Jeepney Press July-August Issue page 7

SA TABI LANG PO

by Renaliza Rogers

CUSTOMER

Inihatid ko sa isang airport sa Pinas ang isang kamag-anak kamakailan lang. At dahil matagal pa naman bago ang kanilang boarding time ay nagpasya muna kaming mag merienda sa isang coffee stall doon.

Habang ako ay nakapila upang umorder, napansin ko na nakasimangot ang cashier na kumukuha ng order ng mga customer. Bakas talaga sa mukha nito na parang bagot na bagot na siya sa trabaho niya. Hindi ito ang inaasahan mong mukhang bumati sa iyo kapag na-i-istress ka at gusto mong mag wind down with a cold drink sa isang coffee shop. At kung may isang halimbawa ng katagang “with a pleasing personality” ay siya na yata ang kabaligtaran nito.

Nang ako na ang umorder ay nagkunot ang kilay ko sa salubong nitong cashier sa akin. Hindi man lang niya ako tinanong kung anong oorderin ko, basta niya na lamang akong tinitigan at tinaasan ng isang kilay. So tutal eh medyo maganda naman ang araw ko nun ay hinayaan ko na lang siyang magsimangot at pangiti akong umorder.

AKO: Miss, isa ngang strawberry frappe na ice cream blend at isang cookies and cream.

CASHIER: (tahimik, busy kakapunch sa cash register niya)

AKO: Ay miss, pwedeng isang frappe na lang at gawin ko na lang mango shake yung isa?

CASHIER: Na punch ko na.

AKO: Di ba pwedeng i-void ang order?

CASHIER: Na puch ko na.

AKO: Ah…o sige, yan na lang (sabay abot ng bayad)

CASHIER: I’ll repeat your order… one strawberry frappe na ice cream blend and one cookies and cream frappe, espresso blend —

AKO: Ha? Espresso blend? Ice cream blend yung dalawa.

CASHIER: Eh hindi mo naman kasi sinabi na dalawa! Sabi mo strawberry lang and ice cream blend.

AKO: (nabigla at nagalit) Oh bakit, sinabi ko bang gawin mong espresso blend yung cookies and cream? Hindi naman ah! Dapat nagtatanong ka. I-void mo yan, gawin mong ice cream blend.

CASHIER: Eh sa na punch ko na nga eh (sabay taas ng kilay at titig sa akin)

Sa puntong yun ay napanganga ako sa tono ng salita niya at gusto ko nang tusukin ang mga mata niya sa inis, ngunit hindi ko ginawa. Sa halip ay pinukpok ko ang countertop sa harap niya sa sobrang gigil gamit ang aking kamay habang galit na nakatitig sa kanya. Nagulat siya at natulala. Kanina pa malumanay ang salita ko at kanina pa rin siya tonong nagdadabog. Wala na rin naman akong masabi dahil pati ako ay nabigla sa reaksiyon ko sa kasungitan niya. Umupo na lang ako bago pa umabot sa kung ano.

Hindi ako ang tipong madaling nagagalit, naiinis o dumadakdak sa mga ganitong klaseng mga tao o empleyado. Ako pa nga yung tipong umaawat sa aking ina sa tuwing niraratratan niya ang mga tiga-immigration sa Tokyo na nag-che-check ng passport niya sa kalye. Pero nung pagkakataong yun eh nasobrahan yata sa pag-iinarte itong cashier na hindi na kinaya ng pasensya ko.

Maraming ganitong klaseng mga empleyado sa Pilipinas, yung tipong kapag masama ang araw ay ibinubunton sa customer. Yung mga tipong hindi alam ang proper work ethics. Yung mga nakasimangot o halatang naiinis kapag may request ang customer, yung hindi alam ang isasagot kapag nagtanong ang customer kung meron ba silang ganito o ganun, or yung tipong nakikipag-chikahan or nakikipag-textmate habang nagta-trabaho at kung anu-ano pa.

Isang aspetong gustong-gusto ko sa mga Hapon ay ang kalidad ng pagtrato nila sa kanilang mga customer. Sa Japan, malalaman mo talaga ang kahulugan ng linyang, “the customer is always right” dahil, base sa mga naging karanasan ko dito, gagawin nila lahat mapaligaya lang ang customer. Magsabi ka lang na maalat ang sabaw (kahit pa nga hindi) ay lalabas na ang cook at luluhod-luhod na hihingi ng patawad sa harapan mo. Wala kang makikitang nakasimangot kahit pagod at wala kang makikitang empleyadong nagbibihis ng t-shirt sa gilid habang ika’y kumakain. Kilala nga tayong mga Pinoy sa pagiging hospitable at friendly pero kadalasan, sa ating mga restaurants or mall or kahit saan pang establishments, hindi marunong magtrabaho o makitungo sa customer ang maraming empleyado.

So hayun sa inis ko ay sinabi ko sa isang waiter na ang masungit nilang cashier ay tanga. Nakasimangot pa rin siya sa counter pero halatang nahiya sa pagpukpok ko ng countertop. Akala ko nga ay tapos na ang drama sa araw nitong masungit na cashier pero hindi na yata siya natuto kasi maya-maya, narinig ko nanaman ang isa pang customer na nagsabing, “ay miss huwag kang magsuplada, hindi ka naman maganda!”

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PAGMUMUNI-MUNI SA DYIPNI

by Fr. Bob Zarate

10 Dahilan Bakit Ayaw Ko ng SIGARILYO

1. Masama sa kalusugan – ng naninigarilyo. Kahit mag-research ka pa sa YOUTUBE, may mga videos doon na nagpapakita through experiments kung gaano kasama sa baga, sa puso at sa ating mga ugat ang dala ng sigarilyo.

2. Masama sa kalusugan – ng hindi naninigarilyo. Scientifically-proven din na masama sa hindi nagsisigarilyo ang nalalanghap na usok ng iba. Nagiging sanhi din ito ng cancer.

3. Magastos. Just imagine. Kung isang pack ka sa sa isang araw, that will be almost 200 Pesos equivalent sa Pilipinas! Kung naiipon lang yan at naipapadala para pang-kain ng ating pamilya, eh di mas makakabuti pa.

4. Mabaho. May mga taong ginagamit ang usok ng sigarilyo para takpan ang baho ng kapaligiran. Pero ang baho ng usok sigarilyo ay iba. Hindi siya mabango. Mas OK pa ang amoy ng katol.

5. Walang Manners. Ang usok, nadadala ng hangin. Kaya kahit ano pang gawin, talagang tatama sa mukha ng kahit ninuman ang naibugang usok. At pag may tumamang usok ng sigarilyo sa mukha mo, para na rin iyang hinihangan ka sa mukha mo, inubuhan o di kaya’y parang may bumahing na rin sa mukha mo!

6. Nagpapabaho ng iba. Sino bang normal na tao ang may gustong amoy-usok siya? Naligo ka. Nag-deodorant ka. Mabango ka. Pero ang nagpabaho sa iyo, hindi mo pawis at hindi mo gawa. Ang nagpabaho sa iyo, ibang tao!

7. Nagpapayaman sa mga mayayaman. Yung mga may-ari ng cigarette companies! Yumayaman sila dahil sa bisyo ng karaniwang tao.

8. Nagpapahirap sa mga mahihirap. Wala na ngang makain. Ang liit-liit na nga ng suweldo, nakukuha pang bumili ng sigarilyo. Tapos pag nagkasakit sa baga o sa puso, wala ring maibayad sa ospital.

9. Bad influence sa kabataan. Kung masama ito sa mga matatanda, eh di lalo nang masama sa bata. Pero naiisipang mag-sigarilyo ng isang under-age kasi nakikita niya ito sa matatanda. Kaya, ayan, maagang nagsisimula ang bisyo na karaniwang alam naman ng lahat ay masama sa kalusugan.

10. Nakakamatay… yes, killing me softly… ay killing YOU softly pala! Kahit sa Wikipedia nakalagay na 3 sa mga Marlboro cowboys ay namatay dahil sa lung cancer. Obvious ba. (Pati ate ko, namatay dahil sa sigarilyo – first heart attack at 43 years old, 2 ang anak – 12 years old lang ang bunso noong namatay, one month before his Grade 6 graduation!)

Kaya para sa mga gustong mamatay kaagad, Happy Smoking!

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SHITTE IRU?

by Marty Manalastas-Timbol

ALAM NYO BA…na it’s possible that cell phones can cause cancer? Yes, may mga studies at proof na ang prolonged exposure sa radiation galing sa cell phones can cause cancer and alzheimer’s. Mas maganda kung bawas-bawasan ang paggamit ng cell phone. Trend na kasi ito lalo na sa mga kabataan, kahit saan ka lumingon, karamihan may hawak ng cell phone. Some friends of mine said that they cannot survive without cell phones and sometimes nagtataka sila how I survive without a cell phone. Kaya mga kaibigan lalo na sa mga bata, kindly minimize the usage of cell phone, dahil sa sobrang gamit ng cell phone can result to health fall-out.

ALAM NYO BA…na ang karamihan sa mga bata sa Pilipinas ang natutunan nila ang jejemon language? What is jejemon? Jejemon is a pop culture phenomenon sa Pilipinas. Ang salitang Jejemon supposedly nag-originate sa mga online users ng email (example: yung hehehe, they use jejeje) Jeje is derived from Spanish and the word mon came from the word Pokémon – with “mon” meant as monster, hence “jeje monsters”.

ALAM NYO BA…na sa Pilipinas, we have over 170 dialects? Sa 170 dialects, about 12 belong to the Malay-Polynesian language family. Sa dinami-dami ng dialects sa Pilipinas, Filipino (Tagalog) and English are considered to be the main language use. Yung 12 major regional languages ay: Tagalog, Cebuano, Kapampangan, Maguindanao, Maranao, Ilocano, Waray, Bicol, Pangasinan, Kinaraya, Tausug and Hiligaynon.

(Source: Philippine Portal)

ALAM NYO BA…that our Jeepney Press Publisher Ms. Irene Sun-Kaneko and Editor, Mr. Dennis Sun are both from Pampanga? Mga kabalen ko sila. People would refer to us as Kapampangan. Ang salitang Kapampangan ay mula sa rootword pampang which means “river bank.” Kapampangan is spoken in the provinces of Pampanga, in southern towns of the province of Tarlac and other provinces near Pampanga like Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Zambales.

ALAM NYO BA…that the Filipino Community in Japan ay nagkaroon ng chance to meet and see the 12th President of the Republic of the Philippines na si President Fidel V. Ramos? Si President Ramos ay dumating sa Japan noong June 17 and met with the FilCom on June 18, 2010. The meeting was held sa Multipurpose Hall of the Philippine Embassy. Tuwang-tuwa ang ating mga kababayan sa mga kwento at mga jokes ng dating Presidente.

ALAM NYO BA…na nakakapagod pala ang umuwi sa Pilipinas na tatlong araw lang ang stay mo doon. Grabe kasi bugbog na sa biyahe at siyempre bugbog din ang bulsa…hahaha. Sa pag-uwi ko, nagkita-kita kami ng mga high school batch mates ko, may mga balikbayan from the USA and from Singapore. Masayang-masaya ang reunion and kahit kulang sa tulog at kahit pagod na pagod sa biyahe, sulit na rin and no regrets talaga kasi nag-enjoy ako and happy ako for seeing friends I have not seen them for more than 20 years na.

Jeepney Press July-August Issue page 10

JEEP TRIPS

By Jade Pangilinan

A SAGADA SOJOURN

I have always been a little in love with Sagada, ever since the first time I visited this haven on earth during my college days. Each visit brings a totally new experience that makes wanderers wanting for more.

Sagada is not your usual Philippine travel destination. Nestled in the Mountain Province, getting there is a challenge in itself. From Baguio City, we had to catch the 5am trip to Sagada on Lizardo Liner, which takes you through the winding Halsema Highway that is ten times more zigzag than the Zigzag part of Kennon Road, to get to Sagada by 10am. But the destination makes it all worth it.

The climate is divine, by Philippine standards. It is much cooler than Baguio or Tagaytay without the perils of urban pollution.

There are a lot of things to do in Sagada depending on one’s interests and physical fitness. For those who love history and heritage like, some sites worth visiting are the Hanging Coffins, Masferre Inn for the old photographs of Cordillera life by pioneer Philippine photographer Eduardo Masferre, the church complex which includes the quaint Saint Mary the Virgin Church and the cemetery where historian William Henry Scott is buried, to name a few.

For those who are more adventurous, Sagada offers guided cave tours which take you through its extensive cave networks. The most famous cave is Sumaguing Cave with its interesting rock formations and cooling waters that make the hike seem easy. Spelunking, however, is not for those with faint hearts and weak knees.

Another Sagada adventure which should not be missed is hiking. In my last visit, we hiked for about two hours and went through the midst of rice terraces to reach Bomokod Falls. After a quick rest from the long and sweaty hike, it is best advised to take a dip in the freezing waters from the falls which form a natural pool. After all, your wet clothes will end up drying by the time you have made the return trip to Sagada town proper. Just make sure that you put on a lot of sun block if you choose the trekking adventure because the cool and balmy Sagada air makes you forget about sunburn.

A weekend getaway in Sagada will not be complete without the legendary Saturday buffet dinner at the Log Cabin Café. This is a special Sagada treat that you have to sign up early for as there are a limited number of slots. A reclusive French chef cooks a gastronomic feast that involves around 13 courses, from appetizers to desserts, made from the freshest available ingredients for P 350.00 per head. The result is a dinner experience like no other.

Food trips in Sagada also includes stops at the Yoghurt House for the homemade yogurt with banana, strawberry or granola toppings and the Sagada Lemon Pie House for a slice of the homemade pies that go best with coffee.

My most unforgettable Sagada memory is watching the breath-taking sunrise at Kiltepan, where the sun seemingly floats above a canopy of clouds, and you will feel like Sagada is that slice of heaven on Philippine soil. I have heard that the sunset at Lake Danum is equally stunning.

Next time that you visit the Philippines and have about one week to spare, explore Sagada and its wealth of wonders for an experience that you will cherish for a lifetime.

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CONNECTIONS

by Richard Diaz Alloro

On Festivals and Thanksgiving

What I like about June in Sapporo, apart from the cool breeze, warm sunlight and fresh new green leaves, is the opportunity to go out, see places, meet people, and indulge with nature. In June, Sapporo starts to bask in sunshine and that means we can leave our houses in slippers, shorts and t-shirts! June gives us a permit to become more mobile and enjoy outdoor activities, such as festivals and merrymaking.

Just recently, I have participated or attended two festivals being held annually in Hokkaido University and in Sapporo - Hokudaisai and Yosakoi Soran Festival. The Hokkaido University International Food Festival or Hokudaisai is usually celebrated on the 1st week of June. This festival, which is organized and participated by students, aims to showcase the culinary delights of different countries around the world and to foster cooperation among nations through food and cultural exhibitions. The Yosakoi Soran festival on the other hand, is a merriment of dance and music which originated just a few years ago. The festival in Sapporo is now considered as one of the biggest in Japan and has become one of the most-looked forward events in the city.

Festivals are celebrated all over the world. From big cities all the way to far-flung provinces, may it be grand or meek, festivals never cease to entertain and gather people from all walks of life. In the Philippines, the entire year is filled with hundreds of events being held across the archipelago. The Sinulog Festival (Cebu) and Ati-atihan (Aklan) in January, Panagbenga (Baguio) in February, Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan (nationwide) in May, and Masskara Festival (Bacolod) in October, are among the seemed to be an endless array of celebrations and joyous happenings of some sort throughout the country. Festivals are usually characterized by parades and street dancing, banquet, religious rituals, cultural and sports events, and the promotion of the area’s finest.

Like in any other country, festivals in Japan or Philippines have special meanings. Some of these festivities originated hundreds of years ago and some may have been conceived just a few years ago. Some festivals were created to provide entertainment, some to celebrate victories, some to honor heroes and religious figures, some to promote geographical groups or social assembly, some to inform traditions and cultural heritage, some to rejoice good harvest or change of season, some to commemorate great historical events, and some just to raise income and make business. There are countless reasons as to why we celebrate festivals and make them very important parts of our national identities.

No matter when the birthdays of these celebrations were, nor what were the reasons of their conception, for me festivals have one thing in common and it goes beyond entertainment. Festivals are celebrations of life. These festivities are our way of expressing our existence and our channel of conveying our gratefulness to the one Superior Being who created us. Festivals are our offerings, our thanksgiving for the many beautiful and wonderful things we received. We celebrate good harvests, lights and colors, we rejoice the blooming of cherry blossoms and the lilacs, we commemorate Independence Day and the establishments of cities and towns, and we honor heroes and saints.

Life is a festival. You, me, our parents, our brothers and sisters, our friends, and everyone around us are carnivals of the world. We are created special and each one holds a very important piece of the puzzle we call our world. Go out, celebrate, enjoy life, and be a blessing to others.

As for me, I’m very thankful for the coming of June. I got connected to festivals and thanksgiving once again!

Jeepney Press July-August Issue page 14

ON THE ROAD TO

by Neriza Sarmiento-Saito

BEING AT HOME WITH PINOYS With KYOKO KIMURA

Interview in Filipino by Yosuke

Japanese pop singer Kimura, Kaira’s “Ding a ring ding dong” song would probably ring a bell among the young Japanese. However, there’s another lady who is very much a household name among the Filipinos she became acquainted with.

KYOKO KIMURA is up and about as she goes through a day working at the Philippine Department of Tourism, Osaka Field Office. If not assisting her bosses Tourism Attache, Araceli Soriano and Administrative Officer, Ms. Lorelei Cruz at tourism seminars and exhibitions, she is on the phone answering queries in Japanese, English, and oh yes, in flawless Filipino complete with “po” and “opo.”

Five years ago, right after graduating from the Osaka University of Foreign Studies

(now Osaka University, School of Foreign Studies), she was hired by the DOT Office. In an event organized by the PCCC in Shiga-Ken, Kyoko attended to distribute questionnaires for her graduation thesis. She met Mr. Val Cabansag and Ms. Lorelei Cruz who needed part-time workers in their office. Luckily, she got the job that gave her more opportunities to speak the language she majored in. But a few months before graduation, she was accepted to work at a big clothing company and started training. But DOT needed someone like Kyoko in their staff so they requested her to work with them again, which she did. Explains Kyoko, “I have always wanted to work with Filipinos because they always make everybody feel at home. Our office is like one big happy family. We work hard and then we go out to have fun after the work is over.”

As a student, Kyoko traveled to the Philippines on several occasions. She joined a study tour of an NGO group in Kyoto where they had culture exchange activities with

Filipino children in Apelo Cruz in Pasay. Later, they also went to Alabat island in Quezon Province to experience farm life. Her encounters with more Pinoys never ended there. As a second year student in Gaidai, she studied at the University of the Philippines and stayed in nearby Teachers’ Village and became close to her homestay family she affectionately calls Kuya Dan and Ate Val. Later, she moved to remote Alabang Island to work as a volunteer at the ACCE office there. The stylish city girl lived among the islanders and some curious monkeys. “Gusto ko talaga na laging may kasama dahil noong maliit pa ako, madalas akong nag-iisa dahil solong anak ako,” wika ni Kyoko.

It was in Alabat where she got the inspiration for her thesis on “Mga Salitang

Ginagamit ng mga ‘Gay’ “. Before graduating, she became close to the family of visiting professor, Pia Arboleda. She brought her family to her hometown in Hiroshima to experience traditional Japanese lifetyle including wearing the kimono.

Occasionally, she accompanies Media and Travel Agent Representatives on Familiarization tours to the Philippines, most notable of which was the feature article about the Philippines in SAVVY Magazine, where she guided model and TV personality

AHN MIKA to Tagaytay and Manila for 1 week. Last spring holiday, she went to visit friends in Nueva Ecija and Vigan with YO-chan. “Mahiyain masyado si KAICHO. Lagi na lang nagbabasa ng libro, pero nang natuto na siya ng konting Tagalog, ayun ok na.”

He played a lot with the 5 year old brother of my friend. YO-CHAN said that he was inspired with the way Kyoko-san communicates in Filipino with their host family.” It is as if she belongs there… as if she is one of them “ as if she is a family member coming

home. She gives out a sigh. ”The Philippines is more than a hometown for me because I know that my Pinoy friends will welcome me like their own family.”

INTERVIEW IN FILIPINO:

1. Taga-saan ka sa Japan?

HIROSHIMA

2. Ano ang trabaho mo?

STAFF ng DOT, Osaka

3. Gaano ka katagal tumira sa Pilipinas?

SAMPUNG BUWAN

4. Ano ang nami-miss mo sa Pilipinas?

MGA KAIBIGAN KO.

5. Ano ang di mo nagustuhan sa Pilipinas?

LAGI NA LANG MAY “RING TONE” NG CELLPHONES KAHIT SA LOOB NG SINE AT MGA RESTAWRAN. DITO SA JAPAN MAY “MANNER MODE” ( SILENT MODE) ANG MGA “KEITAI”.

6. Ano ang gusto mong ugali ng mga Filipino?

MASAYAHIN, MADALING KAUSAPIN AT PARANG KAPAMILYA KA LAGI.

7. Ano ang magandang bagay sa Japan na maaaring maituro mo sa mga Pinoy?

MAAYOS AT MAGANDANG PARAAN NG PAGBABALOT NG MGA SOUVENIRS NA NABIBILI SA MGA DEPARTMENT STORES

About YOSUKE SHOHARA…. YO-CHAN, SHO-CHAN, KAI-CHO is a Second year

Student majoring in Philippine Studies at the Osaka University, Minoo Campus. He was the chairman of the student council at the Uenomiya Taishi Gakuen and a member of the calligraphy club. He wants to be a teacher in the future so that he can inspire young Japanese learners to study other foreign languages to get a better perspective of cultures outside Japan.

Jeepney Press July-August Issue page 16

K

by Amelia Iriarte Kohno

I wonder if my friend Casilda meant to ease my troubled mind when she said "I should be thankful, I survived my doctor," after telling her last month, that my oncologist for 10 years died. Honestly, I was at a loss thinking how difficult it would be to find a new cancer specialist, who would really go through every detail of my medical history. The long record of breast operations, radiation, a series of chemotherapy (intravenous/oral), countless tests(x-ray, CT, MRI, PET, blood,others), spanning ten years, was under his care. These various medical tests, though alarming for its high level of radiation effect cannot be avoided. Not to mention the depressing side-effects of chemotherapy, as my breast cancer has metastasized to different parts of my body, recurring almost every 2 years. At present, I am undergoing chemo for my lymph nodes. Dr. Sawai was the Director of the Cancer Department of the Kyoto Prefecture University Hospital when I had my first operation under his leadership. Four years ago, he opened his breast cancer clinic with state of the art medical equipments, so I am being treated there.

But what amazes me is that inspite of the many painful experiences and unspeakable inner struggles battling cancer, which recurs almost every two years, I still feel that life is beautiful and we should live it to the fullest. Oh, yes, every now and then, there are always questions left unanswered. Why do I want to go on living? Is it because I still want to see my 2-year old grandchild through college, reap the fruits of the trees I planted, or simply write a book on green technology or making people happy? That must be true in part, but surely our lives have deeper meanings... I believe it is all in God's plan. It is this belief that has given me the courage whenever I come across the dark tunnels of my life. Kung minsan nga kahit maraming balakid ay lalong tumitibay ang ating pananampalataya sa ating Poong Maykapal.

When friends ask why I can travel, frequently visit my daughter in Tokyo, be with people, and still have time for many special things more, even when I am undergoing chemo, my quick response is, have a positive attitude. Inner peace is attainable when you have "joy" in your heart.

A recent visit to Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, was a relief, a break from my worries concerning my new doctor, and an inner healing experience. The wondrous sight of the beauty of nature always has a blissful magical effect on me. Green mountains, serene waterfalls, endless rivers and the splendor of the more than 350 years old majestic cryptomeria trees (13,000 trees) lining an avenue, simply make one think of heaven. I could even feel that I could talk to the trees. Those trees must be living witnesses of days gone by, of historical connections with the past, of people's dreams, of people dying. Ieyasu Tokugawa, founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, which ruled Japan for more than 200 years, is enshrined at the Toshogu Shrine. The carved three wise monkeys - See no evil, Say no evil, Hear no evil- also an Important Cultural Property can be seen at the entrance of this often visited National Shrine atop the hills. Now I know why people say never say "lucky" until you visit Nikko. Or, I may add, never say you have journeyed into the world of Filipinos in Japan until you read the most dynamic Filipino publication, Jeepney Press!

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SHORT CUTS

by Farah Trofeo-Ishizawa

First Cut

Kamusta, Filipinos in Japan? How’s everyone going? Time flies so fast indeed when you are having fun. Did you “feel” Spring time? Spring is gone, and the rainy season is here. Time to take out your umbrellas, and those rain boots.

Second Cut

Hardly noticed Spring, how about you? What have you been doing this first six months of the year?

Third Cut

As I write this, I have just joined the world of ALT’s here in Japan. Assistant Language Teachers are the English teachers in Japan. And we teach English with the Homeroom teachers.

Fourth Cut

There is an increasing population of Filipino ALT’s in Japan. It is good news for the Filipinos because we have a chance to prove that we are good educators and communicators.

Fifth Cut

Teaching is a demanding job and it is very tiring because we also have to play games with the children, right? One more good thing, is that, “Sensei’s” are respected.

Sixth Cut

I salute all the teachers all over the world. To the Filipino ALT’s, remember we must continue to teach well, brush up our skills, and try to remove those accents that are noticeable…. A friendly reminder, please do not interchange your P’s and your F’s. Lastly, dress well at all times. OK?

Seventh Cut

For all of the Filipinos in Japan, be proud… Be yourselves but at the same time, try to adapt to Japan’s culture and ways. OK?

Eighth Cut

Wish all of you, readers, find your own happiness in the simple things here in Japan. Stay happy!

Learn to feel good with everything around us. God Bless –Mama Mary loves us !

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ARANGKADA PINOY

ni Yellowbelle Duaqui

Overseas Filipino Workers: Heroes or Victims?

The official rhetoric of the Philippine state proclaims the Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) a hero – a modern-day counterpart to great men and women from Philippine history like Jose Rizal, Gabriela Silang, Tandang Sora, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Ninoy Aquino, and the Katipuneros. The luminaries notwithstanding, there are more heroes who are nameless in Philippine history - the simple folks who have fallen during the darkness of the multiple waves of colonization that battered the country. It is to their credit that the light of day was made possible for the generations of Filipinos who came after them.

But what does it mean to be a hero? What qualifies an otherwise ordinary Juan or Juana Dela Cruz to deserve the status of a hero? In the colonial days, at least, the parameters used were that of selflessness and immeasurable personal sacrifice, profound influence to stir revolutionary ferment and leadership in mobilizing revolutionary action or just by mere participation in those activities, among others. They were the noble souls who went beyond the comforted confines of the self, to step into the bloody arena of struggle, notwithstanding pain and hardship. They were the ones who dared, risked and challenged the oppressive structures of their time. They were the ones who refused to keep mum when others chose to be quiet for fear of getting burned.

Now, what makes the OFW a hero based on these parameters? Some say that the decision of the OFW to brave foreign lands and to face a proverbial cloud of uncertainty in search of better life abroad -- not even for one’s self but for the family left in the Philippines -- is a concrete sign of selflessness. Let their stories of hardship overseas – ranging from alienation to discrimination -- speak of the personal sacrifices they made in the name of the family. This is the main basis of the government and civil society for hailing OFWs the heroes of our time.

Indeed, some stories would validate that a hero lies in every OFW. This is not only about the remittances sent that become the lifeline of families left in the Philippines nor its positive contribution to the Gross National Product. This is not only about the donations they give during disasters and for the building of classrooms in poor rural areas in the Philippines. They give much, much more for the motherland. They who have the scantiest of time due to their demanding jobs, they who have limited resources but still manage to selflessly eke out a humble donation, they who are relatively powerless but have bonded with fellow OFWs to make things happen – they, on top of all the supposed roles they play – serve as the vital sign of hope that love for the motherland is very much alive, pulsating at the very core of the Filipino diaspora.

At present, can we see oppression as obvious as the conditions described by Rizal in his two literary opus in the lives of OFWs? If the coffins of OFWs that are sent back to the Philippines would serve as any indication, then there is no debate as to whether oppression exists.

So, are OFWs heroes? Or are they victims of a social structure that forces them to leave in order to live? Maybe, there is really no need to choose between these two images: hero and victim. After all, history tells us that true heroes have always been the victims of their time.

Jeepney Press July-August Issue page 17

PISNGI NG LANGIT

by Gino Matibag MD, PhD

Kulugo sa Pwerta

(Genital Warts)

Tanong (T): Dear Doc Gino, kumusta po. nbsa ko po kc s press re vaginal prob dpo kc npliwanag kc maigi. ano po ang vaginal warts? pano po mla2man if meron k ni2? ano po dpat gwin pra maiwasan mgkaroon n2? mganda po ang column nyo kc bwat impormasyon mlalaman mo. marami pong salamat!

Doc Gino (DG): Ang vaginal warts ay ang tinatawag na kulugo sa pwerta ng mga kababaihan. Ang sanhi nito ay mga viruses na nakukuha sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagtalik sa isang tao na mayroon nito. Tulad ng mga kulugo na matatagpuan sa ibang bahagi ng katawan, ito ay magaspang na mga butlig at maaaring maging napakarami at umabot sa kaloob-looban ng pwerta at maging sanhi ng pagbara nito. Depende sa dami at lokasyon ng mga kulugo, ang lunas dito ay maaaring mga gamot na pamahid, iniinom, pagsunog (cauterization) o di kaya ay operasyon, o ang kombinasyon ng mga ito. Ang pinakamabisa ay magpasuri sa isang gynecologist upang mapayuhan ng husto. Kasabay nito, ang sex partner ay kailangang magpasuri rin.

(T): marami pong salamat sa mga impormasyon. dmi po plang mga sakit n posibleng mgkaroon ka. kailngan tlga ng ibayong pg iingat. nabsa ko rin po pla s magazine re virgin coconut oil. dmi kc xperiences n nila2gay n kesyo mabisa raw, totoo po b o advrtsment lng po un. ingat po. salamat uli.

DG: Wala pa akong nababasa ukol sa epekto ng virgin coconut oil sa genital warts. Salamat.

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PEDESTRIAN LANE

By Mylene Miyata

INSPIRASYON!

Minsan, nakakatuwang isipin yung mga bagay kung saan bigla na lang tayong mapapangiti sa kawalan, di ba? Have we ever thought which significant element of life really energizes us in daily routine? Sit back! Relax! And try to reminisce a bit. Powerful ang thoughts kaya naman we have to make "good" use of it day by day. Mahirap yatang aksayahin ang bawat momentum sa buhay. No return, no exchange!

There are so many things we could ever consider actually. Iba't-ibang form ang mapaghahanguan natin ng lakas gaano man ka-bad trip ang araw natin kung minsan. Trying to consider the "Law of Attraction," I’m sure things will fall into places in the process. I am personally stubborn myself pero minsan, sinusubukan ko ding maging obedient. Why? Kasi, ayokong i-crucify yung sarili ko. Saan? Well, let me share this with you.

As I was checking my Facebook account one day, the wall post of my college friend Maria Agnes Dela Cruz saying "We crucify ourselves with these two things: 1. FEAR OF THE PAST and 2. WORRY FOR THE FUTURE" caught my attention at once. I quickly started collecting my thoughts then. Suddenly, I found myself commenting on that particular post. Sabi ko "...that which hinders us from having fun in life at times." Oo nga naman! Why do we have to crucify ourselves to the fears of our past? Likewise, why do have to let ourselves suffer worrying about our future? Both are impractical to use energy on naman. Past is done. When we fear it, nothing beneficial happens. But it's probably human nature. We cannot escape from our past. It will haunt us no matter what. So what do we do with our past? We can make use of it as a vehicle to live our present to the fullest instead. Para di na nga naman tayo ulit magkaron ng "another past" na katatakutan na naman natin in time. Next, worry of the future daw. Isa pa sa mga talent natin - ang mag-worry ng walang humpay. Well, sino nga ba naman ang hindi natututong mag-worry sa buhay, noh? Kakambal na nga kase yan ng pang-araw-araw nating pamumuhay eh! Ang tanong: Kung ubusin man kaya natin yung buong araw, linggo o buwan natin sa pag-wo-worry about our future, matiwasay naman kaya ang resultang makukuha natin buhat dito? Naman! Try natin? Huwag na kaya! Why not start preventing those worries to aggravate. Pwede naman natin tulungan ang sarili natin kesa ibaon natin sa dusa ng pag-aalala. Winner pa tayo in that aspect! We must not forget that no one has ever triumphed on worrying that much anyway. If possible, in every action we take, we may consider caution so as not to worry on its result in the end. Sure, nothing is definite anyway. But trying to get rid of worry-associated stuffs in life will give us a little more room to feel safe about our future, di po ba? It may not be exact but at least we dared to try to be at our best in the moment that we were allowed to choose. A simple instance is learning to say "yes" or "no" instead of the words "siguro" o "baka" as an answer as much as possible. Give a straight answer. Definite and firm as it is needed. It could sound harsh to some but will surely be less worries in many cases, I believe.

Taking things carefully will lead us to the sweetest scenarios each time. It is our privilege to get inspired in life. Why should we delay it? This will give us the freedom to have a meaningful day no matter what. If not throughout the day, at least in some moments each day. Just the way we want it. After all, we can only live what we choose to be. We are given the gift of the present. That is why we are being energized each day. Nothing is more important than living the present time to the fullest instead of fearing the past, neither worrying about the future.

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KWENTO NI NANAY ANITA

Ang ating tatalakayin ngayon ay tunkol sa ating "Haligi" nang tahanan o ang mga idolo nating mga AMA / TATAY / PAPA / DADDY:

Mayroon akong ikukuwento:

Noong taong 1932, mayroon isang lalake na may asawa ang pangalan ay Nettie na nakatira sa isang maliit na apartment sa Chicago. Agosto noon at mayroon pagtitipon na aawit ang asawa ni Nettie. Bantulot ang asawa ni Nettie sa kadahilanang kabuwanan na ni Nettie at ito ang una nilang anak.

Umalis ang asawa ni Nettie upang umawit sa isang malaking pagtitipon na mabigat ang dibdib. Ngunit sa 'di pa kalayuan ay napansin niya na mayroon siyang naiwan - ang kanyang "bass guitar." Kaya dali-dali siyang bumalik ng bahay. At doon nakita niyang natutulog ng mahimbing si Nettie kaya dahan-dahan niyang kinuha ang naiwang gamit at lumisan.

Nang sumunod na gabi sa pagtitipon, maraming tao ang dumalo at ilang ulit nilang pinakanta ang asawa ni Nettie. Nang natapos siya, umupo na ang asawa ni Nettie at mayroon messenger boy na nag-abot ng telegrama sa kanya at ang nakasulat ay “YOUR WIFE DIED.” Subalit, masayang nagpalakpakan ang mga tao at pinakakanta uli siya. Ngunit siya naman ay walang tigil sa pagluha. Tumawag siya sa bahay nila. At ang narinig lang niya ay “Nettie is dead, Nettie is dead.” Agad siyang bumalik sa kanila at doon niya nalaman na nangananak si Nettie ng isang batang lalake. Nasa pagitan siya nang lungkot at saya. Masaya siya dahil ang anak niya ay lalake, ngunit bigla itong napalitan ng lungkot dahil namatay ang kanyang mag-ina. Inilibing nang asawa ni Nettie at ang kanilang anak sa iisang kabaon.

Mula noon isinarado niya ang kanyang sarili sa lahat. Ang tanong niya sa Diyos - Bakit binigyan siya nang ganitong pagsubok. Lumayo siya sa Dios. Ayaw na niyang magsilbi sa Diyos o magsulat nang mga gospel songs. Pero dumating isang araw habang nagkukulong siya sa kadiliman ng kanyang silid ay sinabi niya sa kanyang sarili, "Kung nakinig lang ako sa Diyos na parang mayroon siyang binubulong na huwag niyang pabayaan si Nettie, ang Diyos kaya iyon?" Kung nakinig sana siya, e sana nasa tabi niya si Nettie nang mamatay sila nang anak nila.

Magmula noon nangako siya na lagi siyang makikinig sa ibubulong ng Diyos.

At nang sumunod na gabi, tahimik at madilim sa kanyang silid. Parang biglang sumilip ang araw sa madilim niyang silid. Bigla siyang umupo ulit sa harapan nang kanyang piano at ang kanyang mga daliri ay muling tumipak sa mga tiklado ng piano. Nadama niya na para siya hinipo nang Diyos. At muling naramdaman niya na lang na siya ay tumutugtog. Nakaramdam siya nang kapayapaan mula sa Diyos. Parang inabot niyang muli ang Panginoon. At ito ang mga kataga ng musika :

"Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn, through the night, lead me on to the light, take my hand, Precious Lord, lead me home."

Pinuspos siya nang Espiritu Santo at dito niya natutunan na kapag tayo ay nasa malalim na pighati at dalamhati, pakiramdam natin na malayo tayo sa Panginoon. Di natin batid itong mga sandaling ito pala ang Dios ay nasa tabi at hindi niya tayo iiwan.

Kaya ngayon ang asawa ni Nettie ay masayang nabubuhay para sa Panginoon at naghihintay lamang kung kailan siya susunod kasama ng kanyang yumaong pamilya.

("I am now living for God joyfully until that day when He will take me and gently lead me home.")

Kasaysayan ni :

Tommy Dorsey (band leader in the 30's and 40's )

Dito ipinahihiwatig ng Diyos na kahit sino man sa atin maging ang ating mga tinatawag na ‘haligi’ nang ating mga tahanan - macho, matapang, makisig - ginagamot ng Diyos ang lahat nang sugatan.

Jeepney Press July-August Issue page 18

BAHAI KUBO

by Maria Concepcion Pidelo-Ona

Stay Sane and Stress Less

10 Rules for Making O-bento (School Lunches) for your Kindergartener or Even your High School Kid

By April, Mommy or Daddy is excited to make the o-bento and creativity runs high. But perhaps, by the second or third month, you start running out of ideas and start getting stressed even by just simply listing the food you need to buy in the supermarket. Here are some tried and tested tips so you will be able to turn this school year into an enjoyable o-bento making 2010.

1. Keep it simple.

100-yen/1-dollar shop goodies do wonders and leave some money for buying more important things.

2. Make it quick in 15 to 20 minutes.

A quickly-made obento in the morning leaves more quality time with your kid during breakfast time.

3. Create cute/fancy obento only when you can.

Save your sanity and use the same designs over and over again as long as your little (or big high school) client likes it.

4. Go for a variety of colors to make it look yummy.

For instrance, brocolli and tomato go well with sausages. If the food still looks bland, use colored picks.

5. Repeat to yourself: It is my child who I am trying to please not another child's mother.

Your o-bento is for your child's eye to see and for your child's mouth to taste expecting to be appreciated by your child's teacher or another mother.

9. Disguise food.

For winter time, make huge dinner stews and use the same food for school obento, either by disguising it as an omelette or baking it with cheese topping.

10. Write your weekly o-bento planning in a noteboook.

Keep your menu list and recycle o-bento menu plans during those times when you hate to think of what to prepare.

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KANSAI CRUSADE

by Sally Cristobal-Takashima

Suma-atin na ang tag-init. Ready na ba kayo na magsuot ng swimwear? Sa nakita kong swimwear collection sa mga depatos ay marami na din bumibili ng fitness wear na ideal din for swimming. The better ones sell from 7,000 yen up and with good care will last for a couple of years. I have been postponing buying a new swim suit and it's not easy to find a flattering style with a reasonable price tag. At long last, I got an Ellesse black stretch shorts with pink piping and a silver/

gray top. The price was a bit stiff considering I don't really swim that often but more of aquabics and walking pa.

Manila beckons and the great time we had in Panglao, Bohol last year comes to mind. Beautiful shoreline, marine clear blue water, palm trees, wide hammocks, white sands makes me believe there is still Paradise not in Maldive or Hawaii or Guam but in our very own Philippines, the Pearl of the Orient Seas. For those who have plans to visit Cebu, splurge for once in your life, and stay at the Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa. It's a Philippine's premier 5 star resort. Ganda talaga so enjoy naman tayo once in a while. We got confirmed booking as of this writing sa Hilton Cebu Resort and Spa, a Mediterranean inspired enclave and siempre pa enjoy din mag relax sa Spa. Paminsan- minsan lang naman.

The other highlight of our vacation is the reunion of the members and friends of the Philippine Community in Shanghai which I co-founded with other Pinay expats in 1995. We lived in Shanghai for 3 years when my husband was posted there. By the way, the Shanghai International Expo 2010 in Pudong will run until November. To those of you who can make it, there are many exciting places to visit like the Silk Market, Fish, Bird and Cricket Market, French Concession area. Tourist nowadays hang around in the Old Shanghai district where one can hang around in traditional Chinese Tea Shops, buy Chinese dresses, discover a wide array of heavenly silk fabrics, nado nado (etc). This summer, I say make it Shanghai from Manila because it's cheaper. By the way, you need a Chinese tourist visa to enter China but visa free travel between Chinese and the Philippine government is currently being worked out. Maybe I should organize a Shanghai trip for Filipinos based in Japan.

And now for our Kansai news. The International Day of the St Mary's Catholic Church was held recently. It was a well attended event at talagang dinayo ng mga members of the Philippine commuinity pati na rin ng community members ng Korea, China, Brazil, Portuguese, Bolivia, Spain at iba pa. Among the many kababayans we run into were Lorly Cruz, Lety Konishi, Teresita Okada, Katrina Fujikawa, Tessie Hosaka, Susan Yamamoto, Violy Mizuno, Beth Onodera, Beth Kan, Marie Hashizuka and Yowie Tsuda with some of her students in tow. The mass was conducted in, if I remember correctly, simultaneously in Japanese, English, Chinese, Spanish and Portuguese. With the continual decline in the number of Japanese compared with the number of Japan based foreigners attending Sunday, it can be said that the foreign community church goers are literally helping to keep Christianity stay alive in Japan. I cannot but agree and if you have attended a Sunday mass in, for example, St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Hong Kong. How easily will you be moved by the sheer number of Filipinos going to church on Sundays be it rain or shine. There was even a queue to enter the church just like the queue the tourist have to make when you visit the Vatican. Once lang na naka attend ako ng Sunday mass when we visited Hongkong. Nakaka-iyak nga when we started to sing and pray. It was a moving experience so I suggest when you visit Hong Kong or any other foreign country, attend a Sunday Worship Mass.

The annual flag raising ceremony to celebrate the 112th Independence Day was held in the grounds of MID Towers. A Holy Mass officiated by Fr. Mario Colina and a Brunch of various Philippine foods followed. Ambassador Maria Lourdes Ramiro V. Lopez thanked everyone who attended the celebration.

Pistahan sa Osaka the event everyone was looking forward to, was held in the Hotel New Otani. It was also a well attended dinner dance. Thanks to the officers of the Philippine Community Council headed by Jun Silva and also to Inada, Miho san of the Hotel New Otani. Among those who helped in making it an event to remember were Aya Hongo, Susan Fuchizaki, Heidi Terada, Malou Sato, Belle Futatsugame, Nixon Cacao, Neriza Sarmiento, Olson Solon and last but not least the Philipine band who made sure there was dancing music all nite long. Among the guests were Jovy Ferrer (Finance Officer, Philippine Consulate General), Arcie Soriano (Attache and Tousim Director, Dept. of Tourism) Lorelei Cruz, Admistrative Officer, Dept. of Tourism, Katrina Fujikawa (Balikbayan Express), Joseph Eric Pelaez (Metro Bank), Zafrullah Masahud (Dept. of Trade) Delia Nakashima, Libye Suzuki, Linda Sakae, Lisa Kumai, Yuriko Hayashi and Annabelle Sosogi.

Ambassador Maria Lourdes V. Ramiro Lopez in her speech encourages eveyone to rediscover Jose P. Rizal's heroism as he is an extraordinary man of timeless virtues worth emulating. She also mentioned that each and everyone of us should search and give meaning to our lives. Ang buhay na may kabuluhan ay pamana sa ating kabataan. Leafing once again through the pages of Noli Mi Tangere and El Filibusterismo will inspire us to know Jose Rizal, his life, beliefs as well as the women who inspired him. Special thanks go to our Vice Consul Senen Mangalile and the Philippine Consulate General for making Pistahan sa Osaka a success.

To all our Jeepney Press readers, just like I always do, bring extra copies of JP newspaper to the Philippines. They may want to network with Japan based Filipinos by subscribing or advertising. It's the best community newspaper in Japan.

Have a great 2010 Summer vacation! Ja ne!

KANSAI CRUSADE

by Sally Cristobal-Takashima

Biyernes ng umaga on the Osaka Loop Line train on my way to Kyobashi station. The early morning rush to board a train in big cities in Japan is something to contend with. One gets shoved and pushed. To be a part of this daily occurence is dehumanizing which remind most of us that we are just a cog in a wheel. Rush hour in Japan peaks at 8 to 9 a.m. Commuters are packed to double its capacity and the last passengers to get on have to be pushed by uniformed platform attendants. Yes, even prim looking OLs get to be pushed as well. Once inside the train, the commuters are pressed against each other, one can hardly breath and unable to move.

When the train reached Kyobashi station. Para bang mga lokang nag-unahan ang mga pasaheros na lumabas at sa oras na ito ay talagang naka Nike ka para hindi ka kulelat sa goal which is the kaisatsu guchi (exit). Oo, tama ka para talagang nasa marathon ang pakiramdam mo. One cannot do this in an empty stomach at talagang a smart well balanced breakfast is recommended.

Hindi pa man ako nakakalayo sa binabaan kong densha ay may isang malakas na hagulgol at tili ang narinig ng mga tao. Lumingon ako at dahil sa wala naman akong makita, pinilit kong malaman ang happening na nangyari. Isang naka unipormeng dalagita ang nakalupasay sa platform. Ang school bag niya ay halos nakasabog at natatapakan ng ibang pasaheros. Sa pagka usisera ko, tinanong ko sa katabi kong babae kung ano ang nangyari. Chikan (groper-pervert) daw! Naka cross ang dalawang bisig ng dalagita. Ang mga uniformed train attendants naman ay hindi mawari kung ano ang gagawin. Para bagang nagsikip ang dibdib ko sa awa at galit at hiniling ko na mahuli ang perpetrator sa madaling panahon. Habang ako ay naglalakad papunta sa aking yoji (scheduled errand) ay hindi ko mai-alis sa isip ang teenager na para sa akin ay isang outstanding youth. Bakit kamo? Well, inspite of the Japanese training in restraint and assertiveness, in her way, she contributed to raising awareness to the problem of train gropers. Many people are still not aware that calling it groping doesn’t make it anything lesser than Sexual Assault which caries a minimum sentence of 7 years vacation in prison or 500,000 - 1,000,000 yen penalty. Vast majority of cases are unreported because the victims are afraid to show their faces. This is a critical women's issue of seeking justice but humiliating and degrading at the same time.

Jeepney Press July-August Issue page 20

e-DESHOU?

by Edward Labuguen

PILIPINO PO AKO!

Sa mga oras na ito, nakaupo na ang bagong Pangulo, Bise-Pangulo, mga Mambabatas sa Mataas at Mababang Pulungan. Nasa kapangyarihan na si Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, bilang bagong Pangulo ng Pilipinas. Mula sa araw na ito, ang Bayan ay nag- uumpisa na namang mangapa, sa bagong liderato, ang kapakanan ng ating Bansa. Mahabang panahon na ang ating hinihintay, na magkaroon ng pagbabago at umangat ang Pilipinas. Napuno na ang mga Filipino, sa mga pangako ng pagbabago, pag-angat ng ekonomiya at kabuhayan, pagkakaroon ng matatag na trabaho, edukasyon, kalusugan at agrikultura, pero parang mailap pa rin ang mga oportunidad na ito. Ang inaasam nating pagbabago, ay hindi lang naman nakalaan sa mga iniluklok natin sa posisyon, kundi sa lahat ng Filipino. " Ako ang simula ng Pagbabago", dapat yan ang kataga ng bawat Pinoy, at kasabay ng katagang yan ang pagpupursige ng bawat isa sa atin, na gawin ang nararapat para sa inaasam na pagbabago. Katulad ng tema ng pagdiriwang ng Araw ng Kalayaan na ginanap dito sa Kani Fukushi Center, dito sa preperektura ng Gifu, "Kaya kung sama-sama, magka-isa para sa sarili at para sa Bayan." Bilang migranteng Pinoy sa Japan, asawa man ng Hapon, Japanese descendants, o OFW, ay may kanya-kanya tayong gawain o adhikain, na ang layunin maliban sa makatulong tayo sa ating mga pami-pamilya, ay makagawa din tayo ng ikaka-unlad ng ating bayan. Marami tayong magagawa, kahit tayo ay nasa ibang bansa, ay pwede nating ipamalas ang pagmamahal natin sa ating Sariling Bayan. Katulad ng sinabi ni dating Presidente John F. Kennedy ng Amerika, "Huwag hingiin kung ano ang maipaglilingkod ng Bayan sa yo, kundi hingiin sa sarili kung ano ang maipaglilingkod natin sa ating bayan."

Umaasa tayo, andyan pa rin ang PAGASA, sabi nga "habang humihinga, may pag-asa" ay palagi din nating isama sa ating mga panalangin, na sana magsilbi ng maayos ang ating bagong halal na mga pinuno, na sana isipin nila ang kapakanan ng sambayanan, magsilbi ng maayos.

Salamat sa naki-isa sa amin, sa paggunita ng ika-112 na Araw ng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas dito sa Kani Fukushi Center, sa pangunguna ni Mrs. Keren Tsuchida ng Phil-Jap Asia Tomonokai, at ang iyong lingkod ng Angels' Voice Youth Ministry, at sa lahat ng nagpamalas ng mga angking talento sa pagsayaw ng tinikling, ati-atihan, sakuting, sayaw sa bulaklak, sayaw sa Malong at ang mga ipinamalas din na kantang kundiman. Kahit sa ganitong paraan, maliban sa pagpapamalas ng ating kultura, at nagkakaron din ng panahon na nagkakatipon-tipon ang mga kapwa Pinoy para mas mapalalim ang pagkakaibigan at pagkakaisa. Salamat din kay CONSUL SENEN MANGALILE, ng Konsulado ng Pilipinas sa Osaka, na panauhing pandangal sa nasabing pagtitipon.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang Pinoy sa Japan.

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J-WAY

by Joseph de Leon

Teaching English in Japan

I have been teaching in the Philippines for 10 years before I was hired as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) here in Japan last 2005. My 15 years teaching experience (10 years in the Philippines and 5 years in Ichikai Town, Japan-2005-2010) greatly contributed to my present position as an ALT of Haga town. This town, located here in Tochigi Prefecture, has a unique and more efficient English-Teaching System. To be this town’s English Teacher or ALT requires me to be a good teamplayer because I have to work closely and teach together with the Japanese Teacher of English (JTE) and the Homeroom Teacher (HRT). It took me about a week to adjust to my new teaching environment after my 5 years teaching job as an ALT of another town. In my previous town, I prepared my teaching plans and managed the class with the assistance of the Homeroom Teacher without the JTE. Being flexible among other qualities helped me adopt to my new classroom role and teach efficiently together with other two teachers, the JTE and the HRT.

Haga town’s unique and efficient way of teaching English in Elementary Public Schools were planned and supervised by the town’s Japanese Teacher of English (JTE) Ms. Yui Takahashi. It‘s my first time to work with a JTE and I can see the positive effect of having Ms. Takahashi in the English Education of Haga town, Japan. Ms. Takahashi prepares the lesson plans and teaching materials with my assistance. She does ask for my ideas which I can also give her at any given time. A week before the lesson, Ms. Takahashi conducts a pre-class orientation (uchiawase) with the Homeroom Teachers, explaining them the content of the lesson and how to go about it. It is the Homeroom Teacher who is challenged to manage the English Class. She (JTE) makes English Teaching more effective because both the Homeroom Teacher, the JTE and myself (ALT) know the flow of the lesson. A good teamplayer is a must. My role as an ALT is the promotion of internationalization, providing the class with the native level of English.

Our English class starts with two pupils coming to our faculty room and invite us to their class using English. “Hello Teacher Joseph and Teacher Yui, we are ready. Please come to our classroom.” This greeting is usually heard from the pupils. With the ALT, JTE and HRT in the classroom, our class starts with the pupils’ greetings, warm-up song ( ALT leads the song, JTE and HRT sings with the pupils). Lucky People (HRT calls 5 pupils to go to the front and communicate with me in English). Review of the past lesson (HRT ask the pupils to recall the past lesson, ALT presents the learned words/ sentences and JTE assist the HRT and Pupils). Presentation of the new lesson (HRT presents the topic, ALT presents the target words/ sentences using native level of English accent, JTE supports the ALT in the management of the class and sometimes to the explanation of the lesson in Japanese to further pupils’ comprehension). English Game/Activity (HRT, JTE and ALT) do game demonstration and then HRT and JTE manages the game while ALT [me] joins the pupils), and the class ends with the pupils‘ writing in their evaluation sheet (they write what they’ve learned during the class).

As to this writing, it’s my third month as Haga town’s ALT and I have been an effective ALT working with JTE and HRT. I am proud to show to my Japanese colleagues the following qualities in working with them, to wit:

1. Be responsible. If you are asked to do something, do it. If you need to be somewhere for the team, whether it is a meeting or to support the team at an event, be there and be on time.

2. Listen to other team members without trying to guess what they are saying or judging them. This is called active listening. For some people, it's one of the hardest things to do.

3. Be supportive. Compliment other members of the team when they have worked hard or overcome a challenge. Sometimes a person who gives everyone support is more valuable than the most technically skilled member of the team.

4. Communicate effectively. If you have a problem, explain it, tactfully, before it becomes too big. It's okay to let people know if you feel something isn't right, just remember to be respectful of others’ feelings when you express yourself.

5. Be flexible. Even if you have always done it one way, be willing to try another way. There is more than one way to skin a cat.

6. Contribute. Be willing to take on responsibilities and share the workload. This doesn't mean you have to be a martyr, but work with your team mates to make things happen.

Jeepney Press July-August Issue page 21

STOPOVER

by Frances Saligumba

SAYONARA, ADIOS and GOOD-BYE!

More than a decade ago, I said goodbye not only to the place where I was born and raised but also to my own family. It was the most intense realization to my senses, a piercing experience if not the most painful one. Whether you are the one who leaves or the one who will be left behind; saying the word “goodbye” is always an awful feeling.

Summer time is the time of the year where people from the U.S. Military personnel move to their next duty stations after a three to six-year assignment in Okinawa. Sayonara parties are almost on a weekly basis, whether a good friend or just an acquaintance – you cannot evade the word goodbye, sayonara or adios!

Just a week ago, my good Christian friend has just left and bid us goodbye. In the next few more weeks, one of my favorite students will be moving out too, and I can’t do anything but to accept the fact that change is constant. But I have realized that acceptance is a coexistent of change. Acceptance is a mixture between our mental state and feelings in any given situation.

Acceptance to change is as good as the art of letting go. Letting go of the physical loss of a good friend is not the end of the world. You can always continue the friendship just by clicking your keyboard, or dialing his/her number or you may even just text it out to keep up with them.

But that is not the case when you have chosen to “change for the better”. I could still remember when I used to enjoy shopping: yes, buying clothes and shoes was one of my weakest points, to the extent of looking forward to it every pay day. It is something deep within that I could not control – something that gives me a feeling of satisfaction because it compensates my

hard works. I even used to tell myself; why I should feel guilty of buying those things, I work hard, I earned the money, and thus, I deserve it. Not until one day I have realized that the same excuse is not an excuse for me to become greedy. Greed is as awful as covetousness – it could walk with you, run with you, sleep with you, eat with you and the worst thing is: it could haunt you! It will haunt you in the end if you have realized that something is wrong and you needed a change of heart. Correct! Accept that you have become greedy, accept the fact to change and say goodbye to an old habit, is the key to a change of heart.

For so long, we have gone astray to the love of our Lord because of our greed. We tend to be self-centered and think only of the things that make us feel good. Sure, it’s easy to spend your money on useless things but do we find it easy to share some of our blessings to the needy? Yes it is easy to become a slave driver if you’re the boss, but do you find it easy to reach out to your subordinates and know how they feel? I know it is easy to be in authority as I work in a Customer Service set-up; but putting myself in their shoes has always been in my daily request up above, the same way that these people would understand my point of view. People tend to complain and whine so quickly without looking first in the mirror. Maybe seeing your reflection is the first step to change, when the moment that you feel the need to release the grip on your old sinful habits – that is the perfect time to let go and say GOODBYE to your old self.

More than half the decade ago, I have bid GOODBYE to materialism and greed but I will never say GOODBYE to the Lord. As is it written in Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, I counted loss for Christ.

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DRIVE-THRU

by Stephanie Jones Jallorina

BEACH RESORT

Imagine!... stepping out from your busy city life now quite a thousand miles away and finding yourself in skimpies and shades, walking on sunshine, and under your nose, inhaling the summer breeze that is salty yet cooling and soothing your skin slowly bathe by the sun blaze. Imagine!...a sight to behold that invites you to go near to the long stretch of a picturesque and solitary paradise. Imagine!...feeling in between your toes the sugary-fine white sand and sometimes get soft massage from crushing coral reefs that start to naturally form again. Imagine!...finally soaking yourself wet in the warm crystal-clear blue waters and the lush green vegetation, enjoying swimming or snorkeling or rekindling your passion for scuba diving, kiteboarding, wakeboarding and parasailing; your deal of adventure. And when you get exhausted, you head back at bay only to fill your belly with mouth-watering fresh sea cuisines! Imagine!... meditating in the tranquil atmosphere of a tropical bliss, or simply basking in the sunshine of the beach while waiting for the sumptuos meal you just partaken to simmer. Imagine!...sailing off into the blazing sunset on a pristine white yacht, cruising from island to island while experiencing the joy of the sea wind. Imagine!...when night falls and all neon lights are on, you get to choose to mingle with party tourists and locals circling around a bonfire or with lovely ladies dancing with fire, or you settle to somewhere a little more quiet or with low music background humming yourself to sleep on a hammock in your cottage’s veranda.

Beach is one of the top ten destinations during summer if not the top most. Even if you are a beach bum ravaged by years of sun, beach is happiness; it is something not given, it is something taken. If we are at Philippines on summer, we surely find time to go to the beach. We resort to beach escapades primarily because ours is a tropically hot country that sometimes even trigger people to fume mad about life uncertainties. I can think of only one thing that would prevent you from going to the beach – a mishap; exactly!

I have gathered forgettable experiences that drive away Epi and Yani to beach locations for a long time. Epi was six when he and his cousins were playing the fastest swim test from one fishing boat to the next, one after the other. He was happy to have the last turn thinking it would give him more ideas how to swim his swiftest to outwin his five cousins but little did he know that all the strokes and energy exerted by his cousins to make it to the top started to form small waves that paddled away the other boat increasing its gap from the other. When finally it was Epi’s turn, he had a hard time swimming till he got crumps and rest became a nightmare to him. Yani was first year high when her family and their friends went to another island for some celebration. While all the adults are busy gossiping and other kids making sand castles at the seashore, the small yet adventurous Yani bet she could hurdle the waves through the big boat that brought them to the island. She did well on her first two attempts she handled the anchor wire ropes for support but she lost count when suddenly she was pulled by the rope instead. The moment she became sensible she found herself lying on the shore with her parents so worried about her mishap. She trembles upon learning she got drown and could have been killed had she not been saved by her cousin from hitting her head hard on the boat. Since then, it has been horrifying for Yani to keep recalling the face of her parents whenever she sees the beach; telling her as if not to get back there. It has been traumatic for both Epi and Yani everytime they get near the beach that they want to forget that part of their life.

But just like life’s challenges they had to face their waterloo; they had to learn to overcome their fears. Beach Boys’ Endless Summer hit off and remained on the album chart for three years in the 70s for selling multi-million record. Also, Bruce Brown's movie of the same title was a classic for glorifying surfing in a round-the-world search for the perfect wave. Both remains a poignant metaphor for the similarities between the changing surf and life. For many, surfing is seemingly a dangerous beach sport but danger can be elsewhere hence fear not the past, fear not the present, nor the future.

Remember, happiness is something not given; it is something taken. Imagine!...me counting cars with surfboards overtaking me, unknowing where they are heading, and me has yet to drive-thru the airport. I am “stoked,” one of the main terms used by surfers around the world to refer to a mixed feeling of anxiety and happiness towards the waves breaking. I can feel it to my bones they will have a grand time they resort to the beach even once this summer.

Jeepney Press July-August Issue page 22

ACHI-KOCHI

by Rey Ian Corpuz

Hokkaido: The Long Westernized Japan

– Part 2

Day 3

Sapporo Beer Museum

Entrance to the museum is free and it’s around 20 minutes on foot from JR Sapporo Station. Visitors will be welcomed with stacks of beer kegs outside the premises. And on the adjacent side is a display of a real brewing kettle used from the factory. From 3rd floor to ground floor, we toured the museum. Inside the museum are exhibits about how the history of the Sapporo beer museum and its development. Old pictures of the factory, from past to present and the people behind the success of Sapporo Beer are displayed in the 3rd floor. Before going up, an English guide is provided for foreigners, which translates some of the items on display. The real highlight of the tour was the beer tasting section on the 2nd floor. We sampled three types of beer which they brew, namely, Black label, Yebisu black beer, and the Kaitakushi beer, in which all have 5% alcohol content. The three glasses of beer was worth 400 yen. Along with it were complimentary plain and onion cheese and Sapporo beer crackers to match our early morning drinking session. While gulping the beer, old pictures of Showa Era print ads are posted on the walls beside the bar. The museum also houses all the shapes and sizes of bottles of the beer they used to sell before. Also, promotional materials such as toys and other fancy kawaii things are displayed in the museum. Recommended omiyage for you to buy are the chocolate coated Sapporo corn and the Sapporo Beer Crackers. By lunch time, we finished our beer and we were drunk. The downside of having that tour at the first thing in the morning was that our progres has somewhat slowed down a bit. We felt lazy to move and we slept in the bus.

Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill (Hitsujigaoka Temboudai / 羊が丘展望台)

On our way to Hitsujigaoka Park, we were lost but finally made our way by flagging down a taxi. The Hill was quite far. In this park, you can see the famous statue of Dr. William Smith Clark who immortalized the tag line “Boys, Be Ambitious!!” Hitsuji (羊) means sheep while oka (丘) means hill. Collectively the place means a hill with sheep. But we only saw few sheep on the rear side of the facility. The hill was developed as a former national cattle breeding station in 1906 and then later in 1919 as a breeding facility for sheep. From there, it got its present name. The hill offers a panoramic view of Sapporo and Ishikari plain. From the hill, the Sapporo Dome can be seen which seemed like a humongous silver spacecraft of a UFO. The hill was still snow-capped and everything was pitch-white. Taking in turns, we took a lot of pictures on the hill and on the statue of Dr. Clark.

Sapporo Winter Festival Museum

(札幌雪祭資料館)

Right next to the hill is the Sapporo Winter Festival Museum. The museum houses hundreds of pictures of the Sapporo Winter Festival. Sapporo’s Winter Festival kicked off in February 18, 1950. After their defeat in the World War II, the citizens of Sapporo wanted to have fun and do some uplifting activities which would enable them to break free from the long winters they experience, and thus, the birth of the annual Sapporo Winter Festival.

* Genghis Khan Meal is a preparation of pan frying the mutton with bean sprouts, cabbages, carrots and potatoes and then dipping it to a special sauce with grated radish. The meal was expensive. Around 1,700 yen per head but it surely made our Hokkaido experience complete.

Sapporo Dome

Sapporo Dome was our last stop. This is the home court of Hokkaido’s two famous teams. Have you ever heard of the Consadole and Nippon Ham Fighters? The Consadole is their soccer team while the Nippon Ham Fighters is their baseball team. This dome was of a grand scale. Entrance to the dome is around 500 yen. The dome boasts itself as the first of its kind to have the first movable and retractable soccer stage. The facility also houses outdoor fields, and two artificial outdoor soccer fields. Aside from the panoramic view of the dome, the mini observatory above the dome has more spectacular view. From the observatory above, you can get a glimpse of the city and the towering mountains surrounding Sapporo City. Accessible from Toho Subway Line Fukuzumi Station and a 10-minute walk towards the facility.

Day 4

Otaru

Otaru is just a few minutes away from Sapporo. A majestic view of the southern Sea of Japan with numerous jagged rocks and lively cranes flock the area has captivated our excitement. The tracks which lead to Otaru are constructed very close to the shore. Otaru is a historic old town from being an old settlement of the Ainu people who once inhabited the area. Today, the traces of their culture can be viewed in their museums. This town is probably the first place I have been to in Japan where Russian language can be read in most pamphlets and museum signage. Otaru is also a famous place for sushi. Too bad, we weren’t able to find the nearest one when we went there. I can say that Otaru looks like an old American town in the 1800s because of its architecture. Many of these structures erected during the early settlement of the 1800s by the Americans are still visible and well-preserved in Otaru.

Otaru Canal and Otaru Museum (小樽運河・小樽博物館の周辺)

The Otaru Canal was just too overrated by most travel magazines in Japan. It was a bit boring and it felt like we just went to a typical nearby dock in the Philippines. The canal should be best viewed during the night as the illumination gives the rocks of the old canal more life. The old canal served as the main harbor of the town during the age of early settlement in the late 1800s.

The museum is just across Otaru Canal. According to the data displayed in their museum, Otaru once had greater population than Sapporo. In the 1870s, they had 3,169 inhabitants compared to 13 people in Sapporo. The museum showed how lively the town was in the 1870s. People in Otaru predominantly depend on fishing. An exhibit of the old tools and craft the people, like sled, net for catching fish and even skis, used in the 1800s can be seen inside. Old pictures and daily things which are classified “foreign” are also displayed. From the classic dial-type telephones, sewing machines, phonograph, typewriter, piano, LPs, and all sorts of classic furniture can be seen inside the museum.

Inside the natural museum, displays of the old ways of the Ainu people are displayed. Also, various animals being hunted by the people and even prehistoric tools for creating fire can be tried on hand. Ancient jars, pikes, spears, and bows and arrows are also shown.

“Venetian Road”

From Otaru Canal, a few minutes of walk will bring you to district known for Venetian glassworks. Otaru is also famous for glass making. And most of its influence comes from Italy. Numerous shops along this street which I have baptized “Venetian Road” sell beautiful but too expensive authentic Italian glassworks. Local produce are also being sold. Things from small to big like ink pens, perfume bottles, decorative ornaments up to chandeliers are sold. We weren’t able to buy anything as it was too expensive and too delicate to bring. The only thing we considered buying was this small and so fragile glass ink pen which was around 3,500 a piece. Some shops along this road also offer glass blowing experience for 5,000 to 10,000 yen where an expert glass technician teaches you how to mold different types of glassware. Also, within this vicinity is the Rokkatei Shop (六家亭店) which sells the famous Hokkaido butterscotch cookies and cream puffs. Several pieces of this luscious butterscotch and cream puffs and a few cups of coffee for free surely capped our whole day tour meaningful.

Day 5

It was time for us to pack and go. But before that, we still have three places to go in our list.

Shiroikoibito Factory

Hokkaido’s so-called standard “omiyage” is the Shiroikoibito white chocolate. I actually tasted this since I first came to Japan several years ago. Though Shiroikoibito sweets can be bought anywhere around Sapporo, it’s still best to pay a visit the factory itself. The building resembled that of an old brick house while the clock tower on its entrance looks like that of Big Ben. Inside the factory is a museum where various items concerning chocolate, from its history abroad, different kinds of saucers and chocolate cups, to world historical data of producing and consuming countries, up to its containers used in different countries are displayed. A glimpse of how this famous and most-loved Hokkaido omigaye is being produced and packed can be seen from atop. Viewing the production line is as fun and interesting as the taste of the white chocolate. On the other side of the building is an area used by visitors who want to try making different kinds of pastries offered by Ishiya Factory. There is a daily schedule for visitors who want to try it. It looked interesting as children along with their parents made different kinds of cute and sumptuous chocolate-decorated pastries. The shop next to it sells different kinds of ornaments and chocolate-products sold by Ishiya. There is also a coffee shop next to it which offers visitors to taste their desserts while resting from a tiring trip around the museum.

Okurayama Ski Jump and Sapporo Winter Sports Museum

Going to Okurayama Ski Jump facility and the adjacent Sapporo Winter Sports Museum is a bit troublesome. There is no direct public mode of transportation that could bring you there. The only way aside from taking the taxi is to get off at Maruyamakoen Station then take a bus heading to the Ski Jump and from the bus stop is a 20-minute uphill trek awaits the visitors. The ski jump facility is very famous since this was the place used during the Sapporo Winter Olympics a few decades ago. Below the ski jump is the Sapporo Winter Sports Museum which houses the memorabilia of Sapporo Olympics and the history and progress of Japan’s quest in the world arena of winter Olympic competition. When we went there, the ski lift was closed for maintenance. So we were not able to see the whole ski jump course from above. Since it was still late March, the whole area was still blanketed with snow. It was a nice experience for us to see a real ski jump facility as there is no snow in the Philippines. The museum showcases the different feats of Japan in winter sports in the global arena. Old uniforms, old skis and sleds, and even recently developed high-tech smart suits to combat air drag and the like are also being displayed.

Before finally leaving Sapporo, we had our last sip of coffee in the station and final picture taking within the station. Then, we realized that the bus we were supposed to ride already left several hours ago as it was suppose to be our last trip. Our plan B was taking the train towards Tomakomai and taking a 2,000-yen taxi from the station to the port. Whew… We did it on time but it was costly on our part.

So how did we get back home? We took the overnight ferry from Tomakomai to Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture. Upon arriving at Hachinohe Station, I accidentally found a 1,000 yen breakfast buffet! So we decided to eat and get fat further before embarking to an 8-hour local train ride. Then our 8-hour local train ride started. We managed to arrive at Kuki Station around 7PM and finally arrived in Hanyu around 930PM. What a trip!

Jeepney Press May-June 2010 issue Cover Page

JEEPNEY PRESS May-June 2010 Issue Cover

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