SHE was only four years old when their Japanese father left as World War II intensified. That was the last she saw her father. Filipino-Japanese descendant Conchita (Japanese name Takiko) Miyazato-Basilan is now 73 years old and lives with her grandchildren in her half-hectare lot in Barangay Cogon, Biao in Digos, Davao del Sur. Born on June 16, 1940, Conchita is the only surviving offspring of the late Antonia Payan, of the Kalagan tribe, and Genichi Miyazato, who came to work as a cook in the Japanese military camp in Sasa, Davao City. Davao City was home to around 20,000 Japanese before World War II broke out, working in abaca plantations and tending to different businesses here. The Japanese Practically owned the businesses along the major streets of Davao City and in Toril and Calinan, such that it was commonly referred to as Davao-ku, or a district of Japan. Genichi arrived in the Philippines in 1929 and was engaged in abaca farming in Digos. He got acquainted with Filipina Antonia and they eventually got married. Because their wedding was held following the Kalagan tribal ceremony, there is no record of marriage and the date of their marriage is unknown. Conchita… Read More »