Sep

2015

PNJK-IS Educational Tour April 14-18, 2014 – Osaka, Japan By: Ret Judge Antonina B. Escovilla

By Admin

April 14, 2014, in the evening, PNJK-IS team arrived at Kansai Airport, Osaka, Japan. In a few minutes, the bus owned by the Japan Foundation Japanese Language Institute, Kansai, came on schedule.

Upon reaching the Institute, each was handed an envelope containing instructions as regards the schedule of classes, trip to Kyoto, the use of our IDs and meal time.

The following day, we underwent orientation and self-introduction ceremony. Hee-jeong Shin san was our emcee and took the liberty of introducing to us the composition of the staff in the Learning Section. Her English is flawless but of course Nihongo was used most of the time.

The Vice-Director of Japan Foundation Akihiko Murata San gave his welcome address. The word “lucky” was given emphasis in his message. Truly, we were lucky because not only was the weather very cooperative but the sakura flowers were still in full bloom. You see along the avenue trees bearing sakura flowers of various colors.

The next was the tour of the center. We were ushered to two storey buildings where classes are held. You see students from other countries in the classroom and even in corridors during their free time. We then proceeded to the canteen and how to order food during meal period. The security area was part of the tour as well as the exterior part of the edifice. The facilities are so impressive that all basic needs are within your reach.

In the afternoon classes intended for our group commenced. What is admirable is that all of the staff and teachers can speak English. You will be amazed how good they are and so courteous, kind and accommodating. Evening of the second day the group went out of the Center. A bus is there for the use of the occupants of the center. There is a schedule when the bus leaves the Center and the time it goes back. The ride was free provided the destination is the Namba area. It was fun to explore in unfamiliar area and how to put into use the little knowledge that you have in Nihongo.

April 16, 2014 was the trip to Kyoto. Shin san was with us, so gorgeous that you feel baffled why a native of Korea is in Japan working just like any ordinary Japanese without any qualms. We had a tour guide. A good one and can crack joke without changing facial expression. At times you find yourself believing in what he just said.

My task is the visit to Golden Pavilion in Kyoto. The other name of the Golden Pavilion is Kinkaku. The visit took place on April 16, 2014. It was an exciting and enjoyable trip with a lot of souvenir shops lined up along the pathway going to the site. We were forewarned by the tour guide before proceeding to the temple that we should be alert at all times lest one or more will be lost due to the presence of hundreds of tourists composed of students who were on field trip, group of Japanese adults and foreigners like us.

Kinkaku (The Golden Pavilion) originally was known as Rokuon-ju Temple. It is a zen Buddist temple. Because of its fame the former US President George Bush visited the site and took photos of a very unique heritage of Japan.

The Golden Pavilion is surrounded by a man-made lake and can be seen at a distance. The temple is a three-storey edifice and each floor has different designs. Koto Nobu residence style can be found at the

first floor while the second floor is samurai style and the third is zen style. The ceiling is covered with gold. About 20 kilos were used. Installed on the floor is black lacquer and because of its reflection goldis very prominent. On the side of the floor ashes are kept. Buddhist ashes and bone are stored on that side. Looking closely at the Golden Pavilion square miniature carved on the wall is noticeable. Those represent about 200 thousand set of real gold leaf weighing 20 kilos assessed at more than 700 million yen.

The Golden Pavilion is accessible only to the King and the Prince. No other person is allowed to enter the said temple. On top of the temple is an oriental phoenix, a symbol of happiness. According to some, Phoenix represents shogun that looks after Japan.

After the temple we were ushered to a bonsai tree which is 600 years old. In the beginning it was so small but shogun loved it so much that he planted it on the spot as photographed and has grown that big yet still considered as bonsai.

There is a tea house right within the area where the Golden Pavilion is located. The kinkaku is especially beautiful when seen from the tea house late in the afternoon sun. This view is reflected in the tea house named Sekkatei (Place of Evening Beauty).

At the temple is a statute of the Buddhist Deity Fudo-Ryo-o. It is believed that the statute was made in the 9^th century. Though hidden from the public view, the image has long been revered for its miraculous powers. Open door rituals are held on Setsubun early February and on August 16.

April 17, 2014 was the day of proving to all of the success of the learning session. All participants were asked to state in the Japanese language the experience encountered in Kyoto. Though not perfectly delivered, there was, to my assessment, 80% satisfaction of the performance of everyone. Our graduation came to an end with memories that will forever be cherished by each. The generosity of Japan Foundation Japanese Language Institute in allowing the group to stay is highly appreciated. We have witnessed the patience and understanding demonstrated by the teachers and staff to all who are still struggling in learning the language as well as embracing the culture that we aim to inculcate to our students and even to our members of the family. Preserving the heritage is one and what is most important is time consciousness. To me time is gold. We can more if time management is well observed.

Let me thank the management of Japan Foundation Japanese Language Institute for this rare opportunity allowing us the use of the center and study the language even for such a short stint and the chance to see Osaka, Japan more so the preserved heritage in Kyoto. Thank you so much – from the PNJK International School Group and we hope to see you all in one of your visits in our place.

Sep

2015

“FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT”

By Admin

We are all happy to see you back to your second home and we want to express our deepest thanks to Kazunari san and Yusuke san for bringing Otoosan in Davao City. Among the list of our benefactors, Otoosan is remarkably different. He is pure in heart, pure in mind and pure in action. I am proud and honored to be his adopted sister and that of Ayako san. Both have shared their blessings to the Nikkei Community without hesitation. All blessings came from them alone. Their biggest contribution not only to PNJK campus but to other parts of the City more specially the orphanage center is evident. Otoosan is not expecting any return because it is a gift or donation without any condition. His main goal is to motivate descendants to improve not only their standard of living but assist the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc.

We have grown, Otoosan, because of your initiative. You started the move, setting an example for all of us to follow, driving us to move forward and give our own share regardless how big or small the contribution is, whether monetary or services.

While not all had answered your call for self-growth and extend assistance to our association I can say without contradiction that the Nikkei Community has greatly improved and is successful the way you dreamed it and today you will see people have grown or have aged, like me and Reverend Fernandez you see Miko very much different from the day you were here – she was just a little kid in the elementary grade and now she is a second year law student.

We have grown, I repeat because of you, in due time we will 100% be putting into realization your dream. In behalf of those who are here from the bottom of our hearts welcome Otoosan and again thank you so much for your good deeds. May God bless you and all of us at the PNJK campus.

Sep

2015

“Message delivered by Mrs. Panaguiton during the welcome party of Otoosan”

By Admin

At first it was just a wish and a prayer that Uchida “Otoosan” will come once again to Davao after a long time of absence because of his illness and delicate condition. But suddenly, here you are in Davao in front of us, you made as so happy and once again we feel your loving presence, like a father to us who cared so much for the Davaoweños, especially Davao, your birthplace and for the Philippine Nikkei Jins, who are recipient of your benevolence.

You touched so many lives ………….

You cared for the orphans by your continued support and building them a house for the poor children, with the support of your loving wife the late Mrs. Ayako Uchida.

You are one of the benefactors who contributed most for the welfare of the Nikkei Jins here in Davao.

You helped establish our Nihongo School.
2. Sponsored many students especially the Nihongo Scholars in Japan whom you constantly give moral and financial support.
3. Initiated the yearly Recorder Ensemble and encouraged the Tokyo Kichijoji Lions Club to help support this project.
4. Helped the Nikkei Jins in promoting the educational, Nihongo Language Training Center and Baseball Cup to the Japanese people.
5. With your help, the Nippon Foundation grant the PNJK a Polyclinic to serve the health care of our members, students, faculties, parents and nearby communities.4 • DENTOU NO HIBIKI
6. You helped in the establishment of CASEDO in which you enhanced our mind, to appreciate and care for the beauty of nature and to care for our environment and encourage us to plant thousands of trees for more than a decade now.
7. Whenever our students, members, officers of PNJK will go to Japan, you are always there, open for whatever assistance you can extend.
8. Since the creation of the PNJK Association, it has been 34 years now and PNJK successfully multiplied to more than 8,000 members and to different division or entities like the following:
1. Pre- School;
2. Grade School;
3. College- The MKD whose five (5) stories building was built through the kindness and benevolence of both you and your late wife Mrs. Ayako Uchida;
4. Polyclinic
5. Calinan International School;
6. Museum and others.
9. You have extended the PNJK-IS with a loan in the acquisition of the land and building of our school and you bravely lent us not thinking if we could really pay you back.

Thank you so much for the trust and confidence that you have given us that motivated us to try our best not to betray your trust. We thank God that after all these years we are able to comply and were able to complete our loan payment.

Most significant of your contribution is being once a member and officer of Yuko Kyo Kai in the beginning, also of the Phil. Japan Engineering and Educational Association, Musashino and Tokyo Kichijoji Lions Club in Japan, the Japan Volunteer of Japan, PNLSC and so forth. Through these different entities of Japan that helped the Nikkei Jins to locate our real identities. Family Registration of the Nikkei Jins with the help of the Japanese Government was seen and many of the Nikkei Jins are now in Japan, successfully having their residence- visa, some are permanent residents and some acquired the Japanese Citizenship.

The image of the Philippine Nikkei Jins since 1980 up to now has greatly changed.

Nikkei Jins now have the comfort of a modest home, could send their children to School, no longer suffering a hard life. Those whose Family registrations were located upon submission of complete requirements, were able to land a job with residence visa in Japan.

Foremost of all is we were able to meet our living relatives and all the mystery of our life after the World War II are now revealed to us.

Finally, once again our heartfelt gratitude that despite your condition you still come to us here in Davao.

Please if anyone of us here in Davao have offended you or have done something wrong, we ask your forgiveness. We are very sorry.

God the Father in Heaven sees you. Our Creator loves you. You are a person with a big heart. All your goodness we cannot express but God knows. May God bless you with His abundant graces. May He grant you good health of mind, body and spirit.

Message to Tatsuo Uchida San during the Welcome Party last August 12, 2014

Sep

2015

“Can Descendants Present A Rightful Claim”

By Admin

BY: KASE BERNARDO/ BERNARDO N. FERNANDEZ, SR.

In my readings on the Dissertation for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy of Murdoch University, Western Australia, 1984 by HAYASE SHINZO, I discovered many historical information’s regarding The Economic Development done by the Japanese in Davao area, City and Province. Among them are the properties owned these Japanese Developers led by OHTA KYOSABURO and FURUKAWA, YOSHIZO. On pages 384-85 of this Dissertation we found.

APPENDIX 9
The following information with heading:
“A LIST OF PLANTATION COMPANIES IN THE DAVAO GULF REGION JAPANESE-SHOWN ON THE MAP IN THE CIRCLES.”

There were nine (9) Trading Centers of Ohta Development Co.
2. Fifteen (15) purchased plantations with total area of 8,195 hectares.
3. Fifty (50) leased plantations with a total area of 42, 926 hectares. These trading centers and plantations were established acquired between “1907-1918”, respectively.

One of these plantations is, THE PANGIT PLANTATION INC.,
Hijo Tagum, Davao, whose owner and major stockholder is our father, KASE MANJIRO. This was incorporated on 18th of December 1916, page 358.

This was granted to him by the Datu of Tagum, the uncle of our mother, ESPERANZA PANAMONGAN NAVARRO known in the community as “OGOI”. Thru her this plantation was granted to our father. To facilitate the ownership and cultivation of this property, “THE PANGIT PLANTATION CO., INC. was established with assistance of the OHTA DEVELOPMENT CO., Apart from the corporation our father and OHTA KYOSABURO had an INTERNAL AGREEMENT regarding the development of the plantation. I saw this AGREEMENT but I cannot read it because it was written in Nihongo. It was kept by our Japanese brothers-in-law YAMASHITA, KAKUZO who took over the management of the plantation after the death of our father. This Internal Agreement was lost during the war.

There are other plantations like that of our father and these Japanese owners have descendants like us who may not know this historical information.

There are also parcels of land developed by the Japanese thru “Pakiao” system. However, be it purchased or leased or Pakiao system, the properties were owned and developed by these Japanese developers; fruits of their toil and struggle.

I’m making this presentation addressed if it is worthy to be considered to the Japanese government through its appropriate Agency. Then, if this has its worth to consider, we request our PNJK legal counsel to assist us.

The ISSUE in this case is:

Our Japanese Ancestry came to Davao for economic development and progress, 1907-1941 which they succeeded.

The Japanese government declared war against the United States of America occupying the Philippines for three years and nine months December 1941 to August 1945. These Japanese developers had nothing to do with the WAR. It just happened that they are Japanese citizens. Japan lost the war. The Philippine government confiscated the properties owned and developed by the Japanese civilians.

These Japanese civilians have children by their Filipino wives and we are among them. We were destined to be the HEIRS of these properties.

Now, CAN WEM THE DESCENDANTS NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO CLAIM OUR INHERITANCE OWNED AND DEVELOPED by our Japanese Fathers?

I honestly believe that the rightful and legitimate Descendants of these Japanese Developers who own the cultivation of the Plantation either purchased, leased or PAKIAO system have the moral and legal right to CLAIM for COMPENSATION of the LOST INHERITANCE destined for them to receive from their Japanese Fathers/ Ancestors. They are VICTIMS of the WAR between the Japan and United States of America.

May I reiterate that they had NOTHING TO DO with the WAR. Their only FAULT if there is, is that they are Japanese citizens. Japan lost the WAR.

I’m requesting other Descendants whose fathers have property for them to inherit were it not for the WAR to come to our PNJK OFFICE so that we can verify your claim. I’m using the Plantation of our Father as an EXAMPLE.

MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS US ALL.

Sep

2015

“Philippine Japan And Asian Nations Sharing Culture Values Towards Asean 2015”

By Admin

EDITORIAL

By: Rev. Bernardo Fernandez, Sr.

Chairman

“PHILIPPINE JAPAN AND ASIAN NATIONS SHARING CULTURE VALUES TOWARDS ASEAN 2015”

The 2013, 11^th year of celebration of Philippine-Japan Festival has for its theme, “Philippine-Japan and Asian Nations sharing culture values towards asean 2015.” We are venturing on this theme after Ten years of reciprocal sharing our cultural values since 2001 with century background of Philippine-Japan Relation through blood line.

Historical record tells us that the first group of Japanese came to Davao in 1903 to work as Laborers on the Abaca Plantation in Tigatto Davao.

Other Japanese came to work in the construction of Kennon Road. A Japanese entrepreneur by the name of Kyosaburo Ohta also came to the Philippines to venture on economic venture through agricultural development.

Then series of arrival of Japanese came to join in the economic ventures, so by 1941 there were more or less 20,000 Japanese in Davao.

Inter Marriage developed between Japanese and Filipino women (mostly natives) thus, a new generation known as “MESTIZO HAPON” were born known as of today, “The Nikkei Community” of Davao which organized the PNJK Family; the PNJK INC. as the umbrella organization with PNJK-IS, MKD, PNJK-MC and the Polyclinic and Diagnostic center, with JPVA and JPIC as our counterpart benefactors from Japan.

PNJK-IS and MKD are our educational institutions from pre-school to college level. We are now on Second Century of relationship with Japan.

Losing the properties acquired by our ancestry in the first century of relationship destined for us descendant to inherit because of World War II, we the descendant develop our educational institution as our contribution for the development of society. In this second century of relation;

“The Living Landmark of the Economic Development contributed by our ancestry to Davao is the establishment of Davao city in 1937.” Every member of Nikkei community must be able to tell this information to the public. We must love Davao City.

Thus after, Ten Years of reciprocal sharing of cultural values between Philippine and Japan, we believe that the sharing of cultural values be extended towards other Nation starting with Asian Nations, Toward ASEAN and to GlobaL society.

To begin, we start with our immediate neighbor, Indonesia and Malaysia reliving our past historical relation, The Sri-Visaya and Madjapahit Culture and Empires.

Then we move forward to Asean and our Educational Institutions will play an important role in implementing this venture.