January 13, 2017 at the Mintal Public Cemetery of Mintal during the visit of Madam Akie Abe and Ms. Honeylet Avanceña, with the two First Ladies of Japan and the Philippines respectively are Bishop Masataka Ajiro, Brgy. Captain Ramon Bargamento and PNJK President Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla. 
The activities on said date were divided into three (3) parts to wit:
Davao Delegates during 9th National Convention
From 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 in the morning registration of participants started, followed by a break from 9:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Five participants namely: Mr. Carlos Teraoka, his wife, Mrs. Ines P. Mallari with her husband, the Rengokai Secretary, Mr. Benedicto Onari and Mr. Lemuel Yoshimura with his wife were ushered to a van that will conduct them to Sofitel where a separate room has been designated for their group including Japanese businessmen in the Philippines chosen by the Embassy of Japan in Manila to have a brief dialogue with Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress. A bus was assigned to the Nisei or the 2nd generation to take them for Sofitel Hotel where they will meet their Majesties after the latter’s brief dialogue with the group of thirty-five. All Nisei were holding flaglets as their gesture of welcoming Their Majesties
A. Workshop Sessions for the rest of the attendees with the following topics: Citizenship and Immigration Matters concerning Filipino Nikkeijins facilitated by Mrs. Melissa Roales, President, Cotabato Nikkei Jin Kai chapter.
B. The Role and Future of Nikkeijins in the Society, 70th Year after the war, and 60th Year after the Restoration of the Bilateral Relations between Japan and Philippines facilitated by Mrs. Noelyn Fernandez, Board Member, PNJK Davao Chapter.
During lunch time there was an audio visual presentation about the history of Filipino Nikkeijin.
Part III – Program Proper
With the song amazing grace as a background, the invocation was led by Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla, Rengokai Secretary and President, PNJK Davao Chapter.
Thereafter, the emcees – Ms. Eve Obuchi and Ms. Hitomi Kita introduced the guests and the presentation of delegates by chapter.
Mrs. Ines P. Mallari delivered her welcome address and followed by Dr. Shun Ohno’s talk about the Filipino Nikkeijin. He is currently a Professor of the Seisen University.
While Chairman of the Nippon Foundation Mr. Yohei Sasakawa was not in attendance, he however sent his congratulatory greetings read by our Emcees.
Atty. Hiroyuki Kawai the Chairman, Philippine Nikkeijin Legal Support Center updated us with the “shuseki” proceedings as well as extending his congratulatory greetings. According to the introduction, Atty. Kawai is not only a Noh dancer but a good singer as well and expert in bike riding. Atty. Kawai mentioned the proceedings with the Family Court of Domestic Relations with 165 petitions given favorable action while about 120 has not as yet been given due course. He is hoping that the Japanese government will be so kind in giving the recognition to those who are stateless.
Hon. Susumu Tsuda, First Secretary and Consul of the Embassy of Japan based in Manila delivered the keynote address in Nihongo and interpreted by Ms. Eve Obuchi.
An intermission number was rendered by a group of young descendants from Manila both in Nihongo and English.
His Excellency Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez, Philippine Ambassador to Japan, Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, took time in coming to Manila to deliver his congratulatory message. It was so kind of him to be with us during such big event despite his heavy schedule in Japan.
The organizing committee invited Atty. Ma. Laarni Rycelle M. Gabriana from the Bureau of Immigration to shed light on some concerns involving the descendants. She cited Commonwealth Act No. 613 otherwise known as the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940. This is the same law which her office has been implementing as far as some of us are involved.
Mr. Yoshihiro Tokumitsu the President of the Japan Philippine Industry Council (JPIC) congratulated the Rengokai officers for a job well done. His group has been supporting the descendants and will continue to do so by reason of the bilateral relations between Japan and the Philippines. A number of descendants have been deployed in Japan and some are performing well in their assigned tasks.
Ms. Melissa Roales presented the output of their workshop and these are the following:
Workshop Outputs
Citizenship and immigration concerns
Nisei – kosekis of many are still to be located; difficulty in producing documents to prove citizenship
– Urgency to reacquire Japanese citizenship because they are aging, average age is mid-70s;
Nisei – too old to start a new life in Japan; many who had reacquired citizenship opt to live in the Philippines but need permission to stay in the Philippines.
Sansei – for those whose Japanese (Nisei) parent has not yet been located and had passed away, they lose the chance of being recognized as Japanese descendants.
Sansei – those who have left for Japan, some are not socially ready thus are undergoing difficulty in adjusting to a new culture; not proficient in Japanese language
Sansei – for those who have returned to the Philippines there is a danger of losing Japanese permanent residency; they want to be mobile;
Yonsei – if Nisei is not upgraded, they lose the chance to live in Japan when they are over 18 years old.
Recommendation:
OUTPUTS FROM THE GROUP OF MRS. NOELLYNE FERNANDEZ:
OPEN FORUM:
There were questions raised but due to time constraint only three were entertained, to wit:
After entertaining the questions above, Mr. Buñi was called to craft the convention’s declaration where he summarized the entire proceedings that took place during the duration of the program proper.
Thereafter, the Chairman of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Rengokai, Atty. Emmanuel Q. Pacsi delivered his closing remarks.
Seminar on Human Relationship was held on October 10, 2016 at the MKD AVR room from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The guest speaker is a lecturer from Japan Creative Education Institute Mr. Kazuaki Ishibashi .
The said seminar was sponsored by JPIC President Yoshihiro Tokumitsu and co-sponsored by PNJK.
The purpose of the seminar is to develop stronger relationship with each other and to stress the importance of continuous learning no matter what our station in life is. JPIC President Tokumitsu believes that this seminar would enhance good relationship between PNJK and JPIC.
Among the topic discussed were:
A. How to enjoy work and be successful in Japan. Many agreed that to enjoy work and be successful in Japan one must undergo orientation on the assigned job and workplace, learn the language, respect the culture and tradition of Japan and lastly, be mentally and physically fit.
B. Romantic Feelings (koi) and Loving feeling (ai). Romantic Feelings is the first feeling of attraction and admiration while Loving feeling is nurtured and needs effort, it’s a deep feeling.
C. Trust (Shinyou) and Trustworthy (Shinrai).
Trust (Shinyou ) is established by producing good results, doing your work properly, setting good example , keeping promises, following rules and regulation, etc. while (Shinrai) is an accumulation of Shinyou.
D. Sense of gratitude
This way of thinking is fundamental and basic. Human beings can not live by their own power and effort alone. We are alive with the help of many people around us… Therefore it is very important to be grateful on everything like expressing our gratitude to people that support us in our work, or even to the littlest of favor we received. Some people do not express gratitude because they feel its just normal or natural to receive such favor or support.
E. Feeling of Appreciation
F. Honesty
Six Elements of Honesty:
G. Human Growth
The seminar was dynamic and interactive as there was group sharing every after topic discussed most importantly, knowledge we acquired must be applied and practiced in our daily life……
By: Suzette E. Dinglasa
My recent trip was tough and exhausting but fulfilling. We traveled to many places like Jose Abad Santos, Sta. Cruz, Baganga, and other areas where the descendants live, two to six hours drive from Davao City. We could see the difficulties of the Nisei’s life while proving they are Japanese children. Most of their witnesses were all gone but in their hearts and soul, they are already Japanese. Then, we visited Cat C 2nd gen, Antonia Akamatsu, 79 years old, daughter of a Japanese soldier, Sadaaki Akamatsu. Whenever she sees Japanese, she remembers her father and she will sing “Maglakaw nako padulong sa langit… “ (I will go to Heaven…). She is waiting for her father and her sister to return to the Philippines and bring her with them. Just like the other descendant, their case is difficult because of lack of witnesses and papers to show as proof but only good memories to say.
