Jeepney Press #119 September - October 2022 Issue

pinoy sa japan

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 retur ned unless sent with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Deadline is one month before publication. We reserve the right to edit or omit any submissions.

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Tokyo

SUN

UP

of

A little happiness goes a long way by Ching Pangilinan

Tokyo-based Kapampangan artist Dennis Sun is sending a little slice of happiness our way with his upcoming art exhibition entitled “A Little Happiness, Here and There”, translated as “Munting Ligaya, Dito at Doon” into our Filipino language. Running from September 1 to October 31 at the famous Tully’s Co ee in Shinjuku, Tokyo, it also heralds a joyful season for us in the Philippines as we start to prepare for Christmas.

In his latest exhibit, Dennis will be sharing his newest paintings which are not only vibrantly colorful and marvelously whimsical but also bring happiness spiced with hope, peace, and a sigh of relief, possibly as we feel like we are on the mend from this pandemic.

I was curious to know what inspired kuya Dennis in creating the works for this exhibit and he gladly shared

channel his boredom into productive creative energy, especially when his patience is tested by everyday routines such as commuting in trains, waiting at hospitals, or eating at restaurants. In those seemingly mundane moments, magic takes over, and even mere doodles transform into awesome art pieces.

with me how he nds inspiration even with the common and ordinary things. As he explained how his creativity ows, I found out how kuya Dennis is able to beautifully

Kuya Dennis is one of those people I know who continuously radiates youthful vibe through the years, ever since I rst met him about sixteen years ago. His art is a mirror to his inner child which freely reigns, unbothered by cumbersome, boring

problems. This inner child in the artist also resonates with the viewer, who sometimes would look poignantly at the paintings, perhaps sharing some of the blues, but su ciently enjoys that little bit of happiness and aura of peace that comes with the works of art, especially in this latest installment.

This is the second time that Dennis will be doing a show at Tully’s, the rst being just before the Tokyo Olympics two summers ago, at about the same time when the pandemic was starting. Embracing life in a better normal, Dennis embodies the hope and courage humanity needs, not just to move on but to move forward.

The exhibit’s title is also mindfully thought of, based on a Japanese magazine article which Dennis loved. He hopes that in this exhibit, people will enjoy the little artworks, in contrast to how humongous paintings tend to overwhelm or put o people. At a popular cafe such as Tully's, Dennis's artworks can be intimately enjoyed and easily relatable, exuding every little bit of happiness that just about everyone needs. To you kuya Dennis, thank you for sharing happiness all around!

*originally published in Sun.Star Pampanga on August 28, 2022

Photo by Dennis Sun

KUSINA

Easy and delicious, seasonal recipes

ni Tita Chris Yokoyama

Hello again mga kababayan ko! Kumusta po?

Now, I would like to share to you the easiest way to make PEANUT BUTTER that we Filipinos love not only great for snacking but we use it in our cuisine like kare-kare, fresh lumpia or palitaw. In Japan, they use peanut butter in banbanji sauce. Make a homemade peanut butter as a gift or pang negosyo. Let’s try na but rst, let me inform you of my research about the health bene ts of peanut butter from its nutrition facts.

1. Source of protein

2. Healthy fats

3. Source of vitamins and minerals

4. Source of vitamin B6

5. Source of vitamin B3

6. Contains potassium

7. Prevents Alzheimer up to 70% (Research shows that the content of niacin in peanut butter can lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by up to 70%.)

8. Prevents the formation of gallstones up to 25-30% (Several medical studies show that people who eat ve or more servings of peanut butter per week had a 25-30% lower risk of developing gallstone disease.)

9. Reduces the risk of diabetes by 30% (Did you know peanut butter is found to reduce the risk of diabetes by up to 30% when consumed 5 consecutive days during the week with a consumption of just 1 ounce or 2 tablespoons each case based on the ndings of experts that was published by the Journal of the American Medical

Association. In addition, peanut butter can be a mainstay of the menu so that the weight can go down when doing a healthy diet program, so that a slender body can be obtained.)

10. Keeping Heart Health by 44% (Peanut butter is rich in nutrients and calories but the best part from it is not having a trans-fat. In addition, peanut butter also prevents the escalation of bad cholesterol in the body. This minimizes the possibility of heart and cardiovascular diseases. Based on several studies that have been done, women who want to have a healthy body, it is recommended to eat at least 5 tablespoons of peanut butter in a week. If you do this, you will reduce by 44 percent the risk of heart disease.)

11. Maintaining Bone Health (Peanut butter is rich in calcium and magnesium, which is indispensable to health and strengthen our bones. This jam is great for kids because this is when they require the development of strong bones. For adults, it is very good to maintain bone health and prevent osteoporosis.)

12. Smooth Digestion (The ber content that is in peanut butter helps the digestive function to run

properly. So it is very good if peanut butter is included in your daily diet, but remember to eat in moderate amounts.)

13. Peanut butter Beauty bene ts Healthy Skin (Peanut butter contains protein, potassium, magnesium, antioxidants, healthy fats and ber. It also contains vitamin E and B12, which can petrify nourish your skin.)

14. Slimming body (Peanut butter is also enriched with ber, monounsaturated fats, and proteins, in order to make the stomach feel fuller for longer periods of time. In addition, the nutrient content in peanut butter can also make a healthy digestive system and also does not make you gain weight. The combination of foods containing ber (2 grams per serving), peanut butter and protein (8 grams per serving), will make you feel full longer.)

15. Protects your skin and hair (Nuts contain biotin, a B vitamin that is needed by overall scalp health. Beans also o er vitamin E that nourish and protect the skin from damaging UV rays.)

HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY PEANUT BUTTER:

1.2 kilo peanuts

300g white or washed sugar

180g margarine or butter

84g milk powder

2.5g salt

Vegetable oil

healthy peanut butter made only from vegetable oil, beans and salt, not coupled with sweeter or the other. IT’S YOUR CHOICE OF MENU!

INSTRUCTION:

1. You can simply roast the beans until lightly browned. You could also deep-fry for 5 min.

2. Strain the peanuts and mix the other ingredients while it’s hot. Let it cool.

the nuts in a food processor rst for 1 min. then use the blender to make it smoother for about 2 min.

After that, transfer the creamy peanut butter in an airtight sterilized bottle and store in refrigerator. Without any preservatives, this will hold up to two months.

Sooo easy, diba? Go, go na! Try na!

ni Jeff Plantilla ISANG ARAW SA ATING BUHAY

Maraming gawain ng ating mga kababayan sa Japan ang hindi natin alam. Mahalaga ang mga nito sa kabuuang istorya ng pamumuhay natin dito sa Japan bilang mga Filipino.

Ilang gawain ng ating mga kababayan ay may kaugnayan sa arts. Kaya ipinakikilala ko ang ilang artists namin sa Nara prefecture. Bawa’t isa sa kanila ay may kani-kaniyang uri ng art.

Kawara

Si Jorge Takara ay isa sa mga tinatawag na Onishi (鬼師), yung gumagawa ng onigawara na nakalagay sa mga kanto ng bubong na gawa sa tisa (tiles) ng temples, shrines at castles sa Japan. Ang onigawara ay katumbas ng gargorlye sa mga castles sa Europe. 8 taon nang gumagawa ng kawara (clay tile roo ng) si Jorge bago siya nagtraining sa paggawa ng onigawara. Nakatulong ang kanyang pag-aaral para sa kursong Civil Engineering sa kanyang mabilis na training sa paggawa ng onigawara na natapos ng 6 na buwan, imbes na 3 taon. Ang onigawara ay maaaring mukha ng demonyo, dragon, leon at iba pa, at inilalagay sa mga kanto ng bubong bilang panlaban sa evil spirit. Ginagawa ang onigawara nang isa-isa at kinakamay – hindi makina. Patutuyuin muna ito bago ilagay sa hurno (na may 1,000 hanggang 2,000 degrees Celsius). Si Jorge ay isa sa mga natitirang Onishi sa Nara. Ang paggawa ng onigawara ay isang traditional art ng Japan at mahalagang bahagi ng kasaysayan ng Nara.

Paintings

Si Dado Montano ay graduate ng University of the Philippines Visayas sa kursong Fine Arts major in Painting. Gumawa siya ng mga designs para sa mga companies sa Cebu at nanalo din siya sa mga art competitions sa Filipinas. Nung tumira na siya sa Nara, mga historical sites, buildings, hayop at halaman ang laman ng kanyang paintings at drawings. Nagtayo din siya ng art school (Montano Art) sa Nara at nananalo ang mga estudyante niya sa children’s painting competitions sa Japan tulad ng 4 sa 11 winners ng 16th Environmental Painting Contest for Children (2022) ng Panasonic na may 1,319 entries mula sa buong Japan.

Installation Art

Si Eugene Soler ay isang architect mula sa Australia. Maliban sa architectural design, mahilig din siya sa installation art. Ito ay art work na itinatayo sa isang lugar gamit ang iba’t-ibang materyales. Yung art installation niya sa Nara city (Nara Machi-Yuho Projection) ay isang hilera ng nakasabit na mga kaya (tela ng mosquito net) at nagiging screens ng projected photos sa gabi. Yung nanalong art installation niya sa Kyoto city (Kyoto Cultural Power Project) ay gawa sa 50,000 bamboo reeds na may maliliit na bells sa dulo. Nanalo din siya na competition sa Japan on architectural design (Central Glass International Architecture Design Competition, 44th [2009] at 55th [2019]). Nagtayo siya ng Space-Department Nara, isang lugar para sa mga artists sa Nara.

Photography

Kumukuha si Ivan Martinez ng litrato ng iba’t-ibang bagay mula sa maliliit (tulad ng maliliit na superhero toys) hanggang sa malalawak na tanawin (sceneries) at mga tao (mga banda sa Kansai Music Conference at tao sa sake breweries). Kumuha siya ng litrato sa sake breweries para sa articles sa isang magazine (Sake Today). Nanalo na rin ang isang photo niya ng sun owers at sunset sa photo contest sa Tokyo. Dahil sa COVID-19 pandemic, naging focus ng kanyang photo shoots ang matagumpay ( rst places) na pagtakbo ng anak niyang si Brandon sa high school track and eld competitions.

sa iba pang impormasyon sa mga artists ng Nara at Kansai, paki basahin ang Chapter Three.

Entertainers and Artists, Filipinos in Kansai -

RIGHT SHOULDER PAIN

Right sided tightness or pain - either in the head, neck, shoulder, or in your back on the right side between your scapula and your spine [called the rhomboid by your anatomy teacher which you most likely already forgot]. A show of hands please…. Can’t raise your right arm in disgusting discomfort, eh? This is for you.

And no, it is not brought about by holy indignation. No need to self ponti cate and ask, “Lord, why do the righteous su er?”

Allow me to educate the righteous in a span of a few sec: you see, on the right side of the body [be it may a fat one or a skinny one] is an organ called the liver where bile is generated. Bile ows from the liver through a narrow tube till it masses together in a smaller place called the gallbladder. It is like bar hopping - from the biggest joint to the tiny, cozy one. In fact, bile gets to the pancreas too. Bile helps your body break down fats.

Health Points

By Marnie Chan

Few things can disrupt this bar-hopping spree of bile: liver cirrhosis, fatty liver, bile backup, a stone, or sludge.

That’s the boring stu our brains refused to memorize in stinky schools.

But here now is what’s more interesting, like juicy, unsubstantiated gossip…

If your untraceable shoulder pain is in your right side, there’s a disruption of bile ow going on. The slightest of these disruptions is the heavy build up of bile either in the liver itself or in the gallbladder. Here’s where it gets tricky, even an expensive MRI cannot detect this sludge.

And if the pain is in your left side, it’s your sexy pancreas, baby, causing the aches.

The ancient, white- ower smelling Chinese in their traditional way of doing medicine would call these excesses or blockages in speci c scienti cally - unprovable meridians. Funny and stupid may they sound, they are e n’ right!

You complain of a right shoulder pain and go to an acupuncturist and guess what? Needles are planted in the most unsuspecting areas of your body, depending on what was seen to be blocking or excessive. They treat meridians and in doing so they treat what ills you.

Now, why do the righteous su er? We choose our own poisons, that’s why. Unsaturated fatty acids, chemicals in the food and drinks we consume, re ned carbs.

Being obese is hard. Being and staying in shape is also hard. Choose your hard.

Poverty is hard. And so is busting sweats to eke out a living. Choose your hard.

Do I sound like your mom now?

Okay here… take puri ed bile salts. They are your magic pills. Consume salmon, sardines, cod liver oil, veggies [OH NOOOOO!!!], do regular intermittent fasting and periodic prolonged fasting.

Or, for those in the know: fanhoujue, sanchasan, shenguan, fenglong - your acupuncture points.

So there. You are welcome.

Let’s hack the body in the most magni cent ways!

#thehealingpowerofacupuncture

"What you are is what you have been. What you’ll be is what you do now." - Buddha

TRAFFIC

by Alma Reyes

The Old and the New at Hamarikyu Gardens

Though not as frequently flocked by herds of visitors compared to Meiji Jingu garden or Shinjuku Gyoen Park, the Hamarikyu Gardens in the Hamamatsu-cho area still counts as one of Tokyo’s most beautiful traditional gardens. Opened in 1946, this daimyo garden from the Edo period is known for its tidal pond and two duck grounds. Seawater flows into the pond, causing changes in the pond’s appearance based on the ebb and flow of the tide. This is the only garden in Tokyo where seawater from Tokyo Bay actually flows in and out.

The land was originally reclaimed in 1654 by Tsunashige Tokugawa, younger brother of Shogun Iemitsu Tokugawa, so he could build a villa and a garden on the premises. Succeeding generations of the Shogun continued to reside on the property, using it for hunting wild animals and birds of prey. Emperor Meiji of the Meiji Restoration period proclaimed the site as “Hama Palace” or Hamarikyu, and has since then functioned as a state guest house.

Spread over 250,000 square meters of peony gardens, plum groves and fields, the gardens escort the visitor through pretty bridges and charming teahouses. Above all, the panoramic view of Tokyo’s modern skyline (including the Tokyo Tower) encircling the park clearly captures the stark contrast of the old and the new, always reminding us of Japan’s living traditions. Take time to enjoy a quiet stroll at Hamarikyu as autumn begins to approach.

© Alma Reyes

Dear Tita Lits readers.

I want to share with you my experience writing a complaint letter last July 20, 2022 to the newly sworn in Secretary of Foreign A airs.

The lesson I learned: We can help our newly minted President BBM and his o cial family do their jobs well, if we also try to do our duty as Filipino citizens, by calling attention to the services, or lack of, rendered to us ordinary citizens of various government o ces.

I was surprised by the reactions my letter, which I wrote as a viber message. As one reader from the UK informed me, “… your letter has gone viral and one of my (former) university classmates (of around more than 2 decades ago) posted it in their class chat group”.

One reader, who is in the list of top 40 richest Filipinos per Forbes Magazine, said “A polite bureaucratic reply. Your friend (the DFA Secretary) probably never saw your letter.”

Another reader told me she has

Take it or Leave it!

ADVICE NI TITA LITS

IsabelitaManalastas-Watanabe

immediately forwarded my letter the day after she got my post. I am really not sure if the DFA Secretary had a glimpse of my complaint, but the newly appointed Assistant Secretary of the O ce of Consular A airs, took less than a week to o cially respond.

I want to share that letter to the DFA Secretary and the response from his ASEC/OCA. And then, of course, the many reactions I received, whose identities I cannot reveal, for reasons of personal data protection. I have also not secured permission from them. But all of these I have documented and compiled.

were still working together as very young, idealistic graduates who joined the NEDA, under Filo Pante and Boy Noriega.

I am writing to you so that people on the top of the echelon like yourself, will know how your people treat ordinary citizens like us when we visit DFA. I refer to your DFA o ce in San Fernando, Pampanga.

July 20, 2022

The Hon. Enrique Manalo Secretary of Foreign A airs Department of Foreign A airs Republic of the Philippines

Dear DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo:

You know me as Lita M, for Isabelita Manalastas, when we

I am based in Tokyo where I live and work. I went home basically for only one purpose: to have my birth certi cate authenticated by the DFA. It was an urgent matter required by my Japanese lawyer for some legal services my lawyer needed to accomplish for and on my behalf.

I stay in Angeles when I am home in the Philippines. I had only two (2) working days to do what I needed from the DFA - Mon. and Tues., July 18 ang 19, respectively.

I rst went to DFA’s o ce in

Marquee Mall in Angeles City on July 18; queued up a long time, only to be told they do not do authentication of birth certi cates there. The DFA guard on duty was very nicehe said the DFA extension o ce in San Fernando, Pampanga can do that service.

I arrived in the San Fernando o ce on that Mon., July 18, at around 1:20 pm and proceeded to the DFA authentication o ce. There was a written notice that the day’s quota has already been reached so no more service will be entertained for the rest of the day.

I asked one of the guards if I can make an appointment rst thing in the morning of July 19 before I drive from Angeles to NAIA for my ight back to Tokyo. He said “Matulog ka na lang dito (sa oor, sa harap ng o ce) para makasigurado kang nasa harap ng pila”.

I told the guard, “Papatulugin mo ako dito, isang senior citizen, magsasarado ang building, walang aircon (ventilation)? Baka mamatay ako, eh sinong mananagot?” A smirk on the guard’s face was the response I got.

Mr. DFA Secretary, here are some unsolicited suggestions from ordinary citizen Lita M.:

1. The guards should be able to recognize the name of The Hon. Secretary, as at least 2 of the guards I spoke to, did not recognize your name/did not know who the Philippines’ recently sworn-in Secretary of Foreign A airs is;

2. Why not open a service window there (and in other DFA satellite/extension o ces if none, yet), to be manned by the DFA o cers/sta themselves, who ordinary citizens can approach and talk to, so that we can direct our inquiries, even complaints, etc. directly to them? Why delegate such

responsibilities to the o ce’s guards?;

3. Will not an ordinary citizen who entered the building where DFA San Fernando is located just on opening time not be surprised to nd out that the day’s quota (no mention of how many) has already been reached? How can we verify that this is indeed true, and that no exceptions will be allowed? We just have to take the words of the guards on duty (or the announcement placed in front of the o ce).

Sir, it may be a good thing for the Hon. Secretary of Foreign A airs to go out of the comfort of his o ce and take time to visit personally DFA’s extension/satellite o ces, unannounced.

If you come “incognito”, wear an ordinary citizen’s clothes, and with no security/assistants in tow, and try to pretend you are inquiring/applying for a speci c service, you should be able to con rm if the Filipino people’s civil servants perform their duties well, as they should.

As it is, it is the o ce guards who become the face of the DFA.

I hope this message is forwarded and re-forwarded, until it nally reaches the Hon. Secretary of Foreign A airs. I did try to call your o ce many, many times, the telephone operator promptly transferring my call every time, to your sta /secretary, but no one picked up.

Very truly yours:

Isabelita “Lita” T. Manalastas Tokyo, Japan isabelita.manalastas@smtj.co.jp

The reactions I received came from Japan, the Philippines, the United States, and Europe. I am quoting them verbatim, with no consideration on when they were written.

“Great Lita. This is the best way to have a more responsive, responsible govt – for citizens to voice their complaints and feedback clearly and politely.”

“This is unacceptable, particularly so bcoz you (and I) are seniors. DFA should have a special lane for seniors.”

“I feel you, as I have similar experience just this week with DSWD in Batasan!!!! I, who never loses my temper just blew my top because it was raining hard and the guards won’t allow senior citizens to go inside for shelter and told us to let them wait outside. There was no priority lane for Senior Citizen/PWDs/Pregnant Women. While waiting outside, i started talking to people and found out that most of them were there since 2 am. Others came all the way from Visayas, and Mindanao!!! We arrived there at 1pm, nished at 6pm for a 2-step process!!!!”

“Only in the Philippines I don’t know what to call it bureaucracy, Laziness, Stupidity or plain and simple they just don’t care. So tired of these people. Just venting my frustrations with the system.”

“Good job Lita. Let’s keep on complaining this way for all sorts of below-the-mark government services as a way to improve the responsiveness of government to its citizenry.”

“Hi, Lita M, Your letter has already reached the Secretary of Foreign A airs as well as the newly assumed Assistant Secretary of Consular A airs. They are now looking at it. Thank you.”

“@Lita Manalastas-Watanabe – I think there is a site to request an o cial copy of your birth certi cate – PSA – Philippine Statistics Authority –https://psa.gov.ph/civilregistration/services

“Requesting for a Civil Registry Document –

Birth Certi cate

Marriage Certi cate

Death Certi cate

CENOMAR

“https://psa.gov.ph/civilregistration/requesting-ci vil-registry-document/birth-certi cate centers in the Philippines can process with the day.

“You can also request on-line. I used this service –and received it in 2 weeks. https:/www.psaserbilis.com.ph/#! Hope this helps.”

@Lita T. Manalastas, I will forward this to the O ce of the Secretary of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas for them to forward or take action and ensure that this will reach the Sec of DFA. Best regards.”

“all I can say is wow! Welcome to d real world! i hope ur letter get to d sec but I don’t this it will?

“do u want for us to frwd ur letter to columnist jarius Bondoc of phil star? He is a good friend n honest man or to isumbong mo k tulfo baka may mangyari pa? itatapon lng yan ng mga lesser mortals in d dfa.”

“Lits, I forwarded your post to a high school classmate who is a former Ambassador to Germany, now retired. Note that she too will forward your letter to DFA.”

“Reading thru it, I think she missed planning for the activity before going to the o ce. Usually you go rst to the website or call about services and appts. There shd be no problems for seniors. But let’s give her the bene t of the doubt. Will forward to dfa.”

“God bless you as His messenger of hope and light.”

“(emoticon of clapping hands)”

“Salamat na nakarating ang iyong panawagan sa DFA Lit. It was a long time coming.”

“Well said Lits. But sadly normal yata keng Pilipinas ing makanyan kaya ela mamasensu.”

“Haaay Lits, ta makananu tamu ken DFA ne. Maka murit la. Even before you had a bad experience, we had been experiencing the problem. Reported it to citizens complain 8888. Checked and did follow-up with DFA Marquee Angeles, sabi da signature na namu kanu ning Director’s main o ce (OCA). Talaga naman, ne. Dapat makaba ing pasensiya. Dapat talaga ready ing maintenance meds pag maki deal ken gobyernu. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Sorry kinatak ya e – lola mu. So frustrating mu. Whew, obat kailangan pa mu maging bichesa ne? Thank you Lord.”

“Hi Ms. Manalastas, Just checking if you really posted this message in viber. My daughter, previously based in Tokyo, has a similar experience. I want to report and add my daughter’s experiences dealing with various government o ces, with your permission. Hoping you past colleague steps up.

“Here are some of the experiences of my

daughter:

1. She had to renew her passport and decided to apply here in the Philippines instead of in Tokyo. She was asked for a government ID. She could only present her passport. Japan was her rst job. She never had to apply for other government IDs. She presented her expired school ID. The person processing her request asked her to bring her school yearbook. Imagine bringing an eight inch thick three kilo book. When she returned with her yearbook, they did not even take a look.

2. She did not have time to set an appointment for her passport renewal so she took advantage of the OFW lane. Apparently slots are limited and you need to line up early. She did as she had no choice. The security guard was rude and impatient to OFWs who were either unaware or did not understand the process. The experience of a rude sta is not limited to the Philippine o ce. It's true even in the POLO o ce in our Tokyo embassy. Some of the sta were rude and impatient. Their demeanor changes when they realize the person in front of them will not tolerate their behavior.

“I try to understand their position. Overworked, underpaid, lack of processes, etc. Still, they have to deliver a service.”

“Wow! Thanks for sharing and good job writing the DFA Sec who is our fellow UPSE alum”.

“This is not an isolated case, Lits. Grabe talaga ang pila sa government o ces. The senior citizen lane must be strictly implemented. What more, may mga xers.”

“Wow, ang bilis”

I have to agree to the “ang bilis” reaction. Either it was the DFA Secretary who took the lead and requested his ASEC Henry S. Bersurto, Jr. to act swiftly or both. But ASEC Bersurto seems to have a reputation for caring to our OFWs during his previous post at our Consulate in San Francisco. Check him out at:

https://blog.cfo.gov.ph/consul-general-henrys-bensurto-jr/

Tita Lits

MOVING ON ni Jasmin Vasquez

Kahit kailan hindi na yata talaga magbabago

Magandang araw, mga kababayan. Nais ko lang i-share sa inyo ang aking karanasan sa pag uwi at pag balik sa Japan. “Wow, buti ka pa uuwi ng Pinas sana all, pasalubong pag balik ha.” Yan ang mga katagang bibigkasin kapag nalaman nilang pauwi ka ng Pinas.

Ako’y medyo nahihiya sapagkat hindi naman din sobrang dami ng aking pera para makabili ng maraming omiyage. Katulad mo at ng ibang tao, sapat lamang ang aking pera para ipangtawid ang araw araw na pamumuhay. Kung alam nyo lang po sa sobrang mahal ng ticket ngayon. Kaya kahit paano dumidi skarte ako para mabawi kahit konti sa aking nagastos. Kaya kung ikaw ay naabutan ng pasalu bong ay napakahalaga po na ikaw ay naalalang bigyan. Huwag na po sana tayo maghangad ng sobra sobra. “Kokoro kara, kimochi dake.”

Hehehe real talk lang po. Pero syempre kung may pabaon naman sa iyo bago ka umuwi natural lang meron kang pasalubong.

Masaya naman kahit paano ang experience ko sa aking pag uwi.

Una, dahil nakasama ko ang aking mga anak at mahal sa buhay at kamag anak kahit saglit lang. Magastos pero ganon lang

naman talaga ang buhay. Pero ang pinaka main na reason kaya talaga ako umuwi ay dahil gusto ko makasama muna aking anak na babae bago man lang sya tumungo ng ibang bansa. Sobrang na stress ako sa rule ng airline na sinakyan nya dahil sobrang mahal na, masyado pang mahigpit sa bagahe. Ang sabi nung tumawag kami iawas yung timbang ng gitara sa bagahe nya para malagay sa lagayan ng mga instruments. Pagdating sa airport, bilang na daw ng isa pang bagahe yun kaya bayad another 200 dollars. Sana di na sila nagpabawas doon sa isang bagahe ng timbang. Pilipinas, kailan ka magbabago. Sa Japan na try ko magbitbit ng keyboard, inawas lang timbang sa isang bagahe ko.

After a month ng makaalis na ang anak ko, ako naman ang bibyahe pabalik ng Japan. As usual, pag Pinas talaga wag ka umasang on time. Ang aga ko sa airport. Ang ight ko kasi ay 7 am, so maaga ako umalis sa bahay mga 3:40 am. Nakarating ako sa airport ng 4:20

mabilis lang kasi wala naman tra c sa Cavite pag madaling araw. Asang asa ako makakaalis ng 7 am pero syempre sa Pinas, hindi na bago yun. Pasalamat na lang ako kahit late at least hindi cancel. Mas masak lap na experience pag ganon.

Mabuti na lamang may pantapat na magandang balita pagdating sa Japan dahil hindi ko na need mag PCR test. May bawas gastos kaya love ko ang Japan eh. At syempre, sarap ng pakiramdam pag pasok mo ng Japan. Yung tiniis ko hindi mag cr sa airplane kasi madumi ang cr sa eroplano, sobrang sarap ng feeling pag pasok mo sa toilet wow. Kayo rin po ba ganoon ang feeling? Yung pag langhap mo ang sariwang hangin, feeling mo gumanda ka at na fresh bigla ang aura mo hehehe. Parang kung mabibigyan ng pagkakataon, dalhin mo buong pamilya mo dito eh ayaw mo ng umuwi ng Pinas. Sana sa Pinas unti unti maging katulad na din dito sa Japan no siguro lahat tayo sobrang happy. Wish ko lang. Palagay ko mababago lang ito pag sinimulan natin sa sarili natin hehehe. Oo, ikaw, ako, lahat tayo simulan natin mag bago para unti unti magbago din ang Pinas. Yun lang siguro ang sikreto.

Nihonggo No Benkyo

Konnichiwa mga kababayan. Kamusta po tayong lahat. Ramdam nyo din po ba ang patuloy na pagtaas ng palitan ng dolyar, mga bilihin at sya namang pagbaba ng Yen at Piso? Maraming negatibong nangyayari sa paligid natin, pero dapat ba tayong tumigil at magdalamhati na lamang o gagawa tayo ng mga bagay sa mga paraang kaya nating gawin at sa binibigay ng pagkakataon lalo na dito sa Japan?

Nais ko pong maibahagi sa inyo kung bakit naisip ko po mag Nihongo No Benkyo. Nihonggo no benkyo o ang mag-aral ng Nihonggo ay isa sa pinakamahirap, mahal ngunit nakakatuwang pag-aralan at higit sa lahat ay mas madadagdagan ang ating kakayahang makipag-talakayan sa kahit kanino dahil dito ay itinuturo ang tamang paggamit ng mga salita sa wastong paraan o akmang tao o sitwasyon, pagbabasa at pagsusulat. Na noon ay hindi ko naisip dahil kumikita naman na ako at may trabaho. Ngunit dahil sa binigay nga ng pagkakataon, dahil sa dumarami pa rin ang kaso ng Covid19 at hindi ako

pinapayagang makapagtrabaho muna sa labas ay naisip kong magtanong-tanong upang magkaroon din ng silbi kahit papano ang panahong nasa bahay lang ako at mabawas-bawasan na din ang pagkainip. Naging dahilan din ang halos 6 na taon kong namalagi sa Pilipinas bago magkacovid kung saan maraming nag alok sa akin na maging "translator o guide" ng mga bumibisitang Hapon sa mga hotel at casino ngunit alam ko sa sarili kong limitado lang ang nalalaman ko sa Nihonggo kaya kahit sabihin ng management na "okay naman yan" ay hindi ko tinanggap ang trabaho dahil baka mapahiya lang din ako.

Ang Nihonggo ay binubuo ng tatlong (3) klase ng pagsusulat. Ito ay Katakana, Hiragana at Kanji. Ang kanji ay maaring basahin sa dalawang pamamaraan. Ang Kun Yomi na gamit ng mga katutubong Hapon na may iisang karakter at pagbabasa na partikular na ginagamit sa tao. Ang On Yomi naman ay kagaya ng sulat na makikita natin sa mga Intsik sa ngayon na madalas gamiting pang tambal sa mga salita at may iba-ibang pagbigkas, pag basa at ibig sabihin ang mga ito. Dito din nagkakaiba-iba ang pamamaraan ng pananalita o pagsusulat kung ang iyong kausap ay bata, matanda, lalaki o babae. Kung ito ba ay iyong amo, katrabaho,

kaibigan o kapamilya. Dahil hindi rin basta-basta ang mag-aral lalo na pag may edad na po tayo. At alam na alam po natin na hindi rin po basta-basta na makakuha ng libreng pag-aaral sa ngayon. Kaya malaking pasalamat ko na nakakuha ako ng slot at nakapasa ako dahil sa dami ng gustong mag-aral ay hindi din lahat ay nabibigyan ng pagkakataon o agad-agad. At hindi dapat maging dahilan ang mga negatibong nangyayari sa mundo, ang sitwasyon at edad para matuto sa mga bagay na maaring makapag-bigay buhay o hanap-buhay natin sa hinaharap.

Tama, dito sa Japan ay maraming trabaho at kahit hindi ka magaling mag Nihonggo, maaari kang mabuhay at kumita. Pero kung gusto mong mas umangat at mas dumami ang iyong nalalaman, kakayahan at kung may pagkakataon, mas mabuti nang matutunan ang mga salitang may paggalang. Dahil hindi lahat ng alam natin ngayon, kahit matagal na tayo sa Japan ay kagalang-galang at katutuwaan ng mga Hapong nakakaharap natin. At dahil tayo ay mga dayuhan sa bansang ito, mas maganda kung matutunan natin kung paano sila nabubuhay, nakikiharap at kung bakit kilala, tinitingala sila sa buong mundo sa kanilang taglay na karakter, disiplina, kinalakhan at ang kanilang mga pinahahalagahan.

Ang ating buhay ay nakasalalay pa rin sa ating mga kamay. Nasa sa atin pa rin ang tamang pagdedesisyon at mapalad tayong nandidito ngayon dahil ramdam natin ang pagmamahal ng Gobyernong Hapon na hindi natin nararamdaman sa sarili nating bayan. Dito pantay-pantay ang trato sa lahat. Maliban sa ating embahada, may Hello Work na handang gumabay sa bawat dayuhang nagnanais matuto, magtrabaho at mamuhay dito sa Japan. Hindi mo kailangang mag-atubili kung ikaw ay talagang nangangailangan.

Ang bawat araw ay may aral at pag-asa sa ating lahat. Sa bawat kabiguan ay may kaginhawaang nakaabang. Sa bawat bagyo ay may magandang panahong masisilayan. Sa bawat pagkawala ay may bumabalik o may bagong darating. Sa bawat gabi may umaga sa iyong paggising at sa bawat dilim may liwanag kang tatanawin. Ganun lang po ang buhay natin. Ang mahalaga ay paano natin ito isinabuhay at kung tayo ba ay naging mabuti o magiging masaya sa bawat desisyon na ating gagawin. Higit sa lahat ay kung alam ba natin ang ating layunin kung bakit tayo nabuhay sa mundong ito.

Hanggang sa muli po. "LIfe is about taking chances, trying new things, having fun, making mistakes and learning from it."

God bless us all.

by Karen Sanchez

Isang Tiyak sa Walang Katiyakang Bukas

Dahil hindi ko alam ang mangyayari bukas

Araw-araw pagmamahal aking pinamamalas

Bibigyang halaga ang bawat dumadaang oras At ituring palagi na ito na ang aking huling alas

Pag-ibig ang tanging tiyak na hindi tayo magsisisi

Pagkat binibigay natin ito ng walang pasubali Kahit luha, paghihinagpis at madalas maging sawi

Paulit-ulit akong iibig nang walang pag-aatubili Di man natin alam ang bukas, ngunit ito ay mananatili

Sapagkat dito sa mundo ay sadyang may karma Depende sa kung ano ba ang ating mga ipinakikita

Kung papanig sa alam mong mabuti o sa masama Tiyak na babalik, depende ito sa ating mga nagawa

Mahirap, masalimuot at minsan nakakakilabot Mundong matalinghaga at maraming sigalot Ang iba'y wala nang pagpapahalaga sa kapwa Makikita mo ito lalo na sa mundo ng pulitika

Nawawala ang pagmamahal sa bayan at sa iba Marami sa kanila pati Ngalan ng Diyos ay nagagamit pa Para maipakitang ang mga mali ay magmukhang tama Ngunit kapag ang Diyos ay tiyak mo nang kilala Mapapailing ka na lamang at maaawa pa sa kanila

AMAZINGgrace

Wabi Sabi, Anyone?

Have you ever heard of this overly used Japanese term, ‘Wabi Sabi’? I am so sure you have. According to my friend Google, the concept of Wabi Sabi is founded on the

philosophy of Zen Buddhism which believes that nothing is ever permanent, perfect or complete. In other words, this philosophy wants you to live a happy life by embracing your imperfections, by giving you permission to be ‘yourself’.

by Mae Grace by Mae Grace

I’ll give you some tips on how to live the ‘Wabi Sabi’ way. One, would be to keep things simple and decluttered as these also help us to declutter our mind. Thus, notice the emphasis on appreciating ‘less’ but choosing only what’s most important. In doing this, we become more sensitive to our emotions, our likes and preferences and enjoy our individual uniqueness. The Wabi Sabi life also pushes us to the outdoors, to commune with nature, to sit and think in the silence and beauty around us, and to embrace the imperfect. One great virtue of this philosophy is in the way the Japanese live and pay attention to the seasons and their coming and passing.

In 2020, due to the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic, many temples in Japan have stopped lling water in those large water basin called “Chozubachi” or “Chozuya” located at the temple gates to prevent visitors from using them, for safety and health reasons. Instead, seasonal owers in the spring, or colorful leaves from maple trees in autumn, even bamboo re ections that create beauty from the surrounding garden were utilized. Rather than throwing away fully bloomed and almost wilting owers, these have been arranged inside the water basins to create a new perfect composition. From what appeared as imperfections, Wabi Sabi has given us a second chance, another beginning, a new life, and a new meaning. Wabi Sabi, anyone?

By: Alma Fatagani-Sato

Fragrant Olive Flowers (Kinmokusei )

Autumn is the best season for me in Japan. Autumn foods like matsutake, persimmons, gingkoes, pears, sweet potatoes and many others. It’s the season when the air starts to become chilly and cool. But something that I really look forward to is the smell of ripe peaches or apricots scent exuding from the fragrant olive owers otherwise called as Kinmokusei in Japan.

Its scienti c name Osmanthus comes from the Greek words for fragrant (osme) and ower (anthos), is a species native to Asia from the Himalayas through South China to Taiwan, and Southeast Asia as far south as Cambodia and Thailand. It comes in di erent colors and varieties. In Japan, the owers bloom during the Autumn. In other countries, they also bloom in Spring, depending on the species.

Aside from the good scent, there are various ways the owers are used. In North India, the owers also use to protect clothes from insects. In China, they use them for making herbal tea, desserts, jams, etc.

Long time ago, most Japanese would associate the scent of kinmokusei for incense sticks and bathroom fresheners. But nowadays, there are many items mostly beauty products that are sold all over Japan.

About mid-September, many shops start selling kinmokusei products like hand and body creams, perfumes and colognes, face mask, air fresheners, aroma oils, even jams and teas.

Within Japan, the white and yellow-orange-blossoming subspecies are distinguished as ginmokusei (silver osmanthus) and kinmokusei (gold osmanthus"), respectively.

It is the "city tree" of Kitanagoya, Aichi Prefecture and Beppu, Ōita Prefecture, and the "town tree" of Yoshitomi, Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture.

Around this time of the year, just try to take a walk in your neighborhood and most likely, you will smell the scent of kinmokusei.

IT’S DEMO Kashiwa station

Photos by Naoyuki Sato

ni Nanay Anita Sasaki

EVERY GISING IS A BLESSING

As for today’s Bible reading:

Vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!

… Ecclesiastes 1:2

“Meaningless! Meaningless!” What do people gain from all their labors? What is crooked cannot be straightened; for with much wisdom comes much sorrow.

Yan po ang maganda natin pag kuwentuhan po. VANITY OF VANITIES! Ang baluktod ay hindi natin madederecho.

At the start of each day, I nd it helpful to pray: “Lord, help me take on only what You want me to take on. Guard me from taking on tasks or concerns that don’t t into Your greater scheme of things.”

When I encounter delays due to tra c, delayed in replies or changes in appointments, I remind myself of Psalm 31:15, that “my times are in Your hands.” Remembering this calms me. It reminds me that Jesus is in control and will not allow anything that will not work out for good.

With this in mind, I can focus on making sense of what goes on around me. As we journey in life, we pick up a lot of non essentials along the way. Oftentimes, placing an unnecessary burden on ourselves. Ecclesiastes directs us to consider what we give ourselves to and how our involvements t into the bigger scheme of things, and more importantly, into God’s call upon our lives. As we try to see Jesus in the mundane things, may we avoid vanity and be grounded on what’s essential.

MEANINGLESS… WALANG KATUTURAN,

BORING. Hindi po ba? Halimbawa po. Pag pinagusapan ang Financial Literacy, lalo na ang insurance, ang usapang yan ay “mundane“. Wala na po. Pero kung ang paguusapan ay LOUSY PEOPLE, all ears na po sila. Agad agad, now na ang gusto. Meron nga po tayong 3 kinds of people:

1. The Intelligent People - People who talk about ideas.

2. The Poor People - People who talk

about events. Halimbawa, “ngayon, ang mahal ng gas.”

3. The Lousy People – People who talk about people. Halimbawa po si “MARITESS“. Ayan po ang “real talk“ nowadays.

VANITY OF VANITIES. HINDI PO BA PARANG “BANAT DITO BANAT DOON” PO.

We are in vain of changing our God given natural beauties. Di po ba pag medyo sarat ang ilong natin, gusto natin itong pa tangosin? Pag maliit ang mga mata natin, gusto natin palakihin, etcetera… Pag kulubot na ang mukha natin gusto natin BOTOX OR YON BANAT DITO, BANAT DOON.

Kung kulang ang hinaharap natin, (yon dibdib natin) PADADAGDAGAN NATIN. Kung kulang ang balakang natin (yon balakang o puwit natin)

PADADAGDAGAN PO NATIN. O sobrang laki ng balakang natin, YON NAMAN ANG BABAWASAN DI PO BA. Yon bang … DAGDAG … BAWAS po.

Pero pag nagbuntis na, ayan dahan dahan nagbabago na ang pinaayos, di po ba? At ang masaklap ay pagnanganak na, ayon po lalabas na ang pinamana natin ang “our real self na pamana natin“. Ang numipis na ilong na pinagawa natin ay lalabas ang tutuong genes natin na SARAT NA ILONG O ANG LIKAS NA HUGIS NG ATING BINIGAY NG DIYOS NA KAGANDAHAN. At pagtanda natin yon pina “BOTOX“ natin ay babalik sa pagka electric pleats na rin po. Kahit paano mo pina BANAT DITO BANAT DOON.

VANITY of VANITIES will stay or return to our original real self.

LESSON: Whether male or female, THE PHYSICAL LOOKS WILL NOT STAY BUT THE BEAUTY INSIDE WILL REFLECT OUTSIDE.

“HINDI MO KAILANGAN MAGING

MAYAMAN O MATAAS NA PINAGARALAN UPANG MAKATULONG SA KAPWA MO PILIPINO” – Nanay Anita

Philip Dizon Torres

Kapampangan Fashion Culture

Walk with me:

Tourism Expo Japan at Tokyo Big Sight

By Lala Lopez de Leon

September 22, 2022

Indeed, as in Mick Jagger’s hit song, “old habits die hard.”

remember how this kind of event is organized, how business meetings with tourism and travel professionals are conducted, or what programs to show to attract visitors to one’s booth, hoping they would be enticed as well to travel to the destination being promoted.

It has taken four (4) years to hold this grand tourism exposition in Tokyo again, after being postponed due to Covid-19. There is so much enthusiasm from all corners of the globe, with the proactive participation of government tourism bodies, given that Japan is one of the major markets for travel / tourism supplier countries, such as the Philippines.

Although it was a job that was not a main stay in my working life, having spent just about two (2) years with the Philippine Department of Tourism Tokyo Field O ce, the experience was thoroughly exciting as much as inspiring. So, I supposed that left a lasting imprint, subconsciously. And so thrilled I was to be given the chance to do a part-time job at the much-awaited Tourism Expo Japan at Tokyo Big Sight for 4 days in late September.

It seems as simple as retracing my steps while at work at DOT Tokyo in the Philippine Embassy. I still very much

In fact, the Philippines is in a position to brag at this event – it has once again

received multiple awards at the 2022 World Travel Awards held in Vietnam. The title of Asia’s Leading Dive and Beach Destination, and Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction speci cally for Intramuros. I bet the folks at the Department of Tourism are mighty proud and inspired here!

Tokyo Big Sight is one great venue for events such as this. But it does require a lot of walking. I try to nd consolation in the bene ts this much-needed exercise provides me, especially that we still spend a lot of time working from home. For four days

I was particularly attracted to Saudi Arabia as a travel destination. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has just really opened its country to commercial tourism in 2018, and is now o ering its awe-inspiring nature from the rock inscriptions and archaeological cities dating back to more than 10,000 years to its enticing beach resorts by the Red Sea with state-of-the-art facilities.

Saudi is a proud home of several world heritage sites. Imagine as well the vast Caravan Trail, an ancient road. Each season of the year o ers a distinct Saudi experience. For sure, the photographs and videos presented at their booth are telling of such statement.

straight, I could look forward to achieving a daily average of maybe 10,000 steps on the pedometer. Hoping this would solve the problem of my disappearing waistline!

Plus, I get to enjoy meeting people, in fact making new friends, and gaining new insights into the history and cultural traditions of the participating countries.

From any angle, the country exudes an aura of romance and adventure, and this I think is evident in noteworthy destinations Riyadh, Jeddah, KAEC, Abha and AlUla.

Someday, while I still can, I would love to visit Saudi Arabia. Even if it means a lot more walking.

For now, this full day of work and fun, I have exceeded the recommended target for walking as an exercise: 12,726 steps on the pedometer. Good job!

Photos by Lala Lopez de Leon

The Power to Choose

By Arnel Sugay

It was late in the afternoon when I reached home coming from a busy schedule. Upon chancing myself in the mirror, I thought I need to go to a barber shop. I knew that around this hour, my favorite barber’s shop, a close proximity from my place, will be closed.

I nally convinced myself that I cannot wait until tomorrow to get a trim. After, changing to more comfortable clothes, I ventured out to look for a barber shop that would be open. I told myself that any barber will do.

Call it serendipity, but when I took a corner, a shop is still open. I plopped onto the barber’s chair while taking o my eyeglasses. Just need a trim, that’s what I said.

During the trimming process, I can’t help but compare this barber with my favorite barber. I keep hearing myself “he pales in comparison.” I did my best to exchange pleasantries with the barber. I was also interested in terms of how long has he been in this trade.

“You’re done,” the barber said, while taking o my cape. Looking at myself in his mirror, I searched for the face of my barber and gave him are-you-sure look. He was clueless in reading my body language.

Trying to hide my frustration, I asked the barber who cuts his hair. I could not remember what he said. I was quickly assessing how I was feeling. I can be angry or I can choose otherwise. Can this situa tion be turned around?

I told him that I will take him to my favorite barber and I will foot the bill. He was surprised, but he obliged.

The next day he showed up on the agreed time. When he took his seat, his eyes were darting towards how the scissors and trimmers and brushes were laid out in front of him. It seems like it was his rst time to see such. Once his haircut was done, my favorite barber dusted o the hair from the back of his ears, and nape. When the cape was taken o , he was given a massage. I was observing his reaction and he said, “I don’t do this.”

The experience was something new because he was able to compare what he is currently doing and what my favorite barber is o ering to his customers. When we left the barber shop I sought his feedback and experience. There was a smile on his face. He was obviously pleased with the extra mile service he received from my favorite barber.

In hindsight, I could have told the barber how unhappy I was with his skills and service while uttering “you will never see me again.” This is one possible outcome but I chose a di erent route. I chose my response to an experience that I did not like. I changed the perspective of the barber. He saw new ways of doing things.

Stephen Covey wrote about being proactive in his book “The Seven Habits of Highly E ective People.” When you are proactive you have the freedom to choose your behavior or reaction. We are not limited to stimulus and response. When I was younger, I thought the concept of proactive was original to Covey.

Viktor Frankl, a holocaust survivor, said “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.” There you go. Same concept. We can choose our attitude.

The act of being proactive can be applied in multiple ways. One can identify their hot buttons. If it happens again, how will you choose to respond di erently?

I would like to hear how you choose your “response-ability.” E-mail: arnel.sugay@gmail.com

37th Foreign Artist Exhibition in Nagoya November 1-6, 2022 Nagoya International Center Exhibition Hall

By: Linda Taki

The Foreign Artist Exhibition is organized by the Central Japan International Society (CJIS). An all-volunteer group, with the generous support of Nagoya International Center (NIC). I was leading the group since the start for the purpose to encourage dialogue and exchange of ideas among the citizens of Nagoya and artists of foreign nationality living in the Chubu Region of Japan.

The exhibition started thirty seven years ago with few artists. Since then it has grown and evolved into what it is today with more than 50 participating artists representing 25 di erent countries.The group continues to grow in diversity, as beginners and professional artists have been coming together to exhibit their work since 1986. This year three Filipino artists will be participating and let me introduce them.

The rst artist is NESTOR CORPUZ. Born in the Philippines. Before coming to Japan, he worked as an Architect/Interior Designer in some of the Leading Architectural & Engineering companies in the Philippines, Singapore, Dubai & Abu Dhabi- United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, China, Saudi Arabia. Now currently living in Japan for seven (7) years. Although his work is di erent in Japan, sometimes he does some Freelancing work in Architecture as well as Graphic designing. On his free time, he spent his time on creative digital paintings. He loves doing digital painting because it is fun, easier than the traditional painting by hand. Digital painting is an emerging art form in which traditional painting techniques such as watercolor, oils, impasto, etc. are applied using digital tools by means of a computer, a graphics tablet and stylus, and software. Traditional painting is painting with a physical medium as opposed to a more modern style like digital. He has participated four (4 ) times in Foreign Artists Exhibition at Nagoya International Center.

The second artist is NIMROD CASTRO MATSUO. He has been painting for as long as he can remember. He moved to Japan in 2000 and has been working primarily as an English teacher to this day. In addition, he also enjoys photography, traveling the world, singing, and cooking. In 2018, while living in Tokyo, he began painting again with more focus and concentration, rediscovering his passion and devoting himself primarily to his art. He is currently exploring abstract, impressionism, expressionism, and surrealism using acrylic, gouache, and watercolor as a medium on canvas and paper. Versatility is essential in his work to keep him on track in this fast-paced digital world that we are in. He is looking forward to building a personalized gallery in the near future.

The third artist is TIANA SILVA. She has been in Japan for 22 years and currently working as an interpreter and translator. She started Zentangle inspired art eight(8) years ago as a form of therapy. She has been joining the Foreign Artist Exhibition for six(6) years and actively promoting mindfulness through art.

aito's On the Road to

The Majestic Autumn Season! With the 2022 PCCC Sportsfest!

Summertime and the living wasn’t easy after all as this famous song reverberated in my ears. The long, hot summer days have lingered until as of this writing, and with a few typhoons in August and early September but people have managed to go on with their lives.

Personally, Autumn is the season where I feel that I’m at my best. I love the gradual changes in autumn foliage in the mountains from yellow to orange and then to brown. And who can’t resist this beautiful scenery that unfolds right before our eyes as well as the chestnuts and persimmons and other delicacies like momiji tempura that Dr. Lilia, Masako-san and I

enjoyed at Katsuoji Temple some years ago!

While waiting for these autumn delights, PCCC had its 4th Indoor Sportsfest and Basketball Competition last September 23 at J-Com’s Suehiro Gym in Izumisano City. The champions were the NEYAGAWA BOTAI team, followed by the HYOGO

Teams as the 2nd Place winners while the Consolation Prize went to the OSAKA PHANTOM team. Of course, the MVP Award went to LOLO of Neyagawa.

One of the highlights was the introduction of native Filipino games of yesteryears to Japanese-Filipino children. Thanks to the generous support of the sponsors headed by Ms. Julieta Garces

of SBI Remit, the City Sta of Izumisano, Jorge Takara, Esthetic Salon Natty, Tess Abilar Zubiri, Delia Nakashima, Gloan Girlie Soriano, FMK Sarisari Store and Arthaland and Yoriko Hayashi!

Ms. PILIPINA DINO, Welfare O cer of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, who came with two other POLO sta , Louie and Dhania, gave a very inspiring and informative message to the OFW’s present there.

members were July Bartequin, Herbert Benzon, Jorge Takara, Rai Moses and Sheena

smoothly and on time. Of course, we owe heaps of thanks to the Bartiquin family for all the ground work starting from reserving the gym up to the cleaning up! The games were also very exciting and thrilling, and hurrah

also to our e cient referees. The Zumba by Zumbanita was a good start to think about slimming down a little!

All’s well that ends well. It was indeed a family event with lots of camaraderie, sportsmanshi p and a day well spent with fellow Filipinos!

The Sportsfest 2022 Committee was headed by Mr. Larry Macalalad and the

Tatezaki. Thanks to the perfect emceeing of Herbert Benzon and Lea Bartiquin, the event went on

ART REVIEW: The Playful Angel Queen

By: Ethel G. Rubio

I remember Dennis Sun in college to be a highly creative Fine Arts student. I remember him giving me this beautifully handcrafted bookmark, which I still have to this day. We were in the same residence halls in the premier public university in the Philippines, the University of the Philippines, during our college years. We lost touch until I found him on Facebook over thirty years later. I discovered the enormous body of artwork that he had done through the years. I am proud.

Among his beautiful collection of artworks, this one stood out to me: Angel with a Heart. It resonated with me as a symbol of feminine strength and empowerment. It also speaks of generosity and playfulness.

I was curious to ask what inspired him to create this painting…

Dennis replied, “I painted this after going to the museum watching Vermeer's collection. I have a fascination with curtains, and Vermeer painted a lot of them.

So, I started painting that with a green curtain in mind. I didn't make any rough study or draft on paper. I went straight to the canvas.

While painting the curtain, I just wait for my mind what to paint next. So, a woman appeared behind the curtain… The woman turned out to be a queen. But ended into an angel...longing for a heart.”

From what he shared further, I discovered his technique and process for this immensely powerful yet playful piece.

After painting the Queen that turned into an Angel by adding the wings, he added two owers because the curtain looked empty. Then he realized that something was still missing, so he added the butter ies and twirling vines to nish the playfulness that he wanted to convey and signed his name thinking that he was already done.

Yet he hesitated to put it out on exhibit. Is it perhaps because there were still essential elements missing?

He continued to reveal that, “I displayed it on the wall behind my computer and I have been staring at it for months now. A few weeks ago, I added three ladybugs on the vine.”

I learned from him that his process is pretty systematic when it comes to commissioned work. He drafts a sketch before the image and can spew it out in a week’s time.

When he paints for enjoyment, as a form of expression and inspiration, he can work on a painting for months, years or even decades.

As long as he is in possession of his paintings, they keep on changing and transforming. So, signing his name on them does not mean they are done.

For me, the Angel with a Heart is a nished masterpiece. Yes, the three ladybugs are the perfect punctuation to this powerful painting. The combination of vibrant colors that he used is a Dennis Sun artwork branding.

If I were to own this one-of-a-kind artwork, this Angel with a Heart would be perfect as a three feet x three feet square focal point in my living room wall. It is a visual statement about me and who I am.

The Angel with a Heart is part of the Dennis Sun Art Exhibition entitled “A Little Happiness: Here and There” on display at Tully's Co ee Shinjuku Ni-Chome in Japan from September 1 through October 31, 2022.

Greetings from the Cultural Section of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Tokyo!

On the occasion of the Museums and Galleries Month celebrated every October in the Philippines, we would like to invite you and your friends who are artists, curators, art students, etc. to discover Philippine Contemporary Art with PINTÔ: A 360° Virtual Experience Tour on 12 October 2022 at 4:00 PM (JST) via Zoom. Attached is the event poster for information and reference.

The immersive online event will highlight rich contemporary artworks from the Pinto Art Museum based in Antipolo, Rizal

in the Philippines which houses artworks from notable Filipino contemporary artists such as Elmer Borlongan, Emmanuel Garibay, Neil Manalo, Mark Justiniani, and Antonio Leaño to name a few. The online activity will also highlight the role of contemporary art in shaping society and vice versa and how it plays a role in cultural diplomacy.

Aside from the 360° Virtual Experience Tour of the Pinto Art Museum, the panelists will also discuss the evolution of Philippine contemporary art and its current fecund state. During the online program, attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a mini watercolor art workshop where the participants' artistic outputs shall be compiled on a microsite for

viewing by the public.

The online event shall also be streamed online via the Department of Foreign A airs' YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/DFA PHL/) and Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/dfap hl/).

We would appreciate your support by participating in this event and calling for participation from among your friends and networks. Interested attendees/participants are kindly requested to reply to this email with the participant's name, and email addresses, with a brief description of yourself and your creative eld by Friday, 07 October 2022.