Paninita sa mga Dayuhan, May Limitasyon Ba?

"Sumimasen, gaijin toroku sho motte imasu ka?" ("Excuse me, do you have your alien card with you?"), karaniwan nang maririnig ang mga katagang ito kung ikaw ay masisita ng mga immigration officers o di kaya naman ng mga lokal na pulis na nagkalat sa Tokyo at iba pang lugar dito.

Ang mga paninitang ito ay kadalasang nangyayari sa mga pampublikong lugar tulad ng mga "eki" (train station) at "shotengai" (shopping districts), dahil na rin sa patuloy na pagsuyod ng Immigration Bureau, Justice Ministry at kapulisan sa humigit-kumulang na 260,000 illegal migrants na nandito kabilang na ang mahigit sa 25,000 undocumented na Pilipino.

Marami sa mga Pilipino na nakaranas nang masita ay nakaramdam ng diskriminasyon at kahihiyan dahil sa ginagawang ito ng mga otoridad. Tila ba'y masyado na nilang nasasaklawan ang karapatang-pantao ni Juan dela Cruz at ng iba pang dayuhan dito. Sa mga ganitong pangyayari, may limitasyon ba ang kapulisan sa pagsita sa bawat dayuhang kanilang paghihinalaang overstay?

Ayon sa dating direktor ng Ministry of Justice Immigration Bureau na si Takefumi Miyoshi, walang limitasyon ang otoridad sa kanilang ginagawang paninita sa mga dayuhan at ito'y pinapayagan sa ilalim ng batas.

"This is the last year for the Immigration Bureau to implement their policy of reducing into half the number of illegal migrants here in Japan that began in January, 2004. That is why they are carrying out this policy in whatever possible way they can like questioning and accosting foreigners in public places," saad pa ni Miyoshi.

Oo nga't tumutupad lamang sila sa kanilang mga tungkulin ngunit nararapat lamang na pag-aralan din nilang mabuti kung paano nila ito isasagawa nang hindi naman masyadong nasasaklawan ang karapatang-pantao ng mga Pilipino at iba pang dayuhan na legal namang namimirmihan dito. Ang Japan ay isa ng multi-racial country kaya't natural lamang na marami ng mga dayuhan dito. Kahit tayo'y mga dayo lamang sa bansang ito, aba'y may malaking pakinabang din naman ang pamahalaang Hapon sa atin kaya't nararapat lamang na tayo'y tratuhin ng tama at patas.


*published in the July '08 issue of "Beyond the Horizon", Philippine Digest*

Odaiba - Its Ultramodern Attractions

Where else can you find a man-made island that is an architectural and engineering marvel and a complete futuristic city by itself? Originally constructed as a fort on reclaimed land to defend the city from foreign invasion in the 1850s, Odaiba is the extensive, gleaming artificial island in Tokyo Bay, that is now one of Japan's premier tourist attractions and futuristic business districts.

Derived from a series of six island fortresses, Odaiba was built in 1853 by the Tokugawa shogunate. It underwent massive development from the late 1980s. In 1996, the area was rezoned from just a business district to allow entertainment, pleasure and leisure pursuits.

Odaiba bloomed and was reborn as a tourist and leisure zone, showcasing large hotels, shopping malls, museums and theme parks. Several large companies also moved their offices to the island. Transportation links improved with the connection of the Rinkai Line into the JR East railway network in 2002, and the eastward extension of the Yurikamome to Toyosu in 2006.

Among the many enticements and allures of Odaiba are the magnificent Rainbow Bridge, highly regarded as the symbol and pride of Tokyo Bay; Odaiba Ferris Wheel, Palette Town's highlight and one of the world's largest with its 115 meters height; Tokyo Big Sight, Japan's largest convention center wherein big events are held throughout the year.

Other attractions include the Fuji TV Building, with its exhibitions of popular Fuji TV programs and souvenirs; Decks Tokyo Beach, a three-storied shopping mall that features various stores and restaurants; Aquacity Odaiba, an emporium with a 13-screen cinema complex; Museum of Maritime Science, with its seafaring related exhibits from the past and the future; National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, a highly interactive and bilingual museum that displays space exploration, information technology and the likes; Telecom Center, headquarters to the information highway with its large satellite antennas on the observation deck; Oedo Onsen Monogatari, a hot spring theme park; Palette Town, a shopping and entertainment complex; Venus Fort, a mall in the style of an 18th century South European Town; Mega Web, a showroom, where one can see the latest offering from Toyota.

Even access to Odaiba can be considered an attraction because of its futuristic architecture and city planning.

How to Get There:

Serving Odaiba is the automated Yurikamome Line from Shimbashi and the privately owned Rinkai Line running between Osaki and Shin-Kiba.

Ferries also operate between Tokyo and Odaiba; city buses are also available; it is also possible to cross the Rainbow Bridge on foot by getting off at Shibaura-futo station on the Yurikamome.

*published in the July '08 issue of "Let's Tour Japan", Philippine Digest*

In the Eyes of a Visually Impaired Student

He may appear physically imperfect than most children his age, but his positive outlook in life makes him confident, even unafraid, in dealing with the challenges of his everyday life as a visually impaired student.

Kazuya Sakamoto was born premature, weighing only 600 grams. His mother's vehicular accident during pregnancy lead to his early birth and is also believed to be the cause of his visual impairment. Medical doctors say, visual impairment is vision loss that constitutes a significant limitation of visual capability resulting from disease, trauma, or a congenital or degenerative condition that cannot be corrected by conventional means, including refractive correction, medication, or surgery. There are two categories of visual impairment, those that are partially blind, and those that are totally blind. Kazuya is partially blind.

When he was about one year old, Kazuya underwent eye surgery. Unfortunately, the doctor diagnosed that his blindness, although partial, was already in grave condition so that going under the knife was no longer an option. For 10 years now, he has been suffering from partial blindness. However, this didn't stop him from hoping that one day he would see the beauty of the world with his two eyes. He regularly visits his doctor for eye care.

Now on his 5th grade in Saitama Kenritsu Mogakko, a school for the blind and the disabled, Kazuya attends a special class of 5. Each one of them is assigned a teacher that would monitor their daily performance. He started schooling there when he was only 3 years old. They learned about the institution through their city office which also provides for his school allowances and expenses.

Though partially blind, Kazuya is very active in school. His academic performance is above satisfactory and he is also into in sports, especially marathon. He is a consistent "Best in Penmanship" awardee.

But just like any other visually impaired handicapped, he went through periods of adjustments. He was self-conscious and aloof during his early years in school but as time passed, he was able to overcome the feeling of inferiority and got fully accustomed to his educational setting and the people around him.

On the other hand, his mother Jocelyn also had her share of adjustments and difficulties. She works in an obento yasan on a graveyard shift. Straight from work, she takes her son to school and fetches him after class. Being the devoted mother that she is, she makes sure that she ardently attends to the needs of her son.

"Kailangan ang mga magulang ng mga batang may kapansanan katulad nila ay matiyaga, mahaba ang pasensya at malawak ang pang-unawa. Huwag sila mawawalan ng pag-asa dahil darating ang araw matututo rin ang mga bata sa sarili nila. Mahalagang isaisip at isapuso rin ng mga magulang na ginagawa nila ang sakripisyong ito para sa kinabukasan ng kanilang mga anak," Jocelyn said while holding back her tears.

She firmly believes that sooner than expected, her son would learn to stand on his own and live normal life.

Actually, Kazuya can attend a regular school but he opts to stay in his school because of the love that he has for his classmates and teachers.

His visual impairment is not a hindrance for him to stop believing and dreaming big. And with a firm attitude of courage and perseverance and the spark of knowledge in his eyes, it is not impossible for Kazuya to succeed in whatever endeavor he chooses.

He aspires of becoming a pilot someday.

*published in the June '08 issue of "Education", Philippine Digest*

*photo by Florenda Corpuz*

Hakone - Owakudani ni Yokoso!

Protected by diverse forested mountains and spectacularly accentuated by abyss ravines and glens, Hakone is situated between the Izu Peninsula and Mt. Fuji. Its mild and cool climate and an aura of being cocooned in a special nature's hideaway is the enticing call of Hakone. It is considered a top fave destination among the locals and foreigners alike, offering myriads of attractions including its famous national park, Owakudani.

Owakudani or "The Great Boiling Valley" is a dormant volcanic hot spot made up of sulfurous steam vents that spurt upward and hot springs that bubble out. Divided into 2 parts, the Jikokuzawa and Enmadai, it lies in the ancient crater of Mt. Kamiyama which was formed some 3,000 years ago after its eruption.

Once known as "Oojigoku" or hell, it was renamed "Oowakudani" before the Meiji emperor's visit in 1876 since it was not appropriate for the emperor to go to a place called hell.

Roaming around the vicinity can give one a sight of the marvelous smoking volcano and a smell of themysterious whiff of sulfur. From the parking area, it would take 30 minutes to go up in the mid section ofthe volcano. There one can find a tourist hub that offers various souvenirs and kuro-tamago or black jewel eggs which are a Hakone specialty.

These eggs are cooked in the boiling mud and are believed to be good for the health. Its shells are a marbled black because of the chemical reaction with the sulfurous water but the inside is just delectable. Japanese legend has it that every single black egg eaten will add seven years to one's life thus making the kuro-tamago an unusual favorite Hakone treat. So, beware of eating too many of these black eggs, or you might live to a hundred and five!

Another must see enticement of Owakudani is the statue of Jizouson, the guardian deity of longevity and child-raising and is known in the area for its transcending spiritual power.

Travelers can also come by exhibits and check on Hakone's natural history and geography at the Owakudani Natural Science Museum, open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There are also some souvenir shops like the Owakudani Kanko center and Yu-land that sell traditional handicrafts and genuine native products of Hakone. Aside from the kuro-tamago, palatable foods can also be enjoyed at restaurants like Yunohana.

A breathtaking scenery experience of Mt. Fuji and Nagao Pass also awaits one in Owakudani.

How to Get There:

Take the Hakone ropeway to Owakudani, or take the bus from Odawara Sta. on the JR line, Odakyu line for Kojiri via Owakudani for 45 minutes. And get off at Owakudani.

*published in the June '08 issue of "Let's Tour Japan", Philippine Digest*

Silang mga Migrante

Migrante. Sila ang itinuturing na mga bagong bayani ng bansa dahil sa malaking ambag nila sa paglago ng ekonomiya dulot ng padalang remittance para sa kanilang mga pamilya sa Pilipinas.

Ayon sa Republic Act 8042, ang migrante ay tumutukoy sa isang tao na naghahanap-buhay sa ibang bansa at karaniwa’y tinatawag din na Overseas Filipino Worker. Karaniwan na’y nagtatrabaho bilang mga factory workers, domestic helpers, constuction workers, seamen at nurses, patuloy sa pagtaas ang bilang ng mga migranteng Pilipino, babae man o lalake. Hindi matatawaran ang kanilang pagpupursige na mai-angat ang estado ng kabuhayan ng kanilang mga pamilya kaya naman ito ang nagiging inspirasyon nilang upang ipamalas ang angkin nilang kasipagan at kagalingan sa trabaho na siya namang hinahangaan ng mga dayuhang kanilang pinagsisilbihan.

Ang pagdarayuhang ito ng mga Pilipino ay matagal ng kalakaran sa bansa ngunit ang kasagsagan ng paghimok sa kanila na magtrabaho sa lupang banyaga ay nagsimula noong kalagitnaan ng dekada sitenta (70s) nang dumagsa ang trabaho sa Middle East dulot ng pagtaas ng presyo at pangangailangan sa langis. Hinimok ng dating pangulo Ferdinand Marcos ang mga kalalakihan na walang pirmihang trabaho sa Pilipinas sanhi ng mahinang ekonomiya, na tanggapin ang mga oportunidad na ito. Itinatag ng pamahalaan ang Philippine Overseas Employment Administration o POEA upang mangasiwa sa mga pangangailangan ng mga Pilipinong maghahanapbuhay sa ibang bansa. May mga Philippine-based recruitment agencies din na pinayagang mag-recruit sa kanila.

Ngunit dahil sa tumataas na bilang ng mga kaso ng pagpapahirap at pang-aabuso katulad ng panggagahasa, pagpatay, pagmamaltrato at hindi tamang pasweldo sa mga migranteng Pilipino, samu’t-saring batikos ang natatanggap ng pamahalaan ukol sa kanilang kaligtasan sa mga bansang kanilang pinagsisilbihan. Ang mga kontrobersyal na kaso nina Flor Contemplacion at Sarah Balabagan ang nagpasiklab sa damdamin ng taumbayan na kuwestiyunin ang kakayahan ng pamahalaan kung kaya ba nitong bigyan-proteksyon ang mga migrante.

Sa kabila ng mga pangyayaring ito, hindi pa rin natitinag si Juan dela Cruz sa kagustuhang mabigyan ng magandang buhay ang pamilya. Sa katunayan, mahigit sa tatlong libong migranteng Pilipino ang umaalis ng bansa patungo sa 182 destinasyon araw-araw. Dahil dito, umabot sa $17 bilyon ang kabuuang halaga ng kanilang remittances batay sa Migration and Remittances Factbook 2008 ng World Bank na naglagay sa Pilipinas sa ika-apat na pwesto sa buong mundo na nakakatanggap ng malaking remittances. Una ang India na may $27 bilyon, pangalawa ang China na may $25.7 bilyon at Mexico na may $25 bilyon.

Sa laki ng remittances na ito, malaking pakinabang ang nakukuha ng pamahalaan dahil sa pumapasok na dolyar sa bansa. Idagdag pa ang binabayarang remittance fees. Hindi lamang ‘yan, hindi pa man nakakaalis ng bansa si Juan dela Cruz, sangkatutak na bayarin na ang bumubulaga sa kanya sa pag-proseso ng mga dokumentong kailangan sa kanyang pag-alis katulad ng birth certificate, passport, NBI clearance, medical certificate at iba pa.

Ngayong ipagdiriwang ang Migrant Workers Day, ano ba ang magandang handog sa mga migranteng Pilipino na patuloy na nagsasakripisyo upang maingat ang kabuhayan ng kanilang pamilya? Sapat na bang kilalanin lamang ang paghihirap nila sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay-parangal sa kanilang mga sakripisyo? Hindi ba’t mas magandang regalo ang pagsasabatas ng mga panukala na magbibigay-proteksyon sa kanila? Higit kailanman, ngayon kailangan ng proteksyon ng bawat isang migrante Pilipino na nandito sa Japan at ibang bansa.

*published in the June '08 issue of "Beyond the Horizon", Philippine Digest*

Harajuku - Its Avant Garde Youth Fashion & Style

Diverting, riveting hub of young Tokyoites' fashion style and culture, the Harajuku area girds Harajuku station, between Shibuya and Shinjuku. Among a kaleidoscope of exorbitant youth fad and craze, some of the popular Tokyo landmarks, like the Meiji Shrine, NHK Studio Park and Yoyogi Park, abound as well. Here the old and the new Japan meet and blend for your senses.

Harajuku first burst onto the scene in 1964, the Olympic year, when the National Yoyogi Stadium served as the Olympic gymnasium. The anticipation of meeting someone famous enticed people from different parts of the metropolis to drop by the place, especially the youth who dreamt of sharing the glitz and glitter of the rich and famous.

There are two well-known streets that comprised the area. Takeshita Dori, a long street lined by shops, cafes, restaurants, and argueably believed to be the origin of a legion of Tokyo's fashion trends; Omotesando, a broad tree-lined avenue of designers' boutiques, restaurants, cafes and aspiring to be Tokyo's "Champs Elysees". Both cater to the exigencies and cravings of young Tokyoites.

Anyone can expect a hassle-free shopping spree in Harajuku at the very interesting interior designed six-storied Omotesando Hills, with its high-end shops, restaurants, cafes and beauty salons and even apartments; LaForet Harajuku with its chic and stylish shopping complex suited to every woman's fancy; Oriental Bazaar which is very popular among foreign travelers looking for Japanese souvenirs; Snoopy Town for a buy of Snoopy goods of all sorts; Kiddy Land that sells major toy brands like Disney, Barbie and Hello Kitty; Daiso Harajuku 100 Yen Shop which offers a wide array of consumer goods at very tempting and reasonable prices. More attractions include the Meiji Shrine which is surrounded by a stunning, dense forest consecrated to the deified souls of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken; The NHK Broadcasting Center which gives the general public the chance to look behind the scenes of television broadcasting via the NHK Studio Park; Yoyogi Park which is considered to be one of Tokyo's most extensive leisure parks that features wide lawns, ponds and forested areas, great for family outdoor activities; Togo Shrine, a Shinto shrine hallowed to Admiral Togo, who defeated the Russian fleet in the Russo-Japanese War in 1905; The Ota Memorial Museum of Art which is limned as a small but elegant place that showcases more than 10,000 pieces of works of art; The National Yoyogi Stadium that was built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and hosted the Olympic swimming competitions.

Another popular hangout is the Harajuku Bridge where Japanese teens, especially the females dubbed as "Harajuku girls" are dressed in diverse fashion costumes like Lolita, Gothica, Gyaru, Ganguro and Kogal. They may also be dressed as characters from an anime, movie or manga known as cosplay. Basically, the teens who are dressed up are just hanging out with friends; many of them come with the hope of being photographed by the many magazine photographers who scan and merge with the crowd.

Other trendy shopping streets in Harajuku include Cat Street, Harajuku Street, Meiji Dori and Killer Street.

The street names alone are out of this world, but only in Tokyo. So, if you want to catch a glimpse or goggle at youth culture, Japan style, head for Harajuku on a Sunday and there you can be a mind-boggled witness of the now and the future in youth and fashion and style, Paris notwithstanding!

How To Get There:

On the JR Yamanote Line, two stations south of Shinjuku and one station north of Shibuya (130 Yen from either station). Also by the Chiyoda Subway Line, which stops at Meijijingu-mae Station, next to JR Harajuku Station; provides a direct connection to Otemachi Station (15 minutes, 190 Yen) near Tokyo Station.

*published in the May '08 issue of "Let's Tour Tokyo", Philippine Digest*

*photos by Din Eugenio*

Sad Plight of Modern-Day Heroes in Japan

Kahirapan, kakulangan ng oportunidad at trabaho, ito ay ilan lamang sa maraming dahilan kaya't patuloy na dumarami ang mga Pilipinong nangingibang-bansa.

Sa kasalukuyan, may 221,817 Pilipino ang naninirahan at naghahanap-buhay dito sa Japan, mahigit 25,000 dito ay undocumented (Source: Immigration Bureau, Ministry of Justice of Japan, 2007). Ngunit sa mga nakalipas na buwan, nasangkot at naging biktima ng mga insidente ng murder, rape at suicide ang ilan sa kanila.

Gumulantang sa atin ang pagpatay ni Masayoshi Nagano, 43, isang Japanese, sa kanyang mag-ina na sina Crisanta Mahusay Lopez, 33, at anak na si Naomasa Nagano, pitong buwang gulang, sa loob ng kanilang bahay sa Tokyo. Ayon kay Nagano, nagawa niya ang krimen dahil sa labis na pag-aalala sa kanilang utang at kanyang trabaho. Si Lopez ay nagtungo dito sa Japan noong 1995 bilang entertainer. Siya ang tumayong breadwinner ng kanyang pamilya sa Pilipinas magmula ng pumanaw ang ama.

Nahaharap naman sa kaso ng panggagahasa ang construction worker na si Luisito Cunanan Florendo, 40, at indecent assault ang metalworker na si Menandro Fermo Rafer, 42, matapos diumano pagsamantalahan ni Florendo ang isang 22-taong gulang na lasing na babae, sa loob ng isang karaoke room sa Gifu habang kinukunan ng cellphone video ni Rafer ang pangyayari.
Pagtalon mula sa ika-limang palapag ng isang apartment sa Nagoya ang ginawa ni Franco Juan Paul, 39, dahil sa takot na mahuli ng mga otoridad dahil sa pagiging overstay na naging sanhi ng kanyang pagkamatay. Si Paul ay ilegal na nanirahan sa Japan mula pa noong May 2003.

Hustisya naman ang sigaw ng isang 21-taong gulang na Pilipina na itinago sa pangalang Hazel matapos diumano pagsamantalahan ng isang U.S. serviceman sa Okinawa noong Pebrero 18, tatlong araw pagkaraan niyang dumating dito upang magtrabaho. Namalagi ng isang linggo sa hospital ang biktima dahil sa naganap na insidente at ngayo'y nananatili sa isang center para sa mga inabusong kababaihan upang maka-recover.

Kasalukuyang iniimbestigahan din ang pagkawala ng Pilipinang si Honiefaith Ratilla Kamiosawa, 22, na pinaniniwalaang pinaslang at pinutulan ng mga bahagi ng katawan at itinapon sa iba't-ibang lugar dito sa Japan. Isa sa mga pinaghihinalaang suspek ay si Hiroshi Nozaki, 48, isang Japanese, na sinasabing kasama sa bahay ng biktima. Si Kamiosawa ay nagtungo dito bilang entertainer.

Tulad ng ibang OFWs, hangad lamang nila na makaahon sa hirap at mabigyan ng magandang buhay ang kanilang mga pamilya sa Pilipinas, kaya't pinili nilang makipagsapalaran dito sa Japan. Ngunit hindi lahat ay pinapalad. Kung sana'y may mailalaan lamang na trabaho ang gobyerno para sa bawat isang Pilipino sa Pilipinas, wala na sigurong magnanais pa na malayo sa kanilang pamilya at makipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa kung mga ganitong pangyayari rin lamang ang naghihintay sa kanila.

Batid ng taong-bayan na may mga programa at proyekto ang pamahalaan para sa mga bagong bayani ng bansa ngunit pagkatapos matugunan ang mga pangyayaring ito, ang tanong ni Juan Dela Cruz, ano ang susunod na hakbang ng gobyerno? Hihintayin pa ba nila na muling maulit ang mga ganitong insidente bago umaksyon at bigyang-solusyon ang kakulangan ng trabaho sa Pilipinas na siyang pangunahing dahilan kung bakit napakaraming Pilipino ang umaalis ng bansa.

"Filipinos can be found anywhere in the world," sabi nga nila. Sa isang banda, may magandang epekto nga naman sa ekonomiya ng bansa ang pagdami ng mga OFWs sapagkat ang mga dolyar na kanilang ipinapadala sa kanilang mga pamilya sa Pilipinas ay nakatutulong upang maging matatag ang halaga ng piso sa pandaigdigang merkado. Ngunit kung iisiping mabuti, hindi ba't ang paglobo ng bilang ng mga OFWs ay ang siya namang pagkonti ng mga Pilipinong imbes na sa sariling bansa ibinabahagi ang sariling kakayahan ay lupang banyaga ang nakikinabang?

*published in the May '08 issue of "Beyond the Horizon", Philippine Digest*