Admin, Author at Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Incorporated

Sep

2015

“Philippine-Japan 2012”

By Admin

2 BECOME 1

by: Ruben Pascua

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification.” Romans 14:19

Members of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Family still couldn’t contain our excitement everytime we prepare and celebrate the annual Philippine – Japan Festival. The gathering of human resources from the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Incorporated, Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku, Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School, Japan – Philippine Volunteers Association, Students, parents and members of the community has resulted to another jovial celebration where the meeting of two diversed cultures have once again cemented our friendship and unity as members of the Phillipine Nikkei Jin Kai Family.

The theme of this year’s Philippine –Japan Festival is “Strengthening the Historical Bonds through Reciprocal Sharing of Cultural Values.” Headed by the ever-competent school President, Judge Antonia B. Escovilla, the members of the RP-Japan working committee had dedicated much of their precious time in order to come up with a celebration that would somehow leave a remarkable impression from those who came here and joined in the celebration.

The celebration started with a medical mission organized by the PNJK Polyclinic and Diagnostics personnel last October 2, 2012. The Kick-off Program last October 3, 2012 is the avenue where we could have a glimpse of the varied cultures that even Tourism Officer, Art Bungcato mentioned in his speech “It’s more fun in PNJK!” Truly it was a programme showcasing the traditional dances of Philippines and Indonesia, the “Taiko and Omikoshi” practice of the Japanese, and the Modern Hip-hop dances all presented synchronically and choreographed well by students, faculty and personnel of PNJK Family. One of the highlights during the kick-off program was the unveiling and blessing of the Philippine-Japan Friendship Monument situated at the main entrance of the PNJK Campus, and two other monuments inside the MKD compound. A fellowship lunch was held at the MKD skygym after the blessing of the monuments. Present during the kick-off program were Hon. Kazuhiko Anzai – Japanese Consul, Mr. Petrus Pati – Principal of Indonesian School, Mr. Art Bungcato- Tourism Officer of Davao City, Hon. Ramon Bargamento – Barangay Chairman of Mintal, Japanese friends and Visitors, members of the Board of Trustees of PNJKIS, friends from the media and other invited guests.

The programme in the afternoon of October 3, 2012 shifted to musical wherein pupils, students and employees displayed their singing prowess in the Nihongo and Filipino Singing Contest held at the PNJKIS gym.

October 4, 2012 was reserved for the Cultural Lessons in the morning wherein participants and attendees were given the opportunity to learn the cultures of both Philippines and Japan. The following cultural lessons were taught:

Ikebana
Japanese Dance (Tanko Boshi and Tokyo Ondo)
Handicraft
Origami
Philippine Food Cooking
Calligraphy
Laro ng Lahi
Chopsticks Lessons
Yukata Wearing
Eigasai
Cutting Paper
Tea Ceremony

There were dance competitions in the afternoon of October 4, 2012. A “Flea Market” was also organized at the PNJKIS Open field where there was selling of clothes and other items at a cheaper price. The grage sale ran from October 3 – 5, 2012.

The Nihongo Speech and Balak Contest was held in the morning of October 5, 2012 at the MKD sky gym, contestant vie among themselves who is the best in speaking the Japanese language and “Balak”. In the afternoon, there was the Karate demonstration and Sumo Wrestling competition that was followed by the Awarding ceremony held at the PNJKIS gym.

Pupils, students and members of the PNJK Family started to wear their Yukata and Happi during the awarding ceremony in anticipation for the “Bon Odori.” Those who have been attending the festival shared the same thrill and excitement with those who are first-timers, it is because the “Bon Odori” is one of the highlights of the Philippine – Japan festival. It is also during this program that we gained new friends and renew friendships from our former colleagues who took time to visit and celebrate with us every year.

“All is well that ends well.” We have ended the Philippine-Japan festival 2012 with a victory note as our pupils and students who represented PNJKIS in the Annual recorder Ensemble Competition brought home the bacon by winning first runner-up and champion in their respective categories.

According to the Head of Philippine – Japan festival 2012 Planning Committee, Judge Antonina B. Escovilla in her closing remarks, this year’s festival wouldn’t be that successful if not for those people who poured efforts and sweat it out for the success of the program. This is a clear indication that with our concerted efforts we would be able to overcome any obstacles, that our unity will always be the key to success, and if we continue to respect the culture of each other, then we would become a more progressive institution.

Congratulations to all members of the Philippine – Japan festival 2012 working committee and we would also like to extend our gratitude to the people who came and celebrated with us. Till we meet each other again.

Sep

2015

“Annual Memorial Service”

By Admin

Annual Memorial Service

15^th August, 2013 @ Mintal Cemetery

By: Koichi Ibara

Director and Consul of Japan in Davao

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Morning!!!

As I can see many representatives and members from Japanese community, please allow me to speak in Japanese as well as in English.

First of all, I would like to thank all of you for having joined us in our Annual Memorial Service this morning. I cannot help but to feel humbled and solemn today as I look back together with you on the past and envisage the future.

It was more than a century ago when the relationship between Japan and Davao began. The earliest record of the arrival of Japanese settlers in Davao was in 1903. Davao, with its flourishing Abaka industry, eventually became the destination of many Japanese nationals as the land of hope for a brighter future.

Due to the dedication of these early Japanese settlers who worked hard together, they prospered and became successful. They also helped Davao achieve economic growth through their robust economic expansion at that time.

But the entry of Japan into the war in 1941 changed the entire situation. The people of the whole nation including those in Davao became witnesses to the most tragic episode in the history of Japan-Philippine relationship.

The relations of goodwill which had been created by the Japanese and local communities in Davao totally collapsed. The Philippines, however, became one of the first countries in Asia which warmly welcomed and received Japan’s renewed friendly policies after the war.

On this occasion, I would like to express, on behalf of the people of Japan, my deep gratitude to the people of the Philippines for the generosity, noble spirit of reconciliation and hospitality.

Under the most amicable bilateral relations between Japan and the Philippines, we are here this morning to remember and honor our ancestors who have gone before us prior to the war.

I just would like to bring to your knowledge that around 80 Japanese people from the Okinawa Davao Friendship Society and the Association of Bereaved Families in Okinawa visited this cemetery on 28^th July and, with the kind cooperation extended by PNJK, they held the memorial service and offered their prayers.

It was both humbling and inspiring to see a group of so many people coming here all the way from Okinawa and keeping up the tradition of remembering and honoring their departed ancestors.

As I stand here today, I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to co-organize this year’s Memorial Service to honor and express our respect to those forefathers who built the bridge of friendship and goodwill between Japan and Davao during the prewar period.

I hope we will continue to work together as friends and partners in overcoming the challenges ahead and in renewing our noble sense of mission of offering our prayers to the soul of our ancestors.

I have no doubt whatsoever that we will all be able to continue walking ahead together, like our forefathers before us, on the road towards further prosperity and success.

I would like to conclude this speech by expressing again my heartfelt appreciation to all the people who have attended this significant Memorial Service this morning.

Thank you very much.

Sep

2015

“PNJK Inc. Celebrates Ireisai”By: Emiko Escovilla

By Admin

On the 15^th of August, 2013, the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Inc., together with the Consular Office of Japan in Davao, and with the participation of Barangay Mintal, celebrated the Ireisai Annual Memorial Service at the Mintal Cemetery.

The Ireisai is a memorial service that honors and remembers the Japanese who died in Davao before and during World War II, as well as the Japanese Immigrants who came to live in Davao and other parts of Mindanao. It is equivalent to the Philippines’ All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day celebration on the 1^st and 2^nd of November.

Reverend Bernardo Fernandez was the officiating minister of the ceremony. Mrs. Adelaida Panaguiton led the invocation, which was followed by the floral offering of several institutions.

Hon. Ramon Bargamento, the Mintal Barangay Captain, then delivered a message in behalf of Barangay Mintal, a consistent participant in the Ireisai. Hon. Koichi Ibara, from the Davao Japanese Consul, conveyed his memorial message thereafter.

Sep

2015

“Expectation from Nikkei Jin Kai”

By Admin

Expectation from Nikkei Jin Kai

by: Masataka Ajiro

President, Japan-Philippines Volunteer Association

This time I would like to talk about my expectations from Nikkei Jin Kai.

First, I would like to tell you a little bit about the JPVA (Japan Philippine Volunteers Association)The Japan-Philippine Volunteers Association aims to look for problems/issues about both countries; Philippines and Japan and to look for ideas on how to reduce those issues/problems.I met the Japanese descendants (Nikkei Jin) way back in 1984, then created a school, from there, it continue to improve from elementary to High School until college.

In 1991, I created the Japan Philippine Volunteers Association together with the Japanese Descendants (Nikkei Jin), mainly for the education of poor children, problems about caregivers and to have tree planting activities on the mountains, collect Recorders in Japan, established recorder ensemble group and organized activities in schools in the mountains, to create a

Historical museum where the documents about the Davao history are accumulated and it’s a retained culture are preserved.

Our activities aim to make our partners (people) be independent, to give chance/opportunity to people. A nice isn’t it? That’s why, in order to pursue an activity to become independent, we have to let go of our hands from them (Nikkei Jin Kai). So, the Japanese School, Elementary School, Philippine-Japanese Historical Museum, Recorder Group and others are not by the Japan Philippine Volunteer Association, it is now handled by the Nikkei Jin Kai.

Recent Tendencies

The activities from Japan to Philippines were done in the 20^th century. In the 21^st century, the issues about Japan stand out than the issues in the Philippines. In Japan right now, ¼ of its population is composed of people aged 65 and above. There are many old people but the numbers of young people who will support them are few. There are insufficient shelters for old people who need care. This is the big problem of Japan.

In our office in Japan, we are receiving a lot of calls from elderly, asking if they can hire caregivers from the Philippines or if it is ok to live in the Philippines.

20 years ago, the problem was about the children in the Philippines, but now, the problem about the elderly is increasing.

From there, there are things I want to propose to the Nikkei Jin Kai, I hope that Nikkei Jin Kai will help the old people in Japan. I wish that helping them will be the first in line of their activities.

The idea is there but, we hope to have a Japanese language specialization at MKD or to have any kind of specialization to rear more skilled young people who could go to Japan. If it is possible, they will not go to Japan to get hired and work but they will go there to help Japan. We, together with the Nikkei Jin Kai want to create a (group of Young People from Overseas) and then, we want to inform the government of Japan about it for public information.
I want to create a group of skilled people to come to Japan among MKD graduates. The MKD will be the bridge towards strong ties between Japan and Philippines. I want MKD to be that kind of institution.
You also need to start a campaign for building Japanese nursing home for Japanese elderly. In cooperation with municipal government in Japan, you start the campaign for building a resort for Japanese elderly. Mayor of Davao City, Rodrigo R. Duterte likes the idea of this campaign very much and he told that he would lend land as much as possible. People who are interested in this idea will visit Japan soon. I am scheduled to engage shortly in building a small nursing home in dormitory of Japan Philippines Volunteer Association.
Another thing which I suggest is to ask all parties concerned to have direct flights from Japan to Davao in cooperation with Hello World. I have already discussed about this matter with person concerned.

There are many other things which Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc., MKD and we can do for the Philippines and Japan.Let us all work together and make Davao City famous for its safety and easy access from Japan, “The City of Healing Power”.

Davao and Japan will start making a new history. The monument in Mintal was built to commemorate this. Mayor of Davao City, Hon. Rodrigo R. Duterte built this monument for the new relationship for the Philippines and Japan. Unveiling ceremony is scheduled on October 7, 2013 from two o’clock in the afternoon. I hope you all could come to witness it.

I have a message for Japanese Descendants. Let’s start new activities together with us. You, members of Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc. in Davao are the bridge of Philippines and Japan.

I hope that next year we will have a direct flight from Narita to Davao and lots of Visitors from Japan will join Philippine Japan Festival. I don’t have much time left, however I will continue to support Davao and Japan to be able to have a good relationship in many ways as long as I live.

Thank you for listening.

Sep

2015

“Philippine-Japan Festival”

By Admin

Philippine-Japan Festival

By: Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla

PNJK President

For an event as important as the Philippine-Japan Festival everybody was ushered to the Conference Room of PNJK Inc. to discuss the activities to be held from October 1 to 5, 2013. The meeting was presided by our energetic and able PNJK 1^st Vice President Ines P. Mallari, our current MKD President and at the same time the President of the Federation of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai. Various committees were created, headed by responsible teaching staff of both MKD and PNJK-IS. Staff from other entities under the umbrella of PNJK Inc. were likewise given their assignments.

After holding three meetings, and satisfied with the reports given by each committee head, the activities that the public would witness came to their final stage. The scheduled activities were as follows:

October 01, 2013 Free Medical Clinic and Blood Letting under the supervision of Mrs. Anita P. Iwamoto, Managing Director of the PNJK Polyclinic and Diagnostic Center.

October 02, 2013 from 8:30 to 9:00 in the morning and armed with the necessary permit was the Motorcade cruising along PNJK-Bajada-Quirino and back to PNJK compound. A number of parents of students of PNJK-IS happily joined the motorcade.

After the motorcade the Kick-off Program and Awarding Ceremony was held at the PNJK-IS Gym.

Fellowship lunch for the invited guests, officials, faculty and staff was held at the MKD Sky Gym.

Thereafter, our special guest in the person of the Ambassador Toshinao Urabe, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, lectured on the Philippine-Japan Relations and the venue was the MKD AVR. Students of MKD in attendance were so eager and interested in listening to a very informative lecture as it would enhance their knowledge relevant to the chosen career the International Studies.

Eigasai and Filipino Movie Festival were shown to students not only of the College but to all levels of the PNJK-IS. The general public enjoyed watching the Nihongo and Tagalog Singing Contest held at PNJK-IS Gym. Filipino students participated in Nihongo Singing Contest while Foreign Students were tasked to sing Tagalog songs.

October 03, 2013 we continued showing the Eigasai and Filipino Movie to students from the Elementary, High School and College Department. In the same day, Japanese and Filipino Cultural Lessons were held. There were Academic and Cultural Competitions as well participated in by students from the Elementary and High School Levels.

October 04, 2013 was the Nihongo Speech and Balak Contest. Participants from other schools and colleges joined the contest. There were Karate demonstration and Sumo Competition.

The awarding ceremony took place thereafter, followed by the most colorful event the Bon Odori. Everybody joined the evening affair, wearing kimono, yukata and hapi, dancing as a group to the tune of lively Japanese songs.

On October 05, 2013 the Recorder Ensemble Competition was held at the PNJK-IS Calinan Branch where officers and members of the Kichijoji Lions Club were in attendance. School bags from Japan were distributed by the Lions Club members to participants of the Recorder Ensemble. Students from various public and private schools were beneficiaries of these bags. By its appearance the bags were made of quality material and durable in character.

In the end, all those who have given their time, sacrifice and labors were satisfied with the result of the events. They can truly say that the celebration of the Philippine-Japan Festival was a great success. A great number of viewers and participants went home with contentment and joy.