Jeepney Press 94 July-August 2018 by Jeepney Press

Publication For Filipinos in Japan

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 2018

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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 MARK WARREN DE LUNA Tokyo

CONTENTS

06 YOMU Editorial by Dennis Sun 08 Life Is A Journey by Glen Gypsy 10 Just JAZZ! by Dennis Sun

12 Advice ni Tita Lits by Isabelita Manalastas-Watanabe 16 Puningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hidden Treasures by Marilyn Rivera

18 Kwento Ni Nanay by Anita Sasaki 20 Signpost by Karen Sanchez 22 Traffic by Alma Reyes

24 Isang Araw Sa Ating Buhay by Jeff Plantilla

26 Moving On by Jasmin Vasquez 28 Kapatiran by Loleng Ramos

29 Good Manners and Right Conduct by Abie Principe

JULY - AUGUST 2018 30 On The Road To: by Neriza Sarmiento-Saito 32 Dula by Karen Sanchez 33 Life to the Full by Monette Lamsen-Obera 34 UTAWIT Donation Turnover and RQRs by Irene Kaneko

Art by Dennis Sun

- Bob Marley

EDITORIAL by Dennis Sun Mamma Mia! Not Again!

just realized that every time I make my annual summer article for Jeepney Press, it’s always and all about the horrendous heat in Tokyo. But this year, the heat is dangerously different. Definitely dreadful! The heat is already at its infernal level. Last month in July, more than 100 people in Japan have died and more than 20,000 people have been hospitalized for heat stroke. These numbers have been soaring up fast considering the blistering month of August has not entered the scene yet. Imagine, on July 17, the Tokyo Fire Department dispatched ambulances 2,900 times in a single day alone! That was a record breaker in Japan. But four days later, on July 21, the record was surpassed when ambulances were dispatched 3,125 times! Sabi nga in Inday, “Parang nasa impiyerno na tayo kahit napakalakas ng aircon.” Hindi na nga pinapatay ang aircon ni Inday sa bahay. Buong summer, walang tigil ang malamig na ihip ng hangin ng aircon. Buti na lang at hindi mataas ang electric bill dito Japan. Kung pwede lang nga raw na hindi na lumabas ng bahay. Puro “demae” na lang siya at order na lang ang mga gustong kainin mula sa omise. Buti na rin at may online shopping at ultimong shampoo, karne at gulay ay pwede na rin i-online shopping. Iba na nga ang panahon ngayon. Sa sobrang init, kailangan ng mag online sa iba’t ibang bilihin.

- art by Dennis Sun

It’s so ironic because in order to avoid the heat and escape the typhoon that was directly going to hit Tokyo, I had to travel to tropical Southeast Asia. I wanted to go home to Pinas but it would be the monsoon rains and floods that would ruin my vacation. Wait, isama mo na rin ang corruption at pollution. So as always, I go to my other adapted home country, Thailand. Sawatdi! That means Hello, Good bye, Good morning or Good evening all rolled into one word. That’s what I call language austerity! Working as a designer and writer gives me an advantage to work anywhere as long as I can get an internet connection. Too bad that going back to the Philippines is not an option anymore as our internet speed is one of the slowest in the world. Too sad, indeed. That’s why I am in Bangkok. I feel like I am home here as I look like a Thai local. I just need to study basic Thai and I could well pretend and blend as one.

One thing I can enjoy doing in Bangkok is watching different movies because in Japan, it’s too expensive to watch films at movie theaters. So, whenever I am in Bangkok, I make it a point to visit the movie houses. This time, I was torn choosing between Mission Impossible and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. I wanted to relax and that’s something I will not get from Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible. Too much action and violence… or so I thought. Then, I remember when I was here last January on New Year’s Day, there was nothing to do so I visited the cinema complex. Not knowing anything about the film except that it was a musical biopic, I opted to watch The Greatest Showman and it did not fail me at

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YOMU means “to read” in Japanese.

all. I was literally crying from the first song! It was, indeed, the best movie to watch on New Year’s Day! This time though, I chose to watch sequel of Mamma Mia! Since I watched the first Mamma Mia, I already have some familiar expectations. I love ABBA songs so, at the very least, I know I would enjoy this movie even if it failed my benchmark. Unfortunately, this movie failed on all levels. Yes! You can dance… You can jive... You can be having the time of your life… But not with this movie. Sorry, this one is unpalatable! Don’t waste your time and money. Just from the first 10 minutes of the movie, I already knew this one is going to be a flop. After an hour, I was already wondering if I should leave the theater or not. I went to the toilet twice already to pee. That was a sign. If the movie is so good, I would patiently wait till the ending to heed the call of nature. My eyes drifted in slumber for a time or two. I finished the movie but felt bad for wasting my time. So I decided to change my feelings and get a massage. A few more days, I will be going back home to Tokyo. I checked the weather forecast and heavy rainfall is expected today. Floods, typhoons, earthquakes, tsunamis… They have been here a long time ago and they will still be a part of our lives. We just need to prepare and get ready for whatever will come. And if our time comes, there is nothing we can do anymore. Mamma Mia!

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. – Benjamin Franklin

Glen Gypsyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

"Smell the sea, and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly." - Van Morrison 08

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JAZZ RAMIREZ 10

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to do next. But this prize strengthened his determination to his dream. He learned to use his shadows to see the light in his life. Jazz is very visible in many Filipino community activities around Tokyo. He is very generous in sharing his talent to different events with charitable causes. Every week, you can see him doing performances at different

by Dennis Sun This boy from Quiapo is now a singer in Tokyo. But he is not just an ordinary one. Dreams do come true especially to Jazz Ramirez who worked his way as a student at PCU majoring in Business Management. He had to stop his studies in order to pursue higher dreams in Japan. He had no choice. He became the breadwinner of his family when his dad passed away in high school. Like most Filipinos who came to Japan, he started getting a contract as a dancer/ performer. And slowly, he was venturing into singing as he had the chance to expand his talents in entertainment. He first sat foot in Miyagi ken during the 1990’s before moving to Chiba ken. His talent as a singer first gave fruit with his participation at the World Championship of Performing Arts winning the best male vocal category. This achievement boosted his confidence more. According to Jazz, he was still holding back his talent and quite uncertain of what

pubs and live houses around Tokyo. Catch him live so you will be able to experience his artistry in music whether in pop, soul, R&B, ballads or standards. You will experience just the right feeling. It’s just in his fabulous performance. It’s just the perfect fusion. Nothing more. Nothing less. Just him. Just Jazz!

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Take It Or Leave It! by Isabelita Manalastas-Watanabe Dear Tita Lits, Lagi po akong nagpapadala ng pera sa aking asawa buwan-buwan sa Pinas. Problema ko ngayon ay napakaraming choices na mapag pipilian kung alin remittance company ang gagamitin ko. Ano po ba ang dapat i-consider when choosing a remittance company? Salamat po! Miguel Osaka

Dear Miguel: Please allow me to reply to you in English, so that not only Filipino readers may know more about the remittance business/regulations in Japan. In April of 2010, the Japan Payments Act was enacted. The new law allowed non-bank remittance companies to open for business in Japan for as long as they meet all the requirements of the Japan financial regulator. Prior to this law, only fully licensed banks could engage in the remittance business. For the Philippines, only PNB Tokyo and Metrobank Tokyo (and their branches in Japan) were

allowed to engage in the remittance business. I was actually the one who worked for the license of PNB Tokyo Branch and headed it, starting from the PNB Rep. Office, up to the upgrade to a full bank in Tokyo, with a branch in Nagoya. For Metrobank, it was Mr. Moriji Matsuda who worked hard for the license, got it, and then opened a branch in Tokyo and in Osaka. I am now the President and Representative Director of Speed Money Transfer Japan K.K., and Matsuda san is the head of MetroRemit Japan, also a non-bank remittance company like Speed. We continue to be friends, although as in the past, when

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we were still bankers, we are again also competitors. I had the good opportunity to meet the Honorable Secretary of Finance of the Philippines, Mr. Carlos Dominguez III, last June 20, 2018, on the occasion the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (June 12) Independence Day (business) reception/celebration at Tokyoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Imperial Hotel. I approached him to inform him that I have wanted to get in touch directly with him, but did not know how to, and ensure that he will directly get the message I wanted to inform him. I told him I wanted to volunteer, for nothing (meaning no need for any compensation/salary) to assist in making the dream of

our Philippine President Duterte to have a bank fully dedicated to the banking, financial, and other needs (e.g. savings; loans) of OFWs like you and me, with relatively better and easier terms as compared to other “normal” Philippine banks. Sec. Dominguez’ reaction was that I was a competitor of the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFB). My response was, even competitors can work together for the good of our OFWs. I also told him very briefly about my thoughts on how the OFB can reach out and help our OFWs. I really believe in this – meaning, competitors working together for the greater good of all (our OFWs). I also believe that the more choices our OFWs have in choosing which bank or non-bank remittance company to use, the better for them. Why? Because the more competition there is in the market for higher exchange rates, lower remittance fees, faster delivery of services, etc., the better. One thing that we remitters from Japan cannot escape from, however, is our host country’s very strict KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) rules. We have no choice but to comply, if we want to always be within compliance of our host country’s rules, and become good citizens of our

second home, Japan. Some remittance companies take longer than others to complete their KYC and AML checking, before the remitter can start sending money to the Philippines, but all need to undergo this KYC checking. There is another layer now in doing KYC – a second ID, in addition to the residence card of non-Japanese in Japan. This is the My Number. Talking about My Number – unfortunately, the directive of our local Japanese city/local ward offices to take very good care of our My Number information (to ensure confidentiality of our My

Number ID information) was misinterpreted by many. While many aggressive remittance companies still do not require the submission of My Number even up to the time of the writing/publication of this advice column, we will have no choice AFTER DECEMBER of

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this year, per Japanese law, but to submit our My Number ID copy to be able to remit funds. Many of Speed’s clients tell us they cannot submit My Number because their Japanese spouses tell them not to release information of their My Number as My Number information is highly confidential. Even though we assure our clients that we are bound by Japan law to abide with client data confidentiality, and will therefore not use their My Number illegally or for any other purpose other than that required of us remittance companies by law, still we cannot convince all. In fact, we are sure some have moved to

other remittance companies hungry for business and will not mind delaying their compliance to the law, just to get a bigger slice of the remittance pie in Japan. Other OFWs have some a not-so-very-good-reason for

not wanting to submit My Number. From my interviews, we found out that their fear is out of being found to be doing part-time jobs where their part-time salaries are not reported/registered to the proper authorities, to escape payment of taxes. Their belief is that all information about their employment/salaries will be encode/inputted in their My Number, so they would like to avoid releasing information on their My Number. Anyway, back to the question of Miguel â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we have PNB Tokyo and Metrobank Tokyo which can offer you remittance service. As far as I can understand, Metrobank Tokyo does mainly remittance business, while PNB Tokyo have added services of loans and deposits. Note, however, that since they are banks, they are bound to be required by their financial regulator to follow and meet the same standards required of Japanese banks in Japan. Obviously then, their cost of operations will be relatively higher as compared to non-bank remittances companies like Speed and MetroRemit, and may probably have relatively more difficult time to compete with remittance pricing (fees/exchange rates) of non-bank competitors. Other (major) licensed companies (as far as I can

determine) which offer remittance service to the Philippines are Western Union, SBI, Kyodai, Digitel, JRF, I-Remit, Digital Wallet. There may be smaller ones (or big ones, but whose main business for the Philippine remittance

corridor are relatively smaller, with other corridors like Nepal, Vietnam, etc., as their main market), but I am not very familiar with them. The Philippine banks can open deposit accounts for the remitter in Japan, and also for the beneficiary in the Philippines. Non-bank remittance companies are forbidden by Japanese law to do this. They cannot also offer loans. As to the maximum amount of remittance, non-banks can remit a maximum of JPY 1.0 million in a day, to one beneficiary in the Philippines. Each remittance company has its own internal rules on how to transact/implement this JPY 1.0 maximum remittance threshold. Some allow the remittance, whether the remitter is only a student or a dependent, for example, who

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is allowed legally to work for only 28 hours a week (students, during their school official vacation, can work up to max of 40 hours a week). So if a remittance company is very hungry to have business, it may probably take the risk of not checking closely the kind of visa of their remitters, or not monitoring the maximum amount already sent, or they could only do this manually, as they do not have a sophisticated and thus more expensive remittance system which can provide pop-ups/warnings on various breaches of their internal and/or Japan rules. How can a student, for example, remit JPY 1.0 million a month? Or a dependent? (unless dependent can prove that his/her spouse, for example, has given him/her some money. Or that the dependent received a huge inheritance from his/her deceased spouse, and the like). Remitters may not be aware that all remittance companies, banks or non-banks, are required by the Japan regulator/s to report suspicious transactions. The suspicious remittance report is required to be submitted to the Japanese National Police Agency. It is up to the police to determine whether they will need to do further action, or not. Suspicious is suspicious from the point of view of the remittance bank/company,

based on its internal rules. The Japanese National Police Agency also routinely makes written inquiries to banks/remittance companies asking them to check whether some suspected criminals/anti-social forces may be part of the remitter base of banks/remittance companies. We have known of actual arrests Filipinos doing “chika ginko” activities (underground bank activities), particularly in the Aichi-ken area. Some OFWs are not aware that their good intention of agreeing to “pakisuyo” of their friends to remit on their behalf, with the OFW sending the funds to the Philippines under their own names, may constitute acts of a “chika ginko” and punishable by law. We, at Speed, explain this to our many good-hearted OFWs that their sincere and unselfish desire to help send funds under their names and not the real remitter (who may not just want to be bothered with undergoing the “mendokusai” KYC process) may pose a risk to them. As to the “mendokusai” process of downloading/filling up the physical/digital remittance forms, submitting copies of residence card and My Number, and some waiting time before potential (non-walk in, non-face to face remittance client) can be allowed to remit - this cannot be helped. Some remittance companies already have

developed their own mobile App to make the registration process faster and simpler, but there is still no escaping submission of acceptable IDs. If I may do a small plug-in, Speed officially launched its Speed Mobile App last June 1st and offers as a come-on, preferential (higher) exchange rates to those

registering using the App, which is also available in Android and iOS, and is multi-lingual – English, Japanese, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Nepalese. Soon, other Asian and other countries’ languages, will be added, as well. Walk-in remitters may visit our three branches in Kinshicho and Roppongi in the Tokyo area, and Sakae, in Nagoya, to register/remit. But using the App will be convenient to those living far away from these 3 locations, and will be given preferential (higher) exchange rates as an incentive. As to services offered by various remittance outfits – generally all offer credit to Philippine bank accounts, and cash pick-up licensed pick-up centers like M-Lhuiller, Palawan, Cebuana, LBC, Bayad Center, Globe, and over the

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counter of Philippine banks. Door-to-door peso or US$ cash delivery is also offered by many, but only a few can offer Yen to Yen cash door-to-door (which may only be delivered within Metro Manila, and within a maximum Yen cash amount per delivery). Remittance cost for Yen to Yen cash delivery will of course be more expensive as compared to Yen to Peso cash door-to-door (and not limited only to Metro Manila, but available nationwide). Other services offered by some are food packages like Jollibee, Red Ribbon, Goldilocks, Max Chicken, purchase of Cebu Pacific air tickets, etc. Fresh flowers delivery is also offered by some but limited to within Metro Manila only. Grocery packages (Kusina ni Nanay, Baon ni Bunso, Birthday Package) can also be delivered all over the Philippines. Remittance fees and exchange rates vary from one bank to another; from one remittance company to another. Best to check out their url/websites. I would personally push to patronize our own Philippine banks and Filipino-owned remittance companies. Para sa ikauunlad ng Pilipino - Sariling atin, bitbitin!!!

The Secrets of the Mountains: Puning’s Hidden Treasures by Marilyn Rivera

Breaking into nature’s barriers using a speeding 4x4 jeep is the most exhilarating way to meet and greet the mountains of the north. As the wind brushes through our hair and as drizzles of rain starts to taunt our skin, our anticipation turns to a higher level of excitement. We held on to the metal bars of the jeep, stood up and bend our knees as we level the ground with the wheels of our jeep take us through the valley of hot springs. Driving across rivers and through mountain crevices are an adventurer’s dream luck. But for us, it was no longer a dream. Now, an experience is at hand and we would not trade it for anything else. From the moment, the engine took its first roar. The road started to turn like a wild roller coaster. We were not buckled in our seats, but rather we were standing to get the first-hand familiarity of the mountain air and witness the unsullied view of what nature can form out of a disaster. The real beauty of nature can indeed be seen in unexpected places. Like water falls on the mountain-side, an isolated mango tree in the middle of

middle of a shallow ravaging river. It was magnificent to witness water gushing through small hill cracks and stones. You would see drizzles of water forming small waterfalls that blends harmoniously to the ground’s surface and settling among the grey mountain wall and a plants and trees making the carabao enjoying a bath in the ambiance more serene and

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sacred. How can you not succumb to the rare beauty of nature when seeing these details? Not all natural calamities cause destruction and devastation. In the case of the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, there was one thing that paved way to form to what is now a tourist destination -Puning Hot Springs. From the side gate of Clark, it will only take around 20 minutes to reach this destination. So close to the city, it is so unexpected to first-time visitors to realize how close this unique paradise is from concrete roads and buildings. The adventure is divided into three stations. Upon arrival at the first station, the excellent garden landscape will greet you as you enter the camp. There will be t-shirts and shorts provided so you don’t need to bring extra clothes. Change clothes are given so you do not need to worry about getting your clothes soiled as you finish the journey from Station 2 to Station 3. In Station 1, after changing, you will now indulge yourselves to a sumptuous buffet. Our brunch was pork barbecue, spicy chicken adobo, fish fillet, pancit canton, mushroom soup, mixed vegetables, green salad and ripe papaya for dessert. As cars remain at the hillside, the 4x4 jeeps will now take you from station to station. The ride will take you to streams of rivers passing in between mountain ranges and rock formations. Giant stones merged together displaying mini-waterfalls from side to side and as you pass through narrow openings between mountains. Though it will be a bumpy ride, the journey will mesmerize you as you follow the trail of a deserted sandy land going to the majestic view of the hot springs. The second station – the Hot Springs, layers of pools planted on the mountain side makes a captivating painting become real as life. You can enjoy the hot

springs until your heart’s content. Hot mountain water is being channeled into several pools of different sizes and with different water temperatures. Everything plays a part, even the sound of dripping water as they travel from a miniature water canal to separate pools orchestras the background music, whoever built this thought of everything. The sound of water made the ambiance more relaxing and draws you even closer to nature.

time to exfoliate your skin. You get a facial and body scrub using cold volcanic ash until it stiffens and dries around 10 to 15 minutes. Then after this last station, you will be brought back to Station 1 to shower and change back to your original clothes. This journey to nature is our binding experience as a family and a reminder that there are still little wonders embedded close to cities. You can discover the finest of what nature can offer in this trip to paradise that you do not need to travel very far. Though it is a little pricey but it was definitely worth the experience. And as you set one foot out, you will momentarily find yourself whispering at the back of your mind, “This is definitely not the last… I will come back again.” “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir

After the hot springs, now follows the final stage which is perhaps the most unique experience of the journey – the Sand Spa. Changing to another suit, they bury you in warm lahar sand for 15 minutes. After five minutes under the sand, the native Aeta starts with the body massage. They step on your feet and hands as a traditional way of massage for the next five to ten minutes. After digging you out, it is now

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KWENTO NI NANAY by Anita Sasaki Photo by Marisol Punzalan Kudo

EVERY GISING IS A BLESSING!!!

I would like to share with you a love story of the grandparents of our granddaughter she wrote recently. It made me think that there are really lucky people in love with the right partners. Good bye, Lolo... you can now rest from all the pain and longing. I would like to think you and Lola are together again, finally. They were just classmates since kindergarten, until he plucked the courage to be her suitor come 3rd year high school. They knew each other really well. She was the youngest daughter of a Spaniard (Jose Moreno Y Gonzales) and a beautiful Filipina (Josefina Almendrala Y Regalado). She was born into a very rich and respected family with lots of properties and farms in our municipality. He, on the other hand, was born to the humble family of the former mayor (Jose Roa Y Pelaez) and his wife (Amparo Roa Y Valmorida). Although their love was seemingly smiled upon by the stars, it wasn't wrought without struggles and obstacles, political affiliations, difference in caste and wealth made them a Romeo and Juliet of their time. Noses were upturned upon his courtship. Once, he sent a lechon to her home only to have it thrown down from the second floor of her house. Their 18

hardships, though, were still compounded during college. He chose to study in Ateneo de Cagayan under a basketball scholarship, while she went away to Manila to study in UST. The long distance was a trial. Whether they eloped or married with the blessing of both their families, I no longer know. What matters, though, is in the end, they found a way around these difficulties to finally be together, and even to live in the same house with her family and their very own family they created together. She went on to be a caring wife, supporting him in his endeavours, even when he was just a farmer, then became a soldier, until he became a congressional board member, then a mayor. She was always by his side and on his side, praying for his safety and success, staying loyal and loving through ups and downs, despite the test of distance, time and even the death of one of their children. They were a religious and charitable couple under the eyes of God. A happy and simple wedded life found them growing old together. They even got to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary and renew their vows with their grandchildren and great grandchildren as witnesses. Everybody thought it was a happily ever after. However, their hardships did not end there. 70 years and more into their love story, she suffered a fatal stroke that took away most of her faculties. There was an option of euthanasia and their 7

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children were fighting amongst themselves whether it was already her time to rest. However, when they saw him cry, begging her not to leave him, they knew it wasn't their decision to make. Everyday, he talked to her, held her hand, prayed by her side, solemnly beseeched the heavens for her recovery from the vegetable comatose-like state she was in. Everyday, for 3 years and 4 months, his love for her broke everyone's heart, until her death did the breaking for the worst. She took her last breath inside his arms. He cried. He didn't want her to leave his side. He didn't even want her sent to a funeral parlor. He begged her to take him with her. The years made us all ready to let her go, but he still wasn't. He just loved her so much. To this day, he's still waiting for her to show her face even in his dreams. To this day, he's still waiting in loneliness, to be with her again, and to love her once more for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, 'til death do them part once, but never again..... And this, my dear friends, is no love story by Nicholas Sparks or Shakespeare, but a true-to-life story as accounted to me by my father and my grandfather. This, my dear friends, is the story of my lovely grandparents (Purisima Moreno Y Almendrala and Porferio Roa Y Roa) whose love for each other reminds me of a forever that is to hope, live, die and love for.....

133-0057 Tokyo, Edogawa-ku, Nishi Koiwa 4-1-22 Takeda Bldg 6th Floor

Kung ikaw ay Filipina wife, puwede ring maibalik ang tax na binabayaran ng Japanese husband. Kahit ano ang status ay pwedeng makapag-apply (Engineer, Nikkeijin, Skilled Worker, Teacher, etc.) Sa mga nasa malayong lugar na hindi makakapunta sa aming opisina, maaari tayong makapag-ugnayan sa pamamagitan ng sulat at telepono lamang. Huwag mag-atubiling tumawag agad, at makakaasa kayong magkakaroon ng wasto at maayos na kasagutan ang anumang impormasyong gusto ninyong malaman.

By Karen Sanchez

Konnichiwa minnasan! Ogenki desu ka? Nandirito na naman po kami, ang inyong mga lingkod, upang makibahagi at maibahagi ang aming mga talentong naglalayon na makapagbigay aliw, tulong o aral sa mga kababayan natin diyan na laging "isogashii" o abala sa mga pang araw-araw na mga gawain. Bigyan po muna natin ng oras ang ating mga sarili para makapag-sarili, mag-enjoy at magmuni-

muni lalo na sa ganitong panahon o kahit sa loob ng ilang minuto man lamang. At sana sa oras na iyon ay kami ang inyong kapiling dahil dito, iba-iba ang mga kwento at nilalaman ng bawat pahina na siguradong malilibang at kapupulutan ninyo ng aral. Nais kong ibahagi sa inyo ang isang isinulat ng isa ko pang maituturing na kaibigan (walang label) o maituturing ako'y kanyang taga hanga dahil sa mga talentong angkin niya. Siya ay si Ginoong Stephen

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Louie Ramos Checa, isang artist, DJ, reporter at isang negosyante. Natuwa ako sa post nya sa facebook "Pira ka klasi nga fake-friends" o Ilang klase ang mga fake-friends at sinabi ko na nais kong ibahagi sa taga Japan at sumang-ayon naman siya at bilang isang manunulat, may mga kaunting idinagdag po ako. Naririto po ang ibat-ibang klase ng mga kaibigan mayroon "daw" sa mundong ito: FAIR WEATHER Friends yung mga taong magkaibigan lamang kapag maganda o sa masaganang panahon at kakalimutan ka kapag may unos, bagyo, problema o naghihirap ka na. FOX-HOLE Friends mga tao na kaibigan ka "daw" o magpapakita o magpaparamdam lang sa iyo kapag sila'y nangangailangan, may kailangan at kapag

maganda ang mga buhay nila ay hindi mo sila makikita o mararamdaman at animo'y hinde ka nila kilala.

mong laging handang tumulong sa iyo ngunit naghahangad o naghihintay ng kapalit sa lahat ng ginawa nya para sa iyo.

PARASITE/PEST Friends - kaibigan mo lang sila kapag may mahihita, masisipsip, makukuha o may makakain mula sayo at sa oras na ikaw ay mawalan o matuyuan, mararamdaman mo ang unti-unti nilang paglaho, nagtatago at ang iba kahit na makakasalubong mo ay hinde ka na papansinin.

PHARISAIC Friends mga kaibigan mo na inaakala mong naniniwala, nagtitiwala at sumusuporta sa iyo at handang makinig sa kwento at ginagawa mo ngunit sa kabila nito ang puso at isip nya ay panlalait at sa oras na ika'y tumalikod, sila pa ang unang sasaksak sa iyo.

JUDAS-ISCARIOT Friends - mga kaibigang pinakitaan mo ng lahat ng kabutihan, pagmamahal, pag-aalala, pinagtanggol, inaruga, pinakain sa mga palad mo, ipinagdasal mo, pinag-aral at ginawan ng lahat ng makakaya mo ngunit sa isang iglap tinalikuran ka at ipinagpalit sa mga materyal na bagay, pera, kasikatan, kapangyarihan o natukso sa demonyo.

IMAGINARY Friends hindi sila mga maligno, engkanto o mga kaluluwa, kundi sila yung mga taong akala mo kaibigan mo ngunit ikaw ay di nila kilala at ni hindi pa kayo nagkikita. Karamihan nito ay sa social media, in-add ka para madadagdagan ang friend lists nila sa facebook at kalaunay bibentahan ka ng ibat-ibang items na pino-post niya at ang iba naman ay para lang bantayan ang ginagawa, kinikilos mo nang sa

BATTER-FRIENDLY Friends - mga kaibigan

gayun ay may mai-tsismis paraan na tulungan ka kundi yung paasahin ka sila sa iyo. hanggang sa ikaw na ang magsasawa at kusang PSYCHIATRIC Friends gumawa ng paraan Likas silang matino, sila upang masolusyunan ang mga kaibigang ang iyong problema. handang pumatay o magpakamatay MARTYR Friends - mga alang-alang sa iyo. Mga kaibigan mong totoo ang taong itinuturing mo simpatya sa iyo. Handang lang kaibigan pero ikaw tumulong, ay napapamahal na sa magsakripisyo, kanila nang hindi mo nagmamahal sa iyo at nalalaman at dahil dito isinasantabi ang ang iba ay naghahanap pansariling gusto ng atensyon mo at maibigay lang sa iyo ang minsan nakakagawa na pangangailangan mo ng hindi maganda dahil dahil ayaw ka niyang sa iyo at sa hindi mo nakikitang naghihirap at mainitindihan na mga lahat ng iyon ay dahilan animo'y ibinibigay nya ng kusa at nasisiraan sila ng ulo. hindi naghihintay o HOPELESSLY DEVOTED walang kapalit at ipaglalaban ka hanggang Friends - mga taong itinuring mong tunay na kamatayan. kaibigan, kadugo at Mga kababayan, alin ang tinulungan mo noong mga kaibigan mo dito? sila'y nagigipit o Sana natulungan ko nangangailangan at kayong malaman at sana nang dumating ang panahon na ikaw naman may magandang epekto itong pagbabahagi ko sa ang nasa ganoong inyo. sitwasyon ay kakaringgan mo ng ibat-ibang salitang paasa Hanggang sa muli po! Pagpalain nawa tayong o pinaaasa ka sa wala, dahil sa hiya hindi ka niya lahat mga "Kaibigan" ko matalikuran, ngunit wala :-) siyang ginagawang

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NO MAN IS AN ISLAND Of course, Filipinos as we are, the beach to us is like water to many people. Some of us may have lived by the sea—awaken by parents early morning to gather shells out in the sea or help our fishermen fathers cast the fishing net and catch some “bisugo” (jobfish), “salay-salay” (yellowtail), or “galunggong” (mackerel). For those in the cities, the closest beach can easily be accessed in an hour. As kids, we often rode family vans, hoarded loads of food, an ice box, and tugged our “salbabida” (inflatable life savers). I remember so many treasured memories like these—playing on the seawater with cousins, touch ball and badminton on the sands, and building sandcastles all afternoon until our skin was toasted. However, in Japan, (because Filipinos as we are) the pure sense of enjoying the sea and the sun is somehow, not just quite the same feeling one gets in the Philippines. Why is that? I suppose in Japan, there is a stronger image of beaches preserved for romantic couples; thus, girls overly conscious of their bikini style and body shape, making sure no one would be laughing at them if those belly fats protrude a bit. Then, there are the uncomfortable rules of sometimes, how no one is allowed on the water when there are lifeguards roving about on the sea; or how you can’t bring your own beach chair because you need to rent the ones managed by the beach clubs. Going to swimming pools is even a more rigid experience, where I have witnessed rules, such as: no book reading by the pool; no wearing of jewelry; or all must swim in the same direction. To top it all,

how can beaches in Japan compare to those in the Philippines?? We may find beauty around Enoshima, Chiba, Wakayama…but nothing will ever beat the magnificent white sands of our beaches and our pristine, natural landscapes. Thus, on my last island escapade, I have chosen to jump to the Isla de Gigantes or Gigantes Islands in Carles, Iloilo. What attracted me most to experience this unexpected adventure was that the Gigantes Islands are not as commercially celebrated as the over-flocked Boracay, Cebu, or El Nido. The entire journey from Manila may be quite a feat—5-6 hours from Iloilo City or 3-4 hours from Roxas City—but the peaceful and scenic hours on the “banca” boat are absolutely worth it. There is so much to describe about the innate exquisiteness of the islands and beaches, untouched by overrated tourism: Cabugao Gamay island, Tangke island, and Bantigue Sandbar, among others, but what I have absorbed in my mind and sentiment during my 3-day stay is the utter, simple life of the island people. I watched beautiful, smiling children in the early morning around 6 am, already walking on the dirt roads, in

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their well-ironed school uniforms and finely combed hair. There were children selling souvenirs by the historical lighthouse, just before they run off to school—such young, 8-9 year old children being taught to make a living. On the way to the Bakwitan Cave, a man was laying scallop shells on the entire lot of his house. Two sweet-smiling children were fetching water with their buckets in the common “barrio” (small town) grounds. There is always not much to do on a solitary island, you may say, except swing on the hammock while the cool breeze caresses your cheeks, gaze at the changing colors of the sea that move slowly from high tide to low tide, then wait patiently for the pink sunset while sipping your coconut juice. You hear the motorbikes go by—a man fetching a crate of eggs and tying it on the backseat of his motorbike to deliver it to the market. Everyone goes around from town to town on tricycles, no matter how sardined they may be inside it. I met a man who was born on the island and said he lived all his life watching his fisherman father go about this daily routine of catch, and there is no other life that he knew of. They are island people who don’t need to worry about investing in stocks, owning grand SUVs (and not only one), building palatial

houses with sprawling lawns, becoming company presidents, having the latest Apple and Android gadgets, nor sporting the latest Armani or Tiffany jewelry. Yes, I had spent quality time on the islands, doing absolutely nothing—lying all day on a bamboo bench, staring at the blue sea and tranquil clouds, and listening to music—yet feeling revived as a human being. Indeed, we don’t need anything in life but just to touch it, nurture it, and live it without avarice—to have enough food on our plate, a roof to sleep under, and the companion of loved ones. I left the Gigantes Islands with a huge heart of gratitude for reminding me of the most important pleasures of living. Perhaps, this is perfection. There is so much freedom of thought and emotion that islands give to us and we feel awakened and grateful in the most innocent way. This is what islands and seas should do to us.

ni Jeff Plantilla Ang divorce ay bahagi ng buhay dito sa Japan sa mga Pilipinong may asawang Hapones o ibang nasyonalidad. Tulad sa ibang bansa, kapag nadivorced dito sa Japan, nagiging single kaagad ang asawang Hapones o iba pang nasyonalidad. Pero ang Pilipino ay hindi kaagad nagiging single, dahil may dapat pang gawin ayon sa batas ng Pilipinas. Kailangan pa niyang kumuha ng judicial recognition of divorce decree sa Pilipinas. Ang malaking tanong ay garantisado ba ang pagkuha ng judicial recognition of divorce decree sa korte sa Pilipinas? Tingnan natin ang istorya ni Marilyn. Marilyn Ikinasal si Marilyn kay Yoshiro sa Pilipinas. Tumira sila sa Osaka at nagkaroon sila ng isang anak. Pagkatapos ng ilang taon, hindi na naging maganda ang relasyon ng mag-asawa. Dahil dito, nagdesisyon si Marilyn na idivorce ang kanyang asawang Hapones. Nagfile si Marilyn ng petisyon sa korte sa Japan para madivorce niya ang asawang Hapones. At ibinigay ng korte ang hinihinging divorce. Mahigit sa 90% ng divorce sa Japan ay ayon sa kasunduan ng mag-asawa. Hanko lang sa divorce document sa city hall ang kailangan para makakuha ng divorce. Pero nagpetisyon si Marilyn sa korte sa Japan para magdivorce. Umuwi si Marilyn sa Pilipinas at nagfile ng petition for judicial

recognition of divorce decree sa korte. Pero ni-reject ng korte ang kanyang petition. Sinabi ng korte na hindi pinapayagan ang mga Pilipino na kasal sa hindi Pilipino na magfile ng petition for divorce sa ibang bansa. Ang asawang hindi Pilipino ang dapat magfile ng divorce petition laban sa Pilipino. Dahil dito, divorced na siya sa Japan, pero hindi pa sa Pilipinas. Ito ang nakalagay sa ating Family Code, Article 26, paragraph 2: Where a marriage between a Filipino citizen and a foreigner is validly celebrated and a divorce is thereafter validly obtained abroad by the alien spouse capacitating him or her to remarry, the Filipino spouse shall have capacity to remarry under Philippine law. (As amended by Executive Order 227) Yung mga salitang â&#x20AC;&#x153;validly obtained by the alien spouseâ&#x20AC;? ang sinasabing nagbabawal sa mga Pilipino na magfile ng divorce petition. Dapat ang asawang hindi Pilipino ang gagawa nito. Tama ba ang Regional Trial Court sa Pilipinas sa pagkakaunawa sa batas?

Bagong desisyon ng Korte Suprema Nung April 24, 2018, lumabas ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema ng Pilipinas na sinasabing puwedeng magpetition ang Pilipino sa korte ibang bansa para

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idivorce ang asawang hindi Pilipino. Pinawalang bisa ng Korte Suprema ang parte ng batas tungkol dito. Ito dapat ang pagbasa sa batas: ang divorce ng international marriage ng isang Pilipino at hindi Pilipino ay may bisa kahit sino ang magfile ng divorce petition. Ito ang sabi ng korte: We find that Paragraph 2 of Article 26 violates one of the essential requisites of the equal protection clause. Particularly, the limitation of the provision only to a foreign divorce decree initiated by the alien spouse is unreasonable as it is based on superficial, arbitrary, and whimsical classification. (Republic of the Philippines versus Marelyn Tanedo Manalo, G.R. No. 221029, April 24, 2018, page 14). Kahit Pilipino ang magfile ng divorce

muli. Ang epekto ng divorce ay dapat pareho sa Pilipino at hindi Pilipino pantay sila. Kaya ngayon, puwede nang magpetisyon sa korte ng Japan ng divorce ang Pilipino at kapag na-aprubahan ang petition, puwede na itong ipetition for judicial recognition sa Pilipinas. Dahil dito nawala ang isang issue sa divorce ng Pilipino sa hindi Pilipino. Mga natitirang issues May ilang issues pa na hindi tapos. Una, meron pa ring judicial recognition of divorce decree para sa divorce na kuha sa labas ng Pilipinas. Ang bill sa Kongreso na nagtatanggal ng judicial recognition of divorce decree ay hindi pa batas. Pangalawa, hindi pa rin malinaw kung ang divorce sa city hall sa Japan ay kikilalanin ng korte sa Pilipinas. Sa ngayon, ang mga kaso sa Korte Suprema ay tungkol sa divorce decree â&#x20AC;&#x201C; yung divorce na dumaan sa korte sa ibang bansa.

petition ay OK. Kaya ang pagpapafile ni Marilyn ng divorce petition sa korte sa Japan ay tama, at ang divorce decree ng korte ay dapat kilalanin sa Pilipinas. Dahilan ng Korte Suprema Ang sabi ng Korte Suprema, iisa ang resulta ng divorce: ang asawang hindi Pilipino ay malaya na makapag-asawa muli pagkatapos ng divorce. Pero malaya din ba ang Pilipinong makapag-asawa muli ayon sa ating batas? Sabi ng Korte Suprema, mali ang batas sa pagbabawal sa Pilipino na magfile ng

divorce petition sa ibang bansa. Hindi ito sumusunod sa pantay na pagtatanggol (equal protection) sa mga Pilipino ayon sa 1987 Constitution. Kung ang asawang hindi Pilipino ay may layang mag-asawa dahil sa divorce ganun din dapat ang Pilipino, kahit sino pa man ang magfile ng divorce petition. Kaya, kung sa Japan ang divorce ay nagbibigay ng laya sa Hapones na mag-asawa muli, dapat ang Pilipino ay may kapantay na laya din na mag-asawang

Kaya ang divorce na kuha sa city hall ay baka hindi pa rin payagan ng korte sa Pilipinas kapag nagfile ng petition for judicial recognition of divorce decree. Sa bill sa Kongreso na nagtatanggal ng judicial recognition of divorce decree ay gumagamit pa rin ng mga salitang â&#x20AC;&#x153;divorce decree.â&#x20AC;? Kaya puwedeng ang ibig sabihin lamang nito ay divorce sa korte at hindi sa city hall sa Japan. Ano ang maganda? Mas maganda na lahat ng klase ng divorce ay kinikilala. Linawin na dapat ang divorce na kuha sa city hall sa Japan ay OK dahil ito ay batay sa batas ng bansa. Maraming Pilipino na divorced na sa Japan ang naghihintay na mapalitan ang kanilang record sa Pilipinas at maging single muli sa madaling paraan. Kung gusto man nilang mag-asawa muli o hindi ay sarili na nilang desisyon. Ang mahalaga ay hindi dehado ang Pilipino pagdating sa divorce - pareho silang malaya na.

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By Jasmin Vasquez Sunday, Time: 9:30 am... Huh!!!!! Halos katutulog ko pa lamang mula sa night shift work ko. Isang oras pa lamang ang nakakalipas. Nagising na agad ako dahil sa init at sobrang basang basa ng pawis ang aking likuran. Ibang klase talaga kapag season ng summer dito sa Japan. Matatagalan ko ang ginaw pero hindi ang init. Ilan na rin ang naitala na isinugod sa hospital dahil sa “heatwave”. May mga na heatstroke, ang ilan pa sa kanila ay binawian ng buhay. Medyo naninikip ang aking dibdib dahil sa sobrang init kaya dali dali akong uminom ng malamig na malamig na tubig at pagkatapos eh pumunta ako sa bathroom at doon nag shower ng malamig na tubig. Doon halos magbabad ako para lamang gumaan ang pakiramdam ko. Nang medyo ok na ako, lumabas na ulit ako mula sa shower room. Maya maya ay tumunog ang aking phone... May nag message... Beep!!!! Friend: Jasmin, are u busy today? Jasmin: No i am not. Why? Friend: Let’s go out somewhere. Jasmin: Ok.. Dahil sobrang init at kahit wala pa ako masyadong tulog ay sumama ako sa kanila bahala na kung saan mapunta basta makaalis lang sa bahay. Di makatulog kasi sa init. Nakarating kami ng Gifu, hayyys punta daw kami sa cave. Sa haba ng pila ng mga sasakyan sa parking, napilitan kami na mag park na lang sa malayo at nilakad na lang namin yung mismong lugar papuntang cave. Juskopo! Napakainit sa daan pero kailangan tiisin makarating papunta sa cave, para akong hihimatayin. Mabuti na lamang at pag dating doon meron train na paakyat papunta sa bunganga ng kweba. Pag pasok namin mistulang parang isang minahan ng ginto ang entrada ng kweba pagkatapos ay mayroong hagdan na paakyat. Makipot lang ito medyo madulas kaya kailangan mag ingat ka talaga. Pag pasok namin doon ay sobrang sarap ng pakiramdam. Ang lahat ng reklamo ko sa sobrang init ay napawi dahil daig ko pa ang pumasok sa isang kwartong may aircon. Napakalamig sa loob ng kweba. Napakaganda sa loob at sobrang ma

re-refresh ang iyong pakiramdam. May parang maliit pang falls sa loob ng kweba at may bukal ng tubig na maari mong inumin. Kung pwede lang sana na wag ng lumabas. Tumagal ng 35 mins ang paglalakad namin sa loob ng kweba. Iyon ang sapat na oras upang iyong libutin ang buong kweba. At syempre pag palabas namin, bigla na naman uminit balik sa realidad haha... Pero kahit paano ay na relax ng konti. After noon, dumaan pa kami sa iba pang lugar na nadaanan namin. May mga nadaanan din kami na nag camping sa mga river. Gabi na kami nakauwi at doon paguwi sa bahay nakatulog naman ako ng maayos dahil siguro sa sobrang puyat at pagod sa byahe. Kinabukasan, ganoon pa rin, nagising na naman ako dahil basang basa ang likod ko ng pawis. Kaya bumangon na ako at nag shower. Tapos tumawag ang tropa na may naiwan silang kasama na gustong sumunod sa paborito naming puntahan na falls kapag ganitong mga panahon. At dahil gusto ko ring pumunta doon, dali dali ko silang hinatid doon sa falls sabay makaligo na din hehehe... Sobrang presko ng simoy ng hangin doon dahil napapaligiran ng mga bundok. Hindi mo iisipin na may mga ganitong lugar dito sa amin sa Nagano. At take note, libre walang

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bayad at mae-enjoy nyo ang lamig na papalo sa inyong mga balat. Para kang minamasahe sa likuran kay sarap maligo. Kamakailan lamang ay dumayo ang mga taga-Tokyo dito sa lugar namin. Dito nila naisipang mag camping. Iba talaga ang ganda ng kalikasan. Kahit na wala kang pera ay maari ka pa ring mag enjoy dito sa aming lugar. Kung nais nyong pumunta pwede ko kayong samahan hehehe. Sa sobrang init ngayon ng panahon, di maiwasan na maisip mo ang magbabad sa tubig, mag swimming. Magpalamig sa mall pero lahat ng iyan ay puro kakailanganin mo ng pera dahil masyadong magastos. Hindi katulad nito na libre lamang. Punta na sa Nagano at tayo’y mamasyal. Heheh! Kanya kanyang paraan upang maiwasan natin ang Heatwave. Sabi nga nila galaw galaw baka ka ma stroke. Let’s Go mga friends. Pasyal pasyal pag may time!

P h i l i p

D iz o n

T o r r e s

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

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Paru-paro Kumusta kapatid? Alam mo ba iyong folk song na paruparong bukid? Bida ito palagi sa eskwelahan kapag “Araw ng Wika” di ba? Syempre kapag sinasayaw ito dapat pumapagaspas ang laylayan ng saya parang pakpak na lumilipad-lipad ang dating. Iyong idiom na “butterflies in the stomach” malimit mo bang maramdaman? Kapag ninenerbiyos kang mabuti katulad ng kapag may interview sa embassy o kaya sa inaaplayan mong trabaho. “Butterfly Kisses”? Nasubukan mo na ba? Pa-cute na kiss di ba, iyong kumukurap-kurap mong pilikmata lang ang dadapo sa love mo. Ang “Butterfly Effect”, narinig mo na? Sabi nito ang wagayway daw ng pakpak ng isang paruparo ay maaring maging sanhi ng isang bagyo. Ang ibig sabihin, ang bawat kaganapan sa mundo ay makakapaghatid ng koneksyon sa isa pang bagay o kaganapan sa hindi derechong paraan. May halos 20 libo pala ang uri ng butterfly sa buong mundo at ang tinatawag nating paruparo ay isang klase lang nito. Kasama ng gamu-gamo, ang scientific name nila ay Lepidoptera. Ang gaganda nila, at nakaka-tuksong gawing dekorasyon ano? Pero para hulihin sila para lamang ikwadro o ibote, malupit naman iyon para sa kanilang may buhay din, masilayan ko silang dumaan sa harap ko o

ni Loleng Ramos

umaaligid sa isang bulaklak, malaking kasayahan na iyon na binigay nila. Anong katangian ang naiisip mo kapag nakikita mo sila? Marikit, mabilis, makulay, mahinahon. Dahil siguro sa hitsura

nilang ito kaya nakikita ang paruparo na mensaherong ispiritual. Marami ding sinasabing ibig sabihin ang paglitaw na isang paruparo sa isang kaganapan sa buhay. May enkwentro ka na ba sa kanila? Meron akong nabasa na sinasabing ang mga anghel ay malimit nagpapanggap na isang paruparo para maghatid ng mensahe o magbigay proteksyon sa isang tao. Siguro totoo kase dinamayan na nila ako minsan. Bago ako tumira sa Japan, nagtrabaho ako sa isang isla na hitik sa kalikasan at libre lang mapuntahan kung dadayuhin mo. Naisipan ko isang araw na mamasyal kahit mag-isa lang ako. Nag-drive ako ng nag-drive hanggang napadpad ako sa isang sikat na lugar na isa nang abandonado noong panahon na iyon. Sinara na pala ito at wala ng pumupunta, pero ewan bakit naengganyo ako magsiyasat kahit na ang kapirasong daanan ay hitsura ng masukal na gubat, sabi ko gusto ko lang makita ang dulo na alam kong nakaharap sa isang dalampasigan. Malayo din pala at patalim ng patalim ang mga palaki

din ng palaking mga bato na nadadaanan ko ng bigla na lang hindi ko na mapaandar ang sasakyan, nabarahan na ng isang nakausling bato ang butas na palang gulong ko. May kalahating kilometro na ang layo ko sa pinanggalingan kong kalsada na hindi naman daanan ng maraming sasakyan. Saka lang ako nakaramdam ng takot at naisip na tama ang palaging sermon ng nanay ko sa akin “bira ka ng bira, hindi ka nag-iisip”, waaaaaah kahit umiyak ako ng umiyak walang makakarinig sa akin at kung meron man nakakatakot din, napaka-ilang ng pook na iyon. Tulad ng isang bata tumawag ako ng malakas sa ating Diyos na Tatay na tulungan ako. Nang kalmado na ako naisipan kong ang pwede ko lang magawa ay maglakad pabalik, walang signal ang cellphone doon. Habang naglalakad ako tingin ako ng tingin sa likod ko saka sa paligid ko hindi ko alam kung tatakbo ako at makagawa ng ingay o maglakad ng mabagal at madali akong maaatake ng kung anu man. Takot na takot ako ng bigla na lang napansin kong maraming maliliit na paruparong kulay dilaw ang nagliliparan sa paligid ng mga paa ko, di ko maisip kung nandoon lang sila at nadaanan ko pero habang naglalakad ako nasa paligid ko sila. Noong nakita ko sila para na akong naloka kase tawa naman ako ng tawa sa galak kase bigla akong may mga kasama at di ko na naramdaman ang takot, parang biglang umaliwalas ang paligid at sa tila walang katapusang landas na nilalakaran ko kinaaliwan ko ang nangyaring iyon sa akin. Di ko na matandaan kung hanggang saan ko sila nakasama

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pero noong nasa harap na ako ng kalye kung saan may humintong tourist bus sa akin wala na sila. Simbolo din ang paruparo ng resurrection. Bago sila maging paruparo, isa muna silang higad na magpapalaki hanggang sa sila ay magpalit ng anyo. Sa paglabas nila sa kanilang tilas o chrysalis, isa nang bagong buhay ang para sa kanila, di na sila gumagapang kundi isang magandang insekto na nakakalipad. Di ba kapag merong namayapa malimit tumatambay na lang ang isang paruparo, kahit sa loob ng bahay, sinasabing iyon ay ang pisikal na pamamaalam ng yumao o kaya ay isang pagdalaw. Marami pa silang simbolo, sa maraming kultura, ang kahulugan ay ayon sa kulay nila. Meron akong kakilala na mahilig magtanim pero kapag lumalapit ang paruparo, binubugaw niya kase daw mangingitlog lang ito na magiging uod at kakain sa mga halaman niya. May naringgan din ako na ang mga magsasaka daw, ang kinakaing tanim ay iyong may mga kagat ng insekto kase kapag malinis na malinis ibig sabihin madaming kemikal ang ginamit sa pagtanim nito na siyang nagpaalis sa mga insektong kakagat dito. Napansin mo na ba ang isang halaman lalo na ang bulaklak na nilapitan ng isang paruparo, ang ganda nila di ba, picture perfect, nilikha sila na may koneksyon sa isa’t-isa. Siguro kung mas magiging sensitibo ang mga tao sa kahit na pinakamaliliit na nilikha sa mundo, makikita natin ang kahalagahan at koneksyon natin sa iisang mundong pinaglagyan sa atin. Butterfly Effect!

Good Manners and Right Conduct

by Abie Principe Naalala ko pa noong bata ako. Sa elementary school, merong subject na good manners and right conduct. Minsan sa report card, nakasulat “good moral conduct” sa ibang school naman, “good manners and right conduct” na minsan pinaigsi sa GMRC. Mayroon pa ba nito ngayon? Napag-isipan ko ito dahil noong kamakailan lang habang nag-conduct ako ng listening test sa class ko, napansin ko pagkatapos ng test, parang may hawak na kung anong bagay ang mga mag-aaral habang lumalabas ng classroom. In-obserbahan ko, akala ko may dalang kung anong pagkain, hindi pala. Nakita ko na pagkatapos ng test, nililinis ng mga mag-aaral ang desks nila. Maraming estudyante na mahilig gumamit ng pencil at maraming binura habang tinatapos ang test. Nililinis nila ang duming naiwan ng eraser, sinasalo sa isang kamay, at hanabang palabras sila ng classroom, hawak-hawak nila ang eraser dust. Nagulat ako dahil, noong pinag-isipan ko ang mga ibang test ko, lahat nga ng mga estudyante nililinis ang desks bago lumabas ng classroom. At hindi nila hinuhulog or pinapagpag lamang ang eraser dust, kundi sinasalo talaga ng kamay, at itinatapon sa basurahan sa hallway ng paaralan. Tinanong ko yun isang estudyante kung saan niya itatapon yun eraser dust, sabi niya sa “burnable trash bin,” sa hall. Ang classroom ko ng araw na yun ay nasa bandang dulo ng hallway, at alam ko na ang trash bins ay nasa kabilang dulo. Medyo malayo. Pero, ang

estudyante kong ito, hawak-hawak ang eraser dust, lalabas ng classroom, lalampasan ang tatlong iba pang classrooms, tatawid sa kabilang corridor, para itapon ang eraser dust, at tsaka pa lang pupunta sa susunod niyang class. Minsan, dahil sa tagal ko nang nakatira sa Japan, hindi ko na napapansin ang mga ganitong bagay. Pero sa totoo lang, kahit na hindi perpekto ang mga Hapon, sa totoo lang, wala naman pong perpekto, di po ba, maraming mga Hapon talagang mayroong good manners and right conduct. Dala nila hanggang unibersidad, dahil hindi naman elementary ang mga estudyante ko, pero ang natutunan nila noong elementary sila, dala pa rin nila. What we learn as part of our core values really does impact our futre lives.

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Neriza Sarmiento - Saito's On the Road to:

A Coconutist Who Thrives Well in Japan

With JORGE PRIMAVERA Japan is considered as one of the most health - conscious nations in the world. More than a decade ago, the Japanese fascination for coconuts has grown after learning that people from countries who have coconuts in their diet live longer and healthier. They discovered that fatty acids contain a lot of medicinal properties. With coconuts, kidneys can function better and is good for heart diseases. Aside from the energy it gives, weight conscious people can get back to their slim figure. “Cocowell“ is a corporation engaged in the selling of coconut products like cosmetics using coconut oil and coconut accessories. It was established in 2004 by Mr. YU MIZUI in Nishi-ku Osaka. The youthful looking Mr. Mizui is determined to

convey to the public the benefits derived from coconuts and that the sale of coconut products in Japan can contribute to the reduction of poverty in the Philippines. Mr. Mizui, the company’s president, made sure that because of coconuts, they have become a coconutist cum economist. One day, in 2012 while giving a presentation about Cocowell in a career seminar in Kyoto University, Jorge Primavera, a young Filipino student there approached him and told him how much he appreciated his concern for the coconut farmers in the Philippines. In 2015, he joined the company and now, Jorge works there full-time and in-charge of wholesaling to retail shops all over Kansai. This gives him a chance to travel to rural and urban areas

and is also able to talk to people about himself and the Philippines. Cocowell also has a cozy, quiet and elegant cafe that serve dishes using coconut products. We had a sampling of those at a “talk and dinner “ Independence Day celebration with chicken adobo cooked in coconut milk, coconut oil rice, taho and coconut ice cream.

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And the most exciting part of which was the sweet aroma of coffee with coconut sugar and a few drops of coconut oil! Cocowell Cafe has received favorable comments from foreign visitors, too. The most recent visitors were Undersecretary of Tourism Benito Bengzon and DOT Osaka Attaché Ma. Leona Nepomuceno. At the June 12 Independence Day talk,

symposium in Kobe paved the way for him to get a scholarship in Niigata in 2003 to 2005. He worked for 1 year and a half in an aquaculture research institute funded by Japan. But in 2007, he came to Japan again to study economics at Kyoto University. From an early age, Jorge was impressed by the high quality of tools that his father used to repair their cars. Common to his generation were Japanese animation like Astroboy, Macross and Voltron. Rurouni Kenshin had a big influence on him. Jorge says: ”I really like Japan and I fell in love with it even more when I came here.” I asked Jorge to answer some more questions and here are his comments: WHAT WERE YOUR INITIAL Jorge questioned, “Independent, but are we free?“ Jorge reiterated that although the Philippines is an independent country, many Filipinos are not free because of the shackles of poverty. Soft-spoken, cool and unassuming, Jorge is very dedicated to his job. “I joined this company because I believe in Mr. Mizui’s commitment that for every product sold, the equivalent of 3 pesos is put into a fund to support coconut farmers. With almost a decade of living and working here, Jorge is also very fluent in the Japanese language, but thinks that his 7-year old daughter is better

than him in Osaka dialect. Jorge reflects that his first visit here in 2002 to accompany his mom in an international

IMPRESSIONS OF JAPAN? Everything is expensive. High tech gadgets are available anywhere. People are polite. Time schedules are observed

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and drivers rarely blow their horn. DID THOSE IMPRESS IONS CHANGE AFTER LIVING HERE? Despite Japan‘s economic development and technology and modernity, I discovered that Japan has its own unique social problems. DO YOU HAVE SOME SPECIAL PLANS FOR COCOWELL? COCOWELL will be celebrating its 14th anniversary. We want coconut oil to be a regular part of the Japanese kitchen. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW THINGS ABOUT YOUR FAMILY : My parents, my sister and her family and my two brothers are all in the Philippines. I’m the only one here. I am married to a Japanese and we have 2 girls (ages 7 and 4). DO YOU HAVE ANY HEROES? Modesty aside, it’s my parents. Their contribution to society cannot be overemphasized. The way they live their lives serves as a guide in the way I raise my own family. I am always grateful to them for the way they brought me up. I’ll make sure that my children know their grandparents well. Well, that‘s all for now with Jorge at Cocowell! Indeed, at Cocowell, not only are the products good for our body and the economy of the Philippines, but all is well that smells Cocowell!

Dula: Karen Sanchez Larawan: Marisol Punzalan Kudo

TAG-INIT Sa ganitong panahon ng tag-init Napakasarap magtampisaw sa tubig Kahit saan lugar basta malamig Nang pati ulo'y maliwanag mag-isip Ilog, dagat man o sa mga plaza Ang sarap magliwaliw kahit na mag-isa Lalo na pag may beer gardeng nakabalandra Na tila ikaw ay uhaw na uhaw na Ngunit mas masarap kapag marami kang kasama Sa ganitong panahon kaysa sa mag-isa Sapagkat mas mararamdamam mo ang saya Kwentuhan, inuman at halakhak na mga tawa Mainit man hinde na ito inaalintana Pagkat isip, puso at katawan ay ubod ng saya Sa maigsing panahon dapat bigyang halaga Nang ang buhay sa Japan ay iyong damang-dama Buhay ay di natin masasabi kelan ito magwawakas Kaya habang may panahon ikaw ay magpamalas Sa mga mahal sa buhay ng totoo at wagas Nang hinde magsisi, pumanaw ka man bukas

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Life to the Full

AHOY TO YOSAKOI!

by Monette Lamsen-Obera

n a stressful world we live in, there is nothing like adopting the children’s perspective on how to live—PLAY. Yes, this word we often hear from them and see them do. It might mean different things to different children. How about adults? How about us?

For me, PLAY is an activity that encourages me to explore, to experiment, and to follow my curiosity. Last month, I was invited to participate in a class called YOSAKOI. It is a traditional Japanese dance which is popular during summer. It originated in Kochi prefecture, southwest part of Japan (1hr 20min away from Tokyo). Its original aim was revitalization of regional economy in Kochi after the World War II. Today, it has expanded extensively with different versions being

performed across Japan, and even abroad. With zero dancing skill and no confidence on the dance floor, I said “yes” and found myself with other foreign participants. We were taught the basic choreography of the dance performance. The style of dance was

not just body movement, but a dancer was required to hold naruko, small wooden clappers on each hand (originally used to drive birds away from crops). We were also asked to put on costumes of a real Yosakoi dancer to have a feel of it.

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I’m always grateful for opportunities to try on something new. Doing things out of my comfort zone and growing. Life is too short for us not to explore and experiment. So waste no time and break away from the stress of life. Like children, play or dance away. Sometimes, you just need to sweat a little and follow your curiosity. No better way to deal with the stress of life than these. Who knows, you’ll make new friendships along the way. I did.

UTAWIT Donation Turnover

at Guagua Sibol School in Guagua, Pampanga on 18 June 2018

Gawad Kalinga - Sibol, Child and Youth Development has been the beneficiary for 10 straight years of UTAWIT: Himig ng Pinoy at Hapon, Isang Pagdiriwang, a prestigious charity singing competition organized by various Japan-based Filipino organizations. The UTAWIT Execom spearheaded by the Jeepney Press, Samahang Pilipino-Tokyo and Teatro Kanto turned over the proceeds of their charity event to the officials of Guagua Sibol School in Pampanga through a simple ceremony last June 18 at the Gawad Kalinga Guagua Sibol School, Child and Youth Development in Guagua, Pampanga. Ms Irene Kaneko, Utawit’s National Execom Chairman and Ms Ofelia Ai Kaneko, Utawit Execom member flew all the way from Japan to initiate the donation turnover. The momentous event was witnessed by the Sibol kids and their parents, as well as Tito Raymund David, the Gawad Kalinga Pampanga

Head; Tito Benigno Castillo, the GK Central Luzon Building Community Head and other community officials. Also in attendance were the families of Ms. Irene Kaneko. During the turnover, the students sang and danced. All students were given stationery gifts and snacks from Utawit. The word, UTAWIT is actually a blending of UTA, a Japanese word and AWIT, a Filipino word, which both means “to sing.” Tito Raymund David shared his message to the group, “Kami po'y taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa pagtulong n'yo sa mga bata dito sa Guagua Sibol School. Napakalaking tulong po ng donasyon na ibinigay n'yo para matugunan ang mga pangangailangan nila sa pagaaral. Pagpalain po kayo ng Maykapal at ipagdarasal po namin ang inyong tagumpay. Domo Arigato, UTAWIT!

“Education is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in the world’s work, and the power to appreciate life.” – Brigham Young

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FUKUOKA 17 June 2018

Rodelio Laed

Hosted by: The Global Filipino-Japanese Friendship Association in Fukuoka President: Ms. Rosemarie C. Aritaka Venue: Fuku Fuku Plaza in Nagahama

Top 3 WINNERS (contest piece) 1st Place Winner: Rodelio Laed (Dito Sa Aking Mundo) 2nd Place Winner: Ana Masunaga (Believe by Chenelle) 3rd Place Winner: China Kiyonaga (Isang Lahi)