Jeepney Press #113 September - October Issue 2021

Celebrating The Journeys Of Filipinos In Japan

Pahayagang pinoy sa japan

113 ISSUE

Art & Design by DENNIS SUN

ジープニー プレス

在日フィリピン人 向 け マ ガ ジン

September - October 2021 2021年9月-10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.

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by Asia Vox Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright 2021

JEEPNEY PRESS A sia Vox Ltd.

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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 / 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 18 Take It Or Leave It / Lita Manalastas Watanabe 20 Dondake! / Karen Sanchez 22 Acupuncture / Marnie Chan 24 Amazing Grace / Mae Grace 26 Health & Sports Day / Alma Fatagani-Sato 27 Self Motivation / Arnel Sugay 28 Kwento Ni Nanay / Anita Sasaki 29 Moving On / Jasmin Vasquez 30 Walk With Me / Lala Lopez De Leon 32 Traffic / Alma Reyes 36 Jeepney REPORT/ Warren Sun 38 PASADA: Shizuoka / Melinda Yamashita

UP School of Economics

ATTENTION:

All alumni of the UP School of Economics now living/working in Japan.

Would you like to be part of our community viber (called Pusong UPSE Community Viber) and connect with UPSE alumni all over the world?

Please check out below link and register.

PUSONG UPSE Membership Form link.

Patuloy ang pagtibok ng Pusong UPSE

https://bit.ly/PusongUPSEmember

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 e-mail: pukykj2178@email.plala.or.jp

090-2908-5088 (SB)

読む editorial by Dennis Sun Yesterday, the Tokyo

government announced 87 coronavirus infections in the Japanese capital. It was the first

time to have an under 100 infections in a day. It was good news which I hope would continue until we fully eradicate or at least manage to live with the virus the way we have handled influenza.

Who would have thought our lives will be controlled by numbers or statistics?

This COVID virus is here to stay and our best hope is for it to become like the common flu managed thru vaccination and herd immunity.

Despite the low numbers, we should continue to remain vigilant and practice self-care. My daily practice to help me enhance my immunity is to wake up early in the morning and do walking at the park when nobody is still around. Breathing the cool fresh air, stretching while enjoying the

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YOMU

means to read in Japanese

Photos by Dennis Sun

greens and flowers outside, and sitting under the early morning sun make my normal day.

I already got my vaccination a few months ago. I was lucky on my first jab having had experienced no side effects. But on my second one, I wasn’t lucky. Twelve hours after the jab, I ran a fever that continued to rise for 2 days. I had chills and some body pain. I tried not to take any medications to counter the discomfort but opted to take them when my fever reached 39 degrees. On my third day, I felt back to normal again like nothing happened. Vaccination has become such a hot topic with various anecdotes on its impact. We should always be mindful of our news sources instead of relying on social media.

Just because you are fully vaccinated, don’t be under false illusions that you will never get Covid or never transmit it.

Be on your guard always! I still continue my early morning daily practice as much as I can, wearing mask all the time when I go outside, washing my hands, and gargling when I get home.

Keep safe!

September - October 2021

"Like wildflowers; you must allow yourself to grow in all the places people thought you never would."

KUSINA

Easy and delicious, seasonal recipes ni Tita Chris Yokoyama

Here comes autumn in Japan. As autumn is said to be the appetite-stimulating season, various kinds of ingredients are distributed in markets and enliven dining tables.

Masarap kumain at masarap magtutulog din during this season.

Mukhang it’s hard for me to diet, but well, well, masarap din mamasyal where the bright sunshine abates, golden ears of rice shines brilliantly, and red dragonflies stretch their wings. Autumn is the season full of events and festivals but pandemic is still going on surely a lot of changes, too. Autumn appetite as the Japanese said it is time to enjoy matsutake (pine mushrooms), salmons, ginkgo nuts, sanma (pacific saury), mackerel, seabass, sardine and many other fruits and veggies na mura pa dahil nga tag panahon.

Let’s try cooking Chawan-Mushi (Savory Cup Custard)

Chawan-Mushi Recipe Ingredients: (serves 4) Egg stock mixtures (ratio of about 3 soup stock to 1 egg) Eggs 3 (about 150cc) soup stock 450~500cc Shoyu, salt 3/4 tsp. each Mirin 1tsp.

Fillet chicken breast 40g Sake 1 tsp Shrimps 4 small Kamaboko 8 slices Shiitake mushroom 8 slices Boiled ginkgo nuts 8 pieces Mitsuba (trefoil) 6 stalks DIRECTIONS 1. Beat the eggs in a bowl (don’t froth). Add all the ingredients of A and mix well. Strain this stock mixture.

2. Preparation of the ingredients: Sprinkle the chicken fillet with sake for a minute, de-vein the shrimps, peel leaving the tail part.

Steam over a low heat for 7 minutes with the steamer completely covered.

5. Remove the cups from the steamer, and garnish with the cut mitsuba stalks.

TIPS: ★You can easily cook also using your microwave with AUTOCOOK: CHAWAN MUSHI setting. ★Don’t steam Chawan-mushi over a high heat for a long time, otherwise, it will become spongy. ★To see whether or not the Chawan-mushi is done, insert a toothpick into the center.

When it comes out clean, it means that the Chawan-mushi is ready to serve. ★Lily roots, carrots, matsutake mushrooms and shimeji can also be added.

3. Place the chicken in serving cups, and gently pour in the egg stock mixture until 70％ full.

Transfer the cups to a pre-heated steamer. Steam over a high heat for about 1 min. with the lid slightly askew. Then steam over a low heat for 7 minutes with the steamer completely covered.

4. When the surface of the custard is set, place the shiitake mushroom, kamaboko, shrimps, ginkgo nuts on top of it and pour in the remaining egg stock mixture until 90％ full.

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Neriza Sarmiento - Saito's

On the Road to

“Ang Marunong Lumingon Sa Pinangalingan, Siguradong Makakarating Sa Paroroonan” with

LARRY and NINA

and Kusatsu headed by Sr. Nida.

Ang kabilugan ng buwan sa Septyembre I met Larry more than ten years ang tinatawag na ago on several occasions at “Harvest Moon” dahilan consulate events and community sa kakaibang liwanag meetings. Whenever there were Presidential visits in Tokyo, he nito na sanhi ng would bring along his wife, Nina. pagkakahanay ng araw, Every time we had big events at buwan at mundo. community halls or at the Malayang International House Foundation, nakakapagtrabaho sa Larry would always be among the last to leave the venue to bukid ang mga make sure that the place was magsasaka sa liwanag Consul General Voltaire Mauricio explaining PCG’s Consular Services at the PCCC ‘s dialogue in Shiga clean, a trait he probably got ng buwan. Kaugalian rin sa Japan from his late Japanese grandfather, Nijiro “Utang na Loob” or simply ang “O-Tsukimi” o pagtingin sa indebtedness to people who have Murata. magandang hugis at liwanag nito made us what we are today. Like the The young Nijiro, from Kagoshima, was others who attended that meeting, I habang humihigop ng tsaa at like the character played by Leonardo Di was touched with those words and kumakain ng “manju” o kahit Caprio in “Titanic” and the one portrayed made it the title of my article in this anong bilog na kakanin. Ang

by Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones. He issue. ipakikilala ko sa isyung ito ay was a stowaway on a ship bound for the isang kababayan na umani rin ng Philippines. He befriended an American On that day, newsletters from the businessman on board who then asked Shiga International Association tagumpay sa Japan, si Larry him to be his business partner in a “Mimitaro” were distributed and in Murata Macalalad, the Vice lumber company in La Trinidad, Benguet. the Tagalog edition with an interview Chairperson of the Philippine There, he met a Filipina named Maria, featuring Larry and his wife on its Community Coordinating Council front page. Larry coordinated the got married and had 5 sons and 2 (PCCC) and Adviser of the Hikone daughters. Larry’s mother, Haruko, was event in Shiga with Ms. Delia third from the youngest.

Nakashima with representatives from Filipino Community.

Hikone, Adogawa, Higashiomi, Sece

At the 2nd PCCC “TAGPUAN at KUMUSTAHAN” at the Maryknoll Retreat House in Karasaki on Sept. 19, the new Consul General of the Philcongen in Osaka, the indefatigable Consul General Voltaire D. Mauricio, began his speech with the “Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan, hindi makakarating sa paroroonan,” a parallel to the Filipino value of

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Larry and Nina Macalalad with their 5 children

When the war broke out, the American owner of the lumber company left the entire business to Nijiro. Nijiro read extensively, so even if he didn’t go to University, he knew the ins and outs of business. As the war intensified, they evacuated to Zambales. Time had wings, the war ended, the children grew up. One day, Haruko visited her sister in Mandaluyong.

She met, Emil, who lived next door and eventually, they got married.

Larry was born.

“Sayang nga at di nakita ni Lolo Nijiro ang naging kapalaran namin dahil maaga silang pumanaw,”

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ayon kay Larry. As a working student in Marine Engineering, Larry worked at San Miguel Corp.

He also took advanced courses in ROTC in Fort Bonifacio. It was in San Miguel Corp. where he was destined to meet Nina from Cabuyao, Laguna.

“Lagi ko siyang binibiro dahil type ko siya. Wika nga, “Daig ng maagap ang masipag,” kaya ng makatiyempo, kahit sa harap ng mga kasama namin, bigla kong hinawakan ang kamay niya. Ayun, napasagot ko rin ng “Sige na nga!” And soon, 5 children were born one after the other.

In the early 90’s, being the descendants of Japanese, Larry and his other brothers embarked on a trip to Japan and worked in Tottori for 2 years and a half as a crane operator. They met their

When you first arrived in Japan, did you notice something different in behavior, attire, way of talking or relationships with other people?

The Japanese are very polite.

They all look elegant in kimono and the food presentation is nice.

The Macalalad family with children and grandchildren grandfather’s surviving brother in Kagoshima.

He went back home for a while in 1993 to process the papers of Nina and their children.

So finally, they came to Japan in 1998 and chose Hikone as their place of residence. Their youngest child studied at an elementary school there. Then he became the leader of the Hikone Filipino Community, where he helped organize basketball tournaments for Community members. At present, he serves as adviser.

In 2019, after prodding from us, he was elected Vice-Chairperson of PCCC and he helped us organize a basketball tournament and “undokai” at the Moriguchi Citizens’ Gymnasium in 2019. When Larry takes a responsibility, he works like a Japanese, taking into minute details into consideration. But his Filipino side is evident in the way he treats people around him, never bossy, and always joking to keep the mood lighter. “Kahit sa trabaho ko ngayon sa ospital bilang care worker lagi akong nagbibiro. Kaya laging masaya ang mga matatandang inaasikaso ko.”

Larry and Nina are now enjoying their roles as the matriarch and patriarch of the Murata-Macalalad family of 5 children and 7 grandchildren, and the bonding they share on family outings and interaction with other Filipinos in Shiga can be considered an ideal one, a true Filipino family value! “Without my grandfather, we wouldn’t be in Japan now!” says Larry.

Every time the moon shines from above, Lolo Nijiro and Lola Maria are probably watching over them, grateful that they have made Japan their home!

Mr. Larry Macalalad , Vice Chairperson of PCCC

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When you were homesick, being away from your family, what in the Philippines did you remember most and what did you do to relax?

I missed my wife and everything we did together as a family, our outings together, even doing household tasks with them. I used up about 5 overseas phone cards that time just to talk with my wife.

Ano ang isang magandang kaugaliang Pilipino na itinuro sa iyo ng mga magulang mo?

Paggalang sa matatanda, pagmamano at palaging nakatuntong sa lupa ang mga paa kahit gaano pa ang tagumpay mo sa buhay!

Sa panahon ng COVID, paano naapektuhan ang iyong trabaho?

Wala namang naging masamang epekto, pero nabago lang ang “visiting hours.”

In your present job, are there some experiences that you cannot forget?

When I was new in the job, I didn’t notice the intravenous drip on the patient’s thigh and changed his diaper. The nurse kept on saying “Muri!

Muri!” but it was too late. A doctor was called to put it back and I was so embarrassed for that terrible mistake.

Do you have any plans for the future- at work and in your personal life?

I’ll work until I’m 65 and probably do some extra jobs like being the Marketing Representative of a shipping company.

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by Alma Reyes

TRAFFIC Japan in the State of Imperfection In the eyes of many people across the world, Japan appears to be a utopian nation of sacred discipline, courtesy, generosity, and civility. Why not? For us who live through the day-to-day stagnancy of home and work routines in this so-called idyllic state, we naturally understand where the outsiders’ evaluation comes from. You can retrieve your umbrella on the same day you carelessly left it inside the train. It is customary to receive a call from the koban (police box) about your lost wallet that had been picked up by some stranger and who never touched your wallet contents. You may be lucky enough to be guided by a passerby to your destination when you lose your way in the streets. We have all received business calls or E-mails from almost any type of service establishment that start with an apology for disturbing your time, and end with another apology and gratitude for the precious minutes you have spared. These are just a few samples of the standardized “Japanese ways” (shikata) of social affability that locals and foreigners fondly embrace with the highest degree of positivity.

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Hence, when the coin is flipped on “unexpected” incidents of crime, corruption, dishonesty, degradation, and even harassment and abuse, which rampage the news, foreigners react with mouths agape and disbelief.

“Unthinkable!” would be the immediate consensus. Uncalled-for moments, such as the abrasive conduct of a man who pushes you to the side when he is hurrying down the escalator; an old

woman who knocks your elbow in the midst of a bargain sale; sexual harassment and age discrimination at work; marital abuse; homicides, especially within families; robberies; or perversion don’t seem to belong in the Japanese encyclopedia of natural occurrences. Really?

Recently, a young man stabbed innocent passengers inside a train in one of Tokyo’s usually quiet residential neighborhoods because he didn’t particularly enjoy seeing happy people.

Soon after, another young man splashed sulfuric acid on an ex-university mate also inside a train station. A man had been arrested for the death of his girlfriend’s 3-year old son whom he left under over 50 °C boiling shower. Some Japanese politicians have been arrested for illegal activities. No one in Japan forgets the infamous religious cult for their horrendous sarin gas attack in a central Tokyo subway that injured over 5,000 victims and killed around 14 commuters in 1995. Clearly, Japan’s social culture would not be complete without its Yakuza gangs. Finally, offensive perversion, such as underwear-stealing, photo taking under mini-skirts, hidden cameras in girls’ washrooms in schools, and other disturbing, but perhaps, less pronounced forms of ill behavior have become commonplace spices in our supposedly nonchalant life events. In fact, Japan buries itself in a long trail of crimes, which perhaps, just don’t reach the bubbly social media or the foreign press.

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So, why the raised eyebrows of shock and skepticism?

Aren’t Japanese people just as human as the rest of us? Couldn’t the social system be just as tainted as that of another country?

Shouldn’t they be entitled to their fair share of flaws and imperfection?

The other day, I had a discussion with the director of the private English school where I teach at about how crime incidents have been lurking rampantly in the recent months. Instead of the expected reaction of “taihen desu ne” (that’s terrible), the director remarked, “Well, isn’t that a relief that Japanese society is returning to its normal state of chaos.” Now, that’s a man who recognizes human flaw. We may be appalled by the sporadic wrongdoings spurting left and right, but those episodes may actually enlighten the inevitable truth that Japan is evidently never perfect.

I am still amused by memories of certain “imperfect” situations I had encountered a few years back in Italy, where I had spent close to two months at one time. Once, the main subway line in Rome announced and flashed the wrong station names, and without apology. The interesting part was that the passengers did not seem to care. At another time, the local bus was running with a defective door that opened and closed incessantly. The bus driver, without much ado, called on an elderly male passenger to hold the door while the bus continued its journey, instead of opting to stop and adjust the door. In Japan, obviously, we see these instances as almost inexistent—which is precisely why, I was ironically filled with a bizarre sensation of warmth and relief during those moments. It was as though having been swarmed by such tints of imperfection had made me a part of the human circle once again.

Likewise, in Manila, unpleasant circumstances in everyday life often occupy the normal, instead of

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the abnormal mode—finding a scratch on your car door, screaming driver in traffic, miscalculated restaurant bill, and others. While many locals detest the unsophistication and impropriety of certain scenarios, perhaps, on the contrary, we could relish in the frigid thought that without natural flaws, we might as well exist as the next robot of mankind.

Certainly, we are continuously grateful for the unmatched politesse of restaurant staff, shopping mall salespeople, supermarket cashiers, and strangers we meet on a daily basis in Japan.

However, this display of courtesy “service” arises from a manual of homogenous thoughts and norms that all Japanese minds have been obliged to master unquestionably since childhood. Any unrecognizable action or thinking outside of this manual invites sufficient reason for ostracisation.

Here, we may define the essential core of social pressure. Committing a single mistake in the face of society can scar one for life, hampering the rightful chance for personal growth and community inclusion. Yet, it is those differing qualities, tinge of rebellion, individual opinion, free choice of language and action, and the muddy spots behind the white curtain, which are realistic aspects of human living, that we regrettably miss in Japanese life.

Maybe it’s high time for Japanese mentality to honestly practice its wabi-sabi philosophy of fallibility and incompleteness—to swerve around its sphere of moral expectations and recognize and accept human deficiency as part of natural existence. In so doing, both the Japanese and the rest of the world may downplay their magnified (and, apparently exaggerated) perception of Japan as being wholly and divinely righteous.

Foreigners may marvel euphorically at the elegant cherry blossoms that grace every picture-perfect postcard, but they also need to remember that sakuras bloom only briefly and wither after a week or two by force of nature.

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ISANG ARAW SA ATING BUHAY ni Jeff Plantilla Ipinagbubunyi sa Canada ang bagong Canadian tennis star. Ang bagong star ay anak ng parehong immigrants sa Canada.

Siya ay ipinanganak sa Canada at ang nanay ay Filipina, ang tatay naman ay Ecuadoran. Kaya kasama sa pagbubunying ito ang kanyang lahi – na siya ay anak ng Filipina at Ecuadoran immigrants.

Siya si Leylah Annie Fernandez, nakakuha ng second place sa 2021 US Open Tennis Championships nitong Setyembre 12, 2021.

Inaangkin ng mga taga-Canada at UK ang mga batang anak ng immigrants sa kanilang bansa. At ikinatutuwa nila ang kanilang pagiging anak ng mga Asyano.

Si Alex Eala, isang Filipina, ay naglaro naman sa girls’ singles at doubles ng 2021 US Open Juniors Tennis Championships.

Mahalaga ito dahil sa patuloy pa rin ang tinatawag na “Asian hate” sa north America. Sa U.S., maraming kaso ng “Asian hate” ang nangyayari sa 2 states – California state sa west coast at New York state sa east coast.

Naomi Osaka, 4 na beses na Grand Slam champion. Pinuna ang pagsindi niya ng Olympic flame sa 2020 Tokyo Olympics opening ceremonies nitong Hulyo 23, 2021. Ang isang puna ay tungkol sa kanyang lahi at salita. Hindi daw siya purong Hapones, at hindi siya matatas magsalita ng nihonggo. Sa mga taong ito, hindi sapat ang dugo ng kanyang nanay na Hapones para siya ay angkinin bilang Hapones (Haitian ang kanyang tatay). Ang ganitong paningin ay halimbawa ng racism dito sa Japan.

Naglaro si Naomi sa 2021 US Open Tennis Championships pero na-eliminate siya nung matalo siya ni Leylah.

Sports at Pulitika Nakuha ni Hidilyn Diaz ang kauna-unahang gold medal ng Pilipinas sa Olympic Games nitong Hulyo 2021. Tinalo niya ang top weightlifter mula sa China. Ipinagmamalaki natin siya.

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Pinag-uusapan sa tournament na ito ang paglalaban sa championship round ng mga batang tennis players. Kalaban ni Leylah (19 taon) si Emma Raducanu (18 taon) na isinilang din sa Canada sa immigrant parents din – Romanian ang tatay, Chinese ang nanay. Lumipat sila sa United Kingdom (UK) at kaya ipinagbubunyi si Emma sa UK bilang bagong tennis star nila.

Sa gitna nitong “Asian hate,” dalawang tennis players na naglaban sa championship round ng 2021 US Open Tennis Championships ay may dugong Asyano. Ang magandang pangyayaring ito ay panlaban sa “Asian hate.”

Pero iba ang nangyari kay

Nguni’t may ilang Filipino na gustong bigyan ng pansin ang tinalong Chinese. Gusto nilang idawit sa Olympic achievement na ito ang problema sa West Philippine Sea. Dapat ba?

Hindi nila inisip na ang coach ni Hidilyn ay Chinese (Gao Kaiwen), isang coach ng mga medalists na Chinese weightlifters. Siya ay kasama ni Hidilyn habang nagte-training ng mahigit isang taon sa Malaysia. Siya ay isang professional coach, hindi pulitiko.

Bakit ipapasok ang pulitika sa mga bagay na dapat ay dahilan ng ating pagkakaisa at

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Souza de Brito (Brazilian) sa coaching team, at iba pa.

pagsasaya bilang bansa?

Bakit hinahaluan ng pulitika ang sports?

Kung ihahalo ang pulitika sa sports, parang sinasabing hindi dapat magdiwang ang mga Canadians para kay Leylah dahil may lahi siyang Asyano.

Parang sinasabi din natin na OK lang ang “Asian hate” kasi anti-Chinese yon.

Marami na ring mga Filipino na naging coach ng mga athletes sa ibang bansa tulad ng basketball teams. Si Lydia de Vega ay track and field coach sa Singapore ngayon. Marami ding mga players natin sa basketball, volleyball, football at swimming ay anak ng mga Filipino sa asawang hindi Filipino.

Isa diyan si Risa Sato, taga-Osaka, na player ng Philippine Women’s Volleyball Team.

Ganyan ang sports ngayon – hindi na nakukulong sa national boundaries at nationality ang mga taong kinukuha para makatulong sa mga manglalaro. Ang manglalaro lang ang kinakailangang maging citizen ng bansa ng national team na sinalihan ayon sa rules ng mga sports organizations tulad ng FIBA sa basketball.

Sports for Peace and Unity Kapag ang sports ay nahaluan ng pulitika at racism, bumababa ang kalidad ng mga manglalaro. Sa imbes na mailabas ang galing, maaaring hindi ito umusbong dahil hindi natutulungan nang tama at may kalidad na coaches.

International Sports Maliban kay Hidilyn, ang coaches ng ating top athletes ay hindi rin mga Filipino tulad ni Carlos Yulo sa gymnastics, Munehiro Kugimiya (Japanese); E.J. Obiena sa pole vault, Vitaly Petrov (Ukrainian); Michael Martinez sa ice skating, Nikolai Morozov (Russian); GILAS Pilipinas sa basketball, Tab Baldwin (New Zealander - American); Philippine Women’s Volleyball Team, Tai Bundit (Thai) at Jorge Edson

kalakasan ni Manny Pacquiao, ang buong bansa ay tahimik, mapayapa, mababa ang crime rate at nagkakaisa ang mga tao kapag may laban siya. Walang makakapantay sa ganitong pangyayari sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa.

Ito ay “extreme” na halimbawa, pero ito ay patunay ng lakas ng effect ng sports sa ating lahat. Matagal na tayong “addicted” sa sports tulad ng basketball – bawa’t bayan siguro meron basketball tournament, na dinaluhan ng maraming tao. Kaya, kailangang maipromote ang iba pang sports tulad ng football, volleyball, swimming, sepak takraw, weightlifting at kahit skating at gymnastics para makatulong sa ating mga kabataan. Ito rin ang matagalang goal ng pagtatayo ng world class sports facilities sa Clark sa Tarlac (athletic stadium at aquatic center at saka athletes’ village) dahil kapag may sports “Filipinos tend to have more dedication and focus to whatever they want to achieve in life.”

Ang sports ay mahalagang gawain upang mahasa sa disiplina at sipag, magkaroon ng malusog na katawan at pamumuhay (healthy living), at mabuo ang magandang ugali tulad ng sportsmanship at respeto sa kapwa.

Mabuhay ang mga Filipino at may lahing Filipinong nagtatagumpay sa sports!

Kaya imbes na pulitika at racism, dapat ay gamitin ang sports para sa mas mahalagang pagbansang layunin – kapayapaan at pagkakaisa.

Matatandaan natin nung sikat na sikat at

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Glen Gypsy’s

“If you get tired, learn to rest not to quit!”

-Bansky

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September - October 2021

Take it or Leave it!

ADVICE NI TITA LITS Isabelita Manalastas-Watanabe Dear Tita Lits: I read about your explanation on the Retail Peso Bond and the pros and cons of investing in this non-traditional investment instrument which can earn better as compared to interests on ordinary bank savings or time deposit accounts. Good for me to learn other alternatives on how my money can earn better.

I wonder if you can give me practical information regarding investing in the stock market? I am thinking of going into this, but I do not know anybody who has experience in investing in stocks. I am hoping na may experience kayo dito, para mai-share naman ninyo sa aming mga bagito, any useful tips. I am in Japan and have been here for several years now, working with a company that gives me good pay. I have saved a decent amount of money which I hope to use to play the stock market.

How do I start? How do I choose which company to invest to? I hope to earn the most, at the shortest time possible.

Jun, Tokyo

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Dear Jun: I used to play the stock market both in Japan and in the Philippines years ago. I did well in Japan, kasi siguro dahil madali kong ma-monitor ang movements ng prices of the stocks I bought.

In fact, I was able to take my mother and my sister to Europe for a tour, from my earnings then from the stock market. As regards my venture into Philippine stocks – palpak ako! I really lost money there. Hindi ko kasi natutukan at hindi ko na-monitor maigi.

So hayan, at least alam mo na, na parang sugal ang paglalaro sa stock market. Pwedeng kumita; pwedeng malugi. Kahit nakatutok, mayroon ding element of luck. Kasi, sa dami-dami ng mga kumpanyang pwedeng pagpiliin, swerte ka kapag napili mo ay tumaas ang presyo ng stock nila, so tubo ka na, kapag ibinenta mo higher than your purchase price. Tandaan mo lang, na bawat galaw mo – buy, or sell, may komisyon ang iyong broker.

So i-compute mo what price you should sell para tumubo net of the charges (and income tax).

September - October 2021

I have recently come back to playing stocks in Japan. I chose a well-known, and reputable securities company to be my broker. But you will have many choices of securities companies. You can even just go on-line, and register, and submit the required docs. Once confirmed na OK ka, then you can start trading on-line. Ako, I chose the more conventional route. I went directly to the Tokyo HO of Nomura Shoken so I can ask someone in charge there, about some questions I have. Afterwards, I filled up in person, the necessary forms, and submitted all their requirements. I waited for almost two (2) weeks before I got the approval and received my Nomura (trading settlement) Card. Maybe the approver had difficulty reading my grade 1 section 10 Kanji – all information had to be written in Japanese! That card is where I am supposed to deposit funds and where Nomura will also debit funds when my stock order is done. It is also where they can credit sales proceeds from my done sell order. I can choose to also let them transfer funds (debit my Nomura Card), and credit my pre-registered ordinary Japanese bank A/C. I have also made arrangements that they do the withholding of taxes for and on my behalf, so that I do not have to do the filing myself.

Another conventional thing I do – I call the Eigyobu (Business Section) of Nomura to do my buy/sell orders. You don’t have to always deal with the same person – anyone who answers the dedicated telephone number can help. You are allowed to place a buy or sell order at a specific price for a certain number of days. Doing buying and selling, on-line, will be much cheaper (less commission to your broker). Unfortunately for me, my reading of Japanese has rusted a lot since I was a student here in Japan (I used to read Samuelson’s economics 101 textbook in Japanese!). Baka magkamali pa ako, at mag-buy ako, instead of mag-sell, or vice-versa! Better that I just call (of course, in Japanese). Since I still need to use my spoken Japanese in daily life, I am able to manage fairly well answering their KYC (know your customer) questions, etc., before they will entertain your buy/sell orders. Of course, they also make sure you will be able to do the settlement (payment) in timely manner (they can check your balance in that card). When you sell naman, credit is normally made to that card within 3 working days.

I choose to buy stocks of companies where I believe in their mission/vision. I am holding right now, stocks of a Japanese company which deals in water purification. I bought stocks of another company which does work for the handicapped (and earned good money in less than a month). Another one I still hold is one that manufactures, among others, solar panels, and space saving and labor-saving equipment. At least, kung hindi man ako kumita kaagad, I can wait, and be satisfied in the thought that I am helping this company by buying their stocks.

In your intelligent phone, you can search under Information & Reading, that app dedicated to stocks. You can input the name of your preferred company, and then see its stock number, and a graph of the price movement during the past (normally) six months. Of course, you should try to buy when the graph is going south and may have reached its farthest. Check also the highest the price went, for the past 6 months. Normally, bumabalik ang price. Up, down, up, down. Parang roller coaster – does not normally remain down for ages, but when it moves up and continues to move up, monitor closely kung pwede na mag-sell order and have net earnings.

Remember that some stocks require a minimum number to purchase. Normally, hindi pwedeng one stock lang. You can ask your broker how much is the minimum number.

Another advice – do not gamble more than 20% of your savings. Kahit matalo ka, hindi ka maba-bankrupt. And another thing – don’t be too greedy.

Good luck, Jun! (and to me, as well).

DONDAKE The New Normal For almost 2 years, we have been suffering and we are still facing this Covid-19 Pandemic which continue to mutate and create new viruses that we can not totally stop nor ignore. And what we can do is to accept and embrace the fact that we will live with it. Boosting our immune system, changing our lifestyles, and following the procedures and protocols of what we call "the new normal" could save us and the whole world.

By boosting our immune system, we need to watch what we are eating, drinking and doing in our everyday lives. Taking vitamins and exercising can help maintain or enhance physical fitness and overall health and wellness.

Our lifestyles depends on what we earn for a living but due to this Covid-19, most of the people in this world have changed their lifestyles and learned how to deal with this Pandemic. Some people went to their provinces and started farming. They left the luxurious living in the city for more simple and productive way of living. People started to be a Plantito and Plantita which they could earn by selling their plants online. Some learned to bake, to cook and started the new system which they call "work from home". By this, family has more time to bond and help each other's needs even in a very simple way. Most people learn how to be independent and find techniques and strategy on how to cope up in this kind of situation. Some discovered their hidden talent and did it to make a living while their company was closed

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due to this Pandemic. And from abundance to simple but deeply thankful living, some people remembered God and regained their faith in Him. Truly, this pandemic has taught us lessons in every aspect of our lives and measured our strength.

Being distant may not be normal but this is to keep ourselves and our love ones safe. We must follow the social distancing and avoid PDA (Public Displays of Affection) to encourage everyone to keep the distance to avoid spreading the virus. It is also a mandate to wear our mask when we are outside. And in most places, there are postings on the walls or signage to remind us to wash our hands or disinfect ourselves from time to time.

For Filipinos in Japan, it is our culture that when we meet someone in any place, we automatically ask them "Firipin jin desu ka? Kabayan? Or are you a Filipino? And start talking louder and louder which is not allowed at this time. Filipinos also like a "salo‐salo" or creating a small group and get together which also is not allowed at this moment. Being far from our loved ones especially to all the front liners is the saddest part. Aside from living far away, they are risking their lives to help others. Hospitals and all the establishments that required to be open for the people despite of this fatal viruses are giving up, but still continue to serve as long as they can.

For that, we must be thankful for them and salute them for their dedication to help others.

New normal is our current situation that everybody knows. This is far or different from what we have experienced or done before but now

September - October 2021

has become usual or typical.

Limiting our outside exposure and getting information from reliable sources can help us understand our risk and take the recommended precautions. Some of these are: *Wearing mask and face shields at all times when we are outside our home. *Only APOR Authorized Persons Outside Residents are allowed to go out or travel. *Face to face classes are not yet allowed in our country (online or modular only). *Have your travel pass, S-pass or QR code ready when entering some establishments like groceries or traveling outside your city. *Presenting your swab negative test result before entering or being confined to the hospitals or airports. *Keeping at least 1 meter distance to anyone. *Holding hands or shaking hands are not allowed in public. *Talking inside the bus or train is not allowed. *Taking a bath when you return home from work or shopping. *And many more.

We must cooperate to save ourselves, our family, our society, our country and the world. We must heal as one.

We need to pray that this Pandemic may end soon and we will rise again and start new normal living. This Pandemic will become a memory and history.

I Miss You

by Karen Sanchez

Since the day we had this Covid-19 I miss a lot in normal life – living Here I am still holding on and fighting And everyday I keep myself on dreaming Maybe this is not a good day But we must see it in other way Be glad that we are here still to stay And have a healthy life everyday Life, I really, really miss you I am longing to feel and live it, too Free from the people that surrounds you What should I do, I’m just missing you So beautiful, lovely and lively I feel alive when I see a sunny day Whisper ‘thank you’ when I pray I will be good and live today And today will be my yesterday

Until next issue mga kababayan. GOD bless us all.

September - October 2021

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Health Points

By Marnie Chan

YOU WOKE UP AGAIN AT 3AM, DIDN'T YOU? [a 3-minute read]

Like a persistent drug habit perhaps, my body is compelled to awaken and to sit upright during what has been termed throughout millennia as the "witching hour." Not excruciatingly. I don't have to drag myself into it. In fact, my very being longs for this moment. To me, it may very well be the greatest time of the day.

Three o'clock in the morning. This is when I first start my day, everyday.

Powerful spells are said to have been cast during this hour. In some culture, they call 3am "The Creator's Hour". Prophets were said to have been awoken at this time of the night.

Those steep in superstition place religious significance to this hour and assign meanings like awakening one's divinity.

Modern psychology says that 3am is the time you shift from your deep sleep into a lighter sleep, known as REM [rapid eye movement].

Even Chinese medicine has its take on this hour. It teaches that the liver works at 3am.

And maybe, just maybe, you simply translate waking up repeatedly at 3am as having insomnia.

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That's like placing label to this wondrous practice. Fact: some tend to shy away from it due to religious prejudice. Fact: some do not even know the difference between meditating and praying.

So at 3am I observe my thoughts. I sit still. Very still. So still that I won't even attempt to scratch an itch. I sit erect. I keep all 33 vertebrae erect. [Oh my, 33!

Yeshua died at 33... Okay, that's Jesus for you, uninitiates. The masonic 33rd degrees... Jacob's ladder having 33 steps... etc.] I then dissolve into the void.

Only to reappear again into this third dimensional reality.

Oh the joys of basking in varying energies, frequencies, and vibrations.

What did Tesla and Einstein said again about energy, frequency, and vibration in relation to the universe? Go Google search. So there.

By the time I realize, it's already 4 in the morning. Impeccable time just to go back to sleep and enter the world of lucid dreaming - - you know, that thing when you wake up in the middle of the dream and realize that you are in a dream. Keep a dream journal. You'll start remembering them. This is my second order of the day [or night].

4am, claims a published article in the Wall Street Journal, is the most productive time of day for several billionaires and millionaires they have interviewed. For me, it is my time to go back to sleep and induce lucid dreams.

These are my millions and billions and trillions. For woe to anyone whose only riches is money.

3am is when earth's consciousness and vibrations are at their most calm states. [At least in that time zone.] I elect to train my brainwaves right where they just I then rise and shine between 5 and 6. emerged from - the theta brain But your attention span is only limited to frequency. a 3-minute read.

Photo by Anthony Tran I'd rather not call it meditation. #thehealingpowerofacupuncture

September - October 2021

AMAZINGgrace

NOGAWA , Our ‘Go-To Park’

by Mae Grace

It has been 3 decades of life here in Japan and I always look back with a smile and a happy reminiscing whenever I hear the word, ‘Nogawa Park’.

Nowadays, I am doubly blessed to take my grandkids here, as well, for a whole day picnic, lots of outdoor activities and just to literally roll down the grassy hill for a delightful thrill.

Oh to be a child again!

My kids grew up trekking down the narrow river of this park almost everyday as they take their pets for their daily walk. We had picnics here whenever the old folks and cousins come visiting with us.

This was where they learned how to ride their bicycles for the first time, where they gathered cicada shells in the summer, hang upside down in the trees, bathed joyously in the natural spring, learned about nature by playing and immersing in her trees, flowers, hills and springs.

Visit Nogawa Park anytime during the week, with no entrance fees, only a minimal parking fees for those who would like to come by car. It is located within the boundaries of three big cities in Tokyo: Koganei, Mitaka and Chofu Cities.

It will be an experience that you will always treasure together with the whole family. Cheers!

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September - October 2021

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Health & Sports Day By: Alma Fatagani-Sato On October 10th, 1966 (two years after the 1964 Summer Olympics), was the first celebration of Health and Sports Day, a national holiday created to commemorate the opening of the 1964 Summer Olympics. It is a day to promote physical and mental health, exercise, sports, and a healthy, active lifestyle.

Japan summer usually comes with rains, extreme heat with high humidity, and typhoons. It usually lasts from end of May to early September.

Rain showers come around early June until mid-July. The hottest months are July and August. Typhoons and heavy rains usually come around September to early October. To avoid the harsh weather, the 1964 Tokyo Olympics was held in October.

Every year, October 10th is chosen by schools and business to hold their annual Field Day (Undoukai) or sports day. Typically consists of various kinds of physical events such as

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track-and-field, 100 meter relay, tug of war, etc. Sometimes, it may be similar to a mini Olympic. This is also a special bonding time for the children and their parents, also for company colleagues and superiors.

In 2000, the Health and Sports Day was moved to the second Monday in October, because of the Happy Monday System (Happi- Mandei Seido).

Happy Monday System, which is the same as the United States 1969 Uniform Monday Holiday Act, is a set of modifications to Japanese Law to move a number of public holidays in Japan to Mondays, therefore, creating a three-day weekends for people with five-day work weeks.

The word ‘sports’ is said to have a much broader meaning than just physical education with implications of voluntary enjoyment. As such, in 2020, Health and Sports Day was permanently renamed as Sports Day. For the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, the Sports Day was moved to July 24th to concur with the opening ceremonies. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Olympic and Paralympic was postponed to 2021 and correspondingly, the Sports Day was also moved to July 23rd.

Not everyone, but many Japanese are very enthusiastic about sports. If you are living in Japan, you probably have already noticed the long air time on television provided for sports and too many sports programs in every TV channel. Many people still get excited talking about the events that took place in the recently concluded 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.

Personally, I’m not very fond of sports and other physical activities.

Although I agree that, both mental and physical strengths are very important for the human existence and well-being.

However, I think that brawns should come secondary to brains or at least a balance between them.

September - October 2021

On Motivating Oneself

By Arnel Sugay

Have you ever told yourself that you will run in the morning, only to find yourself crawling back in bed?

Several times I would forego on my plan to run because I never “feel” like running. I want to because it is for the benefit of my health and endurance but I just did not “feel” motivated to go out and run.

I guess a lot of people can resonate with my experience. A lot of us make decisions based on our feelings. I realized that if I wait for the right feeling, sometimes, or more often than not, it doesn’t come.

You wait in vain and you will feel disappointed because your plan did not materialize. To address my personal issue of planning and wanting to run to actually running, I read books on motivation and habits. I referred to three books, to wit: The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, Atomic Habits by James Clear and The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz, Ph.D. Culling bits and pieces from these books, I asked myself “What am I doing wrong?”

Duhigg and Clear both advocate creating a cue. Since I am a visual learner, I told myself this is what will work for me. I placed my running shirt and shorts on my bed as a reminder that I am scheduled to run. Cue alone will not compel me to run. That is what I have observed.

If I will reward myself after the run, would that work? What is missing in the equation? There was a smile on my face as I probed because I am a work in progress. I like studying and challenging myself.

There is a chapter in Schwartz’s book that talks about doing an action and you will be in the feeling and thinking mode. He was talking about confidence. I can tweak this even if

September - October 2021

confidence and running are seemingly unrelated. I ruminated on the concepts and tied it to running. I want to experiment by testing if it will work for me.

The next day, I did not feel like running but I am interested in experimenting with what will work for me. I put on my running apparel and went out. I did not feel like running. I kept on walking for about one kilometer. I asked myself “what now?” I realized that when I am out in the sun and on the road I began walking briskly and then it led to jogging. This was my “aha” moment.

Art by Sun This principle ofDennis “Do-Feel-Think” is now my recipe for being consistent in running. I was doing it incorrectly before. I was waiting for the right feeling and I would use my feeling to decide if I will run or not.

Try “Do-Feel-Think” if you are stuck in executing what you plan to do. Let me know your experience.

You can reach me at arnel.sugay@gmail.com

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KWENTO NI NANAY ni Nanay Anita Sasaki EVERY GISING IS A BLESSING

EVERY GISING IS A BLESSING TO ALL PO! Ito po ang inyong lingkod, si Nanay Anita para sa MGA KUWENTO NI NANAY. Pag kuwentuhan po natin ngayon ay: Ano ba ang pinagdedebatehan, pinagtatalunan po natin palagi?

Sa mga may karamdaman, nalulungkot, napapagod na mga nag aalaga - health workers, caregivers, mga frontliners, sa mga nagtitinda para meron tayo iluto, mga nag de-deliver ng kung anu-ano nating orders online, food o mga carriers ng packages, sulat at lahat, mga nag drive o laman ng ating ambulance at marami pang iba.

Lahat napapagod na. Mga nawalan ng mga mahal sa buhay, kaibigan, nawalan ng trabaho nitong pandemic. Kung minsan isang bagay lang pinagtatalunan natin.

Ang Gospel today Sept.19 ay tungkol sa usapan ng mga Apostoles: Who is the GREATEST? Ano ba ang pinagtatalunan natin?

Minsan lang nag-uusap ang mga magkaka pamilya, o magkakaibigan, maya maya debate na. Iba iba ang opinion ng bawat isa. Na ang debate ay nauuwi sa mainit na pagtatalo.

Minsan nasasabi tuloy natin na - It’s also GOOD TO BE KIND THAN TO BE RIGHT. Kung minsan isang bagay lang, argument na.

Example. Okay ba o mabuti ba magpa bakuna o hindi? Anong gamot o brand ang maganda? Yan

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umpisa na ang pagtatalunan nila. O usapan ng election. Malapit na po.

Maglalabasan na ang mga kandidato. Umpisa na ang maiinit na pagtatalo o argumento. Kaya dapat po FOCUS ON THE MISSION, HINDI POSITION.

valuable than them?

What are we arguing about our way, our journey in this life? After how many years, wala na tayo. Pares nitong Covid na ito, mawawala din po ito.

Kung gusto natin maging teacher, doctor, abogado, pari, engineer, ito ay ating mga AMBITION. Subalit pag tayo ay naging teacher, doctor, abogado, madre o pari, ito ay tinatawag na VOCATIONS o BOKASYON.

Pinagtatalunan ng mga disciples, sino ba sa kanila ang the greatest?

Who is the greatest among the Apostles?

LIFE IS SHORT. Everybody’s going to come and go.

Meron halimbawa… pag nag sabog ka ng tinapay sa park, maya maya may ibon dadapo. Meron isa lalapit.

Maya maya andyan na, marami na.

Pero umaalis sila pagkakain. Hindi sila nagtatagal. Umaalis din sila.

Palitan sila. Hindi sila selfish. Umaalis sila agad pagkakain nila. Pagkatapos meron ibang darating. They call others to share the food. Parang merong lesson na itinuturo sa tao… if you only share.

PAGHARAP MO SA LORD, SASABIHIN NIYA YOU WASTED YOUR TIME. BINIGYAN KA NG TALENTS, WEALTH… PERO GUSTO MO SA IYO LANG. Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more

You wasted your time. You only focused on yourselves.

When you run alone, that is RACE. But when you run with God, it is GRACE.

Children and women, everybody, they are important. WHATEVER WE DO TO THE LEAST OF OUR BROTHERS, WE DO IT TO GOD. Madalas mayabang tayo sa Diyos. We don’t listen to God nor obey Him. We need to be humble to God and to all. To be mindful of others is doing it to God. SO DO GOOD. LIFE IS SHORT. WE ONLY PASS ONCE IN THIS WORLD SO WHATEVER WE COULD DO, ALWAYS GIVE OUR BEST EVERYDAY. IT MIGHT BE OUR LAST DAY. God Bless!

“HINDI MO KAILANGAN MAGING MAYAMAN O MATAAS NA PINAG-ARALAN UPANG MAKATULONG SA KAPWA MO PILIPINO.”

September - October 2021

MOVING ON ni Jasmin Vasquez Marunong ka bang dumiskarte?

Wala na yatang katapusan ang pandemic na ito. Hindi pa lumilipas ang isa, may kasunod na naman na ibang klase o uri ng corona virus.

Sobrang perwisyo at danyos na ang inaabot ng mga tao sa buong mundo.

Paano na nga ba ang buhay naming mga simpleng manggagawa at sapat lang sana ang kinikita sa aming pinapasukan? Sobrang laki ng kabawasan sapagkat maraming nagsarang

kumpanya o dili kaya ay pinahinto ang mga gawain dahil yung mga parts na hinihintay galing ibang bansa ay hindi makapasok dito sa Japan. Itong September, ilang araw lamang ang pasok.

Pagdating ng Oktubre, ganon din halos wala ng sweldong makukuha. So paano na ito… daming bayarin.

Dahil may talent din naman ako sa pagluluto, pati na rin aking inay, naisip ko magluto at magtinda tinda muna, maganda rin ang kita kung masipag at matyaga ka. Ang

pinaka paborito kong lutuin ay Putong Puti or Fluffy Puto Cake with salted egg and cheese. Si nanay naman sa mga kakanin.

Dito sa Japan, sabik ang mga Pinoy sa mga pagkaing pinoy na bihira lamang ang marunong gumawa na sobrang perfect ang lasa. Palibhasa wala kasing totoong galapong dito sa Japan at kalimitan ay puro instant powder ang gamit nila.

Sa amin po kasi ay purong galapong po. Ibinababad muna sa tubig ang malagkit sa loob ng 2 araw at saka lamang ilalagay sa batong gilingan para maging galapong. Genuine galapong talaga sya. Hindi katulad sa iba mapapansin mo medyo magalas sa dila yung kakanin nila kasi nga powder lang sila. Kaya naman masasabi ko na best talaga yung tinda namin.

At syempre, ako master ko yang puto cake. Marami ang nagsasabing masarap lalo na yung ube flavor. Pag wala akong pasok saka lang ako nakakagawa. Tulad ngayon madalas walang pasok sa trabaho. Dasal, gawa at tyaga ang kailangan para mabuhay sa mundo at makaraos sa mga bayarin. Dapat magaling kang dumiskarte sa buhay. Galaw galaw wika nga nila. Masarap lang sa pakiramdam na napapasaya mo yung mga buyer mo dahil nasarapan daw sila. At kahit paano kahit walang masyadong trabaho sa kaisha nakakaraos pa rin. Thank God. Talagang God is good everytime. Salamat sa karunungan. Salamat sa mga patuloy na umoorder. God bless us all. Kaya kapatid, alam mo na dapat marunong tayong dumiskarte sa buhay.

September - October 2021

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Walk with me: Shinobazu Pond and Former Kan-ei-ji Temple Grounds

By Lala Lopez de Leon Just recently, a quick trip by taxi to the Pension Office in Ueno, the nearest place I could make inquiries, being a resident of Taito-ku, was a total disappointment. They were not as accommodating as I had thought government offices in Japan would be.

Obviously, the pandemic has changed all that. I ended up filling an appointment form and was asked to come back a Saturday morning in October. I was seriously sulking.

What a morning! What a total waste of time!

I needed a nice cup of coffee to flush the blues away. But, wait!

Right in front of the Pension Office is the Shinobazu Pond!

Well, alright, maybe a slow leisurely walk back to Ueno Station would be a healthy distraction from my bad mood.

Oh, how sweet and romantic young love can be!

Not the best of weather, but it was bright enough and there was a soft breeze. I was beginning to feel better; even without the coffee, yet.

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September - October 2021

Oh, wow, the Lotus Pond is overflowing!

A little bit of history reviewed.

Yes, the Shinobazu Pond is within the former site of the Kan-ei-ji Temple, which is closely associated with the Tokugawa shoguns.

Now I wish I had more time to spare exploring this side of Ueno. I must visit the Shitamachi Museum next time!

With just about an hour to spare, well, I decided to use it for a sumptuous lunch at my favorite place in Shitamachi Asakusa!

This is why it is so hard to leave Japan!

September - October 2021

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by Alma Reyes

TRAFFIC Feanne’s

WEARABLE ART Last July 7-9, a group of Filipino fashion designers led by Feanne, Jill Lao, Joseph Bagasao, Neil Felipp San Pedro, Kelvin Morales, Joyce Makitalo, HA.MÜ’s Abraham Guardian and Mamuro Oki, and Jerome Lorico showcased their designs in clothing, bags and accessories at Lifork Harajuku.

The event was spearheaded by Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) in collaboration with H30 Fashion

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Bureau and LIT Fashion Consultancy in Tokyo, as a culmination of a fashion project that began in November 2019 with PHx Fashion Conference. Under the PHxTokyo mentorship, each designer was provided training on marketing, branding, and Japanese retailing for eight months.

Feanne, one of the fashion designers, recalls her memorable experience in Tokyo at that time. “I have always been a huge fan of Japanese culture—I think its

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021

Feanne Mauricio

pandemic and politics and so on, but I’ve still been lucky and privileged to be safe and comfortable at home,” Feanne says.

Instead of being bogged down by the pandemic, she shifted her energy towards productive results, focusing on commissions, licensing, and learning from the current situation. influence in my work is obvious.

It’s so exciting to have an opportunity to show my art to Japan and hopefully be commercially viable in that market.” She admitted knowing nothing about the Japanese market at first, but was guided well by her PHx Tokyo mentors.

“I have great respect and admiration for the Japanese way of doing business—the attention to detail, the focus on integrity and craftsmanship, and the emphasis on building for the long-term.”

Feanne studied Interior Design at the University of the Philippines. She had previously exhibited her drawings and paintings in the Philippines.

However, she found fashion to be a more practical way of integrating business with her art. Fashion has given her the foundation in project planning and management Feanne refers to her works as “wearable art,” which can be both attractive pieces of art and functional wearable garments at the same time. Her brand FEANNE is noted for functionality and versatility. Her garments are easy to wear and don’t wrinkle easily. They can be

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stylized in various ways, for example, a piece of fabric that can dress over a simple shirt and jeans. For this purpose, her clothes are usually free-size to suit all body shapes. Her collection includes coats, kimonos, boleros, robes, silk and satin scarves and others. Most pieces are reversible, containing pockets and in unisex style. She enjoys creating silhouettes that are adaptable to all ages and seasons. Her patterns range from flora, fauna, to other art motifs often inspired by delicate details related to the Philippines.

Some creations can also displayed as art or decoration.

She excels both in freehand illustration and digital application and use of new technology for enhancing her art. She is not only involved in designing, but also in sourcing, production management, marketing, sales, as well as packing and shipping of her products.

The COVID-19 pandemic has ignited several challenges in Feanne’s work, such as production delays, especially during the Manila lockdown.

“Staying mentally healthy has been tricky with the chronic background anxiety from the

In 2020, she was granted with the Adobe Creative Residency, which allowed her to do an illustration of a Palawan peacock that was to be used for the Adobe Fresco startup screen. Coming to the PHx Tokyo event was her next major achievement.

She expresses her immense gratitude for having been given the chance to participate in this endeavor. “My mentors have helped me a lot to study different types of garment styles, prints, and colors that would be suitable for the Japanese market. I'm truly grateful to them. I've felt that my creative career has been on a bit of a plateau. Having been self-taught and self-directed for so many years, I felt that structured guidance from industry veterans could greatly help me take my creative career to the next level.”

Feanne’s website: http://feanne.com/portfolio/ Photos courtesy of Feanne

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021

Feanne Mauricio

Angeles City Police Drug Operation: A Close Encounter

by Warren Sun, TV Program Coordinator I would like to make an announcement to Jeepney Press readers. On October 7th, Thursday, please watch the 3.5 hours special program on TV TOKYO’s "Ariyoshi's World Simultaneous Broadcast". For the Philippine corner, I will be broadcasting live from my hometown in Angeles City starting at 20:48!

Other countries that will be simultaneously broadcasting are Egypt, Ghana, Italy and France. It is a new program full of information from various countries. In my case, I did a close encounter on drug crime investigations at the Angeles City Police Station.

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September - October 2021

I will never forget that moment when we were going to the target area to witness the buy bust operation. I had to deliver the facts as they happen. It was definitely a big worry at the back of my mind if any of our team will be put in danger. But I guess that was part of the thrill and adventure of it.

life will return to the Philippines and Japan as soon as possible.

According to the Police Chief, "It is a good opportunity for Japanese people to know that police officers are doing their best every day to serve the country while maintaining the safety of the people." We got full coordination from them. We heard that more and more people are turning to drugs due to the hardship of the pandemic. We hope and pray that normal

Below is the URL of the teaser https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=des ktop&v=v0OtUw0-62E&fbclid=IwAR0B5efW MRkhPhvw9IjXdAhqBuORE9mw_ty8vrmAj N5Dt66e7kSjRpGavW0

September - October 2021

To know exactly what happened and keep the excitement alive, I’m inviting all fellow Pinoys in Japan to watch the program.

Don’t miss it! Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!

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PASADA

SHIZUOKA One of the places you cannot miss to visit in Shizuoka Prefecture is the world’s longest wooden pedestrian bridge in Shimada, the Horai Bridge.

It was registered in the Guinness Book of Records in 1997 and became a popular tourist spot nationwide. Horai bridge was featured in some historical movies, tv dramas and commercials.

The wooden bridge is 897.4 meters in total length, 2.7 meters wide and only has about kneehigh railings. So, I suggest not to go for a walk on the bridge if it’s windy or raining.

Horai Bridge over the Oi River was constructed in 1879 and has been used as an agricultural road to operate the tea plantations across the Makinohara plateau since Meiji era.

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The wooden bridge is also popular as a power spot for good fortune. They said that the length of the bridge means long life and it’s 897.4 length which can be read in Japanese as YAKUNASHI, means “no bad luck”.

On a clear day, you can see the beauty of Mt. Fuji from the wooden bridge. You can also enjoy the huge tea plantation on the opposite bank. There are some tea shops in the area near the bridge where you can experience and enjoy the green tea of Shimada.

- Melinda Yamashita, Shizuoka

September - October 2021

September - October 2021

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