It is a happy occasion when friends come home— and indeed, it was a joyous day when the Philippine Nikkei-Jin Kai family had the opportunity to celebrate
Uchida-Otoosan’s return to Davao.
Through the concerted efforts of the different departments headed by President Antonina Escovilla, MKD and PNJK-IS President Ines Mallari, and Mr. Shuji
Honda, a welcome party was organized for Otoosan. The party was held at Insular Hotel, and was attended by the faculty and administrative officers of the Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku, Philippine Nikkei-Jin Kai International School, Philippine Nikkei-Jin Kai Inc., as well as several of Otoosan’s second generation Nikkei-Jin friends.
Lunch was filled with plenty of wonderful and heartfelt messages from people close to Otoosan. PNJK President Antonina Escovilla expressed her elation for Otoosan’s return to Davao, while both Mrs. Carmen Apigo and Mrs. Adelaida Panaguiton relayed how grateful they were for Otoosan’s generosity to the school.
In response, Otoosan gave his own message. First, he expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome he’d received. Second, and as his own way of lightening the sentimental mood, he shared stories of his childhood and how he used to be friends with famous boxers. He shared that he was quite the ‘bugoy’ when he was a child, in contrast to how he is viewed by people at present.
Songs were also rendered for Otoosan. Among them were his favorite songs, Dahil Sayo, which he sang along to, and Besame Mucho, which to everybody’s surprise, he even danced to. Everyone was delighted to see such display of energy from Otoosan, especially his son and grandson, who later on said that they had really hoped to bring Otoosan back to Davao to make him happy.
The party ended with everyone in high spirits, and with the hope that Otoosan’s return could be celebrated more
frequently.