Jeepney Press 2010 November-December Page 17

Pisngi Ng Langit

ni Doc Gino

Ibig Nang Mabuntis

Tanong (T): Dear Doc Gino, nabasa ko po ung column nyo, so kaya po nainganyo naman ako mag tanong sa inyo. gusto ko po kc malaman kung ano ang dapat gawin para mabuntis agad. kc po nag li-live-in na po kami ng bf ko. pareho na po namin gusto mgkababy. 1 yr na po kaming nagsasama pero hindi pa rin po kami makabuo. nagtanong naman po ako sa mga kaanak ko na kung may lahi po ba kaming baog. sabi naman nila wala daw po. at tinanong ko rin po ang asawa ko kung ganon din ba sya. hndi rin po ang sagot nya. hindi po kaya ako ang baog? Sport minded po ako. madami akong nilalaro. sanhi rin po ba kaya un ng hindi ko pagbuntis? may konting bisyo rin po ako. nagsmoke at sometimes i drink? lahat po ba un sanhi ng di ko pag buntis? ano po ba ang dapat kong gawin? ano po ba ang mga sanhi ng hindi pagbubuntis ng isang babae. sana po matulungan nyo ako sa katanungan kong ito. maraming salamat po! good luck sa inyo. and more power po!

Doc Gino (DG): Isang taon pa lamang kayo nagsasama, ano kaya ang dahilan kung bakit kayo nagmamadaling magka-baby? Ilang taon ka na ba? Buwan-buwan ba ang dating ng iyong regla?

Maraming dahilan kung bakit hindi nagbubuntis kaagad. Hindi lamang ang babae ang dapat suriin, ang mga lalaki ay gayun din. Isa sa masasabi kong dahilan sa iyong kaso ay ang iyong pagiging aktibo. Ang pagiging aktibo ng katawan gaya ng mga atleta ay nagsasanhi ng anovulation kung saan hindi nangigitlog bawa't buwan ang babae kung kaya't ang regla ay hindi rin buwanan kung dumating. Kapag hininto ang sobrang pagkaaktibo, manunumbalik ang pagiging regular na pangingitlog at nagbubuntis na agad.

Ang stress na magbuntis agad ay maaaring maging sanhi rin ng hindi pagbubuntis. Kung kaya't mas makabubuting mag-enjoy muna kayo sa inyong pagsasama. Sa ganitong sistema, mas mababawasan ang stress at malamang ay magbuntis agad. Kahit walang direktang ebidensiya, ang mga nabanggit mong bisyo ay maaaring maging sanhi ng hindi pagbubuntis.

(T): salamat mo sa pag-sagot ng aking mga katanungan. 24 na po ako at ang asawa ko naman ay 29. gusto na po kc ng magulang ng asawa ko ng apo beside parang nasasabik ako sa baby. auko po kcng magbuntis ng mejo may edad na. kc feeling ko parang ang hirap ng ganon. regular po ang regla ko. minsan pa nga po 2 beses sa isang buwan. di ko nga maintindihan eh kung bakit ganon! nadadaan po ba sa hilot ang pagbubuntis agad? marami po kcng nagsasabi na ipataas ko daw po ang matres ko dahil baka mamaba lang. effective po kaya un? salamat po!

DG: Ang bahay bata ay natural lamang na maging mababa kapag hindi buntis. Hindi nakatutulong ang hilot upang itaas ito. Gaya ng mga nabanggit, ang pagbabago ng lifestyle at pagbabawas ng stress ay isa sa mga makatutulong upang magdalang-tao. Mas makabubuti kung makipagkonsulta ng harapan sa isang bihasa sa Infertility upang masuring mabuti kayong dalawa.

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KWENTO NI NANAY ANITA

There is no such thing as COINCI- DENCE. Things happen because it is God's will. Walang bagay na nang- yari dahil sa nagkataon lang. Nangyayari ang mga bagay-bagay dahil ito ay nakatakdang mang- yayari.

At ang maibabahagi ko lang ay dapat lagi tayong magpakumbaba. Sabi nga, laging ilapat ang mga paa sa lupa at bahala ang Diyos ang magtataas sa iyo. Ilang beses ko na itong nasubukan. Hindi natin dapat gustuhin na palaging sikat at bida. At maski sa maliit na bagay na nagawa ay gusto palaging mapa- rangalan at mapasalamatan. Para sa akin, hindi ito ang dapat. Mana- himik lamang tayo at alam ng ating TAGAPAGLIKHA kung ano ang ating mga ginawa. Wala tayong maitatago sa KANYA. Hindi kailangan na parangalan tayo o palakpakan sa mga bagay na ating ginawa dito sa mundo. Dahil mawawala ang merito natin. Hintayin na lang natin sa ating pagharap sa ating MAYKAPAL at doon Niya tayo bibiyayaan. Hindi ang yaman o material na bagay ang ating iipunin dito sa mundo kundi ang mga mabubuting bagay nating ginagawa nang walang hinihintay na kapalit ang siya nating ipunin maigi. At pagharap natin sa ating MAY- KAPAL, bahala na SIYANG mag- parangal sa atin. At napakaganda ng ating paghaharap sa ating MAY- KAPAL. Maikli lamang itong buhay dito sa mundo, kaya huwag natin sayangin ang bawat sandali nito. "Life is too short to fool around." Let us always share the best we can from the talents that God has given to us. Hindi ang pansamantalang yaman ang ating panghahawakan dahil lahat nito ay mawawala. Lahat nang bagay na nakikita at nahaha- wakan, lahat nito ay may katapusan. Ngunit ang hindi natin nakikita o nahahawakan, ang ating nararam- daman, ito ang PANGHABANG- BUHAY.

Halimbawa, minsan nakikita natin na sa mga kabataan ngayon na napaka- ganda o napaka-pogi. Pero pagkalipas nang ilang taon, itong panlabas na anyo ay nawawala o nagbabago. Halimbawa na lang si Elizabeth Taylor o ang ating dating First Lady, Imelda Marcos. Napakagaganda nila noong kabataan nila diba? Ngayon tignan ninyo ang larawan nila. Maganda pa naman pero iba na po, diba? Maski sa mga lalake sa lumang pelikula... napakagwapo ni Dante Rivero o si Marlon Brando pero tignan ninyo ang kanilang hitsura nang tumanda na sila. Ibang -iba na po, diba? Nawala na yong pagkagu- wapo at pagka macho.

Sa ating mga sarili, tignan ninyo ang larawan ng mga bata pa. Pasuotin ninyo nang maski maliit na brillante napaka ganda sa kanilang mga kamay. Pero kung ako kunwari ang pasusuotin mo, kahit 3 karats na brillante, ito ay hindi nagandang tignan dahil ang mga kamay o daliri ay kulubot na, bali- baliko pa ang iba dahil mayroon nang arthritis. Maski anong ganda ang isuot ganun parin siya. Sa mukha din, ang ganda pag bata pa. Pero ngayon, 65 o 70 taong gulang na, maski na ang pinaka- mahal na foundation or make-up ilagay nila, wala nang ganda di po ba? At kulubot na ang balat nila at namumuo-muo na lang ang make up sa mukha nila.

Ito po ay napag-uusapan lamang. Masakit na katotohanan. GOD BLESS. Maligayang Pasko sa lahat!

MALIGAYANG PASKO PO AT NAWAY MASAGANA ANG ATING BAGONG TAON !!!

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PEDESTRIAN LANE

by Mylene Miyata

“Ginintuan! Minahin Ito!"

Gaano nga ba kaimportante sa tao ang marunong magtiis sa buhay?

Sa ating mga Pilipino, hindi ba pangkaraniwan ang magtiis? Pero, saang aspeto at anong level nga ba nito ang bonggang-bongga lang para sumakto sa timpla ng panahon? Well, subukan nating balikan ang ilang pangyayari nitong mga nakalipas na araw. Saan at papaano nga ba natin nasusukat at naipapakita ang husay nating magtiis sa araw- araw?

Eto ang ilan sa mga halimbawa. Try po nating pagbasihan.

1. Sa Buhay Mag-asawa

Kailan kaya huling nasukat ang husay nating magtiis? Teka, ilan taon ka na nga bang kasal? Limang taon? Sampung taon? Alam naman nating lahat na hindi lamang umiikot sa kaligayahan ang buhay may-asawa, di po ba? Kanya-kanyang oras ang mga pagsubok ng isang mag-asawa pagdating sa samut-saring hamon at dagok ng buhay, di ba? Kailangan pa ba natin itong isa-isahin? Kaya nga karamihan ay nauuwi na lang sa hiwalayan, di po ba? Pero, kung ikaw ay kasal na ng higit pa sa isa, dalawa o tatlong dekada ngayon... "Omedetou Gozaimasu po!" Hindi ganon kadali ang ganyang talent! "Sore ga kekkon desu!"

2. Sa Pagpapalaki ng Anak

Isa pa sa mga malulupit na hamon ng buhay - ang maging isang magulang. Lalo na kung wala tayo sa sakop ng mga kulturang nakasanayan natin. Una sa lahat, dito sa Japan, iba ang uri ng pagpapalaki sa anak. Merong magaganda at di kagandahang pagkakaiba. Kung ano man po ang mga yon, try na lang nating isipin ng pakonti-konti. Saan nga ba iba? Paano nga ba nagkaiba? Pero, sa lahat ng kaibahang ito, napuna ko talaga ang husay ng paghuhubog nila ng ugaling pagtitiis sa bata. Halimbawa minsan, sa loob ng supermarket, kumuha ng dalawang "oyatsu" ang bata. Kadalasan kong naririnig sa mga Haponesang nanay sasabihin sa bata: Ikko dake da yo!" Kung sa atin pa yan sa Pinas, karamihan ganito. "Okay, sige anak!" sabay shoot sa loob ng pushcart. Good luck naman po sa batang hindi gaanong na-ensayong mag-gaman na di kunin ang isa sa dalawang nais nitong bilin sa supermarket.

3. At ang paborito ng karamihan, Sa Trabaho

May mga pagkakataon ba kung saan minsan, na-ba-bad-trip ka sa ka-trabaho mo?! Kasi may konting di kanais-nais na taglay na pag-uugali?! Ijiwaru?! Inggitera?! Mapangutya?! Kakaloka, di ba? Ano naman kaya ang unang pumapasok sa isip mo kapag nakakasalamuha ng ganitong klase ng nilalang sa mundo? Aba! Kung may kapangyarihan ka nga lang bang mag-magic at isaayos itong ganitong klase ng tao sa paligid mo. Malamang magiging kaaya- aya ang kapaligiran. Pero, ang totoo, hindi ganon eh! Napakahirap kayang makipagkapwa-tao sa mga di masyadong marunong isaayos ang sarili nila kung minsan. Halimbawa, ganon nga. Anong choice mo? Mag-resign? Makipag-away? Hirap talaga, noh? Eh kung, magsawalang kibo ka na lang? Na-try mo na ba yun? Yun bang magtiis? Dahil nagti-timpi ka at pinag-aaralan mong tanggapin ang katotohanan na kagustuhan talaga minsan ng ilan sa atin ang maging ganong uri ng tao? Kumusta naman ang feeling? Mas magaan kaya para sayo? Susubukan mo kaya? At sya na stressful siguro kaya ini-stress ka din? Kumusta naman? Sabe nga ng isang haponesa sa akin... "Gaman dekiru hito wa, doko demo irerareru yo!" Kulit lang talaga minsan ng iba sa atin, di ba? Pero, ganon na talaga sila eh! Sino ba ang madadagdagan ng guhit sa mukha bandang huli, di po ba?

May choice pa ba tayo? Maliban na magtiis?

Jeepney Press 2010 November-December Page 18

DRIVE-THRU

by Stephanie Jones Jallorina

INSIDE THE CLOSET

Hi Dear Readers! December is already around the corner and this year we have altogether drive-thru the “Airport, Stage, Park, Beach and In the Bus,” almost outdoors. We will explore more on that by next year but for the meantime, reflect on what is inside. Autumn na, leaves are falling; might as well have the same clearing of conscience.

Closet o kabinet, aparador at kung ano man ang translation nito sa ating sariling dialect sa Pinas, ay ang kagamitan sa loob ng bahay na karaniwang pinagtataguan natin ng ating mga damit, ng mga pagkarami-raming kubyertos na naipon natin mula sa napakaraming pinuntahang bazaar dito sa Japan. Di po ba’t napakahilig natin doon? Sadyang ang Pinoy kung saan makakamura, hala sige, kasi maraming kamag-anakan na tinutulungan o kung di naman, pag may pagtitipon, naku isang baranggay.

But closet can be associated to so many different things. Ang daming kuwentong maibabahagi ng isang closet mula pagkabata na magandang balik-balikan at siyang makapagpaalala sa atin kung gaano kaganda ang buhay at kung gaano tayo kaswerte ng hindi natin napapansin. When we were kids and were still living at home, my own father would always complain every Sunday about us his children staring at our closet for long, can’t decide on what to wear for church. While we are upset as to what to mix and match, he would then always litany about how, in their time, when life was especially hard, that their closet only contains a clothe or two that they have no choice but to wash and wear. He would riddle in Hiligaynon (Ilonggo dialect), “uba laba, suksok mala!” And we would be even amused of one of this riddles of him instead of being reminded how fortunate we are to have a mother who were and are able to work here just so we can have something to wear, and how we are wasting time to get to mass at church where God, in the first place, welcomes your heart and presence and not your bangles or red stilletos.

Movies and Tantrums - two more childhood stories that are worth sharing about closets. Many of us would surely get scared of closets because of moviemakers using them as hideout of children trying to escape from a rape scene, and eventually die. The drama film will turn into horror film that would scare children like my cousins, especially when the light is out, to get near the closet. Our youngest brother, Kim, due to over a decade of age gap, when he was barely two was spoiled and at times having tantrums especially when things do not go his way. One afternoon, we decided to end this unhealthy behavior of him and thought we were succeeding. The poor kid ran to the bedroom and slammed the door, the typical scene! But then, feeling the need for further isolation, he locked himself inside the closet which was then partitioned into three and which he shared with my sister and other brother. When his anger might have subsided, we thought he’s fine only to be surprised of him pulling a chair from the dining and into his feeding bottle bag, so he could reach for and packed his clothes! Lalayas siya ng bahay! He was just a kid to take grudges against us. I personally felt I was one of those evil/villain in scary movies. Closets will be associated to a place of elements that are not of this world, and simply, for temporal comfort. Tayo ang gumagawa ng ganitong pakahulugan na kung hindi natin babaguhin at reresolbahin habang buhay nating dadalhin ang takot at trauma.

Pero sadyang may mga kwento namang talagang malungkot na mula sa umpisa pa lang ang hirap ng harapin. Gaya na lamang ng ating mga kapatid na lalaking itinuring pero pusong babae o babae ang panlabas pero lalaki ang gusto. Sila ang tinatawag nating Closet King and Queen. Kahit pa halos katanggap-tanggap na rin ang gender na ito sa ating komunidad, marami pa rin ang natatakot na “mag-out” kasi kahit sa mismong tahanan nila, feeling nila “hindi sila belong.” Mismong ang simbahan ay may stand sa ganitong isyu kahit na noong kapanahunan pa naman ni Kristo ay siyang talamak na. I think let us just be slow in anger and judgement and try to understand where they are coming from. Panigurado hindi madali ang maging bakla or tomboy or bisexual.

Alalahanin natin na gaya nila tayo man ay mayroon din kung hindi maraming “Ske-leton in the Closet.” Mga bagay na hindi pa siguro natin kayang sabihin or talagang sa atin na lang. Ito na lang, sana, ang ating maging basehan lagi ay sukatin natin sa bigat ng ating itinatago o di kayang ipangalandakan o sa kung anuman ang pinagdaanan natin noon na sadya tayong nahirapang isiwalat ang ating relasyon at pakikitungo sa ating mga kapatid. Sana iwasan natin ang mga okasyon kung saan tayo maaaring makapanghusga ng pinagdadaanan ng kapwa natin. Maganda na tinitingnan natin ang panloob kesa ang panlabas. At siguro isang pabaon kapatid, God said, “Whatever you do for the least of your brethren, you also do for Me.”

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Okasan Journal

by Cleo Umali Barawid

A Day in the Life of Moi

Phewww! Nakakapagod! At sobrang ginaw! Galing ako sa isang private English lesson kanina lang at nag-bike lang ako to and from my student’s place. Mendouksai kasi kung magsa-subway pa ako. Medyo malayo din yung bahay ng estudyante sa station kaya mahaba-habang lakaran din yun. These days, kahit malamig na sa labas, ginagamit ko pa rin ang aking luma pero maaasahang bisikleta. Pinangako ko sa aking sarili na hanggang kaya kong tiisin ang lamig, go pa din ako sa pagba-bike. I’m hitting two birds with one stone, ika nga. Nae-exercise na ako, tipid pa sa pamasahe.

Fast forward now, napatulog na ang mga bata kaya it’s time for some “me” time and what better way to spend it than browse Facebook. Nakakatuwa yung nakita kong isang FB page kanina... ang sabi “Hindi porke’t nasa abroad ako, mayaman na! Hindi ako banko!” Tama nga naman! Sa atin kasi sa Pinas, pag nasa abroad ka, akala nila pinupulot lang ang pera. Hay! Kung alam lang nila! Ang hirap kayang kitain ang yen. In my case, kailangan kong kumanta ng pagkaraming nursery rhymes at magturo ng ABC sa mga sobrang likot na bata sa yochien. Ang buhay ko dito sa Japan, simple lang ang pilosopiya, kung gusto ko ng masarap na buhay, kailangan kong pagtrabahuhan. Magtatrabaho ako ng weekdays, at kapag weekends magre-relax kasama ang pamilya. At kung minsan, when I feel I really deserve it, I pamper myself with an item that I really like or I go to an onsen. Kainam ng ganitong sistema, fair at just. You reap what you sow. The input is directly proportional to the output. Sad to say, hindi ganito sa Pinas. Nagturo rin ako ng mahaba-habang panahon sa atin pero tulad ng madami na nasa teaching profession, undercompensated ako at overworked din. Samantalang dito, paglabas ko ng school, sa akin na ang oras ko.

I have the best of both worlds here now. Naaalagaan ko ang mga chikiting pagkagaling nila sa school at nai-improve ko din ang aking sarili through work. Pero don’t get me wrong ha! I’m not saying that we can only be productive through paid work. Kung mayaman ka na at hindi mo na kailangan ng moolah, pupwede ka namang mag-aral o mag-volunteer work. Madami lang dyan, halimbawa teaching English to Nihonjins, church and civic activities, PTA etc. Kailangan ka lang maging Miss or Mr. Congeniality at huwag mahihiya to approach people and widen your network.

I was a stay-at-home mom dati. Yung mister ko noon ay scholar sa Hokkaido University. We were totally dependent on his scholarship allowance na hindi talaga kalakihan pero napagkakasya naman. One morning I woke up so bored of my routine kaya I started to go out and ask people on how I could find a part-time job. I thought maybe I could put my university education to use. Teacher ako sa Pinas dati. Of course, medyo matagal din bago ako nakakita. I read the adverts for schools in need of English teachers, and been turned down in some kasi hindi daw ako native speaker! Hays! Buti na lang hindi ako balat sibuyas kaya go pa din ako kahit ilang ulit din akong nadisappoint. My perseve-rance paid off in the end ng matanggap ako in not just one but two schools pa. Kaya naniniwala ako na when you don’t take no for an answer, you’ll eventually get the response you want.

At ngayon, I’m a working mom, and lovin’ it... well, most of the time. Nakakuha ako ng slot sa hoikuen o daycare dahil naabot ko naman yung required 20 hours of work per week. Kung walang sakit ang mga bata, wala akong problema. Pero pagnagkasakit ang isa sa kanila or worse, silang tatlo na sabay-sabay, stressed to the max ako. Isa ito sa mga downside of living in a foreign country. We are totally on our own. At minsan pag-ganito ang pakiramdam, naiisip kong umuwi na lang sa atin sa Pinas. Pero as always, naiisip ko na hindi pa ito ang tamang oras umuwi. Strike while the iron is hot, di nga ba? Lahat ng problema may solusyon... kailangan lang maging maparaan. Na-master naming mag-asawa ang mag-juggle ng schedule para ma-accommodate ang isa’t-isa. Pati ang aming mga anak natuto ding maging self-reliant. Alam kasi nila na pag hindi sila nakisama... hindi kakayanin ng mama. They clean up their own clutter, at they study on their own. Minsan nakaka-guilty. Nagtuturo ako ng ibang bata, pero sila hindi ko matutukan. Ang ginagawa ko to compensate, bumibili ako ng mga workbooks at binibigyan ko sila ng homework everytime na aalis ako. Pag-uwi ko I check their works, at pag magaling sila, they get a prize.

Paano mo nagagawa yan? Tatlo ang anak mo, isang taon pa lang yung bunso, at nakakapag-baito ka pa on the side? Karaniwang tanong ito sa akin. Pati nga sarili kong nanay hindi makapaniwala na nakakaya ko. Ako din minsan ay namamangha din sa mga bagay na kaya ko palang gawin. Necessity is the mother of invention. I move at breakneck speed. Hindi pwede ang mabagal kung may mga bata. At syempre, it helps din na meron akong napaka-supportive na husband na tumutulong sa mga gawaing bahay. Hindi bumubukol ang pagod. Mapagod man, ipahinga lang ng kaunti recharged na naman. Everytime a day ends, I give a prayer of thanks. Kasi alam ko na nagawa ko ang dapat kong gawin at dahil dito, makakatulog na ako ng mahimbing.

Jeepney Press 2010 November-December Page 20

SA TABI LANG PO!

ni Renaliza Rogers

MOTEL

Kinailangan naming magshoot ng isang indie movie at ito’y kinailangang i-shoot sa isang motel dahil ang aming bida ay isang binatang janitor dito. Ang tanging equipment namin ay mumurahing video cam na ang tatak ay “SONYA.”

Pito kami at wala ni isa sa amin ang may alam na murang motel. Ang iba’y halatang nagkukunwaring walang alam sa takot na mabuking. Nagtutulakan pa kami kung sino ang papasok at mag i-inquire dahil baka may makakita at machismis kami. Karamihan sa mga motel ay itinaboy kami, akala siguro’y porn ang ifi-film namin. Meron din namang mga pumayag kaso masyado kaming kuripot at namahalan kami sa 500 pesos.

Nakahanap din kami ng murang lodge. Sa itsura pa lang ay alam mong isang bagay lang ang pakay ng mga pumupunta dito, at ito’y hindi para matulog. Katabi ito ng isang beer- house/carinderia na may mga nag-iinumang pawang traysikel at jeepney driver na may mga ka-teybol na mga babae. Wala na kaming choice kundi subukan ang lodge na ito.

Ang lodge na to ay parang lumang boarding house na kahoy at nabubulok na. Nasa may Divisoria/palengke area ito at masukal. Ang kanilang “reception area” ay amoy ipis at walang tao. Ang short time na 2hours ay P90 at ang overnight stay ay P180. Wow, murang-mura!

Pagdating na pagdating namin sa 3rd floor ay nagkataon namang may babae’t lalaking lumabas sa isang kwarto, kakatapos lang ng yugyugan session nila. Naghagikhikan kaming lahat at napayuko na lamang ang dalawa. Akalain mo bang paglabas mo sa kwarto pagkatapos mong mag happy-happy eh pitong estudyante ang bubulagta sa iyo at may dala pang camera?

Napakabaho ng lugar, amoy na amoy libog. Parang 10 years na ang nakalipas ng huling nilinis ang lugar na to. Nakakatakot, madilim at napakadumi na yari sa mga maninipis na lumang plywood ang mga dingding. At ewan ko ba kung bakit meron pa silang overnight stay kasi sa itsura pa lang ng lugar ay wala nang may taong gugustuhing mag overnight dito.

Naghanap kami ng kwartong pwedeng magamit sa scenes, kahit saan lang daw pwede eh. Ang unang kwartong nabuksan namin ay merong naninigang sa ebak sa kama at punong-puno ng alikabok. Ang ikalawang kwarto ay maraming dugo sa kama at gamit na sanitary napkin sa sahig. Ang pangatlo ay magulo at meron pang mga basang spots sa kama. Fresh na fresh, mainit-init pa!

Habang kami’y nagfi-film sa hall ay busy kami sa kakatapi at kakapatay sa mga nagsisiliparang ipis. Cut din kami ng cut dahil may nagsisigawang lasing at dalawang prosti sa tabi namin. Wala silang pakialam kahit andami naming nakatayo doon. Ayaw kasi magbayad ng lasing sa kanila, kahit daw kwarto na lang na 90 pesos ang bayaran niya ayaw pa rin. Meron ding mga babaeng akyat ng akyat at nagpaparinig sa amin ng, “Matagal pa ba yan? Di pa ako nakakaisa, kailangan ko pang makaapat ngayon!”

Hindi ko akalain na may mga lugar palang tulad nito. Biruin mo, kahit daw yung kwarto na lang ang bayaran at huwag na sila. Aba’y magka- sosyo pa yata ang may-ari ng lodge at ang mga prosti. Sa halagang 90 pesos ng kwarto, magkano ang mapupunta sa babae? Palagay natin 45 pesos, o kahit pa buong 90 pesos. Nilamutak ang katawan mo, tapos yun lang ang makukuha mo? Ang masama ay pag dumating na ang puntong hindi mo na alam ang tama sa mali dahil paulit-ulit itong nangyayari. Kung tutuusin eh mas marami pang mas masahol na kalagayan kaysa dito. Ang nagagawa nga naman ng kahirapan sa tao, kahit ano lulunukin para lang mabuhay.

Hindi ko alam kung meron ding mga magnobyang nagpupupunta dito kasi para sa akin hindi ito ang tipo ng lugar na gugustuhin mong dalhin ang minamahal mo sa buhay. Mas mabuti pang doon na lang kayo sa sagingan kesa naman sa lugar na yun. Akala ko sa sine lang ito nangyayari, mas masahol pa pala sa totoong buhay. Marami pa palang bagay sa mundo ang hindi ko alam at hindi ko nakikita.

Naaawa man ako sa kanila, hindi ako magmamalaki at sasabihing iaahon ko sila sa kanilang nakakapanlumong kalagayan dahil alam kong hindi ko pa kayang gawin yun. May kumakaway-kaway pa kasing mga tambay sa likod ng aming bida na kailangan kong i-edit sa isang eksena. Tatapusin ko muna ang sarili kong problema bago ko tapusin ang sa iba.

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e-deshou!

ni Edward Labuguen

ANG KAHALAGAHAN NG PAGKAKAROON NG KONSULADO SA NAGOYA

Noong naupo bilang Presidente si Benigno Simeon Aquino III, sa kanyang talumpati, iginiit niya ang kahalagahan ng mga Pinoy na nagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa, at isa sa tatlong pinakamahalagang adhikain ng kanyang pamumuno ay ang pagpapalakas ng pagbibigay suporta sa atin, lalo na sa ating mga pangangailangan, seguridad ng lahat ng mga OFW. Kaya inatasan niya dito ang iba't-ibang sangay ng Pamahalaan tulad ng DFA, POEA, OWWA, at itinalaga din niya si Bise-Presidente Binay na bilang adviser ng mga Pinoy na nagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa.

Sa Western Japan, matagal ng hinaing ang mga Pinoy dito, na sana magkaroon ng Konsulado sa Nagoya. Makikita na ang mga Filipino sa Western Japan, lalo na sa Aichi (Nagoya ang sentro) ang pang-apat sa pinakamalaking bilang ng mga banyaga, maliban sa mga Koreano, Intsik, at Brazil, na mas maswerte na mayroon mga konsulado sa lugar. Ang mga Pinoy dito ay nasa 26,000 at kung maisama pa ang mga kalapit na prepektura ng Gifu, Mie, Shiga, Ishikawa at Fukui, umaabot sa mahigit na 44,000, hindi pa kabilang dito ang napakaraming undocumented Filipinos na nakatira sa mga lugar na ito. Ang bilang na ito, ay halos 60 porsiento sa bilang ng mga Filipino na nasasakupan ng Konsulado ng Pilipinas, na nasa Osaka. Samakatuwid, 6 sa bawat 10 Pinoy ay hindi lubusang napagsisilbihan ng Konsulado, dahil maliban sa mahirap pumunta sa Osaka, dahil malayo ito, at hindi rin kaagad-agad na mabigyan ng karapatdapat, mabilis na atensyon ang mga suliranin dito ng mga Filipino, dahil sa kalayuan ng Konsulado, na nasa Osaka, kung saan ang bilang lamang ng mga Filipinos doon ay mahigit 5,000 lamang.

Hindi rin natupad ang pangako, na magkakaroon ng OUTREACH PROGRAM ang konsulado kada buwan sa Aichi at sa iba't ibang lugar at lalo na ngayon dahil sa pagbabago sa sistema ng pasaporte, kinakailangan ng pumunta ng personal sa Konsulado. Sa mga dokumento din, ay maraming hinaing ng mga tao, na hindi natatapos kaagad o napagtutuonan ng pansin, lalo na kapag may mga kulang, na kailangan pang ipadaan sa post office. Inaabot ito sa mahabang araw. Maliban dito, may mga report na mahirap tawagan ang Konsulado, at kalimitang sinasabi na kung matawagan man, ay hindi maayos ang pakikipag-usap ng telephone operator o consular staff. Mayroon namang website ang Konsulado na kulang naman ng inpormasyon na kailangan ng mga tao. Mga sulat, fax, email na ipinapadala ng mga tao ay kalimitan ding hindi natutugunan ng Konsulado.

"Due to high concentration of Filipinos in Nagoya and its environs, the problems of Filipinos here are both diverse and numerous ranging from human trafficking in which many young Filipinas are victimized by Japanese underground syndicates, to crimes such as murders of Filipinos by other Filipinos. In all cases, the Philippine Consulate in Osaka has used the distance of Nagoya and its environs as the reason why it cannot closely and directly assist Filipinos in distress. Since visits from the Philippine Consulate in Osaka to prisons and detention centers in Nagoya Immigration are virtually nil. Kaya minsan, o di man kadalasan, ang Pinoy dito ay umaasa na lang sa tulong ng mga kaibigan, kakilala, civic and religious groups, na minsan din pinagbibintangan ng Konsulado na mga fixers.

Nararapat lang na bigyan na rin ng pansin ang suliranin at adhikain ng mga Filipino dito sa Western Japan, para mabigyan na rin ng lunas ang aming mga hinaing. Nararapat lang na ibigay na rin sa atin ang mithiing ito, karapatan din natin ang serbisyo ng Konsulado. Ang permanenteng kasagutan lamang sa problemang ito ay ang pagkakaroon ng Konsulado dito sa Nagoya, para mapagsilbihan din naman ng maayos ang 6 mula sa 10 Filipinos na nakatira sa Western Japan.

Kumilos tayo mga kababayan, magkaisa tayo na sana pakinggan nila ang hinaing natin. Sabay-sabay tayong himukin ang Philippine Ambassador sa Japan, at ang Kalihim ng DFA, para bigyan pansin, at magkaroon ng konsultasyon sa Pamahalaan ng Japan. At magkaisa tayong iparating ang mithing ito sa Mahal na Pangulo Aquino at sa Pangalawang Pangulo Binay. Matagal na sana natin tinatamasa ang karapatan na magkaroon ng Konsulado sa Nagoya, at ito na ang tamang panahon na ipaglaban natin ang ating karapatan. Kung tinatamasa ang mahigit na 5,000 lamang na taga Osaka ang serbisyo ng Konsulado, wala bang karapatan ang mahigit na 44,000 na Filipinos sa Western Japan na mapagsilbihan din ng mas maayos sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng Konsulado dito sa Nagoya?

Ano masasabi mo kaibigan? Ipanapaabot ko rin sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan ang taus-puso kong pasasalamat sa patuloy na pagsuporta ninyo sa Jeepney Press at ang pitak na ito, tapos na naman ang taong 2010. At sana sa patuloy na pakikiisa nating lahat, at pagbibigay malasakit sa kapwa-Pinoy, ay yakapin nating matiwasay ang 2011. MALIGAYANG PASKO AT MANIGONG BAGONG TAON sa ating lahat.

Jeepney Press 2010 November-December Page 21

ARANGKADA PINOY

ni Yellowbelle Duaqui

Utawit at ang Migranteng Pinoy: Pagiging Makabayan at Kosmopolitan

Saksi ang lahat ng taingang nakikinig sa bawat sulok ng Akasaka Kumin Kaikan noong ika-10 ng Oktubre sa husay at galing sa musika ng ating mga kababayan. Ika nga ng kasabihan sa Ingles, ang musika ay siyang wika ng kaluluwa. Kaya naman, kahit na ang ibang lahing tumungo sa konsyerto, ay namangha sa mga pagta-tanghal. Palibhasa, ang awitin ay isang wikang nauunawaan ng lahat, at ninanamnam ng puso, higit sa isip; kaya kahit walang pagsasalin, ito ay nangungusap.

Kasintanda na marahil ng relasyong Pilipinas-Hapon ang pagtatampok sa kakayahan ng mga Pinoy sa musika bilang mga dayuhan sa bansang Hapon. Noong ika-18 siglo, nariyan ang mga tala sa kasaysayan na ang mga naunang indibidwal o grupo ng mga migranteng Pinoy sa bansang ito ay mga musikero.

Nariyan ang kuwento mula sa maikling panahon ng panananatili ng ating pambansang bayaning si Gat. Jose Rizal sa Tokyo. Sa Parke ng Hibiya, kung saan ay nakatirik ang kanyang rebulto, ay nakatayo noon ang Tokyo Hotel kung saan siya ay nanuluyan. Ayon sa kuwento, habang siya ay namamasyal sa parke, nakarinig siya ng musikang nagmumula sa bulwagang pangkonsyerto. Nang siya ay lumapit, siya ay namangha nang matuklasang ang mga musikero ay mga kapwa niya Filipino!

Mula sa panahon ni Rizal at magpasahanggang ngayon, ang mga pangyayaring tulad ng Utawit ay hindi lamang patunay ng kahusayan sa pag-awit ng mga Pinoy, kung hindi man ito isang malinaw na palatandaan ng pagtanggap sa mga migranteng Pinoy sa bansang Hapon. Ang kalayaan sa pag-awit, lalo na ng mga awiting Filipino sa isang bansang mataas ang pagpapahalaga sa sarili nitong wika at kultura tulad ng bansang Hapon, ay nagpapakita ng respeto at pagpapahalaga ng parehong Pinoy at Hapon sa kulturang Filipino. Ang pag-awit ay isang pagtatanghal sa isang pampublikong espasyo. Kung gayon, mapalad ang mga migranteng Pinoy bilang mga banyaga sa bayang ito dahil nabibigyan ng karapatan sa espasyong kung tutuusin ay nakalaan para sa mga Hapon.

Kaya naman, kapuri-puri na naipapatampok ng mga migranteng Pinoy ang pagiging makabayan sa pamamagitan ng talento sa musika at pagiging malikhain sa isang kosmopolitang siyudad. Patunay ito na sa kabila ng karagatan ng sangkatauhan na nagkakatipun-tipon sa isang “global city” tulad ng Tokyo, nahuhugot at napapalutang ng mga migranteng Pinoy ang natatanging identidad na masasabing talaga namang tatak-Filipino.

Ang pagtangkilik sa Original Pilipino Music (OPM) sa gitna ng kondisyong diaspora – higit sa pagpapakita ng matibay na identidad bilang isang Pinoy – ay masasabing pagpapamalas din ng “long-distance nationalism.” Gayundin ang pagsuporta sa mga aktibidad tulad ng Utawit na naglalayong biyayaan ang programang pang-edukasyon ng Gawad Kalinga, na kung tawagin ay “Sibol.” Kongkreto ang pilantropikong kontribusyon ng Utawit sa kaunlaran ng bansang Pilipinas, dahil kitang-kita ang mga silid-aralan at ang mga mukha ng mga paslit na binibiyayaan ng kalinga sa tulong ng pagsisikap ng mga bumubuo ng Utawit. Ang makasaysayang paglago ng Utawit ay patunay sa mainit na suportang tinanggap nito mula sa komunidad ng mga migranteng Pinoy sa bansang Hapon. Kung gayon, ang tagumpay ng Utawit ay tagumpay din ng uri ng nasyonalismong nasa puso ng migranteng komunidad.

Ngunit hindi lamang nasyonalismo ang naipamalas ng ating mga kababayan noong konsyerto. Ang kahusayan nilang umawit ng mga awiting Hapones ay kakikitaan din ng kosmopolitanismo – o ang kakayahan sa pagsabay at tapat na pagtangkilik sa ibang mga kultura.

Sopistikado, kung gayon, ang antas ng nasyonalismo ng mga migranteng Pinoy. Ito ay dahil sa kakayahan nilang pagsabayin ang pagtangkilik sa sariling kultura at ang kultura ng iba. Sa panahon ng globalisasyon, kung kailan napaka-makapangyarihan ang impluwensya ng kultura ng mga higit na mayayamang bansa at matatandang sibilisasyon, ang Utawit ay isang malikhaing espasyo ng tunggalian para sa mga migranteng Pinoy na binabagabag ng mga katanungang may kinalaman sa pagiging makabayan at kosmopolitan.

Jeepney Press 2010 November-December Page 22

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER FORECAST

by Madam Marivic Oyama

RAT

This is not a good month to trustfriends. Mag-ingat sa mga taong nasa paligid at piliin ang taong pagtitiwalaan. Or worst betrayal comes from people whom you thought are your friends. Hindi rin maganda ang pagpasok sa isang relasyon, you can get broken hearted. However, December brings you excellent luck! May mga taong tutulong sa iyo. And you can build a strong friendship through the years and maybe these are your true friends & allies. Find your real friends for the next four weeks.

OX

May mga problemang darating sa iyo na mahirap gawan ng solusyon at ito rin ang magbibigay sa yo ng stress which will only make you ill. Avoid taking risk when it comes to money matters. Wear metal or white colour to subdue the bad energies. In December, disharmony at home causes distractions. Although, this is a good month to go for holidays and make your own original thoughts.

TIGER

Some difficulties could arrive this month because of Five Yellow Star flying in your chart. You can find some obstacles sa mga gagawing tasks or deals. There is also a possibility to lose a lot of money. Iwasan muna ang gambles and ventures. In December, young couples can enjoy their romantic life. Iwasan lang makagawa ng mga bagay na walang pag-iingat lalo na kung galing ng party or have been drinking alcohol.

RABBIT

Fame in luck is excellent but it depends kung ano ang iyong business or kind of job. Relationships go well, both in work and personal life. Maraming darating na romantic opportunities para sa mga single rabbits. Dececember is one of the luckiest months for you. Wealth, career, love and relationship luck is going straight toward to you. You can start your own business or shop. This is the right time to pursue your dreams and goals. Get a silver wishing box at isulat sa papel lahat ng iyong wish. Put inside the box and place your secret wishing box in the west. And wait for your unexpected surprises.

DRAGON

Business luck is good. Maraming dumarating na blessing ngunit marami din ang mga taong may bad intentions at inggit sa iyo. Your feelings are very strong kaya madali mong malabanan ang mga dishonestpersons. Investing property is good dahil maganda ang balik nito. Don’t be afraid in failure dahil it will make you stronger. Gamble is not good so don’t expect to be instant rich. In December, business progress is smooth. However, be careful not to get overly confident baka ito ang magpabagsak sa iyo. Do not get greedy. Share your blessings to the unfortunate people.

SNAKE

Abundance and success comes to you easily. This is a great month for you. Make sure that you get enough sleep and you are fully recharged. Dahil this coming four weeks maraming good things na darating sa iyo. And you have to get ready to boost your confidence to achieve your goals. Grab all the good opportunities coming to you. And enjoy your luck! December is a promising month. Maraming magandang ideas na lalabas and you have powerful allies to support and help you at all times. Just pick-up the phone and arrange a lunch date to meet someone, if you wish.

HORSE

This is good month for you. Earth and heavenly seal brings you good luck in career, great wealth, good health and opportunities coming your way. Nasa iyo ang support ng mga bosses at mentors. Backbiting and rivals will back off. Victory and success will bring you more confidence. December is a challenging month that brings you misfortunes particularly hostile and quarrel. Iwasan ang makipag-away at makipag-argue. This could hurt you. Mag-lay-low ka muna and take some vacation to avoid all these things.

SHEEP

Both good and bad ay nasa iyo ngayon. The good thing is there is a money luck but there is also the possibility of some losses. Huwag lamang magtitiwala ng basta-basta sa ibang tao. In December, your luck is afflicted. Ingatan ang mahalagang bagay sa yo at iwasan ang tumanggap ng bisita sa bahay. You are facing some burglary and getting robbed this month. Dobleng ingat ang kailangan when it comes to trusting people.

MONKEY

Maganda ang pasok ng buwan na ito sa iyo. There is success luck waiting for you. Lalabas ang pagiging creativity mo when it comes to business. Maging maingat sa pag bitaw ng mga importanteng desisyon; pag-isipang mabuti. In December, financial status is getting good

ngunit mag-ingat dahil may nakaabang na someone to cheat you. Pag dumating ang problema, use your sharp thinking right now. And you can make your own ingenious solution.

ROOSTER

Watch out for the romantic temptation. Ito ang pagmumulan ng problema ng mag-asawa. There is a danger of a sex scandal. Para doon sa mga mag-asawa, try to spend more time with your spouse and don’t let any third party get in between the two of you. In December, pag-aralan mong kontrolin ang iyong emosyon dahil madali kang mawalan ng pasensya. When you lose your temper, you will get wilder. This is a good time to get away and go on vacation.

DOG

Masyado kang distracted sa mga taong nasa paligid mo and you may become short-tempered. Ang maliit na bagay ay lumalaki. Avoid signing documents or contracts. Ang pagpasok sa isang relasyon ay magdadala ng problema. Lay-low ka muna this month. In December, you have a very low energy and you become exhausted sa dami ng iyong task na dapat gawin. Para maiwasan ang mental overload, plan you schedule. Take some rest and relaxation. Avoid stress and avoid taking too much responsibility.

BOAR

You will become more short-tempered than usual. Mag-ingat sa mga bibitawang salita lalo na at makakasakit sa kapwa. Just keep it to yourself at habaan ang pasensya if you don’t want to get enemies. In December, love and relationship becomes better. Wealth luck is good. Iwasan lang ang masyadong pag-gastos, at ingatan ang iyong kalusugan. You need a proper diet and get early in bed. Don’t take any risk when it comes to dangerous sports.

Jeepney Press 2010 September-October Issue Cover

Cover art and design by Dennis Sun

www.dennissun.net

Jeepney Press 2010 September-October Issue Centerfold

Rosemarie Aritaka: Unfolding Fukuoka’s Pinoy Pride

by Dennis Sun

I had three days to get to know this woman --- the woman I would later come to realize as the Iron Rose in Fukuoka. Iron… because her personality exudes a strength of character. Rose… because it’s a fraction of the identity handle given to her that unfolds her feminine facet. It’s not only about her name but her personality, as a whole, that radiates this fragrance of a strong woman.

Popularly known to Japanese as Mari-san, to fellow Filipinos however, she is mostly known as Rose or Rosemarie. Rosemarie Aritaka has spent more than two decades of her life as a resident of Fukuoka. She spent several years working at both the Fukuoka International and Domestic Airport. Afterwards, she became an English-Tagalog interpreter and was eventually certified by a congregation of groups such as the Fukuoka Bar Association, Interpreter’s Association, Fukuoka District Prosecutor Office, Immigration Control Center, and other NPO Legal Assistance Center in the Kyushu area. Presently, she is more vigorous working as an event producer reaching out not only to fellow Filipinos but to the international community of Fukuoka.

Born in Mandaluyong City and raised by a father who happens to be a lawyer, she was reared to focus on her studies and sharpened to be active and alert in life. Rosemarie is the eldest among one sister and one brother. Being the eldest one, she was already trained to become a natural leader. She was active in sports and would later become the school’s corp commander. She would later join the Arnis Judo Karate Kendo Martial Arts in the Philippines (ARJUKEN). She joined the tournament for Asian’s Women Martial Arts in (PICC) Philippine International Convention Center for two years consecutive winning 3rd placer in position. By the age of twenty, she received a certification from Philippine Martial Arts Federation under Fidel Ramos as the first black belter Asian woman during that time. Even at this budding age, her dreams encompass from working for the military, becoming a flight attendant to leading the country as the president of the Philippines.

Rose pursued her studies at the Lyceum of the Philippines in Intramuros, Manila where she graduated cum laude with a degree in Foreign Service, and major in

International Law for Political Science. Before taking up law proper, she was trained in a law firm for half a year. Fate would decide later that her life would land across the seas far away from the Philippines. While working at the law firm, she met her future Japanese husband. He was a client in their company getting legal advice from a labor accident that happened in a project they were handling. They became good friends and he became very dear to her family. After his work in the Philippines was finished, he had to go back home to Japan. Thinking he left the woman of her life, he went back to the Philippines and married Rose. That was more than 20 years passed already.

Like most Filipinos, Rosemarie had a very difficult start in Japan. This is the reason why after two decades, she would devote much of her precious time in helping the less fortunate Filipinos and foreigners. Working as a teacher, a radio announcer, a legal interpreter, and an event producer, she barely has time to enjoy the remaining spare time she has. However, it is in doing charity work that she gets to unwind.

This year, she handled UTAWIT in Fukuoka with her group, Global Filipino Japanese Friendship Association in Fukuoka. Rose is an indefatigable lady. She works non-stop and would prefer doing everything herself rather than asking people to do the work just so the job could be done immediately. She loves to work. Work for her is like air that people breathe. A week later, she would do another international event.

Several years ago, she worked as an ALT, an assistant language teacher. Aspiring to go higher, she attended training courses in English teaching. Eventually, she created her own English Center where she now employs English teachers.

Every Monday from 8:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Love FM 76.1 The Daily Tips Tagalog, you can hear Rosemarie as she transforms herself into a radio air jockey. Her half an hour Tagalog program airs Filipino music and plugs community activities for the Filipinos in Fukuoka. She has a warm style of connecting to her listeners as she gives them nuggets of wisdom she herself have learned from life.

Eight years ago, she started the Global Filipino Japanese Association in Fukuoka to add reinforcement in helping Filipinos with legal problems, give support to battered housewives, and offer emergency help when needed.

Now, let us find out more about this so called Rose of Fukuoka. As Jeepney Press digs deeper into her life, let’s learn more from her life as she says it in her own words.

Can you tell us more about life in Japan when you arrived here more than 23 years ago?

Because of my husband’s job, we first resided in Takeo City in Saga Prefecture. It was really a countryside. All that I expected of Japan was totally different from what I was living. It was hard for me because I couldn’t communicate. Nobody spoke English. I was getting depressed so my husband decided we moved to a place where there is an existing and active Filipino community. That was when we moved to Fukuoka. I got excited when I learned that there was an English Mass offered at the church. From thereon, I found that there is hope.

You didn’t study Japanese in the Philippines. How did you cope up with learning Japanese and adjusting to the Japanese culture?

It was a total shock for me in the beginning. I didn’t understand the language. I was homesick. I didn’t have any friends. The words of my father kept echoing in my mind: “Never give up. Just learn and study their culture.” Watching Japanese TV helped a lot. I was also fortunate to have a loving mother-in-law who would help me learn their culture and language. I kept a dictionary with me always and searched words one by one. It is indeed difficult, but one must really start from the bottom and gradually go up.

How did you end up with your work as a radio announcer for Love FM?

Nothing was actually planned. I was offered to give a speech at a high school in Kita Kyushu about education in the Philippines and the Filipino youth as compared to the Japanese youth. Then one thing led to another. One Japanese teacher introduced me to the radio station and I was lucky enough they were looking for a Filipino announcer.

Where do you draw your energy from?

I think I am naturally energetic. I love to be busy so I control and schedule my daily work. But of course, I also give time to meet friends, be with my family, and most of all, get a good night sleep to refurbish my body fuel for the next day.

How would you like to describe yourself? Who is the real Rosemarie Aritaka? What aspects of yourself do you want to tell other Filipinos?

It is really very hard to describe oneself. I am just like any woman who wants to have many friends whom I can share love and happiness. I want to connect with more Filipinos, share our experiences and learn from each other. I would like to encourage the Filipinos to bond together and help one another.

What is your most precious possession?

The wisdom I have learned from all the struggles I have endured in life.

Aside from all the projects you have been doing, what are your future plans?

I want to go abroad more and visit my relatives in U.S.A. Of course, I want to do more charity projects like UTAWIT as project like this helps unite Filipinos in the community.

Can you tell the other Pinoys about Fukuoka? What’s so good about Fukuoka?

There are a lot of Filipino groups in Fukuoka itself and are very active with the community. Fukuoka is located in Kyushu and is the fourth largest city in Japan. It has lots of beautiful scenery and tourist spots. The people in Kyushu are very warm and very welcoming like Pinoys! Fukuoka is famous for its hakata ramen and mentaiko, tiny red fish eggs. Please come to Fukuoka and feel the breeze of this wonderful city. “Kon ne” means to come.

What do you think Filipinos should do to become better and successful in Japan?

Be true to yourself. Be hardworking and never do bad things against others.

Finally, what message can you give to all the Pinoys living in Japan?

As this is Japan and not the Philippines, we really need to adjust. The Japanese should not adjust to us. We should learn more about them by studying their language. This would take time but we need to start somewhere.

Jeepney Press 2010 September-October Issue Page 3

KITAKITZ by Elena Sakai

Bakal Boys: The Docu-Drama of Metal Divers

Have you heard of the “metal divers”? In the Baseco area of Manila, there are many children who dive for metal scraps and sell them to earn money. Many people may have heard about the scavengers in the smoky mountains, but even the people, the ‘adults’ that live in the area were not aware that their own children did this. It is a very dangerous job, and many children die drowning every day.

The film, “Bakal Boys” is a docudrama aiming to put an end on this issue, won the Best Script Award in the SKIP City International Digital Film Festival held in Saitama this July, after winning over 20 awards all over the world, including the Best Film Award in 2010 Cinemalaya.

The director of Bakal Boys, Ralston Jover says that he started working with 15 boys of Baseco, who were the ones that actually appeared on the film, 2 years before starting to shoot. Although all of those 15 boys were brilliant, the main character, “Utoy” was very special. Being 11 when they started to shoot, Utoy was illiterate. However, with the help of the acting coach and social workers, in a year’s time he memorized all the entire script, including all of other’s line, by heart.

Bessie Badilla, the producer, says that by the time that they finished shooting, all 15 boys were no more ‘metal divers’, and were all back in school. The film continues to win many awards, and every time the money is sent to the Bakal Boys foundation, to support the education of the children in Baseco, and to support the vocation of the parents as well. Now, over 70 children are back to school, and there are almost no more metal divers in the Baseco area.

What made this film special was how natural the actors seemed to be. Ralston would let the 15 boys lead the film, and let them “be”, show what they would usually do, and the crew would just follow them. This film is a true story, an issue that needs to be solved, and yet, has ‘drama’ to touch the viewer’s heart.

The Bakal Boys will continue to appear in more international film festival, to stop metal divers, and to help them stay in school. For more information about the film, please visit bakalboysmovie.com.

Jeepney Press 2010 September-October Issue Page 5

TRAFFIC! by Alma R. H. Reyes

Romancing Kyoto

“Even in Kyoto

hearing the cuckoo's cry

I long for Kyoto. ---by Matsuo Bashō

The summer heat had really invaded Japan in the last months that all we can hope for is that it will soon be replaced by cool days and the early reds and yellows of maple leaves. In Japan, when we speak of autumn, I imagine the Tateyama Alps, Nikko, Okutama or Karuizawa, among others, but for me, the most beautiful Japanese autumn is found in Kyoto. Though I have experienced the Kyoto “koyo” (autumn leaves) season many times in November, this year, I had a nostalgic glimpse of summer Kyoto instead last July.

Of course, it was hot and humid! But, unlike Tokyo’s congested highways and tall, concrete buildings, Kyoto’s surrounding mountains and rivers made the summer ambience somehow more relaxing and peaceful. Maybe because Kansai was my first home in Japan, and I lived in Kyoto for five years before coming to Tokyo, that returning to Kyoto each time feels like romancing a memory. The first place I always want to stop at is the Kamogawa River between Shijo and Sanjo Dori. I am always awed by the restaurants with yuka wooden verandas on stilts and their hanging orange-lit lanterns, flanking the river bank. In fact, I never experienced eating in any of these restaurants, and always wonder when that chance will ever come. Kamogawa River looked prettier and better maintained. There are still no benches around so that people can sit directly on the bank and look out to the river. You can see people reading, writing, chatting, sleeping, or lovers cooing. Someone may be playing a drum, saxophone or guitar. Last time in July, there was a girl in ballet attire practicing her pirouettes without hesitance. I also noticed there were more gaijins now—in every corner, every minute—which, probably made me feel more at home. During my student days, I spent many days along this river reading and writing. Sitting by this river always gave me peace, a certain calmness, and a rare moment to connect with the natural surroundings.

From Kamogawa River, I usually walk down Sanjo Dori and Kiyamachi Dori, and amuse myself with the sight of small traditional shops selling old-fashioned o-sembe crackers, bamboo combs, old brushes, kimonos, pottery, pink-white-green o-dango (skewered small mochi balls), o-tsukemono (Japanese pickles), mizu-yokan (thick, jellied dessert), and lots and lots of cafés displaying matcha (green tea)-flavored parfaits, ice cream, pastries, etc. Yumm...There are also modern outdoor cafés now, including their Starbucks that boasts of a huge veranda overlooking Kamogawa River. Nice!

I never miss Pontocho-Dori, the unique narrow alley stretching from Sanjo Dori to Shijo Dori. This alley was flanked by many ochaya teahouses and was a prominent Geisha district since the 1500s. Now, you find bars, jazz clubs, restaurants and exclusive dining places serving kaiseki ryori (traditional multi-course Japanese dinner), known for riverside dining. I am always happy to see that the inu yarai bamboo screens against the walls of bars and restaurants are still intact since the 17th century. These are protective structures against mud and dirt and dogs peeing on the walls. The ochaya may not necessarily mean a teahouse but an exclusive private dinner-Geisha entertainment-dining place usually by invitation. Maybe because I am not a man that I do not recall having the privilege of experiencing such a culture, but if you are lucky enough to enter an ochaya, be prepared to cash out 500,000-800,000 yen for a night. And, since I cannot afford such pleasure, I just appreciate its architecture of bengara goshi wooden latticed windows, sudare reed screens, and the noren curtains on the doors that keep these ochaya very private and hidden, that you cannot see the inside. You can also see many more ochaya in the Gion district.

I always treasure the fact that Kyoto is such a pleasant walking city, where you can move from one area to another with ease and leisure—such contrast from the buzz and rush of hurrying Tokyoites on subways. The mix of old and new does not come as close as in Kyoto, and it is in seeing the old that makes me feel relieved that I am truly in Japan. The sight of temples, shrines, narrow alleys and traditional houses refresh my memory of why I came to Japan in the first place, and what I had loved most about its culture and sights. I could only wish we could have more of that traditional flavor in Tokyo…but, that is another topic to write about.

As signs of a modernizing Kyoto are becoming more visible through the years (take the modern Kyoto Station, for example), I sometimes wonder if the city can maintain its antiquated roots and rustic qualities amidst a growing generation of fashion queens, otaku kings and liberalized ideas. How would Kyoto appear after 20-30 years?

This autumn, treat yourself to the best array of crimson reds and elegant yellows of Kyoto’s koyo. Everywhere temples and shrines are lit at night so the maple leaves glitter against the dark skies. Do not miss a trip to Arashiyama, Ohara and Hiei-san. And, after a tiring day of picture-taking and walking, stop by a traditional Kyoto udon-ya, have a sip of shochu (Japanese distilled spirit) in one of the bars facing the river, then return to your ryokan, slip into your yukata and feel the fine tatami mat while your dreams take you away to your next Kyoto adventure.

Have a romantic autumn!

Jeepney Press 2010 September-October Issue Page 6

DAISUKI! by Dennis Sun

ARAY KO PO!

“Aray ko po!” iyan ang hirit ng aking limang taon na Paul Smith wallet na gusto ng mag-retiro. “Ittai yo!” dagdag iyak pa na malapit ng mabutas na bulsa sa bigat ng natitirang mga barya.

Madugo talaga kapag umuuwi. Gusto mo man makita ang mga mahal sa buhay, may kapalit naman ito. Hindi basta-basta simple lang kung umuwi sa bansang tinubuan. Kailangan pinag-iisipan ito. Kaya ba ng bulsa mo? May budget ka bang pang- gastos kung uuwi ka? Hindi sapat na meron kang round-trip air ticket lang. Mag-mu-mukmok na lang ba kayo sa loob ng bahay at manood ng programang kapuso o kapamilya?

Siempre, kailangan, ilabas mo naman ang mga pamilya mo. Once a year ka lang nga nilang nakikita, dapat handa ka sa mga happenings at gimikan. Ipasyal sa swimming pool ang mga chikiting. I-shopping si misis at biyenan sa SM. Inuman naman sa gabi kasama ang mga dating barkada. Tandaan mo, ikaw ang taya! Aray ko po!

Umuwi ako sa Pinas last June sa taong ito. Birthday kasi ng tatay ko. Pero this year, extra special celebration kasi 75th birthday na niya. Pitong taon na rin siyang nag-da-dialysis kaya puro itim na pekas na lang ang makikita sa kanyang braso. Dating mataba ang dad ko. Ngunit ngayon, buto’t balat na lamang. Hindi siya masyadong kumakain. Isa na lang ang nakikitang nangingibabaw sa kanya sa kabila ng kanyang malubhang sakit. Ito ay ang lakas loob niyang manatiling buhay. Kahit alam niyang mahirap at masakit ang dinaranas niya, gusto pa rin niyang manatili dito sa piling ng kanyang mga anak at apo. Makita ko lang ang braso ng tatay ko, para ko na rin nadadama ang bawat sakit ng kanyang dinaranas sa mga dialysis session niya. Aray ko tatay!

Tell me, “Bakit nga ba tuwing umuuwi ako, laging pinag-pi-piyesta ang katawan ko ng mga lamok? Aray ko po!” Kung sanang parang Piolo Pascual at Dingdong Dantes ang katawan ko, I can understand why the mosquitoes are crazy for me. Pero hindi naman, eh.

Sa loob man at labas ng bahay, puro ako kagat ng mga lamok. Every time na umuuwi ako, isang katerbang katol at vape mat from Japan ang laman ng maleta ko. Wala pa rin epekto. Ano ba ang ginagawa ninyo?

Pagbalik ko sa Japan, omiyage ko from the Pilipins ay ang mahigit na 20 mosquito bites. After a few days, para akong nilagnat at sumakit ang tiyan ko. Nanghina ang pakiramdam. Parang nanlalamig kahit mainit naman ang panahon. Sabi ni Rey Ian, baka may possibility na meron akong DENGUE. Aray ko po! Ano naman yon? Mamamatay na ba ako? Dahil lang sa isang kagat ng lamok? Excuse me, este, twenty pa la.

Dito sa Japan, hindi nila alam gamutin ang dengue fever. I went to three hospitals and clinics and they all rejected me. Parang visa application, denied agad! One doctor had to get one of his thick medical books and researched about dengue fever right on the spot. Isang ospital lang ang pwedeng mag-treat ng dengue sa Tokyo at iyon ay nasa Komagome pa. Napakalayo. It’s a hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases. Kaya kung nagka-dengue ka dear, doon ka na! Kung nakatira ka sa inaka, magtanong agad sa city hall or provincial offices ninyo.

Siempre, I had to make most of what information I could get. Nag-google ako sa dengue. I found out that there are 2 types of dengue. Yung hindi malubha, na parang meron kang influenza which I had. Total rest lang ang kailangan. Kaya hindi na ako pumunta sa ospital. The other type is the dangerous one. Meron lalabas na dugo sa nose, ears and mouth mo. Aray ko po! This one needs hospital attention. Kung hindi, pwede kang matepok.

Sa balita galing Pilipinas naman, tumaas daw ang porsiyento ng mga taong nagka-dengue sa Maynila. Marami na rin ang namatay. Kaya kung kayo ay uuwi ng Pilipinas, mag-ingat lang kayo. Be sure na dumaan muna kayo sa kusuriya at bumili ng insect repellent spray. Iba’t-ibang klase ang meron nila. Yung popular ingredient na DEET ay hindi raw maganda sa katawan. Maghanap na meron mga natural and herbal ingredient like citronella. Bili na rin kayo ng katol at vape map na di-koryente. Payo ni lola, kumain ng maraming bawang. Pwede rin mag-take ng garlic pills or capsules if you hate eating garlic. Garlic is also very good for the health. Kaya go na and eat garlic!

According to my American friend, he uses listerine or any mouth wash after taking a shower. “The smell itself repels the insects,” says Donald. “ I put listerine in a spray bottle and spray the bed and furnitures to shoo away the mosquitoes.” Wow! Galing talaga ni Donald. Smelling good breath all over! Great!

E, paano naman kung nakagat ka na? What do we have to do with the mosquito bites? If you’re at home, hugasan agad ito with soap and water. Let it dry and try to avoid scratching. Although a mosquito bite should itch for only a few days, continual scratching will increase your discomfort and may prolong the itching.

E kung talagang makati, ano ang dapat gawin? Enter agad si lola to the rescue: “Pumunta sa ref at kumuha ng yelo. Rub the ice all over the bites. Nasa kitchen ka na rin, make a paste of baking soda and water. Make the paste really sticky and spread all over the bites.”

I also remember during our boy scout days, we used the tooth paste on the bites. The menthol in the toothpaste will relieve the itch temporarily.

If you have access to a drug store, calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream are best to alleviate the itching. Use an anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce any accompanying swelling or redness. Take an anti-histamine like benadryl to help with any swelling or itching. Maganda rin itong pampatulog.

Si Kiko, ayaw na raw umuwi pansamantala. Natatakot daw ma-dengue. Kasi yung isang friend niya, umuwi galing Pampanga. Pagbalik sa Tokyo, tumawag sa work para mag-absent because of illness. After 2 weeks of no communication from him, the office staff went to his apartment, asked the land lord to open the door and found him already dead. According to reports, na dengue raw siya.

Kahit tayong mga Pilipino na sanay na sa mga kagat ng lamok, kailangan pa rin maging maingat. Sanay naman tayo sa mga krises. Mapa bagyo, lindol, baha o pagsabog man ng bulkan, we, Filipinos, are survivors. Masakit man, we just do our best and say, “ARAY KO PO!”

Yun na iyon!

Nag-e-mail sa akin ang Japanese friend ko who just came from Manila and Cebu. Well, sad news, he didn’t like his stay in Manila. “Kowaii!” Nagka-culture shock siguro: sa heavy traffic, sa takbo ng mga sasakyan sa daan, sa pollution, sa init, at sa ingay ng mga tao. Ewan ko lang kung nakagat din siya ng lamok. At sana, hindi naman siya nadukutan or ninakawan. Aray ko po!

Mas gusto pa raw niyang mag-stay sa Bangkok. Sabi lang niya sa akin, mas safe daw siya doon. I can understand him. Kahit third world country ang Thailand, mas feeling secured ang mga tao doon lalung-lalo na sa mga turista. Sa isang araw lang, mahigit na 20,000 turista ang bumibisita sa Bangkok. Kaya napakaunlad ng kanilang tourism industry. Once you visit Bangkok, you want to go back again and again. Ako nga, I see to it I visit Thailand every year. Pero sabi ng mga Hapon kong kakilala, ayaw na nilang bumalik sa Manila. Siempre, meron silang iba’t-ibang rason. Hindi ko na lang isusulat dito. Bilang Pinoy, alam na natin kung anuman ang mga pagkukulang natin.

Sana mag-improve ang ating bansa in all aspects para lalung gumanda at guminhawa ang bawat buhay ng isang Pilipino. Para hindi natin ikahiya sa mundo na Pilipino nga tayo.

Pag-uwi niyo sa atin, ipakita ninyo ang mga magagandang asal na napulot ninyo dito sa Japan para tularan kayo ng mga kaibigan ninyo sa Pilipinas.

Sa darating na Sabado, uuwi na naman ako sa Pinas. This time though, I’m extra ready for the mosquitoes! Come and get me! Lola, ihanda na ang kulambo!

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Shoganai: Gaijin Life By Abie Principe

Very Benry Vending Machines

Living in Japan exposes one to a lot of conveniences, that in other countries would be quite difficult to meet.

One very good example is the 自動販売機 or the vending machines. Everywhere you go in Japan, and I mean EVERYWHERE, there will always be the vending machine.

For people who live in the big cities, like Tokyo or Nagoya, vending machines are totally common, one does not think twice about it. But did you know that vending machines are about as ubiquitous in the provinces of Japan, as they are in the cities?

I have had the chance of hiking and cycling around the provinces, and one of the most surprising, yet most welcome, thing that I have noticed is the vending machines! I can be cycling in the middle of nowhere, sun beating down on my head, wondering why I didn't bring water, and up ahead, right beside a rice field, will be a lone vending machine. Stocked with ice cold drinks in summer (and if it happens to be winter, it will be hot drinks, even canned soup!). This small oasis in the middle of the desert, is such a welcome sight whenever we spend time outdoors. I even saw one, nearly on top of a mountain. And anyone who has ever climbed Mt. Fuji, will know and love the vending machines that can be found at the various stations up the mountain.

And vending machines, though not as comprehensively stocked as the average combini, are more commonly available, specially in out of the way places. And there's no need to fall in line, just cycle or walk up, put in your coins, and out comes the drink of your choice.

And vending machines in Japan are always well maintained. People aren't concerned that they may put their money in it and the drink won't come out. I think in other countries, money-eating vending machines abound. But in Japan, vending machines are trustworthy! So, even if I don't have an idea how a vending machine in the middle of nowhere, is being powered, (I actually tried to find the plug of one vending machine once, I couldn't find it!) I won't stop being thankful for their existence.

Jeepney Press 2010 September-October Issue Page 7

Pagmumuni-muni sa Dyipni by Fr. Bob Zarate

BIBIG ba o BUNGANGA?

Nakasakay ako sa tren. Walang maupuan. Siksikan. At sa tabi ko ay may apat na babaeng nasa high school. Paano ko nalamang high school na sila? Obvious ba. Sa pinaikling mga palda at mga pina-manyikang mga mukha (na halos para na silang mga clown sa kapal ng make-up nila), alam na alam mong high school na sila!

Anyway, nakakairita talagang makipagsiksikan sa tren after a long day. At mas nakakairita pa ang mga boses ng mga high school girls na ito na tila daig pa ang bingi -- dahil kung mag-usap sila, pagkalalakas ng mga boses! Eh hindi naman isang kilometro ang layo sa isa't-isa! Halos magka-kadikit na nga ang mga mukha!

Pero, come to think of it, hindi ba ganyan din tayong mga Pinoy? Sa totoo lang, minsan kapag naiim- bitahan akong umupo sa meeting ng mga Filipinos, nagpapalusot na lang akong kailangan na akong umuwi, or may lakad pa ako. Bakit? Kasi naman, wala ka nang maririnig sa meeting kundi palakasan ng boses. Daig pa ang United Nations kung mag-meeting. Nakakarindi. Nakaka-stress. Di bale na lang sana kung ang source of stress ay dahil sa problemang pinag-uusapan. Hindi eh. Nagiging source of stress pa tuloy ang paraan ng pag-uusap, o yung lakas ng boses, o yung pananalitang kanto, palengke, siga o maton.

Bakit nga ba ganyan tayong mga Pilipino? May pagkukulang kaya ang ating mga pamilya sa pag- tuturo sa atin ng good manners? Malaki kaya ang kulang sa quality ng ating mga teachers at ganoon din silang kagaspang magsalita? May impluwensya kaya ang ating lechon, chicharon at bopis kaya lagi tayong parang high-blood magsalita? Na over-emphasize nga kaya ang mga "Be yourself!" na slogan, kaya lagi mo na lang maririnig ang mabilis at mataray na "Eh wala akong magagawa, ganito talaga akong magsalita!!!" na sinasabi sa isang tonong parang bakal na kinakaladkad ng isang kakarag-karag na trak? O baka naman hindi tayo naturuang huminga nang malalim kaya hindi natin kayang maging kalma sa pananalita?

Kaya naman nating i-tama ito. Ang mahalaga ay isa-isip natin ang mga sumusunod:

1. Pag gusto mo laging itaas at palakasin ang boses mo, baka kasi --

a. Mahina ang pandinig mo, o di kaya'y

b. Feeling mo mas magagaling at matataas ang katayuan o pinag- aralan ng mga kasama mo kaya insecure ka, or

c. Mayabang ka lang talaga.

Well, walang relasyon ang dahilang "May ipagyayabang naman kasi" kumpara sa kalakasan ng boses.

2. Hindi lahat ng games sa olympics dinadaan sa lakas at bilis para magka-gold medal. Ang women's gymnastics kailangan ng grace and beauty. Ang archery at shooting, kailangan ng silence and concentration. Ang gold medalist sa diving ay yung may pinakakaunting splash pagpasok sa tubig.

Ganoon din ang usapan. Hindi sa komo malakas ang boses mo, ikaw na ang tama. Tandaan, hindi lahat ng bumibirit sa pagkanta ay magaling kumanta. Mas mabuti pang huwag nang bumirit sa mga debate, kung malulusutan ka rin lang naman ng mas magagandang solusyon. Tandaan, mas marami sa mga kilala sa history na malalakas ang boses ay gumawa ng giyera o naging diktador, katulad nina Napoleon, Stalin, Hitler, Marcos o kaya ang present-day Chavez ng Venezuela o si Ahmadinejad ng Iran. Tandaan, marami rin DAW sa mga malalakas ang boses ay natataguriang may sira sa utak!

3. Practical Solution for our meetings: para maiwasan ang walang hanggang daldalan, you may try the following:

a. Unahin muna ang presentation of a certain topic, problem man ito, or upcoming activity, or announcement by the person assigned. Ang lahat ay makikinig lang. Bawal ang sumabat during the presentation.

b. Magbukas ng isang round for questions kung may hindi naintindihan. I-take note ng nag-present ang mga questions. Hindi kaagad sasagot ang nag-present, hihintayin nyang matapos ang lahat ng questions.

c. Sasagutin ng nag-present ang lahat ng mga tanong. Bawal magpahabol ng tanong from others.

d. Isang round ng suggestions from anybody para sa change or improvement ng presentation. Bawal sumingit, sumabat o mangontra.

e. Dito natatapos ang isang topic. Pagkatapos nito, ang in-charge ng presentation ang magsa-summarize ng mga suggestions at ia-apply ito to make a renewed form ng presentation.

Mga kailangang alalahanin sa ganitong klaseng meeting:

* Kailangang may isang Moderator. Ang trabaho niya ay ang mag-control ng oras at panatilihing nasa topic ang usapan.

* Walang personalan. Walang sagutan. Walang tsismisan. Walang magtataas ng boses.

* As much as possible, walang botohan. At kung ang majority ay nag-decide laban sa opinion mo, obligado ka pa ring sundin ito.

Let's grow up. Let's be adults. Tama na ang pataasan ng ihi. Huwag nating gawing bunganga ang bibig. Tandaan sana lagi natin na iisa lamang ang bibig at dadalawa ang tenga at mas malaki pa ang utak kaysa sa buka ng ating bibig.

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Shitte-iru? by Marty Manalastas-Timbol

ALAM NYO BA…na ang malunggay, sajina in the Indian subcontinent and moringa in English is known as a tree of life – it is an excellent source of nutrition and a natural energy booster, loaded with nutrients, vitamins and amino acids. Ang dahon at bunga ng malunggay ay parehong masustansya na puno ng bitamina c at iba pang minerals. Ang malunggay ay considered din as a herbal food. Karamihan sa atin mga Filipino ay nakalimutan na ang malunggay. Di ba ang mga matatanda noon, sabi nila ito ay magaling para sa mga buntis and for lactating mothers. Gusto kong ibahagi sa inyo ang sumusunod na isunulat ni Ginoong Mark Fritz ng Los Angeles Times: “Specifically speaking, moringa sounds like magic. It can rebuild weak bones, enrich anemic blood and enable a malnourished mother to nurse her starving baby. Ounce for ounce, it has the calcium of four glasses of milk, the vitamin C of seven oranges and the potassium of three bananas.” Sabi din ni Mr. Fritz na ang ibang doctors sa West Africa and in India uses malunggay to treat diabetes and high blood pressure, respectively. Ang malunggay ay may tripling iron of spinach, quadruple the beta carotene, na maganda para sa mga mata and effective against cancer. I drink citrus malunggay juice na nabibili sa Manila ng aking good friend na si Melba Ong. You see, malunggay or moringa is a common tree with rare power.

ALAM NYO BA…na when you sneeze, or someone sneezes, di ba you would hear someone say “Bless you.” Bakit kaya when only you sneeze and not when you cough o di kaya’y pag nag-burp ka. According to Discovery Health na sneeze responses daw originated from ancient superstitions. Bakit nga ba we say ‘Bless you’ or ‘God bless you’ when someone sneezes? Sabi nila and in other parts of the world din that saying ‘God bless you’ after someone sneezes kasi daw kadalasan a sneeze precedes illness, like cold and flu. Alamin natin kung ano ang sinasabi sa iba’t ibang bansa when someone sneezes.

Germany - gesundheit

Romans - salve means “good health to you”

Arabic countries-Alhamdulillah means “praise be to God”

Hindus - live well

Russia - bud zdorov means “be healthy” (this is oftenly said to children after they sneeze) or rosti Bolshoi means “grow big”

China - bai sui means “may you live 100 years”

(Source: Discovery Health)

ALAM NYO BA…kung ang everlasting love is for real or not? How would you know? Mahirap ito masagot lalo na sa mga hindi pa naka-experience ng real love. Yung mga in-love diyan, kadalasan ang iniisip ninyo sa boyfriend or girlfriend ninyo na siya na nga - the one, my real love. Pero paano nga ba malalaman na siya na nga? Well sabi ni Dr. Dennis Neder, isang author ng being a man in a woman’s world, na ang love ay may tatlong stages: infatuation stage; bonding stage and the familiar stage. Infatuation love, alam na ng karamihan ito – this is the stage na gusto mo to be with the person you love, na akala ng iba ito na yung real thing called real love. Yung ikalawang stage, ito yung getting to know the person well. Ang third stage is called the familiar phase ika nga ni Dr. Neder. Sa familiar stage, yung buhay ninyo ng partner mo become intertwined – alam mo na halos lahat how your partner feels about everything. Ito rin yung time you refocused sa sarili mong buhay – so there must be real love. When asked how to define love or true love, ang sagot depends on the person because love can have different meanings para sa iba’t ibang tao. When do you know that true love na pala. Ang pag-ibig o ang love comes from an open heart – a heart that is willing to love. Note that when you love someone or your partner, it does not necessarily mean na siya na yung life partner mo…IT IS STILL WHAT WE BELIEVE, DESTINY and FATE.

ALAM NYO BA…na may blog na ang JEEPNEY PRESS. You can check the following url: http://jeepney-press.blogspot.com/ sa mga ka-jeepney press volunteer writers, share this blog sa mga friends ninyo. Di ba, marami silang mapupulot na inpormasyon sa Jeepney Press, hindi tsismis artista, kundi something to learn about life, about health, about places to visit in japan and in the Philippines, about our kababayans in Japan. So mga kababayan, read Jeepney Press and you’ll find it worth reading kasi talagang very interesting.

God Bless you all and enjoy life.

Jeepney Press 2010 September-October Issue Page 8

Hopeless Romantiks! by Jackie Murphy

My true love... miles away from me... A TRUE STORY

Can you honestly tell someone that you were NOT SO in love with your husband or your wife when you married them?

Can you honestly admit to yourself that you married the most responsible, the most available and the most eligible person but NOT SO in love with them?

Ilan na kaya sa ating mga readers ang NA IN LOVE NA NANG HUSTO? Yung totoong totoong love, ha???

I always thought love always come and go! “We’re NOT really meant for each other.’’ Yung mga ganung common excuses na lang ang iniisip ko para mas madaling maka-move on everytime I fall out of love. ’Ok lang’ sabi ko sa sarili ko. Hanap ka ulit’!

Sa totoo lang, in all my life, ang lovelife ko na lang yata ang hindi masyadong sinusu-werte. Parang I took the cliff, fell from it and gave up. Once and for all, I simply thought of getting married JUST for the heck of it.

Isang simpleng araw, dumating ang isang tunay na pag-ibig!!! Sa hinding- hindi ko inaasahang pagkakataon!!! Bigla na lang bumulaga right in front of my eyes, on my computer screen, one bright morning at the middle of a busy work. I was shocked, speechless, turned white. Feeling ko tumalon ang puso ko sa tuwa at nerbiyos! Pinagpapawisan na hindi ko mawari! Ano ‘to?

Mabilis ang mga sumunod na mga pangyayari pero bago ang lahat, FACEBOOK, a million thanks to you!

Chat lang ng konti noong una, palitan ng mga ‘hi’s and ‘hello’s. Sunod na araw, bumili na ako ng telephone cards to place a call. Mainit pa ang ulo ko pag busy ang line!!! Makalimutan na ang kain makatawag lang. Tawag-tawag. Kamustahan! Sunod na araw naman, kamustahan na ng lovelife, past relationships, kids, etc. Finally, ‘Are you dating someone?’ and ‘Are you currently in a relationship’?’ na ang mga sunod na mga tanong namin sa isa’t isa.

Dito na nagsimula ang halos gabi-gabing puyatan sa kaka-chat. Mag-madaling mama lantsa bago pumasok sa work. Isang tasang kape na lang ang almusal. Hindi nakapagpa-gasolina kahapon sa pagmamadaling umuwi ng bahay o kaya’y may kailangan bilhin along the way pero hindi na nakabili dahil naghihintay ang iniirog na ka-chat. Sayang ang oras! Hindi magawang isampay ang tatlong araw nang natapos at tumigas ng labahin sa washing machine at tambak na hugasin sa lababo. When we finally say our ‘sweet dreams’ and ‘endless goodbyes’ at wee hours in the morning tsaka ko pa lang maramdaman na kumakalam na ang sikmura ko and that I forgot to have dinner pala. Tsaka ko pa lang maramdaman ang nginig ng tuhod ko sa gutom and my time to take a shower na before going to bed. SUGOKU TSUKA-REMASHITA! (I was very, very tired!)

I’m NOT complaining (seriously, I don’t but honestly, sige na nga. I sometimes do. ’Sensiya na po. Tao lang’ - jejeje)!!! A week passed, we enjoyed talking to each other very much, everyday, as in!!! Paulit-ulit, paikot-ikot na kuwentong walang katapusan ! We both realized naman na yun at yun din ang pinag- uusapan namin but no one seemed to complain about it! There were times, we call at the middle of our paid per hour work (not deliberately done though, hmmm. NOT TRUE. We often excused ourselves from the middle of a friends’ conversation pero sige lang, wala lang!!! Sometimes, during coffee or lunch break or at the middle of the road often times beating the red light (Huwag pong tutularan! Abunai desu! It’s dangerous!!)

But one summer night, I initiated a more serious talk. We eventually came to know that we are both single (again???) and take note: BOTH AVAILABLE, ha!! Wow…!!!!! Eh, di nag-umpisa na sa mas nakakagulantang na tanong like: “Ano ba ang hinahanap mo sa….” I’m not a poet but I just need to recall every superlatives I can think of at that time. Kailangan ko siyang ma-impress that very moment and those ‘kinakalawang kong’ adjectives should coincide sa personality and attitudes niya otherwise baka magdalawang-isip siya na nanghuhula lang ako. Buti naman tumama ‘yung iba. Yung iba hindi tumama. Ginawan ko na lang din ng palusot.

(to be continued…)

Jeepney Press 2010 September-October Issue Page 10

CONNECTIONS by Richard Diaz Alorro

Beery Summer

The summer of 2010 holds the record of the hottest, most humid, and wettest summer experience I have in Sapporo. For an almost 5 years of stay in this northern Japanese city, never had I heard electric fans selling like hotcakes in a city known for its cool and refreshing summer characterized by less rainfall. This year’s summer in Sapporo defied the usual and the conventional. Sapporo bathed in a summer comparable to that in the mainland and the southern islands.

In this very hot season, nothing beats a glass of thirst quenching ice-cold beer of your choice with friends or colleagues after a hard-day work! Thanks to the Sapporo Beer Festival, Sapporo locals still have a great reason to enjoy and celebrate summer. Sapporo claims to be the first city to brew domestic beer in Japan and the city where the best beers are found due to its cold climate and the use of homegrown materials for beer production. Whether this declaration is true or not, undeniably Sapporo Beer Festival is a must-do during summer and has become one of the most-looked forward events among Sapporo locals.

The Sapporo Beer Festival or Sapporo Beer Garden happens at Odori Park, the famous location of the Sapporo Snow Festival in winter. During summer, 6 blocks of the park are converted into a big open-air area where beer and food are served. In each block, different brewery is selling their products and some local delicacies. Each block is a showcase of various flavors not only of beer but also of entertainment and ambiance. The shops are open from around 11 am until 9 pm. The beer festival lasts for about 4 weeks starting from mid-July until mid-August. According to Sapporo City website, as much as 574,842 liters of beer was consumed by 523,00 people for about 20 days during last year’s Sapporo Beer Festival. This statistics is a proof that citizens of Sapporo drink huge amount of beer!

What I really love about the Sapporo Beer Festival is the opportunity to mingle and have great time with friends or other locals under the heat of the afternoon sun or the shy mid-summer evening. People from all walks of life convene in these blocks of beer extravaganza to get relief from stressful work at least for a while, chat with friends or colleagues, and enjoy different beer flavors and beer accompaniments. The summer beer festival is an amazing idea that fits very well in Japan’s context of enjoyment, social interaction, and festivity. By western or even Philippine standards, the beer festival might be an absurd concept considering the chaos that might occur when people get drunk and become crazy. Most Japanese remain very calm and peaceful, crazy at times yet enjoyable, even when they are drunk. Indeed, this makes Japan, particularly Sapporo, an ideal setting for beer festivals and the best venue to truly enjoy a glass or a barrel of a cool amber beverage.

If you plan to visit Sapporo in summer, never forget to include in your must do list the Sapporo Beer Garden experience. As for me, for 5 years now, the beer festival has always been a part of my Sapporo summer. It feels good to be connected … always!

Reference: www.welcome.city.sapporo.jp

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LOCAL DIRECT by Ping-Ku

The GeGeGe Boom

普通なのに直通。これは何だ。 Yes, the jeepney, no less. This space will take you to different destinations and discuss current events or commonplace themes by focusing on the local scene—discussing people, events and places. Today’s spotlight is on the GeGeGe boom caused by GeGeGe no Nyoubo (GeGeGe’s wife) the NHK drama (airs from March 29 to September 30, Mon-Fri 8:00-8:15AM and Sat 9:30-11:00 on BS) which has been enjoying immense popularity with average ratings of over 20% over the past few months, surpassing all other shows this season. The man of the hour is Shigeru Mizuki (friends called him GeGeGe at school). He is a prolific manga artist considered by many as master of the yokai or supernatural beings. His characters like Hakaba Kitaro, Medama Oyaji, Ittan-momen Nezumi Otoko and Akuma-kun are very popular with children and adults alike.

Shigeru Mizuki ’s works on the yokai are currently on exhibit at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art (July 30-Oct 3, 2010). I went during the Obon season when the crowds were rather thick but it was a joy to see whole families queuing. The pictures showed yokai in various settings from bamboo fields to the tokonoma, or sticking out from mirrors and pots which rendered the yokai as amusing rather than scary creatures. The parents and art enthusiasts enjoyed the masterful art of Mizuki-san with his attention to detail and ability to tell the history of a specter in one frame. The children’s eyes were sparkling with curiosity as their parents read out the place of origin, powers, quirks, and watering holes of each yokai. From Hokkaido to Okinawa, there were close to a hundred creatures (several of them are lurking in Kyoto!) chronicled in drawings and paintings.

Shigeru Mizuki is also well-known for his war memoirs narrated by Nezumi Otoko with progressive anti-war themes depicted in a manga series for young readers detailing the atrocities of the Japanese Army in China and Korea. He was sent to a South Pacific island (now a part of Papua New Guinea) in 1943 during the war where he experienced beatings, hunger, contracted malaria, etc. His left arm was seriously injured in an explosion such that it had to be amputated without any anesthesia. He was befriended by the tribesmen who helped him recover from his injuries and continued to live with the villagers until 1946 before returning to Japan.

Shigeru Mizuki (Shigeru Mura in real life) who hails from Sakaiminato, Tottori is considered an icon and town’s flag-bearer. Museums and even yokai qualification exams are credited to his name. Town office workers who flesh out strategies to attract tourists to visit Tottori expressed their gratefulness for having “Mizuki-sensei” as their kababayan. Whenever they ask Mizuki-sensei for advice, they cannot help but address him not just with one but with double keigo showing deference to this living icon.

But much of the charm of Mizuki-san comes from his hardworking, down-to-earth yet straightforward manner. He is known not to mince words but is very considerate of others and never fails to say “thank you.” In a 2006 NHK documentary (rerun shown last August 14) entitled “Yokai Mizuki Shigeru no GeGeGe Koufuku-ron” (Shigeru Mizuki’s GeGeGe Theory of Happiness) he said those who has had two or three near-death experiences become strong leaders or good businessmen.「死にかけたって経験を2、3回もってじゃないとだめ。死にかけたっては、強いですね。死なないから。」 Especially in these hard times, people should not give up easily, people should learn to improvise. 「一工夫こらす必要ある。」

In another interview, he was asked (rather insensitively by an overly-curious journalist) about what he felt having only one arm, Mizuki-san answered “With just one arm, I have been able to do thrice as much work as any able-bodied person. If I had lost both arms, I would have worked six times more than anyone who have both.” Asked if he had ever wallowed in self-pity for losing his left (writing) arm, he replied “Never. Being alive without an arm is a lot better than dying.” 「思ったことはない。命を失うより片腕をなくしても生きている方が価値がある」

Mizuki-san’s life depicted in GeGeGe no Nyoubou (based on the autobiography of his wife, Nunoe Mura) inspires the average salary man wearied by bleak prospects for the future in these very uncertain times. A struggling one-armed manga artist in his late 30s, with neither a stable income nor job; and the only two things that were constant in his life were his passion for drawing and the unwavering support of his wife. One episode showed his wife troubled as she did not have any money left to buy supper. Mizuki-san disappears and comes back with a bunch of blackened bananas which he said was the only thing he could buy with the money he got for pawning some of his drawings. The couple now in their eighties is alive and well and in a TV interview last spring, they said those bananas were a feast. The wife said “The bananas looked hideous but they were not rotten-- just a little overripe.”

The positive, bright attitude of this amazing couple in the most trying situations is a beacon for modern-day young families. The GeGeGe fever seems to be catching on overseas as well. If you failed to watch the TV series, don’t fret: GeGeGe no Nyoubo, the movie will hit local theaters on Nov 20, 2010.