As the saying goes, when it rains, it pours profusely.
2016 had been quite a fruitful and memorable year. We started the year with a momentous event, that of meeting with Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan. All 2nd generation or Nisei coming from different cities in the Philippines were grouped at the lobby of Sofitel, Metro Manila, where they were privileged to converse with Their Majesties who appreciated their presence and acknowledged them to have been the bridge of the two countries, Japan and the Philippines. We have maintained the cordial relationship of the two countries as the nikkeijins continue to contribute to the progress and development of our country.
Then in May 2016, the Embassy of Japan visited various cities in the Philippines and conducted interviews of the 2nd generation or Nisei as to their affiliation with their Japanese forefathers. Davao City was the first place visited by no less than the Counsellor and First Consul of the Embassy of Japan, Hon. Consul Susumu Tsuda.
We also successfully observed the General Assembly of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Davao City Chapter on May 14, 2016, with the active participation of members mostly from the far-flung areas.
The officers of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Davao City Chapter together with some members in Baguio City attended the 57th Convention of Nikkei and Japanese abroad in Tokyo, Japan where our Rengokai President Ines P. Mallari was given the opportunity to share the educational program of our institutions in Davao City.
Later in the year, on November 11, 2016, the General Assembly of Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Rengokai was held in Manila, and the participants were privileged to be invited by HE Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa at his residence. There were Philippine government officials who were invited to the Welcome Party hosted by Amb. Ishikawa, and exchange of pleasantries took place between the Nikkeijins and the said officials.
Finally on December 1, 2016, the PNJK Officials and different heads of the PNJK Family were invited to attend the Emperor’s Birthday or the National Day of Japan at SMX Convention Center which was hosted by HE Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa. The special guest of honor was no less than the President of the Republic of the Philippines, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. All nikkeijins who were around had the privilege to have a photo opportunity with President Duterte, who was so gracious in accommodating the request of the PNJK Davao City Chapter to have a photo opportunity with him.
In year 2016 there were four (4) approved shuuseki petitions. The lucky members of our association who now are equipped with their family registration are: Francisco Asajiro Okamoto, Nicanor Fujikawa, Victorio Itou and Felicitas Toyoda.
While we are ecstatic with the rare occasions earlier mentioned, we are saddened by the death of one of our generous and steadfast supporter as far as our education program is concerned, in the person of Mr. Tatsuo Uchida, the foster father of our official Mrs. Ines P. Mallari and adopted brother of Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla. He was the biggest contributor to the progress and development of PNJK Family and may he rest in peace with his wife Ayako Uchida.
Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla PNJK Inc., President
2016 is a very fruitful year for Japan Philippine Industry Council by opening the year with an invitation from Philippine Nikkei Jin Rengokai (Federation) to attend the 2016 NATIONAL CONVENTION of the FILIPINO-JAPANESE DESCENDANTS on January 28, 2016 with the Theme: “War-displaced Japanese Descendants: Reunion of the Voices and the Journey Onward” and a very rare royal visit to the Philippines by their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan.
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:
Meet with the JPIC companies’ Presidents / Nikkei Jin Person In-Charge and descendants
discuss about the descendants condition, situation, problems and concerns in the said company.
Get-Together lunch/dinner
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.
The PNJK officials and heads attended the National Day of Japan hosted by His Excellency Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa, with no less than the Republic of the Philippines Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte as the guest of honor at SMX on December 01, 2016.
We were extremely thankful since we were the only group that was given the opportunity to have a special photo with the President. The PNJK family’s excitement could not be contained especially when one of our colleagues, the PNJK Davao President, Judge Antonina Escovilla was especially mentioned during Pres. Duterte’s speech and was even called by the President himself to join the dignitaries in their official photo. Congrats Madam Judge and banzai to all Nikkeijins!
The Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Rengokai had called on all the Chapters under it to convene in Manila on January 28, 1016 for its 9th National Convention. For this purpose all Presidents of the various chapters of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Rengoka, Inc. called on its members to identify those who are still able, preferably the 2nd generation to participate the said National Convention. Preference is given to the second generation or nisei who are still groping in the dark as regards their ancestral roots.
The chapter in Davao City under the leadership of Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla had sent notices to the 2nd generation or Nisei to come to the office for orientation purposes. Those fit to walk and/or able Nisei came on January 25, 2016 and an orientation was conducted at the conference room of the association. Those holders of family registration and those whose petitions for recognition are still pending before the Family Court in Japan were around.
The Chapter President delivered her message, followed by a brief statement from the Rengokai President Ines P. Mallari. Helen Escovilla, Head of the Legal Aide Section of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai took over and informed every one the reason why an orientation was set. The eagerness on the faces of the Nisei was visible as most were so focused to the lecturer listening to what was being conveyed to them emphasizing their deportment during the National Convention.
After the orientation, those who are yet to be recognized had left with the hope that the convention can well enlighten their being stateless and in the future would be able to step on the land of the rising sun. Some whose papers have been located are saying that the convention could be the medium of reunion with their ancestors.
Nov
30
2016
By Admin
SAYONARA UCHIDA OTOSAN… TILL WE MEET AGAIN…By: Ines p. Mallari
Uchida Otosan,the rainbow bridge between Philippine and Japan, surrounded by fresh flowers
It was last May 7, 2016, in Tokyo, Japan, when Datu Bago Tatsuo Uchida or “Otosan” joined our creator. His passing was truly a great loss for me and my family… and we will forever miss our very loving Japanese father who never failed to give us words of wisdom and advices. The PNJK family also lost a philanthropic sponsor who possessed incomparable altruistic traits like donating lands and buildings that helped the organization grow and become what it is today. He also generously shared himself to become the “Otosan” of every Nikkeijin in Davao. He even brought the members of his family to Davao to help PNJK in some of our notable activities. Davao City likewise lost a good son, a Davao-born Japanese, who was a 2002 Datu Bago Awardee, and the Adopted son of Davao City, whose love for Davao was at par with or perhaps even greater than some of the Davaoeños.
Despite the deep sorrow that I felt due to the loss of a good father, I could still say that I was very fortunate to be able to personally bid Otosan farewell on April 18, 2016 when I visited him in the hospital in Tokyo where he was confined. I was together with his grandsons, Mr. Yusuke Uchida and Masaaki Uchida. Our last meeting was an emotional one for me especially when Otosan told me “Ines, kaerinasai or Go home, Ines” while holding my hand very tightly. Later, I learned that most of the Japanese parents who are already in their critical stage, would tell their children who visit them in the hospital to go home as a sign of concern to their children despite their unbearable condition.
Last May 14, 2016, PNJK President, Judge Antonina Escovilla, who is considered as a sister of the late Uchida Otosan, my husband Winston Mallari and, Mr. and Mrs. Shuji Honda (relative of the late Ayako Uchida Okasan) flew to Tokyo in order to attend the necrological rites and burial of Otosan. Right after our arrival, we immediately went to the house of Kazunari san where Otosan’s body was laid in state. We saw him lying on the floor covered with white Japanese blanket or “Futon” from neck to toe, as if he was just asleep at the living room decorated by beautiful white fresh flowers. Surprisingly, the house did not bear the smell of dried flowers, candles, or medicines, the usual scent that permeate in funeral houses. Otosan’s body was preserved to appear like he was still alive and sleeping through the help of dried ice-packs that were regularly checked and replaced by the staff of Nitten Company (the funeral services company that Otosan single-handedly built).
On May 15, we witnessed how the Nitten staff carefully and courteously changed the attire of Otosan and prepared him for his funeral rites. We also partook of the send-off rites by placing him inside the wooden coffin that was carried by the funeral car to Jinrenji, the well- embellished and very big temple where the necrological service in honor of Uchida Otosan was held.
Jinrenji temple’s entrance, reception, waiting area, and most especially the ceremony hall were sights to behold because of the well-arranged and beautiful fresh orchids and other flowers in bloom like the Cattleyas, Roses, Gerberas, Stargazers, Carnations, and many more. The ceremony hall appeared like it was a garden of paradise filled with colorful and attractive flowers. However, the most impressive decoration at that time was the rainbow-themed fresh flowers that were nicely arranged on top of the coffin and below the huge picture of Otosan with the Philippine and Japanese flag that were prominently displayed on each side. The decoration reminded me of the kind of person that Otosan was during his lifetime: a full-blooded Japanese who was born in Davao City; a survivor who suffered a lot and strived hard during the difficult times during and after the war, and through his industry and hard labor became very successful in his business in Japan; a Davao-born who loved Davao City so much that he generously donated his hard-earned money in order to help the orphans in Davao and the poor sector in this part of the country, especially in the education of the youth; the Otosan who helped the war-displaced Japanese descendants in our fight for recognition; a benevolent donor who helped made PNJK Inc., a strong organization and; the rainbow bridge that ably connected Philippines and Japan.
The necrological service was attended by more or less 500 friends and relatives of Uchida Otosan. It became a reunion of some sort when we met familiar faces like the JPVA officers headed by the president, Mrs. Masumi Yagi, Otosan’s friend and long-time colleague , Masataka Ajiro Sensei, the officers and members of the Tokyo Kichijoji Lions Club, especially Atty. Hideshige Aoki, Mr. Kiyohito Takigawa, and the rest of their colleagues, Mrs. & Mrs. Hedechika Nakada and Mrs. Masako Nakada Suzuki, Davao-born , Mrs. Shoko Ogawa, former JPIC president, Mr. Akira Sekino, former JPVA vice-president, Mr. Kenshu Sasaki, Coach Hidetoshi Suzuki, our fellow nikkeijin Joy Tanaka, and many more.
The necrological service began at exactly 6:00 o’clock in the evening with a video showing the life and accomplishments of Otosan. Thereafter, the President of the Federation of Funeral Services in Tokyo delivered his message as one of otosan’s colleagues in business. Coach Hidetoshi Suzuki likewise gave his message. I was also given the privilege to speak on behalf of PNJK, MKD, PNJK-IS, and the rest of the Dabawenyos who were beneficiaries of Otosan’s philanthropic activities. I was not able to hold the tears that kept on falling from my eyes due to the uncontrollable emotions that I felt at that time. No word will ever be enough to encapsulate my feelings that wish to thank a great person, our Otosan, for his immense kindness, his sincerity, and his love for Davao, and the Davaoeños. After the three messages, Mr. Kazunari Uchida delivered his words of gratitude to the large number of people who came to the necrological rites. The last part of the rite was the floral offering by all those in attendance. Afterwhich, the attendees were ushered to the different halls inside the vast temple where dinner was served.
In the morning of May 15, the final funeral service prior to the cremation and burial of Otosan took place. The flow of the program was almost the same with the necrological rites except that there were different set of speakers and most of the attendees were those who were not able to come during the necrological service. Ajiro Sensei spoke elaborately on his activities with Otosan and their achievements as a team. Likewise, Mr. Shuji Honda rendered an original song that befitted the very solemn occasion.
We would have wanted to join the family in witnessing the cremation ceremony and in bringing Otosan to his final rest but due to our prior commitments that couldn’t be changed, Judge Escovilla, my husband Winston and I, left before the ceremonies concluded, in order to catch our plane back to Davao City.
Otosan once said that the reason why he always come back to Davao to help is because he considered Davao City as his “Furusato” or his motherland.
He also said that “even the birds in the sky, the creatures of the sea, and the animals of the land would return to the place where they were born, thus, it is a must that we-human beings should go back to the place where we were born or to our Furusato”.
I sincerely hope that all Nikkeijins will engrave into their hearts and minds the memory of a wonderful person-the late Tatsuo Uchida, who was born on January 25, 1928 at Tibungco, who enjoyed his youth while residing in Magallanes St., who could never forget the fun memories that he had during his studies at the Japanese school in Bolton St. in the company of his Filipino and Japanese friends including the the late Mayor Elias Lopez, and who diligently worked in Calinan, Davao City. Indeed, Otosan was everywhere in Davao and…I believe that he will continue to be everywhere in Davao, his beloved furusato.
As the saying goes, when it rains, it pours profusely.
