Dec
20
2017
H.E AMBASSADOR HANEDA
By
Share This To The World!
Tag: Visit
Dec
20
2017
Visit of Mikio Shimoji
By
September 19, 2017, a team of officials from Okinawa Prefecture headed by Congressman Mikio Shimoji visited the PNJK Compound. More than a thousand students welcomed the arrival of the visiting group with the officials from the PNJK Family at the forefront. Mr. Shimjo was so pleased to see the group of students singing Small World and We Welcome You as they waved flaglets of the two countries, Japan and the Philippines. The Kapariz members showcased their impressive hand-mine presentation generating a round of applause from the visiting group.
After a brief program, the visitors left the gym and along the way, Mr. Shimoji shook hands with almost all of the students. From the gym the visiting team accompanied by PNJK Family officials proceeded to MKD building where they observed an ongoing Nihongo class under Prof. Hashimoto. Students took part in the recitation using the Japanese Language. The visitors were so surprised with what they heard—all students were so articulate in the Nihongo Language. Thereafter, an exchange of views
followed at MKD AVR where Mr. Shimoji laid down the very purpose of his visit including that of his party composed of businessmen who own construction companies and other big enterprises in Okinawa. There would be frequent communication in relation to the intention of forging an agreement or undertaking with PNJK Family in order to assist students and other interested persons willing to work in Japan.
With the conclusion of the meeting, the visitors left and proceeded to other places in Davao City. Other than the impressive performance of the students at PNJK Compound, the group was mesmerized with the beauty of the city, the peace and order condition and high rising buildings indicative of development and progress.
Share This To The World!
Dec
20
2017
A visitor from The Nippon Foundation
By
On July 2, 2017, the organization was fortunate to have Ms. Fumiko Nakai, Deputy Director, Project Management Division, Japanese Heritage Language Center, The Association of Nikkei & Japanese Abroad, visit Davao City. From Manila where she delivered a lecture in a gathering of Japanese-Filipino descendants, she flew to Davao City accompanied by MKD President and College
Administrator Mrs. Ines P. Mallari. Among those who welcomed her were Ms. Jalee Tagud, currently employed with the Consular Office of Japan in Davao City, her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Tagud, and PNJK President Ret. Judge Antonina
B. Escovilla who was with her staff.
Ms. Nakai was introduced to several places in the city, including Samal Island, the Mintal Public Cemetery, the Philippine-Japan Museum, and of course the PNJK Compound.
At Samal, she was impressed with the beauty of the island, particularly its white beaches and the various fruits that were served to the tourists. Thereafter, Ms. Nakai was ushered to PNJK Compound. She toured the area, viewed various
classrooms in both the college and high school building, including the gym where a lot of school children were taking lunch. She next visited the Mintal Public Cemetery, followed by the Philippine-Japan Museum located in Calinan where Angel Guimbaan explained the various artifacts therein displayed. Ms. Nakai likewise went to the school building in Calinan. She expressed her amazement at
how the schools were being run by Japanese- Filipino descendants, as well as at how PNJK progressed from the recognition of descendants to opening schools which catered to the general public.
Unfortunately time flew us by—and it was not long before we had to part ways. With the promise that she would return, Ms. Nakai flew back to Manila the following day. The PNJK family looks forward to having her again.
Share This To The World!
Sep
19
2017
Welcome to PNJK Hon. Mikio Shimoji
By
The visit at the PNJK Family Compound on Sept. 19, 2017 of the Hon. Mikio Shimoji, a Member of the House of Representative of Japan and his Party. The team was accompanied by Consul Tomoko Dodo of the Japanese Consular Office in Davao City.
Share This To The World!
Jun
30
2017
“Zairyu Senbou Douhou Irei Tou”
By
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.
Bishop Ajiro explained to Madam Akie Abe the reason behind the installation of the Monument of No Regret. Names of Kigyo Kyokai officials and benefactors headed by Datu Bago Awardee Tatsuo Uchida will be engraved in this monument. Madam Akie listened intently to what Bishop Ajiro was saying and with teary eyed, offered another prayer.
Tree Planting at Mintal Memorial Garden
January 13, 2017, in the crowd gathered at the Mintal Public Cemetery, specifically at the area where Japanese tombs stand was the presence of persons in white polo shirt and dark pants. We assumed that these are the staffs assigned to safeguard the safety of the highest official in Japan.
First to arrive was the group of Madam Yuko Ishikawa, the wife of the JapaneseAmbassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa. Introduction to various officials who were around took place. Bishop Masataka Ajiro the former President of the Japan Philippine Volunteer Association approached Madam Yuko to do the honor of the ceremonial narra tree planting right beside the road from the entrance of the cemetery to the area where Japanese tombs are found.
Assisting Madam Yuko in the tree planting ceremony were Bishop Ajiro, PNJKPresident Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla, Barangay Captain Ramon Bargamento and PNJK 2nd Vice President Juseven Austero.
Share This To The World!
Jun
30
2017
THE PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE
By
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 the final call was heard about the arrival of not only the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Madam Akie but of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as well, another meeting was then scheduled. The staffs were mobilized to prepare tarpaulin welcoming both highest officials of Japan and the Philippines.
However, minutes before the scheduled arrival of the two highest officials some changes were made, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte cancelled his visit.
When Prime Minister Abe arrived, the graders who were patiently waiting along the road from the entrance up to the PNJK Gym, where the high school students were standing with flaglets in hand, waved the same and started singing “It’s A Small World” in Nihongo and “We Welcome You” which gesture must have moved our guest making him disembark from his vehicle together with his wife, gave highfives to all the kids. Upon reaching the place where we were standing, we, President Mallari, Judge Escovilla and Bishop Ajiro shook hands with the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe while being introduced by Ambassador Ishikawa. Thereafter, he stopped in front of the group of students performing handmine and was in awe looking at the words formed with the song “we welcome you” as the background. Before entering the audio visual room, he looked at the area where the Nisei were seated and said “arigatou” to their welcome greetings.
While in the audio visual room the Prime Minister observed a Nihongo class composed of third year college students with their Japanese Professor. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was impressed with the response of the students all in Nihongo and each student upon conclusion of the class was congratulated by him. It was an enjoyable sight with both the Prime Minister and Madam Abe talking to the students in Nihongo. School Administration is so proud to have students who could speak fluent Nihongo and could assimilate Japanese culture.
Share This To The World!
Jan
13
2017
Ceremonial NARRA tree planting
By
Ceremonial NARRA tree planting by Madam Yuko Ishikawa, wife of Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa held on January 13, 2017 at the Public Cemetery in Mintal, assisted by JPVA former President Masataka Ajiro, Judge Antonina B. Escovilla, PNJK President, Brgy. Captain Ramon Bargamento and PNJK 2nd Vice-President Juseven Austero.
Share This To The World!
Jan
13
2017
“First Ladies of Japan and Philippines”
By
January 13, 2017 at the Mintal Public Cemetery of Mintal during the visit of Madam Akie Abe and Ms. Honeylet Avanceña, with the two First Ladies of Japan and the Philippines respectively are Bishop Masataka Ajiro, Brgy. Captain Ramon Bargamento and PNJK President Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla. 
Share This To The World!
May
26
2016
“VISITING MINTAL CEMETERY”
By
Hon. Consul Susumu Tsuda, Councellor & Chief Consul of the Embassy of Japan, Manila together with Mr. Norihiro Inomata, of PNLSC, Japan, Mrs. Ines P. Mallari, Rengokai President & Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla, PNJK Davao City Chapter, visited the Mintal Public Cemetery, Mintal, Davao City.
Share This To The World!
Nov
30
2015
Visit to the Embassy of Japan in Davao City, April 15, 2015
By
Leadership in an office or in any entity for that matter changes when so required. PNJK Inc. has its new set of officers after the celebration of the 35th General Assembly and Araw ng Nikkeijin.
Likewise the term of office of Hon. Koichi Ibarra as head of the Consular Office of Japan in Davao City came to an end due to his retirement from this office last March 18, 2015. Installed to take over management of said office is the Honorable Tomoko Dodo. She reported for duty last April 02, 2015 and the Consular Office in Davao City commenced in accepting visitors for a courtesy call.
PNJK, Inc. President Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla, together with Mrs. Ines P. Mallari, President of the Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku and the PNJK-International School Main as well as the head of the Philippine Nikkeijin Rengokai and Mrs. Carmen C. Apigo, School Principal of the PNJK-IS Calinan Branch and Officer In Charge of the Philippine-Japan Museum paid their courtesy call to the Hon. Tomoko Dodo on April 15, 2015 in the morning.
Exchange of information took place and Hon. Dodo is a very pleasant person to talk to. With her wide experience as a diplomat we are certain that the Consular Office of Japan in Davao City will continue to remain cordial to all citizens of Davao and the willingness to extend support more so to the members of the various association and groups one of which is the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc.
Continue reading Visit to the Embassy of Japan in Davao City, April 15, 2015
Share This To The World!
