Jun
30
2017

“Zairyu Senbou Douhou Irei Tou”
By Admin

Prayer offered to “Zairyu Senbou Douhou Irei Tou” (Monument of the Deceased Japanese Residents)         At about past ten in the morning of January 13, 2017, the party of Madam Akie Abe with Ms. Honeylet Avancena and Mrs. Medialdea arrived at the Mintal Memorial Garden. Madam Akie offered wreath and prayer before the monument known as Zairyu Senbou Douhou Irei Tou, the monument of those Japanese residents who died in the early days prior to the outbreak of World War II. The area was supposed to be the burial ground exclusively for the Japanese residents but after the war, so many Filipino residents destroyed the gravestones. Others were looking for the so-called “Yamashita treasure” such that the damage done was beyond repair. No treasure or any material of value was uncovered by unscrupulous person and/or the so-call treasure hunters.       After the offered prayer, Madam Akie and party were ushered to the Monument of No Regret which is the symbol of the long history of friendship between Japan and the Philippines. This is the monument donated personally by the then Mayor of the City of Davao, Hon. Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte.        … Read More »

Jun
30
2017

THE PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE
By Admin

Visit of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to PNJK Compound By: Ret. Judge Antonina Escovilla          Prior to January 13, 2017, the presence of government officials both from the Philippines and Japan was noticed. Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla, PNJK President was around and had conferred with them but no definite declaration was heard relative to the visit of the highest official in Japan. No date and time was mentioned and so everyone was in a quandary.         At any rate, MKD President Mallari left no stone un-turned. Various scenarios were outlined and she expected the responsible school officials to extend  their warmest welcome and hospitality to the most important guests whose presence in Davao City would include in his itinerary the visit at PNJK Compound.                Every now and then President Mallari receives calls from officials in Japan and Manila. Each call, she would meet PNJK Family staffs and could not contain her emotions as regards the preparation in welcoming Prime Minister Shinzo Abe whose visit to PNJK compound has yet to be officially confirmed by the Office of the President.              When… Read More »

Jun
30
2017

25th Recorder Ensemble Competition By: Veronico B. Nazario
By Admin

          The preparation for the much anticipated 25th Recorder Ensemble Competition started as early as the 3rd week of April. When Mr. Shuji Honda, confirmed the holding of the competition in early October, Mrs. Carmen C. Apigo, the School Principal of PNJKIS-Calinan and Mrs. Girlie Doydoy, being the liaison personnel of the competition, started calling previous contest participants who were also recipients of free flutes distributed by the Japan-Philippines Volunteers Assn. (JPVA) thru CASEDO during early stages of the project, inviting school trainors to attend a seminar on the 27th of May 2016 to be conducted by Mr. Shuji Honda at the PNJKIS Calinan covered court. Sixteen (16) Elementary Schools, both public and private, and three (3) high schools attended the said Seminar. On the 15th of July, 2016, a follow-up seminar was again held in the same venue. Mr. Shuji Honda distributed the contest piece and additional flutes to schools that did not have complete set to be able to join the contest. The contest was slated on the 8th of October, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the original schedule did not materialize. The contest was moved indefinitely and was finally scheduled to take place… Read More »

Jun
30
2017

MoFA Interview February 22 and 23, 2017
By Admin

       Hon . Consul Shiro Furihata of The Ministry of Foreign Affair in coordination with the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Legal Support Center headed by Mr. Inomota, Norihiro together with The Nippon Foundation represented by Ms. Ikuko Okubo came to Davao City, purposely to interview members of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc. (PNJK) Davao City Chapter. This is one project that started last year involving the Ministry of Foreign Affair. In year 2015, Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Rengokai headed by Mrs. Ines P. Mallari together with members-chapter presented to His Excellency Prime Minister Shinzo Abe documents containing more than 27,000 signatures, whereby an appeal had been interposed to give war-displaced descendants belonging to Category C classification the chance to present proofs evidencing their affiliation with the Japanese national. The Japanese government took notice of the plight of Category C descendants that it consented to take part in conducting interviews to somehow help them secure their own family registration by way of shuseki petition. With this arrangement, Japanese consuls have been assigned to go to various chapters, meet the descendants that needed assistance, conduct an interview and weigh their evidence presented in order to qualify for shuseki petition. The petition… Read More »

Jun
30
2017

From the Desk of the PRESIDENT
By Admin

       PNJK Family is so blessed. We started the New Year with the visit of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the school compound. He was accompanied by his wife Madam Akie and other government officials attracting crowds coming from nearby areas. We were the center of envy by those who were desirous of shaking hands with the highest official of Japan. All of us, the management, faculty, staffs, students and parents were unmindful of people who came to see the Prime Minister. We were aghast by his friendly gesture, his approach to the students, to PNJK 2nd generation members and giving some of his precious time in observing a Nihongo class composed of the 3rd year college students of MKD. This is one event that we will all cherish. It is embedded in our minds – an event that can be transmitted to our next generation as this rare occasion would never take place in the coming generations. As our friendly relations with Japan continue, we are proud to state here that one member Oligario Nagata, 70 years old, has finally been given recognition as the child of a Japanese national. Oligario Nagata never expected this to happen… Read More »