Filipino Teachers: Making A Difference

Like the great thinkers Plato and Aristotle, these dedicated Filipino teachers named Ninfa Sasaki and Michiko Kurane have been doing their utmost to disseminate education by practicing one of the noblest, if not the noblest, profession in the world--- teaching.

Both are working as Assistant Language Teachers (ALT) of English in two different educational institutions here in Japan.

Ninfa-sensei is an alumna of the Philippines’ University of Sto. Tomas with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Right after graduation she married her Japanese boyfriend, an executive of Kawasaki Steel. She lives with her family here in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi, Japan and serves as an ALT to Grades 1-6 ofAkutsu Elementary School. Even having her hands full with a family of 6, she has found the time to teach children, besides being the leader of the Filipino community in Utsunomiya. She has also inspired the Rotarians in Utsunomiya to visit, to get to know Cagayan de Oro her ancestral home, and to help the city in its civic projects. And to keep in shape, she is into marathon running and has joined several marathon races in Tochigi. In short, Ninfa-sensei is a well-rounded human being, worthy to teach the young the tenets of a fruitful life. She teaches not only by words, but also by example.

Michiko-sensei, on the other hand, is a licensed teacher in the Philippines. Aside from her degree in Education, she also spent a year in the Graduate school and has been in the teaching profession for more than a decade now. After her long working stint in her native land, she decided to further broaden her horizon by imparting her knowledge as an ALT to Grades 1-6 of Tsukuda Elementary School.

As Assistant Language Teachers, they are assigned to local boards of education and carry out their duties including assistance in classes taught by Japanese foreign language teachers, assistance in foreign language conversation training, assistance in the preparation of materials for teaching a foreign language, assistance in the language training of Japanese teachers of foreign language,engagement in local international exchange activities and other duties specified by the contracting organization, to name a few. These are all under the guidance of Language Teachers’ Consultants and Japanese teachers of foreign language.

Despite the fact that they are not native English speakers, they were able to pursue with their duties as ALTs because of the learnings that they acquired from school and from the ‘real world’.

“Educating the students has always been my passion. It is a craft in which I can commit my entire professional life with; I know I can help them mold their character to become better citizens of the society,” Michiko-sensei asserts.

Inspired by the story of a king who had an arduous time finding and honoring the greatest person in his kingdom, until an old lady stood up before him, with eyes shining with the light of knowledge, understanding and love, that he realized that she was indeed the teacher of the men coveting for the title and the one worthy to be called, “The Greatest Person in the Kingdom”, it is no doubt that Ninfa-sensei and Michiko-sensei deserve the respect and admiration of their students, fellow senseis and everyone reading this piece.

Kudos to these empowered Filipino teachers who, although from from home, and with only a distant back-up by their own culture and mores, have managed with the best that they have, to enrich the minds and develop the abilities of their Japanese students in speaking and understanding the English language, with ease and confidence. And in the process, these students learn about other peoples, other races, other cultures, and thereby know that the world is only a global village. “It takes the whole village to raise a child.” (An old African adage)

Mabuhay ka, Babaeng Filipina!

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

'Kapamilya' Stars Rock Japan (Part 2)

It was a wintry cold night turned fiery as the stars of the teleserye,“Pangarap na Bituin” together with the ultimate hearththrob Sam Milby heated up Kawasaki Kyouiku-Bunka Kaikan last November 24.

Following the huge success of the launching of TFCko last March through “Kapamilya Invades Japan: The Dream Concert Tour 2007”, ABS-CBN Global has once again brought to Japan its roster of talents to entertain hundreds of TFCko subscribers and guests via “Yokoso Kapamilya: The ABS-CBN Housewarming Party”.

The stars of “Pangarap na Bituin” which include Jericho Rosales who played “Terrence”, Rica Peralejo as “Sapphire”, Maja Salvador as “Ruby”, Jay-R Siaboc as “Jeffrey” and Pooh as “Papa Bern” in the hit teleserye, delighted the audience with their lively performances.

Reel life sweethearts Maja Salvador and Jay-R Siaboc kicked off the show with their bubbly rave of the popular dance craze, “Kembot”. They also rendered a duet and solo performances that wowed and captivated the audience.

Fast rising comedian Pooh sent the crowd into howls of laughter as he delivered his funny antics and staged a stand-up comedy while singing “How DidYou Know?” and “Sway”.

The equally-talented and ever beautiful Rica Peralejo, she, with the ravishing figure and milk-white complexion, also showcased her singing and dancing prowess on stage. Besides all that dazzle and jazz, Rica is also brainy and intelligent as proven by her passing the tests to enter Ateneo University for a creative writing course. Hunk actor and singer Jericho Rosales serenaded the audience with his own renditions of “Pangako Sa’yo”, “Makita Kang Muli”, and “Pangarap naBituin”, theme songs of the teleseryes which he starred in. He also crooned, showing his smooth and suave good looks to great advantage, and danced (can he dance!) to popular Pinoy songs which made the crowd crave for more.

Straight from the airport, the ultimate heartthrob and KDDI endorser, Sam Milby, arrived almost breathless (but his college boy handsomeness still unruffled) on stage, and without missing a beat, sang “Right Here Waiting”and his own versions of “My Girl” and “Maging Sino Ka Man”. No wonder why countless girls go gaga over him!

After their solo acts, they all gathered on stage in singing “Pinoy Ako”and “Sikat ang Pinoy”. They made us proud of being a Pinoy!

In closing, ABS-CBN Global AVP and Head of Manila Operations Jeffrey Remigio expressed his gratitude to all the TFCko subscribers here in Japan and hoped that everyone could experience the station’s Christmas ID, “One Country, One Family, One Christmas”.

Gifts and giveaways were given to lucky guests from the audience, afterwards. The same show was also held at Osaka Business Park Enkei Hall the following day. The event was presented by ABS-CBN Global and KDDI in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka-Kobe.

*published in the January '08 issue of "Concert", Philippine Digest*

*photos by Florenda Corpuz*

When Stars Fall

Once you’re a showbiz celebrity, you can easily get your way to politics. Popularidad. Ayon sa maraming kritiko, ito lamang ang tanging dahilan kung bakit nailuluklok sa panunungkulan sa pamahalaan ang mga aktor at aktres ng pinilakang-tabing.

“Popularity is an advantage but it also has its downside. Our advantage is that people know a lot about us but the disadvantage is that our mistakes are magnified and noticed,” saad naman ng isang actress turned politician.

Kung ating babalikan, bago ang dekada saisenta (60’s), ang tanging aktor na matagumpay na naihalal sa public office ay ang sikat na matinee idol na si Rogelio dela Rosa bilang senador noong 1957. Makalipas ang apat na taon na panunungkulan, siya’y kumandidato bilang independent candidate para pangulo kalaban sina re-electionist Carlos P. Garcia ng Nacionalista Party at top-notch lawyer-congressman Diosdado Macapagal ng Liberal Party. Ngunit ilang araw bago ang eleksyon, umatras sa laban si dela Rosa dahil sa kakulangan ng pondo at makinarya at pagbibigay daan na rin sa ambisyon ng kanyang bayaw at kababatang si Macapagal na siyang nanalong presidente.

Makalipas ang tatlumpung taon, muling binuhay ni Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada ang naging papel ni dela Rosa sa senado nang siya ay maging senador noong 1987, matapos ang mahabang panunungkulan sa bayan ng San Juan bilang alkalde. Naging bise-presidente at presidente ng Pilipinas, nakita natin ang pagbagsak ng political career ni Erap. Ngunit sa kabila nito, siya at hindi si dela Rosa ang naging modelo ng mga artistang sumabak sa teatro ng pulitika.

Hindi rin makakalimutan ang naging kapalaran ng Hari ng Pelikulang Pilipino, ang pumanaw na si Fernando Poe Jr. nang siya ay kumandidato para pangulo noong 2004. Si ‘Da King’ ang naging pinakamahigpit nakatunggali ni PGMA. Samu’t saring kontrobersiya sa pulitika at maging sa showbiz industry ang naglabasan na naging dahilan din ng pagkakahati-hati ng mga artista dahil sa magkakaibang pananaw.

Sa pag-usad ng mga taon, patuloy na dumami ang bilang ng mga artistang naghangad magkaroon ng top-billing sa public office. Ang iba ay nabigyan ng pagkakataon samantalang ang iba nama’y hanggang pag-asa na lamang. Kabilang sa listahan ay sina Ramon Revilla Sr., Tito Sotto, Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Estrada, Vilma Santos, Aiko Melendez, Dan Fernandez, Teri Onor, Herbert Bautista, Marjorie Barreto, Joey Marquez, Alma Moreno, AnjoYllana, Lani Mercado, Rey Malonzo, Cita Astals, Isko Moreno, Robert Ortega, Lou Veloso, Richard Gomez, Cesar Montano, Victor Wood, Imelda Papin, Gary Estrada, Roderick Paulate, Rudy Fernandez, Tirso Cruz III, Elizabeth Oropesa, Cristina Gonzales, Lani Mercado, Philip Salvador, Aga Muhlach, Andrew E., Jestoni Alarcon, Arnel Ignacio, Diether Ocampo, Kuh Ledesma, Jeffrey Santos, Dan Fernandez, Nadia Montenegro at Christopher de Leon.

Hanggang sa katatapos na national at local elections noong Mayo, dumagsa pa rin ang bilang ng mga artistang kumandidato. Ngunit majority sa kanila ay hindi nabigyan ng katuparan ang kanilang mga pangarap. Ito ba ay isang patunay na wala nang kinang ang mga bituin na kanilang taglay?

Sa tuwina’y kinukuwestiyon ang kakayahan ng isang artista na magsilbi sa taong-bayan. Ngunit kung ating pagbabatayan ang kwalipikasyon ng COMELEC na nagsasabing, “Any individual can run for public office for as long as he or she can read and write, is a Filipino citizen, and is a resident of the area where he or she hopes to get elected,” masasabing legally qualified ang mga artista para sa isang elective post.

Ang mga artista ay mamamayan din ng Pilipinas nanararapat na maging bahagi sa pagbuo ng bansa. Katulad ng ordinaryong tao, mayroon din silang responsibilidad bilang isang Pilipino.

“The arts and media are the transmitters of culture. Artists play an important and unique role in the transformation of culture that is responsive to the need of the people towards a truly independent and progressive Philippine nation,” sabi nga ng isang cultural activist.

Nararapat ba nating ipagkatiwala ang ating hinaharap samga iniidolo nating movie at TV personalities? Kung ang kanila bang prinsipyo ay iyong sa interes ng nakararaming Pilipino at kung kapakanan ng bansa at ikabubuti nito ang kanilang mithiin, bakit hindi? Hindi dapat magkaroon ng diskriminasyon laban sa mga artistang nagnanais maglingkod sa bayan. Ating pagbasehan ang kanilang kwalipikasyon at track record. Hangga’t nararamdaman nila na may kakayahan silang ibahagi ang kanilang mga sarili para sa kapakanan ng bansa at ng taong-bayan, let’s give them a fair chance!

*published in the July '07 issue of "Beyond the Horizon", Philippine Digest*

Portrait of an Actor

Versatile. Ito ang pinaka-angkop na salita para ilarawan ang isang Joel Torre. Bilang isang premyadong aktor, TV director, businessman, nature lover, asawa at ama, tunay na kahanga-hanga ang versatility na kanyang taglay.

Halos hindi mabilang na pelikula at soap opera na ang nagawa na ni Joel. Nagsimula ang kanyang acting career noong siya’y pitong taong gulang pa lamang. Mula sa pagiging stage at theater actor, nabigyan ng break sa pelikula si Joel nang siya’y gumanap na bida sa tinaguriang landmark for Philippine Cinema, ang “Oro Plata Mata” noong 1982 sa direksyon ng batikang direktor na si Peque Gallaga. Dito nakilala si Joel dahil sa kanyang mahusay na pagganap bilang lead role. Umani ang pelikula ng grand prize sa Metro Manila Film Festival, best director award sa Belgium Film Festival at best screenplay sa Hong Kong Film Festival. Ito ang naging hudyat sa patuloy na pag-usbong ng kanyang acting career na pinatunayan pa ng makatanggap siya ng best supporting actor awards mula sa FAMAS para sa kanyang pagganap sa pelikulang “Mumbaki” noong 1997, Gawad Urian para sa pelikulang “Bayaning Third World” noong 2000, best actor awards naman mula sa Cinemanila International Film Festival 2001 at Gawad Urian noong 2002, kapwa sa kanyang natatanging pagganap sa pelikulang “Batang West Side”.

Para sa aktor, ang bawat papel na kanyang ginagampanan ay nagkakaroon ng bahagi sa kanyang pagkatao kung saan ang kanyang pagkatao ay nagiging bahago rin nito. Ang lahat ng kanyang natutuhan ay iniaakma niya sa mga nadidiskubre sa buhay at sa hangganan ng kanyang kakayahan bilang aktor.

Astute Businessman

Alam ni Joel na ang kasikatan sa showbiz industry ay hindi permanente at walang katiyakan, minsan nasa itaas, minsan nasa ibaba. As they say in Show Business, “You are only as good as your last film”. Kung kaya’t pinasok na rin niya ang pagnenegosyo. Itinayo niya ang JT Manukan Grille sa Quezon City kung saan ang specialty ay Chicken Inasal, sikat na pagkain sa Bacolod, ang kanyang native city.

Nature Lover and Advocate

Lingid sa kaalaman ng karamihan, si Joel ay isang anti-coal advocate, Greenpeace volunteer at DENR spokesperson. Katulad ng pagmamahal at dedikasyon bilang aktor at direktor sa teatro, pelikula at telebisyon, ganun din ang ipinapakitang concern ni Joel sa pagsuporta sa mga programang pang-kalikasan tulad ng Green Highways Philippines ng DENR kung saan sila ay nagtanim ng milyong mga puno. Ilang taon na din niyang sinusuportahan ang Greenpeace Climate and Energy Campaign na naglalayong magkaroon ng massive switch to clean, renewable energy para mapigilan ang climate change. Sa katunayan, naging spokesperson din si Joel ng Greenpeace Flagship Rainbow Warrior sa Bacolod kung saan nanawagan siya sa kanyang mga kababayan na patuloy na kondenahin ang paggamit ng coal at i-promote ang renewable energy sa Negros Occidental.

Caring Family Man

Biniyayaan ng dalawang anak si Joel at ang kanyang non-showbiz wife na si Christy Azcona. College sweethearts sila ng kanyang maybahay at magkasama sa mga pagtatanghal sa entablado at teatro noong kabataan nila. Labing-walong taon na silang kasal at halos tatlumpung-taon na ang kanilang pagsasama mula nang sila ay naging magkasintahan na patuloy namang nagiging matatag sa pag-usad ng panahon.

Proud Bacolodian

Ipinanganak si Joel noong June 19, 1961 sa Bacolod City, makalipas ang isandaang taon matapos isilang si Jose Rizal. Dahil sa parehong buwan at araw ng kapanganakan sa pambansang bayani, Jose Rizalino ang ipinangalan sa kanya ng kanyang mga magulang. Tunay na anak ng Bacolod si Joel. Dito siya nagkaisip, lumaki at nagtapos ng pag-aaral. Kumuha siya ng mga kursong Marketing at Mass Communication sa De La Salle University, one of the most prestigious places of learning in the Visayas.

On the Movie “Abong”

Kamakailan ay nagtungo si Joel dito sa Japan para i-promote ang Fil-Jap film na “Abong” na kanyang pinagbibidahan sa direksyon ni Koji Imaizumi.

“I was very happy when Koji asked me to play the lead role of “Abong”. It was a very unusual script and it’s the kind of role you have to grow into. I have done lots of films, but this is one special film for me because of the content. It’s a small-budgeted film but with a very big story and wider impact.”

Ayon sa aktor, ang pelikulang ito ay punung-puno ng aral kung saan ang sinumang makapanood ay mapapag-isip sa kung ano ba ang mahalaga sa buhay ng tao.

Joel’s Mindspeak

Unlike several actors that we know, walang balak si Joel na sumabak sa political arena. Para sa kanya, maaari pa rin siyang makatulong sa kanyang kapwa sa pamamagitan ng mga non-government organizations at isa pa’y masaya na siya sa paggawa ng mga pelikula at pamamahala sa kanyang restaurant.

Nang siya’y tanungin sa kasalukuyang kalagayan ng showbiz industry, hindi niya ito direktang binigyan ng kasagutan, sa halip ay sinabi na lamang niya na kung noon ay 250 na pelikula ang nagagawa sa loob ng isang taon, ngayon ay hindi na ito umaabot sa 40. Ngunit ayon sa aktor, may pag-asa pa, kung patuloy na lalabanan ang movie piracy at muling gagawa ng mga de-kalibreng pelikula at mga digital at independent films na usong trend ngayon sa Pilipinas.

Kung susumahin lahat ng pelikulang kanyang nagawa at mga tropeo’t parangal na kanyang nakamit, masasabing very successful na si Joel sa kanyang karera.

"Success for me is relevant. I’d still want to direct my own films in the near future."

*cover story for the June '07 issue of Philippine Digest*

An Exhilirating Undoukai Experience

It was a fun and exciting day for the teachers, parents and especially the students of Asahi Higashi Shogakko and Shiba Hinotsume Shogakko as they held their annual undoukai last June 7.

Jeremy Vader Kurane, Grade 4, Shintaro Amano, Grade 4, Satoru Watanabe, Grade 2, and Nahid Caguimbay, Grade 1, all of Japanese fathers and Filipino mothers, were among the exuberant faces in the crowd who really enjoyed this undoukai experience. Competition is alive and well even among school kids. Also, it was bonding time in a grand scale for mothers and children!

Mothers Jovy Amano and Jackie Watanabe yelled their hearts out in cheering for their kids' performance. You'd think that mothers ran the races and played in the games, too, at the rate they shouted, yelled and jumped up and down.

"Mas maganda at mas masaya ang undoukai ngayon kesa noong nakaraang taon," said breathless Jovy.

"Parang katulad din ito sa atin sa Pilipinas na may sports fest, nakakatuwa," Jackie expressed in delight.

Relays, rope pulling, pyramids and dance presentations were some of the episodes in this event. A nutritious and satisfying "o-bento" was part and parcel of the undoukai.

Undoukai or "exercise meet" is a common happening and required regimen of Japanese education. It is a yearly, traditional event wherein team spirit and sportsmanship among the students are given emphasis and free rein.Undoubtedly, a fitting time for parents to show support for and participate in their children's education.

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

*photos by Florenda Corpuz*

Japan Chairs ASEAN Youth Leaders Summit

The Japan-ASEAN Youth Leaders Summit was held last October 29 at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center.

It was organized as part of the Country Program in Japan under the 34th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program 2007(SSEAYP2007), a diplomatic and cultural course aimed at cultivating the spirit of cooperation among Asian youth participants.

Her Imperial Highness Princess Akishino graced the said event and talked about her experiences when she joined the 14th ship for SSEAYP. She also extended her heartfelt appreciation to the ASEAN embassies and the Japanese cabinet office for making the event possible.

"I am happy that this program includes the Japanese youth to promote cultural exchanges with other ASEAN youths," said the Princess.

Parliamentary Secretary of the Cabinet Office Akihiro Nishimura delivered the opening remarks. The representatives of ASEAN embassies also rendered their speeches and signed the banner with a slogan "Bon Voyage," the symbol of strong and close friendship of ASEAN youths.

The opening ceremony was immediately followed with performances of youth participants of Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Lao P.D.R.,Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Philippines and Japan, respectively.

Apart from this, they will also be involved in activities like institutional visits and home stays in participating countries, discussion groups, cultural presentations, and other goodwill exchanges.

This year's Philippine delegation, "Pagsikat" led by NYC Commisioner Raul Dominic "Dino" Badilla are among the more than 300 Asian youth leaders who will sail the seas onboard Japanese luxury ship Nippon Maru in a cultural exchange program that would last for six weeks.

The program ended with a remarkable presentation as youth leaders and the audience joined together in singing "We Are the World."

Exhibition booths of participating countries were also displayed at the reception hall of the venue.

The SSEAYP is done annualy and is sponsored by the Japanese government and supported by the ASEAN countries.

BRIEF SSEAYP HISTORY

In 1974, the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) was inaugurated, based on a joint statement issued by Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines. Brunei Darussalam joined in 1985, Vietnam in 1995, Lao P.D.R. and Myanmar in 1998, and Cambodia in 1999.

*published in the Dec '07 issue of "What's Up", Philippine Digest Magazine*

*photos by Florenda Corpuz*

Yokohama - Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

Enchanting Yokohama, on the western coast of Tokyo Bay, is the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture and Japan's second largest city with a population of over three million people, both local and foreign residents.

It served as one of the first ports in the country that opened doors for foreign trade in 1858. Though it suffered a massive decline during the Great Kanto Earthquake, Yokohama, phoenix-like, rose from these havoc and almost completely recovered in 1929 through the strenuous and united efforts of its people.

Tagged as the "maritime city", Yokohama has a blend of eastern and western mystique that is very evident in some of its enticements like the ever-popular Chinatown, which is the largest Chukagai in Japan, with more than 300 restaurants and souvenir shops that offer authentic Chinese cuisine and wares; the famous Yamate district, known in the city for being the foreigners' neighborhood.

Not only that Yokohama is historic, yet modern, but its architectural marvels also entice tourists to visit the place. Among its premier attractions are the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise featuring 14 electrifying rides and a three-story aquarium with more than 500 different kinds of fish; Yamashita Park with its gushy display of the Bay Bridge and ships passing through the port; Landmark Tower, the majestic emblem of Yokohama with its 296 meters tall; Yokohama Cosmo World, an amusement park with its 112.5 meters Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel; Minato Mirai 21, a futuristic district constructed entirely on reclaimed, man-made land boasting its posh hotels, shopping centers, restaurants, convention centers and public parks.

There is Sankeien, a genuine Japanese garden famed for its seasonal flowers: the plum blossoms, cherry blossoms and azaleas; Silk Museum which is one of the rare silk museums in the world; Marine Tower with its 106 meters height and one of the tallest inland lighthouses in the world; Yokohama Park with its beautiful and myriad tulip blossoms; Nippon Maru, a retired four-mast exploration ship.

Night views in Yokohama are also stunning and romantically breathtaking, and are even considered as Japanese Night View Heritages.

How to Get There:

From Tokyo Station, take the JR Tokaido Line, JR Yokosuka Line or the JR Keihin Tohoku Line and get off at Yokohama Station.

*will be published in the Aug '08 issue of "Let's Tour Japan", Philippine Digest*
*Photos by Din Eugenio*