Jeepney Press 89 September - October 2017 by Jeepney Press

PAHAYAGANG PINOY SA JAPAN 在日フィリピン

人向けマガジン

ジープニープレス

Celebrating The Journeys Of Filipinos In Japan September - October 2017

Photo by Marisol Punzalan Kudo

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 2017

JEEPNEY PRESS Asia 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 website: 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

CONTENTS

06 YOMU Editorial by Dennis Sun 08 Life Is A Journey by Glen Gypsy 10 Traffic! by Alma Reyes 12 Musings Of A Gardener by Rogelio Agustin

16 Kwento Ni Nanay by Anita Sasaki 18 On The Road To: by Neriza Saito

20 Signpost by Karen Sanchez

22 Isang Araw Sa Ating Buhay ni Jeff Plantilla

24 Kapatiran by Loleng Ramos 26 Moving On by Jasmin Vasquez

27 Shoganai by Prince Abie 28 Advice Ni Tita Lits by Isabelita Manalastas-Watanabe

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2017 29 Remembering Japan by Kevin Sun 30 UTAWIT Nagoya 31 UTAWIT Kanto 32 UTAWIT Oita 33 UTAWIT Hokkaido 34 UTAWIT Tokyo 35 UTAWIT Kyoto 36 UTAWIT Fukuoka 37 UTAWIT Nagano 38 UTAWIT Shizuoka 39 UTAWIT Okayama 40 Pinay Pro Wrestler by Dennis Sun 42 Garden Village by Marilyn Rivera

Just like the lotus flower, we can rise up and bloom from the muddy water.

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Photos and text by Dennis Sun

YOMU means “to read” in Japanese. Early this year, I was packed with so much work. I have been accepting one work after another. One project after another. One class after another. As they say, “When it rains, it pours.” And the same thing could apply when it doesn’t rain. Not a single drop falls down. So while all these opportunities knock on my door, I delightfully welcome them with open arms feeling they are heaven sent.

that emerges from the muddy water, a person overcomes his ordeals, blossoms and becomes fully awakened. Maybe the flower is talking to me and sending some messages. “Dennis, it’s time!” I’ve been living in the mud for a long time. So many struggles. So much pain. So many challenges and ordeals. Perhaps life is telling me that it’s time to bloom. Time to wake up!

But as the work load increases, the stress that it creates and brings not only accumulates but accelerates, as well. Multi-tasking is not even the right word to describe what I have been experiencing. It will not suffice the immensity of labor mentally, physically and emotionally. I need a break. Even for a few days. Usually, when I go on for a vacation, 2 weeks is my minimum stay. But this time, I got only 8 days. But that is more than enough than nothing at all. Bangkok is my “R” place. Rest. Relax. Refresh. Rejuvenate. It’s the only place where I can totally forget about work and remember who I am. Pampering myself with various daily massages, my body, mind and soul get recharged but only to get drained again when I get to work back in Tokyo. This time, I was not only excited and eager to get to Bangkok. I needed it to survive and put my sanity intact. My body is calling for it. My mind is shouting for me to get to Bangkok. Being in Bangkok is like meditating into silence and releasing everything even temporarily. I arrived in Bangkok yesterday and I was greeted in time with the blossoming of the lotus. Bangkok is a Buddhist country and the lotus flower in Buddhism is a sign of purity, spiritual awakening and enlightenment. In life, like a lotus, you start as a seed and you grow in the mud. And like the bud of the lotus

In Masaru Emoto’s book, Secret Life of Water, he wrote: “If you feel lost, disappointed, hesitant, or weak, return to yourself, to who you are, here and now and when you get there, you will discover yourself, like a lotus flower in full bloom, even in a muddy pond, beautiful and strong.” Sometimes, we get carried away when friends abandon or betray us. Sometimes, we lose hope when we see that everyone feels lost and down. But the lotus story teaches us to stay strong. That despite the dirt, mud, negativity and ugliness surrounding us, we should be strong and be who we are and what we are meant to be—to blossom and be awakened, beautiful and pure like a lotus flower.

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by Glen Gypsy

Mas masaya ang buhay Kung ikaw ay laging tumatawa Litaw ang mapuputing ngipin Ang bibig, hugis saging. 08

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by ALMA REYES

NOLI ME TANGERE IN MODERN DAYS Since I came to live in Japan, which by now, feels almost an entire lifetime, I am constantly badgered by two inevitable questions: 1) How long have you been living in Japan, and 2) Will you ever go back to your home country for good. Sometimes, I don’t know which question is more tormenting to answer. It is not like I have neglected my motherland; I have been going back more frequently than the years past—at times, three times a year, which is more than one can contain financially and mentally. And, if that cliché “Distance makes the heart grow fonder” should bring me

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closer and closer to a permanent return, then there would be no need to remain seated on pins of displacement.

Unfortunately, this cliché has kept me at arm’s length, so much so that the more comebacks I make the more I am likely to convince myself that answering Yes to the second question becomes more and more difficult to confirm. “Is it the high living standards in Japan? Is it the convenience and lack of it back home? Is it the cleanliness, efficiency, speed, discipline? Is it the secure social and health benefits? Is it the food?” These are the next common queries. Interestingly, no one has hit the target yet. Since I left the Philippines at age 22, and have lived in four different countries, I have always felt that there is one degenerative disease of Philippine society that remains incurable, and this is the essential reason that makes me hesitant to consider a full return—Feudalism. No other society in the world than that of the Philippines do I see and feel crystal-like the immense gap between rich and poor, privileged and under-privileged, “low” class and “high” class, literate and illiterate—even to the unnecessary division of city people and “provincial” people or worse, well-English speaking and ill-English speaking people. I never fail to notice the grocery bag packers waiting at the end of the cashier and how customers point fingers at them to pack

their purchase into the bags, then prompt them to carry the grocery bags (in push carts) until the car. In Manila, it is not uncommon to find children’s “yayas” (babysitters— some ten-year olds still have them) and the elderly’s “alalays” (caregivers or companion helpers) in well-ironed white, blue or other striking colored uniforms, carrying their bags, or holding umbrellas for them. I will restrain from identifying a prominent, private elite school where you can find separate lanes by the school gate for 1) “yayas” to fetch the kids, and 2) drivers waiting to fetch the kids who are not escorted to the car but are made to wait for the car to parade before them. There seems to be no lane for kids going home on their own because perhaps, there is no such kid like that. In many cases, drivers wait in the school parking lot all day until dismissal time. The familiar Taglish (Tagalog-English) expression, “There’s my sundo” (“My fetch is there”) is a basic mode of life in middle class Filipino society especially in the bustling capital. The middle class household is often a circus of theatrical characters: a cook, laundrywoman, cleaner, ironing woman, babysitter, caregiver, driver, gardener…if you are really up there, a bodyguard and a police guard by the gate. Some of these stage players come in twos or threes, and may be in uniforms. If the house has a swimming pool, it would not be surprising to have a pool cleaner as well. In my recent return, I was taken aback by the knowledge that it is now common to have one chauffeur for each child of the household so that one household can employ as many as three to four chauffeurs, naturally assigned to separate cars. And, people still complain about city traffic? Since city dwellers have been ingrained to this luxurious lifestyle for centuries, you would not be expected to clean if there is a

cleaner, wash if there is a washer, drive if there is a chauffeur, cook if there is a cook. Hence, the public environment is very much a reflection of the inner family norm. In restaurants, it would not be expected to clean your mess on the table because a cleaner is present to do it. In movie houses, it would likewise not be your territory to not spill popcorn on juice on the floor because of the expectation that someone is hired to clean it up, so why bother. And if you are the customer of any establishment, you seem to be forgiven or accepted for going about with an authoritative cloud over your head when addressing the sales staff.

Language is a clear determining factor of the division of classes. Some rich or upper middle class folks use soft, clean or wavy-like pitch frequencies when speaking to each other. On the contrary, the tone changes to a more instructive, dictatorial verbal tone when addressing the less privileged classes usually in the imperative mood. Employers and employees, both in family households and work sectors, especially in blue-collar companies are divided by visible behavioral treatment, in many cases, until the level of segregating the type of food served. Why is this necessary?

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For what is categorized as a third-world country with 25% of the population below national poverty line, despite the potpourri of massive high-end shopping malls and locals addicted to brand consumerism, the exaggerated flamboyance of the capital’s daily life can be quite appalling. While many historians trace the roots of feudalism to the Spanish colonial era when communities thrived on agriculture and farming and the Spanish estate owners “haciendero” clearly defined the social rights and economic lifestyle of farmers and landowners, other studies also refer to the pre-Hispanic period, in the ruling of sultanates in Sulu and Mindanao that laid the foundation for promulgating the feudal mode of living. This is history pushed back 500 years. More than 500 years henceforth, how astounding is it to find that the mental picture in the modern age has remained unchanged. National hero Jose Rizal used his novel “Noli Me Tangere” (Latin, “Touch Me Not”) to depict this polluted clash and abuse of social classes during the Spanish occupation in the Philippines. Apparently, to this present day, the locals are still murmuring the same phrase to one another. Perhaps, I have just lived too long in a country somewhat over-heterogeneous: chauffeur, plumber, street cleaner, bartender, teacher, or businessman all treated alike—each aware of social obligations and absent of class distinction. It is a nice feeling, actually, to be surrounded by a sense of social harmony. Maybe I am waiting for my country to adopt a similar mode of life, where virtues of generosity, sensitivity, simplicity and humility can be as crystalline as its pristine and arresting white sand beaches.

A Beautiful Garden Is A Work Of Heart

12 12

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Musings of a Gardener Everything grows with love SEPTEMBER -- OCTOBER OCTOBER 2017 2017 SEPTEMBER

13 13

Where Did Summer Go? As the season changes, I wanted to say, “Finally, it’s Autumn!” But something is missing, the hot or hotter summer days didn’t come as expected! Well, we did have a decent summer for several days in July and we were all made to expect a very hot summer in August. What we got was tons of daily rain causing deadly floods ravaging different areas in the country. As a gardener, I should have been happy with the rains, showers of blessing as they say, because I saved a lot on my water bills. I should still be thankful though even if the water from the rains was way, way too much. Too much to be called more than enough. The happiest species in my garden were the unwanted weeds that grow so fast with every extra water they get. So, I didn’t do any gardening for almost 2 months because it was either too hot or raining too much. My garden turned into what looked like a lost jungle to me. I did try to do some weeding when the rains stopped for a while, only to be stung (again!) by a wasp! So, when the summer seems to be “officially” over, I bought a weed whacker instead of a lawn mower to trim my lawn because the grass grew so much they looked like wild weeds. At least the lawn is clear now and I expect a lot of work waiting until next spring! Most of the summer flowers are gone but the rudbeckias, dahlias, the sage family (Russian, amethyst, cherry), tricyrtis, and even my delicate gerbera are still in bloom. My towering dahlia imperialis are taller than last year and will soon produce more purple blooms this year. The other day it was raining and I went to the home center to buy some lumber. I ended up buying a basket full of tulip bulbs, lots of them and I have to think where to plant them!!! The days are getting cooler and I am ready to garden again! Enjoy the autumn, my friends!

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KWENTO NI NANAY by Anita Sasaki Photo by Marisol Punzalan Kudo

May tanong po ako sa inyo. Sa buhay ngayon na masalimuot, di po ba kayo nalulunod sa inyong mga problema? O di kaya ay dinaraanan nyo lang ang inyong mga problema, para magkaroon lamang nang kapayapaan or "Peace" at makaramdam kayo ng kaligayahan sa inyong mga puso? Sabi nga huwag nating pabayaan ang problema bagkus daanan lang natin ito. Kung tayo ay tutok or "FOCUS" sa ating mga problema. Tayo ay malulunod lamang o tayo ay lulubog at katapusan na po. Kung ito ay mangyayari, hindi natin makikita ang kabutihan nang Diyos.

Kaya inaanyayahan ko po kayo na mag "FOCUS KAY HESUS". Paano po ba lumakad si Pedro sa ibabaw ng dagat? Nag focus po siya kay Hesus. Kay Hesus lang siya nakatingin. Kahit na anong lakas nang hangin at malalaking alon . Wala siyang ibang pinakinggan kundi ang tinig ni Hesusâ&#x20AC;Ś.. na ang sinasabi ay "HALIKA". So papaano natin malalampasan ang ating mga "struggles"? Dapat ay focus tayo sa katapatan ng Diyos sa ating buhay. Sa mga sandaling ito ay puno tayo ng mga pinansiyal (financial) na problema at tayo ay focused sa mga ito. Darating din na sa buhay natin na tayo ay mawawalan nang isang mahal sa buhay. Siguro ay isang

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special na tao ang mawawala sa atin. Siguro nanalangin tayo para sa kagalingan nang mahal natin sa buhay ngunit ito ay hindi nangyari. At tayo ay nalulunod na sa kaguluhan at kalungkutan. Noong si Pedro ay nawala sa focus, nahulog siya sa dagat at muntik nang malunod. Ganito ang nangyayari sa atin kung tayo ay tutok lang sa problema at hindi sa Diyos. Kaya ang hiling ko sa inyo ay "Focus tayo sa Diyos". Focus tayo sa pangako nang Diyos bibindisyonan tayo at babaguhin ang ating buhay. Sabi nga, focus tayo sa mga pangako ng Diyos na itataas NIYA tayo sa anumang mga masamang nangyayari sa atin na pilit tayong ibinababa. The Bible says, "Walk, not by sight. Walk by faith." I encourage you now to walk, and carry with you God's commitment that He will walk with you wherever you go.

Neriza Sarmiento - Saito's

On the Road to:

HARVEST, BOUNTIES and AWARDS

The moon in September is perhaps one of the most mystifying sights for me, maybe because of its cooling effect and because it signals the end of the long hot summer and the beginning of Autumn, one of Japan's best loved season. On my way home one evening, I gazed at a gigantic gibbous moon, 100% visible, so big, so majestic over the mountains and plains. In the US, the moon in September is called the Full Corn Moon or Barley Moon because when it shines, farmers can work late into the night, while the moon in October is called the Full Hunters' Moon. The most popular term is Harvest Moon which is also the title of a song composed by Canadian musician Neil

Young in 1993. His fascination with the moon is so strong as reflected in his compositions. In Japan, the harvest month is the time for gourmets to indulge. And that's what we did in September at a lecturereception hosted by Tourism AttachĂŠ Ma. Leona Nepomuceno for the members of the Kansai Nippi Tomo no Kai (KNTNK) or Japan Philippines Friendship Society established in 1984. The guest speaker was Mr. Junichi Takatsu, Chief Executive Director of the Japan-Davao

Friendship Association. For several years now, Mr. Takatsu has been promoting Davao as a tourist destination and was quick to affirm that the Philippines is never-free from negative news but quick to say that it is a haven for tourists. He mentioned that at the last Philippine Business Mission in Osaka, Mrs. Ikuyo Darvish, mother of Los Angeles' major leaguer Yu Darvish, spoke highly of the quality of English Education in the Philippines and her friendship with many Filipinos she encountered on her trip there. KNTNK members who were present like Mrs. Yoriko Hayashi, Mrs. Yoshiko Fukuda, Ms. Akemi Abe, Mr. Kawata, Mr. and Mrs. Yamamoto, Mr. and Mrs. Fuchizaki, Ms. Sally Papa, Ms. Delia Nakashima, Mrs. Habe and Ms. Belinda Gibpeng enjoyed a sumptuous Filipino buffet! True to its conviction of promoting Japan-Philippine Friendship, KNTNK will have another goodwill tour by March next year! Meanwhile, on Sept. 10 at Wings Kyoto, Utawit 2017 Kyoto

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Regional Qualifying Round was held. Indefatigable UTAWIT National Executive Committee Chairman and Jeepney Press Publisher, Ms. Irene Kaneko judged the contest along with a talented panel of judges composed of Mr. Dave Aguilar, singer, Utawit 2010 Grand Champion and was recently voted as one of the top 10 finalists of Tawag ng Tanghalan 2017 for Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, and the divas of Kansai â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ms. Jos Garcia, Ms. Eri Sakamoto, Ms. Elizabeth Fronda and Ms. Lucia Ishikawa. This year's winner and Kyoto's

bet for the Utawit Grand Final on 28 Oct 2017 in Tokyo is Ms. Rosemarie Quezon Onishi of Osaka Mabuhay Community, who sang Joey Albert's Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin. Mr. Ronilo Danila Jose Flores, a university professor and biotechnologist from Minoo won 2nd place. 3rd placer was Ms. Marisa Oishi also from Osaka. It is the 13th anniversary of Utawit and 10th for Kyoto Utawit. Ms. Emi Madellada Arai, the moving force behind Kyoto Utawit and Mother Earth

Connection, received a Plaque of Appreciation from Ms. Irene Sun-Kaneko. The emcees were Mr. Jeff Plantilla, Ms. Carisa

Sugiyama and Ms. Cecile Reeves. Intermission numbers were provided by Ms. Jos Garcia, Mr. Dave Aguilar and Osaka Mabuhay Community with Pandanggo sa Ilaw performed by Ms. Sherill Onishi, Mami Oshima, Jennifer Hirap, Marivi Koji and Rachel Hirayama. Mr. Yudai Nagasaki sang Japan's National Anthem while Ms. Jos Garcia led in the singing of Pambansang Awit ng Pilipinas! The efficient members of Mother Earth Connection who worked

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behind the scenes were : Janet Cua, Suzuki Airin, Jondel Gavine, Lily Salise, Rhea Madellada, Rosa Akane, Vanessa Tanaka, Yasuo Yamamoto, Jershey Balthazar, Bong Yamaguchi, Pinky Okamoto, Mary Ann Labradrador, Larmie Domingo, Emily Takagi, Kimberly Lucero, Kerk Gordon Dungog, Gemma Ikeda, Marilou Ramos, Michelle Nugas, Mercy Nishimura, Maritess Masuda and the Aoe group. And most of all to Irene and Emi for the dedication and hard work for UTAWIT! And in my message in this year's Regional Qualifying Rounds in Kyoto Utawit, I urged all the contestants to remain humble in spite of the honors they will reap, to keep the kindness in their hearts, to preserve the truthfulness in their words and to rekindle the passion in being Filipinos who are capable of inspiring others! Mabuhay po tayong lahat!

By Karen Sanchez "For the love of money is the root of all of evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 1 Timothy 6:10

ito tinatawag at gustonggusto nating lahat ang "pera, kwarta, salapiâ&#x20AC;? o mas kilala internasyonal na "money".

Konnichiwa Minnasama! Kamusta po kayo ulit

Ang pera ay napakahalaga sa atin. Ang lahat ng pagtitiis, pagtitiyaga, pagtatrabaho, pagpupuyat at paghihirap natin ang kapalit ay pera. Pera para sa mga mahal sa buhay, pamilya, kaibigan. Ngunit sa totoo o reyalidad ng buhay, ang pera ang nagiging ugat

diyan? Naririto po kami muli upang mag bahagi ng aming munting kakayahan at upang makiamot sandali ng inyong oras at upang maging parte ng inyong buhay sa araw na ito. At nais ko pong bigyan salaysay ang isang bagay na napakahalaga sa ating buhay, sa anumang antas, sa anumang larangan at sa kahit saang sulok ng mundo at

ng kasamaan dito sa mundo at magpapatunay dito ang bersekulo sa bibliya na nakasaad sa itaas. Alam din natin na marami ang nasisirang samahan ng magkakaibigan at magpapamilya dahil lamang sa pera. Marami ang nagawang manloko at marami din ang nagpaloko dahil na din sa paghangad ng agaran o mabilis na pag-unlad sa buhay.

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At dahil sa paghahangad ng magandang buhay para sa pamilya o minamahal, marami ang naloko sa mga scam. Scam sa internet, scam ng kapitbahay at ang pinakamasaklap o pinakamasakit ay sariling pamilya na lubos mong pinagkatiwalaan ay siya ding manloloko o dadali sayo. Maging sa relasyong magasawa, ang pera ay napaka-

halaga. Minsan nagiging dahilan ito upang magkahiwalay o ang hindi pagkakasundo. At di lang sa mag-asawa kundi pati mag jowa, boyfriend at girlfriend, nagiging isyu ito upang di tumagal ang isang relasyon. Maging sa trabaho, opisina o anumang kagawaran mapa publiko o pribado, madalas nagkakaroon ng di pagkakasundo dahil dito. Isang kaibigan ang

nalugmok at nagdalamhati dahil isang kapamilya nya mismo ang nangguyo o nanloko sa kanya. Ginamit ang matatamis na mga salita upang kapani-paniwalang gaganda ang kanilang buhay

kasiguruhang maibalik pa ng perang una na nyang naipundar o naipon. Binenta ang natitirang ari-arian sa pag-aakalang mas kikita siya dito

niwalang kung ano an g ginawa mo sa iyon g kapwa ay sya din g babalik sa iyo. Kun g napapansin at alam n a alam na po ninyo n a ang tunay na kaligayaha

Money, Money, Money!

lalo na ang kinabukasan ng kanyang mga anak. Dapat daw paghandaan nila ang pang kolehiyo ng kanyang mga anak at upang mangyari ito kinakailangan nyang mag invest o mamuhunan upang lumago ang kanyang pera sa maigsi o mabilis na pamamaraan at panahon. Dahil sa kagustuhang umunlad at umangat sa buhay parang uto-uto o ginayuma ang kaibigan ko. Sa oras na magpalabas ng pera ang scammer, agad-agad nya itong ginagawan ng paraan makapagbigay lamang ng puhunan at ang sinasabing interes ay pinagugulong kuno upang mas lumago ang nasabing business. At sa kasamaang palad napagalaman na ito'y isang pannloloko lamang at wala nang

Lubos ang pagkabigo ng kaibigan ko at tulad din ng ibang mga kaibigan at mga katrabaho, naloko diyan sa Japan na sa "gold scam" nawala o nasira ang tiwala nito sa inaakalang kapamilya. Nasira ang magandang samahan nang dahil sa pera. At malaki ang epekto nito sa kani-kanilang pamumuhay. Nagkaroon ng "phobia" o takot ng magtiwala muli maging sa mga kadugo o kapamilya Naririto po akong magpapaalala na ang pera ay madaling kitain lalo na sa kung sa masamang paraan ngunit madali din itong maglalaho o mawawala. At minsan sa di inaasahan ay mabilis din ang pagdating ng â&#x20AC;&#x153;karma. " Naniniwal a po ba kay o dito? Kahi t ako'y isan g Christian a t karamihan ay d i naniniwala sa katagang ito , ako po ay lubos na nani-

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n ay hindi nabibili ng pera , salapi, kwarta o money . Ang tunay na kaligayaha n ay pagbibigay ng walan g inaantay na kapalit. Magin g ito ay pinansyal, pisikal o emosyonal. At kaakibat nito a y ang pagmamaha l sa kapw Ang pagmamahal ay patunay lamang na ikaw ay tao. Nagmamahal, nabibigo at naloloko. Ngunit hindi ito sapat na dahilan upang ikaw ay lokohin, gaguhin o walang hiyain o tratuhin ng masama. At paalala din po muli, na sa bawat aksyon o ginagawa o ginawa natin, kaakibat nito ang malaking responsibidad at nasa atin po ito kung kaya natin itong harapin. At sa bawat panlolokong ginagawa natin ay nandiyan ang Poong Maykapal na Siyang nakakaalam ng ating mga lihim na gawain. At sa Kanya kailanma'y di tayo makakapag sinungaling. Hanggang sa muli po ulit! Nawa'y kapulutan po ninyo ito ng aral o ito po'y paglalahad ng katotohanan ang manloloko ay nasa paligid lamang at ang ugat nito ay "Money, money, money!â&#x20AC;?

ni Jeff Plantilla Nakatikim na ba kayo ng VuQo? Nakatikim na ba kayo ng vodka na gawa sa tuba? VuQo ang bagong lambanog mula Pilipinas na iniinom sa ilang bars sa America. Ipinagmamalaki ng mga taga-VuQo ang makabagong teknolohiya sa paggawa ng lambanog.

Sabi ng isang kakilala, gumuguhit daw sa lalamunan ang inuming ito. Dahil nga vodka, mataas ang alcohol content ng VuQo. Iniinom ito bilang mixed drink – cocktail.

noon pa man, ang ginagamit ay ang distillation process. Ang tuba mula sa niyog (puwede din ang nipa o sasa) ay pinakukuluan at ang steam ay siyang pinalalamig para maging lambanog.

Ang VuQo ay hindi mabibili sa karaniwang tindahan o supermarket sa Pilipinas. Ito ay mabibili lamang sa piling lugar tulad ng Duty Free Philippines sa airport, at sa ilang tindahan at bars.

Ayon sa website ng VuQo, ang paggawa ng tequila ay gaya sa paggawa ng lambanog natin dahil ang paraang ito ay ipinakilala ng isang Kastilang nagbiyahe sa Mexico mula sa Pilipinas nung 16th century. Ito ay maaaring nangyari sa pamamagitan ng Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade nung panahon ng Kastila. Sa mga online na impormasyon, sabi nga na ang paggawa ng tequila ay nagsimula nung sakop ng Espanya ang Mexico – hindi tradisyunal na inumin ang tequila sa Mexico. Kung totoo, ang kilala sa buong mundo na tequila ay may relasyon pala sa ating sariling lambanog.

Noong ako ay maliit pa, trabaho ko ang tumakbo sa tindahan para bumili ng lambanog kapag ubos na ang iniinom. Isang “lapad” (bote ng Tanduay) ang lalagyan bawa’t bili. Lambanog at Tequila Ang paggawa ng alak sa Pilipinas ay napakaluma na. Wala pa ang mga Kastila, meron na tayong lambanog. At

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Alak Ang lambanog ay tinatawag ding alak. Sa aming bayan sa Laguna, ang alakan ay lugar na pinaglulutuan ng tuba. Ang pag-inom ng alak ay barik, kaya ang barikan ay lugar na iniinuman ng alak o lambanog. Ang lambanog ay

matatagpuan din sa ibang bansa na may niyog tulad ng Sri Lanka. Arrak o coconut arrack ang tawag nila sa lambanog. Sa Indonesia, arak din ang tawag sa inuming gawa naman sa bigas. Ang ating salitang alak ay malamang na mula sa salitang arrak/arak na ginagamit sa ibang bansa sa Asya sa mahabang panahon. Tagay at Kampai Sa Japan, ang industriya ng sake ay malaki at may mahabang kasaysayan. Ito ay isang malaking bahagi sa kulturang Hapones. Alam natin ang sake ay bahagi ng seremonya sa mga mahahalagang okasyon – binabasag ang takip ng isang malaking bariles ng kahoy na maso para mainom ang lamang sake. Kasamang iniaalay ang sake sa mga pumanaw na kamaganak. Nakahilera sa mga Shinto shrines ang mga bariles ng sake bilang alay sa diyos. At ang pag-inom ng sake (at ibang uri ng inumin) ay bahagi ng kultura sa negosyo. Maraming kasunduan sa negosyo sa Japan ay madadaan sa “maboteng usapan.”

sariling katangian. Ganito kalawak ang industriya ng sake sa Japan. Dito natin ibalik ang usapan sa VuQo. Ipinakikita ng VuQo (at maaaring ng mga arrak sa Sri Lanka) ang kahalagahan ng pagtataas ng uri ng teknolohiya sa paggawa ng alak. Ito lamang ang paraan para masabing maganda ang kalidad ng isang inumin. At ito rin ang katangian ng sake. Ang kasaysayan at paraan ng paggawa ng

sake ay bahagi ng pagpapakilala sa kalidad ng sake. Mas maraming uri ng deboteng lambanog ang Sri Lanka kaysa sa atin. Magara ang kanilang labels, at parang mga bote ng mga kilalang whiskey ang kanilang lalagyan. Isang industriya ang paggawa ng lambanog. Pinagkakakitaan ito ng maraming tao. Nguni’t hindi ito lalago, tulad ng sake ng Japan, kapag hindi napabuti ang teknolohiya ng paggawa at pagtitinda. Kailangang garantisado ang linis at kalidad ng lambanog, at maayos ang lalagyan. Tulad ng marami sa ating tinatawag na cottage industries, kailangan pang i-angat ang teknolohiya para maging mas maganda ang produkto at mas lumaki ang industriya ng lambanog. Ang mga inuming tulad ng VuQo na sinasabing may mataas na kalidad ay hindi lang dapat pang-export, kundi para sa karaniwang tindahan, sa karaniwang mamamayan. May kasabihan sa Pilipinas na anumang bagay basta’t labis masama. Ang alak/lambanog ay masama kapag sobra ang inom, kaya sabi sa atin “drink moderately.” Sabi rin sa atin, ilagay ang alak sa tiyan hindi sa ulo. Dapat kasiyahan ang habol hindi gulo.

Sa isang maliit na izakaya na aking pinuntahan ng ilang beses sa Osaka, nakahilera ang napakaraming bote ng sake mula sa iba’t-ibang prefectures ng Japan. Wala yatang prefecture sa Japan na hindi gumagawa ng sake. At bawa’t isang bote ay may

Tagay!

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KAPATIRAN

ni Loleng Ramos

AGGELOS Angel of God, my guardian dear To whom God's love commits me here Ever this day, be at my side To light and guard, to rule and guide Amen

Natatandaan mo pa ang dasal na ito, kapatid? Dinarasal mo pa rin ba? Naniniwala ka ba sa ating mga anghel de la guardia? Nakaka-ilang dekada na ang buhay ko pero malimit ko pa rin itong binubulong, lalo na kapag naglalakad ako mag-isa sa kalsada o di kaya ay sasabak ako sa isang bagay kung saan parang tatalon ang puso ko palabas ng dibdib, tulad ng ewan kung bakit ako napasakay doon sa roller coaster sa USJ. Pero sa totoo lang, ang turing ko sa aking guardian angel ay isang kaibigan na tuwina ay nasa tabi ko lang mula pa ng aking kabataan hanggang sa dulo ng aking katandaan, gumagabay, nagproprotekta, nagmamahal. Para naman akong bata ano? Pero ang paniniwala sa kanila ay hindi lamang para sa isang paslit, kasama natin sila sa buong buhay natin. Bakit kailangang mabura sila sa ating isipan sa ating paglaki? Natatandaan ko pa nga dati, noong hindi pa masyadong siksikan

ang mga building sa Ortigas, doon ako nagtatrabaho. Isang gabi na napasobra kami sa overtime ng kaibigan ko, hindi namin namalayan may bagyo na pala. Ang mga pasahero nakasabit na lang sa jeep pati sa bubong, pakiramdam namin noon sa kalsada na lang kami magdamag pero bakit kaya hindi kami magdasal ng prayer sa guardian angel, nagbiruan lang kami sa desperasyon, pero ginawa namin ng mataimtim. Pagkatapos na pagkatapos, iyong jeep na may bakanteng upuan sa harap tumigil mismo sa harap namin. O di ba kapatid, paano iyon nangyari? Sabi sa Religion class, kapag nagtama daw ang egg at sperm cell ng ating mga magulang, nilatagan na din ito agad ng kaluluwa ng Maykapal, at sa bawat nilikha din ay nilakipan Niya ng isang anghel de la guardia. Kung gusto mo, maaari mong bigyan ng pangalan ang iyong guardian angel kahit na marahil meron silang tunay na pangalan na tawag ng Diyos, para magkaroon ka ng mas malapit na relasyon sa kanila. Totoo ba ang mga anghel? Nilikha daw sila ng Diyos bago pa man nilikha ang mundo at mga tao. Mahigit 200 beses nagsaad ang bibliya ng mga kaganapan na kinasangkutan nila. Pinaka-kilala dito ang pag-anunsiyo ng anghel na si Gabriel sa pagdadalantao ng Mahal na Birhen.

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Mula sa salitang Griyeko ang salitang â&#x20AC;&#x153;aggelosâ&#x20AC;? na ang ibig sabihin ay mensahero o sugo. Sila daw ay nilikha upang sumunod sa utos ng Diyos pero meron sa kanilang mga naging salbahe at nagrebelde sa May Likha at ang dating anghel na si Lucifer o Satanas ang namuno dito. Sa sinasabing Digmaan sa langit, tinalo ng Arkanghel na si Michael si Lucifer kaya kasama ng kanyang mga kampon ay itinapon mula sa langit kung saan ang lahat ng gandang taglay nila noong sila ay mga anghel pa ay napalitan ng kasindak-sindak na anyo bilang isang demonyo. Sa naging itim nilang mga puso ay ang pag-usad ng kanilang layunin na ilayo ang mas maraming tao mula sa pag-ibig ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng panunukso dito upang pumili ng makasalanang buhay at sa kamatayan ay makuha niya ang mga kaluluwa para makasama niya sa impyerno sa halip na sa langit kasama ng Amang Diyos. Kapatid, ang pista ng ating mga anghel dela guardia ay sa October 2, tatawag ako muli sa kanya para proteksyunan niya akong mabuti mula sa madilim na buhay, gusto ko siyang makita ng harapan balang-araw, magpasalamat, kase buong buhay ko sinamahan niya akong makarating sa lugar kung saan naroroon ang Dakilang Ama, sa langit!

Philip Dizon Torres

Graphic Design: Dennis Sun

Facebook : Philip D. Torres Mobile (Philippines) : +63-91-7605-6366 Model : Irene Sun-Kaneko Photography : Borj Meneses Hair & Make-up : Vela Mua

By Jasmin Vasquez Ilang beses ng sumubok at hindi nakamit ang minimithi. Tumigil ng sandali at pagtapos ng ilang taong nagpahinga ay muling sumubok upang makamtan ang "tagumpay" na pinapangarap. Sa pagkakataong ito, ay hindi siya nabigo at nakuha ng Tropeo ng Kampeon. Patunay lamang na ang sumusuko ay hindi nagwawagi. Huwag ka lang bibitaw, dahil sa bawat laban ay mas natututo ka at nag-iimprove hanggang marating mo ang tuktok ng tagumpay. Katulad ko, na palaging sumasali sa Utawit Regional Qualifying Round ng Nagano, pinatunayan ni Ms Eva Alejo na kaya niyang manalo at marating ang Grand Final. Si Ms Eva ay unang sumali taong 2012, sa awiting Isang Lahi (Regine), 2013 inawit niya naman ang Hiram (Zsa Zsa), 2015 Kahit Isang Saglit (Ogie), kung saan ilang beses kaming nag tunggali. Hindi siya pinalad na manalo, pero hindi ito naging dahilan upang siya ay sumuko. Sa halip ay mas lalo niyang pinagbutihan hanggang sa taong ito na kasalukuyang10th

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anniversary ng Utawit Nagano. Nagbunga ang pagsisikap mula sa pagpili ng isang napakagandang awitin na sinulat ni Senator Tito Sotto at inawit ng isa sa kanyang mga Anak na si Ciarra Sotto (female version) na pinamagatang "Dakilang Lahi" na syang naging susi sa pag-abot ng pinakamataas na puntos sa araw ng patimpalak. Nagulat na siya pala ang mag-uuwi ng unang karangalan, at halos maluha-luha siya ng muling inawit ang kanyang awitin. Naalala ko halos ganoon din ang aking nararamdaman sa tuwing ako ay sasali sa Utawit. Noong tinanong ko si Eva kung ano ang pakiramdam na ikaw ang nanalo at ano ang pwede niyang sabihin para sa mga ibang contestant na hindi pinalad at ito po ang kanyang sagot: "Syempre sobrang saya. Mas masarap kumanta kung hindi mo iisipin na nakikipagcompete ka. I-enjoy mo lang para mag-enjoy din ang mga nanonood sa iyo. Kung hindi ka man pinalad sa ngayon, isipin mo lang na marami pang pagkakataon. Hindi man ngayon, pwede naman bukas. Ang importante, na express mo ang sarili mo sa music at naihatid mo yung message na ayon sa yong nararamdaman." Tunay ngang masarap umawit ng isang awiting nagmumula sa puso, na para bang ikaw yung nasa istorya ng isang buong kanta. Dahilan para makuha mo rin ang puso ng mga hurado na nasa iyong harapan. Hanggang sa muli. Mabuhay tayong lahat. God bless us all.

ni Prince Abie

SHOGANAI:

Kita Niyo Ba? Kita Kita Director: Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo Cast: Lea: Alessandra de Rossi Tonyo: Empoy Marquez Naisipan ko kung susulat ba ako ng movie review tungkol sa Kita Kita. Pero hindi naman ako movie critic, ako ay isang English teacher, so wag na lang movie review. Sa halip, ikuwento ko na lang kung bakit nagandahan ako sa pelikula na iyon. Isa: Isang beses ko lang nakita ang poster ng Kita Kita sa SM Marikina, nang biglang mawala ito dahil nagkaroon ng Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, pero pag balik ng Nagoya, sinuwerteng naabutan ang Aichi International Women’s Festival, at napanood sa wakas ang Kita Kita. Dalawa: Dalawa ang bida sa pelikula, mga bida na hindi mo sasabihing sobrang ganda o

sobrang gwapo, pero sobrang nakaka-inlove. Tatlo: Tatlo, tatlo kaming nanood ng pelikula, ako, at si Mr. and Mrs Taki, medyo sad kasi hindi ko kasama ang “baby dragonfly” ko. Apat: Apat na minuto sa eksena ng liham ni Tonyo, umiiyak na ako. Lima: Limang beses mahigit akong tumawa sa mga eksena ni Lea at Tonyo, sobrang nakaka-aliw ang love story nila. Anim: Anim na patak ng luha ang lumabas sa mata ko noong makakita na si Lea, mga luha na hindi ko alam kung lungkot

o saya, o pareho kaya? Pito: Pitong araw mahigit na ang nakaraan mula nang pinanood ko ang Kita Kita, pero hanggang ngayon, ramdam ko pa rin ang saya, lungkot at kilig na binigay niya. Walo: Walo o “hachi” ang symbolo ng Lungsod ng Nagoya, sana ipalabas sa sinehan dito ang Kita Kita. Siyam: Siyam na barkada ko ang tuwang-tuwa sa Kita Kita, sabi nga nila “an unusal love story” daw. Sampu: Sampung taon mahigit na akong nakatira sa Japan, pero ngayon ko lang naramdamang gusto kong pumunta sa Hokkaido. Ayan, ang sampung reaksyon ko sa Kita Kita. Kung hindi niyo pa napapanood, aba, panoorin niyo na.

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Take It Or Leave It! by Isabelita Manalastas-Watanabe

Dear Tita Lits, Magandang araw po. Gusto ko po sanang kunin ang inyong wisdom tungkol sa relihiyon. Isa po akong Katoliko na may asawang Hapon. Ang asawa ko ay isang tipikal na Hapon. Paminsan minsan po lang siya pumupunta sa mga shrines and temples nila para magdasal kung meron problema o pangangailangan. Pinapabayaan lang niya akong pumunta sa simbahan tuwing Linggo. Ngunit

Dear Mary Anne: Ngayon lang ako naka-encounter ng isang pamilya, na ang bawa’t isa ay may kanya-kanyang different, and very strong religious beliefs. Ang ganda ng words of wisdom ng iyong asawa: “Basta nagmamahalan, nagtutulungan ay sapat na raw sa kanya.” Dahil ang asawa mo ang padre de familya, siya ang may mas powerful voice, at least over your kids. Siya ang kumbinsihin mo na kumausap sa 28

minsan, hindi po ako nakakasimba dahil meron po kaming family bonding. Ngayon, eto po ang problema ko. Yung dalawang anak kong lalake, isa ay isang devoted Christian. HIndi po siya Katoliko. Very religious po siya sa church nila at ilang beses na niya akong inimbitahan sa mga church services nila. Siempre, masaya ako, dahil alam kong yung anak ko ay na-diskubre ang Panginoong Hesus pero yun nga lang, hindi sa simbahang Katoliko. Dahil iba rin ang mga doktrina, minsan nagiging problema sa aming dalawa. Paniwala po niya ay hindi ako maliligtas kung hindi ako lilipat sa church nila. Yung isa ko namang anak, miembro siya ng isang active Japanese Buddhist religious sect sa Japan, Sokka Gakai. Kung gaano ka active yung isa sa kanyang simbahan, ganito rin katindi itong isa. Mas inyong dalawang anak, na dapat hayaan ang bawa’t isa sa inyo – ikaw, ang asawa mo, and dalawang anak ninyo - to respect each other’s religious beliefs/ non-belief. Ikaw din, irespeto mo dapat ang opinyon ng asawa mo na “Di na raw kailangan ang mga paniniwala at lalung-lalo na ang mga doktrina”. To each, his/her own. Kahit anong relihiyon mayroon ang sino man sa atin – Muslim, Katoliko, Protestante, Buddhist, etc., lahat ay may paniniwala na

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matindi rin itong isang anak kong ito sa kanilang paniniwala. Sa umaga, lagi po kaming nagigising ng maaga dahil sa pag-chanting sa kwarto niya. Nang dahil sa dami naming pinapaniwalaan sa loob ng aming bahay, parang nagiging balakid ito sa pagbuo at pag-ganda ng isang pamilya. Wika ng asawa kong Hapon, buti na lang, siya ay walang relihiyon. Basta nagmamahalan, nagtutulungan ay sapat na raw sa kanya. Di na raw kailangan ang mga paniniwala at lalung-lalo na ang mga doktrina. At dahil doon ay nag-aaway-away kami sa pamilya. Tita Lits, ano po ang pananaw ninyo tungkol dito? Salamat po. Mary Anne, Gunma-ken

may isang somewhere up there, no matter ano ang itawag natin sa kanya, watching over us, guiding us to the right path, and to our redemption after our worldly life. Ako, personally, basta’t hindi nakakakasit sa damdamin ng iyong kapwa tao, sapat na iyon kahit ano pa ang iyong relihiyon, or kahit wala kang relihiyon.

Remembering Japan Your name: Kevin Sun

Where do you come from the Philippines: Angeles City, Pampanga When did you first came to Japan: Summer of 1986 Places you have lived: Tokyo, Kanagawa, Yokosuka Which places in Japan did you like best and why? These places are not in any order of preferences but I like them all: 1) Yokosuka-Shi, Kanagawa ken, was my home city for 7 years while I was stationed there as a US Navy Sailor. Nice views by the sea and our home away from home. 2) Tokyo. How can one not like this buzzling place? Anywhere you go to is a place to remember. May it be sights and sceneries or shopping that my wife and my daughters love to do.

3) Mount Fuji, a very picturesque place. So calm and beautiful but when you try to conquer her, it is treacherous. It was an experience that I will never forget. 4) Disney Land and Disney

Sea in Tokyo were fun. Universal Studios was exciting. Fuji-Q Highland was thrilling but Sapporo Snow Festival was jaw dropping like WoW! Which places would you recommend for other Pinoys to visit? I would recommend all the places I have mentioned on the places I like best but for my Pinoy brethren who would like to experience something different from home, I would recommend Sapporo Snow Festival. Everything is made of snow and ice. Castles, statues, places, things made of snow was a very pleasant treat to the eyes and soul. Wine glasses and beer mugs made of ice was an eye opener and a must try experience drinking your favorite alcohol with them.

What did you learn about Japanese culture and people? In my experience, Japanese culture and the people are fascinating and multifaceted. Think of someething that is creative and innovative, it is in Japan. People are open minded and welcoming. They express what they feel and who they are. Try going to Harajuku. On the conservative side, the older generation are very polite and courteous. They will try to communicate with you as best as they can When did you leave Japan? February 2010 What do you miss the most? The culture and the

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people I miss the most. Places can be as fabulous as they can be but it is the culture and the people in it that makes the big difference. Tourists will always come back if they

experienced something that is worthwhile. I consider Japan as my second home. If you are in Japan whether short or long term, make the most of your experience. Break that barrier and get to know the people and their culture. It is a treasure to experience and keep.

Hosted by: Philippine Society of Japan-Nagoya President: Nestor L. Puno

NAGOYA 30 July 2017 Winner: Rino Eleferia with Ikaw Lamang

Venue: Kariya City Industry Promotion Center in conjunction with the Phil Fiesta Tokai 2017

UTAWIT NAGOYA Regional Qualifying Round Top 3 winners (contest piece): 1st Place - Rino Eleferia (Ikaw Lamang) 2nd Place - Benelyn Matsuo (Tunay Na Mahal) 3rd Place - Jeramie Aubrey De Leon ( Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin)

THE BOARD OF JUDGES Mr. Nestor Puno Mr. Dennis Sun Ms. Kanako Makino Ms. Aloha Tanaka

The 12 Contestants

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Hosted by: Filipino Music Artists in Japan Leader: Mr. Rico Mayo Gonzales Venue: Azabu Civic Hall, Roppongi, Tokyo

UTAWIT KANTO Regional Qualifying Round Top 3 winners (contest piece): 1st Place - Miki Orbigoso (Story) 2nd Place - Loma Ito (Kunin Mo Na Ang Lahat Sa Akin) 3rd Place - Maria Precil Logrono (Di Na Mag-iisa)

KANTO 13 Aug 2017

Winner: Miki Orbigoso with Story

THE BOARD OF JUDGES ConGen Jocelyn Tirol-Ignacio Ms. Irene Kaneko Prof. Charles Abing Mr. Angelito Obera Jr. Ms. Edith Bautista Special Guest Speaker: Minister Josel F. Ignacio

Top 3 winners with the FMAJ Execom

The 12 Contestants with the whole group

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Hosted by: Oita-Philippines Friendship Association President and Founder: Ms. Rhodora Yoshitake

OITA 13 Aug 2017

Winner: Kouki Hayashi with Naita Rozario

Venue: Horuto Hall Oita

Top 3 WINNERS (contest piece) 1st Place Winner: Kouki Hayashi (Naita Rozario) 2nd Place Winner: Shingo Jean (Anata Ga Suki De) 3rd Place Winner: Erika Goto (Story)

THE BOARD OF JUDGES Mr. Dennis Sun Mr. Yasuyuki Takahashi Ms. Junko Abe Mr. Masahiro Mikeda Ms. Maria Yoneda Mr. Tomoshi Oyamada

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Hosted by: Samahang Pilipino ng Hokkaido President: Mr. Gelo Batac Venue: Sapporo L Plaza

Top 3 WINNERS (contest piece) 1st: Masaki Okawachi (For You) 2nd: Kriscel Ann Sevilla (Dadalhin) 3rd: Flordeliza Nishiwaki (Ang Pag-Ibig Kong Ito)

HOKKAIDO 20 Aug 2017

Winner: Masaki Okawachi with For You

THE BOARD OF JUDGES Mr. Dennis Sun Mr. Kim Rockell Mr. Masaru Kakuta Special Guest: Former Honorary Consul Kenichi Tobe

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Hosted by: The UTAWIT EXECOM The Jeepney Press Samahang Pilipino-Tokyo Teatro Kanto

TOKYO 3 Sep 2017

Venue: IHAWAN Shinjuku of Mama Aki

Winner: Loma Ito with Wag Mo Akong Iwan Mag-Isa

Top 3 WINNERS (contest piece) 1st Place Winner: Loma Ito (Wag Mo Akong Iwan Mag-Isa) 2nd Place Winner: Maychell Adora Hernandez (Kimi ni Todoke) 3rd Place Winner: Roanne Iwabuchi (Everything)

The 16 Contestants

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THE BOARD OF JUDGES Vice Consul Andrea B. Leycano Ms. Irene Kaneko Mr. Tom Clark Ms. Lorna Pangan-Tadokoro Mr. Dave Aguilar

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Hosted by: Mother Earth Connection Kyoto, Japan Leader : Ms. Maria Emelia Medellada Arai Venue: Wings Kyoto

Top 3 WINNERS (contest piece) 1st Place Winner: Rosemarie Q. Onishi (Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin) 2nd Place Winner: Ronilo Jose Flores (Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos) 3rd Place Winner: Marisa Oishi (Bakit Ikaw Pa)

KYOTO 10 Sep 2017

Winner: Rosemarie Q. Onishi with Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin

THE BOARD OF JUDGES Ms. Irene Kaneko Ms. Neriza Sarmiento Saito Ms. Lucia Montebon Nishikawa Ms. Jos Garcia Ms. Eri Sakamoto Ms. Elizabeth Fronda Mr. Dave Aguilar The 12 Contestants

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FUKUOKA 10 Sep 2017

Winner: Ai Yamaguchi with Rainy Blue

Hosted by: The Global Filipino-Japanese Friendship Association in Fukuoka President: Ms. Rosemarie Aritaka Venue: Fukuoka Shiritsu Chuo Shimin Center

Top 3 WINNERS (contest piece) 1st Place Winner: Ai Yamaguchi (Rainy Blue) 2nd Place Winner: Dennis Tancangco (Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko) 3rd Place Winner: Marie Kristine Franco (Hatenaku Tsuzuku)

THE BOARD OF JUDGES Ms. Emma Cordero Ms. Grace Kuramoto Ms. Donnafel Dela Cruz Mr. Takeshita Masakazu Mr. Takahide Murakami Ms. Josephine Basista Ms. Cristina Tsukuda Mr. Miyajima Seiji Mr. Badr Hossam Mr. Lizbert Belostrino

The winner with the Utawit National Execom Rep Mr. Dennis Sun and The Global FilipinoJapanese Friendship Association in Fukuoka President, Ms. Rosemarie Cuachon Aritaka.

The 13 Contestants

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Hosted by: Nagano Prefecture Filipino Community Chairman : Ms. Grace Bermudez

NAGANO

Venue: Hotel Nagano Kokusai 21

Top 3 WINNERS (contest piece) 1st Place Winner: Eva Alejo (Dakilang Lahi) 2nd Place Winner: Bablyn Virtudazo Tanaka (Tunay na Mahal) 3rd Place Winner: Jocelyn Akiyama (Kailangan Kita)

16 Sep 2017

Winner: Eva Alejo with Dakilang Lahi

The winner with the UTAWIT National Execom Rep., Ms Glen Tabata (L) and the Nagano Prefecture Filipino Community Chairman, Ms Grace Bermudez (R).

THE BOARD OF JUDGES Minister Josel F. Ignacio Consul General Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio Ms. Glen Tabata Prof. Nobuomi Tanaka Mr. Tadao Tsunoda Ms. Takako Sugiyama Ms. Jocelyn Kuroda The 14 Contestants with the whole group

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Hosted by: NPO Filipino Nagkaisa Leader: Ms. Grace Nakamura

Shizuoka 16 Sep 2017 Winner: Lean Cano with Banal Na Aso

Venue: Hamamatsu Gakki Hakubutsu Kan

Top 3 WINNERS (contest piece) 1st Place Winner: Lean Cano (Banal Na Aso) 2nd Place Winner: Ernest Acson (Ngayon) 3rd Place Winner: June Kristofer Shirai (Dahil Sa Yo)

The 8 Contestants THE BOARD OF JUDGES Ms. Irene Kaneko Ms. Gina Sasaki Mr. Minoru Omura

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Hosted by: Okayama Kurashiki Pilipino Circle President: Ms. Marjorie Oyama Venue: Kurashiki Rodou Kumin Kan

UTAWIT OKAYAMA Regional Qualifying Round Top 3 WINNERS (contest piece): 1st Place - Rose Oe (Ikaw) 2nd Place - Mila Villar Yasuda (Bukas Nalang Kita Mamahalin) 3rd Place - Kenichi Andou

OKAYAMA 24 Sep 2017 Winner: Rose Oe with IKAW

Top 3 winners with OKPC Pres. Marjorie Oyama (extreme L) and OKPC Adviser, Daisy P. Kojo (extreme R)

The 6 Contestants with the members of the Board of Judges THE BOARD OF JUDGES Ms. Irene Kaneko Dr. Fumi Nitta Ms. Masako Ninuma Ms. Kyoko Kashihara Ms. Loresa Mukaino Ms. Gemma Kusaka

Ms. Rose Oe will not be able to make it to the Grand Finals due to work. 2nd place winner, Ms Mila Villar Yasuda will take her place with Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin.

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Watch the Utawit Grand Final LIVE in FB on 28 Oct 2017 (Sat) from 6:30pm-9:30pm! Friend Request UTAWIT now!

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Franchesca Czarina

The One and Only Pinay Pro-Wrestler in Japan by Dennis Sun

Franchesca Czarina came to Japan when she was 17 years old to be with her family and relatives. Because of her physical built, she was always mistaken to be a Brazilian or from other Latin countries. And because of that, she was recruited to enter the pro-wrestling sports. She recalled that training was so difficult at the first time. “After the first day of training, sumakit ang katawan ko at hindi ako makabangon ng dalawang araw. Sa mga susunod na araw, nagka-training injuries naman ako. Pero tinuloy ko pa rin kahit na nahihirapan na ako. Kasi, kung yung mga senpai ko, nagawa nila ito, dapat kaya ko din at kailangan, mas higit pa ang gagawin ko.” Franchesca was training 3 to 4 hours a day 3 times in a week. So far, she is the only Filipina who has entered the female pro-wrestling in Japan. Actually, there is another one but she is a Japina (half Filipino-half Japanese) and her name is Sayuri Kondo. She inspired Franchesca to continue her training until her debut in the competition. They both worked together in the same company but she resigned when she was about to start. In Japan, Franchesca is called the first full-blooded Filipina to enter wrestling. Once she entered the sports, she was able to wrestle not only in Japan but also in the international arena. She learned so many things while doing her tough training. She tried to eat less but eat more protein and drank lots of water. Also important for her training is the positive mental attitude and focusing.

Just like an actress, once inside the wrestling arena, they have to forget who they are and become the character hero they are portraying. Ever since she was a child, she already loved the wrestling sports. “Lagi akong nanood ng wrestling kasama ang tatay ko nung buhay pa siya.” Also, another thing that made her enter the sports is that because the Philippines has no representative yet in Japan. Moreso, the training they give in Japan is so much better than anywhere else in the world. Pro-wrestling is a very respectable sports in Japan. She added that Japanese style training is more on speed and fighting scenes are almost similar to real live fighting. Wika pa ni

Franchesca, “Kasi sa Philippines, puro beauty contest na lang. Beauty and brains.

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So sabi ko sa sarili ko, sana, we can also add: sexy and strong!” With my entry in this sport, I would like to be an inspiration to all women especially single moms who are suffering from depression and victims of domestic violence. “Never lose hope! Life must go on.” She wants to be an example to everyone and show them how she turned her pains into lessons learned. That no matter what, they could achieve whatever goals they want for themselves. For Pinays who want to enter this sport, she advices them to train hard not only physically but mentally, as well. She has learned that her training in wrestling has helped her also with how she manages her life. True, pain is everywhere. But Franchesca treats pain like a teacher. For her, the more pain she experiences in life, the better and stronger person she becomes.

Garden Village By Marilyn Rivera Another entry to kick off the bucket list...

It was a spur of a moment thing, when we finally decided to go to the Garden City in Bulacan. We left Angeles City around 2:15 PM and reached our destination a few minutes before 3 o'clock. I was quite surprised how short the travel was. It just took us more or less 40 minutes going there. It was our first time, so I expected a few stops in asking directions. But thank goodness of a very useful app that helped us navigate smoothly. The whole

drive was easy as a breeze. We are plant-lovers and our today's destination is definitely a "Plant-Lover's Haven." It has been known for some plant enthusiasts that along the highway of Tabang - Guiguinto, Bulacan is a long stretch of various plants that will feast your eyes for miles with plants, potted flowers and trees. But this is

nothing compared to Violeta Village, also located in Tabang, Guiguinto. When you use the 38 Sta. Rita Exit, turn right, just drive straight until you see the subdivision to your left. The entrance are already piled up with plants, so you really won't missed it. This place is where the plant vendors in Tabang Highway get their plants from. They sell it cheaper and there are much more variety of plants to choose from. This golden village showcases a long orchestra of flowers, plants, bushes, trees and their hybrid or mutated versions. Inside the subdivision, almost all the houses sell plants. What were the odds?! It was such a treat for us! Sight-seeing while driving, many plants will leave you baffled by their beauty. And some of them also left us speechless by their prices. I can never imagine

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buying a plant worth Php 10,000 (Aged Sampaloc in a bonsai pot), even more a plant worth Php 25,000 (White Talisay). Those types of species and groomed plants are really expensive. But for the other plants, most of which met our expectations. The "Show-Stopper" which was also our last stop of the day was a big nursery of different kinds of plants. They are potted and reclined like soldiers in a marching band. Every single time the wind passes by, their leaves shakes in a form of salutation. There are rows and rows of potted plants carrying leaves with different shades of green. There are hybrids and different versions of plant that I have not seen before here in the Philippines. For a moment, I suddenly realized that we usually see the flowers more than the rest of the plant. But witnessing such a bounty of plants held before my eyes, my feelings were inverted. Staring at a wave of plants, I felt more attracted to their foliages, to their leaves instead. I began to understand that the plant's real identity was embedded in their leaves rather on their flowers. The veins, form and color of their leaves makes them unique from one another, this is their unique fingerprint. I never really pondered how photosynthesis comes to play and how their green pigments came to be. But surely, this sight will make you feel motivated to write a short reflection of how nature made this day one of your best days. And make you testify that there are truly more than 23 shades of green in nature.

PISTANG PINOY IN SHIZUOKA It was a blissful September 3, 2017 that the 2nd Pistang Pinoy, Arigatou Shizuoka, Arigatou Nippon Festival was celebrated, which brought together over 5,000 volunteers and spectators, from various Filipino communities in Japan, promoting the richness of the Philippine culture, creating a successful Filipino community event organized by the Association of Pinoy

Limkaichong, Vice Mayor Shigeyuki Konagaya, Min. and Consul-General Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio, Welfare Officer Carmelita T. Raquiza and major mponsor ACT Corporation CEO Masatoshi Kawagishi.

Volunteers for Assistance (APIVA) in cooperation with the Phil. NAKAMA Org. and supported by the Philippine Embassy-Tokyo,

promoting the Filipino talents both local and international volunteer artists and performers on a non-stop whole day program, special and yummy delicacies prepared by food stall vendors, trade shows and tourist attractions presented by booth sponsors.

for better understanding of the Filipino culture and uplifting the Filipino image as well. The whole day event was graced by prominent honored guests headed by H.E. Jose C. Laurel V, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Congresswoman Jocelyn S.

Japanese and other foreign friends were in attendance and witnessed an emphasized Philippine cultural event that was also an avenue in

The organizing committee of this prestigious event spearheaded by its chairman, APIVA founder Ms. Ana Margarita J. Teodoro along with the APIVA team members are thanking all those who supported and made the festival possible.

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Philippine Festival 2017 Successfully Celebrated in Hibiya Park, Tokyo Festival an event to be celebrated by the Filipino Community in Japan for many more years to come. With the 250,000 Filipinos living and residing in Japan, it is hoped that the initiatives of the first Philippine Festival Organizing Committee headed by its Chair, Ms Jenavilla Shigemizu will be carried on by the next Organizing Committees. It is further hoped that the younger generations – including those who were born of Filipino and Japanese parents – may be encouraged to attend and participate in this yearly festival so that they can have a deeper appreciation of their Filipino heritage.” 30 September – 01 October 2017 – Organized by the Philippine Festival Organizing Committee (PFOC), with the support of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Festival 2017 was successfully celebrated in Hibiya Park, Tokyo with at least 75,000 visitors in attendance, 52 commercial booths, 21 food booths and 10 booths for Philippine handicrafts and products brought by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The Festival’s Opening Ceremony was graced by the presence of Former Prime Minister Hon. Yasuo Fukuda, Parliamentary Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Iwao Horii, JPPFL Executive Director and Member of the House of Councillors Hon. Masayoshi Nataniya, and members of the esteemed Diplomatic Corps and Philippine Society of Japan. H.E. Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V, in his welcome remarks said that “the theme of this year’s Philippine Festival is ‘Pampamilyang Tradisyon Alay sa Lahat ng Henerasyon’ – the articulation of the current Philippine Festival Organizing Committee’s hopes of making the Philippine

Former Prime Minister Hon. Yasuo Fukuda, in his message, mentioned that “the Philippines and Japan have shared at least 61 years of strong and fruitful friendship. This continues to flourish as evidenced by the reciprocal visits of our countries’ Heads of States last year, when Prime Minister Abe and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte agreed to take Philippine-Japan relations to a higher level – particularly for Japan to continually support the Philippines towards inclusive growth and sustainable economy: and for the Philippines to continue being a dependable partner to Japan.” Philippine Festival 2017 was officially opened by

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Parliamentary Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Iwao Horii, Ambassador Laurel and the Philippine Festival Executive Committee, headed by Ms. Jenavilla Bibal Shigemizu. Philippine Festival 2017 was made even more colorful and vibrant with performances of talented Filipinos in Japan, Pintados di Passi and of guest artists from the Philippines including actor Xian Lim, singers KZ Tandingan and Rene Alon dela Rosa, and the special appearance of 2016 Ms. International Kylie Versoza. Booths for Consular Services, Overseas Voting Registration, Anti Red Tape Act (ARTA Caravan) with SSS and PhilHealth, Philippine Labor Office and Pag-Ibig were also open and rendered services to

Filipinos in Japan. The Department of Agriculture showcased fresh Philippine fruits such as bananas, durian and pineapples while the Department of Tourism displayed panels of top Philippine tourist destinations for guests of the 2017 Philippine Festival.

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and the participation of various Filipino groups around Japan with the support of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo present

UTAWIT GRAND FINAL Major Sponsors:

Dinner Charity Show By Reservation Only Formal Attire: Barong, Filipiniana or Business Suit

Pm Utawit on Facebook or Contact any Utawit Execom for more details. Deadline 20 OCT 2017.