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DAIJOUBA DA!
by Dennis Sun
November - December 2008
Bulag, Pipi, Bingi at Pilay
An old time friend of mine called me up one night. She was depressed. I can hear it in her voice. Sabi niya, "Dennis, kay tagal ko na dito sa Japan pero hanggang ngayon, feeling ko, para akong disabled." Disabled? Napilay ba o nabulag si kumare? "Kasi tingnan mo, kung wala si mister kong Hapon, paano ko mababasa ang menu sa restaurant? Sino ang mag-ta-translate sa akin sa mga school papers ni Yoko chan? Yung announcement sa eki, hindi ko maintindihan ng mabuti. Parang kailangan ko ang asawa kong Hapon para alalayin ako lagi. Kung wala siya, para akong bulag, pipi, pilay at bingi na hindi alam kung saan patutungo at kung ano ang gagawin. Sariling address ko nga, hindi ko maisulat sa Japanese. Kaya feeling ko, para akong disabled," wika ni kumare.
Ayun. Yun pala ang ibig sabihin ni kumare. Malaking abala at gulo ang dulot ng language barrier dito lalung-lalo na hindi masyadong bihasa ang mga Hapon sa wikang Ingles. So if they don't speak English and we don't study Japanese, mukhang hindi talaga tayo magkakaintindihan. Hanggang ganoon na lang ba? Si Minda, 7 years na sa Japan, hindi pa rin marunong sumakay ng densha. Si Joana, umuuwi pa sa Pinas kapag mag-kasakit dahil hindi sila mag-kaintindihan ng duktor sa ospital. Si Dudong, tinuturo na lang yung pikchur sa menu ng restaurant dahil hindi niya mabasa. Ano kaya ang gagawin niya kung walang pikchur yung menu? Si Becky, yung akala niyang asukal na binili niya sa supermarket, naging powdered asin pa la! Si Arnold, nakapasok sa women's toilet kasi kanji ang nakasulat sa door.
Marami sa ating mga Pinoy dito sa Japan ay bulag, pipi, bingi at pilay. Hindi ka ba makabasa ng Hapon? Kung gayon, isa kang bulag. Hindi ka marunong magsalita ng Hapon? Isa kang pipi. Hindi mo maintindihan ang kanilang salita? Isa ka naman bingi. Hindi ka makapagsulat ng Hapon? Pilay ang kamay mo!
Isipin mo yan kaibigan. Puro mga disabilities! You cannot enjoy life to the fullest kung meron kang handicap. And it's also very hard to achieve your dreams in life if so many things are blocking you from getting them.
This country is not our real homeland. But we came here. And now, we work here and we live here. Kung wala tayo rito, hindi tayo makakapagpadala ng lapad sa Pinas. Nakikitira tayo sa kanila. Kaya we need to study their culture especially their language. In order to understand them very well, we need to communicate with them. Dapat ang malasakit ay nasa parte natin.
So advice ko kay kumare, mag-aral siya ng Nihongo. Maraming paraan para matuto. The best way is to enroll in a Japanese language school. Kung wala rin kayong masyadong ginagawa, mag-everyday course kayo. Meron silang morning, afternoon or evening classes. Kung walang masyadong oras, eh di, mag part-time class. Twice a week would be nice. Yung anak nung kaibigan kong galing sa Pinas, after 3 months of Japanese language study, ang galing na niyang mag-Hapon. Mas magaling pa siya sa nanay niya na more than 3 years na dito. Medyo mahal lang po ang tuition fee pero para na rin investment ito. Kapag magaling kang mag-salita, mag-basa at mag-sulat ng Hapon, mabilis makakuha ng magandang trabaho. Masusulit din ang perang ginastos mo sa school.
Pero tignan niyo po si Coring. Wala raw siyang pera pero hayun at nag-aaral siya ng Japanese. Pumunta siya sa city office at nagtanong about the free Japanese class. Marami po sa mga city and ward offices ang nagbibigay ng free or cheap Japanese classes. These are run by volunteer teachers. They usually teach conversation and writing. Si Coring, 500 yen a month lang daw ang binabayad niya pero she had to buy the text book. Para naman sa mga super cheap, meron din daw na 100 yen lang per lesson! Kailangan talaga ay magtanong po kayo. Patulong kayo kay mister o sa mga kaibigan ninyo. Kahit na nasa inaka pa kayo, siguradong meron mga volunteer groups na tumutulong sa mga gaijin at isa na rito ay ang pagturo ng wikang Hapon.
Kung wala talagang Japanese classes around your neighborhood, bumili po kayo ng libro. There are lots of books available for Japanese language learning in Japan. Kung wala pa kayong makita dito, pabili kayo sa kapatid ninyo sa Pinas. Kahit sa Pinas po, marami.
If you have an internet connection, maraming FREE Japanese lessons online! Spend a few minutes everyday studying Japanese. Search niyo lang: "free online Japanese lessons." So many websites on the net offer free lessons! After checking e-mails, study Japanese. Learn a few kanji characters everyday. Kahit one kanji a day lang. In one year, ilan na rin yon no?
Advice ko rin sa mga Pinoy groups around Japan ay mag-hire kayo ng Japanese teacher para magturo ng Nihongo sa mga members ng grupo ninyo kahit once a week lang. This is for the benefit of the members. Kaya kayong mga members, i-suggest ninyo during your meeting about your interest to study Japanese. Hindi lang puro volunteer work and party ang dapat atupagin ninyo. Do something that would make yourselves better. Kung lider man kayo ng mga Pinoy groups, please consider this as one of your major priority projects.
O ano pa ang ginagawa ninyo? Ilang years na ba kayo dito sa Japan? Hanggang ngayon ba ay "Nihongo wakaranai" pa rin kayo? Okay lang ba kayong meron "disability"? Permanent resident ka nga pero hindi pa rin maisulat sa kanji ang sariling address? Japanese citizen ka nga pero "no-read and no-write" in Japanese ka? Oras na para mag-isip. You want to succeed in this country? Or do you just want to understand and be understood? Give time to better and improve yourself! And if you choose to stay and live here in Japan, please make learning Nihongo a priority.
Iba po talaga if you have a command of their language. This country can offer you so many things if only you knew about them. There are so many things to discover, to learn and to enjoy. Kung feeling mo, "disabled" ka like my friends, sana you would start doing something about it. Kaya natin 'to!
Daijoubu da yo!
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September-October 2008
Olympic Singer!
Sa wakas at tapos na rin ang Beijing Olympics. I was watching the opening ceremony at talagang impressed ako sa production number. Kailan kaya tayo makaka-produce ng mga shows of that high level of creativity and technicality?
Tanong ng Japanese friend ko kung sumali ba ang Philippines sa Olympics. Kasi, wala raw tayo sa list of countries with medals. Oo nga. Buti nga ang Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, meron silang medals. Kailan kaya tayo makakakuha ng olympic medal?
Actually, the Philippines began participating at the Olympic Games since 1924. It was held at Amsterdam and the Philippines had one participating athlete. In 1928, we won our first medal (bronze) sa isang swimming event. Our list of medals up till now are: 2 silver medals and 3 bronze medals in boxing, 2 bronze medals for athletics and swimming. So in total, we have 9 medals for all the olympic events in history. Not bad? Kayo ang humusga.
Pero kung huli man tayo sa larangan ng sports, sa larangan naman ng pag-awit, naku, humanda sila! Have you heard of the Hollywood Olympics? It's actually the World Championships of Performing Arts and so far, maraming mga Pinoys na ang nanalo as grand champions. Isa na riyan si Jed Madela. It's a performance event that is patterned after the Olympics where outstanding world class artists in dancing, singing, acting and modeling from around the world compete for the medals.
At hindi rin pahuhuli ang mga Pinoys sa Japan. We have our very own UTAWIT which is on its 4th year already. This year, the singing competition is open not only to Pinoys but to Japanese, as well. And like the show American Idol, UTAWIT 2008 went around Japan in search for the best singers to represent the different regions of Japan. Salamat sa lahat ng mga Pinoy organizations who helped made UTAWIT a nationwide event sa Japan! Pero ang maganda po sa UTAWIT, hindi lang ito nagpo-promote ng Pinoy talents and culture. Ang UTAWIT po ay tumutulong sa mga mag-aaral sa Pilipinas para sa pagpagawa ng mga classrooms sa mga mahihirap na lugar sa Pinas. Galing diba!
Nakakapang-hinayang talaga. Several years ago, kay raming mga magagaling na singers ang nagtungo sa Japan to work. Karamihan na rin sa kanila ay nakapag-asawa na. Buti nga, marami rin sa kanila ang sumali sa audition. Sa application form nila, under occupation, they simply wrote "housewife." Sayang talaga ang kanilang talent. Sa audition pa lang, ang daming magagaling umawit. Kasi dating mga professional singers ang mga yan. Ang iba nga, mga dating kampeon na rin sa iba't-ibang contests. Kaya kahit nasa audience lang kayo during the qualifying rounds around Japan, you would definitely enjoy listening to these unknown but great singers we have here in Japan.
Salamat pala sa mga Pinoys in Kyoto and Kansai sa pag-invite nila sa akin mag-emcee sa UTAWIT qualifying round nila last August. Thanks especially to Amelia Kohno at si Daisy Paredes Nozawa for sponsoring my trip there! Ang saya ng mga Pinoys doon. Ang daming magagaling pero it's a pity na isa lang ang pwedeng mag-represent sa bawat region.
Kaya kung free kayo, malapit na ang UTAWIT 2008 GRAND FINALS! Maglalaban-laban ang mga magagaling all over Japan. This will be held in Meguro Kumin Center in Tokyo on October 12 (Sunday). Yung susunod na araw, Monday, ay national holiday po sa Japan. Kaya, meron po tayong long vacation during that time. You can schedule your time to watch the event and have a short stay in Tokyo.
Tawag lang po sa LABOR OFFICE for more info: 03-5562-1573/1574.
July-August 2008
NA-SITA KA NA BA?
Marami na akong naririnig na kwento sa mga kapwa Pinoy na nasita si ganoon at natimbog si ganire. Lalo na sa Tokyo, grabe na ang kahigpitan dito. Marami na akong kilala na napauwi na. Ngayon, hindi lang sa Tokyo ang super-higpit pero sa ibang inaka na rin. Bakit ba biglang nagkahigpitan?
It all started after the "9-11" terrorism. Lumaganap ang terorismo all over the world. Sa New York. Sa London. Sa Madrid. At ang balita noon, susunod na raw ang Tokyo. Kaya hayun, biglang nag-handa ng mahigpit na security measures ang gobyerno ng Tokyo. Nataranta sila. Kaya sino ang ta-targetin nila? Siempre, sino pa? Eh di tayong mga gaijin.
Gumawa ng hakbang ang Tokyo government that for 5 straight years from 2003-2008, it will galvanize immigration checks in several places especially the train stations by increasing the number of immigration police officers disguised in their civilian clothes. Lilinisin nila ang Tokyo sa paghuli ng mga unwanted foreigners.
Usually, mga Asiano at Afrikano ang mga laging nasisita sa mga train stations. Bihira nilang sitahin ang mga puti. Bakit kaya? It shows very much that they think of their white brothers on a higher level.
Magalang naman sila sa mga checking routines. They will introduce themselves as immigration police and show their badge. Then, you will be asked to show your alien registration or passport. They might ask you other questions also about where you live and work. Yun lang.
Si Eric, kahit meron siyang bisa, nang masita siya ng mga mig-mig, nakipag-habulan pa siya. Akala siguro niya, gustong makipag-patintero ang mga mig-mig. Nang mahuli na siya, pinakita niya ang kanyang alien card. Bad example po ito. Kahit na may bisa po kayo, seryosohin po ninyo kapag kayo ay na-che-check ng mga alagad ng batas. Hindi po laru-laro ang trabaho nila. Buti na lang at hindi kinasuhan si Eric for obstruction of justice.
Si Lori na permanent resident na, tinarayan yung tatlong mig-mig. Kasi raw, pangatlong beses na siyang nasita sa loob ng isang araw. Mag-taray? Another bad example. Huwag po sana tayong magalit sa kanila kasi ginagawa lang nila ang kanilang tungkulin. Maging magalang po tayo. Konting smile lang. Just greet them well and answer their questions in polite Japanese. Kasi, the more you show them that you are polite, the more these people will respect you.
Siempre, dapat laging dala ang alien card ninyo. Kung hindi, you will be in big trouble. Si Sonya, yung anak niyang si Monching, nag-bisikleta para bumili ng komiks. Hayun, na-swertehan at nasita ang anak na hindi dala-dala ang kanyang alien card. Dinala sa koban at tinawag pa ang mga magulang. Nagkaroon pa ng mahabang interrogation. Hindi na sana nangyari ito kung dala ng bata ang kanyang alien card.
Ang kumare kong si Olive na asawang Hapon, takaw-sita talaga. Yung last time daw, pag-enter pa lang ng train station, hinarang agad ng immigration police. Eh, ma-le-late na sa trabaho kaya pinasabay niya sa kanya ang dalawang immigration police at madaling sumakay sa loob ng train. Doon sa loob niya pinakita ang kanyang alien card. After the checking was over, bigla na lang iniwanan niya ang mga officers. Kasi, nakakahiya naman daw at pinag-titinginan siya ng mga tao sa loob ng tren. Ano ba't hindi naman siya kriminal. Buti na lang sana kung celebrity siya, o di ba, Mama O?
Pero nasa itsura at pananamit ba ito kaya sila na-sisita? Well, kung itsura mo Pinoy, intsik, Koreano o itim, mainit ka na. Pero kung naka business suit ka, are you still OK? Sabi ni John, yung sister niya na English teacher, na-tanong na rin siya ng officer on her way to work. Kaya, I think swerte-swerte lang talaga.
Well, this year is 2008. Huling taon na sa kahigpitan. Sana after this year, medyo guminhawa naman tayong mga gaijin sa kahigpitan ng mga random checks sa labas. Pero it doesn't mean na mawawala pa rin itong heavy security checking. Kaya, always be ever-ready!
May-June 2008
"Hello And Good-Bye?"
Every now and then, I get e-mails from friends abroad telling me of their plan to drop by Tokyo for a day or two. "Would I be available to tour them around?" they ask. Hhhmm...
Ewan ko nga ba. Of all places, bakit Tokyo pa ang napili nila? Hindi ba nila alam na one of the most expensive cities in the world ang Tokyo? And why do they want to spend their savings here? Feeling Imeldific ba sila? Are they ready to throw away most of their savings just for a short visit?
Sagot ni Marie, gusto raw niyang makita ang Disneyland. Actually, scared ako sa mga answers na ganyan. Maawa naman kayo! Kulang na ang mga daliri ko sa kamay at pati na rin sa paa upang bilangin ang ilang beses na pagpunta ko sa Disneyland. Siguro, the first 5 times I went to Disneyland, OK pa. Picture galore to death! Meron pang excitement. Gradually, nawawala rin iyon. Ngayon, sinusuka ko na si Mickey Mouse at Donald Duck. Isang beses pang bisita sa Disneyland at baka magiging Disney character na rin ako! I will become the eighth dwarf of Snow White. Hayan! Narinig niyo?
According to John, he wants to visit Tokyo Tower. Ehem... I have a confession to make. I have been living in Tokyo more than half my life (just don't ask me how many years and we shall remain friends forever) but I have never been to Tokyo Tower. Why? Kasi, all my friends who went there told me how boring it was. Actually, it is just a sort of antenna and it isn't such a fun place to visit. I recommend seeing the tower from another place rather being inside it. Only then can you appreciate the beauty of Tokyo Tower. Sabi nga ng Japanese friend kong si Hiroki, "The best way to appreciate Mt. Fuji is not to climb it but to view it from a distance." So, like Tokyo Tower, just view it from afar. I recommend the night time view when it is lighted in all its glory. Romantic na, libre pa!
Si Eric, gustong makita ang Roppongi Hills. Well, go ako diyan! Medyo expensive lang ang entrance fee but it's a great place and you can have a great memory of a 360 degree panoramic Tokyo. Roppongi Hills has a museum, a number of movie houses, lots of restaurants, shopping areas, and a five star hotel to boot. Nandyan na lahat so you don't have to go anywhere else. Tuluy-tuloy na hanggang gabi. Roppongi has the best night life in Tokyo. When famous foreign celebrities come to Japan like Brad Pitt, Paris Hilton, Tom Cruise, they never miss a visit to Roppongi. Sa pagka-dambuhalang tao ni Eric, baka mapagkamalian pa siyang Titanic!
Si Rudy naman, balak mag-Akihabara, the electric town capital of Tokyo. Mahilig si Rudy sa mga modern gadgets. Ewan ko, mas mura ba ang presyo dito? Well, kung turista silang pumunta, they can show their passports and get a duty free tax discount.
Hay naku, si Mona na super-kechi at mega-cheap, alam ko kung saan ko siya dadalhin. You know where? Doko deshou? Sa mga 100 yen at 99 yen shops. Siguradong feeling heaven ang babaeng iyan once she visits these shops. Hindi pang-Ginza ang powers ng fake Louis Vuitton wallet niya.
Kaya nga bakit pa kasi sa Tokyo na super mahal? Mag-Bangkok na lang na super cheap ang mga bilihin and stronger pa ang buying power ng pesos doon. Or better yet, Boracay. At least, you can still contribute to the Philippine economy. Wait till I tell them about how expensive the melons in supermarkets in Tokyo are. Tumataginting na isang lapad! A hundred U. S. dollars for one melon. Baka matakot na rin sila at umatras. Isang melon pa lang iyan. Do I need to tell them more? Yung presyo ng durian at saging? May kangkong din dito. Pareho ang lasa pero ang presyo, you wanna know? No? No more? No need? No more Tokyo tour? Hai. Wakarimashita.
Natakot ba sila? Nande? Is it because of the frightful Godzilla waiting to eat them near Tokyo Tower or the fearsome skyrocketting prices in Tokyo? I wonder...
March-April 2008
NATTO? NOT AGAIN!
Kung meron tayong BALUT sa Pinas na pampatigas ng tuhod, meron silang
NATTO dito sa Japan. Like balut, hindi basta-basta kung sinuman ang
nakakakain nito.
Natto is fermented soybeans and it has been part of the Japanese diet
for more than 1,000 years. Now, it has been called the "ultimate health
food." However, natto is not for everyone. You either love it or hate
it. So let us count the ways.
Love it? Because it is a good source of vitamin B2 which makes your
skin young, fresh and beautiful! At marami rin makukuhang protein
nutrients sa natto for needed energy. Rich din daw ito sa vitamin K2
which helps prevent osteoporosis. Ano ito? Osteoporosis is a silent
disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. Hayan
na ang mga tuhod natin! Pero I think the best thing that natto can do
for you is it helps prevent heart attacks and strokes. O, yung may
sakit sa puso diyan, makinig! There is an enzyme
in natto that is reported to reduce and prevent blood clot.
Hate it? If you do, welcome to the club. I dislike eating natto because
of its strong pungent smell and taste. Just by looking at it, you
immediately lose your appetite. And take note, hindi lang tayong mga
gaijins ang meron "hatred and dispproval" sa natto, pati rin sa
kanilang mga Japanese. Many in the Kansai area are not fond of this
traditional Japanese food.
Sabi ng Japanese friend ko, it takes four times to get to like natto.
Sa pang-apat na try mo, siguradong magusustuhan mo siya. Ganoon ba? So,
acquired taste pala ito. I remember when my sister was pregnant, advise
ng duktor niya: Kumain ng maraming natto everyday para maging genki si
baby. Good for her, my sister's health is fine as she has been eating
natto up till now.
Eh paano naman tayo sa "I hate natto club?" Well, don't despair. Take
note, natto is made from soya beans. Marami rin ibang sources na galing
sa soya beans. There is the ever popular TOFU na parang leche flan na
walang lasa. You can eat it with toyo or in Japanese, SHOYU. Yes,
galing din po sa soya beans ang toyo, soy sauce! There is also soya
milk which they call TONYU in Japanese. This is the one in small bright
green tetra-pack that is available in all convenience stores around
Japan at 84 yen only, tax included! So if you need an instant and cheap
source of protein and vitamins, go for tonyu!
Half a decade ago, I was a practicing vegetarian and I didn't eat meat.
So the only way I can get protein was from bulging lots of tonyu. In
Japan, soybean is known as "meat, grown in a field, without the
detriments of meat." So if you are planning to remove meat in your
diet, think of natto. And if you are like me for not liking natto, then
go for tonyu and tofu instead.
Pero I heard that meron na raw bagong brand of natto available in the
supermarkets which don't have a bad smell and taste. Just ask some of
the supermarket staff in simple Japanese if you cannot read the kanji.
Sa wakas, there is still hope for natto. If I can find that new brand
of natto, I will definitely give it a try even if it still looks like
"you-know-what-I-mean." Siguro the Japanese should look into this image
problem of natto. And if I were into the natto business, I would surely
take the image problem as a number one priority.
January-February 2008
PILA-PILA LANG PO!
When McDonald's Japan had a grand opening of its McCafe in Yebisu
Garden Place in Tokyo last August of 2007, there was a long stretch of
line by thousands of curious Japanese. Akala ko kung anong kasusyalan
na restaurant... eh, McDo lang pala! Iba talaga ang mga Hapon. In
Shinjuku, Tokyo, long queues still happen not only during grand opening
but are an everyday event at Krispy Kreme. Do you know what they sell?
Drumroll... ehem... DOUGHNUTS! Imagine, the line stretches so far you
have to wait an average of 1-2 hours just to get your doughnut on an
ordinary weekday! During weekends, expect to wait more than 2 hours!
Feeling mo, nasa Disneyland ka sa kapipila. Even during a bad weather,
you can still catch the Japanese braving the lines to eat at their
favorite ramen shop. Siempre naman, after an hour of waiting, papatayin
ka talaga sa gutom. And you know what they say, "Anything is delicious
if you are hungry." Ang mga Pinoy, umulan lang, hindi na lalabas ng
bahay. Magluto na lang ng nilagang baboy at masarap pa. O kaya'y kumain
ng adobo o ginataan ni Jeff. Basta huwag lang kaligtaan ang patis o
bagoong. Perfect na, diba Toto?
Pero bakit? What is this thing about Japanese people falling in line?
When a crowd is forming, they naturally form a line without anyone
directing them what to do. I admire the Japanese people for
instinctively falling in line when waiting for a bus, getting a ticket
or whatever it is that needs to be done. If there's one good thing I
learned from them, it's this thing of falling in line. Mga kapwa Pinoy,
makinig! We Filipinos need to educate ourselves that we live in a world
inhabited by other people aside from ourselves and in order to have a
smooth flow of work, we need to respect and be courteous to other
people as well.
In any case, what I do not understand about them is their absurd and
nonsensical patience. Sure, you can let me wait for half an hour in the
hospital for an important medical check-up. But to wait 2 hours just to
buy a doughnut is simply bizarre. I think I speak for many Filipinos
and gaijins in Japan. However, for the Japanese, it's a common scene
you find them doing almost everywhere. Sabi ng Japanese friend ko, "If
you want something, you must have the patience to get it." Wala raw
tayong masyadong pasensya. Pinagsabihan pa niya ako. Wala raw total
enjoyment if you get something so easily. Kaya raw we need to make some
sacrifices. The more you sacrifice for something, the more satisfaction
you will get. Kaya sige, pila lang sila ng pila!
Japanese people like to follow and go to where the action is. Someone
said that in Japan, companies pay some people to stand in line when new
shops open or when new products debut in the market so as to create
interest and demand from the passersby. Perhaps they want to have what
others are having. There was a survey done that out of a hundred people
on queue in Japan, at least 10 people don't know what they are queueing
for.
Well, I guess it's embedded in the Japanese culture already. They
cannot go in a day without queueing. Once I was passing by a busy
street, I saw a long stretch of line that went for miles and miles.
People were wondering what the line was all about. Some even joined and
fell in line just for the heck of it. The following day, I read in the
paper that 7,000 people lined up for the grand debut of an envelope in
the market. Daijoubu desu ka?
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November-December 2007
The year is almost at the end and it's time to dispose of things we
don't need anymore. In Japan, before the year ends, they have a culture
of cleaning the whole house, a custom of throwing away old and useless
things and an attitude of putting in new ones. For Filipinos, cleaning
and putting in new things are but easy. However, the throwing away
thing is a bit difficult.
Sabi ni Ate Betchay, "Malinis tayong mga Pinoy. Kaya raw halos lahat ng
mga maid ng mga mayayaman sa buong bansa ay galing Pinas." The world
prefers maids in the Philippines. Dapat ba nating ikahiya ito? Sa
Tokyo, marami akong mga kaibigan na katulong. Pero, they are proud of
what they do. And I am very proud of them! They are a big help to their
families and our country. Mabuhay sila!
Minsan, nagpunta ako sa bahay ng isang Pinoy sa Saitama. Wow! Parang
nasa Pinas ako. Ang daming kagamitan. Sa loob ng sampung taon niya sa
Japan, hindi pa yata siya nagtapon ng mga kagamitan. Mukhang museum na
ang bahay. Mga vases, sculptures, clothes, stuff toys, books, CDs,
videos, DVDS, sofas... Hindi na makahinga ang aking mga mata. Nasanay
na yata ako sa Zen-style of home decoration. This means, less is more.
The less things you have at home, the better. Bilhin lang ang very
important and very basic things. Then, you should be contented with
that. Don't ask for more. May laman ang payo ni Tito Ching: "Hindi mo
naman daw madadala yan pag ikaw ay pumunta sa libingan. Kaya bilhin
lang ang sapat at kailangan sa buhay." This is actually good. Kasi, the
less you buy, the more savings you have.
Eh, bakit naman wala sa hilig ng Pinoy ang magtapon ng gamit. Tinanong
ko si Lola Jena. "Malalaki ang mga bahay natin sa Pinas kaya maraming
space na paglag-yan," ani ng ating lola ng Jeepney Press. Although
hindi pa ako nakapunta sa kanyang bago and bigger house, puno pa rin
daw ng mga damit at costumes ang kanilang new house. Kasi ba naman, sa
bawat performance niya, laging nagpapagawa o bumibili ng bagong costume
ang ating performing lola. In demand pa naman ang talent kaya hayun,
naging jungle of costumes yung bahay.
Eh tingnan mo naman kung magtapon ang mga Hapon. Kitang-kita ang mga TV
sets, video recorders, stereo components, sofas, beds, lamp shades at
iba pa sa mga basurahan. Yung kaibigan kong si Taro, nagtapon ng kotse.
Nagbayad pa raw siya ng dalawang lapad para kunin ng mga basurero yung
kotse niya.
Meron ngang yaman sa basura. Si Pareng Kiko, pinapa-dala niya ang mga
napulot niya sa basurahan dito sa Japan sa Pinas. "Que sehodang sira na
ang mga stereo! Sa Pinas, pwedeng i-repair at ibenta ulit yan! Ginto
yan!" very proud na wika ni Pareng Kiko. Kahit mukhang hindi
kagalang-galang ang hitsura ni Pareng Kiko sa Yokohama, ang balita ko
ay meron na raw siyang mala-palasyong bahay sa Bukidnon. Hayan ang
nag-gagambatteiru!
Bumili? Maglinis? Magtapon? Mag-repair? Mag-recycle? Magtipid?
Kaibigan, sana alam natin kung anong dapat natin gawin sa ating buhay.
At sa darating na bagong taon, kahit hindi man bago ang mga gamit, sana
baguhin natin ang hindi magandang ugali at gawin kaakit-akit para
tumaas ang tingin nilang mga Hapon sa ating mga Pilipino dito sa Japan.
Sabi ni Suzuki Sensei, "We should treat our minds the way we treat our
houses. We should learn to empty our minds from negative thoughts and
stress, the way we throw out garbage out of our houses." Kung hindi,
babaho at dudumi ang bahay natin. Para na rin ang utak natin na puspos
sa dami ng mga bagay at kaisipang nabubulok.
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SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007
BASURA BLUES
Ano ba? Pare-pareho lang naman ang mga basurang yan eh bakit pa
kailangan pag hiwa-hiwalayin? A garbage is a garbage. But my dear, not
all garbage are created equal.
Kaibigan, sa Japan, all garbage should be separated according to its
nature. They should be thrown and collected on certain specified days.
And garbage should be thrown at designated spots. Otherwise, they won't
pick up your garbage. So remembering these simple rules will make
your life easier in Japan.
But how do we separate garbage in Japan? Now, let us count the basic
ways. We have the combustible (paper, clothing, kitchen garbage, etc.)
and the non-combustible garbage (plastic, metal, glass, ceramic,
rubber, leather, etc). Then, there is the large garbage
(furniture, electric appliances, bicycles). You need to call the
sanitary office first to notify them of your large garbage. And take
note, you will be charged for this depending on the number and size of
your garbage.
Actually, there are more ways than these to segregate your trash. In
Tokyo alone, the garbage laws require the segregation of garbage into
eight categories. Even Japanese themselves complain of how difficult it
is to separate their garbage.
The collection day and time of trash differs from place to place. If
you go to the designated garbage spot, you will see a poster about the
detailed collection of each kind of garbage. Usually, meron yan English
translation. Kung wala, magtanong ka na lang sa isang mabait na obasan
sa neighborhood mo. Kasi, kung hindi tama ang mga basura mong
pinag-tatapon, lagot ka at magagalit yang mga obatarian sa yo.
"Hay, basta," ani ng kaibigan ko, "ilagay na lang ang mga iranai mono
sa balikbayan box at magagamit pa nila doon!" Kawawa naman ang
Pilipinas, ginagawa talagang garbage dumping ground.
JULY- AUGUST 2007
Let's KARAOKE!
My friends and I went to a karaoke box on a weekday. We were actually
exhausted from a long window shopping spree around the Harajuku area so
we opted to rest, sit down and relax. We saw a karaoke box that charges
500 yen for a NOMIHODAI - all you can drink (non-alcoholic) and
UTAHODAI - all you can sing until 6 PM. It was only 3 PM so we still
have 3 hours left. Well, that's a lot cheaper than going to Starbucks!
My OL (office lady) friend takes her daily lunch at their office's
nearest karaoke box. She pays around 600 yen for the lady's lunch set
which includes a drink, a dessert plus karaoke until 2 PM. No wonder
she is getting better at singing. And with her daily karaoke practice,
she gets to know more songs.
The first time I went to karaoke bars several years ago, I could count
on my fingers (and toes included) the number of English songs available
in the karaoke song book. Now, there are thousands of English songs
available from standards, pop, rap, disco to the newest Top Ten hits.
Not only that, karaoke in Japan is also getting more international with
songs in Korean, Chinese and Filipino in addition to their already huge
English selections. Now, we spend too much time choosing which songs to
sing.
So what does karaoke stands for anyway? KARA comes from "karappo"
meaning empty, and OKE is the abbreviation of "okesutura," or
orchestra.
Using technological innovations, karaoke sets for family use became
popular. However, since most Japanese houses stand close to each other
and apartments are mostly built of wood, with poor soundproofing, the
Japanese have invented the karaoke box.
There is one major concern with the rise of karaoke boxes among the
young people. Since they are closed-door facilities, they became an
object of public concern as potential havens for misdeeds among the
youth. But on the other hand, they have also played a big role for
family communication through singing.
If you have free time, go to a karaoke box alone and practice some
songs you like. So when your friends invite you for the next karaoke
session, you can be proud that you are not out of tune.
But take care of one important matter: be sure that your friends don't
drink too much alcohol. I've seen too many of my Japanese friends
throwing up while belting the song "My Way" in their own unique
way.
Next time, tell your Japanese friends that there are hundreds of other
English songs to choose from besides "My Way" and "I Left My
Heart in San Francisco."
And for all our readers, study a few Japanese songs so we can show our
Japanese friends how good we are. Read our Magkantahan
Tayo column every issue for some Japanese hit songs.
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May-June 2007 issue
Girls, you want to look prettier? Then, wear your masks. Recently, a
woman wearing a gauze or surgical mask automatically becomes 30 percent
cuter. This is according to the producer of "Masuku Musume" (Masked
Daughter) who is also one of the growing number of facemask fetish in
Japan. So thanks to the hayfever season. Girls wearing masks are not
only in trend but are suddenly more beautiful! Daijoubu ka na?
With the declining Japanese economy, more and more Japanese are getting
poorer and cannot afford to pay for their apartment's rent. Now, they
are not called the homeless but "McRefugees" after McDonald's.
Many of them sleep more than 3 nights a week at McDonald's shops when
the shops started operating 24 hours. Mas mahal pa raw sa mga internet
cafes where time is gold. The longer you stay, the more you pay. Sa
McDonald's, burgers can be bought for as little as 80 yen. Then add
another refillable coffee for just a hundred yen. Then, you can stay
for as long as you want to! For people who cannot afford to rent out an
apartment, they used to stay at saunas and were called sauna refugees.
With the boom of internet cafes, they were transformed into Net Cafe
Refugees. Now, they are called McRefugees. Sa situation ng Japan ngayon
na dumarami ang mga part-timers, dumarami rin ang mga taong hindi
makapag-rent ng apartment. Daijoubu ja nai, ne?
Scientists in Japan have found that breast milk could be the next
wonder drug. Lactoferrin, a protein substance found in beast milk is
believed to cut visceral fat levels by as much as 40 percent. It has
anti-bacteria effects protecting newborns and providing immunity.
Japanese scientists are also studying how it can be used to prevent
cancer, gum disease, heart disease and diabetes. If lactoferrin is as
good as it seems, soon, you will find this product at your nearest drug
store. Daijoubu da!
There's a best selling book in Japan called "Busu Mama-san Bijiness
Seiko Hosoku" which means The Ugly Mama-san's Rules for Success. It
talks about the real life of an ugly Japanese girl wanting to become a
Ginza hostess. Because she was so ugly, no club owner wanted to take
her. Until one day, she was able to convince one owner that it's more
about personality than beauty. She had proven that more customers would
like to chat and drink with an ugly but interesting girl rather than
with a beautiful but boring girl. O, yung mga kamukha ni Bakekang
diyan, makinig! May pag-asa pa! Daijoubu da yo!
For those who love eating at Yoshinoya or Matsuya, you can ask one of
the staff to put more soup into your rice bowl of beef (gyu don) or
pork(buta don) by saying: TSUYU DAKU onegai shimasu. This means "extra
juice please." Alam naman natin na tayong mga Pinoy, mahilig sa
umaapaw na sabaw. When you are in a hurry and you want something
delicious and cheap, these shops are the place to go! GO na and get
that extra sabaw! Daijoubu da yo!
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March-April 2007 issue
Sakura! Sakura! Yes, Japan is going to be enveloped with the beautiful
cherry blossoms. HAPPY HARU! Don't miss this once in a year chance.
Malulunod ka talaga sa dami at beauty ng sakura. Take the whole family
and have a picnic under the sakura trees. Enjoy the hanami. Go call
your friends and stroll around the park. Take pictures and send them to
friends sa Pinas and around the world. It's just so beautiful outside
but be sure to wear your jacket and stay warm kasi malamig pa rin ang
panahon. Don't catch a cold, ok? Daijoubu da!
I have been asked by several friends which Japanese Kanji character
would be best for a tattoo. Super dami ng mga characters so I always
tell them, "Why don't you just have your name tattoed in Japanese?"
Siguro, I was just playing safe kasi it's easier to write a foreigner's
name in katakana. Kanji is generally not used to write foreign names.
Pero sa totoo lang, mas safe talaga ang pangalan mo instead of say an
artwork or another word. Fashion changes and trends alter but your name
will always be the same. Just believe in your name. Who knows, one of
these days, sisikat ka rin! Daijoubu da yo!
My Japanese friend told me that whenever he goes out drinking in
Shinjuku, Tokyo with his office mates, he really doesn't mind about the
time. Alam naman natin na by midnight, wala ng subway at train. Uso raw
ngayon sa mga Hapon ang mag-overnight stay sa mga MANGA KISSA o sa mga
internet cafes. You can sleep there and even take a shower. Libre pa
ang drinks at some places while chatting with your friends around the
globe online or downloading music and movies. So next time mawalan na
kayo ng train, try to stay in one of the internet cafes instead of
wasting your money on expensive taxis. Daijoubu da!
It's the season of KAFUN SHO (pollen allergy). This is the reason why
you see so many people wearing mask outside. If you take the trains
everyday for work, it is best to wear a mask kasi madali ang mahawa sa
sakit sa loob ng train. Just imagine the rush hour. Punung-puno ng tao
at siksikan. Pagkatapos, maririnig mo ang mga ubo, at maaamoy ang mga
morning breath ng mga salaryman na amoy malansang isda. Bad breath!
Germs! Virus! Mag-ingat! Sa mga may sakit na, take vitamin c and drink
lots of liquid. But the most important thing is to take a good rest.
Daijoubu da!
November-December 2006
Another year is about to end. But before it's going to end, we have to face the happiest season of all: Christmas. Yehey! Daijoubu da ne!
In Japan, before the Christmas season commences, Filipinos here and
there celebrate fiestas that connect families and their friends all
together for love, bonding, community service and fun. Last October,
Jeepney Press journeyed to Osaka to join the Philippine Family and
Friends' Day. Ang saya-saya ng mga Pinoys sa Osaka! Until now, the
words of Consul-General Lopez still reverberate in my ears:
"Kayang-kaya kung sama-sama." That's right. No matter how big the
problem is, kung mag-sama-sama tayo, gagaan po ito. Huwag po natin
solohin ang problema. I-share po natin sa isa't-isa. Daijoubu yo!
Last November, sa Tokyo naman po, we celebrated the first Philippine
Fiesta for 2 days. The Saturday event started well until it began to
rain. It was indeed a wet jubilation but not even the cold rain could
stop the Filipinos from singing, dancing, eating and just plain bonding
together. I have learned never to underestimate the Filipino timbre of
fortitude once their bayanihan spirit is put to test. Thank God it
didn't rain on the following day, Sunday. Though it was going to be a
rainy day forecast, sugod pa rin ang sambayanan! The Filipinos and
their friends were there to support the event. Super-dami ng mga tao:
Filipinos, Japanese and other people of different nationalities. Even
the amphitheater was filled to the max. So many more people wanted to
enter but they all had to wait for other people to get out in order for
them to get in. Sa dami ng tao, naubos agad ang pagkain sa mga food
booths. People had to walk to the other side of the park to buy the
typical Japanese yakisoba. Siguro next year, kailangan, mas marami ang
food booth kasi mas malaki ang venue ng event. The 2nd Philippine
Fiesta will be held at Yoyogi Park on July 2007. So sponsors, if you
are reading, get ready! The second fiesta will be on a much grander
scale! Kaya coordinate na agad with the Philippine Fiesta secretariat
para sama-sama sa saya! Daijoubu da yo!
This December pa la, medyo mag-ingat sa ating weight. Siguradong
maraming Christmas parties and year-end parties. Kain dito at inom
diyan. And because it's a cold season, mahirap i-burn ang mga calories.
Don't forget to go to the gym or jog at your nearby park. Hitting it at
the sauna to sweat all the toxins out of your system is good, too!
Better yet, go on an onsen trip with your friends and get a total body
massage! Hindi lang ang stomach ang dapat i-treat and pamper during the
holidays. Don't forget your body, mind and spirit!
Daijoubu da ne!
And speaking of cold season, nakakalungkot lalung-lalo na sa mga
members ng lonely hearts club. Mahirap ang walang kayakap sa gabi.
Kailangan ng human futon! Kaya sa mga singles, this is the best time to
look for your missing half. Malaki ang chance during the cold season in
looking for a partner. Good luck and ganbatte!
Huwag mahiya and express your feelings well.
Daijobu da!
Sa mga uuwi sa Pinas, remember, hindi kayo si Santa Claus! Try to
control your spending sa Pinas. Bilhin lang yung mga necessary things
para sa mga loved ones. Don't spoil your children. Baka ang tingin na
lang sa inyo ay parang isang bank na nilalapitan na lang kapag meron
financial desires. Hindi umuulan ng pera dito. Laging sabihin sa mga
loved ones na mahirap na rin sa Japan kaya kailangan na rin silang
magtipid. Kung hindi ninyo sila tuturuan, kayo rin ang mahihirapan at
the end. Daijoubu ja nai!
Huwag basta ilaspag ang inyong savings this December. Save some of your
money for emergency while spending some for this vacation with your
family. Pakonte-konte lang dapat, ha? Daijobu da ne?
Finally, wish ko lang sa lahat ng Jeepney Press sponsors, supporters
and readers all the very best for the holiday season! No matter what
happens, laging sabihin sa sarili: DAIJOBU DA YO! DAIJOBU DA! DAIJOUBU!
September-October 2006 Issue
Bading ba silang mga Hapon? Kasi, when I came here several winters ago,
I noticed that many of the Japanese men (young and old) were wearing
pink socks. Magagalit si sister niyan. Sasabihin niya hindi
karapatdapat ang kulay na iyan sa mga kalalakihan. Pagtingin ko naman
sa taas, naku, of all bags, shoulder bags pa ang bitbit nila. You won't
get caught carrying a shoulder bag in the Philippines if you belong to
the male species. Alam mo naman ang mga Pinoy, hyper critical sa mga
suot ng tao. Baka sabihin ni madir, "Palitan mo nga iyan baka ano pa
ang sabihin ng mga tao." As I have observed, in Japan, they don't
really care that much about meticulous things as Pinoys do. Pero look,
hindi ba talaga sila bading? Just look at their eyebrows -- they shave
and pluck their eyebrows. Last summer, have you noticed that the
Japanese men always carry with them a folding pamaypay! O kayong mga
men, kaya ba ninyong gawin sa Pinas yan? O mag-tiyaga na lang kayo sa
init? Kanina nga, nasa densha ako, yung isang guy, naka hair clip pa
ang buhok! Siguro, they are just making a fashion statement. Buti
na lang, wala pa akong nakikitang naka rollers at baka mahimatay na
ako. Daijoubu ja nai!
Minsan, sa loob ng densha, naku, yung mga Japanese young girls naman,
grabe kung mag-make-up. Sabay bukas yung make-up bag at meron pang
matching mirror. Lagay ng pundasyon and eye shadow. And as for
the finale, apply the eye mascara. Wala talagang pakialam ang
ditse sa loob ng densha at lahat na yata ng mga kalalakihan ay
tumitingin sa kanila. And out of the blue, sabay sudden stop din
ang train. O, di bongga! Nag paint ng character si ditse sa
kanyang face. Di ko lang mabasa kung katakana o hiragana ang naguhit
niya. Kaya kayong mga girls, malilinis naman ang mga toilet sa eki.
Doon na lang kayo mag-retouch at baka magmukhang zombie pa kayo.
Daijoubu deshou?
I was in Makati last month and went to the cosmopolitan and trendy
Greenbelt area. My collegemate treated me for lunch. Afterwards, I went
to the CR. Pagpasok ko sa cubicle, nakita ko walang toilet seat. Paano
ba umupo doon? Hanap ako ng toilet paper, wala rin. Buti na lang,
nag-cooperate ang aking stomach. My friend and I went straight to the
nearest 5-star hotel in the area to answer the call of nature! Daijoubu
datta!
Princess Kiko gave birth to a baby boy! After 41 long years, siya bale
ang newest male addition to the Imperial family. Siya rin ang third in
line to the throne after his uncle, Crown Prince Naruhito and his
father, Prince Akishino. The birth of the prince is a good sign for the
Japanese economy and may also help with the declining birth rate.
Daijoubu da!
Pero do you really want to be a prince? It's a hard life, too. Just
look at Crown Prince Naruhito. Medyo unhappy siya kasi kung gusto
niyang kumain ng ramen, hindi pwede! Kasi all his meals are prepared in
advance to make sure he gets balanced nutrition. Pero, daijoubu da yo!
Sabi ng isang famous feng shui master sa Japan Times, nakasumpa na raw
ang Roppongi, Tokyo area because of the destruction of ancient shrines
in the area at tsaka ang paglaganap ng mga dayuhan na may ibang
relihiyon. Naku ha, at baka ma-sumpa na ang buong Japan niyan! Kung
ganyan ang labanan eh hindi na magiging global country ang Japan.
Daijoubu ka na?
July-August 2006 Issue
Daijoubu desu ka? Okey lang ba kayo? Tag-init na naman. Lagi kayong
magdala ng mineral water sa inyong bag. Para anytime you get thirsty,
isang sigop, okey ka na. At para sa pawis, forget your handkerchief.
Japanese use a mini towel which is quite good to dry sweat from your body.
And never forget your pamaypay! Sa Japan, hindi lang mga girls ang
may karapatan gumamit ng folding fans. Pati na rin ang mga men! It's in
their culture. Huwag kayong mahiya mga pare ko! Pag-nainitan kayo,
paypay agad! Daijoubu da!
Sabi ng isang research na ginawa sa isang American university, people in
Austria are most satisfied with their sex lives and Japanese are the least
satisfied. O, yung mga kasal sa mga Hapon d'yan, totoo ba ito? Kaya
pala kumokonte na ang population dito sa Japan. Sa mga Pinay na misis
ng mga Hapones, mag-gambaru kayo sa paggawa ng anak. Ang kumare
kong si Mama Olive nga, tatlo na ang mga chikiting niya. Kase, puro mga
lalake ang mga anak. Gusto raw niya ng babaeg anak pero, laging lalake
ang lumalabas. Naku, tatlong bata na iyan tsaka, kaya pa ba kaya ni
Mama Olive sa edad niya? Tingnan lang natin. Baka sa susunod na taon
eh tesbun na naman ang mama! Daijoubu dayo!
Illegal aliens: hindi lang sa mga dayuhang tao, pati na rin sa mga isda!
Meron daw libu-libong mga alien fish na galing sa Amerika na ngayon
ay naninirahan sa mga tubig ng Tokushima City. Ang mga isdang ito ay
kinakain ang mga itlog ng mga lamok. Na-obserbahan tuloy ng lunsod
na kumokonte ang mga lamok tuwing pagsapit ng tag-init. At natuklasan
nila na ang mga isdang dayuhan na ito ang rason sa naturang problema.
Kaya ngayon, hinihigpit na rin ng environment ministry ang pagpasok ng
mga dayuhang isda sa bansa. Eh dapat nga pasalamatan nila ang mga
isdang dayuhan na ito sa pagkawala ng mga pesteng lamok. Baka mas
gusto nila yung kinakagat sila during summer. Na-mi-miss tuloy nila yung
amoy ng katol. Daijoubu ka na?
My Pinay friend and I were invited to attend an international party recently.
Sabi ko sa kanya, mag-Filipiniana dress siya. When you are invited to parties
like this, it's a good chance to show the beauty of our country through our
national dress. Hay naku, wala raw siya kahit isa man lang. Sabi ko, mag-hiram
na lang siya. Ang problema naman sa hiram ay hindi eksakto ang fitting kaya
kahit maganda man ang dress eh hindi naman maganda ang tayo ng suot.
Kaya next time kayong umuwi sa Pinas, magpagawa naman kayo kahit
isang Barong Tagalog o Filipiniana dress. Ipagmalaki natin ang kagandahan
ng bansa natin. O, kung hindi man uuwi, pabili nalang kayo kay nanay o
pabili sa mga umuuwi. Dajoubu deshou? Daijoubu da!
May nag-mention sa akin tungkol sa paglagay ng bandila sa mga Pinoy
restaurants and stores. Always remember na dapat ang blue color ng flag
ay nasa itaas! Alam n'yo ba ang ibig sabihin kung nasa itaas ang red
color? Digmaan! Dame yo! Daijoubu ja nai!
Speaking of falling bombs, once when I was a salaryman going to the office
one morning, biglang may nahulog sa ulo ko. Tinamaan ako ng bomba!
Tumingin ako sa taas. Tumatae yung malaking maitim na ibon na KARASU.
Oh my God, the smell! Kusai! So bigla akong ng u-turn and I went straight
to Lawson. Bumili ako ng shampoo at small towel. Hayun, before the whole
staff can smell my head, dumerecho muna ako sa toilet at doon ako
nag-shampoo. Kung ikaw ako, ano ang gagawin mo? I-fried chicken mo kaya
yung ibon? Daijoubu deshou!
Binisita ako ng isang kaibigan ko from college. First time niya sa Japan.
Nagutom kami at naisip ko na maganda para sa kanya kung ma-experience
niya ang delicious and authentic Japanese ramen. So hayun. We went to a
nearby ramen shop. Pag-serve sa amin ng ramen, biglang nag-confess yung
friend ko sa akin. Hindi raw siya marunong gumamit ng chopsticks. So right
there and then, I taught him the basics. After so many tries, hindi pa rin
niya makuha. Awang-awa na talaga ako sa kanya kaya I asked one of the
staff to give us a fork. Ano, baka subuan ko pa siya ng noodles with my
chopsticks. Pero huwag kayong mahiya. Kung sila nga, minsan, they use
chopsticks when eating spaghetti no! Kung pwede lang kamayin ang ramen
pero, huwag ka, mapapaso lang kayo. Tinidor ang panlaban niyo! Just say,
FOKU. Okey na 'yon! Daijoubu da!
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