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.
The High School Department is confronted with a very challenging season as the K to 12 curriculums gradually unfolds. We have now 1st year level coined as Grade 7 and the 2nd year level as Grade 8. Several changes are taking place most especially in the grading system because the grade/year levels like Grade 1, 2, 7 and 8 will now have letter-grade such as follows:
Advanced (A+) 95% and above
Advanced (A) 90% – 94%
Proficient (P) 85% – 89%
Approaching Proficiency (AP) 80% – 84%
Developing (D) 75% – 79%
Beginning (B) 74% and below
For a country like the Philippines we need to level up in the area of education so we can compete globally. Not everybody has the full grasp of this new curriculum but we in the academe are trying our best to bring the message of change to our students and parents.
This year the High School Department is blessed with 547 students, 141 of which are graduating.
On June 20 to July 4, 2013 our student named Eurel Bandoy, of 4th year level was the lone representative from the Philippines in the Japan Language Program for High School Students in Kinsai, Japan together with the other 41 students from USA, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and other countries. It was an educational tour where learning cultural lessons such as Ikebana and Calligraphy was part of it. The whole delegation also visited the places of Nara, Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima. Eurel came back to Davao bubbling over with her experiences which she will never forget in her entire life.
Last September 2 and 3, thirty-five (35) Indonesian educators came to visit PNJKIS as part of their benchmarking activities in the Philippines. It was a great privilege to accommodate them here in our school and exchange our best practices, concerns as well as our culture.
Our Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts remained to be active in participating the council’s activities. On September 9 to 15, thirty-eight (38) Boy Scouts participated in the Davao-wide Jamborette in Malagos. PNJKIS was awarded as 2nd Place for the Biggest Delegation. This month of November, it will be the Girl Scouts turn to have their Davao-wide Encampment in CampCorazon and we are hoping to have a number of girls who will take part.
During the 21st Recorder Ensemble Competition in Calinan, on October 5, 2013, PNJKIS-High School level bagged the 1st Place.
As an institution, we will continue to do our best in molding the lives our of students despite the very challenging transformations in the area of technology, behavior, attitude and views in life. It maybe very tough but by God’s grace we can do it.
As part of the 10th Anniversary celebrations, with the theme “Achieving bright future for the Nikkei Jins, the Philippine Nikkei Jin Legal Support Center, Inc. held such event considered special at Bay view Park Hotel, Manila, last November 03, 2013. Activities lined up on that day were as follows:
Newly Elected Officers of PHILIPPINE NIKKEI JIN LEGAL SUPPORT CENTER, INC. (PNLSC INC.) effective November 2013, were Chairman of the Board: Mr. Stephen Querico Buni, Board of Director: Mr. Norihiro Inomata, President: Mr. Juseven Austero, Vice –President: Atty. Hiroyuki Kawai, Secretary: Atty. Emmanuel Pacsi, Treasurer: Ms. Yuka Kanamaru, Auditor: Ms. Araceli Tan;
Updating Shuseki Projects: As of 2013, PNLSC Filed 13 Petitions, Approved 30, Withdrawn 4: Overall since 2003, Filed 173, Approved 101, Withdrawn 21, on going 41, Located 622 and since 2004 up to 2103 we have 30 approved Shuseki for Davao Chapter. Shuseki Filing Schedule
2012 – 175; 2013 – 13; 2014 – 20; 2015 – 20; Total: 228 Approved Shuseki as of 2013, Kyoko Watanabe (Davao City) Approved: June 28, 2013; Yaiko Toyama (Davao City) Approved: July 23, 2013; Hatsue Akaboshi and Sadako Akaboshi Approved: January 10, 2013; Matilde Fumiko Ogawa Approved: September 10, 2013
The program for the 10th Year Anniversary Celebration started with the singing of the National Anthems’ of both Philippines and Japan led by Mr. Ruben Darauay and by Atty. Hiroyuki Kawai respectively atty. Kawai welcomed the participants. An invocation was followed led by Ret. Judge Antonina Escovilla (Secretary, FNJK). Mr. Norihiro Inomata (Director, PNLSC, Inc). Acknowledged the presence of invited guests such as Atty. Cris Villalobos (Acting Chief, Legal & Investigative Bureau of Immigration),Hon. Yuji Fuki (Vice Consul, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines), Atty. Roussel Reyes (Passport Director- DFA), & Mr. Akira Sekino (PNLSC Member). Mr. Sekino delivered his Congratulatory Message to those behind the success of PNLSC.
Ms. Ines Mallari (FNJK President) & Atty. Emmanuel Pacsi (FNJK Chairman) presented the Plaques of Appreciation to the following:
Atty. Hideshige Aoki (Board of Director, PNLSC) & Mr. Stephen Querico Buni (Chairman, PNLSC) on the other hand presented the Plaque to the Government Officials who were around. 2nd Generation Descendants had their own video Congratulatory Greetings more from those whose Shuseki Petitions were finally approved. We heard the talent presentation of no less than Atty. Hiroyuki Kawai as well a dance number from the Baguio Chapter members. Closing Remarks was given by Mr. Juseven Austero (President- PNLSC Inc).
PNLSC INC. will continue to uphold its mission in helping the war displaced Japanese descendants in the Philippines recover their identity and nationality, further, it commited to contribute the development and prosperity of Nikkei-jins and Nikkei-jin communities in the Philippines.
Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Family still couldn’t enclose the enthusiasm every time they prepare and celebrate the annual Philippine-Japan Festival. The jaunty celebration was the result of the consolidated efforts of the human resources from the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Inc., Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School, Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku, PNJK Polyclinic, Japan-Philippine Volunteers Association, PNJK Polyclinic and Multi-Purpose Cooperative, students, parents and members of the community in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan, Japan Information and Cultural Center, Japan Foundation, Tokyo Kichijoji Lions Club, Consular Office of Japan in Davao, Datu Uchida Development Foundation, Davao Japanese Association, JCCM, NISVA and JAM.
This year’s Philippine Japan Festival’s theme is “Philippine-Japan and Southeast Asian Nations Sharing Cultural Values towards ASEAN 2015”. Spearheaded by the school directress Mrs. Ines P. Mallari, the members of the Philippine-Japan committee dedicated much of their time just to come up with a very impressive and memorable celebration.
The week-long celebration started last October 1, 2013 with its medical clinic and blood-letting activity with a minimal fee of fifty pesos. The medical mission was organized by the PNJK Polyclinic and Diagnostics personnel. The following day, October 2, 2013, the motorcade was done at 8:30 wherein more than a hundred joined the said motorcade. It was followed with the Kick-off Program which served as the avenue where one could take a look at the diverse cultures of Asia. The kick-off program showcased different presentations which started with the bee – dance from the cute and jolly preschoolers to the amusement of everyone. Traditional dances of Philippines and Indonesia, the hand mime, the Taiko and Omikoshi practice of Japan were presented by the PNJK family. The kick-off program was graced by prominent national and local personalities like Honorable Toshinao Urabe-Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, Honorable Eko Hartono – Indonesian Consul, Honorable Abdullah Zawawi Tahir – Malaysian Consul General, Honorable Mabel Sunga-Acosta – Davao City Councilor, Rev. Masataka Ajiro – President, Japan-Philippines Volunteer Association, Japanese friends and visitors, members of the Board of Trustees of PNJKIS, DAPRISA Officers and members and other invited guests.
In the afternoon of October 2, 2013, was the Nihongo and Tagalog Singing Contest wherein pupils, students and employees showcased their knack in singing. The Nihongo Singing Contest was also participated in by contestants from other schools like Yagi Method Children’s Academy, Sekolah Indonesia, Ateneo de Davao, Holy Cross of Sasa, and Davao City National High School. Simultaneous with the Nihongo and Tagalog Singing Contest was a Lecture on Philippine-Japan Relations at the MKD AVR. The Eigasai and Filipino Movie Festival also started in the afternoon of October 2.
The Cultural Lessons were taught on October 3, 2013 where participants were given the chance to learn the cultures of both Philippines and Japan. The cultural lessons taught were the following:
Ikebana
Origami
Calligraphy
Japanese Food Cooking
Filipino Food Cooking
Laro ng Lahi
Yukata Wearing
Chopsticks Lessons
Eigasai
Japanese Games
In the afternoon of October 3, 2013 was the Inter-School Quiz Bee for High School, which was attended by eighteen (18) schools, Essay Writing Contest for College and On-the-Spot Poster Making Contest for the intermediate. A “Flea Market” was also organized at the PNJKIS baseball field. The garage sale ran from October 2-4, 2013.
The Nihongo Speech and Balak Contest was held in the morning of October 4, 2013 at the MKD AVR where contestants compete among themselves who is the best in speaking the Japanese language. Foreign students on the other hand showed their dexterity in speaking the local language of Davao in the Balak competition. In the afternoon was the Karate demonstration and Sumo competition that was followed by the Awarding ceremony held at the PNJKIS covered court. Simultaneously, the Omochitsuki or Rice Pounding Activity was also done. During the awarding ceremony, pupils, students, parents and members of the PNJK Family were already wearing their Yukata and Happi in anticipation for the much awaited “Bon Odori”. Pupils, students, parents, alumni, pnjk family and visitors, old and new, shared the same excitement and thrill even though some are no longer neophytes to the said ceremony. The “Bon Odori” is one of the highlights of the entire celebration of the Philippine-Japan Festival. It is the most anticipated ceremony of the entire PNJK family, parents, alumni and even students from other schools in the region.
The Philippine-Japan Festival 2013 ended with a triumph as elementary and high school students of PNJKIS bagged the second place in their respective categories in the Recorder Ensemble Contest held at PNJKIS Calinan Campus last October 5, 2013.
Mrs. Ines P. Mallari, head of the Philippine-Japan Festival 2013 planning committee was very happy with the turn-out of the celebration; saying that this year’s festival was a successful one because of the consolidated efforts of those people who poured out their time and effort just to have a successful program. She also said that, this year’s Philippine-Japan Festival is the most festive in all Phil-Japan celebrations. Truly this is an indication that unity could be achieved if respect to others culture is practice. To the PNJK Family, omedetou gozaimashita for a very successful Philippine-Japan Festival!
