Neriza Sarmiento Saito

ON THE ROAD TO:
A Place in the Sun
With the UT Gakuen  Global Studies Club

Ahh, spring! Cherry blossoms in bloom. Only time of the year that seems to inspire everyone to start anew!

I watched a chorus concert organized by Chorus Messe Osaka and supported by the  Osaka Prefectural Government the Osaka Municipal Government and the Osaka Board of Education held at Izumi Hall in OBP on April 14 and really felt refreshed after listening to the Woodrose School Chorale and the University of the Philippines' Manila Women's Chorale. The youthful high school students' angelic voices charmed the audience from their opening number, Celebrate this Day Together, to the well applauded Piliin mo ang Pilipinas, Time to Say Goodbye and Ryan Cayabyab's Better World. Conductor and pianist Angela Kliatchko moved with ease and precision creating a lilting harmony of voices. The rapport between her and the students can be felt. I can only imagine the long hours they did for rehearsals or perhaps the scoldings and the tears and sweatings before that splendid performance. It goes without saying how a teacher's trust and belief in her students can work wonders.

In this issue, I will introduce a group of junior and senior high school students and their adviser who have taken a special interest in the Philippines. They are the members of the Global Studies Club of Uenomiya Taishi Gakuen, a private educational institution of the Honen Shonin Jodo-shu religion. Mr. Yoshihide Maruyama, the GSC adviser and in-charge of curriculum planning is an English teacher of the school for more than 15 years. In the past, the club has introduced the Philippines at the school's cultural events and some senior high school members took part in a translation contest of a storybook "Tough Times" organized by Kobe Jogakuen. Some members also started to study other foreign languages including Filipino. Mr. Maruyama, a very dedicated teacher of English has always believed in the hidden potentials of his students. Most of the members are typically shy but when they meet for club activities 3-4 times a week for English conversation, their faces lighten up.
     
During the spring vacation, they visited the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka to learn more about the Philippines. They were welcomed by Consul-General Ma. Teresa L. Taguiang and Consul Michael Lyndon Garcia. To Mr. Maruyama's surprise, the usually shy students were very confident as they asked questions one after the other. One of the questions asked was about books that most school children read in schools. Consul Mike showed everyone copies of "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo" by Jose Rizal. Contrary to expectations that these quiet and shy students might not be able to ask the questions they prepared, Mr. Maruyama was relieved when Takuya, the GSC club leader and members like Koki, Chisato, Maki, Yuma and Jun stood up with confidence to ask several questions. Consul Mike also explained the work of the Philippine Consulate General in Western Japan such as providing consular services to Filipino nationals, visa application services to Japanese nationals as well as promoting trade and tourism in the Philippines. He regrets, however, that Filipinos are not always free from negative publicity in Japan so he also hopes that Japanese and high school students can incorporate studies about the Philippines in their schools to get a better perspective of their Asian neighbours. In Kansai, there are over 25 Filipino communities that are mostly church based and many of the children of Filipino-Japanese couples attend public and private schools in Japan. Sometimes for fear of being bullied by their classmates, they conceal their Filipino identity. Many schools have encouraged introducing studies of other Foreign cultures particularly Asia.
 
Uenomiya Taishi Gakuen started introducing Foreign cultures in its period for Integrated Study in 2010 using English as the medium of instruction. Mr. Yoshihide Maruyama, who was the Chairman of the English Department was very instrumental in planning the integration in the school curriculum for the Junior High School from first year to third year. In the beginning, the students were not very receptive. Most English classes are held at English Immersion Rooms in the Junior High School and the Senior High School. This is also the venue for all activities of the GSC like writing newsletters, translating practice and learning other foreign languages.
 
Although there are only very few members, compared to the other sports  club, they don't seem bothered at all and enjoying their place in the sun. "They must have a place where they can be themselves,” Mr. Maruyama said.  A former graduate of Uenomiya Taishi, Mr. Yosuke Shohara who is now a 4th year senior in the Philippine Studies Program, also joined together with Ms. Natsuki Iwai. Mr. Kozu Yoneda, current head of the English Dept. and other teachers: Ms. Saki Mukai, Ms. Atsuko Yamamoto and Ms. Makiko Sasaki were also present.

The visit to the consulate had a good impact on the students. Mr. Maruyama' s hard work is now bearing fruits!

Jose Miguel Parungao

Beep-Beep

Bernard Palad
May Isang simpleng bata na nag-e-enjoy sa kanyang paglalaro sa maliit na swimming pool. Habang nakatanaw ang mag-asawa sa bakuran, nasulyapan nila ang bata.
Ama: Kung buhay pa siguro ang ating anak, siguro kasing laki ng batang na naglalaro sa pool no?
Ina: Oo nga. Nakakapanghinayang. Nakakalungkot isipin.
Ama: Pinagdarasal ko na magkaroon tayo ulet ng  pagkakataon na magka-anak muli.
Ina: Darling, Gambarimasho ne?

Avel Estolas
Bata 1: Ang ganda ng panahon! Ang sarap mag-swimming! Yippee!
Bata 2: Glog, glog, glog (sound of bubbling water)
Lalake: Ano kaya ang naisipan ng dalawa at nag-swi-swimming na sa panahon ng pamumukadkad ng cherry blossom?
Babae: Kaya nga. Di man lang ba sila nilalamig?

Bong Fong
Outside Person 1: Ano yun? Feeling summer na sya!
Outside Person 2: Oo nga no? Di kaya nilalamig!?
Inside Person: OK ito, summer swimming pool in cherry blossom kahit malamig! Ayos ka ba friend?

Outside Person 1:  Tama ba ko ang nakikita ko?
Outside Person 2:  Oo nga, di na hinintay ang summer. Ok yun ha, swimming on hanami season!
Inside Person: Yosh! Naiiba ito! Hindi picnic kundi swimming under sakura blossom! Di ba friend?

Arnel Sugay
Man in pool: Ahhh. Sarap mag-babad sa tubig! Nakaka relaks!
Sister: Kuya, ang sarap naman ng buhay nung mama! Nakababad siya sa pool. Ang saya  naman nya.
Brother: Para sa akin, wala ng mas sasaya pa kung nasa pool ka at kapiling mo ang pamilya at mga kaibigan. Ano sa palagay mo?
Sister: Tama ka kuya. Masarap ang mag bonding. Next  week, mag swimming tayo.
Brother: Oo. Yayain na natin ang mga mahal natin sa buhay para ma plano na nila ang next week.

Joji Alarcon
Guy sa pool: Waaah!! Sarap magbabad sa tubig!  Weeee!
Girl sa labas: Hay. Kainggit naman para tuloy gusto kong mag-beach
Guy sa labas: Hmmm... Kay lamig-lamig at spring pa. Tapos nagbababad na sa pool sa labas! tsk! tsk!

Marilyn Abellana Suico
Man outside the fence:  I wonder what that lady is doing under the shade of cherry blossoms
Lady in the tub: I wonder if I look strange...  just viewing the cherry blossoms and taking a hot bath. What's wrong with multi-tasking anyway.... coz men can't!

Lady in the tub:  Why the stare?
Man outside the fence: I wish to get in there next when you are done!

Arlene Esperida

WALANG SABIT

Rey Ian Corpuz

ACHI-KOCHI

Let’s Enjoy Edogawa: A Short Daytrip Guide

Edogawa Ward in Tokyo is located in the eastern most part of Tokyo’s special 23 wards bordering Chiba to the east and Tokyo Bay. Edogawa is probably the easiest ward to recall because its name is derived from the samurai era of the Edo Period. Also in this ward lies the famous Edo River which Japan’s old capital, also named Edo, flourished its trade and commerce.

For Edogawa’s southern side, Kasai is famous for three things.  The Tokyo Metro Subway Museum, Tokyo Sealife Park and the Kasai Rinkai Park. Here, travelers can enjoy these three areas in just a day on a meager amount.

Tokyo Metro Subway Museum
The Tokyo Metro subway museum, unlike the one in JR Train Museum in Omiya, is small and good for kids and kids-at-heart, too. The museum lies behind the exit of Tozai Line’s Kasai Station. Entrance fee for adults are at 210 yen while kids at 100 yen. Inside the museum, one can see a timeline how the Tokyo Metro Subway lines were created. The museum also houses the first Ginza train coach that was used in 1939. One can actually feel how comfy and sturdy the train coaches back then. Trains were hard metal on the outside and wood on its flooring and interiors.  There is also a train simulator on the rear end of the museum. Rail enthusiasts and curious children and child-at-hearts try to be the train operator for a couple of minutes. The controls are quite simple. You only have one lever to switch whether you want to go faster or apply breaks. The museum also has diorama for train simulations and some actual layering of subways especially in the junction of Ochanomizu (where the Ma-runouchi and Chuo Lines intersect). One of the most interesting finds in the museum is the actual subway drilling machine which is so massive where it was used to excavate earth and create the Tokyo’s subway lines.

Kasai Sea Life Park 
One of Tokyo’s famed aquariums is the Kasai Sea Life Park situated in Kasai Rinkai Park, which is just further south from the subway museum. The park is not as big and massive as other aquariums compared to Yokohama and Chiba. As short as 45 minutes or less, the aquarium can be toured leisurely. This aquarium made headlines last year when a Humboldt penguin escaped from capti-vity. The oceans of the world are well-represented inside the aquarium. Creatures from the Pacific Oceans are subdivided into two, one each compartment for the Indian, Atlantic and Caribbean seas. The massive donut-shaped aquarium at the center of the facility is the main attraction as it contains the priced bluefin tuna and species of sharks circling the tank like a racing circuit. Humboldt penguins and many species of sea birds can also be seen. Small kids will surely love this place as they will see real creatures from the sea brought into one place. The Tidal Pool area is where you can touch creatures swept during coastal tides like starfish and other shell fish. The aquarium also houses cafeteria and souvenir shops for those who want to keep a memory of the aquarium. Park fees are 700 yen for adults and kids 0-12 years of age are free and students 13-15 years old 250 yen. Junior high school students in Tokyo area are also free of charge.

Kasai Rinkai Park
Just outside of Tokyo Sealife Park is Kasai Rinkai Park. The park is so wide and is perfect for various outdoor activities. Whether strolling, dog walking, jogging, picnics, team-building activities, date with your boy or girlfriend, barbeque or just to breathe a fresher air is just anything that you can do at this park. The park sits on the edge of Edogawa-ku bordering Tokyo bay. The park is more accessible by Keio/Musashino Lines on the Kasai Rinkai Station and its just 5 minutes walk from the station. One of the highlights of this park is the humongous 117 meter tall Ferris Wheel that is also visible from the train station. The park also has several fields for flower viewing. Flowers are planted in each field depending on the season. Notable flowers are the rape flowers and tulips during spring, and the cosmos during autumn. You can also enjoy fishing and collecting shellfish during summer. And you can also enjoy the beach during hot summer days. The best spot for picnic is facing Tokyo Bay or at the ground of the big Ferris Wheel. The whole park is also accessible by bicycle and in the edges of the park. Tokyo Disney Resort and Tokyo Bay Bridge are visible. The park is free  entrance. Spring, is the perfect season so enjoy this park as the cool breeze of the sea blows inland.

Nestor Puno

Kasal, diborsyo, kasal, diborsyo…
May paraan pa, maliban sa
“Judicial Recognition”…

Sa kasalukuyan, hindi na tumatanggap ang ating embahada at konsulado, ng report of divorce dahil sa kautusan ng korte suprema sa Pilipinas. Kahit na nakapag-sumite na ng diborsyo sa lokal na munisipyo dito sa Japan, hindi pa rin sapat ito para makapagpakasal uli ang isang Pinay na kasal dati sa isang Hapon.

Upang makakuha ng “legal capacity to contract marriage” o LCCM, na kailangan para makapagpakasal, kaila-ngan munang kilalanin ng korte sa Pilipinas ang naganap na diborsyo ng isang Pilipino at dayuhang asawa sa ibang bansa, tulad ng sa Japan. Ito ang tinatawag na “judicial recognition.”

Kung nais maghain ng judicial recognition, humanap ng abogado sa Pilipinas na siyang hahawak ng kaso. Mag-ingat lamang sa abogado na makukuha dahil mayroong abogado na pinepeke ang desisyon ng korte. Para maiwasan ito, humingi kayo ng copy ng lahat ng papeles (pleadings, motions, orders, decisions, etc.) na kanyang isusumite upang maaari ninyong makumpirma. Batay sa karanasan, ang proseso ng judicial recognition ay umaabot ng anim na buwan hanggang isang taon, at ang maaaring gastusin ay mula Php 60,000 hanggang Php120,000.

Ano ang mga kailangang dokumento?
1. Kumuha ng sertipikasyon ng inyong report of divorce (rikon todoke) sa inyong munisipyo, dalhin ito sa notary public (koshonin yakuba) sa inyong lugar para ipa-notaryo. Kung matagal ng nagdiborsyo, maaaring wala na sa city hall ang inyong papeles, kaya dumiretso na kayo sa homukyoku (Legal Affairs Bureau). Ang documents na galing sa homukyoku ay hindi na kailangang ipa-notaryo. Pagkatapos nito, ipapadala ninyo ito sa gaimusho (Ministry of Foreign Affairs ng Japan) sa Osaka o Tokyo. Ito ay maaaring ipadala sa pamamagitan ng koreo, at ang kailangang application form ay maaaring makuha sa internet. Ito ang kanilang link (sa Wikang Hapon); http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/toko/todoke/shomei/index.html
2. Kapag natapos na ang authentication, ipapadala naman ninyo sa embahada o konsulado natin ang dokumentong ito, na may kasamang English translation, para naman i-authenticate nila. Ito rin ay maaari ding ipadala sa pamamagitan ng koreo.
3. Kapag natapos na ang authentication sa bahagi ng pamahalaan ng Hapon at ng ating embahada o konsulado, ipapadala na ninyo ito sa inyong abogado sa Pilipinas. Itanong sa inyong abogado kung anu-ano pa ang mga kailangang dokumento. Ang family registration (koseki tohon) ay hindi na kailangang ipa-notaryo at dalhin sa homukyoku, at maaaring idiretso sa gaimusho.

Pagkatapos ng proseso nito sa korte, ang desisyon ng korte ay dadalhin sa NSO upang mailagay sa inyong marriage certificate sa Pilipinas ang ibinabang desisyon ng korte, at kapag nailagay na ito kukuha kayo ng kopya ng marriage certificate na may red ribbon, at siya ninyong ipapasa sa embahada o konsulado kapag nag-aplay kayo ng LCCM.

Para sa mga kababayan nating hindi matatag ang visa at nagbabalak makipaghiwalay sa asawang Hapon, mungkahing maghanda ng mga dokumento at pambayad ng maaga dahil matagal ang proseso nito.


Subalit may paraan pa kung talagang biglaan ang paghihiwalay at nasa dilubyo ang ekstensyon ng visa.

Sa kalagayan na hindi mabigyan ng LCCM ng embahada o ng konsulado dahil sa hindi pa naaayos ang judicial recognition sa Pilipinas, maaari pa ring magpa-kasal sa isang Hapon, kung nagdiborsyo na sa dating asawang Hapon. Paano nangyari iyon?

Ayon sa batas ng General Law ng Japan: Kung ang diborsyo na isinumite ng isang Hapon na naninirahan sa Japan at nasasaklawan ng batas ng Japan, opisyal na tinatanggap ang naturang diborsyo. Kaya ang diborsyo sa pagitan ng Hapon at ng isang Pilipina ay tinatanggap bilang opisyal.

Ayon naman sa batas ng Article 26 ng Philippine Family Code: Kung ang kasal at diborsyo sa pagitan ng isang Filipino at dayuhang asawa ay naganap sa labas ng bansa at nagbigay karapatan sa asawang dayuhan na muling makapag-asawa, ang isang Pilipino ay maaaring muling mag-asawa sa ilalim ng batas ng Pilipinas.

Dahil sa sinasabi ng mga batas na ito, tinatanggap ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Japan kung magpapakasal ang isang Filipina at isang Hapon. Subalit ito ay dadaan sa isang pagsusuri at kailangan ng mga dokumento na magpapatunay sa mga bagay at pangyayari. Ang mga dokumento na maaaring kailanganin ay birth certificate, advisory on marriage, marriage certificate, na pawang makukuha sa NSO at mayroong authentication mula sa DFA o ang tinatawag na “red ribbon.” Kakailanganin din ng family registration (koseki tohon) ng dating asawa at ng inyong report of divorce (rikon todoke). Para naman sa mapapa-ngasawang Hapon, kailangan niya rin ng koseki tohon, certificate of residence (juminhyo), at pasaporte.

Ang problema lamang sa ganitong proseso ng pagpapakasal, kung ang inyong apelyido ay nakasunod sa dati ninyong asawa, iyong pangalan na iyon ang irerehistro sa inyong kasal dahil ito ang nakalagay sa inyong pasaporte na nagpapakilala sa inyo. Hindi ito maaaring baguhin dahil hindi rin tumatanggap ang embahada at konsulado ng pag-amyenda ng pasaporte dahil sa diborsyo. Maaari pa rin ninyo itong mapapalitan kapag natapos na ang proseso ng judicial recognition.

Marami pa ring munisipyo ang naghahanap ng LCCM kapag naghain ng kasal kaya mungkahi ko na makipag-sangguni sa mga NGO na nakakaalam sa bagay na ito o sa mga abogado upang lubos na maipaliwanag ang inyong kalagayan at mapa-hintulutan kayong muling maikasal.

Subalit, sa paghahain ng kasal sa ganitong proseso ay mayroon pa ring susulpot na problema, tulad ng sa pangalan, atbp. Pansagip lamang ito sa mga wala ng oras na makapag-sampa ng judicial recognition at magtatapos na ang kanilang visa. Tulad ng una kong sinabi, paghandaan kung anuman ang inyong balak gawin sa mga darating na panahon upang hindi makadagdag sa anumang problema.

Ipanalangin din natin na maipasa ang batas sa mababa at mataas na kapulu-ngan ang hinggil sa pagkakaroon ng diborsyo sa ating bansa. Kung matutuloy ito, hindi na natin kailangang maghirap pa ng ganito at gumastos ng malaking halaga para kilalanin ang paghihiwalay. Hindi na rin kailangang magtiis sa asawa para lamang sa visa, kahit minamaltrato o sinasaktan.

Para sa mga nais kumonsulta, PM nyo lang po ako sa FB, Nestor Puno.
Maraming salamat.

Abie Principe

Shoganai: Gaijin Life

 Eroplano, Eroplano…

Kung kayo ay tulad ko na ilan taon na ring naninirahan sa bansang Hapon, malamang ay nakailang beses na rin kayong nasakasay ng eroplano.

     Ako kasi, mula nang nag-aral ako sa Japan, once or twice a year umuuwi ako. Minsan lang ngang hindi ako nakauwi, dahil tinapos ko yung research ko, pero ayoko na maulit yun. Kung kaya, umuuwi talaga ako.

　Dahil nga sa medyo madalas akong umuuwi, panay rin ang sakay ko sa eroplano, at sa totoo lang, wala naman akong phobia sa pagsakay sa mga sasakyang panghimpapawid. Natutuwa nga ako every time merong travel, kasi sa akin, eroplano pa lang, adventure na!

     Nitong nakaraang March, umuwi na naman ako, bakasyon kasi sa eskwelahan na pinagtuturuan ko. Pabalik ako ng April 7, mahigit isang buwan din ako sa Pilipinas. Ayun na nga at naghihintay na ako sa boarding gate ng Hong Kong. Kasi Cathay Pacific ang sinakyan ko at meron itong stopover sa Hong Kong. Natutuwa rin naman ako sa mga stopovers kasi parang mini-travel experience ito.

     Habang nasa Hong Kong, binago ang boarding gate ng papuntang Nagoya, kaya kinailangan pa ako mag lakad ng malayo, dahil yung unang boarding gate, malapit lang dun sa pinag-babaan ng flight from Manila to HK.

     Pagdating ko sa bagong boarding gate, meron naka-paskil na sign, sinasabi na merong 26HK$ meal vouchers ang lahat ng pasahero sa flight ko. Aba, bakit? Kung namimigay ng pagkain, malamang hindi maganda ang balita tungkol sa flight schedule. Naranasan ko na rin naman na ma-delay ng 10 oras, kaya talagang pinakain kami ng airline noon.

     Nagtanong ako at sinabi na meron 2 hour delay. A, dalawang oras lang pala, namigay na sila ng voucher? Ito ang inisip ko noon, pero hindi nga naman maganda tumanggi sa grasya, kaya, kumain ako sa isang Taiwanese Beef Noodle restaurant malapit sa boarding gate.

     Nang malapit na ang bagong boarding time, pumila na ako, at madali rin naman nakapasok sa eroplano. At dito nagmula ang parang action movie experience ko.

     Wala namang kakaiba, naka-upo lang kaming mga pasahero, yung iba pinag lalaruan ang TV, yung iba inaayos ang blankets nila, yung iba nag-babasa ng in-flight magazines. Ganyan naman halos ang mga pasahero kapag hindi pa umaandar ang eroplano. Pinag-iisipan ko kung babasahin ko ba ang Duty Free magazine nila ng biglang may napakalakas na tunog, na parang may mabigat na bagay ang bumagsak, sabay yanig ng buong eroplano. Sobrang takot ko, unang sumagi sa isip ko, may nagpasabog ba ng bomba sa loob ng eroplano? Wala naman akong outward reaction, malakas lang kaba ng dibdib ko, kasi nga, paano kung sumabog o magkasunog? Tinanggal ko agad ang seat belt ko, at tinignan ang pinakamalapit na exit. In retrospect, na-realize ko na ginawa ko yung palaging sinasabi ng in-flight safety video, na akala ko e baliwala lang. Na-retain din pala ng memory ko.

     Sinubkit ko agad yung maliit na bag ko, at inisip ko pa nga kung makukuha ko yung malaking handcarry na nasa overhead compartment. Pero sa loob-loob ko, pag naka-amoy ako ng gasolina o makakita ng usok, iiwanan ko na yung hand carry na yun.

     Lahat ng ito nag flash ng mabilis sa utak ko matapos yung ingay at yanig, as in split-seconds lang. Mabilis naman nagkaroon ng announcement ang Kapitan ng eroplano, sinabi niya na yung air bridge connecting the plane to the terminal ay bumagsak. Sinabi rin na we are in no danger, and we should wait while they try to fix the plane doors.

     After marinig ko yun, medyo nawala kaba ko, pero hindi ko pa rin sinuot yung seat belt, kasi nasa lapag naman, at mas madali tumayo pag walang seat belt.

Mahigit 30 minuto matapos bumagsak yung air bridge, andoon pa rin kaming mga pasahero sa loob ng eroplano. Sabi ng flight attendants wag tumayo, pero since walang naka-upo sa seats na malapit sa bintana, lumipat ako doon at sumilip. Nakita ko nga na na bagsak ang air bridge. Tinanong ko yung flight attendant kung merong mga taong naglalakad doon nung bumagsak, wala daw sabi niya. Tapos may kumalat na rumor na meron daw ground staff na nadaganan. Wala naman nag confirm nito.
     Matapos ang halos isang oras, nag-announce na sila na palalabasin na kami ng eroplano. Doon kami door na malapit sa buntot ng eroplano pinadaan. At merong buses and emergency personnel na naghihintay sa tarmac para dalhin kami sa terminal.

     Nung lumabas ako ng eroplano, noon ko lang nakita na medyo malaking aksidente yung nangyari, dahil hindi mabilang ang dami ng firefighters na nakapaligid sa eroplano, and at least seven fire trucks ang naka parada.

     We ended up having to stay an extra night in Hong Kong. Nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon na nasa loob na ang mga pasahero nung bumagsak ang air bridge, at bukod sa pintuan, aywalang naging major damage ang eroplano.

Kaya dapat maging alert sa tuwing merong mga emergency situations, alamin ang safety procedures, dahil totoong ito ang sasagip sa inyong buhay.

Napaka-exciting na experience! Sana hindi na maulit ever!

Sally Cristobal-Takashima

KANSAI CRUSADE

It is now the merry month of May. It has been barely a month since the new school year started. Some parents of university graduates have to see their sons and daughters off to start a new job at a new place. It is a happy/sad occasion. Happy to graduate and get employed but sad to leave home, family and friends. May is also the time to recover from expenses incurred for new school uniforms, sports wear, books etc. May is Commencement Ceremonies to attend and enrollment of the　children in primary and secondary schools. Mothers are the major supporters of the children's school life as well as the one who will choose which juku to enroll in.

       Here in Takatsuki City, where I live, just in the middle of Osaka and Kyoto, we recently discovered the Museum of Biohistory where Sakura trees were in their finest bloom - such luck as we didn't have to go any further for picture taking plus we enjoyed the display of Human Genome, Darwin's Genetics (Shinka), origin of Man, etc. The Biohistory Hall has two floors, charges no admission fees but the descriptions of the display is only in Japanese. But they will give you a bottle of good tea. The museum can be reached by JR Train. Get off at Takatsuki East Exit and ask any bus driver how you can get to the former Japan Tobacco bldg. By the way, Takatsuki City is the Sister City of Manila. The famous Daimyo, Takayama Ukon, a Samurai, who was banished in Manila for embracing Christianity died in Manila and standing tall is his sculptured statue located in Plaza Dilaw, a 10 minute ride from De La Salle College in Taft Avenue.

       Tunay na nararamdaman ang pag-ikot ng mundo when there are 4 seasons. Ang paglipas at pagdaloy ng panahon ay likas na nadarama sa mga iba't ibang prutas at mga pagkain na tinitinda. Nagsisilaki ang mga bata, pumuputi ang buhok ni Otosan at Okasan. Nagsasarili na ang Kuya o Ate dahil sila ay may asawa at pananagutan na. Bahay ng empty nester ay tahimik at malungkot na. May ingay at tawanan lang kung dadalaw ang mga apo.

       Tayo naman ay bumanda at usisain ang mga ilang bagay na nangyayari si Pillipinas. Tuloy pa rin ang pagtaas ng presyo ng gasolina at iba pang bilihin. Mas mura pa daw na magtaxi na lang at mag bus kung malapit lang. Meron din daw pinipili na magtaxi kahit hanggang Tagaytay pero fixed at per araw ang bayaran.

       Tuloy pa rin ang pagpapalit ng pangalan ng mga kalye. Nakakalito talaga. Napakaraming developers na nagpapatayo ng condominium. Ang PhilamLife Insurance ay nabili ni Henry Sy ng Shoe Mart para patayuan ng ano pa - e di condos na naman. Pero promise naman ni Sy na he will save the famous PhilAm Concert Hall. Puro business at pera na lang yata ang iniintindi nitong mga Chinese enterpreneurs na ito. When old but famous and historical landmarks are demo-lished and replaced by new buildings, para bang nabubura sa ating isipan Ng mga kilalang lugar at kung ano man na alaala mayroon tayo. Maiba ako bumoto ba kayo nitong Halalan 2013. Did you make your votes count? Did you check the track record of your chosen candidates. Kung nagbasa ka ng mga onlline Philippine newspapers ay masasabing seryoso ka na maging makabuluhan ang paggamit mo ng iyong karapatan na bumoto.

       Isang balita na dumadami daw ang mga kaso ng heat strokes lalong lalo sa mga taong kadalasan ay namamalagi sa labas. Kaya naman sila ay maaring bigyan ng tinatawag na heat stroke break.
       Isa daw ulat na inamin ni President B. Aquino noon nakaraang kaarawan niya nitong Pebrero na nais pa rin niyang maging kumpleto ang buhay niya kung siya ay makapag-asawa bago siya maging Senior Citizen. Masyado yatang mapili ng pagpili ng magiging kabiyak ang ating Pangulo.

       Kansai News: The Philippine Community Coordinating Council recently held the Election of Officers for the Year 2013-2015. The new officers are: Chairperson, Joy Yoshitomi; VP Social and Cultural Katrina Ibanez, VP Public Relations Mutya Ooi, Secretary Ellen Takeuchi; Treasurer Maritess Kita; Auditor Marlon Mangila. Good Luck - enjoy the cruise and the work.

       The University of the Philippines' Manila Chorale visited Osaka as a guest group performer of Chorus Messe Japan 2013 in April 13th and 14th. This event was supported by the Osaka Prefectural Government, Osaka City Government's Board of Education, Kansai Choral Association and Japan Choral. The event was held in Izumi Hall-Twin 21-IMP. A performance was also held at the St. Mary's Cathedral in Tamatsukuri, Osaka on Monday, April 15th for the members and friends of the Philippine community in Kansai./ Salamat po. Till next time.

Marty Manalastas-Timbol

SHITTERU?

ALAM NYO BA…na nagkaroon ng Healing Mass sa Tokyo celebrated by Fr. Fernando Suarez. Marami ang dumalo at marami din ang mga na-heal during the mass. Ika nga ni Fr. Suarez, he is only an instrument of God and the Holy Spirit was with us during the mass.


ALAM NYO BA…ang online passport application ng Philippine Embassy in Tokyo ay napaka-convenient and really fast. Mas ok kung kayo ay mag-online application and just request for a schedule kung kailan kayo pwede na makapunta sa Embassy.  Ito ay isang libreng serbisyo para sa mga kababayan natin na nakatira sa Japan na sakop ng Philippine Embassy in Tokyo. Ito ay para lamang sa mga first time like mga babies na pinanganak sa Japan o yung mga gustong mag-renew ng regular passport with no discrepancies. Check the Philippine Embassy’s website for Online ePassport Application: http://tokyo.philembassy.net/pponline/

Madam Marivic Oyama

 MAY - JUNE　FORECAST

HORSE
Malapit ka sa away at gulo madali kang mairita sa mga taong nasa iyong paligid. Kontrolin ang iyong timpi at iwasang magsalita ng nakakasakit sa iyong kapwa. Malamang na masangkot sa isang kaso, kumuha ng maayos na abogado. Magiging mahina ang iyong kalusugan pagdating ng June. Umiwas sa mga delikadong lugar at huwag magpapagabi sa daan. Gumawa ng maayos na schedule para maiwasan ang mga overdue at overwork.

RABBIT
Makakatanggap ng tulong mula sa mga hindi inaasahang tao at may mga bagong oportunidad na darating sa iyo. Maging positibo lamang at huwag magpapaapekto sa mga negatibong bagay na magiging dahilan ng isang argumento. Mag-ingat pagdating sa buwan ng June dahil may darating na mga pagsubok. Iwasan muna ang sugal o paggawa ng malaking desisyon, umiwas din sa mga pakikipag- talo.

SHEEP
The #5 yellow and #2 illness star are present in your chart it means dobleng pag-iingat ang kailangan. Iwasan muna ang magmaneho ng malayo. Darating din at mararanasan ang mga kasawian (misfortune). Huwag magpa-apekto sa mga problema. Hayaan na lumipas ang sitwasyon at isipin ang susunod na magandang mangyayari. In June, your luck will improve, mananaig ang positibong pag-uugali at magiging mabuti ang pakikisama sa iyo ng mga nakakarami sa trabaho man o kasambahay. Sa mga may asawa, umiwas sa panlabas na relasyon dahil ito ang magiging dahilan ng kawalan ng tiwala sa iyo ng kabiyak.

BOAR
Anuman ang simulan ay lalagu ng malaki buksan ang iyong tenga at mata sa isang malaking deal pagdating sa trabaho. May malaking pagbabago at oportunidad na darating sa iyong buhay. Huwag lamang ma-stress kung hindi kayang dalhin ang responsabilidad . Then “stay-out “at kung nasa iyo ang magandang attitude, then “go ahead” . Maganda ang naghihintay sa iyo. June is your luckiest month, dahil ang magandang kapalaran ay mabilis pumasok at maraming dalang magagandang bagay na mangyayari sa iyong buhay. Magandang panahon upang magsimula ng bagong produkto, bagong negosyo, trabaho, signing contract , etc.

DRAGON
Ang #7 violent star ay nasa iyo ngayon at ito ay magdadala ng kawalan sa pananalapi, tiwala at hindi magandang relasyon. Maging alerto sa mga taong may inggit sa iyo dahil kahit kaibigan mo ay handang lumaban sa iyo ng talikuran. Huwag basta mag-titiwala at huwag bibigyan ng pagkakataon na makakuha ng butas ang mga taong ito para ikaw ay lokohin. In June, brings good news and good fortune. Makakamit ang tagumpay sa mga trabahong ginawa noong mga nakaraan at makikita mo ang epekto ng iyong pinaghirapan. Dahil ang “heavenly star” brings you luck from heaven.

MONKEY
The #5 yellow star brings you difficult times, Earth Star and the #2 star will bring you misfortune. Kaya dobleng pag-iingat ang dapat gawin dahil malapit ka ngayon sa anumang karamdaman at aksidente. Malamang na magkaroon ng mental depression dahil sa mga nararanasang problema. In June, mahina at hindi mo kayang labanan ang temptation. Maging ang iniiwasang tao ay magpapakita sa iyo ng interes. Kung maayos at maganda ang iyong relasyon, iwasan at huwag padadala sa mga “flings” dahil ito ang sisira ang inyong magandang samahan.

OX
Mahina ang iyong kalusugan at madali kang mahawa sa mga viruses. Iwasan ang pagpupuyat, kumain ng tama sa oras at magkaroon ng regular na ehersisyo ng katawan. Magpahinga ng sapat at umiwas sa mga mataong lugar. Makakabawi ka sa buwan ng June, dahil magtatagumpay ka sa iyong mga ginagawa at may mga bagong challenge na darating sa iyo. Mababago ang iyong buhay at makakamit na ang matagal mo nang hinihiling.

ROOSTER
Nasa iyo ang wealth and prosperity luck ngunit malakas din ang kompetisyon sa iyo magiging matagumpay ka sa buwang ito. May mga taong masaya para sa iyo at meron din mga taong naiinggit sa iyong kalagayan at dito mo makikita kung sino talaga ang tunay na kaibigan. In June, your energy level will go up. Nasa iyong kamay ang tagumpay kaya huwag matakot na humarap sa responsibilidad. Sundin ang iyong kalooban at huwag magpapadala sa iba. Hindi mo kailangan ang ka-partner dahil may kakayahan ka at malakas ang iyong self-confidence.

TIGER
Mahina man ang iyong health energy level, successful naman ang iyong mga gagawing projects basta maging concentrate at focus kung ano ang pinaka- importante sa iyo. Bigyan lamang ng sapat na pahinga ang katawan kapag nakaramdam ng pagod. And everything is going to be okay. In June, ang lahat ng pinaghirapan sa business, career, exams o maging sports ay matatagumpay dahil ito ang buwan ng pagbabago at ang suwerte ay nasa iyo. Ang lahat ng nangyayari sa iyo ay may dahilan.

SNAKE
Iwasan ang magtiwala kung ayaw mong masaktan. Hindi man intensyon na ikaw ay lokohin, ito ay mangyayari at mismong kaibigan ang gagawa nito sa iyo. Huwag hayaang bigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga taong gustong manloko sa iyo. In June, ipagpatuloy ang mga nasimulang projects o mga gawain na may confidence dahil ang lahat ng ito ay magtatagumpay. Magiging maganda rin ang buhay pag ibig, masayang relasyon at matiwasay na pagsasama.

RAT
Ang buwan ng Mayo ay magiging abala para sa iyo pagdating sa trabaho. May mga bagong projects na papasok at magiging tagumpay ka dito. Maganda at makulay ang buhay pag-ibig. Umiwas lamang sa triangle love affair dahil ito ang magbibigay ng problema sa iyo. Manatili ka na lamang sa iyong kapareha. In June, gulo at away ang mamamagitan mula sa iyo at sa mga taong nasa paligid mo. Hindi magandang magtrabaho ng may team work, iritable at maikli ang pasensiya. Mas mabuting mag-isa. Hindi rin ito ang tamang panahon upang tumanggap ng mga bagong proyekto.

DOG
Maging handa dahil may makikilang isang taong malakas at may koneksyon. Isang taong may salapi na magbibigay kaganapan sa iyong buhay. Magiging popular at kikilalanin ka ng nakakarami. Gamitin ito sa mabuti. In June, nakangiti at naghihintay ang magandang kapalaran sa iyo. Lahat ng pagpapala ay makakamit. Anuman ang simulan ay may magandang katapusan dahil nasa iyo ang wealth star
#8 at Heaven star.

Roger Agustin

Musings Of A Sarariman

I am starting a new column in this issue to give you peek about a ‘sarariman’s’ world. Although I am not sure if I could consider myself a full pledged “sarariman” (Japanese pronounciation for salaryman, a salaried employee), I hope to be able to share some of my experiences working in Japan with Japanese salarymen.

Job Hunting Woes

April 1st, that’s the start of the Japanese fiscal year where all new hires are sworn in to their new jobs. It used to be the day where all news would show a company auditorium or even large halls full of young men and women dressed formally in suits pledging their loyalty to the company, to follow the company’s ideals and to become good full pledged members of the working society.

For the last decade or so of economic downturn and a series of financial shocks, landing a job has never been easy for new graduates. Gone are the golden days of lavish entertainment of companies to would be recruits, luring them to sign up for employment as soon as possible. I consider myself one of the lucky generation when it comes to finding a job. I graduated in the early nineties which was when the bubble economy was about to blow up and just everything was at their highs – hiring, production, consumption, everything.

Nowadays, 就活Shukatsu (an abbreviation for 就職活動 Shushoku Katsudo) which means job hunting has become a painful process for all students who are expected to work after finishing school. It used to be that students get to choose the companies they want to work for and received a royal treatment when they went for interviews, free lunch (and at times lavish dinners) with transportation and accommodation expenses all paid for. During my time, we could wait until the last minute to choose a company because they were the ones desperate to hire as many as they could, compared to now where students would have to start looking very early in their junior years. Nowadays, it is the exact opposite, the hiring companies get to choose who they interview without any guarantee of a job offer. Before, all it took was a pre-formatted resume to get to an interview session. Now, students would have to fill an “Entry Sheet” first to get a prospective employer’s attention and get a chance to be called in for a company visit. If they are lucky enough to be invited for a company visit, they are then put on a group discussion along with other aspirants and then evaluated. If they happen to be short listed for an interview, there is still no guarantee for a job offer. Some companies would even suggest to job applicants to do some more rounds and visit more companies. At the minimum, a student would have to visit around 30 companies to land a job, 50 companies the average. Students are spending an average of up to 500k yen on expenses for Shukatsu! This was unimaginable in my time 20 years ago because companies would just hire anybody regardless of their skills or major. I remember one of the engineers I met in my former company whose major was English Literature and she was hired to do engineering design! Now, even a 4 year degree is not a guarantee so that when I attended a university graduation and entrance ceremony, it was pretty clear that more than 90% of 4-year course graduates were continuing on to the Master’s program! So it seems like there is no choice for graduates but to stay back in school not because they want to study further but because that’s the only way not to be idle and be more sellable to prospective companies. I sometimes think it is a good thing in the sense that students really are forced to study and hone their skills, both academic and social which benefits companies because they do not have to invest heavily in re-educating and training new hires for skills they want. It could also be a bad thing at the same time because the uncertainty of landing a job puts the student out of focus from their studies as they spend more time researching and traveling for company visits and interviews. I remember attending a university’s parent-teacher discussion session, the Student Affairs was advising that students would have to obtain as much units as they can within 2 years because they would be spending more time for Shukatsu in their 3rd and 4th years…

Times have changed really… the age of lifetime employment is long gone, even the concept of full loyalty to a company. Landing a job and even maintaining your current job has become a survival of the fittest indeed.

To all new recruits, omedetou and ganbatte kudasai. To all who are in still in school, ganbatte kudasai as well and my hopes that the improving economic situation will help alleviate the Shukatsu conditions in the nearest future. 

Karen Sanchez

Mga TULA


"Tag-Ulan"

Panahon na naman ng tag-ulan
May matutuwa at may malulungkot na naman
May mga mapeperuwisiyo at may makikinabang
Kasabay nito may ibang mata ay luhaan

Mapapalad ang tulad nating naaambunan
Sapagkat sa ibang lugar ay di man lang umuulan
Maraming hirap sa kanilang kabuhayan
Ni paligo o mga katawan ay di man lang mahugasan

Sa pagsasaka hudyat ng pagtatanim na naman
Lalo na sa may malalawak na palayan
Huwag lamang sana itong masobrahan
Pagkat mga pananim ay aanurin lamang

Huwag rin sana bahain ang mga bayan
Sapagkat marami ang maaapektuhan
May mawawalan ng trabaho at kabuhayan
Pamilyang binuo at bahay na pinaghirapan

Tanging sandata natin sa Diyos ay magdasal
Nawa'y huwag Niya tayong pabayaan
At tayo'y gabayan ng Espiritung makapangyarihan
At lahat tayo ay maligtas sa anumang kapahamakan



"Para-paraan Papuntang Japan"

May mga pinagpala sa talino ay nangunguna
Kanilang eskwelahan sa Japan sila ay pinadala
Upang mag-aral ng ibat-ibang teknolohiya
At nang maibahagi sa ating bansa ang natutunan nila

Yung iba naman ay talento sa una
At dito pinalad na makapag-asawa
At manirahan hindi bilang banyaga
Kundi isang mamamayang tulad din nila

May mga pinalad noong panahon ng giyera
Sila ay may dugong sundalong Hapon na nakidigma
Binigyang prayoridad para magkabisa
Makapagtrabaho at manirahan hanggang gusto nila

Mayroon din namang mga ahensiya
Kumukuha ng empleyado para sa malalaking kumpanya
At may ilang taon ang kanilang kontrata
Swertihan lang din naman kung makakabalik pa sila

May mga mapapalad na naging turista
Sa ibat-ibang pamamaraan sila'y nagkabisa
May mga kapatid o dito ay may kapamilya
O kaibigang puwedeng maging isponsor nila

Iba-iba man ang mga dahilan at mga paraan
Ang mahalaga natupad na napuntahan ang Japan
Sapagkat hindi lahat ay nabibiyayaan
At hindi lahat sinusuwerte may pera ka man

Marilyn Abellana Suico

The Short-lived Cherry Blossoms

 You show up only once a year
Your peak is so short yet very dear
Friends gather around you for fun and laughter
Coz viewing your beauty is such a breather.

Weekends are the only time
When picnics are scheduled no one can decline
But the weather is not cooperating
And your petals are slowly falling.

So I wonder if spring is really here
The chilly morning seems like December
I want spring to be in full swing
Quite sad this weekend it's going to rain again.

So this is how it's going to be this weekend
Leaving me no choice but sit in front of CNN
Or might as well do my laundry while baking some muffins
Multi tasking is the key I cannot complain.

Jeepney Press March-April Cover

cover design by
DENNIS SUN

www.dennissun.net

Dennis Sun has an art and design exhibition, DENNIS SUN: A Passion For Creativity, this March 27 - April 5, 2013 at the ASEAN-Japan Centre from 9:30-530 PM in Tokyo.
Entrance is free and everyone is invited to come.

For access and map, please go to:
http://www.asean.or.jp/en/ajc/about/access.html

CENTERFOLD

Filipino Music and Filipino Voices with the...FILCOM CHORALE
By Mel Kasuya

November 14, 2010 will forever be etched in the hearts of the members of the FilCom Chorale, a group of talented Filipino men and women from different communities and parishes of Tokyo, Chiba and Kanagawa.  Organized by former Consul General and Minister Solphie Confiado and his wife, Precie, the group was formed primarily to sing for the mass – the first gathering of President Benigno Aquino III with the Filipino community in Japan.  Held at Yokohama Futaba High School, the gathering was attended by close to 1,500 Filipino community leaders who were led by the choir in a solemn Eucharistic celebration that was presided by Most Reverend Raphael Masahiro Umemura, Bishop of Yokohama.

In hindsight, “Amare et Servire” – the entrance song for the mass which was also the very first song that FilCom chorale sang on its first public appearance was providential. This song that served as an inspiration and gave purpose and meaning to why the choir was created is also the same song that gives the direction and the reason for the FilCom chorale to persevere – “In everything, love and serve the Lord.”

Driven by the passion for music and the commitment to share their God-given talent, the choir easily re-grouped in time for the 2nd Filipino Community Gathering with President Aquino last September 25, 2011.  Again, the choir rehearsed and led the congregation in singing songs of praise and thanksgiving at the mass that was celebrated by Fr. Russell Becker, Pastor of the Franciscan Chapel Center (FCC).

In one of the rehearsals for this occasion, Dennis Sun came to personally extend an invitation for the choir to sing at the 7th UTAWIT Grand Finals last November 6, 2011. The choir gladly accepted the invitation for an intermission number and rendered “Paraiso” - a song that speaks of the motherland we all love so dearly.  But to the members of the choir, every rehearsal at Meguro church (made possible through the kindness of Fr. Leo Schumacher) was like being in Paraiso – having a welcome respite from the demands of work and daily chores. The FilCom chorale gave each one a venue to freely express their talent, and an opportunity to be at “home” with a family whose members speak the same language and share the same faith and passion for music.

Having realized that the FilCom chorale is indeed a blessing, the group decided to become a channel of blessing to others.  Under the guidance of Ms. Leith Casel-Schuetz and Dr. Mel Zulueta Kasuya, the FilCom chorale will be having its first major concert entitled Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika: Isang Pagbabalik Tanaw (Nostalgia: A Concert of Filipino Classics).  The concert will be held on April 19, 2013 at 7:30 pm at Theater 1010 right across Kita Senju station.  A concert was conceived to help children in the Philippines who require medical attention and surgery for cleft palate.  Aside from the event being a concert for a charitable cause, it also aims to promote the richness of the Filipino culture through its beautiful music, and to re-kindle the Filipinos’ pride in the beauty of our culture. 


The following are excerpts of the interview conducted by Jeepney Press with some of the members of FilCom chorale regarding their insights on the group and their upcoming concert. 

Leith Casel-Schuetz   
I first encountered the FilCom Chorale at the UTAWIT Grand Finals in 2011.  I was quite impressed by their singing, even if it was only one song at that time. Little did I know that I would deeply involve myself in their activities a couple of months later.

Mel initially contacted me in February 2012 to discuss a project that she had in mind invol-ving the group. This discussion provided me with another opportunity to promote Filipino culture in such a way that foreigners and Filipinos alike could easily appreciate, through song and dance.  When discussing a possible project, we thought of staging a concert that would pay tribute to classical Filipino composers by featuring their time-honored pieces. Both of us knew that the vast majority of young Filipinos, especially those living here in Japan, (and foreigners) have not been exposed to our traditional music. They have been exposed to mainly modern Filipino music that is strongly influenced by rock, pop and hip-hop. We thought that something quintessentially Filipino might arouse a sense of pride. Thus, the concept for this concert was crystallized by our strong desire to introduce a worthy and valuable part of our cultural tradition.

I first met the members of the FilCom Chorale during the first rehearsal for this concert at St. Anselm’s Church in March 2012.  I was quite touched by the way everyone welcomed me, as if I had been part of the group from the beginning.  I personally witnessed each member’s commitment, the joy of being able to show and share their talents, and a deep faith in God.  And it has been a joy ever since to work with these members who commit their time and effort every week to make this concert a success.

Norma Go  
The Choir was formed not by Fate but by FAITH. Although there are no material gains, we are being enriched SPIRITUALLY.

Liza Dojo  
Singing is my favorite hobby and one of the blessings I'm grateful for. I believe the FILCOM Chorale members' drive and motivation to put effort and time with rehearsals come from the desire to thank the Lord for His blessings by sharing and doing something for others. FilCom Chorale is truly a GIFT for people with GIFTS and would like to be a GIFT to other people. 

Josie Mori  
Through the FilCom chorale, I can share the talent that God gave me.

Dexter and Becky Pellerin  
True to its mission of singing together for our Lord, our country, and our community, the choir had continued to spread its wings and will continue to fly bringing the richness of our culture through music and songs. May God be glorified as we continue to be stewards of the work He entrusted to us.

Deck Ortiz  
Singing revitalizes and relieves stress and homesickness.  Through the FilCom choir, I had the chance to be the president of the Philippines!  This is memorable because I was asked to act as Pres. Aquino during the final rehearsal for the Holy Mass in 2011.

Jo Gel Santiago  
It's really fun to be with people who like music and are committed to serve God through songs.  The closeness of the members makes me feel like I'm in a family.   The upcoming concert offered new learning to us - from the very fundamentals of music to acting.  All members are dedicated to deliver quality-performance.

Janet Navarro  
Malaki pala ang maitutulong ko sa kapwa sa pamamagitan ng pag awit lalo na sa nalalapit naming charity concert na ni hindi ko pinangarap subalit pwede pala mangyari kung nagkaka-isa. At dahil si LORD ang laging nasa gitna, laging masaya ang bawat isa tuwing nagkakasama.
 
Julfa Torii  
I was called to SERVE and I feel BLESSED.

Angie Saito  
Sumali ako sa Filcom choir to build friendships.  Masaya ako at lalong nabubuo ang aking pagkatao.
 
Narissa Iju  
I am glad to be part of the upcoming concert because I could share my God-given talent and be able to help the needy.

Chino Caddarao  
Besides music, camaraderie and friendship without pretension, I think FilCom chorale is the only Filcom group where members put GOD first in everything they do.

Kareem Yongque  
Ang aking pagkakabi-lang sa FILCOM Chorale ay itinuturin kong isang biyaya at karangalan dahil sa pamamagitan nito ay dalawang ulit akong nakasamang umawit sa Misa para sa Pangulo ng ating bansa. 

Matapos ang aming pag-awit ng PARAISO sa UTAWIT Grand Finals, nanghinayang ako na matutuldukan na ang pagsasama-sama ng grupo at mabubuo na lang kung sakaling bibisita muli ang pangulo.  Ngunit nagalak ako sa mungkahi na ituloy ang pagtitipon para mag-ensayo at matuto ng mga klasikong awiting Pilipino.  Nang una kaming mag-aral ng mga piyesa ng kanta, kasabay ng kaba at kaunting takot na baka hindi agad matutunan o maintindihan ang aming inaaral ay ang tuwa at kasabikan na may matutunang bago.  Sa pagdaan ng mga araw ay unti-unti kong nalalaman ang mga kwento sa likod ng bawat kanta.  Ang mga linya ay puno ng magagandang mensahe na kasing ganda ng kanyang himig na naglalarawan sa ating kultura at pagkatao bilang Pilipino.

Sa pamamagitan ng aming pagtatanghal sa Abril 19, nais naming ibahagi sa ating mga kababayan ang karanasang kilalanin muli ang ating mayamang kultura sa pamamagitan ng ating napakagandang musika.  Muli nating ipagmalaki at pahalagahan ang biyayang ito ng Panginoon ngayong makabagong panahon.

Arlene Dinglasan  
Sa tuwing nakakapanood ako ng cultural events ng ibang bansa..., "Mayaman din naman sa kultura ang Pilipinas ah. Sana meron ding ganito. Ano kaya kung meron nga...Pinoy na Pinoy siguro ang feeling?"

Sa mga pagkakataong natatanggap akong gumanap sa mga dula at musicals na kinabibila-ngan ng iba't-ibang foreigners sa Tokyo..., "Kaya din ito ng mga Pilipino ah. Sana hindi lang ako ang Pinoy na kasali dito. Alin kaya sa napakaraming grupo sa Filipino Community ang maglalakas-loob na magpalabas ng tulad nito?"

At sa mga oras na nakakasaksi ako ng mga talented na Pinoy na kumakanta ng mga pop songs sa mga events ng ...Filipino Community.  “Marami pang choices ng awiting Pilipino, sana kumanta naman sila ng iba. Ano kaya kung kundiman at harana?"
Wishful thinking ko lamang ang mga ito, hanggang isang araw ng Pebrero, natanggap ko kay Mel ang listahan ng mga kantang pinapraktis na ng FilCom Chorale para sa napagkasunduan nilang concert sa April. Tinanong nya kung interesado akong maging director ng show. Aba, walang pop songs sa listahan  ah -- mga kundiman at ilang regional songs lamang! Hmmm....teka teka....
Sa sobrang excitement ko, hindi ko na nakuhang sumagot ng oo o hindi. Nag-reply lang ako ng mga ideas na pwedeng gawin. Sana hindi basta concert lamang kung saan diretsong nakatayo lamang ang mga kakanta. Ano kaya kung gawin itong parang... sarswela?

Ilang araw pa at na-meet ko na ang grupo, sabay nagbigay na rin ako ng simpleng acting workshop. Marami akong hindi kilala sa mga dumalo, pero naramdaman kong mukhang maganda ang samahan ng mga tao. Napagmasdan ko din ito sa mga sumunod na rehearsals. Giliw na giliw sila sa isa't-isa; halatang excited sa sama-samang pinagkakaabalahang proyekto; at higit sa lahat, ramdam kong positive na positive ang attitude sa nakaambang bagong experience. Ano kaya ang dahilan at "love is in the air?” Ang kaalamang may beneficiary silang matutulu-ngan? Ang paniniwala sa kakayahan ng isa't-isa? Ang tago ngunit malalim na pagmamahal sa sariling atin?

Kung ano man iyon, na-inspire at na-excite akong magbahagi ng anumang makakaya ko. "Enjoy the ride," sabi ko sa sarili. Hindi lamang dahil may beneficiary... hindi lamang dahil naniniwala ako sa kakayanan ng bawat myembro...kundi pati na rin dahil tila yata may pag-asa nang matupad ang aking wishful thinking.

Rogelio Agustin

Interviewing The Artist: Dennis Sun
by Rogelio Agustin

Putting something you love to do on the shelf is not a so easy task to do. That's what the multi-talented creative artist and our own Jeepney Press editor-in-chief and art director Dennis Sun did when he put his painting brushes to rest for 3 years. And just in time for spring, the season symbolic of rebirth, awakening and new blooms, his brushes awaken from a 3 year hibernation giving birth to new works of art to be seen on a long awaited art exhibit.

You are holding this exhibition after a blank of 3 years. Were there any special reasons for putting your brushes to rest ?
I think I got tired and needed a rest. I was having art exhibitions about 5 times in a year. And I have been painting non-stop. But then also, several things came up into my life. I moved to another place. I got so busy with Jeepney Press and Utawit. Then, I was busy helping different activities of the Filipino community. My art had to be on vacation.

What's it like to have stopped painting for 3 years?
After not painting for awhile, it was fine but sometimes, I was itching to paint. But circumstances prevented me from touching my brushes. Although I was still doing creative work in writing and designing, I still longed to hold those brushes and smell those paints.

And what's it like to hold your brushes again after those 3 years?
When I went back to painting, I found “myself” again. The canvas. The brushes. The paints. I was creating magic on the canvas again. I am totally enjoying it. There are just too many ideas in my mind now that want to be painted on the canvas. I feel excited to be doing it all over again.

3 years must have been a long, long time! I myself can't even last a day without taking a picture! But I'd bet that during those years, you've been thinking of playing with your brushes again. So I'm pretty sure you've accumulated so much things to paint now. Did you have anything in particular that you wanted to do?
Actually, I have a children’s book that I have written, illustrated and drafted already that's basically finished and I want to get it published. I have done so many art exhibitions now that my next venture would be into publishing books.

Later on, I want to start writing a novel that has been lurking in my mind for a long time. I just don't have the luxury of time to write it.

That would be exciting to look forward to! But just a thought, you would be busier than ever so I hope your new endeavors won't compete with your painting. I know. I love creative work. Be it writing, painting, designing. I also love sculpture and it's a completely different experience from painting. In Japan, I had the experience to delve into ceramics. We are so lucky that we live in Japan. The level of art of the Japanese is very high. Once I sat foot in this country, I already fell in love. Just being inside the trains feels like being inside an art gallery. Since I am a graphic designer, just looking at all those posters hanging inside the trains make me feel like I am in heaven.

I also feel the same even for photography. On your forthcoming exhibition , what are we going to see? Is there any particular message you would want to convey through your work?
I will be showing new works and old works which I have done years ago. It would be a retrospective collection and added several paintings I have done this year. The message of my art is always the same: Get in touch with your inner child. Be happy!

Do you make your living off your art?
As a painter? Unfortunately, no. I wish I could. Painters will remain poor until they reach a certain level of fame. So my work in graphic design, illustration and writing has to feed me.

Aside from art, do you have other passions?
My other passion is my love for BOOKS! Maybe, you can take the art out of me, just don't get out my passion for reading.

Who is your favorite artist?
I love the surrealism of Dali, the playfulness of Miro, the colors of Gaugin, the composition of Rembrant and the fantasy of Disney!

Where do you get your inspiration when you work? Like, when you read books, something pop into your mind?
Inspiration? I go to museums and galleries. Different artists have different perspective in interpreting different subjects. Great art inspires me to move on with my art.

I hear a lot of people who say they don't know what to see or what to look for in a painting or an artwork to appreciate art. Maybe you can share with us what you see or how do you feel when you are looking at one or when you are actually creating art itself ?
I actually taught Humanities and Art Appreciation classes in the university before coming to Japan. It’s really different when you studied art appreciation. But for the general public, here is something I would like to say: Try not to understand, especially if it’s abstract art. And try not to analyze. In order to appreciate art, you need to feel the work. Look at the subject matter. Feel the subject. Feel the colors. See the textures, the forms, and the lines. It's as simple as that!

Personally, when I look at someone else's artwork, I ask myself: Is there a SOUL in this painting? Can I feel any emotions? Just like a singer. When he sings, do you feel his performance? Is it refined? Soulful? Sad? Happy? Did he over or under do it? Is the voice too loud? You know, it's basically the same with art. Sometimes, I tell myself, "My, this artist just wasted so much paint. I feel no soul in his art." Like heavy metal which is noise to many, there is also abstract art which is just plain ugly to many also. If you enjoy the art or music, then, go and immerse yourself into it. Otherwise, just leave and go. Just like food, if your stomach cannot digest it and if the taste is not to your liking, then, don't eat it. Art, music and food, they are all the same!






So direct and simple and yet enlightening! I would definitely follow that advice.

You first said you put your art on vacation because you were tired and needed a rest. But it seems like you've got more energy than ever, back to your brushes amidst beating Jeepney Press deadlines, organizing Utawit among other numerous community- based activities. You are simply amazing!

To all JP readers, Dennis is back and we will see his long awaited works again in his coming exhibition, DENNIS SUN: A Passion for Creativity at the ASEAN - JAPAN CENTRE on March 27 - April 5, 9:30-17:30 (closed on weekends). Entrance is FREE! See you all!

For more on Dennis Sun's art:

www.dennissun.net

Dennis Sun

DAISUKI!

Tanya, Tama Na! Tigil Na!

 “Natuto kang lumandi, pwes, magtiis ka sa hapdi.”
- hango mula sa pahina ng Facebook, hindi nakalaad ang may-akda

Nag-iingay na ang aking tiyan. Ewan ko kung anong tugtog pero sa aking pandinig, medyo maraming torotot yata. Alas dos na. Dalawang oras na pasado ng tanghalian. Hindi pa rin ako kumakain. Onaka ga peko-peko!

Sa ganitong kalagayan, kaila-ngan makakain kaagad. Ayaw ko naman kumain sa McDo o iba pang hamburger fast food dyan. Ika nga, hindi healthy! Sa aking edad ngayon, kaila-ngang maging health-conscious na at mapili sa pagkain. Kung pababayaan ko na naman ang diyeta, baka derecho na naman ako sa ospital! Nung nagdaang taon, sampung araw akong nakulong sa ospital dahil sa pamamaga ng aking apdo o gallbladder.

Ngunit gutom na ako talaga kaya hayun at napadpad ako sa Matsuya. Kilala sa mga kalalakihan ang Matsuya sa tatlong K: kabilisan ng pagluto, kamurahan ng presyo at kasarapan ng ulam. O ano pa naman ang gusto mo? Buti nga dito, hindi hamburger at French fries. Meron naman silang karne, kanin at sabaw ng miso. Siguro naman, medyo mabuti na sa katawan yon.

Nag-order ako ng “buta don” o pork rice bowl. Mura lang. Wala pa ngang 500 yen. Pagkatapos sumigaw ng malakas na “Irrashiamase!” ang waiter, biglang meron akong tubig at mainit na ocha. Kinuha niya yung ticket na binili ko sa vending machine. Wala pang isang minuto ang nakalilipas, unti-unti niyang linagay ang kanin, miso soup, salad at ang main dish, pork rice bowl sa aking mesa.

Masarap ang salad. Okey lang ang miso soup. Pero pagdating sa piniritong baboy, na-shock ako. 90% ng baboy ay puro taba. Hayan at nagkaroon bigla ako ng dilema. Kakainin ko ba yung karne na puro taba o aalis na lang ako at iiwan ko siyang ganoon? Alam mo naman ang mga Hapon, hindi sila mareklamo. Sa kanilang kultura, kung anong binigay, yun na! Kakainin nila.

Pero, wait lang! Hindi naman ako Hapon, a! Tsaka, binayaran ko naman ng husto ang pagkain. Tinawagan ko yung waiter at sinabi ko na yung karne ay puro taba. Inexplain ko hindi maganda sa katawan ang taba at hindi ko iyon makakain. Nagpaumanhin naman siya habang kinuha niya bigla yung pagkain. Papalitan daw nila. Naku, kung ang kapalit ay puro taba na naman, hindi ko talaga iyon kakainin at aalis na lamang ako. At least, nasabi ko na sa kanila.

Pagkaraan ng ilang minuto, lumapit sa akin ang manager dala-dala niya ang bagong nilutong pork rice bowl. Nagpaumanhin siya ng maraming beses at sabay-yuko niyang inabot sa akin ang pagkain. Maingat daw niyang pinili yung karne na walang taba. Ako naman ay nagpaumanhin at nagpasalamat sa kanya na parang Hapon din.

Buti na lang at nagreklamo ako nang mahinahon. Kung si Tanya siguro ang nasa puwesto ko, para ko na siyang nakikitang nagtataray sa loob ng shop.   “Neee! Chotttto! Nani kore? Bakit puro taba ang binigay ninyo sa akin? Ano ba at gusto ba ninyo akong mamatay agad? Gusto ba ninyo akong ma-atake sa puso? Ganyan ba ang gusto ninyo sa mga kostomer ninyo? Papatayin ninyo ba kami?”

Buti na lang, hindi ako si Tanya… si Tanya na Paraluman ng Pagwawala, Diosa ng Katarayan at primera unong Escandalosa Queen! Pero alam ko, napakaraming mga Tanya lalung-lalo na sa mga Pilipino dito sa Japan. At bakit ko nasabi iyon? Kasi nasa kultura natin. Iyan kasi ang napapanood natin sa mga drama sa pelikula at telebisyon. Sigaw dito. Sigaw diyan. Lahat ay dinadaan sa init ng ulo. Sa atin, mas bida ka kung ikaw ang sumisigaw. Pang Famas ang acting. Award-winning kuno ang labas ni Tanya.

Kung gusto mong mag-reklamo, daanan mo sa mahinahong paraan. Ang mga Hapon, nagpapaumanhin din sila kahit sila ay nag-rereklamo. Oo, “Sorry for complaining but…” “Sumimasen kedo…” Ganoon sila. Magalang pa rin. Ipaliwanag mo lang ang gusto mong sabihin sa maayos at mahinay na pamamaraan.

Pero sa totoo lang, kung Hapon ako, hindi ako magre-reklamo. Wala sa kultura ng mga Hapon ang mang-gulo, mang-istorbo at mang-gambala kahit ikaw ay nasa tuwid at tama (pero hindi naman sa lahat ng bagay at oras, OK?). Pababayaan na lamang nila. Mas mahalaga sa kanila na alagaan ang samahan sa lipunan kaysa magreklamo tungkol sa sariling hinaing. Meron silang asal na sinasabing “Gaman suru” na ibig sabihin ay “magtiis o mag-tiyaga.” Ito ay napakahalaga sa kanilang kaugalian. Mas mahalaga ang ikabubuti ng marami kaysa ng sarili. Pagkatapos matalo ang bansang Hapon sa digmaan, sinunod nila ang ugaling ito at naging malaking bagay ito sa pag-unlad ng ekonomiya ng kanilang bansa.

Sabi ng aking guro ng high school, si Ginang Jovita Lacson, pagkatapos niyang nabasa ang unang ulat nito (salamat sa Facebook), “Ang pagtataray sa walang lugar na tulad ni Tanya ay nakakawalan ng respeto at nakakababa sa pagkatao ng mga Pilipino.” Dagdag pa niya, “Ang mabuting Pilipino ay nakikilala sa kanyang pagkilos, pagsasalita at pag-gawa.”

Kaya Tanya, huminahon ka na!  Nakakahiya ka! Wala ka pa naman sa iyong sariling bansa. Baka akala ng mga Hapon at ibang dayuhan, lahat tayong mga Pilipino ay tulad mo. ‘Di pwede. Itigil na ang mga eksenang nakakahiya. Ibahin ang drama. Yung medyo class ang dating, sosyal, with poise at kagalang-galang!

Cut! Take two!

Dr. JB & Nelly Alinsod

Prayer for My Parents
by Dr. JB & Nelly Alinsod

Panginoon Diyos, salamat po sa aking pamilya. Salamat sa aking mga kapatid at higit sa lahat sa aking mga magulang. Sa araw na ito, aking inilalapit sa iyo ang aking mga magulang sa panalangin kong ito.

Pinagpala Mo po sila ng mahaba at mabungang mga taon. Pinagyaman Mo po sila ng kagalakan at lakas. Pinarami Ninyo ang kanilang kasiyahan at binigyan ng katuparan ang kanilang pangarap sa kanilang mga anak at apo. Maraming salamat po dahil pinagpala Ninyo sila higit sa kanilang inaasahan.

Ngayon punuin Mo po ang kanilang buong pagkatao – espiritu, kaluluwa at katawan ng Iyong mapagmahal na presensya. Kalingain Mo po sila sa lahat ng sandali lalo na kung sila ay malayo sa amin – na kanilang mga anak. Ang Iyong Banal na Espiritu at Banal na Salita ang kanilang maging kaaliwan at gabay sa mga taon na inihanda Mo sa kanila. Hiling ko ang kanilang kalusugan at lakas sa bawat araw.

Mayroon mga pagkakataon maaring madama nila ang kalungkutan dahil sa aming mga hinaharap na problema sa buhay. Ngunit dalangin ko na palakasin Ninyo ang kanilang pananampalataya upang maipagpatuloy nila ang pagdadasal para sa aming buong sambahayan.

O Panginoon Diyos, mahal po namin ang aming mga magulang. Wala po kaming maaring ipalit sa kanilang mga dasal, pagtataguyod, sakripisyo, pagkalinga at pagmamahal sa amin. Tulungan po Ninyo kami na bigyan sila ng dangal at kaligayahan sa pamamagitan ng aming buhay na maayos at maunlad. Tulungan po Ninyo silang magpatawad – sa amin na kanilang mga anak dahil maraming ulit namin silang nasaktan; sa ibang tao na nakasakit sa kanila; higit sa lahat sa kanilang sarili sa mga bagay na inisip nilang sila ay nagkulang bilang magulang. Alisin po Ninyo, O Diyos, ang anumang kalungkutan at sama ng kalooban sa kanilang puso. Puspusin Mo po sila ng kagalakan at tagumpay sa buhay na ito at sa kabilang-buhay.

Mapagmahal na Diyos, sa Inyong pagpapala, pagmamalasakit at pagkalinga aking ilalagak ang aking mga magulang. Ito ang aking taos-pusong panalangin sa ngalan ni Hesu Kristo na aking Panginoon at Taga-pagligtas. Amen.

Alma R. H. Reyes

TRAFFIC

LOST IN OVER TRANSLATION

“Knowing others is wisdom,
knowing yourself is enlightenment.”
- Lao Tzu

You know the spring blossoms have come to fill the air when people start to wear pink, purple, light blue, yellow and brightly-colored attires, stepping away from the winter black, grey and brown. In supermarkets, food displays start to glisten with sakura design packaging, and even artificial sakura hanging around the shelves. Department stores and boutiques clog aisles with gift boxes of scarves, handkerchiefs, perfume, chocolates and other “White Day” choice selection, marking that mind-boggling custom on March 14 when men “return” the Valentine gesture women gave them on February 14. What commercial publicity!

When you get the hang of all these “formatted” rituals in Japan, you know you have lived here for so long the customs no longer feel foreign. Oops…is that a good sign? Maybe, on one side; on the other, you become so embedded in the local habits, lifestyle, behavior and language that you forget your true self. What were you before you came to Japan?

You know the typical scene of a young mother and father in smartly dressed navy blue suit ensembles, tagging along their little child in a likewise, suit ensemble (or often, navy blue one-piece dress for girls), walking towards a school for the school entrance interview. You know those cute kindergarten girls and boys walking in a line, in their often blue apron-like uniforms and yellow caps and yellow bags (yes, everywhere in Japan!), being guided by a young teacher in his/her 20s, holding a banner on a stick and waving it in the air like a tour guide. You know the elementary school kids walking in pairs or groups, with their heavy leather red and black (and now, multi-colored) “randoseru” knapsacks, the traditional primary schoolbag borrowed from the Dutch. You know the high school teenagers that flock cafés and game centers, in their again, navy blue blazers or sailor-style blouses and checkered skirts—the ones that are pulled so high up the knee like mini-skirts just because…and the boys in either same navy blue or grey blazers and striped neckties, or the military style black “gakuran,” complete with matching black or brown leather shoes and leather bags. You know the newly hired company recruits who rush to train stations in their black suit ensembles and crisp, white shirts nervously carrying portfolios as if…You know those department store elevator girls fake their high-pitched voices because it’s considered charming in Japan (oh yeah…). You know the haggard-looking salary man and his leather or nylon portfolio with his face so red, and fuming with alcohol disgust, either seated in the train, sleeping with his mouth open, or sleeping while standing, swaying left and right to the movement of the train. You know that some of them who get retrenched from work jump off the building, bridge or train, or just quickly shoot themselves because life is shameful and unworthy (so they say). You know the rich housewives who take pleasure out of their poor hardworking husbands’ funds, chatting in cafés and shopping like crazy, or attending ikebana, cooking or sewing classes just because…

You know the small traditional Japanese dolls they display during Hina Matsuri (Girls Festival) on March 3, and if you do not display them or store them away by the next day, your daughter will never marry. You know those beautiful, huge nylon carps “koi nobori” hung outside windows during Boys Festival on May 5. You know what food they eat during summer (watermelon, corn, ice cream…), winter (“oden” boiled processed fish cakes, radish, konyaku…, “nabe” meat or fish casseroles…), spring (sakura mochi, “chirashizushi” raw fish, eggs and other toppings on rice…), and autumn (mushroom, chestnut, sweet potato…). You know how the Japanese fluster over “o-chugen” summer gifts and “o-seibo” end-of-the-year gifts to please their bosses or those they owe their life to for eternity (really!?). You know how they “must” print out “nengajo” New Year cards because if they don’t, they appear deviant J. You know when to bow, how to bow, how many seconds to bow; when and how to sit in “seiza” (squatting with feet under the buttocks); how to hold the teacup; and when to say “itadakimasu” (expression to say before meals or when receiving something). You know how Japanese love to start a conversation with a weather topic, “Kyou wa atsui desu ne!” (Isn’t it hot today?), and how they don’t want to say anything when someone died. You know how they fancy asking your blood type or your age like it’s a matter of life or death because it makes it easier for them not just to gauge who or what you are, but how they should present themselves to you. Likewise, you know you can’t do business in Japan without a business card because it’s the first thing they present to you in self-introduction in place of “I’m pleased to meet you.” Yes, you know all these and do some of these.

Does the list stop here? Do you realize that from childhood to adult age, Japanese are eternally groomed in a dictated way on how they should dress or appear in public, how to say yes and no, how to answer a phone call, how to talk to their superiors, how to eat, or how to behave in any sort of situation? Maybe you live through one or all of these examples, and you no longer realize they didn’t come with your luggage when you arrived in Japan, because they have become so much a part of your daily routine that you breathe them, eat them, sleep with them, think of them, either admire them or loathe them! Then, there will be a time, maybe in ten, fifteen or so number of years, you suddenly find yourself in a daze, outside your shell looking in—and that old feeling of who you really are before Japan “groomed” you to be like that little nursery kid in a yellow cap comes back to you like a retrospective, nostalgic film. The thoughts overwhelm you, haunt you: Did you give too much of yourself to adapt to their ways? Did you make them expect too much from you? Did you want to be accepted and fit in so badly? Did you sacrifice your true self for all these? Or, do you simply delight in being and living the “new” you?

As the great writer Paulo Coelho said, “Don’t try to be useful. Try to be yourself: That is enough, and that makes all the difference.”

Happy Spring!

Arlene Dinglasan

Sa Pagtatapos ng Klase 

ni Arlene Dinglasan



Unang araw ng klase. Kulay rosas ang mga lansangang naghatid sa akin patungo sa lugar ng aking hanap-buhay. Pagpasok ko pa lamang sa silid-aralang hindi ko nagisnan nang mga dalawang buwan dahil sa spring break, bumungad na sa akin ang mga mukhang matamang naghihintay sa aking pagdating. Medyo excited ako lagi sa unang araw ng klase dahil ito ang unang pagkakataon kong makilala ang mga bagong enrollees. Crucial ito para sa akin dahil sa araw na ito ko sinisimulang timbangin kung paano ko ilalatag ang mga leksyon sa buong taon. Pinapakiramdaman ko ang level ng fluency sa wikang Ingles ng mga estudyante, kung ano ang interes nila, ang naglalayong dynamics ng buong klase at imposible mang matandaan ko ang lahat ng pangalan, ay inaalam ko man lamang ang tamang pagbigkas ng mga ito. Madalas, nagiging ehemplo ito ng pagpu-punyagi sa pag-aaral ng wikang banyaga – isa sa mga binibigyang-pansin sa buong taon.

Unang araw ng klase. Inaasahan ko ang mga inosenteng mukha ng mga edad 18-21 na bumati sa akin ng nahihiyang "Good morning, Professor" kasabay ang mahihinhin at panakaw na mga sulyap sa bago nilang propesora. Madaling mabakas sa kanilang mga inosenteng mata ang magkahalong kaba at pananabik na maranasan ang buhay-kolehiyo. Halata kung ang mga estudyante ay nasa unang baitang pa lamang dahil sa mga bagong damit, bagong hairstyle at mga bagong folder kung saan nakasulat ang pangalan ng bagong unibersidad. Siyempre nga naman, hindi na talaga sila maituturing na mga bata. Marami sa kanila ay galing pa sa ibang rehiyon sa Japan at sa unang pagkakataon ay naninirahang mag-isa sa kani-kanilang mga apartment malapit sa unibersidad. Malaking porsyento din ang may kanya-kanyang part-time job kaya nagsisimula na silang matutong mag-budget. Bagong yugto ng buhay, ika nga. Anupa't wala nga namang dahilan upang hindi makaramdam ng kaba at pananabik.

Unang araw ng klase. Oo, puno ng mga inosenteng mukha na may bagong hairstyles ang bumati sa akin ng "Good morning, Professor". Oo, halata ang kaba at pananabik sa kanilang mga mata. Oo, naaamoy ko sa hangin ang mga bagong damit at folder. Ngunit may isang mukhang kakaiba. Bagama't bagong gupit siya, bago ang kanyang folders at bakas ang kaba at pananabik sa kanyang mga mata, kakaiba ang uri ng kanyang pananamit. Pananamit na di naiiba sa mga nasa silver seats ng mga tren. Naiiba rin ang kanyang mukha sapagkat hindi ito mukha ng 18-21 ang edad. Batay sa mga pileges nya sa pisngi, kulubot sa mga kamay, at mga ubang kumikinang sa kanyang ulo, ang hula ko ay nasa 55-65 ang edad ng babaeng buong galang na nagmagandang umaga sa akin. Akala ko, nagkamali ako ng pinasok na classroom. Kaya lumabas akong muli upang i-tsek ang room number. Nasa tamang silid ako. Naisip ko tuloy na baka magulang ng isa sa mga estudyante itong babaeng nakangiti hanggang tenga. Hanggang bumulaga sa akin ang malalaking letrang nakasulat sa kanyang ID. STUDENT.

Ako yata ang biglang kinabahan! Napansin ko ring wala siyang katabi sa upuan at parang naiilang ang mga kaklaseng tumabi sa kanya. Naku, anong gagawin ko sa babaeng ito? Paano ko ilalatag ang bawat leksyong nakaplano para sa mga edad 18-21 na ang interes ay fashion at J-pop, hindi gardening at knitting?  Paano nito maaapektuhan ang dynamics ng klase?  Makikihalubilo kaya sya sa mga kaklase at gagawin ang mga aktibidades na ipapagawa ko sa loob ng walong buwan? Sa isang iglap, nawalan ako ng pakialam kung paano bigkasin nang tama ang kanyang pangalan. Tila yata may mga bagay na mas nararapat kong pagtuunan ng pansin…

Wala akong nagawa kundi ituloy ang klase hindi lamang noong umagang iyon kundi sa buong taon. Unti-unti akong nalibang sa buong-tuwa niyang pangunguna sa mga group work, masiglang pagha- hanap ng kapares sa mga pair work, at nakangiting pagsagot sa mga oral test na kung minsan pa nga ay medyo napapalakas dahil sa kasamang halakhak. Dahan-dahang naglaho ang bakas ng pagkailang ng mga kaklase at sa halip ay tila naging halos magkaka-barkada na lamang ang turingan nila sa isa't-isa.  Anupa't nagdaan ang mga araw na hindi ko na napansin ang makikinang na mga uban sa kanyang ulo, o ang kakaiba niyang pananamit. Hindi ko na rin alintana ang mga pileges nya sa pisngi, at maging mga kulubot sa kanyang mga kamay. Sa katunayan, napansin ko pa sa sarili ang dagdag na pananabik tuwing darating ang araw ng klase namin.

Mabilis na nagpabagu-bago ang kulay ng mga lansangang naghahatid sa akin patungo sa lugar ng aking hanap-buhay. Ilang beses na ring naiba ang klima kasabay ng pagpapalit ng mga style ng damit at buhok ng mga estudyanteng nasa silid-aralang iyon. Hindi ko na naaamoy sa hangin ang bagong folders. Wala na rin ang magkahalong kaba at pananabik sa mga mata ng mga inosenteng mukha. Kung may kaba man, iyon ay sa dahilang araw na ng final exams. Sa huling araw na binati ako ng "Good morning, Professor," ang aking naging ganti ay nakangiti kong pamimigay ng pagsusulit, sabay sabi ng "Good luck."

Ilang saglit pa't inaayos ko na ang mga test papers, nang mapatunghay ako sa masayang tinig na naging pamilyar na sa aking pandinig. Sabi niya, "Salamat. Salamat at hindi mo inalintana ang mga pileges ko sa mukha. Hindi mo pinansin ang aking edad. Hindi mo hinayaang layuan ako ng mga kaklase ko dahil naiiba ako sa kanila. Maraming salamat sa iyong pagtuturo at binigyan mo ako ng pagkakataong matamo ang ilang dekada ko nang pinapangarap --- ang makapasok sa gusali ng unibersidad, at higit sa lahat ay magkaroon ng sarili kong edukasyon."

Namuo ang luha sa aking mga mata at dahil ayokong magisnan nya ang pagtulo nito, wala akong nagawa kundi ang ngumiti. Hindi ko na nasabing hindi ako, kundi siya ang naging guro sa buong taon. Oo, natuto sya ng kahusayan sa pagsasalita, pakikinig, pagsulat at pagbabasa sa wikang Ingles, ngunit sa palagay ko ay mas makahulugan ang aking mga natutunan. Hindi siya, kundi ako ang naging estudyante sa klaseng ito. Sa pagtatapos nito, natutunan kong lampasan ng tingin ang anumang marka sa balat. Natutunan kong walang mahirap na leksyon kung may kasamang halakhak. Higit sa lahat, natutunan kong walang kailangang maging sagabal sa pagtamo ng sariling pangarap --- edad, o kung anuman --- dahil hinding hindi nahuhuli ang lahat. At sa palagay ko, ako ang higit na dapat magpasalamat para sa mga leksyong wala sa syllabus ng kurso sa labas ng unibersidad.

Karen Sanchez

Kulturang Hapon
ni Karen Sanchez

Ang Nihon o Nippon sa kultura ay nangu-nguna
Mula sa mga Instik na kanila pang namana
Samurai, geisha, hardin at seremonya ng ocha
Sa kimono, modernong mga damit at mga pop na musika.

Ibat-ibang kapistahan o matsuri ay mayroon sila
May nagsasayawan o Bon-odori ang tawag nila.

Pati Shichi-go-san ay mahalaga sa kanila.
Ito'y bawat batang tatlo, lima at pitong taon ang edad nila.

May kakatuwang kaugalian sila
Na sa mga banyaga ay nakatatak sila
Ito ang yumuko bilang pag-galang sa isat-isa
Maging sa telepono o kaharap man ang kausap nila.

Kung bago ka sa bansa nila
Magugulantang ka, pag sa onsen ka pumunta
Makikita mo hubot hubad na katawan nila
Sama-samang nagrerelaks sila.

Sa mga pagkain, gusto ay masustansya
Sushi, sukiyaki at tempura ay kilala
May mga dekorasyong kaaya-aya
Kaya mga dayuhan lahat sinusubukan ang timpla.

Pasko at Bagong Taon din naman ay mayroon sila
Di nga lamang tulad natin ang kanilang pagselebra
Na mararamdaman mo ang saya pagkat sama-sama
Dito'y tama nang maidaos nila.

Araw ng puso ay meron din sila
Magkakaiba nga lamang ang petsa
Sa mga lalaki ay Pebrero, sa mga babae ay Marso
Pagbibigay ng tsokolate sa mga mahal nila.