Jeepney Press July-August 2019 Issue

Pahayagang pinoy sa japan Celebrating The Journeys Of Filipinos In Japan ジープニー プレス

在日フィリピン人 向 け マ ガ ジン

July - August 2019 2019年7月-8月

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 2019

JEEPNEY PRESS A sia 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 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 MILES BORJA Tokyo 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

Cover design and art: DENNIS SUN

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

07

DENNIS SUN

Glen gypsy

08

Neriza Sarmiento-saito

marilyn rivera

alvin tagle

12

16 18

anita sasaki

jeff plantilla

The 100th ISSUE

14 20

isabelita manalastaswatanabe

10

loleng ramos

25

nanette fernandez

24

22

UTAWIT Donation

abie principe

33

alma reyes karen sanchez

28

37

yellowbelle duaqui

35

jasmin vasquez

irene kaneko

30

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Believe in your heart that you're meant to live a life full of passion, purpose, magic and miracles.�

- Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

Painting by Dennis Sun

読む

よむ “YOMU” means to read in Japanese

by Dennis Sun Celebrating the 100th issue of Jeepney Press The celebration for this 100th issue of Jeepney Press would not have happened if not for this longing to create a publication that would set a standard and separate itself from the rest. Before Jeepney Press was born, most of the publications in Japan for Filipinos were basically commercialized with ads abounding in every page and with many articles about Pinoy showbiz.

How in the world would Filipinos in Japan learn and upgrade their living standards with publications like these?

With that basic question, Jeepney Press was conceived. We needed something more. With the support of some of my Pinoy friends in Japan, we started to undertake this unselfish adventure--the

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Jeepney Press journey.

Jeepney Press is about moving positively forward.

About colorful stories, amazing articles, pleasant poetry. Dazzling designs, lovely layout and alluring art. Fascinating photos.

And the admirable Filipino people in Japan, our heroes, each one a pasaHERO of Jeepney Press!

Taking care and moving Jeepney Press has not been an easy task. From a print publication to a digital magazine, Jeepney Press has surpassed so many bumps and hurdles along the way but we continued to carry on. Yet, this is only the beginning.

We, the staff of Jeepney Press, still have a long arduous task ahead that will bring us, hopefully, to many hundred more issues in the future. There are so many things more to explore, write, and try…and so many ordeals and obstacles to face

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along the way. But cheers to all who make Jeepney Press running to its finish line every issue. We do it, not for ourselves, but for all of us…the Filipinos in Japan.

For this special issue, I have asked the writers of Jeepney Press to share their own exciting journeys of Japan.

In the meantime, let me celebrate this 100th issue with all of you, readers, by going back to work, finish this issue, and continue to face more fabulous future issues ahead.

Dennis Sun 07

Glen Gypsy’s

is a

Huwag kang patalo sa mga takot sa mga paligid-ligid.

Tingin ka lang sa harapan.

Tuloy lang ang pasada!

Mas maraming ngiti sa mukha.

Magandang buhay!

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Student? Just arrived in Japan? Lipat bahay? Bagong opisina?

Moving company? Cable and internet connection?

“Our Mission is You! Let us support your life in Japan.�

English and Japanese OK!

03-5292-2340

Only 1-min. walk from Takadanobaba Eki (Yamanote Line or Tozai Line) Very near Big Box and Donki

1-26-12-701 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

www.asiavox.com

Nishimachi is...

Academically rigorous.

A Pioneer... in English and Japanese language education in Japan.

Multicultural... with a student body of 390 children representing some thirty countries.

Small and intimate... which enables us to promote the optimal well-being and growth of each individual.

Co-educational and non-sectarian... Kindergarten through Grade 9.

Accredited... by the Council of International Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and recognized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

Conveniently located... in a residential area of central Tokyo favored by the diplomatic and expatriate communities.

090-2908-5088(SB)

Visit our campus and experience the warm atmosphere of Nishimachi!

2-14-7 Moto Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0046, Japan Tel: +81-(0)3-3451-5520 Fax: +81-(0)3-3456-0197

www.nishimachi.ac.jp

Neriza Sarmiento - Saito's

On the Road to:

A HUNDREDFOLD OF “ONE MOMENT,ONE MEETiNG”

The way of tea in Japan encompasses the whole idea of “Ichi go, Ichi e” or one moment, one meeting, which means that every experience we have in our daily life is unique and special, therefore it must be cherished. This was the belief of Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591), the master of “Sado” or tea ceremony.

Decades of living in Japan has taught me to appreciate the simple things in our complex world. Sometimes, I feel sorry for some of our “kababayan” who allow themselves to be slaves of time and material possessions. I am also one of those train commuters, like almost everyone inside the train, glued to my I-phone in the early hours of the morning. Or sometimes, while transferring trains, I fear that some of those impatient salaried workers might just knock me down the escalator or that some of the oversized suitcases of a group of tourists might hit my injured leg. People seemed to be rushing unmindful of others.

Services are the best in Japan and customers are never kept waiting. In some fast food chains, orders are made through iPhone applications, so by the time the customer

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steps into the shop, the items are ready for pickup. In the slow paced and almost choreographic ritual of “Sado”, serving tea is an expression of purity. “Wabi” is the spiritual experience representing tranquility and refinement , while “Sabi“ is the material side that is decayed or worn out.

For the 100th issue of Jeepney Press, I would like to look back at the very first “one moment, one meeting“ I had with Dennis and Irene during a presidential reception in Tokyo in 2003. They were in the preliminary stages in planning the publication Jeepney Press. I felt honored to have had that moment of meeting two very warm-hearted and determined brother and sister, to document the journeys of Filipinos in Japan. I never imagined that it was also the start of my own journey of soul-searching.

The second moment was a reunion in Japan with Nanette Ochoa Fernandez, a classmate in my Theater Arts class way back when. She wrote about me in her article in JP. Soon after that, Dennis encouraged me to write a column here, so the first person I interviewed was my best friend, Noemi Itsukage.

It has been 15 years since then and what started as a 1/4 page column expanded to a 2-page spread. Over the years, I wrote about the lives, struggles and aspirations of migrants in Japan. Some of them are known to many of you: Henry Tabao, Malou Sato, Valentino Cabansag, Osti Wade, Susan Fuchizaki, Roman Santos Jr.,

It seemed to me that people from my yesteryears are coming back in my life recently. During the G-20 summit in Osaka, we were invited by Prof. Makita of Ritsumeikan University to join a discussion for their art project. On their performance night, I met a “kohai” Teresa from my university who is now working on the JET program. We talked only for less than an hour but the rejuvenating experience of reliving my university days was great!

Then there was this talk we had on “ Windows on the Philippines “ organized by students of Prof. Lisa Rogers of Doshisha Women’s College, when going around the campus premises, I remembered the stories my department head at PNU, Prof. Naty Crame Rogers used to tell us when she was a fellow at Doshisha more than 40 years ago. Everything was coming back like time travel. It was indeed a chain of experiences somehow connected to a happening in the past.

One of those big surprises was a visit of Ambassador Antonio Villamayor, who served as Consul General of the Philippine Consulate in 2002 until 2006. He addressed the members of the Samasama Filipino Community with the same enthusiasm and energy as The 3 Kings of Kansai — Alfred Valencia , Natalio Naguit, Tony Herrera, Consul General Senen Mangalile, the late Frank Catajoy, the late, Mely Kohno, Katrina Fujikawa, Toshi Delos Santos, Charlie, Helen Uede, Lucy Yamane, Prof. Jorge V. Tigno, Rose Kasai, Fiona, Wowie and Jamir of the Japan Foundation, Joy Miyagawa, Roterry Shimono, Olson Solon, Connie Fujiwara, Jun Silva, Kurt Takeuchi, Jeff Plantilla, Jenny Yoshizawa, Koji Ueno, Lyle Menecio, Ronilo Flores, the late Vicky Wakiyama, Prof.

Masanao Oue, Prof. Galileo Zafra, Yosuke Shohara, Lorelei Cruz, Joy Yoshitomi, Ms. Leona Nepomuceno, Jorge Takara, Olive Kawaida, Emy Arai, Sabado Boys, Herbert Benzon, Dr. Jovelle Fernandez, Jorge Primavera.

In between those, some groups or communities were featured like the Kansai Nippi Tomo No Kai, the Knights of Rizal, Kansai Chapter, Senior High School Students of Uenomiya Gakuen, Chorus group from the Philippines and the Taka-tsuki International Association.

Students majoring in Filipino at the Minoo campus of Osaka University were regularly featured with hopes that they can inspire more Japanese-Filipino children to speak their native language and be proud of their roots.

2019 was Tanabata’s Wife. Crossing paths with Director Mikhail Red in a narrow alley on my way to the theater to watch Neo Manila was beyond my imagination. His famous father Raymond Red was a visual arts major at the Philippine High School for the Arts in Makiling when I taught there for a year. It was unimaginable how I could be talking face to face with the equally talented son of a movie genius. That was one moment in my life I would always be proud of.

And then, there was Iza Calzado at the press preview of her movie “Bliss.”

That moment when I asked a question about her feelings of coming to Japan and the influence of her late father Lito Calzado on her acting career, that made tears trickled down her face. Her boyfriend, and now her husband, Ben Winkle approached me after the press conference to express his gratitude for raising that question because “it meant so much to Iza.“ At the awarding ceremonies, she was awarded the Yakushi Pearl Award for her outstanding performance in the film and to my surprise, she called me personally and gave me the bouquet of flowers she received that night.

This year, I interviewed the cast of “Tanabata’s Wife “ with lead actors Miyuki Kamimura and Mai Fanglayan.

Incidentally, one of the directors, When the Osaka Asian Film Festival Charlson Ong, helped us with the asked me to interview the directors script of the musical I directed in and stars of the participating films, I 1995, “Ang Kalayaan sa Buhay ni Loretta Delia Rosa Tanaka“ where the trooped to the moviehouses, and leading role was played by Jina wrote articles about “Walang Forever,” Iza Calzado’s “Bliss,” Mikhail Umali, who coincidentally was also involved in the production of this Red’s Neo Manila and the latest in film.

before when he and his wife the late Ma’am Inday used to host gatherings of the Filipino Community at his official residence. He was instrumental in transferring the Philippine Consulate General from its temporary office in Tenma after the Great Hanshin Earthquake, to the present office in the Osaka Business Park. He mentioned in his short talk to the parishioners of St. Mary’s Cathedral about the assistance of the Filipino Communities in Kansai to their various activities. Those of us who had this opportunity to meet Ambassador Villamayor again were inspired with his patience to listen to the stories of our “sweet and sour” experiences of living in Japan.

Had I not been able to have that “one moment, one meeting“ with Dennis and Irene, maybe I would not have been what I am now. And had I passed up any opportunity to meet the people I interviewed for Jeepney Press, perhaps, I would not have the compassion that I feel now because listening to the experiences of others encouraged me to meet all challenges that will come my way with an open mind.

So, for everyone, let me share this phrase:

“He who searches hearts, knows what the mind of the spirit is. “

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11

by Alvin Tagle

Leaving Japan is akin to a heartbreak, at least for me. When you leave someone, you do your darn best to forget and move on to your new reality. So I tried to avoid anything that connected me to a country which was home for 15 years. Otherwise, I risk triggering a momentary bout of depressing mental block that wrecks my day. So that means no manga, no Jeepney Press on FB, no Terrace House on Netflix, no Uwajima (local Japanese grocery), and no Japanese restaurants (not that Japanese food outside Japan is anything good). Sayonara. This silliness did work, and my sanity is preserved.

However yesterday, after Sunday church, my family happened to pass by a very happening Seattle street food festival and decided it will be our lunch. We parked the car, and walked through the thick crowd when I saw the banner, in big Hiragana font at that, なつまつり. I momentarily stopped, and thought about heading back. It would be the right thing to do. But then, I was really, really hungry, and my family kept walking being truly excited. So off we went, stall by stall. There were all sorts of Japanese products on sale. My nieces bought kawaii stuff not unfamiliar in Harajuku, and fished for those hapless goldfish. And food was everywhere. We had shoyu ramen, okonomiyaki, yakitori, takoyaki, karaage, and yakisoba. I ate two platefuls of

The 100th ISSUE

yakisoba, as it tasted like the best yakisoba ever (though minus my crazy state, you can do better with konbini versions). Our bellies full, we mingled with the international crowd, enjoying a bit of Japanese culture in America, and later joined the bon odori. Yes, a bon odori complete with adorable and very patient Japanese grandmas in kimonos teaching the overly excited locals with two left feet. It was a fun day, and we

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capped it off with coffee and matcha ice cream at Tully’s across the street.

Tully’s, though ubiquitous in Japan, did originate in Seattle after all.

On the drive back home, I was ready to feel the familiar pain of heartbreak starting to creep in. But it did not happen. I had a fun day and it felt good, really good. That night, I was not able to sleep, but only because I binge-watched Evangelion on Netflix . Perhaps, I have moved on, and accepted the fact that I now live across the Pacific.

But moving on does not mean forgetting the joys, and the craziness of those 15 years I spent in Tokyo, and I take comfort knowing that someday, I will come back... home.

13

ni Jeff Plantilla Isang bagay na hindi ko malilimutan nung ako ay bata pa ay ang pag-gala. Gala ako nang gala sa aming maliit na bayan sa Laguna.

Kahit pinagbabawalan na, gala pa rin.

Doon na ako nangitim sa kabibilad sa araw, at doon din ako nakapulot ng mga magandang bagay. Kung saan-saan ako nakarating sa aming maliit na bayan. Kung ano-ano ang aking nakita mula sa mga lumang bahay (na noon ay mukhang napakalalaki at hinahangaan dahil sa kanilang kalumaan at kasaysayan), ang lumang sementeryo na siyang pinagsyutingan ng “Ang Magiting At Ang Pusakal” na pelikula nina Joseph Estrada at Fernando Poe, Jr. at ng Pacific Connection ni Roland Dantes at isang aktor na Hapones (Hiroshi Tanaka), ang ilog na siyang pinaglalabahan at pinaliliguan ng mga tao (na feature din sa mga commercial ng panglabang sabon), ang basketball court sa tabi ng munisipyo o sa tabi ng simbahan na pinaglalaruan ng liga ng basketball.

14

Una kong nakita sa syuting ng Pacific Connection sa aming bayan ang pag-aayos ng buhok ng samurai – yung kay Hiroshi Tanaka.

May mga bagay-bagay din akong napupulot na sa bahay dinadala. May tornilyo, may hindi na ginagamit na spark plug ng sasakyan, at may kuting na iniwan ng kanyang magulang.

Sinasabihan ako ng aking Ina na huwag magdala ng kuting dahil baka may sakit ang pusa. Nguni’t kawawa naman kung iiwan sa kalye na nag-iisa.

May ilang bagay na mahalaga sa paggala: mga lugar na napupuntahan, mga bagay na napupulot na kapaki-pakinabang, mga bagay na naunawaan o natutunan, at mga taong nakikilala.

Gala at Buhay

Sariling Karanasan Sa pagtanda, ang aking paggala ay hindi nawala. Dahil sa trabaho, maraming lugar sa Filipinas ang napuntahan at iba’t-ibang uri ng tao ang nakasalimuha.

Nakilala ko ang mga tinatawag na mga Kung tutuusin ang katutubo – ang buhay ay isang iba’t-ibang tribo ng paggagala o Mangyan (Alangan, paglalakbay. Maraming Hanununo, Tadyawan, Filipino ay gala sa Iraya at iba pa) ng iba’t-ibang parte ng Mindoro, ang mga T’boli mundo – tulad ng mga ng South Cotobato, ang seaman, musikero, mga mga Aeta sa Zambales, engineer, pati na rin at ang mga magsasaka yung nagtrabaho sa Meron ding kung sa tubuhan ng Balayan sino-sinong nakikila (sa mga agricultural farms at Tuy sa Batangas, ang ng Hawaii at fishing malayo – hindi mga mangingisda sa nakausap) tulad ng mga industry sa Alaska, at Infanta, Quezon at ang mga ngayo’y magagaling na Jala-jala, Rizal. tinatawag na overseas basketball player, mga Mara-ming pang opisyales sa munisipyo, Filipino workers. iba’t-ibang uri ng tao Kailangan silang gumala ang aking nakasalimuha mga nagluluto ng para sa makapag-hanap sa paggala sa iba’t-ibang tsampoy at camote buhay. Nguni’t mahigit lugar sa Filipinas. candy, mga nagtitinda pa sa hanapbuhay, ng isda at karne sa maraming bagay pa na Marami akong palengke, kasama ang mga Pareng Katoliko at nangyayari sa kanila at natutunan sa mga Aglipayano. Noong ako napupulot sa paggala. taong ito. Natutunan ko ay maliit pa, ang 2 ang kahalagahan ng May mga karanasan at matandang Pareng pagkakaroon ng tiwala kaalaman na hindi Katoliko at Aglipayano sa bawa’t isa. Natutunan makikita sa Filipinas ang ko ang kahalagahan ng ay magkaibigan. Ang nakukuha nila. At may Pareng Aglipayano ay pagtutulungan sa mga pagkakataon na palaging nakasutana – pagharap sa mga itim at puti. Nakikita ko hindi palaging problema ng mga taong makukuha sa Filipinas silang nag-uusap tinutulungan. Hindi ang natatagpuan sa habang naglalakad sa dahil ang isang tao ay kalsada. Ecumenical ang paggala. professional kaya hitsura. automatic na ibinibigay sa kanya ang tiwala, at ang lahat ng kilos ay

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dapat sa kanya lamang.

Ang pagtulong ng isang professional sa mga mahihirap ay dapat nakasalalay sa pantay-pantay na pagtitiwala at pagtutulungan ng bawa’t isa. At ang tiwala ng tao ay pinaghihirapan, hindi basta nakukuha.

Sa aking paglipat sa Thailand, may ibang bagay akong natutunan.

Mas lalo kong nakilala ang mga taong taga-iba’t-ibang bansa.

Naintindihan ko ang kahalagahan ng bigayan, hindi maaaring ikaw lang ang masusunod. Win-win wika nga ang dapat.

Naintindihan ko ang iba’t-ibang English nila – tulad sa Filipino, may kanya-kanyang punto (accent) at salita na ginagamit sa kanilang English.

May mga Filipino na may “no” na dagdag sa bawa’t English sentence.

“We need to understand the problem well, no.”

Napapansin kaya ito ng mga hindi Filipino? Saan kaya galing ang “no” na ito? Ang mga tagaSingapore at Malaysia ay may “la” sa huli.

Malakas din ang iba’t-ibang accent kaya kailangan sanay ang pagdinig – may hindi malinaw ang mga salitang ingles dahil sa accent. May nagsasalita na parang pareho pa rin sa kanilang sariling wika – tulad din sa mga Filipino – ingles nga lang.

Nakakatuwa na marinig ang iba’t-ibang English ng mga Asyano. Sinasalamin ng mga iba’tibang English na ito ang iba’t-ibang pag-iisip at kultura. Mas umuunlad ang wika sa ganitong sistema.

Paggala at Pagkilala sa Sarili

Pagtira sa Japan

Nalalaman natin ang ating mga pagkaka-iba.

Pero nalalaman din natin ang ating pagkakapareho.

Karaniwang napapansin sa mga tumitira sa Japan ang kakaibang mga bagay, kultura at gawa ng mga Hapones.

Nguni’t sa aking karanasan, napapansin ko ang mga bagay na alam ko na nung nasa Filipinas pa. Maraming bagay sa Japan na parehong produkto nung nasa Filipinas. Hindi ba’t meron tayong katol?

Hindi ba’t meron tayong mga Johnson & Johnson products? Kahit Vicks Vapor Rub meron din.

Yung tikoy at kalamay sa atin ay hindi nalalayo sa kanilang mochi, may tamis nga lang sa atin.

Sa aking paggala at pagtira sa iba’t-ibang bansa, mas nakikilala natin ang ating sarili at ang ating bansa.

Ang kakaibang pananaw na ito ang isa sa ating maiuuwi sa ating bansa. Ang pagbabago ng ating pananaw at paggawa ng mga bagay-bagay dahil sa ating paggala ay may saysay at gamit sa Filipinas.

Dahil sa tayo ay lumayo, nakikita natin ang ating bansa sa ibang pananaw.

Kung nung ako ay maliit pa, tornilyo, spark plug at kuting ang dalang pauwi sa bahay, ngayon may mga bagay din akong maiuuwi sa Filipinas na kakaiba at natutunan sa Thailand at Japan.

Hindi tulad nung tayo ay nasa Filipinas, may nakikita tayo na maaaring hindi nakikita ng ating mga kababayan.

Sa aking paggala, ang tanong ay kailan ako uuwi dala ang mga bagay na napulot sa ibang bansa.

Kaya may pagkakataon na ang ating pananaw ay kakaiba na sa ating mga kakababayan sa Filipinas.

Kayo, kailan kayo uuwi nang ganito?

Ito ay isa sa mga bagay na aking binabantayan sa paggala, ang paghahanap ng mga bagay na kilala natin dahil pareho nating ginagamit. Dito lumabas ang ating pagkakapare-pareho kahit magkaiba ang salita, kultura at kasaysayan. Kapag nakikita natin ang ating pagkakapare-pareho mas mabilis ang ating pakikipagrelasyon sa mga Hapones.

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15

A Simple Act of Kindness by Marilyn Rivera “Have courage and be kind.

For where there is kindness there is goodness and where is goodness there is magic.�

- Cinderella

School has already started for about two months now. My daughter and I are in our normal routine from when she wakes up in the morning until she comes home in the afternoon. I wake her up around 6:30 in the morning. She would freshen up and ready herself for breakfast. And while she is eating, I would ask her what she would like for her snacks so I can prepare it for her to make it more special.

Packing her snacks and lunch is my most important task every school day. While I get her bag and her food ready, she would talk about Disney princesses and how Cinderella believes in magic and asked me if I believe in magic, too.

But to engage her in a more meaningful conversation, I would ask her about her teacher, classmates and what school activities she is looking forward to this week. Through her stories, I get to know more about her teachers, classmates and the people she interacts with everyday.

One morning, she woke up an hour early and told me that she could not sleep anymore. I was done preparing her breakfast and decided to watch the morning shows that were on. Since she was up early, she asked permission if she could go through the pantry to decide on what snacks she would like for school today. Not a problem at all, I told her to choose what she wanted and just to make sure to include some fruits.

Looking on what she placed on the table, I was surprised to see that it was quite a lot. I asked her, "Are you sure that you can finish all these on your break?" She was hesitant to answer and said it was also for another classmate. I let it slide and told myself maybe she and her classmates are sharing snacks. It was perfectly fine.

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Then the next day, I can sense that she was trying to find the courage to ask me something again. She was fidgeting at the corner of the table and then finally blurted out if she can bring two drinks and an extra sandwich today. She knew I don't agree on wasted food and told her

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to make sure she finishes everything or else, no more.

A week or so gone by, I realized that she has been asking for more snacks.

Well, she was a growing kid so it was perfectly okay, even better I thought to myself. She knows what she wants, and asks for it.

Not like other kids who would not say anything and just have their parents create assumptions all the time. I was proud of my daughter.

One day, she was walking towards me. She turned around and approached me again. Something was up with her, I know my daughter so well that no one can say otherwise. She finally found the courage to ask if she can have more food for lunch and rice. I asked her why because she normally does not finish everything in her lunch just her snacks. And she knows, I will say no but still she asked. She was being brave, I thought.

My daughter knows how I disagree with unfinished lunch. We have been having discussions of her leftover food almost every day. For me it is a big issue and she is fully aware of this. Then in her defense, she told me that it was for her classmate and that she was thinking he might not have lunch again today. I asked her what she meant by that. Then she explained to me that she has a

classmate that did not always have snacks or lunch every day.

After hearing what she had to say, my heart melted. I asked her more about her classmate and told her that she can freely share what she has with him. She can also ask what he would like to eat. Being children, I know not everything would be appealing to their taste. From then on, I would ask her if she would like me to pack an extra lunch. She was happy and I also felt happy‌ and sad at the same time.

I have learned an important lesson from my daughter that day. That kindness is not taught, it is not something you learn.

But kindness starts deep inside you. I never taught my daughter to pack extra

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snacks or save a portion of her food for someone else. It was her heart that told her to do it.

Her compassion for others, her own sense of love and concern to people around her. She can always ignore her classmate, but she chooses not to.

Being good is always a matter of choice. Everyone is capable to do it, as anyone can change the world. Evil may exist but let us not forget to see the collateral beauty behind it.

Most often than not, we try to find hope in far places and overlook to see that a beaming light of hope is well-hidden in our own child’s heart. For me, having courage and being kind is what makes my daughter’s world, and now, it makes my world. And through her world, I know that this magic called love and compassion will live forever.

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By Anita Sasaki

“Hindi mo kailangan maging mayaman o mataas na pinag-aralan upang makatulong sa kapwa Pilipino.” – Nanay Anita

What will I be doing here? Wow! It was a big question. But God has plans for me.

I started to listen to woos of our Filipino mothers. Problems like their Japanese partner My journey in Japan left them with a baby or started when I arrived children. They have no March 7, 1995. It was a money to support their BIG question to myself: children or they were Why and what will I be battered wives and doing in Japan? I knew more. As for the nobody. Before, if you children, they had come to Japan, it’s problems with their because you’re an entertainer. But OMG, stepfathers. Ganito more or less po ang mga at my age 47 years and with 10 grandchildren… problema.

I was fat and had no talent in either singing nor dancing. I couldn’t even speak Nihongo.

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So being a mother and a grandmother, I cannot just turn my back or be deaf to all these problems. Ang masasabi ko ay hinding hindi malilimutan sa pamamalagi ko dito sa bansa ng Hapon. Hindi po pera ang aking kinita kundi ang yaman na kaligayahan kong naramdaman sa tuwing may mga kababayan kong natutulungan kahit na sa maliit na mga bagay lamang. Hindi po sa pera o bagay. Pero tulong para maibsan ng maski konti o bahagya ang kanilang mga suliranin.

Hindi mababayaran ang kaligayahan mong mararamdaman.

Ang mahalaga ay hindi ang dami o lawak ng iyong naibigay kundi kung ano itinuro mo at natutuhan ng iba dahil sa iyo. Hindi mahalaga kung gaano karaming tao ang kilala mo, kundi gaano karami ang makaramdam ng iyong init ng tulong at pagmamahal.

Ang mahalaga ay hindi ang iyong mga alaala kundi ang mga alaalang maiwan mo sa mga nagmamahal sa iyo. Hindi mo kailangan ang parangalan ka o palakpakan ka sa iyong ginawa. You don’t have to be applauded for things you have done.

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You don’t have to tell the right hand what the left hand is doing. “ EVERY GISING A BLESSING “... has always been my slogan. Just waking up in the morning is already a blessing. It’s so nice to wake up realizing God has given us another day to live, an opportunity to help, serve and living with a purpose.

The only thing I can leave my children and grandchildren is the legacy I will leave. The 2014 Presidential Award given to me. Giving back the Glory to God and to all my mentors who were tireless in giving their help and support.

This is for all of us specially the youth.

Someday, someone will look at me and say... “ because of you I didn’t give up.”

To those distressed kababayans whom I have shared my love and knowledge, salamat po.

It was a privilege serving them.

To JEEPNEY PRESS, WHOM GOD USED TO REACH OUR KABABAYANS IN JAPAN TO SHARE THE EXPERIENCES I HAVE HAD... HAPPY 100th ISSUE! I am so blessed to be among your contributors!

SAKAY NA PO KAYO SA JEEPNEY PRESS !

Nanay Anita

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

Student? Just arrived in Japan? Lipat bahay? Bagong opisina?

“Our Mission is You! Let us support your life in Japan.�

Only 1-min. walk from Takadanobaba Eki (Yamanote Line or Tozai Line) Very near Big Box and Donki

1-26-12-701 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

www.asiavox.com

English and Japanese OK!

03-5292-2340

Where have all the years gone? Wasn’t it just a few years ago that I fell in love with Japan during my very first trip in 1975, and then, just like a magnet, it pulled me back to return, and then there was no turning back?

the ASEAN delegates fly back to their countries, rich with many happy memories of their experiences on board the ship and during the land tours and home stays in the six (6) countries. I had a very happy memory of the Ship program.

Autumn of 1975 – It was just a year after I graduated from UP Diliman’s School of Economics.

My first job was as an Economic Researcher at the NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority). I heard about a program called Ship for Southeast Asian Youth, sponsored by the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan. Thirty (30) Youth Ambassadors of Goodwill from the Philippines will be selected on a competitive basis, by the then Presidential Management Staff of the Office of the President.

Thirty (30) Youth Ambassadors from each of the five (5) ASEAN countries at that time – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, and from the host country, Japan, will also be selected by their own governments. Nippon Maru, a Japanese cruise ship will be home for these 180 youth when it sails and sets port at each of the 5 ASEAN countries, with the final journey to be in Tokyo, before each of

I was back to Tokyo in 1977, now on a two-year research scholarship from both the NEDA and the Japanese government. I decided to proceed for my master’s degree at

Tsukuba University, and after graduation, returned back to NEDA to serve. But the pull of Japan was too strong to resist.

When the chance came for a post for Deputy Director for Investment at the ASEAN-Japan Centre in Tokyo, I was nominated by NEDA for the post, to compete with other Philippine government nominees, with the Dept. of Trade’s Board of Investment doing the final selection. I made it!

I took up my post when I was just 27, representing not only the Philippines, but all the ASEAN countries, with main

responsibility to promote Japanese investments to the ASEAN countries. The term was only for three (3) years, but I ended up serving nine (9) years of the most exciting job I have ever had. I was on diplomatic passport, my compensation coming from Japan and the ASEAN member countries at that time. I travelled a lot, within Japan and in the ASEAN countries, meeting top government and private sector officials. Somebody told me I was the highest paid Filipino in Japan during my time at the ASEAN-Japan Centre.

Tokyo for a few months before being re-assigned again to Hong Kong. I wanted to go back to Japan and not assigned anymore to any other place enough of the 4 years living alone in Europe. Maybe I will just become a full time wife, and a full time mother? I resigned from PNB in June 2010. Just within the first two months of my leaving the bank, boredom set in.

There was also something that happened in 2010, which influenced the course of my career. Japan enacted the Japan Payments Act. While only I then flew to the US after my fully-licensed banks in Japan stint at the ASEAN-Japan Centre, were allowed to engage in the thinking to take it easy, do money transfer business prior to semi-retirement for a while, this Act, the new law will now before finally deciding what to permit non-banks to engage in do next. the remittance business. I was in the remittance business for But Japan kept pulling me back. almost two decades at PNB, so There was a call from my former even with my eyes closed, I boss at NEDA who had joined thought I could do the business.

Philippine National Bank as EVP, Thus, my shift of career, from second in rank from the top, one of being an employee, to that PNB wants to re-open its being an entrepreneur. I PNB Tokyo Representative remembered what PNB Italy’s Office. Will I be interested to lawyer told me while I was take up the challenge? I was! assigned in Rome – why is it that Filipinos are satisfied at just I headed PNB’s Tokyo Rep. being employees, unlike Office, then upgraded it to a full Chinese who own and manage bank, and then expanded its their own businesses? reach to south western Japan, by setting up a branch in On hindsight, I was very bold Nagoya. For almost 20 years, I and very much confident I could served the bank, a little over 15 do it – be an entrepreneur, be of them in Tokyo as Managing the employer, be my own boss. I Director and head of set up Speed Money Transfer Asia-Pacific, and four (4) in Japan, a company to be owned Rome, where I was based to and managed by migrants, and head the banks remittance to serve migrants. Although I business in Europe, Israel and knew the business, what I had Africa as First Senior Vice not foreseen was the huge President. capital outlay that is needed to run a money transfer business.

In Feb. 2010, I returned to PNB This was because advance

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funding was required by the bank remittance partners in the Philippines, meaning we need to deposit the advance funds with them, even prior to accepting and processing the remittances of our clients. And of course, Japan is a high cost country for doing business. It was a huge challenge for someone like me, an individual, and not an institutional investor, to come up with the huge capital needed.

Speed was a David among the Goliaths in the industry, and faced daunting challenges.

But for every challenge, there is always Someone up there who watches over us, ready to reach down the rest of the way, if we reach up as high as we can.

Prayers, a lot of prayers, and complete trust in the Lord, opened up various ways to overcome the many challenges I have faced. And God is good!!!

He was always there and has never left me when I needed guidance and help.

Today, we have grown the business, not only to the Philippines, but to Nepal, Indonesia, and Vietnam, as well.

By the time this comes to published, we will already be in the final stage of preparation for our newest remittance corridor – India.

I am now 65. Maybe, time to think of retirement? I leave it up to God to guide me, in my next move. One thing is sure, though.

The pull of Japan has waned, and the pull of my home country, the Philippines, is now the one I am feeling. I miss home…

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by Nanette Fernandez

Pinas Life After Japan

Malaking okasyon ang 100th issue ng Jeepney Press, at dahil ako ay isa sa mga pioneer columnists nito, kahit nasa Pinas na ay para akong kiniliti na sumulat muli sa pagkakataong ito.

Lalo pa’t retired (or “retarded” ika nga ng mga nagbibiro) na ako, may panahon sumulat ng kahit isang maliit na piraso para sa JP bilang handog sa endurance at persistence ng mga namamahala sa publication na ito.

Kampai at Mabuhay sa Jeepney Press!

Pagkakataon din parahan at balikan

ang mga masayang araw ng kami’y nasa Japan. Sa laking gulat ko, 13 years ago na rin pala yon.

Napakabilis ng panahon.

Mula sa tatlong anak, nadagdagan kami ng dalawang mababait na manugang, bagama’t ang panganay at ang kanyang maybahay ay nasa Amerika na. May ROI din sapagka’t binigyan nila kami ng

aming unang apong babae, si Ami-chan (2 years old), na aming nadalaw noong Abril. Ang pangalawang anak naman namin ay nagbigay din ng 2 apong lalaki na beneficiary ng aming “apostolic” ministry. Si bunso ay single pa, nagtatapos ng kanyang Masters sa tulong ni Papa Mombukagakusho, at sa awa ng Diyos ay scheduled magtapos sa Marso 2020 kung kailan balak naming lahat magkita kita sa Tokyo.

So kamusta naman ang aming naging buhay post-Japan? Noong 2006, umiiyak at ayaw umalis ng aming bunso na super-Japanized na dahil sa Nagoya de umareta onna siya. Tila ba mas Hapon kesa Pinoy ang puso niya dahil sa nakagisnang kultura. But after finishing high school at JASMS, she went on to graduate with a degree in Fine Arts from UST, at ngayon nga eh nagsusunog kilay sa Nihon Daigaku para matapos ang kanyang MA. Ang lubos naming ikinatuwa ay nang pasalamatan niya kami sa pagbalik-Pinas namin dahil nakakapagsalita na siya ngayon ng 3 languages; hindi lang Nihongo kundi pati Eigo at Firipingo. Yan ang benepisyo ng lumaki ang mga anak namin sa Japan. Malaking asset sa kanilang mga trabaho ang pagiging tri-lingual, at pawa silang linalapitan ng

translation or interpretation work apart from getting quickly hired

by Japanese companies.

Sa pang araw-araw na buhay naman, nagluluto pa rin kami ng pagkaing Hapon kung type namin mag-okonomiyaki, oden, takekomi gohan o nabe ryori. Lahat ng ingredients ay available sa Pinas. Kung palarin, nakakakuha rin ako ng sanma at saba sa supermarket o specialty stores. At nakakabili rin ako ng favorite fruits na kaki at nashi!

Doble ang presyo sa 88 Shop na Philippine version ng 100 yen shops, pero at least meron pa ring nabibilhang Daiso dito.

Kung talagang miss na miss na ang ofuro at pagbabad sa mainit na tubig, magyayaya kami sa Ace Spa o sa Wensha kung saan merong ofuro style bath.

Or let’s go to Los Banos for some real hot springs!

Pwede pa kaming magkakasama sa pool dahil naka-swimsuit ang lahat.

Masaya ang buhay sa atin kahit pa kasumpa-sumpa ang gobierno at traffic. Iba pa rin ang nasa sariling bayan.

Napakalaking pasasalamat ko at nakabalik pa ako at nakapagturo pa rin sa unibersidad kung saan ako’y napilitang

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mag-resign 24 years ago para magkasama-sama kami bilang isang pamilya sa Japan. Dahil doon, marami pa akong naturuang mga Atenista at na-train na public school teachers sa K-12 nang dagdagan ang years of schooling sa Pinas. At dahil nakapagturo akong muli, may pension ako ngayon mula sa SSS, kahit maliit lang. Nakapagsulat rin ako ng textbook na ginagamit ngayon sa Senior High School sa Oral Communications classes.

At super-happy kaming mag-asawa sa Senior Citizen discounts at libreng cine kung Lunes at Martes na benefits ng aming pagtungtong sa edad na 60. Libre pa ang parking sa Quezon City!

Salamat sa Panginoon at nakayanan naming palakihin at papag-aralin ang aming tatlong anak sa Japan at sa Pilipinas na may pagmamahal sa Diyos, Bayan at Kapwa. Lahat kami ngayon ay animo’y mga tulay sa dalawang kulturang ito.

Thank you Lord for seeing our family journey through two cultures from where we have derived the best of both. We have been richly blessed by our long stay in Japan and our subsequent return to the Philippines. To God be the glory.

Purihin Siya!

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Minsan, kung iisipin natin, talagang relative and value ng numero. Sa tinapay, ang “isa” ay kakaunti, ngunit sa sakit, ang “isa” ay mabigat na.

Sa tao, ang isang daan, napakarami na, pero pag langgam, konti lang yun. Ang konsepto ng numero, talagang nakakatuwa.

Napagmumuni-munihan ko ito, dahil sa taong 2020, eksaktong dalawampung taon na mula nung nagpunta ako sa Japan. Kapag sinabing “20 years” parang ang tagal di po ba? Pero kapag iniisip ko sa sandaling ito, parang kelan lang, bagong salta ako sa Japan. Yung dalawangpung taon, tila baga isang iglap lamang. Totoong iba iba ang halaga ng numero base sa sitwasyon.

Nung una akong dumating sa Japan, ang 200yen na inumin sa combini ay parang ang mahal-mahal. Iinom na lang

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na gaanong tangible ang kinakabitang ideya ng numero. Oras, relative perception ang konsepto na ito. Mahaba sa ibang tao ang isang oras kapag naghihintay ng balita mula sa doktor, maiksi kapag masayang kasama ang iniirog.

The relativity of time, nararamdaman talaga. 20 years in Japan, kapag narinig, wow, ang tagal na! Pero pag iniisip, ganoon na ba talaga katagal?

ako ng green tea sa cafeteria ng unibersidad, libre pa! Pero ngayon, kapag hindi umabot ng 500 yen ang kape, mura na ito. Nakakatuwa di po ba?

Naalala ko rin, nung sinama ako ng mga kaklase ko sa isang restoran, umabot ng 1000yen yun set na inorder ko, sa tingin ko ang mahal nung kinain ko, ngayon, sa mga salu-salo ng mga propesor sa unibersidad, masaya na ako kapag hindi umabot ng isang lapad ang ambagan. Madaling pag isipan ang numero kapag pera ang pinag uusapan, medyo naiiba ba kapag hindi

JULY - AUGUST 2019

Usapang numero rin lang, maligayang pagbati sa Jeepney Press, sa pag limbag ng ika-100 isyu. Kung hindi nakabilib ang makakita ng isang daang langgam, aba, nakakabilib ang makapag limbag ng isang daang Jeepney Press, at ikinalulugod ko ang makasali sa makasaysayang isyu na ito.

Napakaraming natutulungan, napapasaya at nabibigyang inspirasyon ng Jeepney Press, at sana magpatuloy ng mahigit pa sa isangdaang isyu.

Muli, maligayang bati! At espesyal na pagbati sa driving force ng Jeepney Press, si Ginoong Dennis Sun, Happy 100th Issue! Mabuhay!

ni Loleng Ramos Kumusta, Kapatid? Happy Birthday sa iyo ngayong taon, di na importante ang petsa basta greeting ko yan sa iyo ngayong 2019! Ang “Happy Birthday” daw ang pinaka-kilalang kanta sa buong mundo na isinalin sa mahigit labing walong wika (ayon sa Wikipedia).

Nakakatuwa na merong mga hospital na sa kapanganakan ng isang sanggol ay pinapatugtog ito, bakit nga ba hindi, birth nga naman at “happy” ang hatid na pakiramdam ng isang bagong panganak.

Sa bawat taon, sa bawat kaarawan ay maririnig mo at kakantahin ito.

Sa atin sa Pilipinas, ang nakakatusok at nakakaantig ng puso na himig at lyrics ng “Hindi Kita Malilimutan” at “Kung Ako’y Iiwan Mo”, kinanta pareho ni Basil Valdez ay dalawa naman sa pinaka-popular na background music na kabaligtaran ng Happy Birthday, pinapatugtog sa pamamaalam ng isang tao sa mundo, sa misa o martsa ng kanyang libing. Ang Requiem Mass na misa para sa mga namatay at inaalay sa Simbahang Katoliko ay para sa katahimikan o eternal repose ng kaluluwa ng sumakabilang buhay.

Ito ay ginawan ng musika ng mga pinakamagagaling na composers na nabuhay sa mundo. Ang ilan sa kanila ay sina Dvorak, Berlioze, Faubre, Cherubini, si Mozart na siyang merong bersyon na pinakakilala kahit na inabot siya ng kanyang kamatayan bago niya ito natapos. Grande

ang bawat Requiem, ang interpretasyon ng bawat mangangatha ay nakakatindig balahibo, ang unang bahagi nito ay ang paghingi sa Diyos ng awa para sa yumao.

Kapanganakan, kaarawan, kamatayan. Lahat ito ay dumadaan sa kaninuman pero merong mga tao na hindi nagdiriwang ng kanilang birthday dahil hindi nila alam kung kelan sila

pinanganak o di na nila matandaan. Meron ding kumakalimot na lang kase magastos manlibre o kaya, nakakatanda kase, eh.

Masaya ang sumalubong sa bagong panganak, masaya ang party ng bawat kaarawan, pero malungkot at masakit ang magpaalam.

Kung pwede lang sana na walang mawawala, walang umaalis, walang namamatay. Pero naisip mo na kapatid, ano kaya kung doon sa kabila, ang sabi naman nila, “ang tagal naman nila dumating.”

Naisip kong sumulat

tungkol sa tema na ito kase naaalarma ako sa mga balita ngayon sa buong mundo. Mga fake news na naninira ng kapwa, mga pinuno ng bansa na nandaya lang kaya nahalal o ayaw bumaba sa pwesto na papatay na lang kaysa matanggalan ng kapangyarihan. Mga pulitikong sinungaling, mapang-abuso, mapagbanta, mapanira ng kalikasan para lang madagdagan pa ang kanilang yaman.

Marami din nangyayari na hate crimes, na dahil

hindi sang-ayon sa ibang lahi, paniniwala o relihiyon ng iba, gusto nilang ubsuin ang mga ito, ang krimen ng genocide.

Ang daming tao na tumatakas sa kanilang bansa dahil natatakot silang mamatay sa gutom o sa lupit ng mga taong nagpapatakbo ng kanilang bansa pero sa halip na tulungan sila, tinataboy sila na parang walang halaga ang kanilang buhay, wala ng pakialam sa iba, kumokonti ang may malasakit sa ibang buhay.

Naiisip ko lang, sa mga taong gumagawa ng

JULY - AUGUST 2019

kasalbahihan, siguro hindi sila naniniwala na may katapusan ang buhay nila, na hindi nila kailangan ang sobra dahil wala itong importansya lalo na kung ang pinang galingan nito ay ang kahirapan ng iba.

Kapag tumingin ka sa mga litrato ng isang history book, pinta ng nakasakay sa kabayo na si Napoleaon Bonaparte, ang nagsasaranggolang si Benjamin Franklin, ang nakakindat na si Marilyn Monroe, ang nakabelat na si Einstein, ang moonwalking ni Michael Jackson, ang panunumpa ni Cory Aquino bilang President ng Pilipinas, iyong kasal ni lolo at lola, andito lang sila dati, katulad natin ngayon. Pero natapos na ang panahon nila, hindi pwedeng hindi matatapos ang panahon natin. Bakit sa halip na paghandaan ang pagdating noon, mas maraming tao ang nanakit ng iba para lang mabuhay sa ngayon? Meron pang kasunod di ba?

Ngayong summer, nag-kakantahan na muli ang mga semi o cicada.

Alam nila ang oras ng kalikasan, hinaharap nila ng masaya, ang nalalapit nilang kamatayan na maaring mangyari sa loob lamang ng ilang araw, sapat lamang na oras para sila makapag-bigay ng buhay sa susunod na henerasyon.

Kakaiba sa maraming tao, pinapalis nila ang kahulugan ng buhay, sa kanilang isipan, pera at kapangyarihan lang habang sila ay buhay at marahil sa kanilang paniwala, hindi sila mamamatay. Walang magiging sagot ang Diyos sa Requiem Mass na inalay sana para sa kanila.

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Mga kababayan nandirito na naman po kaming muli sa pang isang daang (100th) isyu ng Jeepney Press! At lugod po kaming nagpapasalamat sa isang daang pagkakataon na naging isa tayo sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay oras sa pagbabasa sa aming mga kwento at ideya.

Samu't-sari nang kaganapan ang aming naibahagi at maraming salamat po sa wala ding sawang pagsuporta. Dahil po sa inyo ay lalo pa po kaming magsisikap na magsaliksik at lawakan pa ang aming mga isip para sa daan-daang isyu o ilang dekada pang ating muling pagsasamahan.

noong unang panahon at napanood sa pelikula na karamihan ay tungkol sa Yakuza, mga anime, ramen at sushi na mas madaling tandaan kapag Japan ang pinag-uusapan.

Sa libo-libo nating kababayan na naninirahan dito sa Japan, alam kong iba't-iba din ang ating mga naging karanasan - may masaya, malungkot, may hirap at may sarap. Pero sa kahit anumang ating naranasan, hindi po ba na nakakamangha na atin itong nalampasan?

Dondake?

Di maiwasang maikumpara ang pamilya nating mga Pinoy kung gaano kalaki ang pagkakaiba sa pamilya ng mga Hapon. Sila madalas kapag nag-aasawa ay sinusuring mabuti kung saang pamilya galing ang kanilang mapapangasawa.

Pinaplano kung ilan lang ang magiging anak. At ang pagpapakasal minsan ay para kang nag "over the counter" lang ng iyong pera sa Bangko. At kapag hindi nagkaigi o nagkaintindihan, mabilis lang din ang bekkyo o separation, rikon o divorce. Ganunpaman, pinahahalagahan ang mga bata at ang edukasyon ng mga ito kung meron man at bukas sila sa pagkitil ng

Bilang isang Pilipina na nagsimula sa walang-wala, as in walang ideya sa totoong hitsura, kultura at pag-uugali ng mga Hapon maliban sa mga talentadong mga Pilipino gaya ng mga mang-aawit o singer at mananayaw o dancers na pinapadala

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Pero ang nakakagulat at nakakahanga ay kapag namuhay ka na dito sa Japan at ma-adapt or matutunan na natin ang mga kahanga-hangang kaugalian at mga karakter ng mga Hapon at atin na itong mai-apply sa pang-araw-araw nating mga buhay. Naririto po ang mga iilang mga bagay na talaga namang kahanga-hanga sa Japan.

Pamilya

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sanggol sa sinapupunan para lang masiguro ang kinabukasan nila. At hindi kasing lawak ng pamilyang Pinoy. Madalas natatapos ang relasyon sa nanay at tatay lamang kung saan walang pakialaman sa buhay-buhay.

Bahay Sa aking naging karanasan bilang manggagawa o tagalinis ng mga bahay, mansion o apartments, isa sa napansin ko ay ang genkan o entrance ng bawat bahay kung saan kadalasan ay may aparador para sa mga sapatos na nagpapakita na ang mga Hapon ay nakaugaliang hubarin ang sapatos at hindi pwede itong ipasok sa loob ng bahay o mga kwarto. Kapalit nito ay may nakalaang tsinelas pambahay na kung saan iyon ay dapat ang suot sa loob.

Magkahiwalay din ang paliguan at ang palikuran.

At para din itong uniform na ng mga bahay sa Japan.

Karamihan din ay walang lock ang mga pintuan ng kwarto. Lalo na kapag ito ay de-slide o tipikal na Japanese style na bahay.

Ganun pa man, may kanya-kanyang privacy ang bawat isa.

Trabaho Ang mga Hapon ay kilala sa

pinaka "workaholic" na mga tao sa mundo. Mahal nila ang kanilang mga trabaho at talagang binibigyang halaga ito. Dito mo makikita ang pagiging propesyonal sa kahit saang larangan o establishimento. Maagap at determinado. At dahil sa iniingatang mga pride, ayaw nila magkamali at mapahiya. Hindi man lahat ngunit halos lahat ay tapat at sumusunod sa kung ano ang dapat. Mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ang "power harassment" o pang-aapi o pangbu-bully sa iba. At kahit 70 years old ka na ay kaya mo pang magtrabaho at may tatanggap pa sa iyo.

Klima Dahil sa paiba-ibang klima ng Japan, iba't-ibang eksena din sa mga kapaligiran ang iyong masisilayan at mararamdaman. Sa bawat pagpalit ng klima, syempre palit din ang istilo ng mga pananamit kaya papalit-palit din ang fashion trends sa bansa. Sa bawat klima at may kaugnay din itong mga pangyayare, festivals o matsuri na inaabangan taon-taon.

Edukasyon Alam ng lahat na ang pagpapaaral ng kolehiyo sa Japan ay napakamahal.

Ngunit ang sadyang nakakagulat at nakakatuwa ay kung paano nila hinuhubog ang mga bata hanggang sa kanilang pagtanda. Kung ikukumpara natin dito sa Pilipinas ang mga estudyante sa Japan ay halos walang pahinga sa pag-aaral. Malimit lang ang bakasyon di tulad dito sa atin panay holiday, kaunting ulan at baha, walang pasok.

Gobyerno Hindi lingid sa kaalaman sa buong mundo kung gaano kaganda ang

pamamahala ng pamahalaan sa Japan. May mga kurakot din naman pero hindi naman talamak kung maikukumpara sa ibang bansa lalo na sa Pilipinas. Nararamdaman ng mga tao ang serbisyong totoo. Magagalang at talaga naman binibigyan pansin o pinakikinggan ang bawat suliranin iyong ilalapit at agad nila itong tinutugunan.

Sobrang laki ng Japan, sobrang ganda at hindi po tayo matatapos sa isang kwentuhan lamang. Kaya hanggang sa muli po.

GOD bless Japan, the Philippines, mga kababayan and Jeepney Press!

I Left my Heart in Tokyo: A Love Letter to Japan Dear Japan,

Since I first laid my eyes on you, I think it was love at first sight.

I first saw you on the 1st of April, 2008, as a pink fairyland of cherry blossoms, as I arrived from a Japan Airlines flight from Manila to begin my studies in Japanese language at the Japanese Language Center, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies in Fuchu City in western Tokyo.

Every day, as I gazed at your pink blossoms at the backdrop of the blue sky on my way to school from my dormitory, I felt that love deepen, as I looked at the heavens to whisper my “thank you” to God for allowing me to feel renewed in your homeland with fresh hope for the future.

The love you gave me was quiet, but I felt it deep within my soul.

Through the generous scholarship you gave me through the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Monbukagakusho), I have never felt so nurtured in my academic life more than what you have given me: a room of

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one’s own, free tuition, a monthly allowance, and a conducive study environment. Not even my parents and the land of my birth have given me all that! I have always prayed for good study conditions as a child. This prayer came true through my scholarship in Japan which lasted from the Spring of 2008 until the Autumn of 2011 when I graduated with my master’s degree in Global Studies from Sophia University, a top Jesuit university and a leading liberal arts institution in Japan.

Staying in Japan as a MEXT scholar is like being adopted for a certain period by a richer neighbor, where one has to leave one’s poor parents in order to learn the ways of the former, and hopefully, improve one’s own lot better than the destiny of one’s parents. In a multicultural dormitory for foreign students in the lovely neighborhood of Kamisoshigaya in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, I lived in a room of my own, with a fancy ledge that allowed me to trade stories with my Japanese neighbor Nanami about Japanese legends and folk tales. I eagerly embarked on my study of the Japanese

language, thinking that the only way to learn the ways of Japan was to unlock its culture through its language. I lovingly made my own study materials and posted it in my room’s walls, staring at the Hiragana and Katakana alphabets until I fall asleep.

In two weeks, I was able to master the recognition and writing of both alphabets.

From there, guided by my Japanese language teachers and Nihongo textbooks, I learned the nuances of Japanese verbs and articles, grammar, pronunciation and situational responses. To me, learning about Kanji was the most challenging, yet possible if one will approach each character with a pictorial mind and the curiosity of a voracious reader eager to know about the story behind it. Practicing the strokes for each character was also an exercise that required patience, dedication and careful attention to detail. A heart that possesses no love for Japanese-ness could not possibly undertake this level of effort, especially if one is coming from a nation that is more used to the Western style of writing.

Love, as they say, is

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tested with time. It has its ups and downs, so as my relationship with Japan. With the emphasis of Japanese culture on timeliness and discipline, I had experienced being strongly admonished by a Sensei for being late to her class, of which I was a Teaching Assistant. With the Japanese emphasis on loyalty and focus, I was wrong about trying to get more eclectic experiences, as I was presented by a strong temptation to take on more research load than what I could possibly handle. But time heals all wounds.

It is indeed very true that, in love, when it is meant for you, it will find its way back to you.

Hence, almost three years after returning to the Philippines in September 2011, I found myself yearning to go back to Japan, missing it and longing to be a part of its magic once again. And so I returned to Japan through academic conferences and other related gatherings in the social sciences (i.e.

Sociology, Japanese Studies), which enriched my junior professorial career with one of the leading universities in Metro Manila in terms of network building,

by Yellowbelle Duaqui research and publications, and personal growth. And so from 2014 up to the present, I kept coming back, exploring other areas of Japan I have not traveled to, meeting new people, and doing new things I haven’t tried in the past. And each time I travel to Japan, I bring home with me fresh ideas, new learning, and hope for the future. It has been a love that grew stronger as time passed by. It has been a love that does not quench my excitement with a single trip. It has been a love that keeps me coming back for more.

My personal journey to Japan has also taken an important turn with the recent fellowship I’ve completed at the Institute of Asia, Africa and Middle Eastern Studies in Sophia University. From October 2018 to June 2019, I was given the opportunity by Japan Foundation to do fieldwork in Japan as a doctoral student currently undertaking my dissertation on Filipino international students attending Japanese universities.

This may be one of the very few studies

done on Filipino students in Japan. This allowed me to return to my home university in Japan, which is Sophia University, and to reconnect with old friends and acquaintances from ten years ago. I feel that at this point of time, my Japan journey has come full circle.

And as this love matures, I feel the need to share Japan to others. I therefore teach about Japan with passion, inspiring my students or anyone who approaches me about the subject of Japan to seize any opportunity to learn about this nation and its history, its rise and fall, its failures and successes, its wisdom, and yes, even its mistakes.

The Philippines has so

much to learn from Japan. Loving Japan, hence, is not only about burning passion, it is a love that comes with deep respect, as I continue to be inspired in my personal life by Japan’s experiences as a nation, particularly the profound example it sets as a model penitent after the sufferings brought about by its ambition during the Second World War, its focus on peace, charism and service, and how – as a great economic giant

-- it rose up like a phoenix from the ashes after the war.

I do not know, for certain, as to what direction my relationship with Japan will take in the years to come. One thing that I am fairly sure of right now, though, is that this love has taken deep roots after years of nurturance, and it is just waiting to bloom at the right time.

Love and light,

Yellowbelle

MOVING ON by Jasmin Vasquez Year 1998 ng simula akongmakatungtong dito sa bansa na ang sabi nila ay napakasarap puntahan. At tulad ng marami, naging stepping stone ko din ang pagiging isang talento at maging entertainer sa isang

tanging problema lang namin ay yung mabuo namin ang points na quota sa request para madagdagan ang kita namin at wag mapauwi ng wala sa oras.

Lumipas ang ilang taon, napa-

Japan: Isa sa mga bansang pinapangarap na marating ng karamihan show house Gossip Club sa Tokyo bilang isang singer.

Hanggang sa tumagal at sa haba ng pinagdaanan sa buhay, pinalad din ako na mabigyan ng permanenteng visa. Dahil may magulang mga kamag-anak din naman ako na palaging andyan para sa akin kayat kahit gaano kahirap ay nakakaraos pa din.

god na din ako sa ganyang hanapbuhay at ninais kong magkaroon ng mas maayos na trabaho bilang isang machine parts quality inspector sa isang malaking company. Dito sa Japan, basta willing kang matuto at kahit hindi ka degree holder, magagawa mo kahit anong klaseng trabaho pa iyan.

Noong ako ay talento pa lamang, kay sarap ng buhay.

Lahat libre. Pagkain, tirahan, pasyal dito, pasyal doon. Shopping galore, disco dito, disco doon...kahit sabihin pa nila na limited ang oras namin dahil may curfew kami sa mga apartment na tinutuluyan namin.

Ang

Taliwas sa buhay ko nung nag-uumpisa pa lamang ako.

Ngayon ay sarili ko na ang gastos: bahay, pagkain telepono, gas, kuryente at gasolina. Idagdag mo pa ang napakamahal na taxes, nenkin at kung anu-ano pang mga kinakaltas na yan sa trabaho.

Napakihirap pala pag sarili mo na lahat ang gastos, halos wala ng matira para sa sarili mo at minsan, kailangan din pala mag double job ka kung gusto mong maka-ipon ka pa at may maipang dagdag padala para sa pamilya.

Ngunit kahit paano ay nakapagpundar naman ako ng kahit kaunti. Napag-aral ko din ang mga anak ko. Nakatapos na ng isang kolehiyo. Nakapagpatayo ng bahay. Totoong masarap mamuhay dito sa Japan kung ikaw ay masipag.

Maraming nangyari at marami

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din akong naging kaibigan dahil sa pagsali ko sa Utawit. Mula taong 2010 hanggang 2015 naging contestant ako, pinalad na maging tatlong beses na grandfinalist. Hindi man pinalad doon ay maraming magandang memories ang aking nakamit.

Sa pag lipas ng maraming taon, parang nag-iiba na rin ang ihip ng hangin. Naiiba na rin ang mga hilig at hanap natin upang maibsan at mabawasan ang stress sa ating buhay. Kung noon, punta sa Tokyo Disneyland, Universal Studio, etc, ang hilig kong puntahan ngayon ay iba na. Mas nais ko nang magpunta sa mga tahimik at magagandang tanawin. Hindi kailangan pa ng entrance, libre lang mamasyal at higit sa lahat ang sarap ng pakiramdam na mapuntahan mo ang magagandang kalikasan dito sa Japan.

Eto ako, hanggang ngayon, lumalaban sa hirap ng buhay.

Patuloy na nilulusutan ang mga pagsubok at hamon sa buhay.

Pasasaan ba at darating din ang tamang panahon na puro ginhawa naman ang aking mararanasan. Dasal at tiwala lang sa Diyos, kasama ang pagpupursigi at pag-tyaga sa lahat ng bagay.

Sabi nila, Japan daw ang sagot sa kahirapan. Maaring tama, kung ikaw ay masipag. Pero maaari ring mali, kung “Maghihintay” ka lang ng biyaya at wala kang gagawin para umangat sa buhay.

Ngunit kung iisipin mo mas magandang danasin mo muna ang puro hirap para pagdating ng tamang panahon ay puro sarap naman ang iyong danasin.

Saan man panig ng mundo tayo mapadpad dalawang bagay lamang ang susi para tayo ay magtagunpay sa buhay: “Sipag at Tiyaga.”

Facebook : Philip D. Torres Mobile (Philippines) : +63-91-7605-6366 Model: Irene Kaneko Photography: Babse Dondon Art Direction: Dennis Sun Location: Cebu, Philippines

TRAFFIC

By Alma Reyes Lights in the Night sleek, golden lights stretch from end to end, wrap robust trees, masked in blackness; echo sounds no one can hear, from under the lit sky that unfolds to a misty purple, blue, and rainbow glistening yellows lift you like a halo of hope sing summer notes in the night.

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spiritual surmount to Mt. Fuji

By Irene Kaneko

Mt. Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan at 3,776m high. It was considered a World Heritage site in 2013.

We took the Yoshida Trail, the most popular route and one of the easier trails to hike.

Ascent: August 10, 2019, 8:20pm, Yoshida Trail, from 5th Station, approx. 5.8km (3.6mi), average trip around 6 hours I was so excited to start my first Mt. Fuji climb. It was especially crowded since it was the start of obon yasumi (summer vacation) in Japan. It was 34 degrees C when I left Tokyo but I brought my winter downjacket, bonnet, muffler and gloves as the temperature at Mt. Fuji summit can go down to 5 degrees or even colder!

“Life is like a mountain, hard to climb but worth the amazing view at the top. “ - Anonymous

A friend started to share her O2 (oxygen) tablets which we all took. We then prayed for safety and guidance from the Lord Almighty shortly before climbing. We gave a donation of Y1,000 each for Fuji San Conservation. My headlights were turned on. A good friend lent me his mountain climbing cane, which proved to be a big help!

It was getting steeper as I climbed the 6th and 7th Stations. Just like in bouldering, I was literally crawling up and grabbing the nearest stone to help me traverse upwards! There were toilets and stores in every station. A donation of Y200 was put in a box for every toilet use. Water was getting scarce as we got higher. The regular

bottled water and other sports and softdrinks cost Y500 each (but regular price in metro Tokyo is just Y110)! At 8th and 9th stations, altitude sickness started to hit me. I had difficulty in breathing. I started to breathe the oxygen in can. I am beginning to get dizzy as well. At 2am, I was really very sleepy! This was really dangerous! I was climbing a mountain half asleep! I saw some people sleeping on the trailsides already! I looked up the trail and saw a line of lights like fireflies and thought that it was still a long way to go!

5:40am. That’s about 9 hours of non-stop trek to the summit! I took a short nap while at the summit.

Descent: August 11, 2019 (Sun.), 7:00am, Yoshida Trail 6.3km (4.3mi), average trip around 3 hours Descent was almost as dramatic as the ascent.

Little by little, I removed my clothes one at a time as it got warmer.

It was not even halfway down the Yoshida Trail when I ran out of water!

There were some stations along the way but for nature’s call only.

I was almost at the top There weren’t any but I knew I couldn’t bottled water being reach it in time for the sunrise at 4:51am due to sold from the summit to the crowd. But wherever the 5th station! I was confused on what to do you are, Mt. Fuji will next. But in that kind of surely make you feel situation, mother nature happy, exalted and eventually came to the satisfied with the view rescue! From the of sunrise. Seeing the scorching heat of the sunrise from Mt. Fuji sun, it suddenly became gave me a sense of cloudy and the wind gratitude for all the blew. It felt cooler as I blessings bestowed on continued to traverse me from the One up there. I can’t help but to down the slopes of Mt. Fuji. The cool breeze be amazed with the helped to keep my thirst beautiful nature right at bay. before me. The sunrise was awesome and Unlike the ascent when breathtaking. I finally you tend to lean reached the summit at

forward, during descent, you tend to lean backward when walking as you try to control your pacing. As a result, your toes are pushed towards the tip of your shoes. Not even halfway through, I felt my toes start to hurt.

Walking has become a pain! I needed to rest my feet every now and then! I was walking sideways already trying

to prevent my toes from touching my shoes! My friend was literally holding my arm already, as one would help an elderly person, while my other arm was holding a cane! When we reached the 7th Station, my feet and knees were really hurting I could cry! I was thinking I would not be able to make it to the 5th Station anymore! So, I called the Rescue Team for help. I was told that they can provide a horse to take me from where I am to the 5th Station but it would cost me Y30,000! I did not bring that much cash!

Hearing this, my good

Samaritan friend offered to carry my heavy backpack!

He said there’s no other way but to walk slowly and rest after a few meters.

And so we did!

After awhile, an open truck passed us by. At the back, we saw a man and woman with very sad faces looking at a rolled futon (bed sheet) in front of them. At one side of the futon, my friend said he saw a person’s feet! Oh my God! It was a dead person! We prayed immediately for the soul to rest in peace. I was thinking if this was the way that the Lord was showing me to give me the strength to continue walking. I still felt so lucky!

Then after a few hours, I saw a woman with a leg

disability but still trying to walk by herself with two canes! The Lord is trying to show me again something! Seeing this made me realize that if she can do it, why can’t I? So, this gave me the inspiration to reach the finish line! But Yoshida trail was like a “long and winding road”!

I couldn’t see the end of it! The Yoshida Trail was really harsh and punishing! I was crying already but my two good Samaritan friends cheered me up!

Some Japanese came up to us asking if I was fine.

Then we said we don’t have water anymore.

And they gave us a bottle of water! You can imagine how we felt that time. Water felt gold to us. So precious and very important to the last drop!

the next day. I guess it’s true. I was ready for the climb but there are circumstances that you won’t see coming. My four years of regular training was not enough to match the test of endurance that Mt. Fuji showed me.

Yes, I am so lucky I made it to the summit and back home safely with my family!

I have seen not only the beauty of Mt. Fuji from afar but tasted its wrath when I climbed it! I wonder what makes people go back a second time or more? For me, once is enough but I’ll never forget this Mt. Fuji experience.

My advise to those who want to climb Mt. Fuji?

Prepare all the climbing equipment needed. Be in your hiking gear. Make sure you don’t have health issues like asthma, heart problems, etc. Better consult your doctor about your plan on climbing Mt. Fuji. Try to have 2-3 hours rest by sleeping at the 8th Station hut before climbing the summit to give you renewed energy. But most of all, be sure to have the patience, power and positivity to finish the test Mt. Fuji will put forth before you.

I finally reached the 5th station at 3:00pm! That was 8 hours of grueling walk! The first aid volunteers at the 5th Station were so kind to immediately treat my aching and swollen feet! My gratitude to Daniel P. Tanciatco and Mimi According to my friends Takamatsu for patiently walking with me with my who had climbed Mt. Fuji, they said that they hurting feet and knees. were not able to walk

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Gawad Kalinga Baseco Sibol School Port Area, Tondo, Manila June 17, 2019 Gawad Kalinga (GK) – Sibol Schools has been a recipient of UTAWIT’s fundraising efforts for over a decade now.

This year, UTAWIT made a donation to GK Baseco Sibol School in Port Area, Tondo, Manila.

Ms. Irene Kaneko, UTAWIT Execom Chairman, and Ms. Ofelia 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 Dale and Tita Thess Lugue, the power couple handling Gawad Kalinga

Under its Child and Youth Development platform, Gawad Kalinga Sibol schools aims to develop the skills and talents of the children and youth in the GK communities by inculcating values that bring out their full potential.

SIBOL, which means “to grow,” provides value-based education to pre-school children, aged 3 to 6 years old.

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Child and Youth Development programs in Manila area and Tita Jessica Yu, head of GK Capiz and long time GK advocate, as well as the lovely teachers and teacher aides of Baseco Sibol School; Representing Gawad Kalinga National as the Partnerships Manager was Ms. Gela Bagadiong. Also in attendance were the

families of Ms. Irene Kaneko.

During the turnover, the students gathered and listened closely to the remarks made by the UTAWIT representatives. To fully welcome the honored guests, the students also prepared a simple dance number that truly livened up the event. A message from Tito Dale Lugue was also shared: “Mga bata, hinihikayat ko kayo na mag-aral ng mabuti upang magkaroon kayo ng magandang kinabukasan. Para tulad ng UTAWIT, tayo rin ay makakatulong sa kapwa Pilipino at sa ating bansa.”

All students were also given simple snacks and school supplies kits to end the event with a good note.

UTAWIT is actually a blending of UTA, a Japanese word and AWIT, a Filipino word, which both means to “sing”. It’s the only national singing competition in Japan for Filipinos.

Domo arigato, UTAWIT!

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Remember the date..

NOVEMBER 16, 2019

NOVEMBER 16, 2019

June 30 – Fukuoka July 7 – Iwate July 13 –TYO1 Sep 15 – Kanagawa Sep 22 – Shizuoka Oct 6 – Kyoto

Sep 22 – Nagoya Sep 28 – TYO2