“Federation of Nikkei Jin Kai Philippines”

After our meeting and election of officers last November 11, 2012 in Cebu city, I would have wanted all the elected officers of the Federation to have a courtesy meeting with Ambassador Toshinao Urabe at the Embassy of Japan in Manila. However, since the good Ambassador was scheduled to visit Davao last November 27, 2012, and in order that the Federation will be spared from the huge expenses that may entail, I was given a chance to have a fruitful meeting with him together with our corporate secretary Judge Antonina Escovilla at the Marco Polo Hotel here in Davao City. In attendance also during the said meeting were the two (2) consuls, Kazuhiko Anzai and Koichi Ibara. Ambassador Urabe gave valuable insights on how we should steer our organization, as reflected on the minutes that we just read.

On December 2012, Ms. Araceli Tan, our elected treasurer communicated with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Cebu in order to verify the status of the Federation, as a juridical person. We were informed that no report was ever submitted to the SEC from the time that the Federation was registered until the present, be it general information sheet or GIS or financial statement or FS. Because of that, the record of the Federation is deemed deactivated or stricken off. Accordingly, if we activate our old file, we need to pay huge penalties for the number of years that we failed to submit the needed reports. This is therefore, one of the reasons why we are gathered today, because we need to activate our association not only words or in deed, but in paper as well. I hope that we will not end this GA without us having an active record or registration with SEC.

Last December 15, 2012, PNJK Davao and Manila Nippi joined hands in extending help to the victims of the Typhoon Pablo, the strongest typhoon that hit Mindanao last December 4, 2012. PNJK Davao in collaboration with Manila Nippi, JPVA and other Japanese friends, and our educational institution, the PNJK IS and MKD donated money and relief goods and conducted relief operation at the devastated areas particularly in New Bataan, Compostela Valley.

Last January 2013, during my visit to Manila, I was able to meet with some Federation Officials from Manila Nippi, namely, Mr. Stephen Buñi and Mrs. Araceli Tan. We discussed about our future plans for the Federation including the holding of the general assembly today.

Last February 23, 2013, the PNJK Davao and JPIC held a joint meeting here in the same venue. During the meeting, the President of JPIC, Mr. Hideo Ito, reiterated his commitment to extend his full support to the thrusts and goals of the Federation of Nikkei Jin Kai.

Having understood that the Federation is now operating with minimal funds and out of his generosity, he likewise proposed for financial help to the Federation in a form of contribution of 1 lapad or Y10,000 to be given to our association by every departing descendants who will be sponsored by any JPIC member-company. The contribution of 1 lapad per departing descendant from Davao was made effective immediately. On behalf of the Federation, I accepted the generous offer and thanked Mr. Ito unceasingly.

As of today, out of the many descendants from the Davao Chapter who left after our meeting last February 23, there is already an amount of P140,000 which is earmarked for the use of the Federation’s activities and project including our GA today. Let us all show our appreciation to JPIC under the leadership of Mr. Hideo Ito, who is represented today by Mr. Chokichi Hoshi, the Vice President, along with their efficient and trusted coordinator, Ms. Evelyn Obuchi.

The good news does not end there. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Davao, in order to express its full support to the Federation, also donated an amount of P150,000 to be use as our seed money for our projects and to subsidize as well our expenses during our GA meeting.

With all the moral and financial support that are pouring in, I believe that we can achieve our goals and targets for the Federation and Members.

However, the challenge now is for all of us to move and produce results.

No support will ever continue to be given to us if we will just sit and wait for a dole out or charity from our friends and benefactors. Let us move now, aspire to stand on our own feet and feel proud of our legacy as officials of this organization of the Nikkei society.

I believe that we have pool of brilliant and talented officials here. Let us brainstorm together, map out a concrete plan for our association, and let us produce results every year. I strongly believe that if we will be successful in realizing our goals whether short-term or long term goals, then, support and cooperation from all sectors will continue to come.

I wish that during our two year term as officials of the Federation, we will be able to make our association bigger and better. May God bless us all.

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