(Please click the photo below)
The Iresai is annually observed by the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Inc., together with the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai-International School and the Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku, in remembrance of the endurance and industry of our forefathers who first came to reside in Davao. The event is considered to be one of the cornerstones of the organization, having been practiced by its members for more than three decades already.
This year, the Iresai was conducted on August 15, 2017. The Opening prayer was led by Ms. Ruelyn Bobiles, a PNJK-IS Board Member who has been with the school for more than two decades. The PNJK staff sang Amazing Grace and Furusato accompanied by. Mr. Shuji Honda playing his guitar and Mr. Takakazu Machida with his violin.
Among the notable guests were Hon. Tomoko Dodo of the Consular Office of Japan in Davao City, and the Hon. Barangay Captain Ramon Bargamento, and his Barangay Councilors. A great number of Japanese residents and businessmen were in attendance as well.
Participants offered flowers as well as individual prayers to our deceased Japanese who passed away in the early days. These were Japanese migrants who came to the Philippines in the year 1904 till 1940, the same people who were the first agriculturists who introduced abaca industry as well as other prime commodities to the city. It was unfortunate that the war took everything away from those who should have enjoyed what their predecessors had introduced.
Each year we pay homage and respect to those buried in the sacred ground at Mintal Public Cemetery. We hold this activity because the early settles were responsible in bridging the gap between Japan and the Philippines which the young generation are desirous of further cementing the friendly relation.
MKD President Ines P. Mallari and PNJK Inc. Davao City Chapter President were privileged to have been invited to the Farewell Party hosted in honor of HE Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa whose term has expired on September 29, 2017. The reception was held at the Ambassador’s Residence at Forbes Park, Makati. Majority of the cabinet members of our new administration was present. As an organization, we are saddened by his departure, as Ambassador Ishikawa had accomplished so much for the good of the Category C descendants not only here in Davao City but through out the Philippines. It was he who insisted that the visit of His Excellency Prime Minister Shinzo Abe here in Davao City should include MKD and PNJK Inc. Compound. We thanked him for such kind gesture as we were the only group, the association, the high school and college students, privileged and honored to see in person a very high ranking Japanese official and an honorable man.
On July 8, 2017, at Marco Polo Plaza, Cebu, Mr. Ben Onari, the First President of the Federation of the Philippine Nikkei Jin, Inc. was conferred the prestigious
award “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette” by the Emperor of Japan. The conferment was done by HE Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa. Present during the ceremony were the family of the awardee Mr. Onari, officials and members of the Cebu Nikkei Chapter, local government officials in Cebu, the Consul in Cebu and from Manila. The incumbent President of the Federation Ines P. Mallari together with the PNJK Davao City Chapter attended the awarding ceremony upon invitation of HE Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa. We congratulate Mr. Onari for such deserving award. Omedeto.
On July 2, 2017, the organization was fortunate to have Ms. Fumiko Nakai, Deputy Director, Project Management Division, Japanese Heritage Language Center, The Association of Nikkei & Japanese Abroad, visit Davao City. From Manila where she delivered a lecture in a gathering of Japanese-Filipino descendants, she flew to Davao City accompanied by MKD President and College
Administrator Mrs. Ines P. Mallari. Among those who welcomed her were Ms. Jalee Tagud, currently employed with the Consular Office of Japan in Davao City, her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Tagud, and PNJK President Ret. Judge Antonina
B. Escovilla who was with her staff.
Ms. Nakai was introduced to several places in the city, including Samal Island, the Mintal Public Cemetery, the Philippine-Japan Museum, and of course the PNJK Compound.
At Samal, she was impressed with the beauty of the island, particularly its white beaches and the various fruits that were served to the tourists. Thereafter, Ms. Nakai was ushered to PNJK Compound. She toured the area, viewed various
classrooms in both the college and high school building, including the gym where a lot of school children were taking lunch. She next visited the Mintal Public Cemetery, followed by the Philippine-Japan Museum located in Calinan where Angel Guimbaan explained the various artifacts therein displayed. Ms. Nakai likewise went to the school building in Calinan. She expressed her amazement at
how the schools were being run by Japanese- Filipino descendants, as well as at how PNJK progressed from the recognition of descendants to opening schools which catered to the general public.
Unfortunately time flew us by—and it was not long before we had to part ways. With the promise that she would return, Ms. Nakai flew back to Manila the following day. The PNJK family looks forward to having her again.
As the Filipinos fondly regard May as “Flores de Mayo” and celebrate” Santa Cruzan” with beautiful Reyna Elenas’ parading the barangay streets , the Philippine Nikkei Jin from Davao, neighboring cities and provinces celebrate their annual reunion. PNJK conducts its General Assembly every 2nd Sunday of May. On May 14, 2017 at 9:30 in the morning, about one hundred twenty one (121) Nikkei Jin from Chapters of Tagum, Davao, Toril, Calinan, Digos and Kidapawan gathered at PNJK-IS gym to attend the 37th Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai,
Inc. General Assembly.
This year’s theme is: “Nikkei Jin Padayon sa Pag-uswag” whichmeans continuous progress.
The assembly commenced at 9:30 am with the Masters of Ceremony Mr. Felipe Hiquial opening the program proper followed by a prayer led by Ms. Adelaida Panagution offering moment of silence and prayers for the departed souls of the pillars of the association like the late Uchida Otousan, Rev. Fernandez,Gloria Okazono . The 1st Vice President Rodrigo Suemitsu acknowledged the participants and welcomed by Ms. Ines Mallari the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Ms. Mallari welcomed and thanked the members and supporters of PNJK.
Business Proper followed afterwards with Ms. Carmen Apigoreading the last year’s minutes of the meeting. Among the important agenda last year were the meeting of the 2nd generation Philippine Nikkei Jin with their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, 9th National Convention of Philippine Nikkei Jin and Shin Nikkei Jin as members of the association.
The President, Ret. Judge Antonina Escovilla reported on the PNJK, Inc. accomplishments. The consolidated report zeroed in on the different activities and accomplishments of the association like the interview of Cat. C Nikkei jin: Marumoto , Arakaki, Yoshimura, Nagata and Takumi families by MOFA headed by Consul Susumu Tsuda on May 23, 2016. The Testimonial/Memorial Service of the late Tatsuo Uchida on July 7, 2016. On August 13, 2016 celebrated Ireisai with Consul Ono. Human Relationship Seminar conducted by a Mr. Kazuaki Ishibashi a lecturer from Japan Creative Education Institute, Osaka on October 10, 2016 and from the 23rd to 27th day of the same month, Ret. Judge Antonina Escovilla, Ms. Ines Mallari, Ms. Carmen Apigo and Ms. Anita Iwamoto attended the 57th Convention of Nikkei Jin and Japanese Abroad. The Rengokai President Ines Mallari reported on the educational program of PNJK-IS. The participants of the convention had the privileged of meeting their Royal Highness Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko. JPIC President Yoshihiro Tokumitsu was also in attendance. On November 11, 2016 the participants of the Rengokai General Assembly were invited by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa for a dinner at his official residence in Makati City.
The opening salvo and most memorable event for 2017 was the visit of HE Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Madam Akie of Japan at PNJK Compound on January 13, 2017.
PNJK-IS Calinan Campus is already on its 10th year of operation. The school’s future plan is to construct another building in addition to its already existing 10 buildings.
PNJK-
IS Main Campus and Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku total number of students was 1,345 students and the total no. of graduates- 83 students. The most important accomplishment was the PAASCU LEVEL II Accreditation.
PNJK Multi- Purpose Cooperative has as total regular members of 1,193 for 2016 as compared to 2015 with only 1,084 members. Services offered by the Coop are Lending; LAMP (Loan Assistance to Members Program); Rice Trading; E-Load and Beauty Salon.
PNJK Polyclinic and Diagnostic Center: new equipment purchased was the Hematology machine. Laboratory services are: CBC, Blood Chem, Hepa test, drug testing, ECG, X-ray and Ultrasound.
Treasurer’s Consolidated Report succeeded the President’s Report. Ms. Anita Iwamoto reported first the PNJK, Inc. Financial Report followed by the PNJK-IS and Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku Consolidated Statement of Financial Position and lastly, the Multi- Purpose Cooperative Financial Report.
The JPIC Coordinator Ms. Eve Obuchi read the JPIC President’s message in behalf of Mr. Yoshihiro Tokumitsu. He congratulated PNJK on its 37th General Assembly and advised the members to remain loyal and supportive to the activities of PNJK as well as to choose the leaders wisely.
Ms. Eve reported on the JPIC up-dates: JPIC has 27 active members; JPIC will hold its election of officers on July 2, 2017; JPIC will continue to support PNLSC, Federation of Nikkei Jin Kai (Rengokai), Phils., PNJK, Nippi, Iloilo/Panay Nikkei jin Kai , Zamboanga Nikkei Jin Kai and JPIC Scholarship Grant.
After all the reports were delivered a Group picture was taken of all the Nisei. No election took place as there were only 11candidates present. The 11 candidates were unanimously declared PNJK officers for 2017- 2019.
The PNJK 2017-2019 PNJK officers are:
Ms. Ines Mallari
Ret. Judge Antonina Escovilla
Mr. Rodrigo Suemitsu
Mr. Juseven Austero
Ms. Carmen Apigo
Ms. Anita Iwamoto
Ms. Elizabeth Tagud
Mr. Felipe Hiquial
Ms. Noellyn Fernandez
Ms. Ellen Ocharon
Mrs. Adelaida Panaguiton
Community Singing of Furusato followed by Sekai Wa Semai and a fellowship lunch ended the 37th General Assembly.
Greetings of Peace!
The Memorial Service or the “IREISAI”, jointly organized by the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc. and the Consular Office of Japan in Davao will be held at Mintal Public Cemetery, Mintal, Davao City on Saturday, 12th August 2017. The Memorial Service will start at 10:00 o’clock in the morning.
In this connection, we are inviting all PNJK Inc. members to participate in this Memorial Service. As part of the ceremony, there will be floral offering in memory of our forefathers. Bringing your own offering of wreath on that day will be highly appreciated.
February 27, 2016 was the JPIC Rinji Soukai and Bunka Kai in Lipa City, Batangas. The said meeting was attended by 12 members.
On March 2, 2016, JPIC President Yoshihiro Tokumitsu with Sensei Taniguchi of KLS Language School in Kagoshima paid a courtesy visit to President Ines Mallari of MKD to discuss the possibility of extending scholarship and accepting MKD students at KLS to study Nihongo.
In April – yearly schedule of the JPIC Liaison Officer to visit the different JPIC member companies with the objectives:
On May 17, 2016 one of the members of JPIC Mr. Masaaki Hanzawa President of Triumph Co., Ltd. with Mr. Russell Rowe Montajes and JPIC Liaison Officer had a courtesy visit to Consul Susumu Tsuda – Counsellor/Chief Consul of the Japanese Embassy. The meeting was cordial.
July was indeed a very busy month for JPIC as there were several activities and meetings lined-up:
July 8 JPIC Directors’ Meeting in Yotsuya City, Tokyo. One of the agenda was to revise some regulations in the JPIC Constitution and changes in the membership fee and annual dues of the members to be able to continue supporting different Nikkei jin Kais and other programs of JPIC.
July 22 JPIC President Tokumitsu and the JPIC Liaison Officer had a courtesy visit to the Counsellor/ Chief Consul of Japanese Embassy Susumu Tsuda. The visit was successful as several matters concerning the Philippine Nikkei Jins were discussed.
July 26 JPIC President Tokumitsu met with the JPIC Scholars and their parents for a short meeting and get-together. The JPIC Scholars prepared a hand-made “Thank You Card” and personally handed the same to President Tokumitsu.
On October 7, 2016 was the JPIC Soukai in Manila City and Information Exchange Meeting with PNJK Board of Directors on October 8, 2016 in Davao City.
October 10, 2016 was the Human Relationship Seminar sponsored by JPIC President Tokumitsu with PNJK as co-sponsor. The guest speaker is a lecturer from Japan Creative Education Institute Mr. Kazuaki Ishibashi. The purpose of the seminar is to develop stronger relationship with each other and to stress the importance of continuous learning no matter what our station in society.
JPIC also attended the 57th Kai Gai Nikkei Jin Tai Kai in Tokyo on October 24-26, 2016 together with PNJK President Antonina Escovilla, Rengokai President Ines Mallari PNJK Board of Director Apigo and Director Iwamoto.
PNJK President Escovilla and Rengokai President Mallari with JPIC Liaison Officer were invited to Kagoshima to visit Enu Chicken the company of JPIC President Tokumitsu on October 27-29, 2016. It was an opportunity for the descendants at Enu Chicken to listen to the messages and advices of the PNJK President and Rengokai President. Indeed a rare bonding opportunity for the descendants and officers.
JPIC ended 2016 with a prestigious dinner invitation received from the Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Ambassador Ishikawa through the courtesy of Philippine Nikkei Jin Rengokai President Ines Mallari.
