Jeepney Press 103 January-February 2020

Celebrating The Journeys Of Filipinos In Japan

Pahayagang 在日フィリピン人 向 け マ ガ ジン pinoy sa japan ジープニー プレス

January-February 2020 2020年1月-2月

103 ISSUE

Celebrating The Journeys Of Filipinos In Japan

Pahayagang pinoy sa japan ジープニー プレス

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JEEPNEY PRESS

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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 MILES BORJA Tokyo GLEN GYPSY Tokyo FARAH TROFEO-ISHIZAWA Tokyo 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 ALVIN TAGLE Tokyo ALMA REYES Tokyo JASMIN VASQUEZ Nagano LITA MANALASTAS-WATANABE Tokyo

creative staff

ARLENE ESPERIDA Tokyo JERRY SUN-ARENAS Philippines NICK SANTIAGO Tokyo DANNY DUNGO Tokyo MARISOL KUDO Oita MARK WARREN DE LUNA Tokyo

Cover design and art: DENNIS SUN

CONTENTS 07 YOMU Editorial

by Dennis Sun 08 Life Is A Journey

by Glen Gypsy 10 On The Road

by Neriza Saito 12 TRAFFIC

by Alma Reyes 14 Isang Araw sa Ating Buhay

by Jeff Plantilla 16 The Making Of A Year

by Marilyn Rivera 17 MOVING ON

by Jasmin Vasquez 18 Advice ni Tita Lits

by Isabelita Manalastas- Watanabe 20 DONDAKE

by Karen Sanchez 22 Kwento Ni Nanay

by Anita Sasaki 25 The Boken Hunters

by Herbert Benzon 26 KAPATIRAN

by Loleng Ramos 28 My First Full Marathon

by Irene Kaneko 30 ANYO: Fusion of the East

To New Beginnings

Photo credits: Mari Punzalan Kudo

Let your hopes not your hurts, shape your future.

- Robert Schuller

Painting by: Dennis Sun

よむ “YOMU” means

editorial by Dennis Sun

読む

to read in Japanese

A Stormy Start “There is a saying in Tibetan, 'Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength.'

No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that's our real disaster.” - Dalai Lama

I must confess, with the dawning of a year

drenched with a continuing cataclysm of natural disasters, tragedies, conflicts, deaths, and a new virus outbreak, I did not know where to start. How do I even begin writing this article with a more positive note? But no matter how horrible things are now, I know things will change for the better.

Life isn’t permanent.

It’s now February and 10 more months to go for the year. In the face of catastrophes and conflicts, it’s daunting what this year and the decade will bring upon us.

Let us manage it one day at a time. Our number one enemy is stress, exacerbated by a hyperconnected world. Start and end your day with mindfulness exercises instead of Facebook and LINE. When you wake up, do a few minutes of deep breathing or if you have the luxury of time, 30 minutes of meditation. This will increase your focus and prepare you for challenges ahead. End your day with a nice bath. The old tradition of community baths is actually a great time to meditate and let go of bad thoughts and fake news you have consumed from social media, while enjoying the healthy benefits of the ofuro. You will sleep better, and be recharged for another round of life challenges to face and tackle the following day.

Suffering is real. But so is hope. We cannot change the past. But we can change and choose to do good for ourselves, and the world. We must remember: life can be good again!

07

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020

Glen Gypsy Winning and losing isn't everything; sometimes, the journey is just as important as the outcome. - Alex Morgan

08

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020

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

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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 The Story of my life and my Avocado Tree! “ It’s a rat’s race...“ so they say to mean that there is a fierce and stiff competition in business or in life.

Come to think of it, this year 2020, the year of the metal Rat, will probably not be too competitive for me because I have retired from the Department of Philippine Studies of Osaka University in Minoo, after 30 years. I had mixed emotions of sadness, gratification and sense of fulfillment after I finished my class of the Sophomore students who did their presentations in Filipino. After turning off the lights in my classroom and closing the door behind me and walking along the corridor, I said to myself “It’s a WRAP“ (a

10

full time housewife.

However, I couldn’t resist the offer. After the birth of my first son Andrew and second son Brando, I became active in Filipino Community Affairs and had part time teaching jobs with the Osaka Board of Education. term used on movie sets to mean, the end of the last take of a movie).

But that’s not where my story will end. Like a labyrinth, the story of my avocado tree will also come in. Right after our recording this year in FM Cocolo for our regular From Overseas: Philippines hosted by Cindy and Mina, we went out for dinner with Mr. Fukui, our Director. He was telling me that the avocado he nurtured from a seed has grown into a beautiful tree.

He got the idea after I wrote in one of our scripts for the lesson in Filipino about my passion for growing avocado trees from seeds.

Although my first attempt was futile, I never gave up!

The first one grew to be a big tree, but it never bore fruits. I think I watered the plant too much. In the next attempts, I washed the seed well, dried it and inserted toothpicks into it, then soaked it in a glass of water.

I made sure that it was not exposed to direct sunlight.

After about 4 weeks, the roots appeared and when the stem appeared I transferred it in a pot. Now, I have a lovely avocado indoor plants but no sign yet of fruits to come out.

Growing an avocado tree from a single seed is quite similar to nurturing learners. Too much sunlight and too much water will hamper their growth.

In the beginning of the Heisei era, in 1990, my friend Emmie Ueno asked if I’d be interested to teach at the Osaka University of Foreign Studies in Minoo, to substitute for Prof Yolanda Tsuda. My youngest son in a brood of 3 boys was barely two years old. I was hesitant to accept thinking how tenuous it would be to juggle time between parenting and teaching. It had been a long time since I taught at PNU, and after settling in Japan, I’ve been a

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020

At that period in Japan, it was not common for women to work outside and for women with children, it was also not easy to get acceptance at nursery schools. My mother-in-law was not happy either seeing me leave the small children with her and my husband.

On other days, I made arrangements with my friends or neighbors to take care of them. Soon enough, a nursery near my house accepted our application!

My son cried every time I brought him there.

Sometimes, I turned deaf ears to his wailing but deep inside, my heart was breaking apart.

Every class was a joy for me.

The first batch of students who I taught were Prof.

Sachi Takahata’s. Although I had chances to teach Japanese students in English, this was different.

The Philippine Studies Department was still under the Indonesian Department. Prof. Mamoru Tsuda interviewed me. I was

amazed to hear a Japanese speaking in Filipino fluently. I also had the privilege of meeting luminaries in the field of Philippine studies, literature and the Arts: Dr. Bien Lumbera, Dr. Rosario Torres -Yu, Dr. and Mrs. Oscar Evangelista, Dr. Lilia F. Antonio, Dr. Nicanor Tiongson, Dr. Pia Arboleda, Dr. Joi Barrios, Dr. Rolando Tolentino, Dr. Galileo Zafra, Dr. Joey Baquiran and the current visiting professor is Dr. Edgar Samar.

When I first met Prof.

Masanao Oue, on the first day of classes, he was wearing a “Barong Tagalog“.

At first, I thought that he was a Japanese-Filipino mestizo with his impeccable Filipino.

With Prof Oue’s help, Emmie and I were able to publish our first book on Filipino conversation in April 1994.

It was used as one of the textbooks in my Filipino language classes in addition to having the students do collaborative work by performing in a play project in Filipino. At first, it was not easy to convince the

students to do drama in the classroom. They were typically shy and not so expressive. There were moments that I wanted to give up and just concentrate on raising my 3 young children but I could feel an empty void in my life. For me, teaching is an art and by being creative, we give something of ourselves to others and by doing so we feel confident and fulfilled.

The students also got a sense of fulfillment after a television crew filmed our class doing a scene from Noli Me Tangere.

With hundreds of graduates from our Filipino Department who are now working here and in other countries, there are some of them who are able to make use of their proficiency in Filipino like Tamaki Kurita with ABC Channel 6, Kyoko Kimura who worked with the Philippine Tourism Office in Osaka, Matsutaro Yamazaki who is a Consul at the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Keigo Teraji who is now employed at the Philippine Trade Office in Osaka, Yosuke Shohara who

works for Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, Taddy now a teacher in Gifu, has inspired his high school students, Taiga Ueto to enrol in Filipino at Handai.

They are but some examples of the seeds that we have planted many years ago. And now, one of our former graduates is now in the faculty, Prof. Kimi Yamoto.

The last batch of sophomore students that I taught included Ayu, (L) Sae (Graiza),

Ayaka (Beth), Chisato (Emily), Mitsuki (Ronaldo), Mizuna (Katrina), Nami (May), Ayami (Natalie), Risa (Gaspar), Eri (Elly), Jun (John), Ayane (Marsha) and Rika (Rosas). I am also very grateful to Dr. Gyo Miyahara and Prof.

Satoshi Miyawaki and his

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020

wife Takako, for sharing us the warmth of their family every time we held Filipino cooking parties of adobo, pinakbet and pancit!

Like the avocado tree, it will take 5 or 10 more years before the fruits will come out. It is my fervent hope that these seeds (the next generation of Filipino majors) will be nurtured with just the right amount of sunlight and water so that we can taste

the fruits of our labor and that they will not only be competent and fluent in Filipino but will become competitive in the real rat race without forgetting cultural values in a global setting!

11

TRAFFIC

By Alma Reyes UNKNOWN KYOTO WONDERS

Some of you may not be familiar with these exceptional Kyoto spots that are not usually listed in your travel guides. If you wish to avoid the tourist crowds, these shrines and temples may offer you a more relaxing and leisurely time as you walk through the elegant artworks inside the halls and promenade along the breathtaking gardens.

Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine is located up in the Hiei

12

Daigoji

mountains and is considered to be the head shrine of the entire shrine network throughout Japan. It has approximately 40 little shrines within the expansive complex, which makes the site truly impressive. Kenninji Temple is easy to find, being in the heart of the Gion district and boasts of an incredible ink ceiling painting measuring around 108 tatami mats in the main hall. Shoren-in Temple used to be a temporary Imperial Palace and is especially visited for its blue-lit gardens during the light-up events. Daigoji Temple is another huge complex in the Yamashina district that also consists of numerous temple buildings, including a spectacular garden and pond that you surely would not want to forget. Enjoy the panoramic views.

HIyoshi Taisha Shrine

Kennin-ji

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020

Shoren-in

ni Jeff Plantilla Kailan lamang ay nalaman ko na ang ating mga wika sa Filipinas ay mula sa wikang tinatawag na Austronesian. Ibig sabihin, kasama ang mga ito sa wika ng mga Melanesians, Micronesians at Polynesians sa Pacific, at pati mga taga-Madagascar sa Africa. Ito rin ang pinanggalingan ng mga wika sa Indonesia at parte ng Malaysia. Hindi nakakapagtaka na ang ating wika ay tulad sa mga taga-Indonesia at Malaysia, mga kapit-bansa ito.

Ang medyo hindi ko inaasahan ay ang pagkakapareho ng ating mga wika sa mga taga-Pacific.

Dati ko pang naisip na ang tono ng kantang pag-ibig ng mga tao sa Pacific (kasama ang mga taga-Hawaii) ay halos katulad sa ating awit ng pagmamahalan.

Nung 19th century sa Europe, sinimulan ni Jose Rizal na ungkatin ang kasaysayan ng Filipinas upang patunayan ang ating pagiging kaisang lahi sa mga taga-Indonesia at Malaysia.

Gusto din niyang patunayan na may maayos tayong sibilisasyon bago pa dumating ang mga Kastila.

TV program sa Filipinas at napansin ko na halos lahat ng mga nasa TV ay mapuputi – marami ay mestisuhin. Sabi ko sa kasama kong Filipino, bakit ganun, puro mapuputi ang mga lumalabas sa TV? Kahit noong una pa, ang mga artista sa ating pelikula ay mga mestizo/mestiza. Matangkad, matangos ang ilong at mapuputi ang balat – at siyempre, mukhang mestizong/mestizang Kastila o Amerikano.

Ngayon, uso naman yung kamukha ng mga taga-Northeast Asia – Korean, Japanese at Chinese. Parehong mapuputi din ang balat.

At kaya din siguro nauso ang skin whitener sa Filipinas. Gusto nating maging kamukha ng mga K-Pop o J-Pop o Hollywood stars na may nakakasilaw na puti (mula sa lumang commercial ng sabon na panglaba).

Pagiging Filipino Kailan lang ay napanood ko ang isang documentary ng isang

Dinala siya ng kanyang pamilya sa Alaska noong siya ay 14 taon pa lamang. Dahil bahagi ng Amerika ang Alaska, sinikap niyang maging Kano. Sabi nga niya, siya ay “trying so hard to get rid of … my Filipino-ness” para maka-fit in sa lipunang Amerikano.

Nguni’t minsan sa isang school event na bigayan ng mensahe ang mga estudyante sa bawa’t isa, may natanggap siyang mensahe na ito ang nakasulat: “You’re Filipino, act like it.”

Naisip niya na hindi siya kailanman magiging Amerikano, dahil hindi siya mukhang Amerikano – o mukhang Caucasian. Siya ay kamukha ng mga karaniwang Filipino na matatagpuan sa Filipinas.

Ang napangasawa niya ay isang Athabaskan, kanyang girlfriend mula pa nung highschool, isang native Alaskan na “proud of her roots, of her heritage.” Naisip niya na kung ang kanyang asawang Athabaskan ay ipinagmamalaki ang kanyang tunay na lahi at kabihasnan, bakit hindi siya magmalaki bilang Filipino?

Dahil dito, kinilala si Rizal bilang pangunahing tagapagtaguyod ng Filipino bilang lahing Malay. Gusto niyang ipagmalaki natin ang ating lahing kayumanggi.

Kayumangging kaligatan Sa salitang Tagalog, ang lahing kayumanggi ay nakikita sa kulay ng balat na tinatawag na kayumangging kaligatan. Ang mga salitang ito ay kadalasang ginagamit sa pagsasalarawan sa mga kababaihang Filipinang katutubo.

Kung susundin ang sinasabi ni Rizal na dapat nating ipagmalaki ang lahing kayumanggi, ang kulay ng ating balat na kayumanggi (brown) ang dapat nating pinahahalagahan.

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Filipino-Athabaskan family sa Alaska. Ito ay istorya ng isang Filipino migrant sa Alaska.

Minsan, napanood ko ang isang

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2020

Tatlo ang kanilang anak na pinangalanan nilang Malakas, Kalayaan at Kaluguran. Alam ng mga anak niya ang mga kantang

pambata sa Filipinas at marunong silang magsayaw ng tinikling. Ang lalaking anak niya ay nagsuot ng barong sa school event – bagay na hindi niya maisip gawin nung siya ay nag-aaral pa. Sa tingin niya, ang kanyang mga anak ay 100% Athabaskan at 100% Filipino – 200% ang suma tutal.

Kaya ang pamilya niya ay may malakas na identity bilang Filipino-Athabaskan family. Pareho silang mag-asawang malakas ang pagmamahal sa sariling lahi, kultura at isip. Hindi sila nahihiya sa kanilang tunay na pagkatao.

Ang video documentary na tinutukoy ko ay may pamagat na “Episode 004: Superpowers” pero sa Youtube may pamagat ito na “How a Filipino Raises his Kids with his Native Alaskan Wife.”

Sa huli ng video ay nakasulat ito: How can we embrace our roots?

Filipino sa Japan May isang istorya ang isang Filipina tungkol sa kanyang maliit na pamangkin. Sumigaw ito ng “Tita” habang nasa isang dumadaang sasakyan kasama ang mga Hapones na bata. Medyo napahiya daw siya dahil hindi Nihonggo ang sinasabi ng bata. Bakit kaya nahiya? Maaari kayang dahil malalaman na may halong dugo ang bata, hindi purong Hapones?

Hindi kaya ganun din ang ating karanasan na ayaw nating ipakilala hangga’t maaari ang ating pagiging Filipino sa harap ng mga Hapones kung tayo ay mapagkakamalian na Hapones din?

Pero marami din sa atin ay walang pakialam sa iisipin ng mga Hapones – malakas ang boses at tawanan habang naglalakad sa daan, nasa mga tindahan at kahit sa loob ng tren.

Paano nga ba tayo dapat magpakilala sa mga Hapones bilang Filipino sa paraang tayo ay igagalang at tatanggapin nang lubusan?

Malayan Race Kinilala si Jose Rizal sa Malaysia bilang “The Great Malayan.”

Itinuturing siya na modelo ng mga taong Malay. Sa Filipinas, siya ay binansagang “First Filipino” – dahil itinaguyod niya ang pagkakaroon ng isang bansa ng mga Filipino – mga taong may lahing Malay.

Panahon na para mas bigyan natin ng pagpapahalaga ang kapwa Filipino na may balat kayumanggi – kasama na rito ang ating mga kapatid na Ayta/Ita/Agta ang sinasabing unang tao sa lupang ngayon ay tinatawag na Filipinas.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2020

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By Marilyn Rivera

The Making of a Year Once you choose HOPE, anything's possible.

- Christopher Reeve As we closed 2019, a series of unfortunate events catapulted us to 2020.

There was the eruption of Taal Volcano which dislocated 253,000 families from their homes to spend weeks in evacuation centers. Next, the spread of the epidemic Coronavirus which locked down 11 million people in Wuhan, China. And then, the death of a group of people from a chopper crash in California with one of NBAs retired-MVP, Kobe Bryant with her daughter and seven other people with them.

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery but today is a gift which is why it is called present."

- Master Oogway from the movie Kung Fu Panda

16

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2020

This year definitely greeted us with a bang. As we lit a firecracker, there was no going back to the past.

Although this bang may not exactly be like those firework orchestras welcoming us with dancing colors in the sky, but rather this kind was somewhat taunting. Nevertheless, a very important lesson was taught to us early this year that even amidst the black barren sky, we still learn to find hope in the darkest of times.

Let us not fall to the ludicrous notion that the rest of the year will be just as gloomy as it started. Being optimistic in every situation is the key to overcome our troubles how dreadful it may seem. Staying positive doesn't mean you have to be happy all the time when

there are so much sadness all around. It means that even on hard days, you know that there are better ones coming and you look forward to it.

Appreciate more. Learn to be grateful for small things which we take for granted every day. I remembered a homeless, colorblind man in his mid-30s wiped his tears as he put on special glasses that were gifted to him. It was not the act of giving that overwhelmed me since those kinds of glasses were expensive. But it was the homeless guy’s question that astonished me as he turned and looked around flabbergasted on what he was seeing. His world started to display more color which he had never seen before.

His jaw dropped and said, "You guys get to see this every day?!" This made me realized so many things that words cannot express. How fortunate, how lucky and how far more blessed we are than we realize. Value the people and things that we have and also be thankful on what we don't have.

This year is what we make of it. It is our hope, our prayers and our positivity. Life is meant to be lived, by living the moments and not dwell in our past. We learn the lessons we keep and we move forward. We do not create hate but rather we form hope today for a better tomorrow.

MOVING ON by Jasmin Vasquez

mababait naman at masasamang tao. Oo sa kanila nagsimula ang virus pero hindi naman nila ginusto lahat na mangyari sa kanila iyon. Ang iba ay din sumubok na kumain nahawa lang din. Patuloy na na dalawang Pinoy na nai dumarami ang bilang ng mga nagkaroon ng virus upload pa sa You Tube. dito sa Japan.

Napakatindi ng virus na ito dahil mabilis syang Ang dapat nating gawin ay kumalat at ilang araw mag ingat at gumawa ng lamang ay maari mong ikamatay. Pinalock down paraan para ang ilang bahagi ng China maproteksyonan ang sarili kung alam natin delikado na para maiwasan na ang sa isang lugar. Iwasan natin pagkalat sa ibang lugar. gumawi sa lugar na May mga na rescue apektado ng corona virus. naman na iba dahil ang Palaging mag hugas ng Japan ay nagpadala ng kamay mag alchohol sa eroplano para sa mga kamay. Gawin mong lahat Hapon na hindi para protektahan mo ang makalabas ng lugar na iyong sarili at pamilya pero iyon. hindi iyon dahilan para maging masama ang ugali Maraming nahawa papunta dito sa Japan, sa natin at mapanghusga sa mga tao. Halimbawa na lang Pinas at sa iba pang bansa. Hindi maiwasan na nung minsan na may mga kumain sa isang food chain magkahawa-hawa ang mga tao. Nitong huli, lulan na mga Tsino, sobrang panlalait ang ginawa ng ng isang barko ang napakaraming tao na dito ilang mga tao doon, na minabuti na lang nilang sa Japan bumaba na ipagpatuloy ang pagkain sa syang dahilan na mas labas para lamang tumigil dumami pa ang naapektohan o nahawa sa ang mga tao sa pangungutya sa kanila. naturang sakit.

Kung talagang may mga ilan na masasama ang ugali na Wala kahit na sino ang kalahi nila, hindi iyon sapat gustong mahawa pero nangyari na. Dapat tayong na dahilan para gayahin o gumanti sa kanila. maging maagap kung alam nating delikado na Naniniwala akong mas marami pa ring mabuti ang talaga. Hindi ko lang kalooban sa kanila. maintindihan na bakit parang sumosobra naman Kaya kung ayaw nating ang iba sa pagtrato ng magkaroon o mahawa sa hindi maganda sa mga Tsino na nakakasalamuha kumakalat na sakit na iyan, natin. May damdamin din tayo na lang ang umiwas o silang nasasaktan. Hindi gumawa ng paraan para ma naman lahat ay masama. proteksyonan ang ating kalusugan ng wala tayong Ang gawin nalang natin ay mag ingat ng doble. Sa inaapi o inaapakang tao. isang banda ay hindi ko Saan mang panig ng rin masisi ang iba dahil may mga Tsino pa rin na mundo, may mababait, mabubuti at masasama. pasaway hanggang Ikaw kaibigan, saan ka ba ngayon. Pero palagi nating tatandaan na kahit nabibilang? saang bansa, may

Ikaw kaibigan, saan ka ba nabibilang?

Simula sa aking pag kabata, lumaki ako na palagi kong naririnig sa mga nakakatanda tuwing sila ay nag aasaran, laki nilang bukang bibig “tuloy laway intsik beho”.

Napa-isip ako bakit ba nila palagi sinasabi yung ganon. Ang tawag nila sa mga chino ay “intsik” (in chiek a hokkien chinese word meaning my uncle).

Isang araw tinawag ko ang classmate ko ng intsik pero sya ay nagalit sa akin sa hindi ko malamang dahilan. Instead tawagin ko daw syang chino or tsino. Talaga ba tuloy laway sila? Na curious lang kasi ako. Palagi nilang sinasabi na ganito ang mga intsik. Nag-aral ako ng 3 taon sa isang Chinese school sa may Tondo, Manila. Ok naman sila. Mas marami pa ngang bully na Pinoy kesa sa Chinese. At napaka istrikto doon compare sa mga ibang school.

Masyadong conservative.

Yun lang, di ako nagtapos doon. Sayang nga eh karamihin ng mga nag graduate doon, mga successful na sa buhay ngayon.

Napakaraming activities doon na gusto ko sanang salihan ngunit mas priority nila kunin yung mga mapuputi lalo na pag dating sa cheering squad.

Kayumanggi kasi ang kulay ng aking balat.

Palagi kasi ako nabibilad sa araw gawa ng training ng citizen army training (CAT). Idagdag mo pa ang paglalaro ng volleyball outdoor. Totoong may discrimination pero meron din namang mababait. Parang sa ating mga Pinoy na hindi naman lahat ay mababait, meron din namang masama ang pag-uugali.

Lumilipas ang panahon, ibat-ibang mga pangyayari o kaugalian saan mang parte ng mundo partikular sa sarili nating bayan. Nag-iiba na halos lahat ng bagay at pag-uugali ng mga tao.

May mga bumabait, mayroon namang nagiging masama.

Maraming naiimbentong bagay. Maraming sinusubukang kainin ang mga tao tulad ng mga exotic foods. Sa Pilipinas, meron din isang lugar na kainan ng mga pagkain na di pangkaraniwan.

Pagkain ng mga hayop na di pangkaraniwan. At dahil dito, ibat-ibang klase ng sakit ang lumalaganap sa ating kapaligiran.

Masyadong nakakaalarma ang huling sakit o virus na kumakalat ngayon na tinatawag nilang corona virus, dahil umano sa pagkain ng paniki ng mga Tsino na dinarayo pa nila sa isang lugar sa China. Mayroon

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019

17

Take It Or Leave It!

by Isabelita Manalastas-Watanabe Dear Tita Lits, Magandang araw po sa inyo.

Meron po akong mabigat na dinaranas ngayon sa aking biyenan. Nang ikinasal po ako sa aking asawang Hapon, tutol na po ang mga biyenan ko sa akin dahil isa akong dayuhan at isa pang Pilipina.

Sabi pa nga ng nanay ng asawa ko na sana ay galing ako sa mayaman na bansa sa Amerika o Europa, mas maganda pa sa tingin ng mga tao. Nahiya po siya na ang pinakasalan ng kanyang anak ay isang pobreng Pilipina po lamang. Mahal po ako ng asawa ko at buntis na rin po ako ng kinasal kami.

Gusto rin pong ipalaglag ng aking biyenan na babae ang anak na dinadala ko pero tinutulan ko po. Abort the child and no wedding needed ang utos ni biyenan. Bibigyan na lang daw ako ng maraming pera. Simula pa lamang, mabigat na drama na ang dinanas ko po.

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Buti na lamang at sa probinsiya po sila nakatira at kami naman po ay sa Tokyo.

Malaking pagtitiis at pagdurusa na lamang ako kapag binibisita namin sila sa

probinsiya tuwing Obon at New Year taun-taon.

kasama ang kanyang ina. Ayaw din ng ina na tumira sa mga tahanan para sa matatanda.

Namatay po last year ang biyenan kong lalake. Nagiisang anak po ang aking asawa kaya sinabihan ako na aalagaan niya ang nanay niya at titira po sa aming bahay dahil meron naman isang kwarto na hindi ginagamit.

Alam kong wala naman pong masamang tumulong lalo na’t kung ito ay para sa magulang.

Hindi pa rin po ako matanggap hangang ngayon ng kanyang nanay kaya parang pinaparusahan niya ako, at parang gusto rin kaming ipaghiwalay. Sinisiraan niya po ako sa aking asawa. Lagi na po kaming nag-aaway at lagi niyang kinakampihan ang kanyang ina. Kung uuwi ako at iiwan ang aking asawa, parang nanalo ang kanyang nanay.

Ngayon, isang taon na po ang nakalipas. Punung-puno na po ako. Hindi ko na po kaya.

Feeling ko, ako na yata ang mauunang mamamatay kaysa sa kanyang ina. Utos dito, utos doon. Sinasabihan ko naman ang asawa ko, pero sabi niya lagi sa akin na konting tiis dahil matanda na ang nanay niya. Kahit matanda naman ay malakas pa po.

Ayoko ko namang lumaban sa biyenan ko. Hindi po ako masamang tao. Alam niya iyon. Kahit magkasakit siya, tinutulungan ko siya. Pero wala pa ring epekto sa kanya ang mga kabutihan kong ginagawa. Pagkalipas na mahigit na 20 taon, hindi pa rin nagbabago ang trato sa akin.

Gusto ko pong umalis sa bahay at pansamantalang umuwi sa Pilipinas at iwan ang asawa ko dahil hindi ko na kayang magsama kami sa bahay ng kanyang ina. Ang asawa ko po ay laging nasa kaisha. Umuuwi lang para matulog. 24 oras ko pong

Ngayon, ang pag-uwi ko na lang sa Pilipinas ang naiisip kong gawin at baka mag-ibang isip ang aking asawa.

Pinagdarasal ko lagi pero parang meron akong kasamang demonyo sa bahay.

Ano pa po kaya ang magandang gawin? Tulungan po ninyo ako.

Magdalena, Tokyo

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020

Dear Magdalena: Inulit-ulit kong basahin ang sulat mo.

Talagang sa simula pa lamang ay mukhang mababa na ang tingin sa iyo ng iyong biyenan na babae. Pero parang ang bait naman ng napangasawa mo – hindi ka niya iniwan noong nabuntisan ka niya at pinangatawan niyang pakasalan ka at ituloy ang iyong pagbubuntis kahit kontrang-kontra dito ang mother-in-law mo. Wala akong narinig about your father-in-law.

Mabait din siguro tulad ng iyong asawa.

Kapag O-bon at New Year taon-taon kayong dumadalaw sa iyong mga biyenan. Mga around isang linggo lang iyon taon-taon, pero parang kahit ilang araw lang kayo sa kanila, ay mukhang nahirapan ka pa ring makisama sa biyenan mong babae.

Wala rin akong nakitang amor ng iyong mother-in-law sa kanyang apo.

Malimit, ang apo ay mahal ng mga lolo at lola, kahit na hindi pa gusto ng biyenan ang napangasawa ng kanyang anak.

Mga isang taon ka ng sobrang nagtitiis na kasama na ninyo ngayon sa Tokyo ang iyong biyenan. Sa basa ko sa iyong sulat, dapat mga at least 20 years old na rin ang anak mo – either nasa unibersidad siya, or natapos ng mag-aral at nagta-trabaho na. Kung wala na sa bahay ang anak mo, talaga namang laki ng sakripisyo mong makisama sa bruha mong biyenan.

May ikukuwento ako sa iyo na true story. May kaibigan akong magandang Pinay na nakapag-asawa ng Hapon na solong anak din.

Tawagin natin siyang Mercy. From the start, nakatira sila sa isang bahay lang, kasama si mother-in-law. Nasa second floor nakatira ang biyenan, at sa first floor naman sina Mercy, asawa niya at anak na lalaki. Hindi rin gusto si Mercy ng kanyang biyen dahil Pinay, at mababa rin ang tingin sa kanya. Minsan, lumabas si Mercy sa

bahay at binuhusan ba naman ng tubig from second floor nitong kanyang biyenan! Pero mahal si Mercy ng asawa niya. Nagtiis ng maraming taon si Mercy dahil mahal din niya ang kanyang asawa at anak.

Noong magkasakit ang mother-in-law, inalagaan ni Mercy.

Doon nag-umpisang lumambot ang puso ng kanyang biyenan sa kanya.

At naging mabait-na-mabait na sa kanya.

Pero sa sulat mo, kahit noong magkasakit ang biyenan mo at tinulungan mo, wa epek pa rin.

At talagang trying hard pa ring ipaghiwalay kayong mag-asawa.

Gustung-gusto ko ang sinabi mo sa sulat mo, and I quote:

“Kung uuwi ako at iiwan ang aking asawa, parang nanalo ang kanyang nanay.” Tama ka

diyan! Dapat hindi ka magpapatalo!

Ayaw ba ng asawa mo na mag-part-time job ka? Kahit sa mga kombini – nagha-hire na sila ng mga foreigners. Noon, mga Chinese lang karamihan. Ngayon, marami ka ng makikitang dark skinned na foreigners na noon ay hindi iisiping iha-hire. Sa malapit na grocery shop sa aking train station, may isang babaeng cashier na nakatakip ang ulo (mukhang Indonesian Muslim).

Siguradong ang galing ng iyong spoken Japanese, at kahit ilang oras lang sa isang araw, or ilang araw sa isang linggo, makakakuha ka ng

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trabaho. Maraming job fair na ina-advertise ang Pinoy Gazette.

Mayroon sa March 1, 2020, Sunday, from 13:00-16:00, Akihabara Convention Hall, sa harap lang ng JR Akihabara station. Libre ito. Pwede mong tawagan si Jhun, 03-3549-7718.

Church goer ka ba? Sali ka kaya sa church choir? Para mayroon kang maging bagong crowd, at bagong mga kaibigan. Dahil church goers ang mga ito, at member pa ng choir, walang masasabing paninira sa iyo ang biyenan mo kapag lumabas ka ng bahay para makisali sa practice ng choir. Wala rin siyang masasabi kung magsisimba ka regularly. At least, once a week, kahit kalahating araw lang, maiba ang iyong environment. At dagdagan mo na rin ng dasal.

Sabi nga ng biblia, hindi daw ibibigay sa atin ng Diyos ang isang pagsubok kung hindi natin kaya. At sa bawa’t hirap na dinadanas mo, i-offer mo na lang kay Lord, at hinding-hindi ka niya papabayaan.

Kung ayaw ng asawa mo na mag-trabaho ka, siguro naman ay papayag siyang maging aktibo ka sa church. Kapag talagang desperate ka na at parang pag-uwi lang sa Pilipinas ang makakalunas sa iyong problema, umuwi ka, pero huwag masyadong matagal. Basta’t tandaan mo, kahit mahikayat pa ng loko mong biyenan na hiwalayan ka ng anak niya,

HUWAG KANG PIPIRMA sa divorce papers. Wala silang magagawa kung hindi ka pipirma. E-di ikaw ang panalo!!!

Tita Lits

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2020 Ang Panibagong Siglo

Minnasan, akemashite omedetou gozaimasu!

Bagong taon na naman po, panibagong pag-asa, panibagong pakikibaka at panibagong siglo.

Bawat araw ay maituturing nating isang biyaya. Bawat gising ay isang preparasyon sa mga hamon na ating kinakaharap. At sa bawat pagharap natin ng anumang buhay mayroon tayo ay isang indikasyon o patunay na tayo ay buhay at kailangang mabuhay.

Maraming bagay sa mundo ang nagbabago at pabago-bago nang hindi natin kontrol o mapigilan. Tulad ng pagmamahal na kapag ikaw ay tinamaan, handa mong gawin ang lahat para sa taong nais mo ito sa kanya iparamdam.

Mga trahedya, aksidente o sakuna na kung minsan kahit pilit natin itong iniiwasan at kahit sobrang pag-iingat ay nangyayari. At kasabay ng pagbabago ng mga araw ng bagong siglo araw-araw din may nagbabago maging sa damdamin at sitwasyon nating mga tao.

2020 na at marami ng naganap sa iba't-ibang sulok ng mundo. May nakakatuwa, nakakapanlumo at kahindik-hindik. May maligaya, may nagdadalamhati at nawalan ng mga mahal sa buhay at kabuhayan. At tila ba ang gulo-gulo na ng mundo. Kalamidad dito, kalamidad doon. Bangayan dito, bangayan doon. Kailan kaya matatapos ang ganitong kaganapan at nang mamuhay naman tayo ng mapayapa at maayos dito sa mundong ito.

Sa pagpasok ng siglong ito, mapapansin natin na sunod-sunod ang kalamidad na nangyayari sa bansang Pilipinas at sa ibat-ibang sulok ng mundo. Malapit na nga ba ang paghuhukom at darating na ba ang ating tagapagligtas? At sa dami-dami nang naglipanang mga sugo ng Diyos "kuno", sino sa kanila ang dapat

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paniwalaan at sundin upang mas mapalapit tayo sa Diyos na makapangyarihan sa lahat at nang tayo ay maligtas?

Minsan nakakapagtaka na kung ang Diyos ay makapangyarihan. Bakit tayo hinayaang magkasala at mahirapan? May isang kwento akong ibabahagi sa inyo, hindi ko alam kung ito ba ay kathang-isip lamang o totoo. At kayo na po ang bahalang mag-analisa kung ito ba ay makatotohanan o hindi nga.

Sa sagot ng huling tanong kung bakit tayo pinababayaan ng Diyos na magkasala at mahirapan gayung siya naman ang makapangyarihan. Dahil ang Diyos "daw" at si Satanas ay may kasunduang hahayaan ng Diyos na subukan ni Satanas ang pananalig nating tao sa Kanya. At yun ang dahilan kung bakit tayo may kakayahang mag-isip kung tama ba o mali na ang ating ginagawa. At aminin man natin o hinde, ang hirap magpakabuti. Dahil kahit sa simpleng dahilan at pamamaraan, tayong mga tao ay nagkakasala na kung minsan hindi naman natin ito sinasadya.

Ngunit napakabuti ng Diyos, dahil handa Niya tayong tanggapin kahit na tayo ay makasalanan sa paraang bukal sa ating loob at isipan na tayo ay nagsisisi sa mga kasalanang ating nagawa.

Sa bagong siglong ito, maraming mga bagay na kaabang-abang at pag-uusapan ng lahat. Gaya na lamang ang 2020 Olympic na gaganapin sa Japan. Marami ang natulungang magkatrabaho dahil sa preparasyon para dito. Naway lahat ng gaganapin o magaganap ay may positibong resulta. At makakapagbigay pag-asa sa buong mundo.

Kaya mga kababayan, sama-sama tayong manalangin na nawa'y maging mapayapa at makabuluhan ang lahat ng magaganap sa siglong ito. Nawa'y matapos na ang mga hindi kanais-nais at nagpapahirap sa mga kababayan natin. Nawa'y manaig ang kapayapaan at kabutihan para sa lahat ng mamamayan saang sulok man ng mundo.

Hanggang sa muli po!

Have a blessed 2020 to everyone and GOD bless us all.

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020

Bituin Sa bawat ningning ng mga bituin Pag-asa ang hatid nito sa atin At kapag ang langit kumulimlim Bituin sa langit pilit na hahanapin Gandang hatid sa kalangitan Kapag atin na itong nasilayan Ngiti sa labi hindi maikukubli Sa dilim may kumikinang muli Tuwing kinang ating pinagmamasdan Oras at lalim ng gabi'y di namamalayan Marami ang pumapasok sa isipan Mga bagay na nais pang makamtan Bituing minsan ang ulap tinapakan Nakakalungkot pa kung minsan Ngunit pag-asa ay wag mawalan Dahil muli naman itong masisilayan

By Anita Sasaki

Kwento Ni Nanay EVERY GISING IS A BLESSING!!!

TUWING GISING AY MAY BIYAYA!!!

Month of February Valentine Love The month for lovers is back! Where did the time go? Just yesterday, we were counting down to the New Year, making resolutions, feeling all the guilt from overeating and overspending and now we are here! January

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started the year with a bang: award seasons’ tear jerking moments, Australia’s forest fires, Taal eruption, corona virus, like snow falls and bad weather. And although February’s weather forecasts are just as dreadful, there are plenty of reasons to love February.

Because it’s…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MATTEO and MARTI! OUR TWO IN ONE (February 1) TWIN ANGELS! DOUBLE THE FUN, DOUBLE THE BLESSINGS!!! Granny loves you, my two SUPER HEROES. Happy Birthday, Pinky on February 15, Happy Birthday Peachy on February 16 and the most special man in my life Happy Birthday Papa

Roman Aquino, our beloved father, on February 28.

So many things to celebrate and thank God for all the blessings!

From our father, my daughters and great grandchildren! What else can I say but THANK YOU GOD! It’s the month of HEARTS so I have some good exercises for our hearts.

"To strengthen the muscles of your heart; the best exercise is lifting someone else's spirit whenever you can."

“To be kind is more important than to be right.”

“Many times, what people need is not a brilliant mind that speaks but a special HEART that listens.”

GOD Bless us more!!!

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020

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

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

Looking for an apartment, condo, office or house to rent or buy?

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

The Boken Hunters : I just want to Go, Go, Go!

by Herbert Benzon

I always dreamt to become a travel host when I was young. Traveling is my great passion in life. It has been something that has become a part of me. To visit every country on this earth would be my ultimate dream.

Exploring the food, the people, the culture, the adventure and the beauty of everything around us, is just amazing!

I just realized recently that sharing my experience in traveling to social media would be surprising - it plays an increasingly more important role in the life of society today anyway. YouTube, being one of the mainstream social media, allows users to share their videos online, create their channels and, thus, create their virtual communities united by common interests.

So I asked myself, Can I do better than what’s already out there? What topics will I be covering?

Who are the viewers I am making videos for? Why

should people watch my videos?

How long should the videos be?

This is the moment when I thought of my students who are definitely an inspiration to me. That if you believe you can and will do something; you will find the means to make it happen.

I have to start with the right motivation! I mean, more than motivation in the sense of being eager to start making videos. I want to make an impact, to inspire others especially my students and lead the viewers that nothing is impossible. But how’s my full time job then? Like anything in life that’s worth doing, starting a YouTube channel means putting a lot of time, effort and determination. I will need to learn

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2020

how to create high-quality videos, how to promote them on and off YouTube, how to attract viewers, and many other tricks of the trade that can be learned by doing.

Performativity, productivity and time management is at stake!

One thing stick in my mind, this doesn’t happen overnight. I don’t have to worry that the content I create is less good than everyone else’s right off the bat. I don’t have to compete. What’s important is to be authentic. I am unique and imperfect. I will share my thoughts and express my true self.

Again, I just have to start and give it a try! I will show the viewers the real me!

Shout out to my best buddies Sean Napier and Tateki Ikdea who have always been there to help and support me in this new journey I’m taking.

Please like, watch our videos, comment and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

First video: Hiroshima; Second video: Shiga; Third video is coming up!

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KAPATIRAN ni Loleng Ramos Pusong Happy Valentine, kapatid! May kabiyak ba ang puso mo?

Biyak ba ang puso mo? O sa ilang parte ito nabibiyak? Pwede bang biyakin ang puso? Siguro sa

dalawang paraan pwede, mabigo sa pag-ibig at maging broken heart o kaya katulad ng kay kawawang si porky, bibiyakin, hihiwain, tatadtarin at gagawing bopis! Ayoko na nga kumain nyan! Pero ang ibig sabihin ko naman ay kung kani-kanino nahahati ang puso mo?

Kay irog, nanay, tatay, lola, lolo, pinsan, kaibigan, katrabaho, kapit-bahay, karelasyon (oooops) mas marami kang minamahal ibig sabihin din, marami ang nagmamahal sa iyo, tama ba iyon? Basta, huwag mong kalimutang isama si Lord, ha?

Pero sa totoo lang at hindi kwentong kuchero, nahahati sa dalawang bahagi ang puso, ang kanan na parte ang tumatanggap at magpa-pump ng dugo na kailangang ma-recharge ng oxygen at matanggalan ng carbon dioxide na nasagap nito sa loob ng katawan. Sa pagtibok ng puso pina-pump nito ang

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Puti

dugong ito papunta sa baga kung saan nagaganap ang palitan ng hangin.

Bumabalik ang dugong ito papunta naman sa kaliwang parte ng puso na may taglay ng nutrisyon o pagkain (oxygen) at dadaloy na sa ating mga ugat sa buong katawan para maghatid ng kalakasan at kalusugan sa bawat kalamnan. Kaya hindi lang “love” ang nagpapatibok ng heart, trabaho din pala niya ito sa ating katawan!

Cardiomyopathy o tinatawag din na Broken Heart Syndrome.

Mag-ingat ka kapatid, may mga namamatay din dito!

Bakit kaya ang simbolo ng pag-ibig o heart shape ay hindi naman kahugis ng puso? Sabi ang pinanggalingan daw nito ay ang hugis ng buto ng halamang extinct na ngayon, ang “Silphium”, merong mga barya na gawa pa noong ika-anim na siglo na nagpapakita ng hugis nito. Sa Cyrene o Libya Kapag “head over heels na ngayon daw ito in love” ka, iyong tipong tumubo at hindi nasa sakong mo ang ulo naitatanim kaya ng mo sa sobrang kilig at naubos, hindi na sirko, ang daloy na dugo tumubo pa muli. Ito ay papunta sa utak ay kasing halaga ng ginto bumibilis din, pati tibok noon at ang bawat parte ng puso bumibilis din. Di ay nagagamit, masarap ba? Pero kapag naman na pagkain at gamot na sumagot ang puso sa panlunas sa sobrang kalungkutan napakaraming katulad halimbawa ng sakit. Ang pagkawala ng pag-inom nga minamahal sa anumang daw ng juice kadahilanan, humihina nito ay isang ang puso at ang aphrodisiac o kaliwang bahagi nito ay pampalakas ng lumalaki na katulad ang sexual desire at hugis sa panghuli ng pinakamabisang gamot pugita, o iyong parang para hindi mabuntis ang palayok na tabo (tsubo) isang babae at sinasabi na pambitag para nga na dito nag-umpisa pasukin ng mga tako ang kaugnayan ng heart (pugita). Dahil nga sa at ang heart shape ng Japan unang na-itala Valentine. ang obserbasyon na ito, pinangalanan itong Sa loob ng tiyan pa lang Takotsubo ni nanay, ang puso din

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natin ang isa sa pinakaunang nakukumpleto mabuo, sa ika-apat na linggo pa lang ng ating buhay ay nag-uumpisa na itong tumibok at pwede pa rin ito mapanatiling tumitibok kahit natanggal na sa loob ng katawan.

Nakakamangha ang puso at napaka-importante, responsibilidad natin na alagaan ng mabuti ang nasa sa atin. Hala kapatid, mag-ehersisyo ka na, saka ingat sa kolesterol. Pero kung hindi lang extension ng mortal life ang hangad mo at everlasting life din, dapat paputiin mo din, sabi, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”. Sa pagpili ng tama mula sa napakaraming tukso sa mundo. Pero katulad ng tempting valentine chocolate, ikaw ang pumili ng pwede at ang tama mo lang kainin.

Isipin mo palagi ang health ng heart mo habang buhay tayo sa mundo at kaputian nito para mabuhay pa tayo ulit.

My First FULL Marathon!

by Irene Kaneko 2019 had been an incredible year for me. So many firsts – my first Mt. Fuji climb, my first 10km run, my first half marathon run and my first full marathon run. All these happened in 2019, the year I started running. My favorite running place to practice is the Imperial Garden Palace in Sakuradamon, one round of 5km of mostly straight road with uphill and downhill routes, a famous place for running enthusiasts.

As early as March, I had been eyeing to join the Honolulu International Marathon for my first full marathon of 42.195km. My other reason is to be able to see my brother, Kevin and sister-in-law, Marife after 10 years of not seeing each other.

Aside from my regular strength and aerobics training at the gym in preparation for the full marathon, I studied and watched You Tube on

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nutrition, fueling, breathing techniques, running economy and more. I was lucky enough that a runner friend, Daniel Tanciatco, coached me during some of my practices. After I joined the10K and Half-Marathon events in city and prefectural running events, I became confident that I can finish the full marathon which made me decide to register for the race.

I did hiking and carb loading with Kevin and Marife on the days leading to the race day on December 8, 2019, the Honolulu Marathon. I woke up very early at 2:00am to eat my breakfast. I was very excited. I only had 3 hours sleep! I wore my running wear and placed my number card on my chest.

The running chip is located at the back of the number card. In Japan, we tie the running chip to our shoe. My flipbelt is filled with Energy gels and some mango dry fruit. Aside from the belt, I also have a pouch where I placed my Iphone & wi-fi fully re-charged, Pocari Sweat powders, a 350ml water

bottle and salted candies.

As you can see, I was ready to run the beautiful coastline of Honolulu.

We left the house by 3am.

Kevin and Marife drove me to Ala Moana Park, the starting point of the marathon. However, most roads were blocked for the marathon so I need to walk about 10 mins to the

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starting place. We arrived 3:30am so I still have a lot of time. The weather that day was nice at 22 degrees C. Everybody was stretching and running around getting ready for the run.

The marathon started at 5am with a show of fireworks. Was it the adrenaline because I was running with a crowd of more than 30,000 full of energy and enthusiasm.

The 1st water station came at the 3rd km. I took my first energy gel at the 5th km. I was doing well on the first half of the race. If I kept this pace, I could have finished in about 5 hours. However, on the 30th Km, my knees were starting to hurt. So, I did run-walk, run-walk strategy. But there came a time when my legs were too sore and tired already. I tried to run again but my legs wouldn’t. I stopped a few times to stretch my sore feet. I literally walked through in the last 10km.

I remembered Fred Lebow’s quote on running. He is the co-founder of the New York City Marathon. He said: "It doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that."

At this point, I did not care about the early finishing time anymore. What mattered more to me was I need to reach the finish line! I was not ready to give up but determined to finish the race no matter what.

I saw the finish line already.

There was a big clock and didn’t realize it was past 7 hours since I started running. 7 hours 17 mins and 29 seconds was my time. I was so jubilant when the Finisher Medal was placed around my neck.

Kevin and Fe treated me to a delicious ramen shop before going back home.

Soonest we arrived home, I took a shower, iced my knees and legs, drank my pain relievers and slept for 14 hours!

Despite the 3 big blisters on my toes, I’m so lucky I still

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could walk! Marife treated them with the juice of Aloe Vera plant.

My gratitude to Kevin and Marife who were there all the way for me from carb loading to hiking to sightseeing to the day of the marathon and after. Thank you very much!

Despite all the excruciating pain on my knees, I unbelievably was able to reach the finish line. With jubilance, wonder and satisfaction, I whispered to myself, “I made it!” And now, I am ready for you, 2020 and am looking forward to new challenges and new “firsts!”

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Anyo On February 09, 2020 at Asakusa Kokaido Hall, “ANYO – Fusion of the East” was successfully held. ANYO is a Philippine Cultural Show to showcase the beautiful islands of the Philippines and the rich culture of the Philippines be it in music, dance and fashion from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Fusion of the East

the major group of islands of the Philippines.

Luzon is the biggest island of the Philippines. Among its beautiful places that were shown during the show were Cordillera Region, Manila and Palawan. It was

A native folk dance from the Mountain Province of Cordillera was performed by Inrayog. After that it was followed by a fashion show to showcase the gorgeous Filipiniana ternos of Luzon.

Visayas is located at the central

The first part of the show were speeches delivered by the Executive Producer of “ANYO – Fusion of the East” and President of United Filipino Community Japan, Mr. Jan Michael Acaylar, Mrs. Cindy Sotooka of Japan Philippines Cultural Exchange Organization (JPCEO ) and Consul Jan Kenneth E. Bolante of the Cultural Section of the Philippine Embassy in Japan.

The program was divided into 3 sections namely the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. These are

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followed by a song from Bicol Region and series of songs played by the Philippine Rondalla Japan.

archipelago of the Philippines. A short film was shown to feature the beautiful places of Bohol,

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Cebu and Boracay. It was followed by a Visayan song number from Kiyose Vocal Ensemble. A series of folk dance from Visayas presented by Inrayog. Then a fashion show to showcase the beautiful collection of Maria Clara as it was originated from Cebu and was introduced by the Spaniards.

Mindanao, in Southern Philippines, is the second-largest island in the Philippines.

Siargao and Davao were shown as beautiful places from this region. Mr. Charles Abing played the piano of different Kundiman songs. Followed by Chiba Indonesia Society Angklung Ensemble playing some songs from Philippines. Thereafter, it

was followed by the fashion show to stage the rich Muslim inspired dresses from Mindanao.

All the dresses used in the fashion show were creations from seasoned designers of Designers Circle Philippines (DCP). The participating designers were Johnny Abad, Francis Calaquian, Gener Gozum, Rey Lazaro, Dave Ocampo, Rafael Gonzalez and Ivan dela Cruz as the head designer for “ANYO – Fusion of the East”.

This show was directed by Cata Figueroa, a seasoned stage director. Some of his shows include Philippine Fashion Week, Project Runway Philippines, Mutya ng Pilipinas, Catwalk

Philippines, Bodyshots, Super Model Philippines, Bench, Penshoppe and 65th Miss Universe Fashion Show in Davao City. He also directed fashion shows not only in the Philippines but also in the United States and Europe.

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PRAY FOR THE EARTH