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. Escovilla led the invocation followed by the singing of the National Anthems – Philippines and Japan.
Rengokai President Ines Mallari introduced all participants including observers to the audience and delivered her welcome message. The good and amiable Counsellor and Chief Consul of the Embassy of Japan in Manila Hon. Susumu Tsuda gave his inspiring message followed by another message from our generous supporter The Nippon Foundation representative, Ms. Ikuko Okubo. Atty. Hiroyuki Kawai, PNLSC Chairman and Japanese lawyers, Atty. Mochizuki and Atty. Ohiwa likewise gave their messages in relation to the Shuseki project.
Thereafter President Mallari gave her report as to the various activities engaged by the Rengokai for the past twelve months inclusive of the attendance to the 57th Convention of the Nikkei and Japanese Abroad held in October 25 to 27, 2016 in Tokyo, Japan.
Adopting the provisions of the Bylaws of Rengokai, election followed after hearing the report of the Corporate Treasurer resulting in the approval of all disbursements as well as future expenses the association would incur.
Elected for the term 2016-2018 are the following, to wit:
Mrs. Ines P. Mallari
President
Atty. Emmanuel O. Pacsi
Chairman of the Board
Atty. Allyson Locano
Vice-President for Luzon
Mrs. Estrella Siega
Vice-President for Visayas
Mr. Edwin Padilla
Vice-President for Mindanao
Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla
Rengokai Secretary
Mrs. Araceli Tan
Rengokai Treasurer
Mr. Stephen Buni
Rengokai Auditor
Mrs. Cecilia Zaldivar
Iloilo Chapter President
Mrs. Melissa Roales
Cotabato Chapter President
Mr. Nelson Mabayo
Iligan Chapter President
Mr. Lemuel Yoshimura (Acuesta)
General Santos Chapter President
Mrs. Diocely Macasero
Butuan Chapter President
Mrs. Natalia Feliciano
Zamboanga Chapter President
Mrs. Maria Editha Teraoka Cabanisas
Abong Chapter
Mrs. Hatsuko Vidal
Bacolod Chapter
