August 17, 2017, PNJK Inc. President RET. JUDGE ANTONINA B. ESCOVILLA, JPIC Coordinator EVELYN OBUCHI and PNJK-IS Sensei Ayako de Guzman entertained the visitors from Shizuoka City, namely Sachi Takahata, Ph.D. University of Shizuoka Yazawa Tsutomu – Yaizu Citizens’ Network for Multicultural Society “Ichogo” and Daichi Matsuoka – Mainichi Shimbun.
On the 3rd day of March 2017, at the Rizal Park, Davao City, PNJK-IS and MKD students presented Japanese Cultural number during the Pasundayag Night in time for the celebration of the 80th Araw ng Dabaw.
Watching the presentation, according to one who witnessed the show made her feel like she was back to Japan. Students wore colorful yukata walking in front of the audience just like any model that you see sporting various attire with colorful designs. There were students in cosplay costume doing a dance number.
The crowd likewise witnessed students dancing the Yosakoi- Solan that symbolizes the method or way of catching fish. The moves were synchronized that you can never believe that they practiced the steps on a limited time as it was difficult to choose who among the students could participate on the opening day of the Araw ng Dabaw.
Yet, they performed well and the steps were well executed.
PNJK-IS Music Consultant Shuji Honda San with JPVA Takakazu Machida San and Masanori Sukegawa San from Kidapawan Orphanage “ Easter Village” rendered a musical number. Honda san played his guitar while Machida san was with his violin and the piano by Sukegawa San.
The last was the best which is the Omikoshi and Taiko presentation. The manner by which the taiko is banged by the performer made one dumbfounded. One would wonder how much time was used in achieving such perfect move. So amazing that I agree with the statement that you seemed to have gone to Japan looking at the performers with colorful designs, music good to hear and performance excellently executed. We love to see once more Japanese cultural show if given the chance.
SECDEA here we come — the area is pristine that all were dazzled by the beauty of nature. God is so good in creating such remarkable scenery.
The accommodation offered is perfect, the food is so delicious and the ambiance is so serene, pollution free and we could hear the humming of birds from the distance. Flowers of various colors can be seen, captivating the hearts of everyone while guessing the kind of specie each represents.
Majority of the group explored the area, enjoyed the pool and the invitation of a clear and moving water from the sea is so tempting that the beach goers never hesitated in testing the cool water.
We gathered together once more in an exclusive area to listen the touching invocation led by Mrs. Adelaida S. Panaguiton.
Parlor games followed, participated in by those with strong legs and from the group that can still compete with the young generation.
The games generated group idea, communication, unity and planning. If there is communication from among the members of the team, certainly positive results are generated. Planning is one aspect that will help build a strong structure out of straws used as materials.
After the whole afternoon of joy and camaraderie, every one went home full of memories. The gap between the BOD officials and the staffs had completely reduced and apprehension over dealing with officers regarding office work was left in oblivion. The staffs have realized that officials indeed are down to earth, humane and can help alleviate whatever difficult task assigned to each.
Tatsuo Uchida, the otoosan of everyone during the early years in the PNJK Family, was born on January 25, 1928 at Tibungco Davao City. He was a Datu Bago awardee and the adopted son of Davao City because of his several projects introduced here in our place that all of us would never forget. He offered shelter to the needy. A building housing the orphanage near the Southern Philippine Medical Center is just one among the several contributions of Otoosan to the development of the city. Because of his generosity and concern over the plights of the residents in the city, he was conferred the most prestigious award the Datu Bago Award given each year in line with the observation of the Araw ng Dabaw.
The building housing the office of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc. and MKD classrooms is a very significant donation received from the couple Uchida. We could truly say that countless beneficiaries have benefited from the donations. We can mention here the members and officials likewise are enjoying better living condition having been accepted in the mainstream of society both in Japan
and in the Philippines. The program of the association for recognition generated positive result, thus a number of descendants are either Japanese citizens or are permanent resident visa holders. This was part of his ideas during his lifetime.
What he did is so noble and incomparable with the rest of the benefactors in a community. We will always remember him as he left the biggest legacy ever – the importance of education and improvement of one’s living condition. The school is the symbol of what he dreamed for the descendants – complete education and the grasp of Japanese culture. May his soul rest in peace with his wife Ayako San.
A wise man once said “Do not be afraid of changes but be sensitive to something
changing”.
2015 was the Japan Philippine Industry Council’s year of transition, 2016 was a fruitful year after transition and 2017 is the 1st chapter of a stable make-over with renewed vigor and business mentality as it faces the changing Japan and new breed of Philippine Nikkei Jin.
February 10, 2017 was the JPIC/PNJK Joint Meeting that was attended by 9 JPIC member companies and 10 PNJK Officers. Important matters were discussed like the number of Nikkei Jin qualified for sponsorship by JPIC, approved PNJK shuseki applicants, activities, accomplishments and future projects of PNJK.
February 11, 2017 JPIC attended the 11th Davao Baseball Tournament. One of the JPIC’s advisers Mr. Akira Sekino of Funasho Shoji has been supporting and extending assistance to the said activity.
February 12, 2017 JPIC attended the 25th Flute/Recorder Assemble. JPIC has been supporting the said activity for several years now. The JPIC President Mr. Tokumitsu has started a drive to collect new and used recorders in Kagoshima, Japan.
April 16 – May 1, 2017 was the annual visit of JPIC Liaison Officer to the different JPIC member companies. The main objective of the visit is monitoring of the condition and situation of the Philippine Nikkei Jin under JPIC. Consultations, discussions and get-togethers were the highlight of the itinerary.
This year’s visit gave JPIC new insights and realization that Philippine Nikkei Jin are indeed evolving. Their way of thinking has greatly changed and influenced by social media. Although problems and needs remain the same they surprisingly have taken a new form. Loyalty and sense of gratitude remain the greatest challenge to date.
May 12, 2017 was the JPIC Directors’ Meeting in Tokyo, Japan. The agenda of the meeting were: the JPIC Soukai in July 2017 and JPIC continuous support to Philippine Nikkei Jin Legal Support Center, Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai (Rengokai), Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc. (Davao), Manila Central Luzon Nippi Association, Inc. (Manila), Panay/Iloilo Nikkei Jin Kai, Zamboanga Nikkei Jin Kai and JPIC Scholarship Grant.