pagdinig ang kliyente. viii. Kopya ng pasaporte o Philippine Passport; ix. Kopya ng Residence Card o Entry permit na nagpapatunay na kasalukuyang namumuhay o nanatili sila sa Japan. c) Ang pinakaimportante at pangunahing kailangang gawin ng Pilipinong asawa ay ang kumunsulta sa isang abogado na magbibigay gabay sa kliyente na may kagustuhang ipa-recognize o makilala ang kanilang nakuhang diborsyo sa Japan sa mga korte ng Pilipinas. Dito rin ay maaaring mapagusapan ang relasyong “attorney-client” na mamagitan sa abogado at ang
FILJAP MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
kliyente. d) Matapos ang pag-uusap, ang abogado ay mag-aakda o susulat ng isang pleading na isusumite sa korte para ipa-recognize o makilala ang nakuhang diborsyo. Ito ay ihahain kung saan nakatira sa Pilipinas ang Pilipinong asawa. Kailangang maipaliwanag ng abogado sa kanyang kliyente nang maayos, kung ano ba ang maaaring mangyari o mangyayari at magiging epekto nito sa kanyang kapasidad na mag-asawa muli o pagkuha ng mga ari-arian o properties sa loob at labas ng bansa. e) Pagkatapos maihain ang kaso, bobolahin o ira-raffle ito o itatalaga sa isang korte. Ang nasabing korte ay gagawa ng kautusan o mandamyento na ipapadala sa mga partido o parties, at iuutos ang paglathala o ipa-publish ang nasabing pleading o petisyon. Kailangan din na padalhan ng kopya nito ang Civil Registrar, NSO/PSA, Fiscal o Prosecutor, Solicitor General at ang sinumang maaaring kumontra sa pagre-recognize o pagkilala ng pleading na ito katulad ng asawang banyaga o foreigner ng Pilipino. f) Kinalaunan, matutuloy na ito sa pagdinig ng kaso ng petitioner (kliyente). Sa puntong eto, ipapaalam ng abogado sa kliyente kung ano ang kakailanganing mga dokumento o sinu-sino ang kukuning mga saksi sa pagdinig ng kaso niya. May mga dokumento rin na maaaring kailanganing isulat at ipasa sa korte ang abogado. Maraming puwedeng mangyari sa puntong ito, subalit gagabayan naman ng abogado ang kliyente sa bawat hakbang o prosesong mangyayari.
g) Pagkatapos ng paglilitis o pagdinig ng kaso, kailangang hintayin ang desisyon ng korte, kung ito ba ay pagbibigyan (iga-grant) o itatanggi (ide-deny). Kapag ito ay pabor sa kliyente at ito ay ma-grant, marahang kumuha ng certified copies ng desisyong nagsasaad na nire-recognize and diborsyo ng kliyente. Kalakip ang “certificate of finality�, kung sakaling ito ay hindi kinontra at walang apela na nai-file sa tamang panahon, ang mga nasabing dokumento ay ireregister sa Civil Registrar na maglalabas naman ng Certificate of Registration at Certificate of Authencity. Ang Marriage Certificate na nasa pangangalaga ng Civil Registrar ay lalagyan ng komentaryo sa gilid na sumasalamin sa pag-recognize ng naturang diborsyo sa Japan. Pagkatapos nito, ang mga dokumentong nalikom ay kinakailangang dumaan sa NSO or National Statistics Office para maitala. h) Sa mga oras na ito, maaari nang lumiham ang abogado sa NSO para ang naturang opisina ay maglabas ng kopya ng Marriage Certificate na may komentaryong kinikilala na ang diborsyong nakuha sa ibang bansa. Kapag ito ay nakuha na, kinakailangang ipa-authenticate sa Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Ang kopya ng mga dokumento ay ipapadala sa kliyente, kung ito ay nasa ibang bansa. Ito ay panghahawakan na ng kliyente at maaaring gamitin kung kailan man kailanganing iprisinta para sa mga usaping legal. Ang buong proseso ay maaaring tumagal ng mahigit sa isang taon. Ang halagang pwedeng magastos ay depende sa bawat kaso at lugar kung saan ihahain ang kaso, ngunit ang lahat ng ito ay maaaring mapag-usapan ng abogado at ng kliyente. Magkaroon ng kontratang nagsasaad kung magkano ang kabayarang sisingilin kapalit ng kanyang legal na serbisyo. Ang halaga kapalit ng legal na serbisyo ay iba pa sa legal fees na kailangang bayaran sa korte, publication fees na naunang nabanggit at iba pang expenses na kinakailangang maisagawa. Ang mga impormasyong ito ay mas magiging malinaw kung personal kayong kukunsulta sa isang abogado na maaaring kumatawan sa inyong pagnanais na kilalanin ng bansang Pilipinas ang nakuhang diborsyo sa Japan. Ang mga nakasaad dito ay isang simpleng impormasyon sa batas at procedure o pamamaraan na puwedeng magsilbing gabay lamang sa ating mga kababayan na nagnanais na kumuha ng ganitong klaseng serbisyo at may kahalintulad na suliranin. Ang mga nakasaad ay maaaring magkaroon ng kaunting pagbabago dahil mas magiging detalyado na ang maaaring maganap sa pagdinig ng kaso at ang mga susunod na hakbang matapos makuha ang desisyon ng korte. Email: legal@phil-law.com Japan Number: +8180-2551-4525 Philippine number: +63923-869-9067 FILJAP MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2015
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