Tatsuo Uchida, the otoosan of everyone during the early years in the PNJK Family, was born on January 25, 1928 at Tibungco Davao City. He was a Datu Bago awardee and the adopted son of Davao City because of his several projects introduced here in our place that all of us would never forget. He offered shelter to the needy. A building housing the orphanage near the Southern Philippine Medical Center is just one among the several contributions of Otoosan to the development of the city. Because of his generosity and concern over the plights of the residents in the city, he was conferred the most prestigious award the Datu Bago Award given each year in line with the observation of the Araw ng Dabaw.
The building housing the office of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc. and MKD classrooms is a very significant donation received from the couple Uchida. We could truly say that countless beneficiaries have benefited from the donations. We can mention here the members and officials likewise are enjoying better living condition having been accepted in the mainstream of society both in Japan
and in the Philippines. The program of the association for recognition generated positive result, thus a number of descendants are either Japanese citizens or are permanent resident visa holders. This was part of his ideas during his lifetime.
What he did is so noble and incomparable with the rest of the benefactors in a community. We will always remember him as he left the biggest legacy ever – the importance of education and improvement of one’s living condition. The school is the symbol of what he dreamed for the descendants – complete education and the grasp of Japanese culture. May his soul rest in peace with his wife Ayako San.
A wise man once said “Do not be afraid of changes but be sensitive to something
changing”.
2015 was the Japan Philippine Industry Council’s year of transition, 2016 was a fruitful year after transition and 2017 is the 1st chapter of a stable make-over with renewed vigor and business mentality as it faces the changing Japan and new breed of Philippine Nikkei Jin.
February 10, 2017 was the JPIC/PNJK Joint Meeting that was attended by 9 JPIC member companies and 10 PNJK Officers. Important matters were discussed like the number of Nikkei Jin qualified for sponsorship by JPIC, approved PNJK shuseki applicants, activities, accomplishments and future projects of PNJK.
February 11, 2017 JPIC attended the 11th Davao Baseball Tournament. One of the JPIC’s advisers Mr. Akira Sekino of Funasho Shoji has been supporting and extending assistance to the said activity.
February 12, 2017 JPIC attended the 25th Flute/Recorder Assemble. JPIC has been supporting the said activity for several years now. The JPIC President Mr. Tokumitsu has started a drive to collect new and used recorders in Kagoshima, Japan.
April 16 – May 1, 2017 was the annual visit of JPIC Liaison Officer to the different JPIC member companies. The main objective of the visit is monitoring of the condition and situation of the Philippine Nikkei Jin under JPIC. Consultations, discussions and get-togethers were the highlight of the itinerary.
This year’s visit gave JPIC new insights and realization that Philippine Nikkei Jin are indeed evolving. Their way of thinking has greatly changed and influenced by social media. Although problems and needs remain the same they surprisingly have taken a new form. Loyalty and sense of gratitude remain the greatest challenge to date.
May 12, 2017 was the JPIC Directors’ Meeting in Tokyo, Japan. The agenda of the meeting were: the JPIC Soukai in July 2017 and JPIC continuous support to Philippine Nikkei Jin Legal Support Center, Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai (Rengokai), Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc. (Davao), Manila Central Luzon Nippi Association, Inc. (Manila), Panay/Iloilo Nikkei Jin Kai, Zamboanga Nikkei Jin Kai and JPIC Scholarship Grant.
As the Filipinos fondly regard May as “Flores de Mayo” and celebrate” Santa Cruzan” with beautiful Reyna Elenas’ parading the barangay streets , the Philippine Nikkei Jin from Davao, neighboring cities and provinces celebrate their annual reunion. PNJK conducts its General Assembly every 2nd Sunday of May. On May 14, 2017 at 9:30 in the morning, about one hundred twenty one (121) Nikkei Jin from Chapters of Tagum, Davao, Toril, Calinan, Digos and Kidapawan gathered at PNJK-IS gym to attend the 37th Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai,
Inc. General Assembly.
This year’s theme is: “Nikkei Jin Padayon sa Pag-uswag” whichmeans continuous progress.
The assembly commenced at 9:30 am with the Masters of Ceremony Mr. Felipe Hiquial opening the program proper followed by a prayer led by Ms. Adelaida Panagution offering moment of silence and prayers for the departed souls of the pillars of the association like the late Uchida Otousan, Rev. Fernandez,Gloria Okazono . The 1st Vice President Rodrigo Suemitsu acknowledged the participants and welcomed by Ms. Ines Mallari the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Ms. Mallari welcomed and thanked the members and supporters of PNJK.
Business Proper followed afterwards with Ms. Carmen Apigoreading the last year’s minutes of the meeting. Among the important agenda last year were the meeting of the 2nd generation Philippine Nikkei Jin with their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, 9th National Convention of Philippine Nikkei Jin and Shin Nikkei Jin as members of the association.
The President, Ret. Judge Antonina Escovilla reported on the PNJK, Inc. accomplishments. The consolidated report zeroed in on the different activities and accomplishments of the association like the interview of Cat. C Nikkei jin: Marumoto , Arakaki, Yoshimura, Nagata and Takumi families by MOFA headed by Consul Susumu Tsuda on May 23, 2016. The Testimonial/Memorial Service of the late Tatsuo Uchida on July 7, 2016. On August 13, 2016 celebrated Ireisai with Consul Ono. Human Relationship Seminar conducted by a Mr. Kazuaki Ishibashi a lecturer from Japan Creative Education Institute, Osaka on October 10, 2016 and from the 23rd to 27th day of the same month, Ret. Judge Antonina Escovilla, Ms. Ines Mallari, Ms. Carmen Apigo and Ms. Anita Iwamoto attended the 57th Convention of Nikkei Jin and Japanese Abroad. The Rengokai President Ines Mallari reported on the educational program of PNJK-IS. The participants of the convention had the privileged of meeting their Royal Highness Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko. JPIC President Yoshihiro Tokumitsu was also in attendance. On November 11, 2016 the participants of the Rengokai General Assembly were invited by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa for a dinner at his official residence in Makati City.
The opening salvo and most memorable event for 2017 was the visit of HE Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Madam Akie of Japan at PNJK Compound on January 13, 2017.
PNJK-IS Calinan Campus is already on its 10th year of operation. The school’s future plan is to construct another building in addition to its already existing 10 buildings.
Padayon sa Pag-uswag
PNJK-IS Main Campus and Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku total number of students was 1,345 students and the total no. of graduates- 83 students. The most important accomplishment was the PAASCU LEVEL II Accreditation.
PNJK Multi- Purpose Cooperative has as total regular members of 1,193 for 2016 as compared to 2015 with only 1,084 members. Services offered by the Coop are Lending; LAMP (Loan Assistance to Members Program); Rice Trading; E-Load and Beauty Salon.
PNJK Polyclinic and Diagnostic Center: new equipment purchased was the Hematology machine. Laboratory services are: CBC, Blood Chem, Hepa test, drug testing, ECG, X-ray and Ultrasound.
Treasurer’s Consolidated Report succeeded the President’s Report. Ms. Anita Iwamoto reported first the PNJK, Inc. Financial Report followed by the PNJK-IS and Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku Consolidated Statement of Financial Position and lastly, the Multi- Purpose Cooperative Financial Report.
The JPIC Coordinator Ms. Eve Obuchi read the JPIC President’s message in behalf of Mr. Yoshihiro Tokumitsu. He congratulated PNJK on its 37th General Assembly and advised the members to remain loyal and supportive to the activities of PNJK as well as to choose the leaders wisely.
Ms. Eve reported on the JPIC up-dates: JPIC has 27 active members; JPIC will hold its election of officers on July 2, 2017; JPIC will continue to support PNLSC, Federation of Nikkei Jin Kai (Rengokai), Phils., PNJK, Nippi, Iloilo/Panay Nikkei jin Kai , Zamboanga Nikkei Jin Kai and JPIC Scholarship Grant.
After all the reports were delivered a Group picture was taken of all the Nisei. No election took place as there were only 11candidates present. The 11 candidates were unanimously declared PNJK officers for 2017- 2019.
The PNJK 2017-2019 PNJK officers are:
Ms. Ines Mallari Ret. Judge Antonina Escovilla Mr. Rodrigo Suemitsu Mr. Juseven Austero Ms. Carmen Apigo Ms. Anita Iwamoto Ms. Elizabeth Tagud Mr. Felipe Hiquial Ms. Noellyn Fernandez Ms. Ellen Ocharon Mrs. Adelaida Panaguiton
Community Singing of Furusato followed by Sekai Wa Semai and a fellowship lunch ended the 37th General Assembly.
Prayer offered to
“Zairyu Senbou Douhou Irei Tou”
(Monument of the Deceased Japanese Residents)
At about past ten in the morning of January 13, 2017, the party of Madam Akie Abe with Ms. Honeylet Avancena and Mrs. Medialdea arrived at the Mintal Memorial Garden. Madam Akie offered wreath and prayer before the monument known as Zairyu Senbou Douhou Irei Tou, the monument of those Japanese residents who died in the early days prior to the outbreak of World War II. The area was supposed to be the burial ground exclusively for the Japanese residents but after the war, so many Filipino residents destroyed the gravestones. Others were looking for the so-called “Yamashita treasure” such that the damage done was beyond repair. No treasure or any material of value was uncovered by unscrupulous person and/or the so-call treasure hunters.
After the offered prayer, Madam Akie and party were ushered to the Monument of No Regret which is the symbol of the long history of friendship between Japan and the Philippines. This is the monument donated personally by the then Mayor of the City of Davao, Hon. Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Bishop Ajiro explained to Madam Akie Abe the reason behind the installation of the Monument of No Regret. Names of Kigyo Kyokai officials and benefactors headed by Datu Bago Awardee Tatsuo Uchida will be engraved in this monument. Madam Akie listened intently to what Bishop Ajiro was saying and with teary eyed, offered another prayer.
Tree Planting at Mintal Memorial Garden
January 13, 2017, in the crowd gathered at the Mintal Public Cemetery, specifically at the area where Japanese tombs stand was the presence of persons in white polo shirt and dark pants. We assumed that these are the staffs assigned to safeguard the safety of the highest official in Japan.
First to arrive was the group of Madam Yuko Ishikawa, the wife of the JapaneseAmbassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa. Introduction to various officials who were around took place. Bishop Masataka Ajiro the former President of the Japan Philippine Volunteer Association approached Madam Yuko to do the honor of the ceremonial narra tree planting right beside the road from the entrance of the cemetery to the area where Japanese tombs are found.
Assisting Madam Yuko in the tree planting ceremony were Bishop Ajiro, PNJKPresident Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla, Barangay Captain Ramon Bargamento and PNJK 2nd Vice President Juseven Austero.
Visit of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to PNJK Compound
By: Ret. Judge Antonina Escovilla
Prior to January 13, 2017, the presence of government officials both from the Philippines and Japan was noticed. Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla, PNJK President was around and had conferred with them but no definite declaration was heard relative to the visit of the highest official in Japan. No date and time was mentioned and so everyone was in a quandary.
At any rate, MKD President Mallari left no stone un-turned. Various scenarios were outlined and she expected the responsible school officials to extend their warmest welcome and hospitality to the most important guests whose presence in Davao City would include in his itinerary the visit at PNJK Compound.
Every now and then President Mallari receives calls from officials in Japan and Manila. Each call, she would meet PNJK Family staffs and could not contain her emotions as regards the preparation in welcoming Prime Minister Shinzo Abe whose visit to PNJK compound has yet to be officially confirmed by the Office of the President.
When the final call was heard about the arrival of not only the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Madam Akie but of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as well, another meeting was then scheduled. The staffs were mobilized to prepare tarpaulin welcoming both highest officials of Japan and the Philippines.
However, minutes before the scheduled arrival of the two highest officials some changes were made, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte cancelled his visit.
When Prime Minister Abe arrived, the graders who were patiently waiting along the road from the entrance up to the PNJK Gym, where the high school students were standing with flaglets in hand, waved the same and started singing “It’s A Small World” in Nihongo and “We Welcome You” which gesture must have moved our guest making him disembark from his vehicle together with his wife, gave highfives to all the kids. Upon reaching the place where we were standing, we, President Mallari, Judge Escovilla and Bishop Ajiro shook hands with the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe while being introduced by Ambassador Ishikawa. Thereafter, he stopped in front of the group of students performing handmine and was in awe looking at the words formed with the song “we welcome you” as the background. Before entering the audio visual room, he looked at the area where the Nisei were seated and said “arigatou” to their welcome greetings.
While in the audio visual room the Prime Minister observed a Nihongo class composed of third year college students with their Japanese Professor. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was impressed with the response of the students all in Nihongo and each student upon conclusion of the class was congratulated by him. It was an enjoyable sight with both the Prime Minister and Madam Abe talking to the students in Nihongo. School Administration is so proud to have students who could speak fluent Nihongo and could assimilate Japanese culture.
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