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.
The preparation for the much anticipated 25th Recorder Ensemble Competition started as early as the 3rd week of April. When Mr. Shuji Honda, confirmed the holding of the competition in early October, Mrs. Carmen C. Apigo, the School Principal of PNJKIS-Calinan and Mrs. Girlie Doydoy, being the liaison personnel of the competition, started calling previous contest participants who were also recipients of free flutes distributed by the Japan-Philippines Volunteers Assn. (JPVA) thru CASEDO during early stages of the project, inviting school trainors to attend a seminar on the 27th of May 2016 to be conducted by Mr. Shuji Honda at the PNJKIS Calinan covered court. Sixteen (16) Elementary Schools, both public and private, and three (3) high schools attended the said Seminar.
On the 15th of July, 2016, a follow-up seminar was again held in the same venue. Mr. Shuji Honda distributed the contest piece and additional flutes to schools that did not have complete set to be able to join the contest. The contest was slated on the 8th of October, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the original schedule did not materialize. The contest was moved indefinitely and was finally scheduled to take place on February 11, 2017 to be held at the PNJKIS-Calinan Branch’s covered court which was built in the mid 90’s and was called the PNJKIS Music Hall. Of the 16 Elementary Schools that attended the two seminars, five (5) backed out due to lack of preparation and one school, Mintal Elementary School, which was a no-show during both seminars, signified it’s intention of joining the contest, bringing the number of contestants to 12. The three high schools all sent positive answers of joining the contest.
The following is the list of schools that attended both seminars, the last five written in italics are the schools that backed out:
Elementary Schools
1. Amigo School of Calinan, Inc. (Calinan)
2. Bustamante Central Elementary School (Tibungco)
3. Calinan Central Elementary School (Calinan)
4. Lacson Elementary School ( Lacson, Calinan)
5. Lt. C. Villafuerte Elementary School (Calinan)
6. Pedro Rodriguez Elementary School (Tamayong Calinan)
7. PNJKIS Calinan Branch (Calinan)
8. PNJIS Main Campus (Lanang Davao City)
9. Sirib Elementary School (Sirib Calinan)
10.Tamayong Elementary School (Tamayong, Calinan)
11. Wangan Elementary School (Wangan, Calinan)
12. Quirino Elementary School (Quirino Calinan)
13. Marilog Elementary School (Marilog, Calinan)
14. Riverside Elementary School (Riverside, Calinan)
15. Subasta Elementary School (Subasta, Calinan)
16. Cesario Villa Abrille Elementary School ( Davao City)
High Schools
1. Amigo School of Calinan, Inc. (Calinan)
2. Holy Spirit Academy of Calinan, Inc (Talomo River, Calinan)
3. PNJKIS- Main Campus (Lanang, Davao City)
To ensure an impartial and unbiased result in the contest, a group of certified musicians was gathered to form the board of judges, consisting of Mr. Wilfredo M. Terante, Mr. Everjesto Caballero, Mr. Nestor Pasamonte and Atty. Hideshige Aoki, representing the Japanese sponsors.
Since the contest was for the different schools throughout Davao City, the Schools’ Division Superintendent, Dr. Maria Ines C. Asuncion, was also invited but due to prior commitments she was unable to come, so the Division MAPEH Supervisor, Ms. Amy Lacerna came in her stead. The Calinan Barangay Council was represented by no less than the Barangay Captain, Mr. Pedrito C. Angco.
The five main sponsors of the Recorder Ensemble were also represented by very notable personalities of the associations. The Tokyo Kichijoji Lions Club was represented by its current President, Mr Yoshikazu Enomoto, past presidents, Atty.. Hideshige Aoki and Mr. Kimio Kawamata, and current members Mr. Takahiro Komatsu and Mr. Yusuke Uchida; the Japan-Philippines Volunteer Association was represented by Mr. Takakazu Machida; The Japan-Philippines Industry Council was represented by its President Mr. Yoshihiro Tokumitsu and its past president, Mr. Akira Sekino; the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Inc., the foremost proponent of the competition, was represented by Ms. Ines P. Mallari, PNJKIS President, Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla, President of the PNJK Inc., Board of Trustees, Mrs. Adelaida S. Panaguiton, member of the Board of Trustees and Ms. Carmen C. Apigo, PNJKIS-Calinan Branch Principal; and the Datu Uchida
Development Foundation was represented by Mr. Shuji Honda.
The program hosts, Ms Angel Gimbaan and Mr. Daniel Ulanday were so impressive in their hosting style which was done in both English and Nihongo. Mr. Shuji Honda and Mr. Takakazu Machida rendered their own version of the contest piece in an intermission number. Ms Lareina P. Moses and all the participating schools ensembles were urged by Mr. Honda to join the rendition.
When the dust cleared after the competition, in the Elementary Category, the PNJKIS- Main Campus came out the victors followed by the PNJKIS Calinan and the Amigo School of Calinan, respectively. The High School Category was ruled by the Amigo School of Calinan, followed by the PNJKIS-Main Campus and the Holy Spirit Academy of Calinan. The winners were given cash prizes and the nonwinners were given consolation prizes. All the participating schools coming from outside of Calinan Poblacion were given extra cash to defray transportation expenses.
The activity was so successful that everybody was looking forward
to the next competition, God willing.
Hon . Consul Shiro Furihata of The Ministry of Foreign Affair in coordination with the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Legal Support Center headed by Mr. Inomota, Norihiro together with The Nippon Foundation represented by Ms. Ikuko Okubo came to Davao City, purposely to interview members of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc. (PNJK) Davao City Chapter.
This is one project that started last year involving the Ministry of Foreign Affair. In year 2015, Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Rengokai headed by Mrs. Ines P. Mallari together with members-chapter presented to His Excellency Prime Minister Shinzo Abe documents containing more than 27,000 signatures, whereby an appeal had been interposed to give war-displaced descendants belonging to Category C classification the chance to present proofs evidencing their affiliation with the Japanese national. The Japanese government took notice of the plight of Category C descendants that it consented to take part in conducting interviews to somehow help them secure their own family registration by way of shuseki petition.
With this arrangement, Japanese consuls have been assigned to go to various chapters, meet the descendants that needed assistance, conduct an interview and weigh their evidence presented in order to qualify for shuseki petition. The petition is being handled by Japanese lawyers headed by Atty. Hiroyuki Kawai.
With the presence of Consul Furihata, on February 22, 2017 in the morning, two Category C descendants were interviewed at the PNJK Inc. board room namely:
Ceriaca – Ayako Konno Odoy whose father was from Fukushima, Japan and migrated to Davao, worked as abaca farmer in Tamugan. Allegedly the father joined the Japanese army during the war. Nothing was heard from him thereafter.
Tomasa –Masae Sejima Geraldes. Tomasa known as Masae believed that the surname of her father was Oshima. Per baptismal record her father’s name is Sausima Daguidor. Neighbors said the last name of her father is Sausima Sejima Senichi. The father was killed during the war. These are the only facts so far that the concerned descendant could relay to the screening committee.
In the afternoon of February 22, 2017, Cirilo Kimura was called and this is his story: his father Onna Lundas from Tamayong Bagobo tribe arrived in Calinan in 1929 and engaged in abaca farming. Cirilo Kimura was four years old when the war broke out. They took refuge in Samal and merely heard that his parents were killed.
Another descendant named Alicia chico Kodaira was asked about her background. Her father came to Davao and engaged in abaca farming under Ohta Development Company. Her Japanese father met Hanumaria Boholano. They got married in Cebu in 1935. Two children were born out of this marriage, namely: Hisao and Chiko. During the war the Japanese father was a driver of a Japanese Army while the mother and children left for Bohol. They survived the war and in 2005 they came to Mindanao and sought the assistance of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai. With research work coming from PNLSC they found the koseki of kodaira.
On February 23, 2017, two siblings were interviewed, namely: Rosalina Tamae Habuchi and Hitche Habuchi. Before the war the father was working as storekeeper owned by Ohta Development Company in Sta. Cruz. Later, the Japanese father opened a new store in Barangay Maglibas. He met Diola Manga and got married through tribal marriage. Nine (9) children were born. Three children went to Japanese school. During the war three children with the father were captured. The children later were released but the father was shot to death. They ran to the mountains and during peace time they came down and upon hearing the association of nikkeijins they became members. Later the koseki of the father was located with the help of the association.
All descendants who were interviewed are appealing that they be recognized to enable them to see relatives in Japan if still living. Moreover, once they are recognized it is a one legacy that can be left to their children and the young generations to come.
PNJK Family is so blessed. We started the New Year with the visit of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the school compound. He was accompanied by his wife Madam Akie and other government officials attracting crowds coming from nearby areas. We were the center of envy by those who were desirous of shaking hands with the highest official of Japan. All of us, the management, faculty, staffs, students and parents were unmindful of people who came to see the Prime Minister. We were aghast by his friendly gesture, his approach to the students, to PNJK 2nd generation members and giving some of his precious time in observing a Nihongo class composed of the 3rd year college students of MKD.
This is one event that we will all cherish. It is embedded in our minds – an event that can be transmitted to our next generation as this rare occasion would never take place in the coming generations.
As our friendly relations with Japan continue, we are proud to state here that one member Oligario Nagata, 70 years old, has finally been given recognition as the child of a Japanese national. Oligario Nagata never expected this to happen but he was so lucky that after more than six decades of waiting he can state with certainty that patience and prayer had paid off. We are grateful to agencies that assisted him in this project. The Nippon Foundation, the PNLSC, the JPIC and PNJK in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan are the agencies responsible in making his dream a reality.
Earlier this year other Category C nisei were likewise given the same favorable judgment from the Family Court in Japan and they are Lucio Mekaru and Prisca Mata.
With the cooperation of our partners in Japan, PNJK officials will continue to conduct fieldwork aimed at gathering evidence for our Category C members. They longed to be recognized. All are hoping that their plea for recognition just like Oligario San will soon come their way. This too is the goal of the management. We can do this in cooperation with our partners in Japan.
“A Dream Come True…Approved Shuseki”
Oligario Nagata was born on September 23, 1945, in Sirib, Calinan, Davao City. He is a Nisei being the son of a Japanese national. Unfortunately, he only came to now his Japanese father as Nagata. Not much could be disclosed as to the personal background of his father thus Mr. Nagata has been classified as Category C descendant. PNLSC, however, is patiently researching every possible place that could help Mr. Nagata in establishing his affinity with his Japanese father. With very limited evidence, PNLSC through its lawyer filed shuseki petition before the Family Court in Japan. In August 2013, Mr. Nagata went to Tokyo, Japan for the first time to testify in Court. The petition however did not merit favorable judgment advancing as reason lack of evidence.
In the intervening events, the officers of Rengokai together with other chapters under it sought assistance from the Ministry of Foreign including the media to take the plight of the descendants seriously as they are certainly children of the Japanese nationals and are likewise entitled to be recognized as such.
Through the help of The Nippon Foundation the officers of the Rengokai and some officials from different chapters were able to have an audience with His Excellency Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the year 2015 submitting to him documents containing more than 27,000 thousand signatures supporting the clamor of the descendants to be recognized.
As a result of the joint effort of everyone, The Nippon Foundation, PNLSC, Rengokai, the Media and other sectors, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ultimately submitted to our request. In May of 2016, it started sending consuls from Manila first to Davao City, where everyone had the opportunity in meeting Consul Susumu Tsuda. He came to interview the Category C descendants. One of those interviewed was Oligario Nagata.
After his interview, the lawyer assigned to his case Atty. Kazuki Sato once more filed the shuseki petition before the Kumamoto family court in September 27, 2016. Kumamoto is Oligario Nagata’s father domicile. All are excited to hear the result of the second petition filed in September 2016.
The good news came on April 3, 2017 where the petition of Mr. Nagata was given due course. He is now a Japanese national and can enjoy life in Japan just like any other Nihon jin thereat.
Congratulations to Mr. Nagata, Atty. Sato of the PNLSC, the staff of PNLSC, The Nippon Foundation and the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Davao City Chapter under the Federation for a job deserving of recognition.
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.
