Jeepney Press / Dennis Sun

YOMU Editorial by Dennis Sun

It's 2022! Another year and another sparkling new issue for Jeepney Press is now in your hands! And as traditions go, this is the annual checkpoint when we reflect on what we have done in our lives thus far, and we wonder what the future holds for us next. It is always good to reflect, to learn, to recalibrate, and to dream.

This start of the year, as with the previous year, we have been mostly staying home challenged by another very contagious new corona variant, omicron. Most of us in Japan have been fully vaccinated, and we are now looking for the booster jabs in the coming months. I hope and pray that the pandemic that has been consuming us for almost two years will eventually lose its grip in 2022. The signs are there and with most people getting vaccinated, the less probability that new variants will develop. Everyone should believe the science and be wary of the fake news that distort facts and endanger all of us.

This year is also an election year for the Philippines, for better or worse. I fervently pray that Filipinos would study well the candidates who are running and vote for the betterment of the country. The Philippines have been beset with so much fake news, crime, and corruption. I hope all of these would eventually be eradicated, controlled and managed by the new government with honesty and transparency. We should never forget our history, and be wary of candidates trying to distort and rewrite history for their own evil ambitions.

Angel With a Heart

Painting by Dennis Sun

On a lighter note, I have been actively painting since the year started. Angels aren't really my subject matter, but my first two paintings were angels. I think it's my guardian angel's way of telling me that everything would be fine. This coming spring on March, I will have a new art exhibition entitled, BLOOM, at Koyama Gardens in Nerima, Tokyo. It would be my second time to do a show at Koyama Gardens. My first time there was held last year at the height of the delta variant pandemic. The Koyama Gardens management was delighted to see so many people from far away visiting my exhibition during the pandemic. That was a good sign. Thus, they invited me again this year to do an exhibition during the best time of the year of the cherry blossom season. Hopefully, this time, the omicron will have slowed down by then. I hope you get a chance to see my art. The greatest joy an artist get is being able to share thoughts and aspirations through art to friends and strangers alike. It binds us together into one community.

DENNIS SUN BLOOM Art Exhibition

March 21 - April 4, 2022 at Koyama Gardens, Nerima Tokyo

Moreover, at the end of last year, I also started attending a Japanese language class in my neighborhood community center. Being a community program, I pay only 100 yen per 2 hour class. I encourage everyone to check out their community centers and attend these classes too. More than improving your Japanese, it is an excellent way of meeting new people from various cultures. The teachers are volunteers but despite not being professional teachers, they are extremely patient and passionate. One of the jobs I do is train Japanese Language teachers so I know how a professional teacher handles a class. My experience at work taught me the importance of having heart and passion behind whatever you do. Always.

So my fellow kababayans, let us welcome the year with hope, art and learning! The Lunar New Year is also around the corner so let’s greet the Year of the Tiger with a resounding ROAR!

Dennis Sun

Editor-In-Chief / Creative Director