At first it was just a wish and a prayer that Uchida “Otoosan” will come once again to Davao after a long time of absence because of his illness and delicate condition. But suddenly, here you are in Davao in front of us, you made as so happy and once again we feel your loving presence, like a father to us who cared so much for the Davaoweños, especially Davao, your birthplace and for the Philippine Nikkei Jins, who are recipient of your benevolence.
You touched so many lives ………….
You cared for the orphans by your continued support and building them a house for the poor children, with the support of your loving wife the late Mrs. Ayako Uchida.
You are one of the benefactors who contributed most for the welfare of the Nikkei Jins here in Davao.
- You helped establish our Nihongo School.
2. Sponsored many students especially the Nihongo Scholars in Japan whom you constantly give moral and financial support.
3. Initiated the yearly Recorder Ensemble and encouraged the Tokyo Kichijoji Lions Club to help support this project.
4. Helped the Nikkei Jins in promoting the educational, Nihongo Language Training Center and Baseball Cup to the Japanese people.
5. With your help, the Nippon Foundation grant the PNJK a Polyclinic to serve the health care of our members, students, faculties, parents and nearby communities.4 • DENTOU NO HIBIKI
6. You helped in the establishment of CASEDO in which you enhanced our mind, to appreciate and care for the beauty of nature and to care for our environment and encourage us to plant thousands of trees for more than a decade now.
7. Whenever our students, members, officers of PNJK will go to Japan, you are always there, open for whatever assistance you can extend.
8. Since the creation of the PNJK Association, it has been 34 years now and PNJK successfully multiplied to more than 8,000 members and to different division or entities like the following:
1. Pre- School;
2. Grade School;
3. College- The MKD whose five (5) stories building was built through the kindness and benevolence of both you and your late wife Mrs. Ayako Uchida;
4. Polyclinic
5. Calinan International School;
6. Museum and others.
9. You have extended the PNJK-IS with a loan in the acquisition of the land and building of our school and you bravely lent us not thinking if we could really pay you back.
Thank you so much for the trust and confidence that you have given us that motivated us to try our best not to betray your trust. We thank God that after all these years we are able to comply and were able to complete our loan payment.
- Most significant of your contribution is being once a member and officer of Yuko Kyo Kai in the beginning, also of the Phil. Japan Engineering and Educational Association, Musashino and Tokyo Kichijoji Lions Club in Japan, the Japan Volunteer of Japan, PNLSC and so forth. Through these different entities of Japan that helped the Nikkei Jins to locate our real identities. Family Registration of the Nikkei Jins with the help of the Japanese Government was seen and many of the Nikkei Jins are now in Japan, successfully having their residence- visa, some are permanent residents and some acquired the Japanese Citizenship.
The image of the Philippine Nikkei Jins since 1980 up to now has greatly changed.
Nikkei Jins now have the comfort of a modest home, could send their children to School, no longer suffering a hard life. Those whose Family registrations were located upon submission of complete requirements, were able to land a job with residence visa in Japan.
Foremost of all is we were able to meet our living relatives and all the mystery of our life after the World War II are now revealed to us.
Finally, once again our heartfelt gratitude that despite your condition you still come to us here in Davao.
Please if anyone of us here in Davao have offended you or have done something wrong, we ask your forgiveness. We are very sorry.
God the Father in Heaven sees you. Our Creator loves you. You are a person with a big heart. All your goodness we cannot express but God knows. May God bless you with His abundant graces. May He grant you good health of mind, body and spirit.
Message to Tatsuo Uchida San during the Welcome Party last August 12, 2014