On the 15th 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 1st and 2nd 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.
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 20th century. In the 21st 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.
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 1st 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.
The PNJKIS FACULTY & STAFF holds Spiritual Enhancement
By: Mr. Rodrigo B. Velasco, Jr. Elementary head,PNJKI
Teachers really need a break and after a hard day’s work, a good rest and a good bonding moment with colleagues is a welcome treat sans the lesson plans, school paper works, and other related school activities.
Last October 29 – 30, 2013, the faculty and staff of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School had their much- needed break and ecumenical retreat. It was held at Brothers of the Sacred Heart, Catalunan Grande, Davao City. The place is so peaceful that is really conducive for the scheduled activities. The place is so green because of the beautiful plants and garden that make it so refreshing to the eyes. The female teachers and staff were housed at the big rooms on the second floor while the male teachers and staff were at the first floor.
The two-day affair made them closer to each other because they had more moments without the usual hassles of their school work and most of all for the spiritual enhancement making them closer to God.
The speaker, Brother Paul H. Andoy, SC, stressed about the power of prayer. Prayer can really help us because we could communicate with our Creator through it. We sang songs of praises that benefitted our souls. We also watched inspiring videos that lifted our spirits and enabling us to mind not only ourselves but also think of others. Series of activities were done and the creativity of each group presented to the enjoyment and amazement of everybody. Truly, the PNJKIS community is a group of talented and creative people.
We would like to thank, the School officials for their support, the Department Heads, the Guidance counselors of Elementary and High School who spearheaded the activity, and the Faculty and staff. We would also like to thank the staff of the place and the delicious food that they served.
And most of all, we give praises to our Almighty God who always guide and protect us. And along with the tag line, TAYO AY MAY GAWAIN, TAYO AY MAY MISYON, we were inspired not only to touch the lives of our students but to extend it to everyone.
Faculty and Staff in the Ecumenical Retreat 2013 held at Brothers of the Sacred Heart, Catalunan Grande, Davao City.
Y-2013 an eventful year indeed for Japan Philippine Industry Council (JPIC). The association started the year with a successful and fruitful JPIC/PNJK Joint Board Meeting on February 23 at MKD Multi-Purpose Hall, PNJK Compound, Davao City. On the same date, JPIC in cooperation with PNJK Multi-Purpose Cooperative sponsored a Bread-Making Demonstration with a successful Japanese baker Mr. Masanori Hashimoto and was attended by PNJK Board of Directors, PNJK-IS teachers and PHINOY members. The objective of the activity is to teach the participants on Japanese bread-making using local ingredients for their future livelihood project.
With the economic situation of Japan getting better and stable, JPIC was able to sponsor an impressive figure of 84 descendants from PNJK for a study tour in Japan as early as the 2nd quarter of the year.
On May 18 & 19, the Vice President of JPIC Mr. Chokichi Hoshi representing Mr. Hideo Ito JPIC President attended the General Assembly of The Federation of Nikkei Jin Kai. Philippines and Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc. Mr. Ito said that descendants play a very important role in linking the two countries and have a duty to see to it that all Nikkei Jin organizations operate in democracy and transparency in governance. The economic situation and strength of Japan and Philippines have greatly changed since the time when Federation of Nikkei Jin Kai was established. Objective, rules and regulations also have changed so descendants must strive harder to establish a strong Nikkei society with highly motivated descendants with dignity and pride.
Another momentous event for JPIC was the September 12, JPIC Soukai. JPIC held its convention at PNJK, Davao City. The 2013-2014 JPIC officers are as follows:
President: Mr. Hideo Ito
Vice President (Higashi):
Mr. Chokichi Hoshi
Vice President (Nishi):
Mr. Yoshihiro Tokumitsu
Directors: Mr. Masaaki Hanzawa
Mr. Toshiji Kawagishi
Mr. Takao Shironaka
Advisers: Mr. Akira Sekino
Mr. Shinobu Murakami
Mr. Hirokazu Mori
On the same date, the 2nd JPIC/PNJK Joint Board Meeting took place.
JPIC headed by Mr. Hideo Ito attended the 110th Anniversary of the Construction of Kennon Road in Baguio City on September 15.
JPIC member companies were honored with the visit in Japan of the Federation of Nikkei Jin Kai Philippines President Ines Mallari and Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc. President Antonina Escovilla on October 18-25. They had courtesy call with the different JPIC member companies’ presidents and conducted meetings and consultations with the descendants from PNJK. The main objective of the visit is to encourage the descendants in Japan to organize and establish a Japan-based Philippine Nikkei Jin association to be able to have a strong representation during the Kai Gai Nikkei Jin Tai Kai in Tokyo. The visitation of Escovilla Kaichou and Mallari Kaichou brought smiles on the faces of the member descendants and gave them renewed vigor and inspiration to go on working harder and trying to achieve a higher standard of living and be competitive globally.
JPIC is not only focus on helping, assisting and sponsoring the descendants but also dedicated in humanitarian activities like extending scholarship grants, supporting orphanage and victims of nature’s calamities.
Rest assured, JPIC will continue supporting all such endeavors now and onwards.
