Jeepney Press / Neriza Saito

Neriza Sarmiento - Saito'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 Staff 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 Officer of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, who came with two other POLO staff, Louie and Dhania, gave a very inspiring and informative message to the OFW’s present there.

The Sportsfest 2022 Committee was headed by Mr. Larry Macalalad and the members were July Bartequin, Herbert Benzon, Jorge Takara, Rai Moses and Sheena Tatezaki. Thanks to the perfect emceeing of Herbert Benzon and Lea Bartiquin, the event went on 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 efficient 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!