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.