Jeepney Press #109 January - February 2021 Issue by Jeepney Press

109 ISSUE

Celebrating The Journeys Of Filipinos In Japan

Pahayagang pinoy sa japan

ジープニープレス

在日フィリピン人向けマガジン

January - February 2021 Art Object & Design by DENNIS SUN

2021年1月-2月

Celebrating The Journeys Of Filipinos In Japan

Pahayagang pinoy sa japan ジープニープレス

JEEPNEY PRESS welcomes articles of interest on Filipinos in Japan. Please email any photos, drawings, and other materials that you would like to accompany the article. Submissions can also be sent by postmail. Photos, drawings and other materials will not be returned unless sent with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Deadline is one month before publication. We reserve the right to edit or omit any submissions. Disclaimer: Jeepney Press is not responsible for the transactions between its advertisers and their clients. Publisher does not endorse or make any representation or warranty, express or implied, with respect to any of the products or services advertised herein. We recommend that you independently evaluate all products/services before purchasing. Jeepney Press is not accountable for any claims on the articles in this magazine. They are purely the writer's idea and opinion. The views expressed herein are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers'. Public and private parties approached by those claiming to work for or on behalf of Jeepney Press should call our office to confirm truth of any such claim, especially where money may be involved. Jeepney Press is published online bimonthly by Asia Vox Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright 2021

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 Board Contributors

Cover design and art: DENNIS SUN

Glen Atienza Jeff Plantilla Neriza Saito Karen Sanchez Anita Sasaki Wayne Sun Warren Sun Yellowbelle Duaqui Loleng Ramos Alvin Tagle Alma Reyes Lita Manalastas-Watanabe Richine Bermudez Lala Lopez de Leon Mae Grace Jerry Sun Arenas Jasmin Vasquez Alma Fatagani-Sato Arnel Sugay Marnie Chan Chris Yokoyama

contents 06 YOMU Editorial / Dennis Sun 10 On The Road / Neriza Saito 12 Traffic / Alma Reyes 14 Isang Araw Sa Ating Buhay/ Jeff Plantilla 16 Life Is A Journey / Glen Gypsy 17 Did You Learn Your Lesson? / Arnel Sugay 18 Take It Or Leave It / Lita Manalastas Watanabe 20 Dondake! / Karen Sanchez 22 Kwento Ni Nanay / Anita Sasaki 23 Acupuncture / Marnie Chan 24 Amaezing Grace / Mae Grace 26 Kapatiran / Loleng Ramos 27 Setsubun / Alma Fatagani-Sato 28 Moving On / Jasmin Vasquez 29 Kusina / Tita Chris 30 Finding The One by Yellowbelle Duaqui 32 PASADA Shizuoka-Kyoto-Miyagi-Fukuoka 38 The SUNny Side of Happiness / Ching Pangilinan

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

VISA PROBLEMS?? VISA CHANGE VISA EXTENSION PERMANENT BUSINESS ELIGIBILITY KOSEKI JAPANESE CITIZENSHIP

TAWAG LANG PO SA AMIN PARA MATAPOS NA AGAD ANG PROBLEMA NATIN!

Mr. Ishikawa - Hinoshi, Tokyo Visa Lawyer (Gyouseisyoshi-Lawyer)

OK VISA OFFICE

090-2908-5088 (SB)

editorial by Dennis Sun Re-publishing an old article from 2015:

Ano ba naman yan? Kararating lang ng Disyembre, nanginginig na ang mga buto ko. Epekto kaya ng global warming kaya ang winter ngayon ay napakaagang dumating at napakalamig?

読む

YOMU

means to read in Japanese

tumatanda ang tao, lalong giniginaw ito lalo na sa parting kamay at paa. Aray ko po, again! Natamaan yata ako doon. Hindi lang sa edad ang dahilan. Ang pagtaas ng pagiging sensitibo sa lamig ay maaaring tanda ng mga problemang medikal tulad ng alta-presyon at dyabetis. Pwede rin maging dahilan ang side-effects ng mga ibang gamot na iniinom natin kaya tayo nanlalamig. Pero, Inday, tumigil ka nga! Wala kang sakit. Ang problema mo, pang summer pa ang sinusuot mo kaya ka nanlalamig! Punta ka sa Uniqlo at bumili ka ng heat-tech underwear.

Dati-rati’y pagpasok ng Enero, doon ko pa lang nalalasap ang kirot at hapdi ng panahon ng tag-lamig. Ngayon, isang buwan napaaga. Simula ng dumating ang Disyembre, hinanap ko bigla ang mga taglamig na gwantes bago ako lumabas ng bahay. Grabe sa lamig lalo na kung mahangin. Napakahirap matulog sa gabi. Yung mga paa ko, nanlalamig sa ginaw kahit na may suot na akong mga medyas. Bumili akong YUTAMPO sa drugstore na pwede i-microwave. Minsan, nawala na ang init ng yutampo, gising pa rin ang diwa ko. Kailangan ipainit uli sa microwave. Napakahirap pa naman bumangon sa lamig lalo na kung nakahiga ka na sa futon. Sabay punta na rin sa banyo para makaihi na rin! Distorbo din ang pantog tuwing malamig dahil sa walang tigil na pagpunta sa banyo para umihi. Maraming mga dahilan dahil nanlalamig ang mga katawan natin. Pero huwag kang matuwa dahil hindi ito biro. Isa na rito ang pagtanda. Aray ko po! Habang lalong

Yung jacket mo, manipis. Magsuot ka ng gawa sa wool. Ano ba, Inday? Winter is the time for fashion. Wear long boots. Dress in layers! Doble. Triple. Go! Gumamit ng medyas para sa

January - February 2021

Si Cora, dahil matanda na talaga at marami na rin sakit sa katawan, hindi na talaga ma-tolerate ang cold season kaya eskapo siya sa Pinas. Dumarating lang siya sa Japan during spring and autumn, the best and most beautiful seasons pa! Wala rin siya sa Japan during summer dahil sobra rin ang init dito. Pero mas ma-swerte ang Manang Jocy dahil may nagpapa-init ng katawan niya. Hindi na kailangan ng woolen socks, hand and foot warmers and kairo. At, please lang, walang electric heating blanket for her. Sa gabi, may free human blanket na siya. Wika niya, “Anong cold winter ang pinag-uusapan ninyo?” Para kay Jocy, the colder the winter, the better daw. At sabay taas ang kilay! “Alam ba ninyo na mas matindi ang mga yakap ni Papa tuwing winter season.” Sasabihin lang niya habang nakahiga sa kama, “Papi, nanlalamig ang mga labi ko.” At biglang sabay halik ang mararatnan ng mga labi ni tag-lamig. Wear a hat. Ang init ng katawan ay lumalabas sa ulo. Kung mag-suot ka ng sombrero, hindi tatakas ang init sa katawan mo. Gloves, mittens, scarf… Add anything to make you warm. Kung wala pa rin, bumili ka ng hand or foot warmers sa drugstores tulad ng KAIRO. Welcome to winter wonderland! Buti pa si Soraida. Dahil sa kanyang HOT FLASHES, laging mainit ang katawan niya. Meron siyang private summer even in the middle of winter. Seriously, nasa labas kami at naka T-shirt lang, okey na siya. Swerte niya, lagi kong hinahawakan ang kamay niya para magnakaw ng konting init. Yung kamay ko, parang yelo na. Sa tagal ng pag-hawak ko ng kamay niya, unti-unti rin siyang nalalamigan at sabay sigaw, “Hoy! Magnanakaw. Ibalik mo ang init ko!” Naku! Buti nga meron humahawak ng kamay ni Soraida! Si Mila, dinadaan sa alkohol para uminit ang katawan. Vodka o tequila? Kaya pala laging naka smile and dreamy ang tingin during winter habang kami ay kinikilig sa lamig. Cool but warm lang ang face niya. Parang nasa langit lagi kahit yung dalawang kasama namin ay nag-aaway na.

January - February 2021

Manang Jocy. Dyan daw nagsisimula ang apoy ng katawan. Yan ang essence ng winter wonderland according to Jocy at sana, tayong lahat na rin! Amen? Amen! Photos by Dennis Sun

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

Neriza Sarmiento - Saito's

On the Road to

When one has EVERYTHING but still wants SOMETHING but not just ANYTHING in the year of the OX. Although the pandemic remains to be a nagging concern for all, nevertheless it has taught us how to be flexible and how not to expect things to happen the way we want.

For the first issue in this column, I chose pictures of two babies, born three months apart last year to give us a refreshing start of 2021. And for this year, I will try my best to feature stories of JapaneseFilipino children and how they deal with their multicultural existence in Japan.

The ox is the second animal in the 12 year Chinese Zodiac. It could have been the first to arrive when all the animals were summoned to come before Buddha, but the rat that rode on its back along the way, outsmarted him by jumping ahead. In spite of that, the cow did not complain showing how good-natured this animal is and how flexible he is.

The idea came after our family New Year get-together. My eldest son, L. A. did all preparations from ordering Osechi Ryori to cooking o-zoni and some other dishes. I noticed his interest in cooking when he was in elementary grade school. A cameraman came to our house one day and filmed us cooking pancit in the kitchen. He assisted me by peeling the carrots and cutting the onions. At times when I was busy teaching and coming home exhausted, L. A. was quick to concoct his own recipes. So when I looked at him as an adult serving all of us, I remembered those days when he was barely 10 years old. Now, he works in a trading company and spends his days off cooking his favorite recipes. Then, my second son L.B. used to be very naughty but clever. I cannot recall how many times I had to apologize to our neighbors for the broken glass windows when they played balls outside, for deliberately pressing the neighbors doorbells and for fighting with some classmates in school. As a young boy, he never conformed to the norms, he always wanted to be unique. I enrolled him in some children’s musical productions, and he was always given stellar roles. Now, aside from establishing his own company business, he

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

Apostles Creed) pursues his passion for music. Just before the year ends, communities are going to keep My youngest L.C. seems to be distant the but holiday mood deep inside he is always attentive to my us. Whether it’s a big group or some birth defects and not,needs. FilipinosHe havehas to hold Christmas complete with had toparties undergo two surgeries before games and exchange gifts. school. But in the We attending were invited to Prof. Miyawaki’s home this week a was bullied elementary grades,forhe Christmas Party with the not onlyand forsome histhird defects but more so sophomores yearfor students. beingHomemade half Filipino. He started to adobo and pinakbet as well as

skip school and had it not been for an wellNHK as ourdocumentary, hearts with the “Hello Nippon“ warmth of the family. where heMiyawaki was featured, perhaps he Asaka chan sang Jingle Bells for wouldn’t be what he is now. It us. Mrs. Miyawaki recalled that once her son asked her why boosted his self-esteem and identity. people get Christmas presents, Now, he works as a web designer and giftpursues for the baby Jesus. Then, his love for road bikes. Once Kenji kun asked why she doesn’t inthem a while communicates with allow to eathe a cake for Christmas. momenthusiasts replied someThen roadhisbike from the that sweets aren’t good for their Philippines. teeth. But then the boy said again, “But it’s going to be my giftLike for themy Baby Jesus”! own children, there are

hundreds orwe even thousands of In spite of the grief had this yearstories over theof lossJapanese-Filipino of some members of our community this children all over Japan. Some yearBimboy Latoja, Mr . Bibiana “Mommy“ Ishita andprobably Annabelle of them are Sosogi, the little boy‘s comment

contented with their lives of hope celebratethey the birth hereand because have of our true love... Jesus Christ! everything they need. Still some may be needing MALIGAYANG PASKO AT MASAGANANG TAON somethingBAGONG but not just SA INYONG LAHAT!!! anything to make their existence here more meaningful in spite of the lingering pandemic.

Some say that young people cannot make concrete plans because the future isn’t clear. But as my second son says to me... we just can’t wait until the pandemic is over... we have to do something, get things going, be flexible otherwise, we’ll end up having nothing!! As for me, the faces of these two innocent babies are enough inspirations on how to make 2021 a better year.

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

TRAFFIC by Alma Reyes

Tranquility in a Winter Garden

Despite Tokyo’s reputation as a megalopolis of crowds, frenzy and chaos, it boasts of many beautiful parks and gardens worth visiting. In Hiroo, right in the city center, the Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park, just a few minutes walk from Hiroo subway station, spreads over 67,000 square meters of terrain slopes, a mountain stream, waterfall, pond, stone bridges, and a forest of flora and trees that flourish in the changing seasons. In spring, you can enjoy the plum and cherry blossoms, and dogwoods; in summer, the irises and hydrangeas; and in fall, the bright red maples and yellow ginkgo leaves. In winter, the foliage may appear bit dry and colorless, but there are a few remaining maple leaves that glitter behind the pond. You can hear the gentle stream that evokes a tranquil and spiritual calmness in the cold season. A stroll along the slopes takes you to varied elevations that reveal breathtaking panoramic views from different directions. The historical park was, in fact, occupied by the feudal lord Minonokami Nambu during the Edo era

until it was developed into the residence for the Imperial Prince Tanehito (1887-1908), son of Imperial Prince Arisugawa-no-miya Takehito (1862-1913). The land was eventually donated to the Tokyo Metropolitan and converted into a public park in 1934. Such a refreshing site of nature with a significant historical background that is carefully preserved and impressively maintained should be your next destination for a moment of breadth and solace.

Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park 5 Chome-7-29 Minamiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo Hiroo station, Hibiya Line, 3-minute walk

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

ni Jeff Plantilla

Dahil sa COVID-19 pandemic, hindi makapunta si Arnel Pineda sa Amerika para magrecord ng bagong album ng banda niyang Journey. Kaya, tulad ng maraming gawain ngayon, ginamit nila ang internet para makapagrecord ng bagong kanta kahit si Arnel ay nasa Filipinas at ang mga Amerikanong kasama niya sa banda ay nasa iba’t-ibang lugar sa Amerika. Nagpapasalamat si Arnel sa ganitong teknolohiya na nakakatulong sa paggawa ng mga bagay-bagay kahit may pandemya.

Don’t Stop Believin’ Isa sa ginawang kanta ng Journey gamit ang internet ay ang kantang “Don’t Stop Believin’” bilang suporta sa UNICEF tungkol sa COVID-19 pandemic. Bagama’t hindi angkop ang lyrics ng kantang ito sa kalagayan natin ngayon sa pandemya, ang pamagat ng kanta ang mahalaga – “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

Sabi ni Arnel sa isang interview na napakahirap sa panahon ng pandemya dahil sa hindi mawala-walang pag-aalala. Kung ikaw ang lumalabas ng bahay para mamili ng iyong pangangailangan, iniisip mo kung dala mo pauwi sa bahay ang virus, dala sa mga mahal mo sa buhay ang kinatatakutang virus. Itong pag-aalalang ito ang isa sa pinakamahirap na problema sa pandemya. Ang ating isip ay maaaring maapektuhan – madepress o anumang psychological at emotional stress.

May mga balita na dumadami ang nagsu-suicide sa Japan at dumadami ang biktima ng domestic violence sa buong mundo dahil sa palaging nakakulong sa bahay dulot ng lockdowns at iba pang limitasyon dahil sa pandemya. Kailangan nating mapanatili ang ating pag-asa na matatapos din ang pandemya - Don’t Stop Believin’!!!

Mga dapat matutunan Isa sa mga bagay na magandang isipin ay yung matututunan natin sa pandemyang ito. “Iwas, hugas, mask” ang isa sa mga pina-aalala sa mga tao sa Filipinas at ganun din sa ibang bansa. Matagal nang ginagamit sa Filipinas ang alcohol sa paglilinis ng kamay dahil sa nangyaring health problems noon, baka simula nung dumating ang SARS. Nguni’t ngayon, mas lalo pa nating binibigyan ng pansin ang palaging paggamit ng alcohol o ang paglilinis ng kamay. Ito ay isang magandang gawi – laging maglinis ng sarili at laging linisin ang lugar at gamit. Isa pang natutunan ng ilan sa ating mga kababayan ay ang online business. Gulay, prutas, lutong pagkain, damit, smartphone at napakarami pang bagay ay ninenegosyo gamit ang social media. Maraming nag-a-upload ng video sa Facebook para dito at mukhang maayos ang kita o patuloy pa rin ang negosyo. Ito ay halimbawa ng bagong paraan para sa hanapbuhay ng tao. Pandemya man o hindi, ang internet ay isang teknolohiyang dapat gamitin sa hanapbuhay. Ang kakambal ng negosyong gamit ang internet ay ang delivery service. Puwedeng maghanapbuhay ang isang tao na magdeliver ng anumang order

January - February 2021

embre 24, 2019. Sakai city ang huling lugar na dinaanan nina Padre Pedro Bautista sa pag-alis sa Kansai. Bilang Fransiskanong misyonero, nagtayo si Padre Pedro Bautista ng kapilya sa noon ay liblib na lugar na tinawag na San Francisco del Monte (sakop ng Quezon city, at ngayon ay may simbahan na) at isa siya sa nangalaga sa mga Hapones sa Maynila bago siya ipinadala sa Japan nung 1593 ng Governor General ng pamahalaang Kastila sa Maynila para maiwasan ang banta ni Hideyoshi na sakupin ang Filipinas. gamit ang internet. Dito sa Osaka, ang ilang naninirahan sa mga barangay. Kailangang matukoy Ukon sa Maynila kasama ang pamilya nagde-deliver ay gumagamit lang ng bisikleta. kung nasaan ang isang tao na kailangang ma-check Toyotomi. at iba pang Kristiyanong Hapones Pag-aaral ng mahabang Malaking tulong itong delivery servicenung sa mga taong tungkol sa virus – ito ay ang contact tracing. Kung Disyembre ng 1614. Namatay si relasyon ng Filipinas hindi makalabas ng bahay sa anumang dahilan may record na maayos, mabilis malalaman kungat Si Sen Rikkyu ay malamang na may Ukon makalipas ang 40 araw dahil sa Japan (pandemya o hindi). nasaan ang isang taong maaaring infected ng ruson no tsubo para iimbak ang hirap ng biyahe sa dagat at tanda na COVID-19 at nang mabigyan ng tulong. dahon ng tsaa na ginagamit niya sa rin. Isang paraan para maging malalim ang Bagama’t may mga nanloloko sa pag-order gamit ang chanoyu. ugnayan ng Filipinas at Japan ay ang smartphone – ayaw magbayad ng inorder halimbawa Si Ruzon Suzekaemon at Sen Rikkyu pag-aaral ng kasaysayan ng ugnayan ng 2 May konting relasyonbagay si Sen Rikkyu sa communication. ay ipinagmamalaki ng Sakai city. May – may magandang sa online bansa, lalo na ang kasaysayan ng ugnayan Filipinas dahilang isa sa kanyang disipulo estatuwa si Ruzon May record transaction – may impormasyon kung Suzekaemon sa ng mga tao. ay si Ukon Takayama.saan Natuto si Ukono lugar port may kasabihan na “when you’re down, there is no sino ang umorder, nakatira ngng Sakai city, habangMay kay Sen Rikkyu na maging chanoyu museums naman para kay Sen way to go but up.” Mahalaga itong paningin na other pagdadalhan at ang bagay na inorder. Hindi ito tulad master. Alam natin na si Ukon ay Rikkyu. At may private museums ito lalosa sa panahong naghihirap tayo dahil sa ng pag-order na gamit ay landline phone na walang Sakai city na pandemya. Lalong sasama ang ating kalagayan kung record ng taong umo-order. Baka hindi na rin ngayon ipinakikita ang mga magdidilim tinatanggap ang order gamit lang ang telepono ng natitirang ruson no ang ating isipan. PLDT. tsubo, iba pa doon Sabisa sa kantang “Rainbow” ng South Border: sa museums Isa pang bagay na online ay ang edukasyon. Dahil sa Kyoto atLife's ibangfull of challenges the time we get what we want pandemya, online learning na ang gamit. Pero lugar naNot mayall ruson din.don't despair my dear coz I know now maraming problema tulad ng kawalan ng equipment no tsuboBut

Pananaw sa buhay

You'll take each trial and you'll make it through the (computer o IPad), kahinaan ng wifi signal, at ang Ang pinakahuling storm kulang sa kasanayan ng mga teachers sa bagong istorya ay ang teknolohiyang ito at materyales sa pagtuturo para Sabinina naman sa kantang “Tuloy Pa Rin” ng Neocolors: dito. Kaya ang natututunan natin ay ang kahalagahan paglalakbay Padre Pedro na na ang sistema ng komunikasyon (tulad ng internet o BautistaMuntik mula Kyoto Nasanay wifi) ay kailangang Boy Scout – laging handa sa patungong Naga- ako sa ‘king pag-iisa Kaya iwanan ang anumang aberya o pagbabago ng sitwasyon. At dahil saki bilang isa nang sa Bakas ng kahapon ko sa limitasyon sa ngayon ng internet sa Filipinas (at kilalang 26 Martyrs ganun din sa ibang bansa), dapat ding gamitin sa na namatay sa krus Tuloy pa rin ang awit ng buhay ko pag-aaral ng mga bata ang radio at TV na mas sa Nagasaki nung 1597. Dahil dito, man ang hugis ng puso mo Nagbago siguradong darating sa mga tao kahit nung nasa ipinatapon naging santo si Padre Pedro Bautista Handa na ‘kong hamunin ang aking mundo bundok. ni Hideyoshi sa Filipinas dahil ayaw kasama ang 25 iba pang martyrs. ‘PagkatAng tuloy pa rin kanilang Mahalaga ang sistema ng pagre-record sa mgamartyrdom ang dahilan ng niyang itakwil ang kanyang pananapagpunta sa Nagasaki ang nasa pandemya, pero mahalaga na naninirahan sa ating komunidad. Nagkaroon ngni Pope Francis Mahirap mpalatayang Kristiyano. Dumating si 26 martyrs memorial nitong Nobymanatili tayong buhay at may pag-asa. Don’t stop maraming problema sa pamimigay ng ayuda mula sa believin’. gobyerno dahil walang official record ng mga

Glen Gypsy’s

There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called Yesterday and the other is called Tomorrow. Today is the right day to Love, Believe, Do and mostly Live. - Dalai Lama

January - February 2021

Did you learn your lesson? By Arnel Sugay I came across this poem twice and I would like to share it with you. At one point in our lives, we will be able to relate to this poem. "There is a hole in my sidewalk" by Portia Nelson Chapter 1 I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost...I am helpless. It isn't my fault. It takes forever to find a way out. Chapter 2 I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don't see it. I fall in again. I can't believe I am in the same place. But, it isn't my fault. It still takes a long time to get out. Chapter 3 I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in...it's a habit. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately. Chapter 4 I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it. Chapter 5 I walk down another street. We are all creatures of habits. The moment we wake up, we are on auto-pilot mode. A lot of the things we do are repetitive in

January - February 2021

nature and we are no longer conscious of what we are doing.

When we are confronted with a problem, be it personal or professional, we see things based on our perspective. We do not actually see the world as it is. We see it based on who we are and that includes our filter from values, belief system, among others. When a problem keeps happening and we are not changing our thinking process, the problem would recur. Albert Einstein said it so well, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” More often than not, we are not aware of our thinking patterns. So how do we get out of our thinking rut, so to speak? Is there a creative way to help us? Here are some useful ways that you may want to consider: 1. Discuss your pressing problem with a trusted friend. One advantage of doing this is you will get a different perspective from a friend who is on the outside, looking in. 2. Develop the habit of reflection at the end of each day. Ask yourself what you did right and wrong. From the experience, go further by thinking of what do you need to start doing? What needs to be stopped? What should be continued? Write down your reflection in your journal. 3. Use this question to lubricate your creative juices. "What is a better way of addressing this issue or challenge? If you have another technique or you want to share your experience, let me know. Send your comments to arnel.sugay@gmail.com

Take it or Leave it!

ADVICE NI TITA LITS

Isabelita Manalastas-Watanabe Dear Tita Lits, Magandang araw po. Eto po ang kwento ko. 20 years po akong kasal sa aking asawang Hapon bago siya namatay ng heart attack. After 1 year, nagkaroon po akong boyfriend na Pinoy dito sa Japan. Nag live-in po kami, at merong 10 taon na kaming magkasama. Hindi na po kami nagpakasal kasi dati rin siyang kasal sa Haponesa at divorced na. Napagkasunduan namin na hindi naman namin kailangan magpakasal pa, at marami pang mga dokumentong dapat pang asikasuhin sa Pinas at Japan. Mahal ko po siya at kasama ko siyang nag dusa at nag saya at nagsumikap sa loob ng 10 taon. 4 months ago, nagkasakit po ako. I was diagnosed with lung cancer. Minsan, dumaan po ako sa aking best friend na Pinay

...wala na rin daw akong silbi sa kanya

at nadatnan ko ang asawa ko doon na nakikipagtalik sa bestfriend ko. Na shock po ako, siempre. Nasaktan, galit at lahat lahat na. Bakit? Biglang pumanaw ang mundo ko. Mahina na nga ang katawan ko at lalong humina pa. Wala akong ginawa at sinabi. Wala na rin akong energy para sumigaw. Umalis na lang ako bigla na tulala. Pagdating ko sa bahay, tumawag siya at sabi niya na hindi na raw muna siya babalik sa bahay at sinabihan na rin ako na gusto na niyang makipaghiwalay sa akin. Ginawa daw niya iyon dahil may sakit ako at wala na rin daw akong silbi sa kanya. Paano ko po itutuloy ang buhay ko ngayon? Pinagtaksilan ako ng mahal ko at iniwanan at pinagpalit pa ako sa aking bestfriend. Hindi na rin po ako maka isip ng matino dahil napakahina na ng katawan ko sa cancer. Bakit po ngayon pa nangyari ito? Bakit pa ngayon na mas kailangan ko ang tulong niya? Linda Kawasaki

January - February 2021

Dear Linda: Kung mga 30 years old ka noong nag-asawa ka, at 20 years ka ng kasal sa Japanese husband mo noong pumanaw siya, naging byuda ka noong 50 years old ka. Noong na-meet mo ang boyfriend mong Pinoy, mga 51 ka na. Kung 10 taon na kayong nagsama, mga 61 ka na ngayon. Noong sinabi niya sa iyo na “wala ka ng silbi sa kanya”, ang naisip ko kaagad ay sex. Hindi ko alam kung ilang edad na ang best friend mo. Kung mas bata siya ng higit sa iyo, mas active pa iyan sa relationship na physical. Hindi ko sinasabi na kapag naging 60 na ang babae ay tapos na ang sex life niya, pero habang tumatanda tayo, kumpara sa mga bata pa, ay mas attractive makipagtalik ang isang lalaki sa isang mas batang babae. At sa iyong physical condition ngayon, siguradong less ang energy mo to do anything.

ka (I presume, mayroon), hindi ganoon ka-gastos kumpara sa atin sa Pilipinas, ang pagpapagamot dito sa Japan. So one down na ito sa problema mo. Pero yong sakit na dinamdam ng puso mo, noong natagpuan mo sa akto ang iyong boyfriend at best friend, ay talagang super sakit. Wala ka bang ibang friend na makaka-confide ka? Wala ka bang kamag-anak dito na pwede ka ring mag-confide? Hindi lang sa iyong broken heart, but mas importante, kung papaano ang dapat gawin para bumalik ang iyong good health. Priority mo ito. At kapag natapos na ang trial mo, at maging fully healed ka na, who knows? Baka may dumating sa buhay mo na mas mabait, mas responsable, at mas mapagmahal na prince charming.

There is always LIGHT

Bakit kaya tumagal kayo ng 10 taon, at hindi mo nakita ang tunay na kulay ng boyfriend mo? Tingin ko, matagal ka na niyang pinagtataksilan. Hindi lang ngayong past four months na nagkasakit ka. Kung mayroon siyang puso, hindi niya gagawin ang iwanan ka lalo na sa iyong kalagayan ngayon na higit mong kailangang may makasama, makausap, at maka-share ng iyong mga dinaramdam at dinaranas.

Sa tingin ko, hindi ka siguro hirap sa pinansial na bagay. Siguradong may nakuha kang insurance benefits noong namatay ang husband mo. At kung may health insurance

I am sure a-agree sa akin if I say na ang daming source ng happiness, hindi lang ang magkaroon ng boyfriend o lalaki sa buhay. Ialay mo lahat sa Panginoon ang lahat ng pinagdudusahan mo. Hindi Niya ibibigay sa iyo ang mga trials mo sa buhay, kung hindi mo kaya. Keep yourself pretty and attractive even while undergoing medication. It will help boost your morale. It is NOT the end of the world for you. There is always LIGHT at the end of the tunnel. SEEK and you shall find. KNOCK and it shall be opened up to you. SMILE! GOD LOVES YOU!!!

My Silver Lining Happy New Year everyone! Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu! Minnasan, kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu. 2020 has just ended and we are still under Covid-19 Pandemic protocols and the worst thing is another strange epidemic occurred. The questions are how can we recover from all of these as soon as possible? Our pockets are going empty, our savings are insufficient for another lockdown, most people around the world have lost their jobs. Small and huge companies have closed due to these. Our government buried in debt. How can ordinary citizens avail the long awaited vaccines for Covid-19? And when will these vaccines be out in the market? These are just few questions that no one can give an accurate and reliable answers without politicking it. And these are reasons why I’m searching for “my own silver lining”. Silver lining is a hope or a positive aspect in otherwise negative situations like what

we all have right now. But when I wake up everyday and started to prepare for my Shimozawa Japanese Restaurant, it motivates me not to give up or stop doing what I wanted and what I had dreamt of. Yes, we are affected by the pandemic, our sales decreased up to the unexpected or the worst level but despite these, I and my business partner are still doing it and working without our salaries as we promised not to give up for some reasons. 1. What will we be doing when we close? 2. What will happen to our staffs? (Of course, they will lose their jobs and salaries. How can their families cope with the daily necessities in life?) 3. Probably, there will be no chances of recovering from this situation even if we quit and some other personal reasons too that made our mind clear not to quit but to go on and keep fighting. When Christmas and New year’s eve came and celebrated those nights with my family, friends and loved ones, having food on the table for our noche buena and media noche, bought and wear shirts with 2021 lucky color as we follow the Philippine and Chinese traditions believing and hoping for the best year to

come, waking up with the whole family and all the people at home being prepared for 12 midnight in welcoming the new year and making memories with all of them was one of a kind. While celebrating that night, we almost forgot what we are going through with this pandemic. The smiles and laughter, the precious moments we shared, drinking, talking and some of our neighbors are singing and dancing until dawn seems like no Covid-19 or any problems that we are facing in our lives. Family is my strength. Shimozawa, our restaurant business, is my motivation and perseverance. My surroundings are my silver linings and Covid-19 and other problems are my challenges. We have different life and journeys. We have different beliefs and we have different attitudes but one thing common between us is, we all want to love and be loved. We want our worth to be recognized and be happy. But sometimes, being happy is hard to do. Or we are just not contented with what we have? They said, happiness is a choice so I did choose to be happy in anyway. I may pretend sometimes to be happy but we cannot control

January - February 2021

things; most especially what is happening in this world nowadays. All we have to do is find ways or walk through the negative situations in our path. Do not block the obstacles because sometimes, these negative things lead us to the right path. 2021 predictions could give us fears and hopes at the same time. Let us bear in mind that while living in this earth, we have our own responsibilities and duties as well as to make our life better and worthy. Let us just pray and keep our faith in God the creator, our Father and Savior that He may lead us in the better, keep and protect us to the safe places. That He will guide us to the righteous ways. Let His power keep us going on and give us strength to fight Covid-19, this Covid-19 Variant and to all challenges in life that we have to encounter. When we are tired, just close our eyes and talk to Him. In the morning, we must have to give thanks to Him. And when we feel alone just look up above the sky, take a deep breath and imagine that we are so lucky in anyway, in everything we have because not all people on earth can see the sunrise and sunset. Not everyone could hear the birds humming. And not all people can feel the warm, refreshing breeze of air. Not all people can smell the blooming flowers in our surroundings. Not all people can have food and taste the delicious, healthy and festive foods most of people reading this article may have. So I leave you this one piece of advise: Please do not forget and please discover your own “silver linings”. Happy 2021! Our New Year, the New Hope and the New Beginning. GOD bless us all!

Walk Through ni Karen Sanchez In our lives, we have different fights In darkness, we search for our own lights Sometimes we are left alone and lonely For no one wanted to be with us and stay So I choose to walk through all of these To rise up and wipe my own tears Living from that moment through the years Still searching for my own happiness and peace Walk through all the obstacles in our path Walk through the storm nor that wavy halt Coz turning back and running is not the way out Accept that challenges is with in our lives Walk through the path of our dreams Walk through the pain to gain Where our destiny still remain For God can do things we can’t imagine

KWENTO NI NANAY Anita Sasaki

EVERY GISING IS A BLESSING! MALIGAYA AT MANIGONG BAGONG TAON PO!!! ANDITO PO ANG MGA KUWENTO NI NANAY BUMABATI SA INYONG LAHAT NG… “EVERY GISING IS A BLESSING” as I always say every morning BUT EVERY NEW YEAR ABUNDANCE OF BLESSINGS!!! Now this is my prayer for all of us. Dearest Lord, May all my family members and friends who need a New Year miracle be blessed. May whoever has had a bad year face this New Year with peace, hope, love, joy in their hearts. May all those who have had heavy burdens this past year 2020 have their loads lightened and the opportunity to enjoy the New Year. In our journey this 2021, OUR GOD IS WITH US. HE WILL NOT ABANDON US. HE WILL PROTECT US FROM ALL EVILS, VIRUS, BAD DECISIONS, ACQUAINTANCES, ACCIDENTS. SO NO TURNING BACK OR FAST FORWARD. JUST ONE STEP AT A TIME. This is my prayer for ALL. THAT EVERYONE WILL HAVE PEACEFUL, JOYFUL , HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR. WITH THE INTERCESSION OF OUR MOTHER MARY. IN JESUS NAME, AMEN!

Sabi ko “NO TURNING BACK.” Kasi paglagi natin iisipin at panghihinayangan ang mga nawala sa nakaraan, hindi tayo makaka move on. Di po ba sabi huwag natin tatambayan ang problema. Dadaan lang natin ang problema. HUWAG DIN FAST FORWARD. Dahil pag lagi tayong nag iisip ng mga darating dahil sa mga problema gaya ng Covid-19 na yan, lagi tayong may takot, pangamba sa puso natin, kaya tayo ay may nerbiyos sa ating mga naririnig o napapanood na mga balita, babasahin. Wala rin idudulot na mabuti. Sa kakaisip ma-stress tayo. Pag na stress, ayan nag popositive tuloy ng covid. Kaya “LIVE ONE STEP AT A TIME.” Tandaan natin walang lilisan sa mundong ito na buhay. Lahat po tayo ay lilisan dito. Una una nga lamang po. MAHIRAP ANG MARAMING DALADALAHIN. Di po ba mahirap magtravel na maraming excess baggage? WALA TAYONG DADALHIN PAGLISAN NATIN. MAGLINIS TAYO NG ATING PUSO NA MAY MARAMING EXTRA BAGGAGE GAYA NG GALIT, INGGIT, PANDARAYA. MGA KASALANAN NATIN. PINATAWAD NA TAYO NG DIYOS, BAKIT PA TAYO MAG WO WORRY. WE CAN TELL THE WORLD ALL THE BALONIES BUT GOD KNOWS THE TRUTH!!!

MANALANGIN LAMANG PO TAYO LAGI. Sabi nga po PRAYERS CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS. PRAYERS IS OUR WAY TO GOD. KAPIT LANG PO TAYO SA DIYOS. HUWAG TAYO BIBITAW AT HINDI NIYA TAYO INIIWAN. MAGPAKUMBABA TAYO PARA MAY LIGAYA SA ATING PUSO. Magpatawad tayo sa mga taong gumawa ng masama sa atin at tayo rin humingi tayo ng tawad sa DIYOS sa mga taong nasaktan natin at huwag na tayong manakit uli. Lagi natin paghandaan ang pagharap natin sa ating LUMIKHA. Hindi niya tatanungin kung ilang bilyones ang naipon natin, mga alahas, bahay, sasakyan at kung ilang diploma ang ating naipon, mga parangal na natanggap natin. Hindi po yan ang mga tatanungin sa atin pagharap natin sa DIYOS. SASALUBUNGIN TAYO NG DIYOS NG MASAYA, WALA NG SAKIT, PAGHIHIRAP, KALUNGKUTAN. HAPPY NA TAYO LAGI. HAPPY NEW YEAR NA PO DAHIL NANDIYAN ANG DIYOS SA ATIN. OUR HAPPINESS DO NOT DEPEND ON OTHERS, ON THINGS OR SITUATIONS. LIFE IS SHORT. BUT CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY. IT’S JUST LIVE UNTIL WE DIE. HAPPINESS IS HERE IN OUR HEARTS. BE PRAYERFUL.

January - February 2021

ACUPUNCTURE Health Points

enveloping most of his body. Then, in an apparent act of desperation, he called and resorted to acupuncture.

By Marnie Chan Acupuncture has always been the last resort for most people in most cases when it comes to people's health, never the go-to priority. In North America, acupuncture is often used when western medicine has failed. Many can be cited as benefits of acupuncture. Fans of the practice claim it has eliminated chronic pain like nagging back pain, helped them get pregnant & helped for a less laborious delivery, calmed their troubled minds and soothed depressed moods, and got rid of long time illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and a long laundry list of diseases.

already spread all over his upper torso including his arms. He was prescribed steriods among other pharmaceutical drugs. But nothing worked for him. He was always having difficult breathing. Severe episodes of whole body itching pestered him days and nights. He was sleepless [of course, one of the hallmark adverse effects of steriods is insomnia]. And the skin discoloration was already

Through the use of needles [no, they are not the same needles you get your flu shot from—these are much finer, about the width of a single strand of hair], acupuncture stimulates the balance and flow of Qi [pronounced chee]. Qi, when either deficient, excessive, or obstructed results in illness. Acupuncture strives to balance [homeostasis] this energy by treating both the root cause as well as the symptoms. For instance, acupuncture stimulates the release of hormones like endorphins to encourage the body's natural healing process to ward off pain. Oh, and my childhood friend you ask? It took four sessions of acupuncture - each lasting about 30 minutes - to completely resolve his health concern. In fact, when he came back for his second session alone, the skin discoloration has significantly diminished. All signs and symptoms pointing to vasculitis have vanished after his fourth session. [And this is a note worthy side effect. It was never intended, but it happened anyway-- he sheepishly claimed that his sessions also cured his erectile dysfunction which he tried to hide under the rug.]

A childhood friend was medically diagnosed with vasculitis - an inflammation of blood vessels. Skin discoloration [purpura/petechiae], which first started on his legs, have

January - February 2021

aMAEzing GRACE ! by Mae Grace Taking Care of Our Ageing Parents

I remember the time when my family here in Japan including the grandparents would sit together after dinner and talked about future arrangements for their children when they would be old and gray and incapable of fending for themselves. Our constant reply would be, “You are both in the peak of health, please don’t worry yourselves about such things, yet. You are still young”. Truth was, in private, we were worried then because we all have our full time jobs and even the

grandchildren were already starting on their own and having their own life and career to think of ahead of them. There were numerous questions in our minds, countless “what ifs” --- Kaya kaya natin maging care giver sa obaachan at ojiichan? Meron kaya tayong

pasensya sa pakikinig sa mga paulit ulit nilang kwento na di man nakakasawa ay naiiba pa ang mga detalye sa bawat pag ulit ng kwento? Are we open to get every phone call at any time of the day even when we know these would be just meaningless chatter and all about their uneventful day or maybe just to complain about a stomach ache? Could we appease them when sleep would not befall them and they would want you to keep them company until they would finally doze off while you would be left

exhausted and unproductive at work the next day? Fast forward twenty years later, here we are, about to live out those ‘what ifs’ and start to walk our talk. And we are left with this nagging question: Are we capable of making our parents a top priority in our life, now

January - February 2021

loved and respected and placed on top of our list of priorities and not just some people who we will remember only during emergency holidays or when work stops because of some pandemic. More importantly, it is our hope to still be able to run in the park, smell some flowers and laugh and laugh until our sides hurt and our eyes water from too much laughter together with our old folks. I remember a few months back about a conversation I had with my son, Ken. He asked me if I have made up my mind as to where I would want to retire in the future, whether in Japan or in my hometown in the Philippines. I told him that I never gave it any thought as of yet. “Why”? “Well, if you decide to grow old here in Japan, you’d better let me know because I might be the one who will be spoonfeeding you and changing your diapers. Did you see my jaw drop? My son, who is only in his twenties, is already mulling over these things that not one of us even dares to think about. I was so touched that I wanted to cry, while at the same time I was feeling so preposterous that I wanted to laugh out loud. So, I just told my son, let’s take it a

that they need us most? How? It is our wish to make their life, especially the last phase of their life as happy, as productive and as meaningful as possible; to find joy and meaning in even mundane tasks like taking them for a morning walk, disinfecting their dentures, prepare hot ‘lugaw’ when they’re not feeling well; to make them feel honored,

day at a time! It is not only when we become old that you will take notice of us. Let’s take care of each other today, in the here and now, and let every day be an opportunity to show our love for our family and for those significant people in our lives. Let’s take care of the present, and maybe the future will take care of itself. Ken could only nod his head in agreement. Here’s a big hug! Life is awesome and precious!!!!!!

January - February 2021

KAPATIRAN ni Loleng Ramos Balangaw Hi, kapatid! Ano-ano ang mga bagay na kapag nakita mo, na-e-excite ka, sumasaya, nakakapagpa- hysterical sa iyo? Artista ba? Iyong hindi tao. Gorilla ba sa zoo? Huwag hayop. Shopping mall ba? Babaw naman. Pera ba? Pwede din pero iyong libre lang. Paborito mong sports? Iyong hindi makislot para pwede matitigan. Sige, kalikasan? Bundok, dagat, gubat? Iyong hindi mo na dadayuhin kase abot tingin lang. Lumalabas pagkatapos ng ulan, ng luha sa buhay, sa dulo, ay may palayok na ginto. Alam mo agad di ba? Rainbow! Sa atin sa Pilipinas, pinag-iisip ako bakit kaya ito tinatawag na bahaghari. Sabi daw kase katulad ito ng bahag ng isang hari o pinuno sa sinaunang Pilipinas. Parang mga katutubong Igorot na saplot ang makulay na tela na nangingibabaw ang kulay na pula, katulad din ng pinakamatingkad na kulay ng isang balangaw o bahaghari. May epekto ba sa iyo kapag nakakita ka nito? Di ba ang unang reaksyon ay ang pagsigaw ng “Rainbow, ang ganda”! Kung may dating ito sa iyo, makakakanta ka pa ng “Somewhere over the Rainbow” o ng “Rainbow Connection”. Sa pagtitig mo rin

nito, gusto mong himayin ang mga kulay na nagpangalan sa bahaghari ng Roy G. Biv, ang mga unang letra ng pitong kulay na nakikita natin dito: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo at Violet. Sa mga naiwang butil ng tubig (water droplets) sa himpapawid,

Nakaayos ang mga kulay na ito ayon sa paghagip ng ating mga mata. Isang bilog ang bahaghari dahil ito ang hugis ni haring araw pero ang kalahati ay hindi natin nakikita, katulad ng kapag nakatingin ka sa sunset, hanggang sa horizon o abot tanaw lang ang kita. Isang optical illusion ang bahaghari, hindi nahahawakan, isa itong makulay na pangitain na ang eksaktong posisyon ng iyong pagkakakita ay iba sa nakikita ng isa pang tumitingin. Para bang ang nakikita nating rainbow ay sarili nating rainbow. Kaya nga sa marami, naniniwala sila na may dala itong magandang mensahe o balita, at dahil sa masaya nitong kulay, saya din ang dala.

Sabi din sa Bibliya, nilagay ng Diyos ang balangaw bilang tanda ng Kanyang pangako na hindi na Niya muling gugunawin ang mundo sa pamamagitan ng baha. Napakaraming paksa ang maaaring mapag-usapan: mula sa pagkakabuo nito, sa papel sa bawat kultura, sa kasaysayan ng mundo, sa napakadaming kanta at sining na siya ang inspirasyon. Meron akong paboritong tula, ang “Rainbow Bridge”, walang makapagsabi kung sino ang sumulat nito o saang bansa galing. Sa tulay daw na ito na isang lugar sa langit ay doon Art by Dennis Sun tayo hinihintay ng mga mahal nating pets na nauna na sa atin. Kapag dumating na tayo doon, katulad ng pagkatapos ng ulan, sa bigla silang titigil sa paglalaro at tabi ng waterfalls, fountain, water magmamadali tayong sasalubungin. sprinklers sa hardin, sa tamang kundisyon, maaaring makakita ng Sa nangyayari sa mundo ngayon, sa colorful rainbow. Kung ang sakit na kumakalat, sa maraming mababang posisyon ng araw ay nasa sularanin sa buhay, nandyan lang ang likod mo, sa pagtama ng sinag ng pag-asa. Ang isang bahaghari, araw sa mga water droplets, ang maganda at makulay at dahil hindi kulay puting sinag na ito ay pisikal, ang pagtawid dito ay nasa sa maghihiwa-hiwalay, at parang atin din, sa kabilang dulo kase ay ang mirror na ibabalik ng mga water palayok ng ginto na ikaw din ang droplets sa iyo na nagmamasid. nagtatago.

January - February 2021

Setsubun 節分

(The last day of winter and the day before the first day of spring)

By: Alma Fatagani-Sato Setsubun (also known as the Bean-throwing Festival) is the night before the first day of spring, usually around 3rd or 4th of February based on the Lunar Calendar, or in a more simpler meaning, it’s the last day of winter. The Kanji characters 節(setsu) means season and 分(bun) means division, and therefore, the literal meaning of setsubun would be the season division. Originally, the first days of the four (4) seasons – spring, summer, winter and autumn. However, only first day of spring has remained to be an annual event, mainly due to its popularity with children, maybe. Most Japanese would probably still have the memory of their childhood with their father wearing a demon mask and the children pelting beans at the ‘demon’. Some kindergartens and primary schools still make demon masks in their handicraft lessons during this period, even though these masks are commercially available in almost all department stores. Long time ago, it was believed that the spirits roam around at the time of the New Year and that by throwing beans, rice and other grains at them, ward off the evil spirits (symbolized by a demon). Therefore, Setsubun is a necessary ritual.

Although Setsubun is not a national holiday in Japan, a special ritual which signifies the driving out of bad luck and calling in the good luck is performed every year, at the start of Spring. The main ritual, a custom that was first practiced during the Muromachi period, is called mamemaki 豆撒き, which is throwing fukumame 福豆(parched or roasted soybeans) at the demon (a role usually played by the male head of the household) while shouting “Out the devil, In with fortune! (Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! 鬼は外! 福は内 !)”. After that, you should pick up the beans and eat as many as the number that corresponds to your age to make you strong and healthy. Aside from the main ritual, there are other practices performed in different areas of Japan. In Kyoto, entrance doors are decorated with a holly sprig with a baked sardine head (hiiragi iwashi). This is a tradition from the Heian period practiced until now. The sharp (holly sprigs) and smelly things (fish heads) are believed to ward off demons from entering the house.

January - February 2021

In Kansai area, while facing the lucky direction (which is different for each Chinese zodiac sign) and silently eat the ehomaki 恵方巻 (literally means lucky direction rolls, which is an uncut makizushi) is believed to bring good fortune. Since there are seven lucky Gods of Fortune, the ehomaki usually contains seven ingredients (conger-eel, omelet, shitakemushrooms, powdered fish, cucumber or other green vegetables, kanpyo (dried gourd) and the last ingredient is decided by each family). This custom originated in Osaka but has already spread all over Japan. In Tohoku area, the head of the household (usually the father), take the roasted beans in his hand and pray at the family shrine, then throw them outside. Sometimes they also use peanuts instead of beans. I think the preparation is quite troublesome and the clean up after the ritual is too much work. So some people enjoy the Setsubun Festival performed in the big shrines and temples. Geishas, while dancing a Japanese traditional dance, Sumo wrestlers, and celebrities can be seen throwing the beans at many spectators, especially the ones being broadcast on television. But this year, better stay home and take precautions not to get infected with Covid19.

MOVING ON ni Jasmin Vasquez

nagpositibo sa virus na ito. At ng dahil sa gustong bumawi ng mga ibat-ibang establishment at mga ahensya ay nilunsad nila ang Go To

mapigilang lumabas, pag uwi mo dapat may nakahanda kang aapakan na may alcohol para kung may nakadikit man sa iyong sapatos na virus ay maalis kaagad, derecho hubad ng damit lagay sa washing machine labhan at maligo agad agad. Isa yan sa mga napapansin ko na maaring magdala ng virus sa bahay natin, yung mga damit na paulit ulit ginamit sa pagpasok at iuuwi sa bahay. Kung magiging maingat lamang tayo ay maagapan natin ito.

Huwag ka sanang mahawa at huwag makapanghawa Travel upang muling palakasin ang turismo. Halos kalahati ang bagsak presyo nito upang marami ang makapamasyal sa iba ibang lugar. Ang ganda ng dating ngunit may nag iintay na panganib.

Isang taon na mahigit simula ng magkaroon ng corona virus sa ibat-ibang panig ng mundo. At magpasa hanggang ngayon, patuloy itong kumakalat at pumapatay ng mga tao lalo na sa mga mahihina ang resistensya ng katawan. Sino nga ba ang may gustong magkaroon nito? Kahit sino po ay walang may kagustuhan na magkaroon na salot na virus na ito. Napakalaking pinsala ang naging sanhi nito sa ating pamumuhay. Maraming tao ang binale wala ang ang pangyayaring nagaganap. Na hindi man lang inisip na maaring madamay ang ating buong pamilya kung tayo ay hindi mag-iingat. Maraming nagpanic buying ng mga pagkain, tissue, alcohol, face mask at iba pa. Ngunit ng lumaon ay dumami na ang supply at agad naman natugunan ang kakulangan ng mga ito. Nang sumapit ang tag-init ay pansamantalang bumagal ang pagdami ng mga

Pagpasok ng October, unti unti na naman dumagsa ang mga nagpositibo at dahil lumalamig na, napakabilis ng pagkalat nito hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Dahilan para magkaroon ng State of Emergency ulit. Sobrang nakaka alarma na araw araw isang libo, dalawang libo, tatlong libo parami ng parami ang mga nag positibo. Tama, walang may gusto na magkaroon ka nito pero, pwede kang mag ingat para huwag magkaroon nito. Pag sinabing bawal, sumunod ka. Pag sinabing mag ingat, mag ingat ka. Hindi para sa sarili mo lang kundi para din sa pamilya mo na kasama mo. Maging responsable tayo. Kung alam nating masama na ang pakiramdam natin, tayo na po ang lumayo o mag ingat. Agapan natin kaagad upang wala ng madamay pa. Hindi natin nakikita ang virus kaya tayo na hanggat maari ang iiwas. Hindi tayo mamamatay kung hindi tayo mamamasyal o mag paparty party. Hanggat maari kung hindi importante, huwag na lang lumabas. Para ng sa gayon hindi tayo mahawa at hindi tayo makapanghawa. Kung sakali hindi mo

Hanggat maraming tao ang matigas ang ulo at ayaw mag-ingat ay hindi matatapos ang salot na covid na ito. Katulad ngayon na may malala pa at bagong virus na naman. Hindi pa nga natatapos yung dati ay may bago na naman. Mag-ingat po tayong lahat. Kahit sino po ay pwedeng kapitan nito, kaya maging maagap tayo kapag tayo ay lumabas ng bahay. Wastong pag iingat at gawan agad natin ng solusyon kapag masama po ang ating pakiramdam ay manatili na lang tayo sa bahay. Pakiramdaman natin ang ating sarili kung dapat na bang ikaw ay tumawag ng assistance. Kung mahal mo ang iyong pamilya, ito ay gagawin mo para sa ikabubuti ng lahat. Huwag munang tumanggap ng mga bisitang galing sa malalayong lugar. Hindi masamang mag ingat lalo na kung ito para sa nakararami. Palagi po tayong magdasal ng buong puso para gabayan tayo ni Lord. Mas laliman pa natin ang pakikipagrelasyon natin kay Jesus dahil sya lang ang higit na makapangyarihan sa lahat na magliligtas sa atin. Maaring isa itong senyales na kailangan na natin mas manalig at mas lumapit pa tayo sa Kanya. Hinihintay lang po tayo ni Jesus.

January - February 2021

KUSINA Easy and delicious, seasonal recipes ni Tita Chris

Ang pagkain na iyong kinakain ay nakakaapekto sa iyong kalusugan, level ng iyong energy, mood, maging ang iyong pag-uugali. Kung pipiliin mong kumain ng mga instant at fastfoods, mabubuhay ka ng ibang uri ng buhay kaysa sa isang tao na health conscious. The food that you eat becomes you. Ito ay literal na tumutukoy sa iyo. Habang tayo ay nagkakaedad, mas nagiging maliwanag ito. Ang pinsala na ginagawa natin sa ating sarili ng tayo ay nasa 20’s ay maaaring hindi maramdaman hanggang dumating sa 50’s o mas maaga. Dahil noon, ikaw ay 20’s malusog at hindi mo pa ma realize ang halaga ng kalusugan. Ang mga bagay tulad ng kolesterol at pinsala ng organ mula sa pag-inom ay naiipon sa paglipas ng panahon. Marahil ang pinaka-nagwawasak ay pinsala sa atay mula sa pag-inom. Habang nagkakaedad tayo nagsisimula tayong mangailangan ng maraming mga gamot upang mapanatiling maayos ang ating katawan. Bilang pampatibay-loob na kilalanin ang kahalagahan ng iyong mga choices sa pagkain, and make better ones in the future, o bilang isang payo, let’s search and record what we eat pag may time. I’ve been living here in Japan for over 30 years, married and have two children. Their health becomes my priority and gradually nakahiligan ko ang magluto and I found my passion in cooking.

January - February 2021

Gusto ko i-share ang aking mga luto, tips and etc. about cooking. Tara na, start ko na!

Mebaru No Nitsuke (Rockfish simmered in soysauce) Ingredients:

Rockfish 2 piraso Mirin 50 cc Water 50 cc Ginger 10 slices Sili (optional)

Sake 50 cc Soy sauce 50 cc 3 tablespoons sugar dried konbu

How to make:

1. Kapag malinis na ang rockfish, tanggal na ang laman loob (much better ipa tanggal na ninyo sa pinag bilhan na market). Pour boiling water quickly to remove the odor! 2. Except the rockfish, pakuluin lahat ng ingredients in a pot for 2 minutes, 3. Ilagay ang rockfish and simmer for about 10 minutes, lagyan ng otoshi futa at takpan! 4. Medium heat is okay! Boil until it shines, and it's done.

NOTES:

Magagamit mo ang cooking method na ito sa iba pang seasonal fish. Wag itapon ang soup! Salain, ilagay sa ziplock, label it and freeze. Magagamit yan next time na magluto ka ng sakana nimono.

Finding “The One” by Yellowbelle Duaqui

Since the love month is here, why don’t we talk about love? Yes, love. This topic that has made billions of people happy, and miserable too. It has also eluded some people, leaving them wanting, even hurt, and wounded for life. Some challenged society’s seeming overrated perception on romantic love as the most celebrated path to the attainment of personal happiness. Others even went on to redefine romantic love in their own terms and came to build and love their best selves along the way. After all, with break-ups, divorce and legal separation here and there, only God’s love and self-love seem to be the only reliable sources of love. Some are also lucky to have genuine parental love as their seemingly perpetual source of love.

As cliché would have it, “different folks, different strokes”. Finding love is a unique journey for everyone. Some arrive unexpectedly, and accidentally, causing you sleepless nights, tons of kilig, unexplained smiles, imaginings, and that feeling of giddiness and excitement that no other person can manage to make you feel. As a song goes, “There’s color everywhere”. This person is the living and walking testimony of the best qualities you look for a person: a vision, a clear plan, good looks, impressive intellect, and a caring nature. This person will thus become the wo(man) of your dreams. But sometimes, love doesn’t feel this way. It can sometimes be your good old wing wo(man) who stays with you, in bad times or in good times. This could be one who would rather put up with you despite bad times and decide to stay put and never leave. This is someone whom you know so well, their victories and successes, including their failures and weaknesses. There are boring days

(and there’s definitely none of the giddiness and rush of elation that sudden love brings), but this reliable love gives comfort in the same way that your old pair of slippers and worn-out shirt gives you. It is familiar love. It is home. This person, hence, is the wo(man) of your habit.

Further, there are times you meet someone who reminds you a lot of someone you know, someone very close to you. This person also gives you excitement in the beginning, and slowly reminds you of a person from your past, from your family, from your deepest childhood memories. And then, this person causes you unprecedented pain, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and teaches you a lesson or two as to what love truly is, by breaking your heart. It teaches you that love is so much more than attraction, excitement, and romantic spark. Love, more importantly, is a shoulder to cry on, a hug that calms your fears, a listening ear that absorbs your pain, a caring hand that squeezes yours, telling you that all shall be well in the end. This person is your soul family, whom you accidentally met amid your personal storm. On days like this, when everyone celebrates the love they found, you go deep inside yourself and reflect on what love truly means. And at the end of the day, finding love is not just about finding “The One”. “The One”, after all, might never come. Finding love can sometimes be just finding the best version of yourself and loving it. From feeling miserable for not having found your “The One,” always remember that finding yourself and being yourself is much more valuable than losing yourself in the process of trying to find a match. As a colleague at work once told me, “Couples don’t go to Heaven; individuals do”.

January - February 2021

P h i l i p

D iz o n

T o r r e s

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

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shizuoka with Melinda Yamashita

Shizuoka Prefecture has a wide variety of attractive tourist spots such as the World Heritage Site, the Mount Fuji. One of my recommended spots with amazing view of Mt. Fuji is Lake Tanuki. It is located in Asagiri highlands on the foot of Mt. Fuji at Fujinomiya City in Shizuoka Prefecture. The unusual charm of Lake Tanuki is the amazing landscape formed by Mt. Fuji, huge, beautiful lake and seasonal flowers and trees by the lakeside. Many people who visit the place enjoy outdoor leisures like fishing, hiking

and cycling. There is also a camping ground at the lakeside. If you make a short walk over the Fuji View Lakeside Hotel and Spa, you can enjoy the hot spring bath overlooking the lake with Mt. Fuji in the distance. The lake attracts photographers to capture Mt. Fuji’s reflection in the lake surface. The sunrise from the peak of Mt. Fuji known as “Diamond Fuji” is also a well-known sight around April to August. If you love nature – calm, relaxed and peaceful atmosphere, Lake Tanuki is one of the perfect places to go.

January - February 2021

Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of the Kami Inari, located in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. In recent years, the shrine's Japanese worshippers have been joined by overseas visitors coming to pray or tour the shrine. The color of the shrine and torii gates are also significant as the red-orange color referred to as vermillion is thought to be a protective color against evil forces. While the red color of the shrine

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gates symbolizes vitality and protection against evil and, practically, serves as a preservative, because it`s made of mercury. White on the other hand is the original color of torii and stands for sacredness. Fushimi Inari Shrine is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. Fushimi Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated

kyoto with Emi Arai

to Inari, the Shinto God of Rice. Foxes are thought to be Inari's messengers, resulting in many fox statues across the shrine grounds. People make a wish and then try to lift one of the rocks. If the rock is lighter then you expect, your wish will come true. Arguably one of the most well-known and most-visited shrines in Japan, Fushimi Inari Shrine is considered a World Heritage Site. Emi Arai is with daughter, Larmie

January - February 2021

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MIYAGI with Charity D. Sato

Zao is a mountainous region located in south-west Miyagi prefecture - perhaps best known for the beautiful Okama crater "mystical crater lake of emerald green" located close to the summit of Mount Zao, which also borders Yamagata prefecture further to the west. Zao is the place to go to in any season of the year. In winter, it becomes a popular place for skiing and snowboarding. In spring, visitors can enjoy a beautiful sight of a thousand cherry trees blossoming all at once along the Shiroishi River. And in the summer, people come to escape the summer heat. And as summer gives way to autumn, the mountainsides becomes a fiery-red-orange foliage attracting hikers and cyclists alike. It is a magnificent natural beauty. Mount Zao itself has long been regarded as sacred, and the colorful crater lake at its summit is now one of images that define Miyagi.

January - February 2021

If Kanto region has the Skytree and Tokyo Tower, Kyushu region has the Fukuoka Tower. It may not be as tall as the first two towers but it is still considered as the tallest seaside tower in Japan, located at Momochihama, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka. It has 3 observation decks: one at 116 meters, a café and lounge deck at 120 meters and the highest at 123 meters above the ground with 360 dregree view of the surrounding area. The most popular time to visit is at sunset.

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fukuoka with Rosemarie Aritaka

It was raining and cloudy when we visited Fukuoka Tower but it’s a splendid sight on a beautiful, sunny day. The tower appeared in the Japanese movie Godzilla vs. the SpaceGodzilla in 1994.

January - February 2021

DENNIS SUN HAPPINESS Art Exhibition February 26 (Fri) - March 25 (Thu), 2021

Jeepney Press #109 January - February 2021 Issue

Articles inside

Jeepney Press Ching Pangilinan

Jeepney Press PASADA

Jeepney Press PASADA

Jeepney Press PASADA

Jeepney Press PASADA

Jeepney Press Yellowbelle Duaqui

Jeepney Press KUSINA

Jeepney Press MOVING ON

Jeepney Press SETSUBUN

Jeepney Press KAPATIRAN

Jeepney Press Arnel Sugay

Jeepney Press aMAEzing GRACE !

Jeepney Press Acupuncture

Jeepney Press Kwento Ni Nanay

Jeepney Press DONDAKE!

Jeepney Press Take it or Leave it!

Jeepney Press Life Is A Journey

Jeepney Press Isang Araw sa ating Buhay

Jeepney Press TRAFFIC

Jeepney Press Neriza Sarmiento-Saito

Jeepney Press Editorial Dennis Sun