PASAHERO

May-June 2009

HALF: A New Generation

With international marriages rising in Japan, so does the new breed of "HALF" children in Japan.  Elena Sakai is born to a Filipino mother and a Japanese father.  Our pasaHERO for this issue talks about life being a "half" and about life itself.

I was born in Manila, and came to Japan 2 months after birth. My mother is a Filipina, and my father is a Japanese. Due to my father’s job, I spent my childhood abroad, in Singapore, Australia, Canada and U.S. I came back to Japan when I was 9, and lived in Japan since then. Now, I work as a promotions consultant, and also as a singer in a band called ‘Eloja.’

My Job and the Philippines

My job concerns promotion consulting. What I do is consult promotions for campaigns, events, and media management to entice more Japanese travelers to the Philippines. There are many aspects to the Philippines, and it seems that the negative image (unsafe, poverty) is still the dominant image in Japan. However, there are so many wonderful things in the Philippines, such as the beautiful ocean and abundant nature, modern shopping centers, delicious fruits, spas… that are yet to be known. I promote these beautiful parts, so that the Japanese can see what the Philippines truly has to offer. Also, as a singer, ‘Eloja’, I sang the theme song for the Philippine Department of Tourism.

Half Pinoys in Japan

There were many half Pinoys around me when I was growing up, but no one seeemed to have a problem with being a ‘half.’  They were proud of being half Filipino, ate Filipino food and some could even speak Tagalog, which I really admire. On the other hand, I know 'halfs' who don’t know much or anything about the Philippines.

Growing Up As A ‘Half’

I think that growing up as a ‘half’ is like a life-long search of your identity. I will always have two ‘home’ counties (actually, I think it's more than that), and each one has a different characteristic in me. Spending most of my life in Japan, my dominant language and personality is probably a ‘Japanese.’ Although I knew I was half-Filipino, and there were many Filipinos around me, I always felt like the Philippines was somewhat far. I always felt like I was seeing the Philippines from the outside. It was only when I started my current job, that I came to really know the Philippines, and become really proud of my mother’s country, and the country that I was born in. Now, I know and understand myself better,  because I have parts in me that are Japanese, and parts that are Filipino.

Bullying In School

In my case, there wasn’t so much bullying. However, I was made fun of by boys when I came back from the U.S. But I didn’t really mind because I knew they were just kind of jealous of me. I guess it really depends on where you grow up. If you live in the urban areas, where many foreigners live, being a half woudn’t be so rare. But if you are in the rural areas, people might look at you as ‘different,’ and the situation would be harder.

Advatages, Disadvantages

I think the disadvantages are the chances of being bullied, or treated differently, but I think that the social situations are changing, and becoming more open to halfs. Advantages are having two home countries, having a wider aspect towards things and being able to think in two (or more) different ways.

Problems and Solutions

As I mentioned above, there might be discrimination depending on where you live. But I think that, actually, it is the Filipino parent who would have more problems. It might be because they can’t speak Japanese, or simply just because they are a foreigner. In any case, the family should support them.

Advise to Parents On Raising 'Half' Children

Teach your children to be proud of themselves that they are even more special because they are half.  Talk to them about the Philippines. Let them eat the food. Teach them the language, and let them go to the Philippines, if possible.

Children are in a sandwich situation of Japan and the Philippines. If the parents and the family can be there for them, to teach them to be proud, then I think that the children can be OK.

March-April 2009

Basic Heroism

For someone who has spent most of her life in Japan than she did in her own country, Elizabeth Chavez, known as "Ate Beth" to most of her friends, still has no plans of going home to the Philippines anytime soon. Now at 55, she represents the common/ordinary Overseas Filipino working in Japan, doing what she can as breadwinner to give the family she has left behind in her native land some luxury in life.

Ate Beth has spent more than 30 years in Japan, more years than she has spent in her native land and ironically, she says she still speaks "baroque" Nihonggo. It is because she usually worked for English-speaking families, including the first family she has worked for when she came to Japan in 1978 with the help of her cousin.

She worked mostly for foreign family households plus the occasional Japanese ones. The Japanese families she had worked for were all in celebrity status including famous singer/movie stars and professional baseball players. She takes pride in the trust they gave her when normally, those people wouldn't just let anyone into their homes. She has also worked as a chef in a friend's Filipino restaurant several years ago and has also acted as cook and helped manage a friend's club in Kawasaki.

In all those years Ate Beth has spent in Japan, she has met a lot of Filipino friends whom either she helped or made a difference in her life, most of whom are in the Samahang Pilipino where she currently is the acting auditor of the association. She also met her husband here and got married in 1987 at the Philippine Embassy.

Like most working overseas Filipino parent, Ate Beth left her two children in the care of her immediate family back in the Philippines, raised by her own mother. It is not easy, she says, leaving her children behind but she had to, to give them a better quality of life. And although her married life was "turbulent," as she has put it, it was her children and the thought of giving them a good life that kept her going and made her stay longer than she had ever wanted in Japan.

It was not as easy as it sounds now. All the exhaustion and stress she encounters in her everyday activities could drive one mad but, as they say, everything good comes at a cost. All the hardships paid off somehow as she has managed to own several land properties back home that she calls "the fruit of my labor." She has helped her immediate family rise up from poverty and has also managed to send her children to good schools and give them quality education, all on her own. The last one she takes great pride in as education is the only gift she could give her beloved children that no one could take away.

Now, Ate Beth still has not given up on anything. She says that if one tries, one can. It is all about perseverance and the love you have for your family. She is still the same woman, headstrong and proud. Not because of all she has, but because of all she has been through that not even a fraction of them is written here. What she has done for her family, in my opinion, is heroism at its plainest and I as the writer can truly say that for she is my mother.

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January-February 2009

Getting The Best of Both Worlds

"Monumentong Nilulumot," some said in jest for she has been in Tokyo for more years than most can remember. A forerunner and a frontrunner of the Filipino media, she was called by Ambassador Arguelles as the "doyenne" of the Filipino media, because she was always there in any affair, event and occasion of the Filipino community. She is "Tita Norms ng lahat" or Mommy, but never Lola (or you will get punch on the nose).

Everyone knows her. But do they really know the story behind her? As Jeepney Press' pasaHERO(ine) for this issue, Norma Suno reflects on her early beginnings when no one was still around to witness how she started and survived these four decades of living in the extravagant and austere generations of Japan. Let us all read as she tells the story of her life.

I landed in Haneda airport via SAS airlines on 14 October 1971. It is ever fresh in my memory for I was the last one to get down the plane with the pilot helping me with my luggage. I was so small and the luggage was bigger than I. My father's long time Japanese friend (who found a job for me) and his wife, the company manager and the driver were waiting patiently for me, even if it was already past midnight.

That struck a chord in my heart that never left me all these years. The Japanese whom I have met since then have always been kind and thoughtful. In those first few months, I was impressed with their discipline, at home and at work, waiting patiently in line for their turn, without pushing nor cursing. In their rituals and rites of passage, they are polite, follow the forms minutely. As long as you follow the traditional ways of getting things done, you are safe and considered a good Japanese. At that time, right after the war, they were thrifty, industrious and thought only of the good of the country, they are so united that outsiders called it, "Japan, Inc."

In the seventies and early eighties, Japan was the "Rising Sun," there was so much cash, we got 5-months bonus every time. Export was so busy that company workers worked overtime daily. In the late seventies, everybody said that Japan was No.1. There was even a best selling book, entitled "Japan as No. 1. " The first 10 banks of the world's bank list were all Japanese.

There were not so many foreigners then. In the then small St. Ignatius Chapel, often, I was one of two foreigners with a dozen old Japanese ladies in the Sunday Mass. The Ikebukuro station was wooden, and when I hurried running on it, the floors would tremble. The Ginza Subway Line had wooden floors on the trains and there was no airconditioning so that you practically sweated through the trip.

Then the "bubble" burst in the late eighties and early nineties. My Filipino friends who came to Japan at about the same time as I did, said, "We saw the rise and fall of Japan. We witnessed the history of Japan in the making."

Looking back through all these years, I think I can write a book, "40 Years in a Quandary in Japan." You see, my Japanese is so poor that I can call myself, a "functional illiterate!"

But all in all, I thank God for letting me stay in Japan, getting to know the Japanese really well, and living very conveniently in a "First World" country.

Being a Filipina, growing up in the Philippines, but spending almost half of my life in Japan, has given me the best of both worlds!

November-December 2008

Does the name Pastor Panaligan ring a bell? What about the word "JapPinoy?"

Pastor Panaligan is a Filipino, System Engineer, based in Japan. Right now, he is handling and developing a project for a new Robotic Systems of a huge electronic company in South Korea, mainly involved in making their specialized and enhanced LCDs.

Known as Pas to his friends, he never dreamt of living here, until he met someone in Saipan who changed everything. He was working in Saipan already as a system engineer, when he met Akiko, a Japanese lady who worked in the same company, and eventually became his wife. After their project there, they came back to Japan and started their family. And as of this writing, Pas has "two more girls in his life," Aya and Anna.

Here in Japan, he got to know some Filipinos who share his ideas, and thus created something that would eventually lead him to open his doors (and arms) to many people who need help.

For internet forum lovers, and many Filipinos here in Japan, he is known as the man behind JapPinoy. That is an online community in Japan for Filipinos all over the world.

"JapPinoy" is a friendly Filipino community in Japan. The word obviously comes from the words Japan and "Pinoy," our word for Filipino. For those who want to join, please go to the following link: http://www.jappinoy.com/

"Our priority mission in creating JapPinoy is to let other people, races and countries know that we Filipinos are close to each other. As one family, and as part of our culture, we continue to help each other without wanting anything in return wherever part of the world we may be. And on top of this, we want Filipinos all over Japan and in other countries as well, to be friends, and be one family."

"We also have a goal of doing charity work for our "Kababayans" in the Philippines, and that's what we refer as the "Tulong JapPinoy Movement." There is a special thread of this in the forum for those of you who want to help."

And so far, JapPinoy has already helped some people in the Philippines in terms of donations or medical assistance to some patients in need.

Pas has been in Japan for almost three years, but is still trying to adjust.

I am glad to have the chance to know him, and be a member of JapPinoy... and here are some answers gathered:

What do you admire most in Japan or in the Japanese people?
For now, I am just impressed by the clean surroundings in Japan. No offense but, I really don't like Japan yet, or maybe I am still trying to adjust on how to deal with things here in Japan. For almost 3 years of my stay her, I'm still having a hard time adapting to things - trying to blend in with everyone to co-exist and to live in one's community. When I don't know something, I just leave it to my wife and let her do it so as not to make mistakes.

What do you dislike about Japan or the Japanese?
I think they don't care or just don't show they care about someone or his/her life. Of course, am not saying all of them are like that. And I am not saying this because I am Filipino. This is just based on what I see and what I feel and my personal experience. They are not like us, Hindi uso dito ang salitang DAMAYAN.

What was your life before and now that you are in Japan?
I could say that my family and I belong to a middle class family in Philippines because my brothers, sisters and I have graduated in College.

Although there was one experience in my life that I cannot really forget. And that was when I bought "bakal, bote, plastic, etc." along the highways just to earn money. I did it for almost 1 year before I got a chance to work in Saipan, never did I imagineÉ I would be here now.

What do you want to do, to help the Filipinos back home?
I really want to help our Kababayans but I don't have enough strength and power to do it alone. But if someone will stand before me or come to me and ask for my help even now, I will always have my hands ready to give the best of what I can give. And hopefully JapPinoy will help me fulfill this dream.

Let us go back to JapPinoy. How do you maintain the site? Do you have people helping you with it?
Currently the site status is working smoothly and there's no big task to do aside from monitoring the member's posts and the member's registrations. And am thankful that we have the continuous support from our staff, and this is always appreciated. But during its first period of development there were lots of modifications to be made and I really had to spend most of my time maintaining the site. And also the staff helped a lot because some of them have the technical skills.

How many members do you have at the moment?
Currently we have over 700 registered members, but not all of them are active members. We have at least 50 regular members who are always online but some of them are not yet that active in participating in the threads or discussions.

What is their feedback about the site?
Different people have different impressions. That's expected, we cannot please everyone. But we are doing our best to make it a "home to all Filipinos" in Cyberspace.

Do you think you are achieving your goals?
Seeing our members happy and having no problems amongst themselves in terms of relationships in the forum, I could say YES. Because that is what we want, not to criticize others for what they are doing - instead, we want all the members to be friens.Ó

Again, back to you, where do you want to grow old?
As the cliche goes, "there is no place like home" and for me nothing can compare with "Pagmamahal at Kalingang Pilipino." My choice is obvious.

Lastly, can you give some advice to Filipinos reading this article?
I am not that good at giving advice to others, but I will try... Just let GOD lead your way and ask HIS presence in everything you do.

Cast all your worries upon Him because He cares for you.
(1 Peter 5:7 )

September-October 2008

JEFFREY REMIGIO is the Managing Director of ABS-CBN Japan Inc. He is a graduate of Film and Audio Visual Communication from the University of the Philippines in Diliman. He was with the original team that launched TFC worldwide 14 years ago. Now, he brings the world of KAPAMILYA to the homes of Pinoys in Japan.

How did you get your job?
Long story... started my career at ABS-CBN as a writer for the program Tatak Pilipino in 1992. The following year, I joined the International division and we started airing TV Patrol in San Francisco. In 1994, TFC was born. And I am happy to say that I was there since we started offering this great product that continue to help our kababayans get connected to home. I was Head of Global Manila Operations handling content and marketing for TFC prior to my posting here in 2006.

Tel us more about ABS-CBN Japan and TFC-ko.
We decided to open a branch here in Japan, similar to our offices in the US, the Middle East, Europe and Australia, so we can be closer to the Filipinos. We had been serving the Filipino community here for many years already but we were not as intimate with them compared to the other regions where we have TFC. Kaya talagang naisip naming mas makapag-serbisyo kami ng mabuti sa mga Pilipino kung may sarili na kaming opisina dito sa Japan.
We really want to be able to touch the lives of our kababayans through our television programs, and other products and services we may be offering in the future.
TFCKo is our newest distribution platform. We feel that this new technology using internet protocol provides our customers the best option to enjoy our programs. Napaka-convenient at ibang-iba ang experience. Simula nang magkaroon ako ng TFCKo, iba na ang paningin ko sa telebisyon. Parang ang hirap na manood ng conventional na TV. Sa TFCKo kasi, meron itong feature na Video on Demand. Kaya sa bagong product na ito, you really own your time. Di mo kailangang magmadali. Kung kelan ka may time to watch, available pa rin ang mga favorite programs mo. At higit sa lahat, it is very easy to use, at magaan sa bulsa. Sulit na sulit sa dami ng mga programa at palabas na puwede mong mapanood. At lahat ng mga programa ng ABS-CBN, naka archive sa tuner, kaya kahit kelan, pwede mong balik-balikan.

What are the good and bad things working for your company?
There are no bad things working for ABS-CBN. Para sa akin, it's all good. Napakabait ng ABS-CBN. It's my first job... and I am still very happy being with the same company... Nakangiti pa rin akong pumapasok sa opisina tuwing umaga. Bago pa lang ang office namin dito, pero sana sa mga darating na taon ay maipakita at maipadama ko rin sa mga kasamahan ko dito kung paano mag-alaga ang ABS-CBN. Pero syempre may mga challenges din. It's all part of it. But all this we can conquer for as long as there is passion and dedication to serve.

How is it working with famous celebrities in the Philippines?
Masarap at masaya. In my almost 16 years with ABS-CBN, I have had the pleasure of working and being friends with some of the best artists we have in the industry. I have traveled to many places with a lot of them... discovered some of their secrets. Puwede na akong sumulat ng libro for some of them, haha.

What is in store for ABS-CBN Japan?
Madaming mangyayari sa ABS-CBN Japan in the coming yearsÉ kaya sana ay patuloy kaming tangkilikin ng ating mga kapamilya dito sa Japan. We are launching our StarStudio magazine this August, kaya madadagdagan na rin ang mga de kalidad na entertainment magazines dito sa Japan. And we will have another big event coming on September 21 with Sam Milby, Erik Santos and the winners of Pinoy Dream Academy.

What's the best thing about being a KAPAMILYA?
The best thing about being a Kapamilya is really the way we live it. We strive to make every Kapamilya really feel that we are here to serve them. Gagawa at gagawa ang ABS-CBN ng paraan para lalong mapabuti ang serbisyo nito. As a Kapamilya, damang-dama mo para ka lang talagang nasa Pinas, malapit sa mga mahal natin sa buhay.

What are your first impressions of Japan?
Napaka-safe na bansa. Malinis at parang di ako magugutom. Bawat kanto may convenience store.

Any culture shock experiences so far?
So far wala pa naman. I guess I have been guided by friends and from the books I have read... nakaka-adopt naman ako ng mabuti.

The best and worst things you like about Japan?
Food---I can never have enough of wagyu, ramen, toro, gyoza at kanin. Iba ang kanin dito. Ang hirap magpigil. Sabi ko nga e, adobo at mainit na kanin ditoÑsolved ka na!
Other than food, one of the best things I love about Japan is its high standards for safety and security. At ang gamit mo ay iyung-iyo.. walang ibang magkaka-interes! Ano pa ba... aah... heated toilet seats... they're the best! The worst thing? Hmmm... Right hand driving... di ko alam kung matututunan ko bang magmaneho dito.

How do you find the Japanese?
Basing it from my first few meetings here a couple of years ago... masyado silang de-kahon. Ang hirap baliin ng prinsipyo. Kulang sa flexibility. Pero bilib ako sa disiplina nila..kaya naman siguro First World country sila, di ba. And basing it from my experiences so far, I can say na napakamagagalang nila as a people.

Compare and contrast the Japanese and Pinoys.
Ang Pinoy, likas na masayahin. Mas madami, mas masaya. At saka iba ang karinyo natin e. Iba tayo maglambing. Sa mga Pinoy, basta maayos ang pakikisama mo, sigurado magiging masaya ang paligid mo. Pero excessive din tayo. Sa mga handaan nga, may pancit na, may lumpia, menudo, caldereta at biko pa.
Sa mga Japanese, dahil sa kultura nila, parang madali silang ma-kuntento. They can smile at very simple things.

What do you think is the secret of their economic success?
From what I see, they are law-abiding citizens kasi. At napakadaling sumunod sa batas kapag ito ay striktong ipinatutupad. Determinado silang magtrabaho kasi alam nilang may pinatutunguhan ang mga pinaghihirapan nila. And their government provides them with a lot of opportunities.

What will you miss the most when you leave this country?
I will be here for many more years... So I'll just enjoy everything about Japan for now.

What can you say about the status of Filipinos here in Japan?
I think our Kababayans here belong to a community of strong and intelligent people. Sa dami ng mga pagsubok na pinagdadaanan ng marami sa atin, walang naidudulot ito kundi ang pagpapatibay sa paniniwalang lahat ng ating paghihirap at pagsasakripisyo ay balang-araw magdudulot ng lubos na kaligayahan para sa ating sarili at sa mga mahal natin sa buhay.

Very few Pinoys like Marlene dela Pena, Charito and Ruby Moreno have made it into the mainstream Japanese show business. Do you think it's hard to penetrate the Japanese market for a Pinoy talent?
I think show business is a combination of talent, luck, and timing. We have so much Filipino talents, but are not just given the proper break, or may have just been unlucky. But if the Filipino will only strive harder, madami pa tayong mararating. Magaling naman tayo dyan e... matiyaga tayo, diba?

There are many talented Pinoys here in Japan. What would you recommend anyone who would like to become a talent for ABS-CBN?
We are going to be conducting a series of auditions in the near future for our programs like Pinoy Big Brother and Pinoy Dream Academy. If there are talented Kapamilyas out there who feel they have what it takes to be a star, they can always visit or call our Japan office.

Message to Pinoys?
Keep dreaming and work hard. Do things with dignity, and humility. And hold on to your being a Filipino. In the end, tayo-tayo pa rin ang magkakasama-sama.

July-August 2008

Mr. Nardito M. Hernandez is fondly called as Toto by his friends and colleagues. Toto was born in November under the eighth astrological sign in the Zodiac - the Scorpio. The Scorpio motto might be "What is hidden is more interesting than what is obvious." Toto is a very sensitive person. They say that you don't mess with a Scorpio man. For Toto, once you get closer to him and understand him, you will find him very warm, loving, thoughtful, honest and sincere. If you worry about your looks, don't ask him. He will give you his honest judgment. When he says that you look great, you can be sure that it is really coming from his heart.

BASIC
Full Name: NARDITO M. HERNANDEZ
Hometown: LEMERY, BATANGAS
Job: MEMBER OF PHILIPPINE EMBASSY
Education: B.S. PREPARATORY MEDICINE, B.S. BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, B.S. FOREIGN SERVICE

How long have you been in the foreign service?
I have been in the service for thirty one (31) years and three (3) months.

How did you get your job?
After I finished Foreign Service, I applied for a job with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). I waited for several months before I was called to report for duty as a casual employee. I was given a permanent item after three months. I worked for four and a half years at the Passport Division before I was given my first foreign assignment.

What are the pros and cons working with DFA?
The Department of Foreign Affairs is considered the premier agency of the government. The foreign service is the most exciting part of being a member of DFA family because it gives the opportunity to meet interesting people, visit many places and learn the cultures of different countries around the world. It also gives me pride to work in an organization of highly competent, dedicated and motivated personnel who work with the highest standard of professionalism and commitment in the interest of the country and the Filipino people. I can't think of disadvantages working with DFA.

Which countries have you been stationed before Japan?
Philippine Embassy, Caracas, Venezuela
January 1982 to March 1984

Philippine Embassy, Buenos Aires, Argentina
April 1984 to January 1990

Philippine Embassy, The Hague, The Netherlands
August 1992 to January 1999

Tell us some interesting things about the places you've been to. Caracas, Venezuela: Caracas, the most Americanized city in South America, has fantastic weather. They call it "primavera eternal" which means eternal spring whole year round. People are warm and friendly.
Buenos Aires, Argentina: It is considered the Paris of Latin America because of the architectural designs of the building. It is also characterized by wide avenues, big restaurants and well-maintained public facilities. Buenos Aires is where Tango was born. I believe that the Argentines are one of the most elegant peoples in the world as it is the most Europeanized country in South America. They consider Filipinos as their Latino brothers in Asia.
The Hague, The Netherlands: The Netherlands is popularly known as the garden of Europe. It is small but rich country. It is famous for its windmills, Delft pottery works, tulip garden in Keukenhof, flower auctions in Aalsmeer, canal cruise in Amsterdam. If there is one real cheese country in the world, it's the Netherlands. It is common for the Dutch to speak several languages Ð English, German and Flemish.

What were your first impressions of Japan?
Suspicious people especially with foreigners.

Any culture shock experiences here?
None but I was surprised to find out that Japanese are unromantic.

What's the best thing(s) you like about Japan?
All things modern, organized and wonderfully convenient. People are patient, hygienic and amazingly dedicated to their work. Police authorities protect the rights and interest of the public.

What will you miss the most when you leave Japan?
Peace and order situation. Courtesy of the police authorities and the people.

What things have you learned here which you will teach Pinoys back home ?
Dedication to work and patience.

If you can bring anything (even impossible things) from Japan to Philippines, what would it be?
Sound work habits of the Japanese people.

How do you find the status and situation of the Filipinos in Japan compared to the Filipinos in other post of assignment you were assigned to?
The status and situation of the Filipinos anywhere are almost the same. It only differs on the laws and rules and regulations being used or implemented in the country where they are in.

Your message to Pinoys.
May you have increased strength to continue with your good works and get rid of the unproductive habits.

May-June 2008

by Dennis Sun

Simply known as Nanay by many Pinoys, Anita Sasaki and I have worked together some years ago although for a short period of time. However brief though it was, her over-flowing positive personality compensated for the short time we were together. She showered me with lots of positive energies and told me touching stories packed with wisdom that came straight from her soul. From her life's lessons, she taught me that no man is an island. And that to live is to continue working and loving. Thus, everyone calls her Nanay Anita and they all mean it whole heartedly. She justifiedly fits the role of mother. Whoever you are, you will definitely be treated like one of her children. Now, Jeepney Press is proud to introduce "the mother" to many more Pinoys in Japan.

As we talked, Nanay Anita recalls her sweet childhood memories. She said that everything was given to her in a silver platter when she was young. And it pains her that now as a mother, she was not able to do the same thing to her children. However, she now realized that having lived an easy life as a child did not really make her strong. It was during the times when she grew older and faced the real dramas in life that she started to grow as a real person and find the true meaning in life.

You name a problem and she probably have experienced it. Her life story can actually fill up a series of books. So I just asked her how fate brought her to Japan. Nanay Anita explained, "It was in 1995 that I became the wife of Hideo Sasaki. Would you believe I was already 47 years old then with 10 grand children?" Fate was now starting to write a new chapter on her life. So, a new life in Japan begins to unfold.

Her husband owned an omise that had been operating for 35 years then. She helped him in the business which made her the Mama san. When word spread out that there was a Filipina working there, her mission in life has finally started to form. Filipinos with all sorts of problem came to her for help. She remembers, "One time, someone left a 3-week old baby at my kitchen door. Another time, I had to give shelter to a Filipina battered wife at home. And countless times, I had to help many Pinoys go to the immigration." Indeed, once you start helping and serving your fellowmen, there is no more stopping. She discovered her gift of service and many do see that in her. It is a genuine gift from the heart which only a few are granted. There came a time when an undocumented mother and child asked her help. Nanay Anita and her husband went to the immigration office to act as her guarantors. The memory is still fresh in her mind as she recalls, "The mother and child were given a visa. The mother said, 'Nanay, what can I give you?' I answered her, 'Money cannot buy the happiness I see in your face. Just pass on doing the same favor to someone else.' " That was her only request. Nanay Anita will help anyone without a price tag on it. Helping Pinoys was giving her a heavier load so she founded CASTLE, an acronym for Christian Association Serving Traditional Laymens Evangelists, and had it registered at the Philippine Embassy so she can assist more Filipinos in need.

While helping many kababayans in Japan, she experienced a difficult lesson in her life. Her husband passed away. It was a time to test her strength. She kept telling herself to move on and be positive. She made herself busier by working earlier in the day serving Filipino lunch to Pinoys and Japanese. Then, another blow came when her husband's son from an earlier marriage brought her to the family court trial to get her to sign and waive her rights to secure the properties of her deceased husband. She said, "I had nothing bad in my mind. I was not after my husband's wealth. And it showed that God was with me even in this court." Because she is a Filipina, she had no rights to inherit what her husband left her. She proved to the court that there was a true, loving relationship with her husband and that her husband's son from an earlier marriage was doing everything even committing fraud to get the properties of his father whom he has abandoned for a long time. "When he was alive and sick, he never came to visit or even call. Now that he is dead, all he wanted was his wealth."

Still, Nanay Anita remains positive in her outlook in life. She illustrates, "Positive is a cross sign which is mathematics for addition. Tilt the sign of the cross and it becomes an X sign which is a mathematics sign for multiplication. That is why, whether in thought or in action, it comes back to you increased and multiplied. So if you do bad, the more bad will come. And the cross sign has four angles: for love, wealth, health and success. So if you think you have no money, then you get a headache. Then you go to the doctor who will say you have cancer. Thinking you are sick, you are always in a bad temper, realizing you are abandoned, left out with no love life, and so on. It becomes a vicious cycle! So, get away from the minus sign and put a plus sign in your life!"

Now, Nanay Anita proudly works for New Media Group, an international IPTV company, and she has nothing but good words for her boss Randy McGraw. She now has the opportunity to work with peopple of different nationalities. "I feel so young because everyone around me at work is young. So to cope up with them, I have to grow younger each day." She is already at her retirement age but she still choose to work. Her work philosophy? "I will stop working only when I cannot do anything anymore. If my 3 H's (heart, head and hands) are still moving, I continue working."

Recently, some people stopped calling her Nanay Anita already and started calling her Lola Anita. Is that a problem? She joked, "Nanay man o lola, no problem. At least now, I am not only a mother to many but also be a grand mother to many more. And for me, that is even a good and positive sign!"

March-April 2008

Lahi president & treasurer personally handed over to Ms.Tina Monson Palma the donations in cash for the benefit of the less fortunate children of Bantay Bata 163 and Gawad Kapamilya together with accompanying friends.

By Dennis Sun
Pumasada po ang Jeepney Press sa bandang Ibaraki prefecture, just a few hours away by train from Tokyo. Famous po ang Ibaraki sa watermelons, chestnuts and natto! Dito rin po naging famous ang martial art na Aikido. When you are going to visit Ibaraki, try the tourist places like Kairakuen Park, Mount Tsukuba and the Kashima Shrine. Pero bago pumunta, mag-pa-guide po kayo sa napakaraming mga kababayan natin na namamalagi sa Ibaraki, a place they call their second home.

Isa po sa maraming Pinoy group dito ay ang LAHI. This is a group of Filipinos mostly residing in the city of Chikusei. LAHI was organized on August 31, 2003. So, bale 5 years na po sila. Sila ang ating pasaHEROES for this issue. More than 100 po ang mga miembro at 20 active officers naman ang nagpapatakbo nito.

Napakaswerte po ng Jeepney Press at nakausap namin ang founder and current president ng LAHI, si Maria Rowena Inoue. Bakit ba tinatag itong grupo? Wika ni Rowena, "Bago ko itinatag ang LAHI, napaka-boring po ng buhay dito sa Japan. Trabaho. Bahay. Trabaho. Ganoon lang. Madalas akong ma-homesick. Walang samahan ang mga Pilipino. Walang bonding. Meron akong isang good friend na na-hospitalized. Na-opera siya pero nalaman ko lang after a month. I felt sad. Sana. I told myself, kung meron isang samahan ang mga Pilipino dito para magtulungan, mas makakabuti sa amin. Kaya sabi ko sa sarili ko, kailangan mag-buklod ang mga Pilipino dito para makagawa ng isang grupo. Then one time, I was watching TFC, I got a glimpse of Bantay bata 163. Na-awa ako sa mga bata sa Pinas.  The more na I was inspired to push through with the group because hindi lang kami-kami ang makikinabang sa samahan ngunit pwede pa kaming makatulong sa mga nangangailangan sa Pinas."

Rowena, also being the vice-president of Sekijo International Friendship Association, mobilized all her friends to create a Filipino group, LAHI. Dagdag po ni Rowena, "Naniniwala po ako na malaki ang naitutulong ng samahang ito sa akin at sa aking mga kasamahan dahil nagkaroon po bigla ng sigla ang mga buhay namin dahil dito. Natuto po kaming humarap sa publiko lalung-lalo na sa mga Hapones. We show them the good and the best among the Filipinos here and the Japanese respond with their respect to us." Now the Japanese in their community support many of their group's activities.

Since their creation on 2003, they have been donating financial help and sending school supplies to Bantay Bata 163 and Gawad Kapamilya. Also, they have contributed  to the OWWA Scholarship Program starting last year and have proudly sent 8 students to school.

This year, napaka-busy na rin ng schedule ng grupo. This year, meron silang consular service outreach, bowling tournaments, field trip to Disneyland, UTAWIT regional qualifying round, at marami pang iba. Kailangan nga maging busy para laging genki!

Hiningan po namin ag advice ni Rowena sa lahat ng mga Pilipina at nanay sa Japan. "Follow the rules and regulations. Don't hesitate to mingle and show up at your community activities. Huwag magkulong sa bahay, sayang lang ang araw." Ano pa ba ang pwedeng gawin ng mga Pinoy? Saglit na sagot ni Rowena, "Do volunteer works like teaching English to your friends' children. O kaya teach the Japanese how to cook Filipino dish. I am sure they will appreciate it. Baka ma-shokai ka pa nila ng magandang trabaho." Rowena is really doing her best to live her life to the fullest by helping other Pinoys in her community do the same. "I believe that if we will find a way, we can do something better for ourselves para makilala nila ang tunay na Pilipino," she declared with a smile, the proud and shining trademark of Pinoys.

Mabuhay po kayo, LAHI! Sana maging katulad kayo ng mga ibang samahang Pilipino dito sa Japan. Maging masaya po tayong lahat at magtulung-tulungan.

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January-February 2008

by Dennis Sun
Isang beterano po sa Japan ang ating first pasaHERO for 2008. 30 years na pong nakatira dito. At para sa kanya, parang kailan lang daw ng sumapit siya rito. Wala pa raw ang Narita Airport noon kaya ang first port of entry niya ay Haneda Airport pa. Kay tagal na nga ang lumipas pero parang sariwa pa rin kung balik-balikan.

Napakabilis nga ng oras para sa ating pasaHERO dahil laging punung-puno ang kanyang schedule. Every minute of her life counts. She loves working and helping people. Our new pasaHERO works as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) for the Takanezawa Board of Education. She is a registered volunteer and speaker for the Tochigi International Association and an active member of the Utsunomiya 90 Rotary Club where she is delegated as the Philippine Project Coordinator and had so far created several projects like building public toilets, local school deep well water supplies, school stage and roofings, etc. In Utsunomiya where she currently resides, she acts as the president of the Tochigi Filipino Society.  She also renders her services as a prison translator for Filipinos.

She is none other than NINFA SASAKI from Ozami City, Misamis Occidental. Iba talaga noong isilang ang batang Ninfa.  Very auspicious ang kanyang pag-silang. Imagine, she was born on the 11th day of the 11th month of the year during the 11th wedding anniversary of her parents and happens to be the 11th grandchild. O, kung meron man mga manghuhula diyan, sabihin niyo sa amin kung anong ibig sabihin nito. Well, personally, I think she was born with a mission. Kaya tingnan natin how her destiny would lead her.

After graduating at UST, she worked for a Japanese company in the Philippines where she met her future Japanese husband. Wika ni Ninfa, "My father was so opposed to me getting married to a Japanese national. It's because my dad had seen how the Japanese killed his friends during the war and now he cannot imagine how he would be having a Japanese for a son-in-law. Hay naku! At first, he didn't want to go to our wedding. I silently hanged his suit in his room for him to reconsider. It was only 3 hours before our altar wedding when he decided to come. Perhaps he didn't want to put her daughter to shame. Pero after I gave birth to my first son, my dad would carry the young boy on his shoulders and brag him as his Japanese grand child to all the neighbors." Now, she has raised 4 loving children. "People back in the Philippines cannot fathom how I raised all four of them while I was working for a company at the same time," she proudly clarifies.

When she came to Japan, she tried to apply as an engineer but they wouldn't accept her. During those times, companies here didn't hire lady engineers. So she ended up teaching English to company employees going overseas.

As a wife, her husband wanted her to be like a typical Japanese wife. "Hindi pwede!" she laughs with defiance.  "I am very much assertive, outgoing and dynamic person. I cannot just stay at home, clean the house and serve tea. That's not me." Finally, her husband gave up.

Ninfa finds it very easy to do many things at the same time. Noon pa, she was already multi-tasking. Boredom is not in her vocabulary. She would rather do something than sleep. She would try to complete a day by touching someone's life. She finds joy in helping people. She recalls, "I helped a Filipina give birth inside an ambulance car one time.  The medic and I were so nervous that the girl was about to give birth.  At first I thought "kamote" and then ang lumabas, "tae" pala. And then, ang lumabas, baby na! I did not know if I were supposed to bite the "baby" cord. The medic, enduring his very first experience,  was dreadfully nervous kaya nagkahulug-hulog lahat ng medical apparatus sa car ambulance!" Isa lang po yan sa mga napakarami at never-ending experiences ni Ninfa sa pagtulong niya sa mga Pinoy.  As the president of Tochigi Filipino Society, she brings Filipinos together to celebrate their blessings, remember their roots as Filipinos and help those in need.

Ninfa loves Japan, her second home. She cites the cleanliness, punctuality, people queueing orderly, good fashion sense, manners, honesty and discipline as some of the reasons why she loves Japan. But later in life, she might have to go back to the Philippines because her husband wants to retire there. "I am sad to leave Japan because I will be farther away from my children." Did she enjoy her life in Japan? "I can say that my life in Japan is a joyous one mainly because my understanding husband in the end just let me be. I was free to express myself in my own way."  And does she miss the Philippines? "My Filipino friends brought the Philippines nearer to me although it is thousands of miles away. Because of them -- whether we are together having fun or helping the ones in need, I learned to be more Filipino and love the Philippines even more."


November-December 2007

by Dennis Sun

Sampung taon na po sa Japan ang ating pasaHERO sa Jeepney Press. Siya ay si Romeo Ballares, isang 4th degree black belt holder sa larangan ng Aikido. Dumating siya sa Japan noong 1997 nang sumali siya sa 7th International Instructor Senshusei Course. Ngayon, isa na siyang Senior Foreign Instructor sa Yoshinkai Hunbo Dojo (the Mecca of Yoshinkan Aikido).

Bago nakipagsapalaran sa Japan ang ating Aikido sensei, naging faculty member siya ng De La Salle University Manila sa Physical Education Department. Nagturo rin siya sa Far Eastern University Institute of Fine Arts. Aside from being a martial artist, isa rin po siyang dalubhasang visual artist. Kapag meron siyang extra time, he does oil paintings at home. He is now preparing for a coming art exhibition once he can finish a number of paintings. His style stretches from abstractionism to realism. For now, his devotion is into Aikido because that's what is giving him fame and keeping him alive.

Alamin po natin kay Romeo kung paano naguhit ang ang buhay niya sa daidig ng Aikido.

Ano ba ang Aikido?
Para sa akin, ang Aikido ay isang form of martial arts where you need to develop good, strong techniques by understanding the human spirit and its potential.

What inspired you to study Aikido?
Basically, I love martial arts and that led me to Aikido. I studied other forms of martial arts but I saw something different with Aikido. It provided me not only  physical challenges but also mental and spiritual.

So what other types of martial arts did you study?
I studied KALI, the Filipino art of stick fighting, when I was 12 years old. I am now teaching it to Japanese and foreigners and I also have incorporated it into my Aikido technique.

What do you think is the difference between Aikido and the other types of martial arts?
Sa Aikido, there is no feeling of competition. There is no winning or losing. Iba talaga ang Aikido. Kahit matanda o mga bata, pwedeng mag-practice together.

On the personal level, what have you learned from Aikido?
Aikido has helped me focus in my life and my other goals. Even with my paintings, I use the energy I learned from Aikido to concentrate and to free the creative spirit.

Are you thankful you studied Aikido?
Oh yes. Because of my involvement with Aikido, I was able to come to Japan and study in the most reputable school and got training under the guidance of the best Aikido sensei in the world. Sa totoo lang, noong nasa Pinas pa kami, we were just talking about it. Now, it's a dream come true for me.

Any future plans on Aikido?
I would like to teach Aikido in the Philippines and I have been planning that for several years now. Siempre, I plan to be of help to my sensei here and his goal to bring Aikido to the world.

Any message to our Pinoy kababayan in Japan?
Let us keep working on our goals in life. Mahirap po dito pero we need to be patient and learn more about our adopted country. If we learn more, we get more opportunities. We can be successful here and we can teach back in the Philippines what we have learned here.

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September-October 2007




by Irene Sun-Kaneko
Hindi lubos maisip ng ating hero for this issue, na siya’y makiki-halubilo sa Filipino community. Isa po siyang Hapon na nakapagtrabaho ng matagal sa mga dayuhang bansa at nakapunta na siya sa mahigit na kwarentang bansa sa iba’t ibang lupalop ng daigdig. Dahil dito, hindi kaila na siya po ay maunawain sa mga kakaibang kultura at pamumuhay ng mga tao.

Si Masao Takahashi, ang Managing Director ng Philippine National Bank, Tokyo Branch, ay may napakalawak na pinagdaanan sa larangan ng banking business. Nakapagtapos ng B.A. Economics noong 1977 sa Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo, lumipad ang ating hero kaagad sa Paris, France para maging isang Attache sa Embahada ng Hapon. Hindi lamang po Ingles fluent si Takahashi San, pati na rin ng salitang French. Sunod-sunod na ang assignment niya sa ibang bansa tulad ng Romania bilang Second Secretary on Political Affairs and Cultural Attache ng Embahada. Bago nasangkot sa banking business, nakapagtrabaho siya sa Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) bilang isang Political Affairs Officer ng East Europe Division. His first contact with the Philippines was when he was assigned to study on the Upheaval of Filipino politics and society under the Marcos Regime and make a report to MFA.

Pagkatapos ng mahigit limang taong pagsisilbi sa gobyerno, siya ay lumipat sa Mizuho Financial Group na dating Fuji Bank noon bago napadpad sa PNB. Dito po naranasan ang second contact niya with the Philippines when it was considered as a Re-scheduling Country. Fuji Bank was a member of Bank Advisory Committee and he had to go to New York to attend BAC Meeting. Meron din po siyang 17 years experience nagtrabaho sa Mizuho kaya napaka-swerte po natin na talaga namang very competent and efficient ang ating MD sa PNB.

Ani Mr. Pex sa kanyang boss: “He has many projects in mind & wants to focus to be able to set time to realize the projects. Ayaw niyang half-baked projects. Gusto niya prompt action and keen monitoring by writing in a log sheet what needs to be done and what needs to be improved. ”

“Alam ang ginagawa and he knows what he wants. He knows how to motivate employees and introduce innovative ways to enhance operation. He has definite plans for PNB and very keen siya sa mga details,” dagdag ni Ms. Mariejo.

Sabi pa ni Jess na strict siya pero nasa katwiran at marunong makisama. He’s a good listener. Sabi naman ni Carla that he’s frank, very intelligent and systematic. He wants you to do things on your own. He’s very concerned with everybody’s health.

Tunghayan natin ang pakikipanayam kay Mr. Takahashi.

JP: What brought you to work to PNB?

MT: That was when Ms. Manalastas was planning to expand PNB and have more branch offices aside from Tokyo & Nagoya. But one requirement was to have an additional Japanese in the upper management. Ms. Manalastas went to Fuji Bank and asked if there was somebody whom they can recommend and I was asked if I wanted to. Since I liked Filipinos from the beginning, I accepted. After a few months I started working, Ms. Manalastas was transferred to Italy to supervise PNB’s European Operations and Iwanami San resigned and I was promoted to the Managing Director position.

JP: How is it working with the Pinoys?

MT: Of course, it’s a different style & mentality compared with the Japanese. I learned that Pinoys want to be appreciated for a job well done. It gives them more confidence & want to make better next time. I want them to be more outspoken; to express more of what they feel is good for the Bank and its employees. As a whole, Filipinos are friendly, always smiling & have an attitude of enjoying what they do.

JP: Tell us about any plans of PNB for Pinoys in Japan.

MT: Although we have just two offices in Tokyo and Nagoya, wherever PNB client lives in Japan, even in the remote rural area, they can reach PNB through PNB Japan’s products. We are very happy that Virtual Access through Mizuho and Postal Link Card, both launched last year are steadily gaining popularity among PNB clients. We will continue to strive to give speedy service with minimum remittance fee.

Also, we have Housing Loans. We have credit assistance for those who wants to buy house and lot in the Philippines. The Filipino mentality is to come here in Japan, work and remit money to the family. I want the Filipinos to think more of their future. Invest in buying their house & lot while they are still working here in Japan. And please let us help you in realizing your dream. Our housing loan interest is currently 7.55% and lowest among Filipino financial institutions.

The Filipino community is the 4th largest next to Korea, China & Brazil. I want to widen the scope of PNB service by embracing all other Asian countries and encourage them to make remittance through PNB. I hope PNB will be known not only to Philippines but to the whole of Asia as an excellent remittance service provider.

JP: Your message to Filipinos in Japan.

MT: I sincerely advise that you use bank-to-bank channel in your remittances. Your money through PNB channel is safer. We know how hard you earned for your money. We care to deliver them to your family in the Philippines. If you have any request, complaints or suggestions, please tell us and we’ll gladly listen. We are making every effort to give the best banking service.