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More than two hundred Nikkei Jins gathered last May 19, 2013 at the PNJK-IS Gym to attend the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc.’s 33rd General Assembly. Participants came as early as 7:00am, having travelled from places as far as Manila and Tagum.

With the theme “Achievement of PNJK in the Thirty-Three Years of Its Existence, A Showcase of our Contribution to the Progress of the Society, Now and Onward”, the goal of the General Assembly was to update the Nikkei Jins regarding the progress of the association, as well as its future plans. Members were also expected to elect qualified individuals into the Board of Directors that day.

The program, steered by the Masters of Ceremonies Mrs. Nelma Adachi and Mr. Felipe Hiquial Jr., began at exactly 9:00am. Mrs. Adelaida Panaguiton led the assembly in prayer. Several messages were delivered by speakers considered to be keys to the success of the organization; namely, Rev. Bernardo Fernandez Sr., Consul Koichi Ibara, Mr. Masataka Ajiro, Mr. Hideo Ito—whose speech was read by Mrs. Evelyn Obuchi in his behalf and Mrs. Ines Mallari. Words of congratulations flowed from each message, followed by a challenge to sustain the progress that PNJK has made over the last 33 years.

Several reports followed the opening messages. The first report was delivered by the association President, Retired Judge Antonina B. Escovilla. In her report she discussed mainly the number of Nikkei Jins that had been approved to go to Japan in the recent months. She also encouraged those who resided in Calinan to enroll their children into the PNJK-IS Calinan branch. Her report then gave way to Mrs. Carmen Apigo’s report on PNJK-IS Calinan. Mrs. Apigo, Administrator of the aforementioned school, highlighted the competitions the school’s achievements in the past year. Clear in the enthusiasm of her voice was the pride of an administrator who saw the slow, but steady growth of the new school.

From the report on PNJK-IS Calinan, Mrs. Ines P. Mallari, MKD President and PNJK-IS School Directress, took over to report about the two educational facilities. She happily informed the assembly that the MKD was already on its 11th year, while the PNJK-IS was on its 21st. Afterwards she gave statistics on the PNJK-IS’ student population, and declared to the assembly that soon enough they were going to construct a new building to meet the school’s growing studentry. It was also with great pride that she shared to the assembly that PNJK-IS had just recently been granted Level I status by the PAASCU, a prestigious title given to schools who perform exceptionally well. Thereafter, to her amazement, Mrs. Mallari was bestowed a plaque of appreciation by the Board for the time and effort she spent to achieve that status.

Ms. Ines Mallari receiving plaque of Appreciation

Two financial reports succeeded Mrs. Mallari. The first financial report was given by Mrs. Anita Iwamoto, Treasurer of PNJK Inc., while the second financial report was given by Mr. Rodrigo Suemitsu, PNJK Multi- purpose Cooperative Chair.

The last report was delivered by Mrs. Evelyn Obuchi, Liaison Officer of the Japan Philippine Industry Council. In her report she took the time to mention the families she called ‘loyalists’, people who remained faithful to their employer for at least three years. These families are: Yamaguchi-Tungkalan Family, Suemitsu-Ibanez Family, Hayashi-Villas Family, Yawaka-Mumar Family, Tsunashima Family, Nakagawa-Hiquial Family, Toyoda-Magallon Family and Kamiyama Family.

PNJK, Inc., Board of Directors

The general assembly ended with Mrs. Lucia Josol, COMELEC Chairman and PNJK-IS High School Head, explaining to the assembly that there was no need for an elections, as only eleven candidates were running for a position in the Board of Directors, and that since it was required to have eleven members in the Board, all that was needed was the ratification of the candidates.

It is interesting to note that for this assembly, an exceptional number of 2nd generation Japanese descendants was in attendance.

Year 2013 was indeed very competitive year for PNJK and JPIC because we were able to dispatch 119 descendants to Japan surpassing the 97 number of dispatched in 2012.

 Hopefully 2014 would also prove to be competitive. For the 1^st quarter, we were already able to dispatched 37 descendants.

 Japanese government still gives no visa fee for descendant being dispatched to Fukushima, Sendai and Iwate as a matter of fact, the government is inviting more descendants to go to the above mentioned places in Japan.

 Economic situation in Sendai and Fukushima is getting better and fast rising up. Construction works are seen everywhere which means more job opportunities both Japanese and foreigners.

 The 2017 Olympic will be held in Japan, and even as early as this year, Japan is very busy preparing for the up-coming Olympics. More workers and trainees will be required.

The President of PNJK Judge Antonina Escovilla and Federation president Ines Mallari together with yours truly visited the descendants under JPIC member companies on October 18 to November 2, 2013. Meetings and consultations were held at each corresponding companies.

President Escovilla encouraged the descendants to work harder and remain loyal to their companies and to PNJK.

On April 17-30 2014, I again visited the descendants in Japan for meetings and consultations. Most of the request from the descendants is for the application of certificate of Eligibility for their children and spouses.

 JPIC visited Typhoon Yolanda stricken areas like Tacloban, Iloilo and Cebu and Extended financial assistance to the victims especially to the descendants living in those areas.

JPIC also extended financial support to Zamboanga thru Zamboanga Nikkei Jin Kai.

 JPIC will continue to support PNJK, Inc. JPIC Scholars and Coconut Children Orphanage.

Last May 14, 1994, the Philippine-Japan Museum was inaugurated, blest and turned over to the Philippine Nikkei-Jin Kai, Inc. by the past President of the Tokyo Musashino Lions Club, Mr. Moriya Watanabe, witnessed by the members of their organization, DECS representative, visitors and chapter members of the Calinan PNJK and officers of the Japan- Philippine Volunteer Asscoiation.

To Japan Philippine Volunteer Association was the one which initiated the plan and presented it to the PNJK organization. This Museum is a repository of Japan’s past records as immigrants who came to Davao  from the year 1903 up to the close of the Second World War, 1942-1945.

Old relics, Japanese World War II vintage and other Allied war materials may also be displayed for public viewing and prosperity, books, pamphlets, pictures and other writings related to World War II are displayed for public viewing.

Inside this Museum are pictures of Japanese early migrants & activities of the present and past president of the Philippines, Christians and Cultural Minorities who had some role in the Development and progress of Davao. It is our desire that there will be people who will donate things of historical value to the Philippine-Japan Historical Museum. Their names will be written or engraved on it.

MUSHASHINO LIONS CLUB MEMBERS

                The Mushashino Lions Club of Tokyo, Japan, must be given due credit for donating buildings such as the Philippine-Japan Historical Museum, Music Hall at Calinan, Davao City and the International Friendship Hall, Lanang Davao City, Philippines.