Sally Cristobal- Takashima

KANSAI CRUSADE

November-December 2013

Summer lingers in Hong Kong. Many tourists and local residents find a visit to Stanley Beach and Repulse Bay the order of the day. It was Saturday when we headed to Stanley Beach away from the maddening crowd of Central, Causeway Bay, Mongkok and all those great places where tourists shop till they drop.  One needs endurance, patience, strength and an eye for a real bargain. Yes, Hong Kong is one place where shopping is elevated to the state of an art. I don't know about you but I find pleasure to visit libraries, when I have the time. Mari, my daughter had to work and it was an opportunity to visit and make shakai kengaku to the Central Library, a towering 9 story building even much more grandiose compared the the Shanghai City Library. Indeed, it shows how Hong Kong gives great importance to learning and continuing education. Budget allocation for the citizens' education is given great importance. Kahanga-hanga, hindi po ba? Malinis at maganda ang paligid ngunit mayroon din di gaanong malinis. Para maiparamdam ang karumihan ay kailangan din ipakita ang kagandahan ng kalinisan.

Linggo ngayon at maaga pa at marami na din mga iba't ibang domestic workers na nakalabas na ng bahay ng kanilang pinaglilingkuran. Maraming bibit na dala, mabibilis ang lakad. Masasaya ang anyo ng mga Filipina. Marahil, sila ay patungo upang magsimba. Kapansin-pansin ang mga domestic workers from Indonesia na may magandang takip sa ulo at suot din ang kanilang religious attire. Mabalik ako sa Central Library. It was in Causeway Road na pinuntahan ko. Sana makapunta din kayo upang malaman ng mga Pilipino na karapat dapat lang na ibalik and mga buwis para sa mga proyekto na ikabubuti ng mga mamamayan. It is time to stop watching TV and start reading dahil sa alam naman ninyo ang kasabihan na Knowledge is Power. Sige pumunta na kayo sa library na malapit sa inyo.

Dumating na ang araw ng pagbabalik sa Manila and then to Japan. Miss ko na din and paborito kong Sashimi, Nikujaga at iba pa. Most of all waiting na si Mister na one week lang na sumama sa Manila. Sa ngayon, hindi pa din natitigil and mag anunsyo ng mga developments regarding the PDAF, Malampaya Fund scandal, plunder charges ni Ex. President G. Arroyo at iba pang nakakayamot na balita.
Ipinagbubunyi ng lahat ang pagiging Miss World 2013 ng ating ipinagmamalaking Megan Young. Tunay na powerhouse in the real sense of the word ang Philippines sa world beauty contests. I watched the crowning of Miss World 2013 at sino ba naman ang hindi mapapaiyak sa saya. It was a late night program live from Indonesia. Isang napakalaking karangalan and we are ALL proud.

Totoo na kulang daw ang Facebook comments and inputs ng mga Japan based Filipinos regarding sa mga balita sa Pilipinas. Totoo ba ito o tinatamad lang magpost. Or are they too engrossed in their lives in Japan na seemingly hindi sila concerned? We, Filipinos should always update ourselves on what is happening in the Philippines.

Sayang na cancel ang visit ni US. President Barack Obama sa Pilipinas dahil sa US government shutdown. Siguro ay all set na ang agenda nila ni President Benigno Aquino regarding critical issue confronting the Philippines and the U.S. Don't you all wonder the contents of the agenda? National Sports Day na ng Japan. The much awaited and one of the well attended event of the Philippine Community Coordinating Council is the Sports Fest. Filipinos in Kansai trouped to Nagai Koen Recreational Grounds to participate in various games and sports events as well as to renew friendship ties and foster friendship with their Japanese friends.

Cebu Pacific Air is one of the Sponsors of this big event. It is in celebration of their 5th year of Operation in Osaka. Cebu Pacific Air continues to bring Japan based Filipinos closer to their families and more often kahit hindi Pasko.  We look forward to CEB's product update meeting for community leaders. We will notify you after the venue, date and time have been set. CEB now flies to Dubai and Bali. Wow puede na tayong maglakbay sa iba't ibang bansa at reasonable prices. Sige tigilan na ang pagpunta sa Starbucks at medyo bawasan ang mga unnecessary shopping para makapag travel naman sa mga new destinations ng Cebu Pacific Air.

Through Jeepney Press, the organizing staff of the Philippine Community Coordinating Council's Sports Fest and Christmas Party, extends its thanks and gratitude to Cebu Pacific Air for its support and participation.  To all the viajeras of the coming holiday season, max your enjoyment. But, paalala lang po. Don't be a king for a day and a pauper for the rest of the year. MERRY CHRISTMAS to each and everyone. Ang JP po ay laging naghihintay sa inyong pagbabalik. HAPPY TRIP PO at God bless you all.