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Name: Maria Concepcion Pidelo-Ona
Name of column:
BahAi Kubo
Occupations: Development Communication Specialist and Part-time English Teacher, Struggling Writer
Other jobs: Homeschooling Mom, Family Cook and Family Counselor (expertise earned after being married for ten years and raising a child in a foreign country without family support except my husband's)
Time in Japan: This year -- 11 (can't believe we've stayed that long here!!! when we were only planning on staying for a few years because of my husband's graduate studies)
Where are you from in the Philippines? I am from the City of Seven Lakes and the city famous for its Coconut Festival -- San Pablo City.
Where do you live in Japan?
We have lived only in Nagoya, the third largest city in Japan but in the 10 years we've lived here, we've moved about 5 times.
What brought you to Japan?
My husband was granted a scholarship by the Japanese government, the Monbusho Scholarship to do his masteral and doctoral studies in the field of chemical engineering. At that time in 1999, he was also granted a scholarship by the Australian government to do his graduate studies in Melbourne University but being tech savvy and an admirer of Japan's advanced technology on robotics, he opted to study here. I came here to support him as his wife. We both think the support was very important because it provided him focus on his primary reason why he came here in the first place which is to study. He eventually took on a company job after his graduation.
What do you like most about Japan?
Clean streets; I can go out at night without fear of being raped or kidnapped. Sa Pinas, I have to be home at 8 pm when I am out of the university campus. If for me, peace/ quiet and safety of my family are important; for my husband, he likes Japan because of the money, being the more practical person in our household. I have also learned the value of saving which I probably got from being a Nagoyan for 10 years now.
If you could bring "anything" from Japan to the Philippines, what would it be?
Discipline and being organized. Following rules. I have been raised in a "Japanese-mitaina" household in the Philippines so when I came here I liked it because it fits my personality but now that am 40, I hate rules and slowly hating Japan and would love to have some form of Philippine-ness in Japanese society. It is good to earn money here when you are young and strong but the Philippines is the best place to relax and retire.
If you were to be trapped for 3 hours inside the train or subway, what item would you like to have with you?
My bag contains all the basics. Am sort of an obsessive-compulsive type of person ever since I was born so I bring everything with me (kung pwede lang buong bahay eh) but now as I get older, I try to travel light so let me see -- a book and my MP3 player (some music) to get me entertained while I wait.
How did you learn about Jeepney Press?
At church, I got a copy and wanted to write for it since I couldn't do hands-on volunteer work that much with a small child so I decided to write for JP to share info which I think will be useful and relevant for our Pinoy community in Japan specially information on how we can survive as migrants in this country.
How long have you been writing for Jeepney Press? One to two years.I am an irregular contributor.
What do you think about the conditions of Filipinos in Japan?
A lot of us will be needed to fill-in the gaps left by the huge population of Japanese retirees. I think the majority of educated Japanese are slowly realizing that they need foreigners so nakikisama rin sila ng maayos, meaning they try to adjust and be flexible. I have not yet encountered racial discrimination. I guess it helps that I am light-skinned and speaks English quite fluently. For me, it is more of a language problem than a racial discrimination problem.
Sometimes, I encounter sexual harassment problems. I think some Japanese men have this stereotype image of Filipino women as entertainers so they make a pass and they get surprised if eventually they see that Filipinas can also be journalists, engineers, teachers. You have to prove to them that this stereotype is not true but proving oneself can also be tiring so minsan hinahayaan ko na lang. Nakakapagod na rin kasi minsan makipaglaban at magpaka-totoo kung sino ka man specially when you reach 40 (ayan naging senti na naman ako!) I think one has to just be sincere and be yourself and people would know.
How would you advice Filipinos in Japan on how to improve their lives?
Focus is important to help you reach your goals and always reflect on the basic reason why you came here. If student ka, so student ka, hindi yung maraming extra-curricular activities. It helps to have a breather or other hobby/ies other than studying but if it's a lot, di mo matatapos ang pag-aaral mo.
Engage in talks that are encouraging and will promote positive energy in the community or in the group. Negative talks or talking behind other peoples' back are signs of insecurity and could affect the mental health of those involved. It is important that we stay fit not only physically but also mentally lalo na dito na wala tayong strong family support.
Wag laging gaya-gaya puto maya. I am sometimes guilty of this and it creates pressure on me and my family life. Ok naman gumaya pero pag nagiging destructive na, stop. So, to be aware of this tendency, ask close and trusted friends for advice on how they see you and reflect alone on which Fil or Jap values should you continue to hold dear and raise your child with.
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Name: Nanette Fernandez
Name of column: Paraa!
Occupation: college teacher; teacher-trainer
Time in Japan: 14.5 years
Where from the Philippines? Quezon City
Where did you live in Japan (and which places have you lived in Japan)? 10 yrs in Nagoya, 3 yrs in Kobe (plus 1 and a half years in Osaka as a student)
What brought you to Japan? first time - foreign studies; last 13 years, my husband's work
What was your first impression of Japan? clean, disciplined, very efficient
What do you like most about Japan? aesthetics, the seasons, onsen!
What's the worst/weirdest thing you have experienced here? being illiterate; women as 2nd class citizens
If you could bring "anything" from Japan to the Philippines, what would it be? ofuro; spring and fall (skip winter!); efficient train system, disciplined people; accountable government officials
If you were to be trapped for 3 hours inside the train or subway, what item would you like to have with you? internet connection, my husband or at least someone interesting to talk to
What do you think about the conditions of Filipinos in Japan? Filipinos are hard-working and contribute to this country by making it more human(e).
How would you advice Filipinos in Japan on how to improve their lives? Learn as much as you can from Japan; have integrity; show that Filipinos can be trusted; be grateful always; save and invest your earnings for the future---bring your money back home and build a better life for you and your family.
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Name: Farah Trofeo-Ishizawa
Name of column: Short-cuts
Occupation: Freelance- Film-T.V. coordinator; soon to be an ALT
Time in Japan: Since 1991, but I have been here twice before that...
1981 for a month; 1986 for 6 months.
Where from the Philippines? Quezon City; Vigan, Ilocos Sur; and Bacolod.
Where do you live in Japan (and which places have you lived in Japan)?
I have lived in Sakura, Chiba; Ebisu and Takadanobaba in Tokyo.
Now, we live an hour away from Tokyo.
What brought you to Japan?
At first, I was on a cultural student exchange at Sophia University in 1981. Second and third time, I was a Japanese language student.
What was your first impres-sion of Japan?
Japan is so clean. People are disciplined. People have good manners.
What do you like most about Japan?
Generally, Japan is a clean country. People try to keep it clean. Japan’s transportation and communication networks are just so synchronized and so efficient. The health insurance and pension plan (even though it is not as good as before, they have it). Love the food, fruits – specially the strawberries.
What's the worst/weirdest thing you have experienced here?
One day in 1986, I have seen three “exhibitionists” in a day. So I thought to myself, what a country. But that was it… only one time.
If you could bring "anything" from Japan to the Philippines, what would it be?
The transportation system; the takkyubin, and the postal system; their way of driving; and the attitude of people towards TIME; Japanese rice; food and fruits – and the strawberries.
If you were to be trapped for 3 hours inside the train or subway, what item would you like to have with you? Water, my camera and my I-phone and headphones.
What do you think about the conditions of Filipinos in Japan?Filipinos come to Japan for their own reasons. For marriage, or for work and earn some money… Filipinos are luckier now, because we are now more accepted compared to years ago.
How would you advice Filipinos in Japan on how to improve their lives?I hope Filipinos learn to be more dignified and speak better Japanese. Avoid being vulgar and loud because “nakakahiya.” We have to change our image first if we do not like to be “stereo-typed.” Learn to dress up properly anywhere and specially inside the churches. The way you dress says a lot about you. Remember we are not in the Philippines. This is Japan. “When in Rome, do what the Romans do." Para happy!
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