Jeepney Press/Neriza Sarmiento-Saito

On the Road to POLO -OWWA and PCCC’s Leadership Training Seminar in Mt. Rokko

Can you imagine Summers without the shrill of “cicadas“? Known as “semi“ in Japanese or “kuliglig“ in Filipino, these insects, that are often mistakenly referred to as crickets could be annoying for many because of the endless sound they produce. In Japan, the shrill depend on its type, whether they are “min min semi “ or “the tsuku tsuku boshi”. In the Philippines, some years ago, a mysterious sound was said to have been heard in Mt. Makiling, and others thought those were elves or something else. A scientist proved later that it wasn’t a ghost but a “kuliglig“ that made the sound of “hi hi hi” so it was named “the laughing kuliglig”. When we went up to Mt. Rokko by cable car for a Leadership Training Seminar on July 17-18, I was expecting to hear some mountain cicadas, but there weren’t any around yet as the place was still pleasantly cool, like Baguio.

Photo by Mr. July Bartiquin

The Philippine Community Coordinating Council in joint action with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) Osaka headed by Labor Attache Elizabeth Marie Raquel Estrada and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, represented by Welfare Officer, Ms. Pilipina Clemente Dino organized the 2 day seminar from July 17-18 at Corres Resort. It was attended by representatives of Filipino Communities in Kansai from Hyogo, Shiga, Nara, as well as individuals interested in forming new communities. Consul-General Voltaire D. Mauricio and Deputy Consul General Melchor P. Lalunio of the Philcongen in Osaka were the guests of honor. DCG Lalunio gave an inspirational message to the participants on the importance of leadership and developing the identity of one’s group. He reiterated the importance of building trust and forging loyalty in the group. He advised leaders to avoid the so-called “Rashomon effect“ where an event is given different or contradictory interpretations by the members involved.

Photo by Mr. July Bartiquin

The three resource speakers were Ms. Pilipina Clemente Dino on the topic “Interpersonal Skills“ and how it can enable leaders to foster meaningful relationships with their teams, motivate members, navigate setbacks and address the root cause of poor performance. Mr. Glen Oliver Santos’ topic was the Importance of Social Media to the communities and keeping the members connected and engaged!

After the sessions, they were delighted with Consul General, Voltaire D. Mauricio’s surprise arrival. He had 2 other events that day but he made it a point to meet and interact with the group. In his short arrival message, he was able to explain the roles and functions of the Consulate General and the Embassy as well as those of the attaches of the government agencies. The Consul -General has already been to 11 out of the 23 prefectures in their jurisdiction and has met with the city mayors and now in the process of arranging sister city partnerships with the Philippines. Another objective of their visit to different prefectures is for the governor or mayor to be aware of the Filipino residents in those areas who might be in need of assistance in times of disaster or calamities.

Photo by Mr. July Bartiquin

Day 1 was capped with a sumptuous barbecue party among the pine trees prepared by PCCC’s head chef and treasurer Delia Nakashima from Mie assisted by July Bartequin, leader of the Kishiwada Filipino Community and auditor of PCCC and Katrina Fujikawa, 2nd Vice -Chairperson.

Day 2 started with Ms. Ma. Theresa Pamaong’s “Shifting in Leadership style“ and Kurt Lewis’ theory of Leadership with 3 types of leadership styles: Autocratic, Democratic and Laissez-faire. In a workshop that followed, groups were formed to make a presentation on plans for an imaginary Philippine event that will showcase ideal Philippine culture with a limited budget, preparations and participants. As Ms. Pilipina Dino and Herbert Benzon, PCCC’s first Vice-Chairperson and head of the Leadership seminar that started in 2017 in Himeji. In the first leadership seminar, Dennis Sun, the Jeepney Press’ Creative Director, was our guest speaker. Next, 2018 in Shiga, 2019 in Kyoto and now 2022 in Rokko, after we presented certificates of participation to the attendees, we all heaved a sigh of relief that the seminar can be labeled successful. PCCC Adviser, Noemi Itsukage, raffled off giveaways to the participants.

Photo by Mr. July Bartiquin

As for me, I just realized how much the pandemic has affected our activities these past two years but after the seminar, it gave me renewed energy as the current chairperson to work harder for our community. We need to be like the chorus of cicadas, determined to wake up their members. Like the cicadas that stay underground for 2-17 years before flying out like nymphs, motivating communities towards taking the leap for changes that can be beneficial to the Filipino Community in Japan. Up there in Rokko, we were the “kuligligs” among the pine trees!

Neriza Sarmiento-Saito

Jeepney Press