FilJap Magazine July-August 2013

Free July-Aug 2013 Issue 9

FilJap Meets Tom Cruise at ‘Oblivion’ Premiere in Tokyo Bitten by the Fashion Bug

PH Recovers Ownership of Nampeidai Property Daikanyama The Chic City of Tokyo

Lea Salonga B r oa dway S u p e r sta r

contents table of

July - August 2013

4 8 10 11 12 13 14 16 17

FilJap M A G A Z IN E Publisher: Yonei Toshikazu Editor-in-Chief: Florenda Corpuz

Philippine Adventures Visita Iglesia

Associate Editor: Nel Salvador Photographers: Din Eugenio Oliver Corpuz

Cover Story Lea Salonga

Advertising Executive: Judith Takahashi

In Focus Abenomics

Distribution Executive: Genie Omata Layout Artist: VerJube Photographics

Special Feature FilJap Meets Tom Cruise

Tokyo Office: 114-0004 Tokyo-to Kitaku Horifune 1-26-14-501 Telephone: 03-6903-2100 Fax: 03-6903-2101 Toll-Free Fax: 0800-919-3633 E-mail: filjapmagazine@yahoo.com Manila Office: 232 Amapola Street,

Palm Village, Makati City,

Philippines Telephone: 63(2) 403-42-06

Embassy News Balik-Nampeidai FilCom Watch Blessing of Filjap Consulting’s New Office Spotlight Bitten by the Fashion Bug Health Care Protect Yourself from the Sun

Digital Edition: issuu.com/filjapmag Facebook: facebook.com/FilJapMagazine

Travel Japan Daikanyama

Editor’s pick Spinning Ferris wheel reflects in a lake at Hybrid Leisure Land – Tobu Zoo.

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.

Photographer: Yoshiro Kurane

Editor’s note

“Experience is the teacher of all things.”

C

We Want Your Photos!

Send your submissions to the editor at dang010@ yahoo.com or filjapmagazine@yahoo.com. Resolution must be 300 dpi at actual print size. Please include applicable credits and captions.

overing the Japan premiere of Tom Cruise’s “Oblivion” last May 8 was a priceless learning experience for me. I realized the importance of being knowledgeable in the Japanese language. I gained experience in taking photos during a photo call on the red carpet. I gained more confidence in meeting other foreign members of the press. Above all, I learned how to represent myself as a Filipino journalist in Japan.

And because of that valuable experience, I came up with the idea of labeling our JulyAugust 2013 issue as the “world-class issue”, with Filipino pride and Broadway superstar Lea Salonga on the cover.

Aside from Lea, three Filipino and Japanbased fashion bloggers who are starting to make a name for themselves granted us an exclusive interview on blogging, fashion and style.

Let us take you to the chic and stylish Daikanyama, one of Tokyo’s foreigner-friendly cities.

Meanwhile, on a more serious note, we also have a feature story about the recently concluded “Balik-Nampeidai”, a ceremony that took place at the Old Philippine Embassy Chancery that celebrated the reclaiming of the Florenda Corpuz Philippine-owned Nampeidai property in Tokyo.

Editor-in-Chief All these and more in our best issue yet!

FILJAP MAGAZINE | JULY - AUGUST 2013

3

PHILIPPINE ADVENTUREs

The “seven churches visitation” is a Lenten season devotion that is traditionally practiced by many Catholics not only in the Philippines but also in other Catholic nations elsewhere in the world. Visita Iglesia as it is otherwise called is solemnly done during Maundy Thursday. The number of churches that is visited is associated with several occurrences in the Catholic faith such as the seven last words, the seven holy wounds, and the seven ancient basilicas in Rome.

T

he first time I ever attempted a Visita Iglesia was last year in Cebu, with my family. I call it an attempt because we could only finish visiting six churches.

This year, I joined a group of photographer-friends in a visita iglesia of Pampanga’s historically significant and architecturally unique churches. Pampanga is such a rich and illustrious place for anyone wishing to be educated in our Catholic heritage.

Setting out at dawn from Alabang so we could catch the first rays of sunrise in San Fernando, we instead got delayed by the unusually early traffic in the North Luzon Expressway. But as luck would have it, we were serendipitously stuck in the area where we had a great view of the sunrise exploding in all its majesty over the green fields of Bulacan. The shutterbugs kept clicking away until our van rolled off.

We travelled across San Fernando, Bacolor, Guagua, Lubao, Porac, and Angeles City, from 7am to until about 4pm, giving the “visita” a photographic perspective as we tried to accomplish both our religious purpose and artisitic inclinations to complete a 4

Text by Arlene Donaire

photo-portfolio. We got to visit eight churches in all, witnessed a “pabasa”, and cringed at the sight of men who were self-flagellating their bloody backs in the name of repentance.

Our 8 church stops were as follows: (1) At the Cathedral of San Fernando, we attended the first mass of the day, which was concelebrated by all the priests of Pampanga’s churches.

(2) In Bacolor, we went inside the San Guillermo parish, whose right wing, still partially buried in the lahar mudflow of the 1991 volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, had been turned into a museum. (3) At the Betis Church of Guagua, also known as the Sistine Chapel of the Philippines, we marveled at the ornately hand-painted ceiling of the dome. (4) As we entered the newly reinforced structure of the San Agustin Church of Lubao, one would not imagine that it once served as a refuge for the Philippine revolutionary forces against Spain and as a hospital

by American soldiers during WWII. (56) Our fifth stop was the Immaculate Parish Church in Guagua, after which, we took a short break for “The Original Razon’s” halu-halo; 6th stop was at

FILJAP MAGAZINE | JULY - AUGUST 2013

the austere Sta. Rita de Cascia Church of San Fernando, completed in 1869 and considered the oldest parish in the country. (7) In Barangay Pio of Porac, we would have wanted to go inside the octagonally shaped Pio Church, but it was padlocked. With a belfry that was labeled 1861 and small cemetery at the back, the church was originally a private chapel of the Gil and Toledo families of Porac. (8) Finally, our 8th stop, the St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish of Porac, we were delighted to witness an ongoing wedding and the preparation of the “carosas” of the saints for the Good Friday procession.

By the end of our 8th church, we were mostly dehydrated and famished.

A short drive to Angeles City for late lunch had us witnessing more bloody flagellants along the way but that didn’t diminish our appetites. By sunset we were already headed back to Manila.

For some of us that were seated at the “right” side, shutters continued to click as the brilliant and perfectly rounded orange sun guided us back to home.

It was a day well spent with friends of common interest and reflecting on the values we hold as Christians.

Photos by JD Diestro

Visita Iglesia

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FILJAP MAGAZINE | JULY - AUGUST 2013

7

COVER STORY You mention Lea Salonga’s name and you’ll definitely hear all the best adjectives one could ever muster. She’s the perfect picture of excellence, world-class talent and genuine artistry. Her name catapulted the country to the world map as the home of the finest artists in Asia.

Lea Salonga: es al Pictur

Photos

8

rs of Unive courtesy

FILJAP MAGAZINE | JULY - AUGUST 2013

Photo by Henry DiRocco

The Broadway Superstar

I

FILJAP MAGAZINE | JULY - AUGUST 2013

Photo courtesy of The Old Globe

t cannot be denied that Lea was born to be an artist. As young as seven, performing naturally comes for her as she starred in the “King and I” musical by Repertory Philippines followed by “Annie” at the age of nine.

It wouldn’t be surprising that she was headed for something bigger and that means getting local and international acclaim as a Broadway superstar.

When the British production of “Miss Saigon” was looking for someone to portray the role of Kim, Lea auditioned and sang Boublil and Schönberg’s “On My Own”. She landed the role and made a faithful portrayal of an innocent Vietnamese girl who was left behind by her American lover at the fall of Saigon.

The mezzo-soprano theater star won the prestigious Olivier for “Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical” for the 19891990 run of the worldwide musical for her portrayal of Kim. From West End to Broadway, Lea reaped more awards such as Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and the Theatre World Awards for the same role.

Aside from playing Kim, Lea also made outstanding performances as Eponine and Fantine in another famous musical “Les Miserables”. She also did other musicals such as “Baby”, Cats”, “Cinderella”, “The Flower Drum Song”, “Grease”, “Into the Woods”, “My Fair Lady” and recently “Allegiance”.

In “Allegiance”, an American musical about family, love and patriotism set during the Japanese American internment of World War II, Lea starred with film icon George Takei and Broadway star Telly Leung. She portrayed the role of Kei Kimura who spent her whole life taking care of her family and wanted to escape her mundane life. She found herself in Wyoming after the bombing where she became a critic of the policies of Japanese American Citizens League.

“Allegiance” had its world premiere September last year at The Old Globe Theater in San Diego, California and is expected to have a run on Broadway this coming 2014.

In most of her interviews, Lea attributes her success firstly to how she was brought up by her parents. The eldest in the brood of two, Lea recalled how her parents instilled in her and her brother Gerald who is also a well-known musical director and conductor in the country, to always strive for excellence.

And in order to be excellent, Lea has learned the value of hard work, patience, and determination; that being passionate about what she does is the key to a successful career. She also recognized the importance of the trainings that she got from her teachers who taught her not only the right techniques but also the importance of discipline and honesty.

This is one of the reasons why Lea gave the nod to become a part of ABS-CBN’s reality show, “The Voice of the Philippines”. Being one of the coaches, alongside Black Eyed Peas member Apl de Ap, rock icon Bamboo Manalac, and pop princess Sarah Geronimo, Lea made it a point to be honest to the members of her team by telling each of them how they fare in their performances.

“Because that’s how I was coached since I was a kid. All of my coaches, they were all just honest. There were times then when I would break into tears because they were too honest with me,” Lea said.

“You know, there are people who will disagree with whatever anyone of us does. But we’re not there to please the people, we’re there to help our team and it’s the team’s job then to please the audience,” she added.

There are just so many titles tucked under Lea’s belt – a Broadway superstar, well-known singer, an actress, a coach – and her audience is certain that they will get nothing from her but a solid, incredible performance. It is no doubt that the world is her stage.

9

Abenomics: Abe’s Economic Style

IN FOCUS

Isa sa mga batayan sa magandang pamamahala ng isang lider ay ang kakayahan nito na palakasin ang ekonomiya ng bansa. Sinasabing ang pagkakaroon ng maunlad na bansa ay dahil sa maunlad na ekonomiya.

I

katlo sa pinakamalaki sa mundo ang ekonomiya ng Japan batay sa nominal gross domestic product o GDP at tinatayang ikalawa naman sa pagiging developed ang ekonomiya nito. Ayon sa International Monetary Fund, umabot sa $34,739 ang per capita GDP ng Japan.

Subalit, sa loob ng halos isang dekada ay unti-unting humina ang paglago ng ekonomiya ng Japan bunsod na rin sa ilang pagbabago sa mga patakaran. Ang paiba-iba ang naging istratehiya sa ekonomiya dala ng mabilis na pagbabago sa liderato ng bansa. Matatandaan na halos nakawalong prime minister ang Japan sa loob ng sampung taon.

Sa pagbabalik sa gobyerno ni Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe na unang naging lider noong 2006, kinakaharap nito ngayon ang ilang isyu 10

tulad ng kakulangan ng trabaho, ang rehabilitation programs bunsod ng 3/11 tragedy, pagtanda ng populasyon at ang paghina ng ekonomiya. Nang maging prime minister si Abe Disyembre noong nakaraang taon ay nagkakahalaga na sa quadrillion yen ang utang ng Japan.

Upang mapalakas ang ekonomiya ng Japan, inilunsad ni Abe ang mga bagong economic reforms na tinawag na “Abenomics�, pinagsamang pangalan ni Abe at ng economics. Ang Abenomics ang gagamitin ng administrayon ni Abe upang maresolba ang macroeconomic problems ng Japan. Sa ilalim nito ang tatlong pulisiya: monetary policy, fiscal policy at economic growth strategies kung saan target na magkaroon ng 2% annual inflation rate, pagtama sa excessive yen appreciation, radical quantitative easing, expansion of public investment at pagbili ng construction

FILJAP MAGAZINE | JULY - AUGUST 2013

bonds ng Bank of Japan.

Unti-unting nakikita ang epekto ng Abenomics dahil sa pagtatag ng yen na nakakatulong din sa pagbaba ng presyo ng mga produkto at serbisyo.

Tataasan din ang consumption tax rate na nasa 8% sa 2014 at 10% sa 2015.

Magiging mabigat man ito sa mga Hapon na nagbabayad ng buwis ngunit inaasahan naman na mababawi ito sa mga imprastruktura na itinataguyod ng administrasyon.

Naglaan ng humigit-kumulang sa limang trilyon yen ang administrayong Abe para sa pagpapaganda ng imprastruktura sa bansa lalo na sa mga bahaging naapektuhan ng lindol at tsunami noong 2011.

Sa pagganda ng ekonomiya ng Japan, isa naman sa mga apektado ay ang mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) na nagtatrabaho sa Japan.

Dahil bumaba na ang halaga ng yen sa piso, na ngayon ay nasa 0.42 kada piso, ay mas mababa na ang nagiging palit sa mga yen na ipinapadala ng OFWs sa kanilang mga pamilya sa Pilipinas.

Marami ang sumasang-ayon sa mga bagong pulisiya na ito ni Abe ngunit mayroon din namang ilang sektor na may agam-agam sa maaaring maging epekto nito sa mga susunod na taon.

Subalit, sa huli ang makakabuti para sa buong bansa ang dapat manaig.

SPOTLIGHT special feature

Rex Angeles In Love With His Craft

Photos courtesy of Universal Pictures

He may be an accomplished actor, singer, model and school administrator but behind the glitz and glamour, Rex Angeles is an ordinary man who cooks his own meals and throws the garbage when it’s due. And he just wants everybody, especially his Filipino kababayans, to remember him for his humble contribution to the entertainment scene in Japan.

FilJap Magazine Meets Tom Cruise at ‘Oblivion’ Premiere in Tokyo For the first time, FilJap Magazine had the opportunity to meet Hollywood A-listers in the likes of Tom Cruise, Olga Kurylenko and director Joseph Kosinski when they graced the white carpet for the Japan premiere of their latest film “Oblivion” at Roppongi Hills Arena in Tokyo on May 8.

“I

’m very proud to say that FilJap Magazine was the only Filipino media that covered Tom Cruise’s ‘Oblivion’ premiere in Tokyo,” Florenda Corpuz, the magazine’s editor-in-chief said.

Cruise motioned to the editor to come near him for a photo-op before posing for photographs during a

photo call for the members of the press. “Come here, come here. You should stand here (pointing at the white carpet).”

“Where are you from?”

Cruise asked.

“I’m from Manila,” the editor answered.

“Nice,” Cruise exclaimed.

After the brief conversation, Cruise hugged the

editor.

“We all have our Hollywood idols and meeting them is surreal. I know should have been more professional but how can I say no to a Hollywood superstar,” the editor said.

Cruise, Kurylenko and Konsinski spent two hours on the white carpet signing autographs and posing for

photos with their Japanese fans and supporters.

Distributed by Universal Pictures, this sci-fi action film was shown in cinemas on May 31.

FILJAP MAGAZINE | JULY - AUGUST 2013

11

EMBASSY NEWS

Nampeidai property sa Shibuya,

naibalik na sa pamahalaang Pilipinas TOKYO, Japan – Muling iwinagayway ang bandila ng Pilipinas sa dating embahada nito sa Nampeidai-machi, Shibuya noong Hunyo 1 kasabay ng isang seremonya na tinawag na “Balik-Nampeidai” na inorganisa ng Philippine Embassy sa pangunguna ni Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez.

“I

Photos by Din Eugenio 12

never thought that in my tenure here that I could ever see Nampeidai fly the Philippine flag once again. And now it flies so proudly that when it was being raised I got goose bumps,” madamdaming pahayag ni Ambassador Lopez sa harap ng mga panauhing opisyal, abogado at community leaders mula Pilipinas at Japan.

Ang makasaysayang pangyayari ay naganap matapos maglabas ng injunction ang Court of Appeals sa kahilingan nina Foreign Affairs Sec. Alberto Del Rosario, Finance Sec. Cesar Purisima, Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez at Bids and Awards Committee for Nampeidai Property Development Project Chairman Carlo Carag para itigil ang implementasyon ng kontrata na pinirmahan sa pagitan ng pamahalaang Arroyo at Nagayama Taisei Corp., ang Japanese consortium na nanalo sa bidding para sa development project ng Nampeidai property noong Oktubre 2005.

Nag-alok ang NTC na magtayo ng ¥1.7-billion halaga ng gusali sa Nampeidai property at bayaran ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas ng karagdagang ¥480-million sa ilalim ng build-operatetransfer agreement.

FILJAP MAGAZINE | JULY - AUGUST 2013

“Accordingly, let a writ of injunction issued effective immediately, enjoining the court a quo, its agents and all persons acting for and on its behalf, from implementing the assailed orders dated 17 February 2012 and 02 April 2012, as well as the writ of execution of 02 April 2012,” pahayag ng CA. Nauna nang nag-isyu ang CA ng 60-day temporary restraining order kontra sa writ of execution na inilabas ng Pasay Regional Trial Court na pumapabor kay Masahiro Nagayama ng Nagayama Taisei Corp (NTC).

Matatandaang kinansela ng Department of Finance noong June 2009 ang kasunduan matapos mapatunayang peke ang mga dokumentong isinumite ng NTC sa bidding process.

Ang Nampeidai property ay isa sa apat na lupain na pag-aari ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas sa Japan kabilang ang 4,500-square meter Fujimi property sa Tokyo, ang 764-square meter property sa Naniwa-cho at 3,014-square meter property sa Obanoyama-cho na parehong nasa Kobe. Ito ay bahagi ng reparations ng Japan noong World War II. Sa ngayon, hindi pa batid kung ano ang gagawin sa Nampeidai property.

Blessing of Filjap Consulting’s New Office

Last May 18, the owners and staff of Filjap Consulting along with their guests, gathered together for the blessing of the company’s new office located at Kita-ku, Horifune 1-26-14-501. Fr. Resty Ogsimer officiated the blessing ceremony.

Feng Shui Convention

Marites Allen’s Feng Shui Convention was recently held in Tokyo with Yuri Saito and kapamilya star Luis Manzano gracing the event.

“Thumbs up and more power to FilJap Magazine! I really like your style.

It’s got class, very attractive, nice layout and definitely a no-nonsense magazine.”

- Rex Angeles, Tokyo-based actorsinger-model

filcom watch

Ms. & Mr. Thai-PH in Japan 2013

The 9th annual Ms. & Mr. Thai-Philippines in Japan 2013 was successfully held at Camellia Hall in Kameido on April 28.

This year’s winners are Sarin Chingjit (Ms. Grand Japan Int’l / Ms. Thailand in Japan), Onaka Narissara (Ms. Grand Japan Int’l 1st runner-up), Natasha Camille Tagle (Ms. Philippines in Japan), Norman Santos (Mr. Philippines in Japan), Ohhara Shota (Mr. Thailand in Japan), Aya Yanagimachi (Best in Traditional Dress), Ayumi Sakairi (Ms. Vote), Sasiwimol Nitbumruno (Ms. 0570), Nozomi Kuboki (Little Ms. Thai-PH) and Yamato Tanaka (Little Mr. Thai-PH).

We want to hear from

you!

FilJap readers! Let us know what you think of our issue. Send us your feedback or suggestions to filjapmagazine@yahoo.com.

Be Published.

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Submit

an Event

o 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.

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e are inviting all FilCom organizations to send us your event announcements for possible publication.

Please send them to

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FILJAP MAGAZINE | JULY - AUGUST 2013

13

spotlight

nettiBBitten eht ybby the noihsaFFashion guBBug E

IV S U L C X E

Gervin Macion, Francis Cagayat and Ashley Dy are three stylish young Filipino and Japan-based bloggers and social media mavens who are starting to carve out their names in the online fashion scene. What began as a simple fascination with fashion eventually turned into popular blog sites with thousands of loyal followers.

Read on for Gervin, Francis and Ashley’s insights on fashion and style.

14

FILJAP MAGAZINE | JULY - AUGUST 2013

FilJap: How did the name of your blog come about?

Ashley: “Candy Kawaii Lover” is a combination of my childhood nickname “Candy” plus the fact that I’m a fan/ lover of anything “Kawaii”.

Gervin: “Jenne Chrisville” is a name that I made in high school by merging my name and my crush’s.

Francis: I just thought that the name “Kiko Learns to Blog” would be the best name for my personal blog.

FilJap: How often do you post?

Ashley: At least once a week. Always choose quality over quantity.

Gervin: I post as much as I can, but I make sure that the topics trigger my interest.

Francis: I post twice a week on my Lookbook account and after that on my personal blog site.

FilJap: Where do you find inspiration to blog?

Ashley: Everywhere—Japanese magazines, people, brands, books and websites.

Gervin: I find inspiration everywhere—from the clothes I wear, to the videos I watch, to the music I listen to.

Francis: It’s my followers who are also popular bloggers that motivate me.

FilJap: Describe your personal style.

Ashley: I would like to think, chic. However, my readers say it’s dreamy and kawaii.

Gervin: My style is very eclectic. I can be a minimalist one day and be avant-garde on the next. I can be preppy today, street style punk tomorrow and bohemian the day after.

Francis: People know me wearing my D.I.Y. tote bags and Coca- Cola shirts.

FilJap: Who is your biggest fashion influence and why?

Ashley: Audrey Hepburn and Kiko Mizuhara. I grew up watching Audrey Hepburn films. I like Kiko because she’s from Kobe too. I think I’m obsessed with her street style fashion.

Gervin: I’ve always looked up to the pioneer fashion bloggers, specifically Bryan Boy and Pelayo Diaz. These people are bold and aren’t afraid to speak their minds.

Francis: No one influence me to do fashion. I didn’t even know about it until college where advertising, painting and fashion are quite related.

FilJap: Where do you usually shop for clothes?

Ashley: My go-to online stores are Zozotown, Amazon and Runway where I get my MURUA, dazzlin, Laguna Moon and EMODA fix. I also shop from high-street brands such as Topshop, Zara and H&M. Gervin: I love Harajuku, Omotesando, Aoyama, Shinjuku and Shibuya. These places live and breathe fashion.

Francis: I live in a small town where the only popular brand available is Uniqlo. Thrift stores save my life. It’s cheaper and I can find unusual stuff there. My sponsors save me money.

FilJap: What fashion trends do you think never go out of style?

Ashley: Floral, denim and breton stripes for S/S. Leather, burgundy and rustic hues for A/Winter.

Gervin: Denim jeans.

Francis: Blue denim jeans; white lace dress for girls; black leather biker jacket for guys.

FilJap: What is the perfect fashion ensemble for you?

Ashley: A very light look. It could be an all-white outfit.

Gervin: A look that expresses your feelings. It doesn’t

have to be trendy or likable for others but it must be a representation of yourself.

Francis: I prefer a “punk D.I.Y.” style. Basically, it’s just a pair of black skinny pants with creepers and a graphic or statement shirt. Added with my D.I.Y stuff like painted tote bags and can tabs accessories.

FilJap: How do you describe Japanese fashion & style?

Ashley: It’s very unique.

Gervin: It’s overflowing with creativity and uniqueness.

Francis: It’s very unique, stylish and post-modern.

FilJap: What do you do when you’re not blogging?

Ashley: I travel, I take pictures, I sew, I paint, I read books, and I study Japanese and recently working for my select shop/ web store.

Gervin: I have a full-time teaching job in an international kindergarten where I teach English and dance.

Francis: I live here for work. But in my free time, I surf the net and do photography for my blog.

FilJap: What is the biggest challenge of being a Filipino fashion blogger/social media maven in a foreign country?

Ashley: Missing out some opportunities given back home. I have to give up some endorsement deals, features and event invites just because I couldn’t go home.

Gervin: The language barrier can be a little bit of a hindrance. The interviews and press releases are mostly written in Japanese so I need to work harder to deliver the goods. Developing relationships with Japanese designers and PR people who don’t speak English can be a big challenge.

Francis: Language barrier can be a problem. Since I’m based in the province, living far away from the country’s fashion capital, which is Tokyo is also a hindrance.

FilJap: Where do you see your blog five years from now?

Ashley: Successful and famous in it’s own right. It’s going to be a big brand and I’m claiming it. I’ve always been shy and I want to change that.

Gervin: I see my blog collaborating with fashion designers–may it be in styling looks or designing. I’m also thinking of doing my own line but that needs a lot of planning and preparation. I also want to do professional writing for traditional media.

Francis: I think I already have my own family by that time. My blogging time will be lessened but I still want to contribute to the fashion world.

FilJap: Any closing thoughts on fashion and style for our readers?

Ashley: If you want something, go get it. You can never reach your dreams if you’re not going to work for it.

Gervin: Like what I always say, dress to express, not to impress.

Francis: Just wear anything. Fashion has no limits.

Ashley’s blog URL: http://candykawaiilover.blogspot.jp Gervin’s blog URL: http://jennechrisville.com Francis’ blog URL: http://kikolearnstoblog.tumblr.com; http://lookbook.nu/kikocagayat FILJAP MAGAZINE | JULY - AUGUST 2013

15

health care

A

yon sa World Health Organization (WHO), ang masyadong exposure sa sikat ng araw ang isa sa mga dahilan ng pagkakaroon ng masamang epekto sa balat, mata at immune system. Sa katunayan umano, apat sa limang kaso ng skin cancer ang maaaring maagapan dahil madali naman maiwasan ang UV damage.

Lalo na’t summer na ngayon, tiyak na marami ang sasamantalahin ang pagkakataon na ito na lumabas, mamasyal o kaya naman ay pumunta sa beach. At dahil nasa labas ng bahay, siguradong mae-expose ang balat sa init ng sikat ng araw. Upang maiwasan ang ilang uri ng sakit, kailangang protektahan ang inyong sarili. Narito ang ilang paraan:

1.

Maglagay ng lotion.

Ugaliin maglagay ng lotion o sunblock na mayroong sun protection factor o SPF. Mainam ito para maprotektahan ang balat sa ultraviolet A (UVA) at ultraviolet B (UVB) na isa sa mga dahilan ng skin damage. Ang isang SPF ay katumbas ng 15 minutong proteksiyon mula sa sikat ng araw kaya gumamit ng SPF 15 pataas at re-apply ito pagkaraan ng dalawang oras o higit pa. Mainam din na moisturized ang balat para hindi magmukhang dry ang balat. I-apply ang lotion/sunblock 20 – 30 minuto bago umalis ng bahay para na-absorb na ito ng balat.

2.

Uminom ng tubig.

Wala naman makaka-kuwestiyon sa natural benefits ng pag-inom ng tubig na hindi bababa sa walong baso para maging hydrated. May ilang porsiyento ang namamatay dahil sa heat stroke kada taon at maiiwasan ito kung laging umiinom ng tubig.

3.

Tamang kasuotan at gamit.

Magsuot ng tamang summer outfit para hindi maiwasan ang lalong pagpapawis bunsod ng init. Magsuot o gumamit din ng sun protector tulad ng sunglasses na may 100% UVA at UVB sun protection, sombrero at payong. Kung maaari ay iwasan na maglakad sa ilalim ng araw mula alas-10 ng umaga hanggang alas-kuwatro ng hapon kung saan pinakamainit at pinakadelikado ang init ng araw.

4.

Pag-inom ng vitamins.

Ang pag-inom ng Vitamin C, D, E ay maganda para sa katawan para maging matatag ang immune system. Isa itong paraan ng magandang pangangalaga sa katawan lalo na ang vitamin E na pinakamainam sa balat dahil mayroon itong tinataglay na antioxidants. Kumain din ng prutas at gulay na sagana sa iba’t ibang bitamina tulad ng potassium, calcium, beta-carotene at iba.

5.

Iwasan ang tanning beds.

Dahil summer, usung-uso ang pagpapa-tan. Subalit ang iba ay mas pinapaboran ang papunta sa tanning beds salon para magpaitim sa pag-aakalang mas ligtas ito. Mas gusto ng ilan na sa tanning bed na lamang para maiwasan ang sunburn kapag nagpunta sa beach. Ang hindi alam ng marami ay mas malaki ang tsansa na masira ang balat sa tanning bed at hindi rin masyadong protektado ang mga mata rito.

Protect

Yourself from the Sun Hindi naman kaila na may masamang epekto ang UV rays na nanggagaling sa sikat ng araw sa ating balat. Ang sobrang pagbabad sa init ng araw ay nagiging sanhi ng pagkakaroon ng sunburn, skin damage, skin cancer at heat stroke.

16

FILJAP MAGAZINE | JULY - AUGUST 2013

L

ocated in central Tokyo, adjacent to Ebisu, Daikanyama is home to several foreign embassies such as Denmark, Egypt and Peru; affluent residential properties, luxurious boutiques, modern household shops and trendy restaurants, which are popular among young Tokyoites and foreigners alike.

Some of the famous landmarks here include the Hillside Terrace, a modern building complex that took 30 years to built and is said to be the symbol of Daikanyama; the large flower sculpture situated in front of Daikanyama Address; and Daikanyama T-Site, the newest Tsutaya multimedia store that has Starbucks and FamilyMart outlets inside.

Fast Facts:  Daikanyama derived its name from its mountain-like hills of various shapes and sizes.  Daikanyama is comprised of two well-known avenues: Hachiman Avenue where Daikanyama Address, Benten-dori, La Fuente and Loveria are located; and old Yamate Avenue where Hillside Terrace, Hollywood Ranch Market, Café Michelangelo, Saigoyama Park and the old Asakura Mansion are found.  The first-of-its-kind western style apartment in Japan was built in Daikanyama.

Daikanyama: The Chic City of Tokyo

Getting There: Take the Tokyu Toyoko Line and get off at Daikanyama station, next to Shibuya station.

Photos by Din Eugenio

TRAVEL JAPAN

The charmingly chic town, Daikanyama remains one of Tokyo’s top fashion and gourmet spot offering relaxation and enjoyment not found elsewhere in the Japanese capital.

FILJAP MAGAZINE | JULY - AUGUST 2013

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