Nov
30
2016

MOFA INTERVIEW

By Admin

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The meeting  in 2015 in Japan of the group composed of Mrs. Ines P. Mallari, Rengokai President, Mr. Carlos Teraoka , the former FNJK President, Mr. Benedicto Onari, the former President of the Cebu Nippi, Mr. Lemuel Yoshimura, a 2nd generation descendant but has not yet been recognized, Mrs. Estellita Roales of the Cotabato Nikkei and Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla of the PNJK, Inc. Davao City with the high ranking official of the Nippon Foundation, Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, its chairman yielded positive result. Chairman Sasakawa facilitated the meeting of the group with the Prime Minister of Japan Hon.Shinzo Abe including different officials of the House of the Representative.

After meeting the officials named above, on May 23, 24, and 25, 2016, the unrecognized descendants were fortunate to have met in person here in Davao City, the Hon. Consul Susumu Tsuda, Counsellor and First Consul of the Embassy of Japan, based in Manila, Mr. Tadashi Miyazaki of the Nippon Foundation, Ikuko Okubo the Project Coordinator of International Affairs of Nippon Foundation and Mr. Norihiro Inomata, Director General of PNLSC of Japan.

The first to be interviewed that was held at the Board Room of PNJK, Inc. were Pacita Maramoto Torres, Roque Go Maramoto and Estodi Go Maramoto

Their father’s name is Maramoto Mashimura who worked as a carpenter. Most of the time he was engaged to work in the construction of houses as well as in the making of furniture. His Japanese friends were Shiroma Joho, Habuchi, Tsukagawa, Kimura, Tatsukama, Kusajima who worked either as farmer or fisher. They likewise married Filipino women in Manobo tribal marriage. Maramoto Mashimura married their mother Go Tomibay and had five children, two however died during their childhood. In 1940 while doing carpentry work in a house he fell causing injuries that made him bedridden. He passed away and was buried in the mountains of Colaman, Jose Abad Santos. With the outbreak of the war, all Japanese were nowhere to  be found.

The next descendant who was interviewed was Inocencia Arakaki Aglang, 71 years old, and a resident of St. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Her Japanese name is Arakaki Yoneko. She does not have full recollection about her father. What she got from her mother were bits of data that are not helpful to her case as a child of a Japanese national. She does not know the date of birth of her father. Her father is an Okinawan named Hiroshi Arakaki and allegedly was killed by the guerilla. The father was an abaca farmer. Some of her father’s Japanese friends were Watanabe, Uechi, Kamashiki and Onaga.

LKJ aswded

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Melanio Austero Takumi was called to narrate what he knew about his father whom he learned to be a carpenter as an occupation and had worked in an abaca plantation. It was in the year 1939 that his parents married by way of tribal rite. The house where most of their important documents were kept was burned thus he has no concrete evidence to support his claim of being the son of a Japanese.  He believed that he is a son of a Japanese.

All records related to his personal circumstances have been changed to conform to his contention of being the son of Takumi san.

The turn of Lemuel Yoshimura came. He is a retired District Supervisor of the Department of Education in Koronadal, South Cotabato. Despite his retirement he is still clamoring for recognition as this is the only legacy he could leave to the next generation and is desirous of dying as a Japanese national. His father’s name is Yoshimura Masaharu. He managed a restaurant called “Fuji Shoukadou” in Estancia, Iloilo. The marriage of his parents took place in 1938 at Antique and three children were born out of that relationship. After the war their father left for Japan, leaving behind his family. Considered fatherless after the war, they were forced to change their family name from Yoshimura to their mother’s maiden name because of the antagonistic behavior shown by Filipinos. The mother was a teacher and from her pay she was able to support her children with the help of Lemuel who sold nuts and cigarettes at the same time engaged in shoe shine task. At nine years of age, their mother passed away. The three children were adopted by different families. A brother who was single died in 1965. His other brother got married but died in 2009.  Meanwhile, Lemuel followed the profession of his mother. He became a teacher and was promoted as principal and retired as District Supervisor.

Oligario Aguan Nagata came to know of his father as Nagata only. His father came to the Philippines with a brother. They worked in an abaca plantation in Calinan, Davao City. Nagata met the mother of Oligario and their marriage took place in a bagobo tribal rite. After the war the father left for Japan and Oligario would like to go with him but the mother refused to let him go.

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Nov
30
2016

By Admin

28

Mano or Pagmamano is a gesture used in Filipino culture performed as a sign of respect to elders and as a way of accepting a blessing from the elder. Similar to hand-kissing, the person giving the greeting bows towards the offered hand of the elder and presses his or her forehead on the elder’s hand. Usually performed with the right hand, the person showing respect may ask “Mano po” to the elder in order to ask permission to initiate the gesture. Typically someone may mano to his or her older relatives upon entry into their home or upon seeing them.

The word “mano” is Spanish for “hand” while the word “po” is often used in Filipino culture and language at the end of each sentence as a sign of respect when addressing someone older. Put together, “mano po” literally translates to “your hand please” as the greeting initiates the gesture of touching the back of the hand of an elder lightly on one’s forehead. An identical tradition is followed in neighbouring Indonesia and Malaysia called “salim” and “salam” respectively, suggesting that the Mano po tradition dates to precolonial times.

In today’s Philippine setting, the “mano” is still used by Filipinos as a sign of respect to their elders. It is usually done when the elder is seen for the first time in the day or upon entering a house or gathering. There is no age limit for the usage of the mano, but it is usually practiced on those older by two generations or more. Adults may occasionally bless people older than them though the mano practice is mainly done by the youth.

By offering your hand to “mano”, you are allowing yourself to be subservient to the elder to accept their blessing and wisdom. It is considered impolite if one does not exercise the custom of “pagmamano” when entering the home of an elder or after seeing them at a gathering.

The respect for elders stems from the high value of family in Filipino culture.

The “mano po” gesture is usually followed by a response of “God bless you” or “May the Lord have mercy on you” by the elder; the sign of the cross may be made over the recipient. The latter response of “May the Lord have mercy on you” is used when the pagmamano is performed with both hands to ask an elder’s pardon and forgiveness. With both hands, the younger person takes the elder’s hands and lifts them to the forehead to formally ask forgiveness for an offence. This may be done whilst kneeling and weeping. This is the highest form of the pagmamano.

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Bowing is considered extremely important in Japan, Basic bows are performed with the back straight and the hands at the sides (boys and men) or clasped in the lap (girls and women), and with the eyes down. Bows originate at the waist. Generally, the longer and deeper the bow, the stronger the emotion and the respect expressed. Bows can be generally divided into three main types: informal, formal, and very formal. Informal bows are made at about a fifteen degree angle or just tilt over one’s head to the front, and more formal bows at about thirty degrees. Very formal bows are deeper.

The etiquette surrounding bowing, including the length and depth of bow, and the appropriate response, is exceedingly complex. For example, if the other person maintains his or her bow for longer than expected (generally about two or three seconds), it is polite to bow again, upon which one may receive another bow in return. This often leads to a long exchange of progressively lighter bows.

Generally speaking, an inferior bows longer, more deeply and more frequently than a superior. A superior addressing an inferior will generally only nod the head slightly, while some superiors may not bow at all and an inferior will bend forward slightly from the waist. Bows of apology tend to be deeper and last longer than other types of bow. They tend to occur with frequency during the apology, generally at about 45 degrees with the head lowered and lasting for at least the count of three, sometimes longer.

Bows of thanks follow the same pattern. In extreme cases a kneeling bow is performed; this bow is sometimes so deep that the forehead touches the floor. When dealing with non-Japanese people, many Japanese will shake hands. Since many non-Japanese are familiar with the custom of bowing, this often leads to a combined bow and handshake which can be quite complicated to execute. Bows may be combined with handshakes or performed before or after shaking hands.

 

 

 

 


Nov
30
2016

“36th PNJK General Assembly”

By Admin

Nikkei – jin meeting with Their Majesties:
A great reason for jubilation, vigor and renewed strength.
   by: Evelyn Obuchi

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On May15, 2016 at 9:00 in the morning, more than a hundred of Nikkei- jins from Chapters of Tagum, Davao, Toril, Calinan, Digos   and Kidapawan gathered at PNJK-IS gym to attend the 36th Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc. General Assembly.

This year’s theme isNikkei – jin Meeting  with Their Majesties: A great reason for jubilation, vigor and renewed strength. A theme inspired by the meeting of selected 2nd generation Japanese descended Filipinos from all over the Philippines with their Royal Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan in January 28, 2016 in Manila.

The 2nd generation Nikkei-jins were so over joyed and totally overwhelmed with the encounter that with teary eyes they said “Our father came back home”.  With newly acquired vigor and renewed strength the Nikkei-jins are expected to be more united in their continued journey towards identity recognition for a progressive and brighter future.

The assembly commenced at 9:30 am with the Masters of Ceremonies Mr. Felipe Hiquial and Ms. Noellyne Fernandez opening the program proper followed by a prayer led by Ms. Adelaida Panagution. The 1st Vice President Rodrigo Suemitsu acknowledged the participants and welcomed by Ms. Elizabeth Tagud in behalf of the Chairman of the Board of Directors Ms. Ines Mallari who was not able to attend the affair because she has to go to Japan together with the President Ret. Judge Antonina Escovilla.

Ms. Evelyn Obuchi read the letter of President Escovilla welcoming and thanking the members and supporters of PNJK. PNJK President Escovilla likewise apologized for not being around because together with the Chairman she has to attend the necrological service in Japan of one of the ardent  sponsors and supporters of PNJK  – the late Mr. Tatsuo Uchida fondly  called by people close to him as “otoosan”.
The President’s consolidated report zeroed in on the different activities and accomplishments of the association starting May 10, 2015 wherein the “Araw ng Nikkei jin” was successfully celebrated.  July 2015 was a very important month because the Rengokai President Ines Mallari together with the PNJK President Ret. Judge Escovilla and Nisei from Cebu, Baguio and Manila left for Japan to meet with no less than the Prime Minister of Japan Hon. Shinzo Abe , Japanese Senators and Representatives of Diet.  On August 15, 2015 Ireisai was held in Calinan in coordination with the Consulate Office of Japan in Davao. October was a very busy month beginning with the celebration of Phil-RP Japan Festival on October 5-8. Chosen Cat. C Nikkei –jin members took part in the Home-coming tour in Japan. Third week of the same month PNJK President, Ret. Judge Escovilla, the Rengokai President Ms. Ines Mallari, Ms. Elizabeth Tagud and Ms. Carmen Apigo attended the Kai Gai Nikkei Jin Tai Kai on October 26-28 in Tokyo, Japan.

Business Proper followed afterwards with Ms. Carmen Apigo reading the last year’s minutes of the meeting and the President’s Report in behalf of Ret. Judge Antonina Escovilla.

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Nov
30
2016

Christmas Party 2016

By Admin

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All year round Christmas party is an activity that no office can ever ignore from its calendar. This is the time for us to welcome the coming of our Lord, reminding us of His life here on earth and the joy of embracing His teachings. We have learned the joy of sharing not only during the time of happiness but sufferings where our faith is being put to test.

For year 2015, our association is so blessed with the graces received through His intervention and as an indication of appreciation we honor and glorify His name for such blessings.

On December 11, 2015 right after an exhaustive conference conducted by the Board of Directors deliberating on concerns and other issues affecting the operation of the office, the celebration of Christmas followed. The officials found quality time in bonding with each other and with the staff. Parlor games were held where the officers joined the games with the staff, enjoying the result of the game and cracked jokes with the players.

It was one day full of fun with unselfish exchange of gifts between the members of the Board of Directors and the staff.

All left the office in the state of joy and contentment. May year 2016 be another brighter year for all of us.

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Nov
30
2016

SPORTSFEST 2016

By Admin

 

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One activity in the calendar of each institution is the holding of the sports fest which everyone is looking forward with intense eagerness. Why? This is the best time to unwind. The work handled the past months and weeks must be exhausting and had with all certainty drained one’s strength more so with the graduation rites that require delicate attention. Moreover, we get to know some of our friends assigned in other work place with whom we seldom see to have even a quick chat.  Other than that, we meet new members hired to fill in vacated posts.

Aiming for a strengthened relationship among PNJK Family faculty and staff, as well as  developing through fair sport competitions that shall promote the value of cooperation and unity, the activities were held on April 20 through 21, 2016 with the theme “There is no ‘I’ in a team. Teamwork makes the dream work”.   Participants in their best form played in all the games scheduled. There were four teams , identified as the eagle, bulldogs, tiger and tamaraw. All faculty and staff from the PNJK Family were equally distributed to the four teams by drawing of lots.  The members of the Board of Trustees/Directors from each entity likewise were asked to pick out their team using the same method.

We witnessed the basketball for men and women, volleyball for men and women, table tennis, badminton, word factory, dart, chess scrabble highlighted by recreational games and field demo, vocal duet, ballroom and modern dance.

At the end of the activity, Team Tiger composed of: Alasco, Hazyl, Aquino, Hazel,Arroyo, Diveleen, Asombrado, Marna Mae, Ayongan, Hazel, Bactat, Rizzalyn, Bersamin, Lotlot, Borja, Chloe, Canlas, Rowena, Cataluna, Mitchelle, Cornelia, Joyner, Dela Cruz, Gracia, Dela torre, Juliet, Domingo, Maria Bernadette, Escabillas, Eillen, Fernandez, Noellyne, Fullitan, Dennis, Hitomi, Kita, Josol, Lucia, Jubilado, Lorellie, Lasta, Wella Rae, Makino, Toshimichi, Makiling, Jason, Meneses, Rondel, Michelle Galing, Natividad, Roger, Ocharon, Ellen, Ortega, Hector, Padillo, Ariel, Pernito, Mary Grace, rubillar, Joshua, Sabaldan, Natalia, Sefuentes, Roy, Sincero, Shirsyl and Tillo Marissa was declared the Champion.

Congratulations to the winner!