Nov
30
2016

Rengokai GA, Election and Welcome Party hosted by Ambassador Ishikawa
By Admin

On November 11, 2016, Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa hosted a reception at his residence in Forbes Park, Makati, to welcome the participants of the General Assembly of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Rengokai headed by their President, Mrs. Ines Mallari. The reception was attended by Atty. Erickson H. Balmes and Atty. Raymund I. Mecate, Undersecretaries of the Department of Justice of the Philippines. Mr. Frank R. Cimafranca, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, the Manila Japanese Association officers and some representatives of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines. During the reception, there was a lively exchange of views among the members of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Rengokai, representatives of the Philippine government office and Japanese association. On November 12, 2016 the Philippine Nikkei Jin Rengokai held a very successful general assembly at a hotel in Metro Manila.   (Source: Embassy of Japan in the Philippines) After the foregoing reception, the participants converged at the Bayview Hotel in Roxas Boulevard, Manila the following day, November 12, 2016.  All chapter Presidents of the various group of descendants registered prior to the main event. The Rengokai Secretary in the person of Ret. Judge Antonina B…. Read More »

Nov
30
2016

57th Convention of Kaigai Nikkei Jin Tai Kai
By Admin

Baguio “Abong Nikkei Jin Kai Delegation with MOFA Consul Katsutoshi Someda, PNLSC N. Inomata, I. Mallari, A. Escovilla, C. Apigo, A. Iwamoto, E. Obuchi.” The 57th Convention of Nikkeijin and Japanese Abroad was another milestone for all of us, the Nikkeijins in the Philippines.  Present during the said convention representing the Philippines were JPIC President Yoshihiro Tokumitsu with JPIC Coordinator Eve Obuchi, Rengokai President Ines P. Mallari, Rengokai Secretary and PNJK Davao City Chapter President Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla, PNJK Davao Chapter Secretary Mrs. Carmen C. Apigo, PNJK Davao Chapter Treasurer Anita P. Iwamoto and six delegates from the Baguio Chapter. Registration was allotted for the first day and the welcome party was hosted by the Imperial Family, giving the delegates the opportunity in meeting Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko. Our Rengokai President with her group had the chance in shaking the hands of both the Prince and the Princess . A brief conversation between them and our President Mallari took place, where the latter conveyed the presence of Their Majesties in the Philippines in January of 2016.   R: MOFA Minister Fumio Kishida              The 2nd day of the convention Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kiyoshi Odawara of the Overseas Nikkei… Read More »

Nov
30
2016

MOFA INTERVIEW
By Admin

The meeting  in 2015 in Japan of the group composed of Mrs. Ines P. Mallari, Rengokai President, Mr. Carlos Teraoka , the former FNJK President, Mr. Benedicto Onari, the former President of the Cebu Nippi, Mr. Lemuel Yoshimura, a 2nd generation descendant but has not yet been recognized, Mrs. Estellita Roales of the Cotabato Nikkei and Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla of the PNJK, Inc. Davao City with the high ranking official of the Nippon Foundation, Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, its chairman yielded positive result. Chairman Sasakawa facilitated the meeting of the group with the Prime Minister of Japan Hon.Shinzo Abe including different officials of the House of the Representative. After meeting the officials named above, on May 23, 24, and 25, 2016, the unrecognized descendants were fortunate to have met in person here in Davao City, the Hon. Consul Susumu Tsuda, Counsellor and First Consul of the Embassy of Japan, based in Manila, Mr. Tadashi Miyazaki of the Nippon Foundation, Ikuko Okubo the Project Coordinator of International Affairs of Nippon Foundation and Mr. Norihiro Inomata, Director General of PNLSC of Japan. The first to be interviewed that was held at the Board Room of PNJK, Inc. were Pacita Maramoto Torres,… Read More »

Nov
30
2016
By Admin

Mano or Pagmamano is a gesture used in Filipino culture performed as a sign of respect to elders and as a way of accepting a blessing from the elder. Similar to hand-kissing, the person giving the greeting bows towards the offered hand of the elder and presses his or her forehead on the elder’s hand. Usually performed with the right hand, the person showing respect may ask “Mano po” to the elder in order to ask permission to initiate the gesture. Typically someone may mano to his or her older relatives upon entry into their home or upon seeing them. The word “mano” is Spanish for “hand” while the word “po” is often used in Filipino culture and language at the end of each sentence as a sign of respect when addressing someone older. Put together, “mano po” literally translates to “your hand please” as the greeting initiates the gesture of touching the back of the hand of an elder lightly on one’s forehead. An identical tradition is followed in neighbouring Indonesia and Malaysia called “salim” and “salam” respectively, suggesting that the Mano po tradition dates to precolonial times. In today’s Philippine setting, the “mano” is still used by Filipinos… Read More »

Nov
30
2016

“36th PNJK General Assembly”
By Admin

Nikkei – jin meeting with Their Majesties: A great reason for jubilation, vigor and renewed strength.    by: Evelyn Obuchi     On May15, 2016 at 9:00 in the morning, more than a hundred of Nikkei- jins from Chapters of Tagum, Davao, Toril, Calinan, Digos   and Kidapawan gathered at PNJK-IS gym to attend the 36th Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc. General Assembly. This year’s theme is:  Nikkei – jin Meeting  with Their Majesties: A great reason for jubilation, vigor and renewed strength. A theme inspired by the meeting of selected 2nd generation Japanese descended Filipinos from all over the Philippines with their Royal Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan in January 28, 2016 in Manila. The 2nd generation Nikkei-jins were so over joyed and totally overwhelmed with the encounter that with teary eyes they said “Our father came back home”.  With newly acquired vigor and renewed strength the Nikkei-jins are expected to be more united in their continued journey towards identity recognition for a progressive and brighter future. The assembly commenced at 9:30 am with the Masters of Ceremonies Mr. Felipe Hiquial and Ms. Noellyne Fernandez opening the program proper followed by a prayer led by Ms. Adelaida Panagution. The 1st… Read More »