Jeepney Press #111 May-June 2021

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

111 ISSUE

Art & Design by DENNIS SUN

May - June 2021 2021年5月-6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 08 Kusina / Tita Chris Yokoyama 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 Rewarding Good Behavior / Arnel Sugay 18 Take It Or Leave It / Lita Manalastas Watanabe 20 Dondake! / Karen Sanchez 23 Acupuncture / Marnie Chan 24 Amazing Grace / Mae Grace 26 To Leave or To Stay? / Richine Bermudez 27 The Children’s Day / Alma Fatagani-Sato 28 Moving On / Jasmin Vasquez 30 Kwento Ni Nanay / Anita Sasaki 32 PASADA Around Japan

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

読む

YOMU

means to read in Japanese

When everything seems to be bleak and grim, I wonder what is there to write about? The pandemic continues with infection rates going up and down and up again to no end, and the virus mutating into different variants.

At this point, it would be difficult to laugh at those “doomsday is near” groups that tend to hog the headlines every now and then. And in Tokyo on what would be a momentous year of national pride and unity brought forth by the incoming Olympics, the mood is generally that of indifference, or at worse, increasing calls for cancellation on account of it being potentially a super spreader event. The Tokyo government is firm in saying that it will push through but there is very little positive buzz and excitement around in Tokyo, and the rest of the nation. I think the government is trying to tone it down with less fanfare and merriment because of the pandemic.

In any case, before summer starts to sizzle, and before the Olympics open, heaven needs to pour her tears, as if commiserating with the anxious and tired nation.

Except for Hokkaido, Japan indeed will need to get its watering. TSUYU, as they call it, refers to the never-ending days and nights of rain and gray skies that starts from the end of May until the end of July.

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We, Pinoys, don’t like rain. Our schedule can change drastically with a little drizzle or even with a few drops of rain. We hate going out when it rains. We would cancel at the last minute. Nobody wants to go out when it’s raining. No one wants to get wet. I, for one, don’t like the feeling of getting my socks cold and wet. And don’t get me started on the flooding that gets worse every year.

May - June 2021

Coming from a country that is beset by numerous devastating typhoons every year, I confess that I used to hate rain a lot.

Typhoon equals no electricity. No electricity means no TV. No water. Difficulty of drying laundry. Floods. Food shortages. Rising of prices of basic goods. These have all been imprinted in my mind with indelible ink.

But when I came to Japan, gradually, I came to appreciate the rain. The nation’s infrastructure holds up with little or no electricity or flooding issues, thankfully. I am typically out and about during springtime, and the rain sometimes can tempt me to stay indoors and watch Netflix. But what I enjoy much with rain is its after effect. I love going out to smell the sweet scent in the air after rainfall.

Now, I challenge myself to even go out and enjoy walking in the rain which I have never tried before. It was only recently that I came to realize how wonderful it is to see the flowers, plants and trees welcome the rain. It refreshes my mind and body to see how happy nature is when it rains. So instead of getting depressed and gloomy during a rain, I think about nature and how glad they are.

And remember, in this difficult times of the pandemic, people are staying home. And when it rains, more people stay put. So, it’s really the best time to go out and get a private moment connecting with nature. Go to your nearest park. Walk around the block and enjoy the gardens of your neighbors instead of being locked up at home. Do not be afraid to get wet. It is just water! No matter how dark, dreary and dank the weather may be, you can make it sunny and bright right inside YOURSELF! Itterashai!

Photos by Dennis Sun

“Do not fear... the rain is here to help you grow.”

–Jennae Cecelia

May - June 2021

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KUSINA Easy and

delicious, seasonal recipes ni Tita Chris Yokoyama

Kumusta po kayo, mga kababayan?

Mag try po tayong magluto ng isang healthy at napakadaling recipe Ang Acqua Pazza binibigkas na [akkwa pattsa]. Sosyal pakinggan, di ba?

Sa salitang Italyano na ibig sabihin ay 'crazy water'. Ito ay isang Italian recipe na piniritong isda, with lightly herbs used to poach it.

Maraming variations ang sarsa na ito, mula sa mga light broths, to thick tomatoe sauce,

na ginagamit sa lahat ng uri ng seafoods (hindi lamang ang tradisyonal na puting isda), at maging ang manok ay pwedeng gamitin.

Ang dish na ito ay nag originate sa mga mangingisda sa Napoli, Italy na sumikat sa buong mundo.

You can dip breads in the broth or a very good match to a pasta, kung saan ka masaya.

Mga ingredients na ating gagamitin: Aside from the white fish pwede din ang bass, cod, halibut, seabream, sea bass, sea perch, etc.: •cherry tomatoes or any tomatoes •garlic •water •salt (magic salt, if available) •olive oil (preferably extra virgin) •clams •white wine I’ve put a little Patis that would enhance the flavor!

STEP 1: Heat half the oil in a large, lidded frying pan.

Carefully slip the fish into the sizzling oil and cook for 4-5 mins until starting to brown Flip over and scatter the garlic around the fish.

Sizzle for 1 min more.

STEP 2: Add the clams and scatter the tomatoes.

•Pour over the wine and let it bubble for 1 min, then pour over 100ml water and season generously with sea salt (magic salt, if available) and pepper.

Put on the lid, turn up the heat and simmer for 15 mins until the fish is cooked through – you can tell when the eyes turn bright white and the flesh feels softer.

STEP 3: Lift each fish out the pan onto a serving plate, spoon some of the sauce over. Sprinkle with a little parsley just before serving Ano pang hinihintay ninyo, magluto na tayo!

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MAY - JUNE 2021

MARCH - APRIL 2021 2021 JANUARY - FEBRUARY

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Neriza Sarmiento - Saito's

On the Road to

A TALE OF TWO WOMEN AND THE FLOWERS THEY ADORE with

DELIA NAKASHIMA and MARIA HANDA

Merry May and Joyful June are here again filling our senses with the sweet scent of flowers in season. In our program “From Overseas Philippines” for May and June on FM Cocolo, we talked about our national flower Sampaguita, Ilang-Ilang and Camia. When we were young, we would pick Sampaguita flowers and Camia from my grandmother’s garden and would bring them to school either to give to our teacher or simply put the Camia behind our ears and at the end of the day, I would insert the Sampaguita flower between the pages of my book. Surprisingly, the scent would remain for a couple of days. Whenever my father would come home from his work in Baguio, he always brought home assorted fresh flowers and I remembered how happy I felt.

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I believe that flowers make a delightful impact on any important occasion. Nothing seems to brighten up any room than an arrangement of fresh flowers. And even our JP editor knows the magic that flowers give to our senses whenever he shares on FB the flowers that he sees on his daily walk.

And so I thought of featuring two Filipina women who are very much engrossed with flora and fauna - DELIA and MARIA. Delia, who also serves as Treasurer of the Philippine Community Coordinating Council (PCCC ), is also a prominent community leader in Kusatsu in Shiga and has lived in Japan for more than 30 years. Her home in Shiga is surrounded with flowers as

well as with banana trees and sayote and sigadilyas. A year ago, they acquired another property in Mie Prefecture, with a bigger garden so that she can pursue her love for gardening. She cooks endlessly using the vegetables that she harvests from her garden.

And when she makes suman, she uses the banana leaves at home. A true green thumb, she has successfully grown a sampaguita plant in her new garden.

Maria is also a very active community leader of the International Family Friendship in Kansai (IFFIK), who has been in Japan also for almost 30 years.

MAY - JUNE 2021

Also recently, her family moved to Nara and that gave Maria more chance to pursue her passion for taking photographs of flowers.

One of her favorites is the sunflower field in Nara where she also photographed a red sunflower.

When they are not busy with community activities or taking care of their grandchildren, Maria and Delia share their passion for traveling. In May, they went to Hyogo and to Hiroshima to see other flowers in bloom in that part of Japan. In so doing, they would like to share with our JP readers their photos of the flowers they adore and how they have become adorable too in the eyes of their family and friends! For Maria and Delia, whenever they are surrounded by flowers, everyday is FLORES de MAYO!!

TRAFFIC

by Alma Reyes

CORONA Battle of the Sexes We are approaching the halfway point of the second year of the Coronavirus pandemic. Since the emergence of the widespread infection, there has been a lot of chatter about how married couples have been coping with the unbearable situation. The so-called “Corona Divorce” phenomenon began to leak profusely not only abroad, but in Japan as well, where many family and marriage therapists believe appears to boil more intensely than anywhere else. Here is why we can believe it: Small-sized housing

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Typical Japanese homes, whether houses or apartments, are relatively smaller than those in other countries. A regular humble apartment in Tokyo may measure just below 50-60 square meters. Tiny rooms separated from each other by thin walls, usually constructed in wood and mortar, also pose mental or psychological constrictions. Corridors, hallways, or a dead space between rooms (sometimes used for storage) are not regular features of an ordinary Japanese interior layout. The lack of adequate space and needed privacy easily tempts family members to spend more time outdoors than indoors; therefore, husbands come home late, friends meet in restaurants

rather than host home parties, or children spend leisure hours in game centers, karaoke, cinemas, or simply roam around the city.

Either the lack of interpersonal interaction or too much of it can wound marital and family ties.

Since the recommendation of self-quarantine and teleworking, more people ironically relieve stress by stepping out of their homes.

Teleworking parents have to share the limited space at home with their children as well who have to stop school.

This inconvenience has disrupted work concentration and upset individual schedules, consequently, arousing arguments within the household.

May - June 2021

Impaired marital bond after having children

Defined marriage roles

It has been an apparent perception that Japan, being relatively a male-dominated society, prioritizes the man’s needs above the woman’s.

Especially among the older generation, the typical traditional Japanese husband is often expected to be served by the wife, who in turn, prepares and delivers his dinner, sets up the bath, arranges his clothes, and accompanies him in the living room before bedtime. Many Japanese wives have voiced out complaints about the long hours of “attention” they would have to render their husbands who have begun working at home because of the pandemic. In some cases when the husband is delegated certain housework, this also adds unwanted burden to his daily routine. He may interrupt the wife’s work incessantly with questions, such as “Where is the vacuum cleaner? Is today garbage day? How do you use the washing machine?” or the even more seemingly unwelcoming remarks, like “Okay, I have cleaned the bathroom,” or “I have folded the clothes,” as though each chore requires a recognition report. Statistics have shown that based on rigidly defined sexual roles, Japanese couples share home duties less willingly than foreign couples, and this tendency has become a source of grave dispute in Japanese marriages especially since the epidemic.

There are certain visible patterns in the Japanese domestic scene after the children are born, such as couples sleeping in separate bedrooms or ceasing intimate relations. Sharing conversations while eating diminishes. Leading separate lives outside of the home (example: husband playing golf and wife holidaying with friends) become increasingly pervasive. While at home, some husbands tend to feel some distracted tension watching their wives attend to the children, rather than being able to free their minds of these little reminders of home and family duties while in the office or at a café. At the same time, many Japanese wives savor their husband’s and children’s absence during the day to be able to gain some personal freedom. Parents spending more hours together at home find themselves more entrapped in the fading existence of “man and woman” as the father and mother “image” inadvertently steals the spotlight for longer hours.

With no other effective solution at hand, it should be no surprise to witness cafés being flooded more surgently with workers and students.

Communication by social media, such as LINE, Messenger, Instagram, and others, has also become more prevalent as couples resort to “silent” interaction with other people for privacy. And, finally, when all verbal communication and emotional connection is ultimately crippled, there is the saving grace of Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and YouTube movies and dramas that restore the couple's deprived peace of mind. We can only hope that the spark in marital relationships resurfaces in the right direction after this merciless crisis leaves us for good.

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illustration by: Dennis Sun

May - June 2021

ISANG ARAW SA ATING BUHAY ni Jeff Plantilla Nababalita ang mga palitan ng messages sa social media tungkol sa pribadong buhay ng tao.

Parang buong bayan ang kasama sa usapan. At meron din yatang mga taong gustong pag-usapan sa social media ang buhay nila.

Dito makikita ang pagbabago ng isip ng tao.

Hindi na problema ngayon na alam ng buong bayan (o buong daigdig) ang away sa sariling pamilya. Hindi na rin problema na ang taong hindi kapamilya ay nakikisali na sa usapan ng buhay ng iba. Ito ang bagong version ng reality TV. Labas lahat, walang itinatago.

Sa Facebook, may mga posting din ng paglalabas ng sama ng loob sa pamilya o sa ibang tao.

May sumasagot ng pagsang-ayon sa sama ng loob, may nagpapa-alala na huwag masyadong dibdibin ang problema at baka ma-alta presyon.

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Ito ay tulad ng bahay na two-way mirror ang mga dingding – kita ng tao sa

labas ang lahat ng ginawa ng tao sa loob ng bahay.

Hindi na mahalaga ang privacy.

Lakas ng internet/social media Bagama’t maraming magandang bagay na naidudulot ang internet sa ating komunikasyon, marami din itong problema. Ang social media ang nagiging paraan para siraan ang pangalan at puri ng kapwa. Ito ang magaling na paraan para manloko at kumita nang walang pagod – type lang nang type ng mensahe para makakuha ng pera. Sex video blackmail o online sex entertainment ay nagagawa sa Filipinas basta’t may computer at internet connection.

Meron ding scam tungkol sa pekeng “computer service” na kunwari ay problema sa computer na babayaran mula sa bank account o credit card. May ilang video tungkol dito sa YouTube na hinuhuli ang mga online scammers – mga nagpapanggap na Amerikano kahit hindi

May - June 2021

kaya ang American accent.

Ilang tao na ang na-depress nang ma-bash sa social media? Ilang tao na ang nawalan ng malaking pera dahil sa raket sa internet? Ilang pamilya na ang nasira dahil sa tsismis na dinaan sa social media?

Ano ang paborito mo?

Maraming pagpipilian ang mahilig sa social media – alin ang iyong paborito Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook? Dagdag pa dito ang YouTube. Meron ding Zoom, Google chat, Webex, Messenger at iba pa. Dati Skype ang uso, ngayon Zoom na ang gamit sa mga meetings, sa pag-aaral, at sa pakikipagkumustahan sa kapamilyang hindi mabisita.

Information overload?

Sa dami ng mga impormasyong makukuha sa internet o social media, napipili kaya ng mga tao ang impormasyong masama o pangloloko o kasinungalingan? May

mga conspiracy theories sa napakaraming bagay kasama na ang COVID-19 na lumalabas sa YouTube.

May mga videos na pulitika ang agenda at gustong lituhin ang tao.

Mahalaga na hindi basta-basta naniniwala sa mga impormasyong ito, kahit ipinasa ng kaibigan o kakilala.

Ito ang sinasabing media literacy, ang kakayahang masuri ang mga impormasyon na umiikot sa internet at sa social media upang malaman kung paniniwalaan ba o hindi.

Ang internet na rin ang tutulong sa problemang ito. Puwedeng ma-google ang maraming impormasyon upang malaman kung talagang kapani-paniwala nga ba ito. Kasama na dito ang fact-checking.

Sa aking karanasan, napakaraming tao ang naniniwala sa kung ano-anong impormasyon na sa tingin ko ay kalokohan lamang. Bakit kaya?

Karapatan na kalimutan ng bayan/Right to be forgotten Dahil sa masamang magagawa ng internet, sa Europe ay may right to be

forgotten. Ito ay isang karapatang mawala ang anumang pribadong impormasyon sa internet.

Dapat ay tanggalin ang anumang impormasyon na ayaw ipalabas ng isang tao tungkol sa sarili niya.

Ito ay bahagi ng pag-iingat sa sariling privacy.

Pero, kaya ba talagang malinis ang cyberspace ng anumang impormasyong pinakawalan dito? Kung nakopya na ang impormasyon, mailalabas pa rin yan kahit kailan o maipapasa sa iba.

Kaya ang sinumang maglalagay ng sariling impormasyon sa internet ay dapat handa sa anumang puwedeng mangyari.

kasabihang “laughter is the best medicine.” Kung tayo ay may positive na paningin sa buhay, mas meron tayong pagkakataong makagawa ng maraming bagay at sumaya nang hindi nakakasama sa iba.

Para saan pa ang buhay kundi ang danasin ang saya, kahit sa simpleng paraan lang. Life is too short for envy and hatred but long enough for a sense of fulfillment and happiness.

Sabi nga sa kantang “Buwan,” “ayokong mabuhay ng malungkot!”

Anong pipiliin mo?

Komunikasyon para sa kabutihan May pandemya man o wala, kailangan natin ng good vibes – sabi nga ng teacher na si Danieca.

Kaya naglalabas si Danieca ng videos sa YouTube ng kanyang pagtuturo, lalo na yung kung paano kumanta nang sintunado at may piyok. Kailangan din ang pagkanta ay may OR (opening remarks), interconnection, close-open, at CC (closing ceremony). Yan ang Volumatic style.

Naniwawala si Danieca sa

May - June 2021

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Glen Gypsy’s

“Quit hiding your magic.

The world is ready for you.”

- Danielle Doby

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May - June 2021

By Arnel Sugay

How do you deliver bad news?

How do you package bad news? Is terrible news is God is putting an end it true that it is not in the content to everything in 30 days.” of the message, but how you say it?

Barack Obama goes back to his How about the followers and says, “I have some GOO timing of the D bad news and good news. The N E delivery? good news is our religion is WS correct and there is a God. The bad Here is a news is that God is putting an slightly end to everything in 30 edited joke days.”

D sent to me by BA S a friend.

Bill Gates goes back W E N to his followers and God called three says, “I have good individuals to news and better announce His intentions news. The good toward the human race. news is that I am At the meeting were one of the three Barack Obama, Vladimir most important Putin and Bill Gates. God humans on the planet announced that he was according to God. The putting an end to the human better news is we don’t have race in 30 days and that each was to ship the next version of to inform their respective Windows.” constituents.

If you are managing a team or a Vladimir Putin goes back to his department, how do you deliver bad countrymen and tells them, “I have news while minimizing push back some bad news and some terrible especially when you are announcing news. The bad news is that our some changes? communist ideology was wrong. The

May - June 2021

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Take it or Leave it!

ADVICE NI TITA LITS

Isabelita Manalastas-Watanabe Dear Tita Lits, Magandang araw po, madame tita.

Gusto ko lang pong makuha ang opinyon ninyo regarding this matter of utmost importance! Heto po ang aking problema.

Minsan, pag labas ko po ng aking Yokohama condo with a view of Minato Mirai, nakita yung katabing neighbor ko nakabukas ang pintuan niya. Hindi naman po ako namboboso pero parang may bumulong sa akin na sumilip ng ever so slight. Paglapit ko ay bumulaga sa akin ang kakaibang smell. Well, kakaibang mabahong smell, madam! And then nakita ko po na ang daming kabundok na basurahan sa loob ng bahay niya. Na “na-shock po ako” is the understatement of this pandemic year!

Nakakaloka. Siguro hanggang tuhod ko na ang taas. Puro mga empty pet bottles at sari-saring basura na nakabalot sa plastic tulad ng naubos at pati na rin na mga hindi naubos na bento. Meron pang mga piles of magazines and mangga!

Yes, I observed all that in a span of 2 seconds.

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Samut-samot na rin ang mga amoy na hindi ko maintindihan. Medyo nahilo pa ako ng konti. I wouldn’t be surprised na naging breeding ground na siya ng next corona virus.

Napa-atras ako at dali daling humanap ng preskong lugar para mag deep breathing. Pero ang feeling ko ay dumikit na sa damit ko ang smell. Kaya bumalik na lang ako sa bahay, at nag-shower ng bonggang-bonga using my papaya soap. What a nightmare!

That day, sinabihan ko na agad ang building supervisor about my Smokey Mountain neighbor pero nganga lang and wala naman pong nagawa.

Sayang kasi gwapo pa naman siya at type ko.

Naisip ko na rin po na kausapin sana kung sino man ang nakatira sa loob pero ano naman po ang sasabihin ko? “Heller!

Linisin mo ang bahay mo?”

Hindi naman lumalabas ang masamang amoy kapag nakasara ang pintuan ng bahay niya. At naisip ko rin na kung kakausapin ko siya, baka may kulang ang utak niya...may mental issues, at kung sakaling masama siya ay baka anong

gawin pa niya sa akin.

Hindi naman po sa nagbubuhat ng bangko pero baka pagnasaan pa ako.

Ayokong maging Mrs Smokey Mountain 2021!

Ilang years na rin sigurong hindi naglilinis at nagtatapon ng basura ang neighbor ko. Medyo natatakot ako pagdating ng summer at maglalabasan ang mga ipis. And I hate ipis! Or daga. Na mutant!

Naku! Nakakatakot talagang isipin.

Tita Lits, kalilipat ko lang dito at 2 years pa ang contract ko. Ngayon ko lang nalaman na ito pala ang dahilan kaya walang nagtatagal sa mga tumitira dito at ito ay dahil sa kanya. Ang ganda pa naman ng view sa labas.

Kung walang nagawa yung mga iba na tumira dati, ano pa kaya ang magagawa ko?

At paano na ang future namin ni gwapong building supervisor! I feel so helpless, and I need your advice madame tita.

And “I” thank “you”!

Misha Yokohama

May - June 2021

Dear Misha: Nakakatuwang basahin ang sulat mo. Kasi ang style ay “bading”. Sorry, huwag kang ma-o-offend, pero ramdam ko, kabaro kita.

Tingin ko din, hindi mo pangalan talaga ang Misha, kasi pangalan ito na hindi ma-determine kung ano ang sex ng nagsulat.

Frankly, inulit-ulit kong basahin ang sulat mo, kasi parang naririnig kitang magsalita at right away, parang I felt close kaagad sa iyo. Parang kaibigan at ka-kwentuhan na kita, at ka-tsismisan na ng matagal-tagal. Ang gaan talaga ng dugo ko sa iyo. I hope magkita tayo ng personal one of these days!

Anyway, back to my role here na parang Dear Tia Dely (naku, baka hindi mo na naabutan siya, kasi parang ang bata mo pa, the way you “talk”) 1. Normally, mayroong Condominium Residents Association ang mga condo buildings sa Japan.

The Association officers are elected by the building residents. The Association meets regularly (at least once a year) para i-discuss ang iba’t ibang issues affecting the residents; 2. Ask your poging kanrinin (building manager) kung mayroon kayo sa building mo, at kung sino pwedeng

kontakin at ang contact number. Normally, walang pakialam or walang power mag-intervene directly ang kanrinin sa mga complaints, tulad ng sa iyo; 3. Tama ka na hindi mo dapat katukin at kausapin derecho ang Garbage King mong neighbor. Baka may topak sa ulo, at hindi na kailangan ma-covid ka para matepok; 4. Kung ang situwasyon ay makaka-apekto sa health ng mga residents (na mukha namang hindi, kasi nasa loob ng condo niya ang mga basura niya), pwedeng i-report sa police. Request the police not to reveal yong pangalan ng complainant; 5. Si Garbage King ay siguradong Compulsive Hoarder or may Hoarding Disorder. Nagbasa ako sa internet about these two disorders. Sakit ito at kailangan ng professional guidance. Kaso nga lang, hindi mo pwedeng bigyan ng advise si Garbage King, dahil wala ka dapat pakialam sa kanyang personal, private business; 6. Good lang kasi na magbasa at mag-research ka din, para lang at least maintindihan mo kung bakit may ganitong mga tao, at makapag-sympathize ka na rin; 7. Kung hindi mo siya next-door neighbor, hindi

siguro aabot sa iyo ang mga ipis or daga na pwedeng maging regular boarders/ visitors ni Garbage King.

Hay naku, mag-concentrate ka na lang sa pagtanaw ng maganda mong view.

Maraming mga condo na walang magandang view, so take it as a blessing na mayroon ka.

Misha, I am serious about wanting to meet you. Lunch tayo or dinner (with social distancing). I will surely enjoy your various kwentos, hindi lang tungkol kay Garbage King. The ed-in-chief of Jeepney Press can give you my personal phone number.

Take care always, and stay safe!

A Piece of Peace Konnichiwa minasan!

I hope everyone is doing well despite this pandemic outbreak.

May the blessing of God be with you all.

" Get along with God and be at peace; with this, something good will come to you.

Receive instruction from his mouth; put his word in your mind."

- JOB 22: 21-22

Watching TV news, reading news papers and being online on social media give us information on how chaotic the world we are living in is. And my heart is in pain watching some people dying and hungry. It makes me feel weaker everyday, so I decided to leave this for a while and have a piece of peace.

By living in the countryside which we commonly called "farm", I found out how simple but how hard being a farmer is. While digging the soil, preparing for our vegetable garden, I remember the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis.

And I feel so grateful for having this chance that some people in this world don't have.

I may be down and tired trying hard to survive the restaurant business we had; but when pandemic came, I realized that I need to quit for a while and find what is best at this time. Quitting is not giving up for me, but to review these ups and downs in this journey we called life and that life without God is nothing.

That we are nothing, that money is not everything because even if you have gold and diamonds when this Covid-19 hits you; you will die too, though medicines and private doctors could assist

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and temporarily care for you, it is surely not an assurance that you will live.

Living in a simple way gives me simple perceptions in life. Be happy and contented so you don’t have to regret things. Know your worth, give as you can, love as you could and it will surely get back to you in due time. Forgive who trespasses you, forget and move on through these you can have peace of mind.

While watching the moon and stars at night which I did not notice while living in the busy cities, I am so thankful and wondering why it is hard to appreciate the beauty of nature around us. We are too busy on how to earn and enjoy the social life, the night life, the luxurious life which at the end we are still longing for something or for someone else to have in our life, someone that will listen to us, to enjoy with and to be with us.

While God is just waiting for us to call on Him, to believe and have faith in Him. As I've always told someone I met and someone I cared for, remember that life is so short when you do not enjoy and remain at your identity which leads you to the word "peace".

People are always looking for peace of mind. By your honest conscience, good deeds and being with God's Holy Spirit while living in this world somehow you will also find your "piece of peace".

May - June 2021

Simple Lang ni Karen Sanchez

Peace be with you who is reading this. Please keep safe, healthy and wealthy by your faith so that you have your own strength in fighting your own battles in life.

Remember, God is good all the time and everything will end soon. Everything good or bad, better or worse, richer and poorer have an end in due time.

In times like this, with pandemic and no assurance for the better life nor the great future, we must be thankful and grateful when we are still existing here in this world without Covid Virus and we are living with our family or loved ones even in survival ways.

"I make known the end from beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, "My purpose will stand, and will do that I please."

Until next time... God bless us all!

Bakit ba tayo nahihirapan Sa mundong ating ginagalawan Ang hirap maangkin lubos na kaligayahan Samantalang napaka-simple lang pala naman Sa ating simpleng kakayahan At sa simpleng mga pangarap na makamtan Na sa simpleng pamamaraan at kabutihan Buhay ay para bang kay gaan at may katahimikan Marami mang pagsubok na pagdadaanan Kung ang buhay ay iyong lubos na nauunawaan Ito ay iyong lubos din na maiintindihan Na walang hirap kung tanggap at simplehan Huwag na magpumilit kung hindi Nya pinapayagan Pagkat minsan ito'y maging sanhi lamang ng kabiguan At huli na kung iyo pa itong babaguhin at babalikan Pagkat ang bawat pangyayari ay nakatakda na at nakalaan Isang paalaala mga kaibigan, mga kababayan Ang sekreto sa buhay ay simple lamang Ito ay ang magtiwala sa Diyos na may lalang At tiyak ligtas ka sa anumang pasakit at kabiguan

May - June 2021

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ACUPUNCTURE Health Points

Your Forgetful Brain & Acupuncture four horses or si ma treat epilepsy, insomnia, vertigo, headache, anxiety. They are frequently used clinically for dementia, schizophrenia, and manic behaviour.

By Marnie Chan A mother asked me if there is an acupuncture point that could help improve her memory now that she is back doing school work for higher education. And, if the same acupuncture point can also be applied to her school-age kid who is now seeming to lose memory skills.

The answer is yes there are acupuncture points to improve one's brain function like memory. And yes they can also be applied to young children.

Introducing Shenting, GV24 [Mind Courtyard] and Benshen, GB13 bilateral [Root Spirit]. These are known as acupuncture's 3-points for intelligence.

Three-points for intelligence, in clinical studies, have been proven to be beneficial in improving the children patients’ verbal comprehension, expression ability, hand-eye coordination ability, attention, logical reasoning ability, and visual perception.

sanchasan

Furthermore, these points have been proven to have a definite clinical effect on the treatment of primary insomnia and post stroke depression.

Many clinical trials have shown that acupuncture treatment can improve the cognition by removing oxidized biochemical substances and promoting the

release of neurotransmitters.

ADD/ADHD.

So there. To thine own GB13 - used on the right self be kind, before you side is beneficial for forget to… psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression. Used on the left side, it will benefit attention related conditions such as

These points are brilliant for issues affecting the cranium nerves. They greatly benefit the brain specifically the frontal lobe. Here is what is even more marvelous about 3-points for intelligence --aside from poor memory, they also

MAY - JUNE 2021

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AMAZINGgrace

What To Do In The Rainy Month of June?

by Mae Grace In Japan, June is interestingly symbolized by snails, umbrellas and hydrangeas. June is, after all, the start of the summer season in Japan ushered in by rains and thunderstorms and although many people might find that an anticlimactic end to the beautiful, refreshing and colorful climate in spring, the rains in June do bring with them immeasurable benefits and blessings.

One of the many reasons to enjoy ‘tsuyu’ or the rainy season in June is --- the hydrangeas! Hydrangeas, called ‘ajisai’ in Japanese, grow abundantly and are one of the most popular flowers in Japan. They are found in countless temples and parks and arranged into magnificent displays in numerous festivals in the summer. It is one unique kind of flower adored by the Japanese.

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In Japanese tradition and folk beliefs they represent beauty, grace and gratitude. Because of their lavishly shaped and brilliantly growing petals, they are believed to radiate abundance and their colors symbolize love, harmony and peace.

There are many popular places where hydrangeas

could be found here in Tokyo and from nearby locations as well, and one of them is in Kamakura City in Kanagawa Prefecture where three temples there compete for the best in hydrangea viewing, the Meigetsu-in, the

Hase and Jochiji Temple. Another way to enjoy hydrangeas is to take a ride on Enoden Line or other ‘Hydrangea Trains’ and grab a seat facing the window side, as these are special trains designed for one to enjoy the spectacular view of thousands of hydrangeas lining both sides of the rail tracks all the way to Hakone. Ang gandaaaa! Promise!

Heto pa, maraming famous spots for hydrangea viewing dito mismo sa Tokyo.

Isa na dito ang Hakusan Shrine in Bunkyo-ku, also, Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa, and the beautiful Sumida Park along Sumida River just somewhere near Asakusa. This park has a promenade called, “Ajisai Road” where more than 6,000 hydrangeas were planted along a two kilometer long path. One can enjoy viewing these impressive flowers with the famous Tokyo Sky Tree in the background. It’s a five-minute walk from Asakusa Station and the flowers are free to view and visit from mid to late June until July. Let’s go guys!

Magdala na lang tayo ng payong!

Also, somewhere in my little city of Fuchu (ayaw patalo, eh), is a city park and museum known as Kyodo No Mori Museum which has an impressive collection of 10,000 plus hydrangeas representing more than thirty varieties of this colorful beauties planted in patches and paths that look absolutely breathtaking. Take a walk along these paths for refreshing air, taking in the beauty of each unique flower interspersed here and there by some unique features of the park including their collection of outdoor architectural structures of old farm houses, workshops, a charming

MAY - JUNE 2021

waterwheel, man-made waterfalls and a clear running stream lined with huge shapely rocks. If one has time for a quiet ‘me time’, there’s an old thatched house offering tea and sweets done in the simple but deeply profound art of tea ceremony. What a calming balm to the tired soul.

And yes! Don’t forget po. Just around this time of the year, the lotus flowers would be in bloom, too! They’re located on the other side of the park and it would be wonderful for you to visit this magnificent garden pond as well. You would be swept off your feet, as I was. The lotus flowers are the favorites of Buddha, according to tradition. This park has the biggest, most colorful and most beautiful collection of this mystical flower.

Please check out my photos of them.

Kyodo no Mori is located at 6-32 Minami-cho, Fuchu City. Take Keio Line from Shinjuku, get off at Bubaigawara Station, then take a Keio bus from Bubaigawara going to Kyodo No Mori Park/Museum to get off at the main gate of the park. It only takes 25 minutes from Shinjuku to Bubaigawara.

June is to rainy season, as rainy season is to abundant blessings for one and all! Wishing you all goodness and blessings!

MAY - JUNE 2021

25

To Leave or to Stay?

Richine Bermudez

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

Japan has always been the perfect place to live for many; it has always been their dream place to visit and to some, live and settle in.

The first time I came here, I was not as impressed as the other people who have always admired Japan. In the beginning, I thought it's too quiet here, too laid back.

Well, at least, here where I live. I remember finding the tv shows "corny", I did not like their humor; I thought they were too violent and harsh. I did not like their shows' set-up, because it's really different from the Philippines or the shows I used to see. Also, people couldn't speak English, no one was able to communicate with me, even at the restaurants, no, nada! So, I said to myself, I am in no way spending my life here. I will go back home.

My family was one of those blessed families who were able to migrate here to Japan. We were truly fortunate to be able to stay and live here together. But was I really happy? Despite my refusal of staying here, I did not have any choice but to do so, I was young then, so I had to submit to the orders of my parents.

I was adamant at the beginning, proud if you will. I kept on telling myself: Nope, I don’t need and I won’t study Japanese, because I know how to speak English already, if they want to talk to me, they should learn my language!

Right at this moment, I am very

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much sure that your eyebrows are reaching high or you are probably smiling and saying: oh dear, don’t be so naive! I totally understand, because if I were to talk to my old self, I would say: Wake up! You are dreaming! That is not how things work here! Grow up!

able to make friends with the Japanese, see how they see the world, understand how they perceive things, etc. In short, I now feel that I belong here. Humility is indeed very beneficial.

I have learned so much from my journey here in Japan. I have realized that sometimes, things will happen not in the way you imagined them to be, but they will happen according to what’s going to happen. The moral lesson here is to adjust and adapt and with the guidance of our God, we will be in a good place wherever we may be.

Now that I have adapted already, now that I have established myself in here, the tables are turned. Now, I don’t see myself living in the Philippines again. I am going to keep my reasons to myself for some reasons, but what I can tell you is that: I now understand those people who have always been eager to live and settle here in Japan. It’s not perfect, it can never be. But the way everything is in here, I am loving to the bits.

And that’s what I did! I forced myself to grow up! I studied their language after realizing that it is the only way I would be able to adapt to the living style here. My way of studying is not the conventional way though, I did not go to school to study the language, nor brought books and read cover to cover. I learned through communication. I worked as a hall staff in a hotel here in Nagano, and That is why my dreams of buying a that’s where I learned a lot. My house or properties in the coworkers were so patient in Philippines have vanished already. teaching me, they would translate If I would be given the chance to words and phrases to me and I’d take not and try to use them in my have the ability to purchase a house or a property, I’d want it to everyday conversation. I have the feeling that you are wondering how be here. I’d want something that I’d be able to enjoy every day not once much Japanese I know, oh please, Art by Dennis Sun moon. I very well know in a blue don’t set your expectations high, though that everyone has different my Japanese fluency level is very circumstances and perceptions in low. It’s survival Japanese level, as life and sharing or having the way I they say. But, enough level for me see things would be impossible. to be able to carry a conversation and connect to the people around But what if you would be asked by me. someone: Where would you like to retire? Where would you like to Connections have made me spend the rest of your life? What happier. Ever since I started to would be your answer to the study Japanese, I felt more question: to leave or to stay? comfortable living in Japan. I was

May - June 2021

The Children’s Day By: Alma Fatagani-Sato This is also known as Boys’ Day and Feast of Banners. This holiday is usually celebrated on May 5th.

In 1948, the name was changed to Children’s Day and designated a national holiday by the Japanese government to include both male and female children, celebrated to respect their personalities and happiness. This is also to recognize the family unity.

During the Edo Era, it’s one of the official festivals recognized by the Tokugawa Shogunate. It’s a counterpart for the Girls’ Day also known as Dolls’ Festival (Hinamatsuri ひな祭).

It was originally called Boys’ Day (Tango no sekku端午の節句), celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth moon in the lunisolar calendar (Chinese calendar). The date was fixed to May 5th after Japan switched to using the Gregorian calendar.

Special decorations are displayed to celebrate the healthy growth of boys. Inside the house, families with male child usually display either a replica of Japanese military helmet called kabuto, which symbolizes strength and vitality or samurai dolls, often representing the Japanese folk heroes Kintaro or Momotaro.

Outside the house, carp streamers

of the family, black for the father, either red or pink for the mother, usually blue, green and orange for each child.

(koinobori) can be seen fluttering in the breeze. The carp is believed to be a lucky fish which symbolizes success in life.

This practice is related to the Chinese legend that the carp which swims upstream becomes a

There are also special treats that you can enjoy on this day like the Chimaki (rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves) and Kashiwamochi (rice cakes wrapped in an oak leaf with sweet azuki red beans inside).

There is also the custom called Shobu-yu which is practiced to signify a desire for strength in contests. Japanese irises (菖 蒲shobu, which have the same pronunciation for the word contest 勝負) are put in the bath water.

Most parents would really try to make this day very special for their children. I suppose everyone would agree with the lyrics of an old song that goes ‘I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way.’

dragon, and flies to heaven, so the carp streamers are place in a pole to look like they are swimming. In the olden times, the red carp streamer was for the eldest son, the blue and other colors for the younger brothers.

Nowadays, the carp color represents the members

May - June 2021

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MOVING ON My all-time favorite stress reliever!!!

ni Jasmin Vasquez Katulad ko, stress ka na rin ba sa walang katapusang problema dito, problema doon? Lalo na ngayon sobrang tagal na ng pandemic crisis dulot ng Covid-19 na yan. Isang taon at kalahati na ito, mas palala pa ng palala. Hindi ito mapuksa puksa dahil invisible ang ating kalaban. Kaya ikaw na lang mag adjust.

At dahil nga sobrang stressful, ikaw na lang gumawa ng paraan para lumakas ang iyong katawan. Inom ng vitamin C at kain ng mga prutas na magpapalakas ng ating immune system.

Isa sa mga prutas na

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aking madalas kainin ay ang “Saging”. Ayon sa aking naresearch: “Bananas are not only a prebiotic food – supporting gut health – they are high in vitamin B6. This vitamin is needed to keep the immune system functioning properly.” Ano daw ang sabi sa Tagalog? Ang mga saging ay hindi lamang isang prebiotic na pagkain sumusuporta sa kalusugan ng tiyan - sila ay mataas sa bitamina B6. Ang bitamina na ito ay kinakailangan upang mapanatili ang paggana ng immune system nang maayos.

Mabuti na lamang at mahilig ako sa saging. Ngayon, kahit saan may nabibili nito dahil sa pag export ng Pinas sa iba’t-ibang bansa. Katulad ng saging na saba, dito sa Japan, kahit saan lugar at kahit gaano pa ito kamahal, hilig na hilig talaga

natin ang saging lalo na ang Saging na Saba. Pwedeng ihaw, pirito, ilaga at ihalo sa ibang lutong pagkain gaya ng pochero, nilagang baka at marami pang iba.

Kung diet ka, kain ka lang nito pwedeng umaga, tanghali o sa

gabi. Naiisip mo pa nga lang parang ang sarap sarap na. Ito lang din ang palagi kong pang alis ng stress pag kumakain ako nito.

Sa mga Bisaya naman, gustong gusto nila ito kinakain ng medyo hilaw at sawsaw sa ginamos o bagoong na isda.

Kung minsan, di naman talaga yung covid ang nakakamatay sa tao kundi yung nerbiyos mo at panic sa virus na ito.

Mag-ingat na lang tayo at sundin ang mga sinasabi ng ating pamahalaan na huwag lumabas kung hindi naman talaga kailangan. Hugas lagi ng kamay at mag alcohol. Ligo agad pag uwi sa bahay kung ikaw ay lumabas. At syempre, kain lang tayo ng mga pagkain na masustansya para hindi tayo basta basta kapitan ng mga sakit na iyan.

O, tara na at samahan nyo ako kumain ng saging.

May - June 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

KWENTO NI NANAY

ni Nanay Anita Sasaki EVERY GISING IS A BLESSING EVERY GISING IS A BLESSING TO ALL!!! Ayan po ang palagi kong sinasabi pagka gising ko.

Mayo na po! Buwan ng May Flower sa mga batang araw araw nagproprosisyon po may mga dalang bulaklak para sa Ating Mahal na Inang Maria. Sa bandang gabi naman ang ating Santacruzan. Mga naggagandahang mga dilag sa kanilang mga magagarang gowns. Ito ang mga pinag kakaabalahan natin sa ating mga kanya kanyang barangay.

Ngunit ngayon na merong pandemia ay bigla po nabawasan ang mga kinasanayan po natin.

Meron po itong mga kadahilanan.

Baka binibigyan lamang po tayo ng kaunting break dahil bago ang pandemia, puro UNLIMITED RICE, UNLIMITED EAT ALL YOU CAN, UNLIMITED DRINKS, UNLIMITED TRAVELS, UNLIMITED INTERNET at kung ano ano pa. Kaya naging UNLIMITED STAY AT HOME po naman tayo ngayon.

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Isa pang malaking ganap sa buwan ng Mayo ay ang ARAW NG MGA INA! Isang araw lang po ito na bigyan natin ang araw sa ating mga INA, NANAY, MAMA, MOMMY, INANG, MUDRA, at kung ano ano pang tawag natin sa kanila ... ang ating mga INA. Ngunit ang pinakadakila sa kanila ay ang ating Inang Maria! Siya ang nagbigay sa atin ng ating mga anghel

sa lupa. Bago pa tayo isilang ay meron na tayong mga ANGHEL SA LUPA. Ako, ina na rin ako, lola at lola sa tuhod pa, ngunit hinahanap ko o na mimiss ko pa ang aking MAMA. Pag siya ang pinag usapan, hindi matatapos ang istoriya. Malimit kong marinig sa aming Papa kung gaano niya purihin ang aming ina. Natatandaan ko palagi niyang sabihin The Best ang aming Mama.

Dalhin mo sa kusina, at ipagluluto ka niya ng masasarap na pagkain. Dalhin mo siya sa salas or living room. Hindi ka mapapahiya sa angking ganda, marunong makiharap at makihalubilo, “finesse“ ang kilos at magaling pa tumugtog ng piano. Siya ang nagturo sa amin mag piano. At dalhin mo siya sa inyong tahanan, the best wife and mother po siya at ang pinakamagandang katangian niya ay “she is also the best daughter”. Dahil hindi po niya iniwan ang kanilang sariling ina na may karamdaman upang sumama sa kanyang asawa sa Mindanao nuong guera. Ayan po ang lagi kong nadirinig sa Papa namin.

Very loving daughter po siya! Kaya po the best po siyang ASAWA, INA, ANAK, at KAPATID. I WILL NOT BE WHAT I AM TODAY IF NOT BECAUSE OF HER TEACHINGS. Meron po akong ibabahagi sa inyo na nangyari nitong Mayo 7. Papunta na ako sa Day Service na pinupuntahan ko at hindi ko po napansin ang mga tawag ko sa telepono. Kundi ang message na lang po. Eto po.

“Nanay, please see Manila Times

May - June 2021

today - one whole page is dedicated to our idol! Dios itti agngina Apo!!!“

TAYONG LUMAKAS SA PAGHARAP SA PROBLEMA.

OMG! Wala po akong naisagot kundi ito: “Ay Apo ... Secretary Francisco P. Acosta what else can I say po Dios Ti Agngina.

Aga po ninyo ako pinaiyak sa timely Mother’s Day gift. Thank you for all who made this possible. Memories I will leave to my children, grandchildren even my great grandchildren. MARAMING SALAMAT PO!“

Ang tao bago pa tayo dumating dito ay meron na tayong purpose. Maaring nabuhay ka ng isang araw o isang daan taon, 100 yrs. old, parang sa aming Day Service, yon isa po ay 103 yrs. old, yon isa ay 101 yrs. old nitong April 2. Ang masasabi ko po God has a reason for everything. Nabuhay ka man ng isang araw o isang daan taon, we have a purpose in coming to life.

Ito po ang pinadala sa akin. https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/05/0 7/supplements/ilocana-in-japan-5x-mom-19x-grandma-and-co untless-times-nanay-anita/870894/ Ganyan po ang ating DIYOS! He will give you a lot of surprises. A week before April 28, 2021 namatayan po ako ng apo sa tuhod (great grandchild). Bagong panganak lang po 5 days old. Nanganak po ng April 24, pinauwi na po silang mag ina after a day. Akala nila dahil sa Covid kaya pinauwi na sila. Ok lang po.

Pero lumabas silang hindi man tinignan or check up ang baby. At hindi man sinabi na patignan nyo sa ibang hospital at may diperensiya ang baby. Nakakalungkot po. Dito po maski sinong may problema natutulungan ko. Pero sariling laman at dugo ko hindi ko po natulungan. That’s the irony of life.

Malayo sila sa akin at ni isang pera hindi sila nanghingi sa akin. Kung tutuusin, itong anak ko pong ito ang pinakahirap.

Apo niya ang namatay. First time nilang namatayan. Sampo (10) anak niya lahat buhay. Sa apo nila namatayan. Pero hindi masusubok ang pagmamahal ng Diyos dahil tinulungan NIYA silang mag tulungan at tangapin ang hinarap nilang pagsubok. At ako rin nakita ko ang mga taong nagmamahal sa akin at may malasakit. Marami palang dadamay sa iyo. Dahil sabi nga nila “what comes around goes around.” Nakikinig ako sa mga daing at problema ng marami kaya ganoon din sila sa akin. Pinaramdam ng Diyos na nandiyan SIYA sa mga tao sa paligid ko. HINDI NIYA INALIS ANG PROBLEMA PERO TINURUAN NIYA

Kaya lahat ng dumating sa ating buhay, maging masaya man o malungkot, lahat ito ay BIYAYA ng Diyos. Maliit man o malaki, BIYAYA po lahat yan na dapat nating pasalamatan sa ating Lumikha.

Hindi dahil hindi natin nakamit ang ating gusto ay magagalit na tayo.

Hindi dahil hiniwalayan ka ng iyong asawa o minamahal natin, hindi dahil hindi lumago ang ating negosyo o hindi natin nakuha ang trabaho, ito ay ikagagalit natin sa Diyos. Lahat po ng mga ito ay BIYAYA na dapat nating pasalamatan. MAGPASALAMAT PA DIN TAYO. NOON natutunan ko mahalin ang aking sarili- SELF LOVE. Kasi kung pinabayaan ko ang sarili kong nagmukmuk, iyakan ko nang iyakan ang nangyare sa asawa ko, paano na lang ang mga anak ko? Kung pinabayaan ko ang sarili ko, wala ng pinaka kaawa awa kundi sila. Kung pinabayaan ko sarili ko, siguro nasira ang pag iisip ko o namatay ako.

Remember, if God will take away something from you because there is something much better for you.

Kaya minahal ko muna ang sarili ko para sa kanila. Love your self firstSELF LOVE because you cannot give what you don’t have. I cannot give money because I have no wealth to give but I have plenty of LOVE TO GIVE!

May - June 2021

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PASADA

HOKKAIDO

FURANO LAVENDER FIELDS is one of my best FAVORITE places to go to in Hokkaido.

By car from Sapporo to be exact is 2 1/2 hrs & by train from the airport is around 3hrs and 43 mins. but you need to change train from Minami-Chitose to Shintoku Stn. to Higashi Shikagoe Stn. to Furano Stn. My family LOVE to go almost every year, most especially when we have friends coming to Sapporo.

July is the best month. On the way to Furano, one can make a STOP at Hokuryu and Biei as well for more flower fields to see. I

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appreciate the BEAUTY of how they plant all these kinds of flowers, not only the lavender. I feel like I am in Paradise and see GOD’S CREATIONS, so refreshing to the mind and heart.

Do not forget to eat the yummy soft-served LAVENDER CREAM, the grilled or boiled HOKKAIDO WHITE AND YELLOW CORNS and many more organic foods served in restaurants that you can only eat there in Furano!

- Susan Fujita, Hokkaido

May - June 2021

Shizuoka Prefecture is full of beautiful nature.

One of the popular getaway here is the Izu Peninsula or Izu Hanto which is famous for its beaches, hot springs, coastal and marine sports.

It was certified by UNESCO as the 9th global geopark in Japan in 2018. One of the recommendable scenic spots here is the Cape Kogane which is located on the western coastline of Izu Peninsula. Cape Kogane or Koganezaki means Golden Cape referring to the light of the sun setting on the cliff. The cliff was formed by lava from the eruption of an underwater volcano.

Aside from the impressive rock surface that shines golden in the setting sun, Koganezaki is also popular to the astonishing view of Suruga Bay, delightful view of Mt. Fuji on a clear sunny day and beautiful rock formations. The famous cliff here is called “Horse Rock” which literally looks like a head of horse. They said that this

May - June 2021

PASADA

SHIZUOKA area is also a power spot that gives healing energy. The entire cape is a nature park with walking trail along the coast, a lawn plaza, an observatory desk, Mt. Fuji view spot "Fujimi no Oka" and the literary monument of the novelist Yukio Mishima. There is also a campsite on the coast below the park. You can also enjoy diving and other marine activities in summer. Koganezaki is worth a visit!

- Melinda Yamashita, Shizuoka

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PASADA

TOKYO

TOKYO SKY TREE Move over Tokyo Tower because Tokyo Sky Tree is here!

Tokyo Sky Tree is a broadcasting and telecommunications tower in Tokyo. At a height of 2,080 feet (634 metres), it was the world’s second tallest structure, after the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, at the time of its opening on May 22, 2012.

Tokyo Sky Tree is also the world’s tallest freestanding tower, and it exceeds the height of Tokyo Tower, previously the city’s tallest structure, by 988 feet (301 metres).

centrepiece of a multilevel urban development called Tokyo Sky Tree Town that include a large shopping centre, an aquarium, a planetarium, and a 31-story office building.

There are many bus tours which include a visit to Tokyo Sky Tree. The entrance is quite expensive though – about JY2,600 or more if you want to go higher. I am lucky enough because I can see it from my veranda. It’s a beautiful and very romantic scene when me and my husband take a walk by night.

-Raquel Nakamura, Tokyo

Tokyo Sky Tree is the

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May - June 2021

Uminonakamichi Marine World Fukuoka This beautiful, chalky, shell-shaped aquarium is home to twenty thousand marine creatures from 450 species. You can take a close look at the divers feeding more than 20 kinds of fishes including 150 sharks in one of the world’s largest fish tanks. The all-weather marine theater facing Hakata Bay hosts dolphin and sea lion shows. Get up close, feed the animals and get the unique behind-the-scenes experience. Only available here.

PASADA

fukuoka

The popular dolphin show is held everyday at the Marine Theater, an all-weather theater with a seating capacity of 1,465. Visitors can enjoy watching the dolphins jump up amazingly high and go through the hoops, or the humorous performance of sea lions with the blue sea of Hakata Bay in the background.

INFORMATION Address: 18-28, Saitozaki, Oaza, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka

By Train: Take trains of JR Kashii line bound for Saitozaki and get off at Uminonakamichi station.５minutes walk.

By Ferry: Take municipal ferry from Bayside Place to Uminonakamichi. Or, take Uminaka ferry line from Momochi (Marizon) to Uminonakamichi.

By Bus: Get off at Uminonakamichi stop of Nishitetsu bus. 2 minutes walk Parking: 400 cars Tel: 092-603-0400 Business hours: 9:30-17:30 but sometimes extended in summer -Rosemarie Aritaka, Fukuoka

May - June 2021

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