Sep
16
2015

“Annual Memorial Service”
By Admin

Annual Memorial Service 15th August, 2013 @ Mintal Cemetery By: Koichi Ibara Director and Consul of Japan in Davao Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Morning!!! As I can see many representatives and members from Japanese community, please allow me to speak in Japanese as well as in English.             First of all, I would like to thank all of you for having joined us in our Annual Memorial Service this morning. I cannot help but to feel humbled and solemn today as I look back together with you on the past and envisage the future.             It was more than a century ago when the relationship between Japan and Davao began. The earliest record of the arrival of Japanese settlers in Davao was in 1903. Davao, with its flourishing Abaka industry, eventually became the destination of many Japanese nationals as the land of hope for a brighter future.             Due to the dedication of these early Japanese settlers who worked hard together, they prospered and became successful. They also helped Davao achieve economic growth through their robust economic expansion at that time.             But the entry of Japan into the war in 1941 changed the entire situation. The people of the whole… Read More »

Sep
16
2015

“PNJK Inc. Celebrates Ireisai”By: Emiko Escovilla
By Admin

 On the 15th of August, 2013, the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Inc., together with the Consular Office of Japan in Davao, and with the participation of Barangay Mintal, celebrated the Ireisai Annual Memorial Service at the Mintal Cemetery. The Ireisai is a memorial service that honors and remembers the Japanese who died in Davao before and during World War II, as well as the Japanese Immigrants who came to live in Davao and other parts of Mindanao. It is equivalent to the Philippines’ All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day celebration on the 1st and 2nd of November. Reverend Bernardo Fernandez was the officiating minister of the ceremony. Mrs. Adelaida Panaguiton led the invocation, which was followed by the floral offering of several institutions. Hon. Ramon Bargamento, the Mintal Barangay Captain, then delivered a message in behalf of Barangay Mintal, a consistent participant in the Ireisai. Hon. Koichi Ibara, from the Davao Japanese Consul, conveyed his memorial message thereafter.  

Sep
16
2015

“Expectation from Nikkei Jin Kai”
By Admin

Expectation from Nikkei Jin Kai by: Masataka Ajiro President, Japan-Philippines Volunteer Association This time I would like to talk about my expectations from Nikkei Jin Kai. First, I would like to tell you a little bit about the JPVA (Japan Philippine Volunteers Association)The Japan-Philippine Volunteers Association aims to look for problems/issues about both countries; Philippines and Japan and to look for ideas on how to reduce those issues/problems.I met the Japanese descendants (Nikkei Jin) way back in 1984, then created a school, from there, it continue to improve from elementary to High School until college. In 1991, I created the Japan Philippine Volunteers Association together with the Japanese Descendants (Nikkei Jin), mainly for the education of poor children, problems about caregivers and to have tree planting activities on the mountains, collect Recorders in Japan, established recorder ensemble group and organized activities in schools in the mountains, to create a Historical museum where the documents about the Davao history are accumulated and it’s a retained culture are preserved. Our activities aim to make our partners (people) be independent, to give chance/opportunity to people. A nice isn’t it? That’s why, in order to pursue an activity to become independent, we have to… Read More »

Sep
16
2015

“Philippine-Japan Festival”
By Admin

Philippine-Japan Festival By: Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla PNJK President For an event as important as the Philippine-Japan Festival everybody was ushered to the Conference Room of PNJK Inc. to discuss the activities to be held from October 1 to 5, 2013. The meeting was presided by our energetic and able PNJK 1st Vice President Ines P. Mallari, our current MKD President and at the same time the President of the Federation of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai. Various committees were created, headed by responsible teaching staff of both MKD and PNJK-IS. Staff from other entities under the umbrella of PNJK Inc. were likewise given their assignments. After holding three meetings, and satisfied with the reports given by each committee head, the activities that the public would witness came to their final stage. The scheduled activities were as follows: October 01, 2013 Free Medical Clinic and Blood Letting under the supervision of Mrs. Anita P. Iwamoto, Managing Director of the PNJK Polyclinic and Diagnostic Center. October 02, 2013 from 8:30 to 9:00 in the morning and armed with the necessary permit was the Motorcade cruising along PNJK-Bajada-Quirino and back to PNJK compound. A number of parents of students of PNJK-IS happily… Read More »

Sep
16
2015

“The PNJKIS FACULTY & STAFF holds Spiritual Enhancement”
By Admin

The PNJKIS FACULTY & STAFF holds Spiritual Enhancement By: Mr. Rodrigo B. Velasco, Jr. Elementary head,PNJKI Teachers really need a break and after a hard day’s work, a good rest and a good bonding moment with colleagues is a welcome treat sans the lesson plans, school paper works, and other related school activities. Last October 29 – 30, 2013, the faculty and staff of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School had their much- needed break and ecumenical retreat. It was held at Brothers of the Sacred Heart, Catalunan Grande, Davao City. The place is so peaceful that is really conducive for the scheduled activities. The place is so green because of the beautiful plants and garden that make it so refreshing to the eyes. The female teachers and staff were housed at the big rooms on the second floor while the male teachers and staff were at the first floor. The two-day affair made them closer to each other because they had more moments without the usual hassles of their school work  and most of all for the spiritual enhancement making them closer to God. The speaker, Brother Paul H. Andoy, SC, stressed about the power of prayer. Prayer… Read More »