I can’t forget the day (February 10, 2015) when I received a phone call from the
National Youth Commission (NYC) asking for my availability from March 9-19 and
I’m like “yes, yes! I’m free from those dates” even if I don’t know what’s up
and about to happen on those days for my academic endeavors. Noting that I
can’t forget that day was due to the zonked undercurrent I am confronted with
since the next day is my final demonstration teaching and I’m still working on
scratches. Actually I’m about to miss that phone call since I was busy pounding
the keyboard for my presentation but the heaven is always good at me to share
the unlooked-for revelation which until now I am of forever grateful with the
break bestowed upon. Finally, the cloudy meaning of a phone call was
corroborated with an acceptance e-mail message from NYC on that very day. Upon
receiving that acceptance message, I am still in quandary of becoming too
adrenalized since tons of drudgery awaits me in the upcoming days.
Nevertheless, this is the moment of life I’ve waited, worked on and prayed for
some long time ergo, I deserve to say YOLO!
This fortuity I’m referring to is the Japan-East Asia
Network of Exchange for Students and Youth Program or most commonly known as
JENESYS 2.0. It’s not my first time to apply in JENESYS. I made an application
back year 2011 were I guess was of different program but of the same
objectives. I remember those days when I made an application to JENESYS which
entails me sometimes to furnish all the necessary documents they need for
evaluation. Also on those periods, the NYC is still not technologically inclined
since I submit my documents then thru courier unlike in this present
application it’s thru e-mail. The JENESYS 2.0 is primarily sponsored by
Japanese Government, through the Japan Overseas Cooperative Agency (JOCA) and
the Japan Information and Cultural Center (JICC) of the Japanese Embassy in
Manila, and in partnership with the National Youth Commission. Our batch main
course program is Social Community course which mainly focuses on introducing
Japan’s advanced methods for social community development and exchange with
people involved in the related activities. This project also aims to revitalize
the Japanese economy through introduction of Japan’s attraction to foreign
tourists and consumers by promoting international understanding on the nation’s
potential strength, allure and values, including the “Cool Japan” concept. This
concept refers to various Japanese cultures including fashion, anime, games and
foods which are being accepted as cool and trendy by foreigners (JENESYS 2.0
Handbook). As for totality of my evaluation in line with the course program’s
objective, Japan is beyond any doubt a “cool” country stretching from its
historical, traditional, cultural, technological, architectural and
contemporary sphere and demesne of introducing it among the different youth
delegations from Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand and Philippines. Unequivocally,
Japan is a country you’ll love to go back reiteratively.
For this first batch of Philippine delegation to JENESYS 2.0
about Social Community Course, we arrived on denominating our batch group as
Batch BATLAYA as per the deeper elucidation from our batch supervisor Prof.
Adriano Balagot from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina. The term Batlaya
epitomize discipline, excellence and good taste which I have to confess and be
proud of to declare that this batch of 23 youth delegates all over the
archipelago of the Philippines value so much and harbor all of this. With the
presentation and performance we had on the duration of the course, I can
immensely enunciate that we are of a kind. Too much of my praises to our batch
(:p), I would like to give a hand shake of commendation also to a new friend
(and a sister of course) our batch leader Lou Mercado for his indefatigable and
altruistic effort to make and bring out the best to our batch. Without his
experiences and updates every day on our Facebook page, I’m sure everything
would be difficult for us.
Finally, the time comes when we were all set to meet each
other physically at the NYC office for the pre-departure orientation. As
expected, everybody is a man and woman of their own emanation. At first, it’s
normal to be a shy type but let’s see what it could transcribe in the next few
days in Japan. Of course, the only things that could bring our hearts together
without any shyness is photo opportunities. So, here is our very first batch
photo!
 |
| BATCH BATLAYA. Discipline, Excellence & Good Taste |
The time comes were we have all been waiting for. Without
further ado, here’s a sneak peek of our 10- days adventure to the Land of the
Rising Sun.
Day 1- March 10,2015:
Everybody has arrived early or on time with our call time to
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for departure to Narita Airport in
Japan except Kim which made a contrasting stimuli response of becoming late
HAHAHA XD. Nonetheless, all for one, one for all so we waited for her and
everything becomes well at the end. While others are still issuing there plane
ticket and baggage check-in, it is in order to take pictures :).
Waving time to Manila in a few minutes!
Upon our arrival to Narita Airport in Japan for about 4
hours of travel period with Japan Airlines, I just can’t hide the captivation I
am witnessing at those moment. Similarly, many of our batch mates has the same
reaction as mine so we wanted to take pictures from every part of the airport
which create the reason for our supervisor to pronounce his first ever sermon
to us. At the middle of seriousness mood, laughter and loud group mates are
still to an on mode HAHAHA. From this time on, we meet our course coordinator,
Yukari Kotaka, and English translator, Misuzu Takeguchi, which we never
imagined to get hooked and infatuated with them badly creating reasons for us
to miss them truly. From Narita Airport, we arrived on a bus going to our first
stay in hotel which is Shinjuku Washington Hotel in Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo for about one and a half hour travel period. From the bus view going to
hotel, the captivation I had from our landing in airplane was subordinated with
an enthralling view of the scenic skyscrapers of Japan. I was really moved when
I first saw the grandeur of Japan. It was very far from my expectation since it
offers more than what I expected beforehand.
JAPAN POSE. Safely landed to the Land of the Rising Sun
JAPAN'S METRO. Stupefy over the bus' window pane
JAPAN'S OVERVIEW. Astonishing skyscrapers
After some good rest on our hotel room with my OC roommate
Kuya Kenneth Aglubo (HAHA), we had our very first Japanese dinner at Sawaki
Restaurant.
A TASTE OF JAPAN. Experiencing on this table my very first authentic Japanese food
Of course, we will not let this first day in Japan end
without going outside and bearing the unbearable 3 degrees Celcius temperature
so the group went on to Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory on 45th
floor. From the top of the building, we had a good view of Tokyo City by night
and believe me, its heaven!
TOP OF TOKYO. A panoramic view of Tokyo by night
Singing on our first night: "The cold never bothered us anyway"
Day 2- March 11, 2015:
Nothing is more exciting than to wake up knowing that it’s
going to be a roller coaster ride for today. A start of a sumptuous breakfast
at the window pane view of Tokyo City in Manhattan Table shows the positivity
and effervescent for the day.
Breakfast at the window pane of the restaurant
From hotel we went to TKP Shinjuku Conference Center for an
orientation and a gathering to other youth delegates from Malaysia, Cambodia
and Thailand. This is a perfect time to build linkages with other youth
delegates and at the same time build posterity. During our lunch, we had a
taste of the convenient to eat rice ball which shows complexity in opening its
package. Nonetheless, the taste it offers is good.
Tuna Rice Ball
After the short
orientation, networking and lunch; it’s time to depart ways with other delegations
since they will be focusing on a different thematic view on studying social
community course. Our next stop this time is the Corporate Showroom Panasonic
Center which highlight the advanced technology of Japan in the field of Science
and Mathematics. We enjoy the different interactive games in Panasonic Center
plus get flabbergast of the different technological advancement in Japan which
seems to be normal in every household. At this point, I am really convince that
Japan is almost at top of technological advancement. Nothing can argue that
fact (unless other developed country would invite me for free to witness what
they have in advanced technology :p).
Group photo @ Panasonic Center
Consequently after
the tour at Panasonic Center, we got some chance to drop by for a few minutes
at Diver City Tokyo were the gigantic Gundam Seed figure is situated. I
remember the excitement and thrill my buddy, my seatmate and my chika mate,
Mikkaela Mones, display when Yukari-san told us that we’ll drop by there for
some minutes. After some shashin (photograph) with Gundam, we went straight to
Odaiba Aqua City which offers a lot of shopping stores for us. This is the time
were most of us take time to shop for our love ones. It seems that everybody is
exhausted from the shopping we had so a buffet dinner at The Oven Restaurant
together with the Thai group is waiting for everybody to enjoy. The Oven
Restaurant offers a wide variety of American and of course Japanese food. From
the restaurant, a panoramic vista of Japan’s own version of Statue of Liberty
and the Golden Gate of San Francisco can be seen. We feel the essence of state
side upon having a good panorama.
Batch Batlaya with Gundam Seed
A pose with Gundam Seed
JAPAN'S STATES SIDE. Statue of Liberty and San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge @ Tokyo
Day 3- March 12, 2015:
A brand new start of day awaits us to plunge our 3rd day in
Japan. Most of us still had our breakfast at Manhattan Table on the 25th floor
of the hotel. I had my breakfast alone this time at the bar side of the
restaurant since my room buddy barter his breakfast time to an extended
sleeping hour (HAHAHA). Our first stop for the day is at Olympic Center to
experience the sophisticated traditional culture of Japanese Calligraphy. We
had an accord last night that we’ll meet at the lobby of the hotel to gather
around before coming down the hotel for the bus but unexpectedly, a right to
make fun of incident happens to our supervisor which came very early at a wrong
place in the hotel and I was like LOL HAHAHA when I saw him looking for us as
we go outside the hotel. Nonetheless, everything seems right and so the bus
ride goes on to Olympic Center. On our way, the bus driver got some quandary of
the place location creating a reason for us to go round and round the city of
Tokyo over and over again. We were all like “dito na naman?”, “dumaan na tayo
dito huh.” But we were able to find the place with a little bit late from the time
schedule for the day. On the Olympic Center, we encounter the expert
Calligrapher Udoyoshi-san. Here’s a blog he wrote for the Filipino Calligraphy
experience:
Our Calligraphy work!
More practice makes your final calligraphy not perfect HAHA xD
The expert with his apprentice.
From Olympic Center we went down to Asakusa for our lunch
and a short walk around it. We had our lunch at “Sansada” restaurant where I
together with my utol (lil’ brother- because we’ve been together at our
homestay), kim and trisha; experience to get secluded with others because of
our food restriction HAHAHA XD. After the palatial lunch, we went on roaming Asakusa which main attraction is Sensoji, a very popular Buddhist Temple.
FOOD OF PERSONS' WITH ALLERGY. Vegetable Tempura
Busy street of Asakusa
Green Tea Flavor of a hopia-like snack
The Pagoda
Incense burner in front of the Buddhist Temple
THE BEST OF FORTUNE. I got it!
@ Asakusa
After we enjoy Asakusa with tons of shashin, we went this
time to Tokyo National Museum. Upon entering the main museum, a wide courtyard
and pond surrounded by three main
buildings will welcome you. This museum holds the different national and
important Japanese treasures which unambiguously exhibit the glories historical
and cultural heritage of Japan over different era. This displays different
paintings, ceramics, swords, kimonos and sculptures and the like.
@ Tokyo National Museum
Our next terminus is at Akihabara (many from my batch mates
say “YEHEYYY”—for they are otaku lovers). This is Japan’s major shopping area
for electronic, computer, anime, games and otaku goods. I remember my friends,
classmates and students who are deeply infatuated with this Japanese
sub-culture which makes Japan a landscape of contemporary and popular cultural
pot in Asia even in the world. I’m sure this is the place for them. As for me,
I’ll just enjoy the sightseeing view of the city which becomes perfect as the
night comes on due to the scintillating lights of buildings and of course the
goods Akihabara has to offer for me.
Akihabara by afternoon
Akihabara by night.
I’m sure Yukari-san won’t forget this day when Dyan get lost
from our meeting place at “Kanda Grill” in Yodobashi for our dinner.
Undeniably, Dyan is a clever girl so she use her life line/ (slash) SOS/
(slash) ID. At the end, everything is fine and we’ll go back to our hotel sound
and good.
Day 4- March 13, 2015:
Our call time for today is somewhat early than the usual
time we’re called up so Yukari-san made some arrangement with the Manhattan
Table Restaurant with regards to an early buffet breakfast. Unfortunately, me
and my room buddy wasn’t able to come early at the restaurant so the staff
there do not allow us anymore to have our breakfast without falling in a long
waiting line of costumers. So much that we wanted to have our breakfast, we
decided to transfer on another restaurant (which I forgot the name) but it only
offers an ala carte kind of breakfast. To our surprise, we are still late for
around 10 minutes as per our time watcher, Pappu. Today is our final stay in in
Shinjuku Washington Hotel because we’ll have a flight going to Kagoshima
prefecture from Haneda Airport. We’ll take the flight NH 621 with ANA Airlines.
From northern east part of Japan, our batch will now invade the southern part
of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. From airport, we had our lunch on the
bus with an Ekiben bento box. From its packaging to our meal, I’d rather take
picture on it than eat it due to its stimulating presentation. From airport, it
took around one and a half hour to reach our next target which is the
Sakurajima Island Museum. When you go to Kyushu, one of the best place to visit
there is the Sakurajima volcano. This is still an active volcano which we
certainly experience its eruption. From this site, I realized how well the
people on the vicinity of the volcano really made effort when the unknown large
eruption happens and they were all prepared to combat it. With enough
technological facilities and equipment to gather data every day and a closer
watch to the volcano, Japan is indefatigably on top of disaster and risk
reduction preparedness measure if the unnatural phenomena happens. Of course,
we will not take for granted this opportunity to have the best of pose to the
up close Sakurajima volcano. More and more and more pictures ….
MT. FUJI. Aerial view of the majestic mountain from the plane going to Kagoshima
BEAUTY IN THE BOX. The Bento Box
Lecture by the local tourist about Sakurajima Volcano
A good view of Sakurajima volcano with the man on his blue coat
Onsen for the feet.
Onsen for the feet.
YOLO-ing with Sakurajima volcano
Batch Batlaya with the scenic view of Sakurajima volcano
The place where we are going to stay first here in Kagoshima
is the Kapic Center (Kagoshima Asia-Pacific Intercultural Countryside Center)
in Kanoya City. At the Kapic Center Museum, we had a taste of Asia-pacific
cultural instruments and costumes so we had the best of our short time to
create music (unfortunately most of us create noise) and go on fitting
different national costumes from different Asia-Pacific country. Let me
exaggerate this, but it was in Kapic Center which I ate the best of Japanese
food which affirmatively captures the authentic meaning of “oishi.” It’s my
first time to have the authentic Yakisoba there in Japan which is far different
from the Yakisoba we have here in the Philippines. The food here are all
unforgettable.
Wearing Malaysian Traditional Costume with Chinese head dress.
DIVERSITY OF COSTUME. Indian-Chinese-Korean & Malaysian
UNITY AMIDST DIVERSITY. Batch Batlaya on variety of cultural costume from Asia-Pacific
It’s also my first time to wear the Japanese garment which
is known as Yukata. It feels good and comfortable inside and outside HAHAHA XD.
Ohayou Gozaimasou in my Yukata dress
Shouts: YUKATA!
Day 5- March 14, 2015:
Still at Kapic Center, our first activity for the day is
experiencing the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony also known as sado or “the
way of tea.” Narrate to me how do you normally prepare and drink a tea? Isn’t
you get a cup, a hot water and brew the tea, isn’t? Apparently, this Japanese
tradition is something worth taking notes since its shows intricacy and
sophistication from every movement, preparation, materials and your very own
presence. Rooting from the philosophy of its pioneer to a Hiragana Calligraphy
on our room which writes on- “Wa, Kei, Sei, Jaku” or “harmony, respect, purity,
tranquility.” This must all be behold and discern on the tea ceremony. Of
course, our firsthand experience can better encapsulate this tradition of Japan
I hope to continually live on.
Sensei demonstrating the traditional tea ceremony
“Wa, Kei, Sei, Jaku”- “harmony, respect, purity, tranquility.”
ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU. A bow of gratitude upon taking the sweets
TEA CEREMONY. Our first-hand experience
Sakura like sweets
Own made matcha- green tea
Photo opportunity with the experts in Japanese Tea Ceremony
After our lunch, our next lesson is the fitting of the
traditional Kimono. It was an impressive time for us feeling the early Japanese
era with our Kimono without any knowledge that it bears significant and
eloquent meaning in the cultural panoply of Japanese culture. Likewise, it’s a
fine time also to have a cultural Japanese dance with our Kimono so bring the
music on and cavort to the rhythm of the music.
What to dress?
Feeling a highness with my Japanese Kimono
Konnichiwa in Japanese Kimono!
Strike a pose while waiting for full Kimono transformation.
The lovely ladies wearing Japanese Kimono
Hey!
Batch Batlaya on the Japanese Kimono
The experience we had at Kapic Center was patently
resplendent being acculturated to the traditional Japanese culture but we need
to say good bye to the good heart of the people from Kapic Center since we will
be transferring on a new stay in place at Ibusuki Phoenix Hotel at Juni-cho
Ibusuki City. From Kapic Center, it took around one hour bus ride going to
seaport to ride on the ferry going to hotel. At Ibusuki Phoenix Hotel, we had
the best again of the palatable Japanese cuisine which according to Misuzu-san
is expensive. Regardless, it’s free to indulge and enjoy the food at till it
last!
Group photo with the different flags from Asia- Pacific
A wave of goodbye to Kapic Center ... till we meet again.
Cute Japanese children at the ferry boat.
LUSCIOUS DINNER. Set of authentic Japanese food
At this point of night also, I had experience one of the
traditional thing for Japanese people which at first makes me to back out as I
enter the room or in short, it was such a culture shock. Dude, it’s the naked
communion bath or the “Onsen.” This literally means hot spring which we have
here in the Philippines also but the big difference is that you need to go on
the pool nakedly as in without anything else to conceal. Well as for my first
time experience, it feels awfully awkward and unwieldy but the feeling is a
true heaven after some half hour of Onsen. Things may seem hard to be
acculturated but of course I had to make the most of my experience on this trip
so show what you have to show and then shout: carry on! Xd
Female- Male Onsen
Shower area at the Onsen
The Onsen.
Day 6- March 15, 2015:
Still on a Yukata mode (kind a different look this time with
something to put after the garment), I head on the restaurant for a breakfast
buffet before we leave Ibusuki Phoenix Hotel. This hotel is positively
unforgettable for me because it is here were I first experience Onsen. Our next
destination for today is at Kyukamura which means resort village to experience
another wild life of Japanese culture which is sand bath. This sand bathing is
seriously deifying which I’d love to go back again and again due to its binding
health benefit for the body. Ohhh goshhh … the moment I got buried on the sand,
it’s like nirvana. It’s an up close repartee on everything that exist and doesn’t
exist there. I was totally on sweat and detoxified from everything I incur on
the past few days. This is something I wanted to bring back home to
Philippines. For about half an hour of relaxation, the next step you’ll have to
take is to go and get rinse of yourself at the shower and continue to endure
relaxation at the Onsen. Damn, this is really heaven. After some pleasure, a
lunch at Shunsai restaurant is waiting for everybody.
SAND BATH. Everybody is experiencing heaven
Face to face with the gods in heaven because of this Sand Bath.
And the best dramatic-comedic act goes to ... Kenneth Aglubo.
It took about half an hour from Kyukamura to our next spot
to meet Eco-Link Association for some short lecture about their advocacy and
field of work. We meet here Koichiro Shimotsu, the founder of Eco-Link
Association who surprisingly was married to a Filipina. I was impressed by how
the organization started and prospered over the time which makes them an
awardee of excellence to 10th Green Tourism Awards. I was inspired of having
the same program of homestay here in the Philippines like what they are doing
at the present. Consequently, today is also the day were we will meet our
homestay family for two-nights and two-days. Everybody is jumpy to meet our
homestay family. My partner for this homestay was Kahlil Genota. We were
welcomed by the homestay families with a banner and a short program. For this
night we will be staying with Higashi family. And ohhhh … I was marveled when
we arrived at their home. From any middle-class Filipino perspective, you would
think that there house is for the rich one here in the Philippines. To his
manifestation, this is just a small house. The Higashi family’s house is styled
out of mixed traditional and avant-garde style. Their house is big for the two
of them only since his two children are studying from other part of Japan.
Everything around is instant due to high tech gadgets ranging from an automatic
lights-on when you open the toilet’s door, remote control lighting and others
of like which are situated all over the house.
STORY OF EXCELLENCE. Koichiro Shimotsu sharing the story of Eco-link Association as they fly high.
FIRST ENCOUNTER. Welcomed by our new otosan Higashi Yuichi for our homestay in Kagoshima
My otosan is a ceramic maker so he has a small shop. Every
Monday, he has few number of students studying how to make ceramic. I was
galvanized with his work of art stretching into ocha cups, mizu cups, vase,
chopstick dispenser, sake cup and many more. The designs were a mixed of
traditional and contemporary one which he is telling to us makes a distinction
to the buyers choice depending on the age. Tomorrow by 9’o clock we will be fetching his new crafted works after some days of cooking and/or processing on a
big oven. For tonight, it’s the perfect time to have our tête-à-tête of getting
to know one another’s likes and dislikes. This homestay is also unforgettable
for me since we were eating for about three hours of shabu shabu. I was totally
full to the extent that I’m just driving myself to eat more as a sign of
affirmation for their generous acceptance for us but for real, I and Kahlil was
full. Nonetheless, it was really an “itadakimas” for the food they serve to us
which we feel very blessed to the kindness and love they bestowed on our first
day. It’s a night of exchanging cultural differences between Japan and
Philippines. They were like: “Oh, really? Philippines is a good country?” with
everything we are implying and sharing to them. This is a night of balance
between hilarity and seriousness with a Japanese-English dictionary on the side
HAHAHA.
THREE HOURS OF EATING. A sumptuous shabu shabu dinner was served to us as they welcome us.
Day 7- March 16,2015:
Days are getting nearer for us to face the reality back in
the Philippines but as for our day 7, let’s all enjoy first the perk of being a
foster child to the hale and hearty new parents here in Japan. Due to the
undeniable punctuality and strictness of Japanese people to time which is
actually a habit to them deeply inculcated long before this era, my utol (slang
word for brother) and I decided to really alarm and set ourselves earlier than
the expected time given to us by our okasan and otosan. Since I may say that
they were literally in culture shock with our state of taking a bath every
morning and before the bed time, they still make time to prepare our bath tub.
To their keen observance with time, our otosan create a time table for our
activity for the day. After our breakfast at 9 o’clock, we went to his shop to
get the finish product of his ceramic work plus his students’ works also. Upon
segregating and bringing every ceramic into the compartment, we were very
careful not to be careless creating havoc on his works. In other words, we
don’t want to break anything from his works. Noting also that its “takay”
(costly) which we can’t afford to pay if we create damage. To our surprise, he
gives us a ceramic mug as a token of appreciation. We’re very grateful for his
kind act to us. From his ceramic shop, we had an activity this time with okasan
preparing our lunch for the day. She show to us how to make the very savory
salad dressing we really loved so much which is only made out of soy sauce,
vinegar and other spices. We enjoy preparing every single detail of our lunch
even to the most of getting a leaves from the garden just for the food presentation.
Japanese people really value not only the flavor of the food but also its
aesthetic value. After our lunch, we now prepare ourselves in visiting Hou-oh
High School wearing our cultural costume for the presentation.
FRESH FROM THE OVEN. After how many days of waiting, its now time to harvest the ceramic works.
Japan, Japan with otosan Huichi
@ Higashi's Ceramic Store
Big smile while preparing for the food.
Our prepared Japanese food.
Finally, after one night we miss one another so it’s time to
make some exchange of homestay experience. Afterwards, we prepare our
Philippine booth for some exhibits with the high school students. The school
principal is very delighted to welcome us in there school with his welcome
remarks (as usual Misuzu-san is on the go to translate it in English). After
the short talk, it’s our first time to showcase our dance number after
sometimes of practicing it back in the Philippines and at Kapic Center also.
Obviously, we did a good job for this number and we are very proud of
ourselves. Our first activity was wearing
Yukata with grade 7 students and a
round song and dance number with everybody. We had some small networking with
the students but since everything is time bounded, we need to adjourn on our
first activity. Our second activity was with the grade 8 students who were
studying English. We had an outbreak of group meeting the English class and a
fine time to talk anything which of our interest about our country and their
country in a pure English language (of course in pure English language, to
immortalize the objective of the activity). The last one that we had was
meeting the archery club of the school. A short lecture was presented to us
about
“Kyudo” which means “way of the bow.” Like the tea ceremony or “Sado,”
Kyudo also exemplifies a sophisticated way before shooting the arrow to the
bulls eye. Of course, nothing is more perfect than to have a direct experience
with the archery. Together with the archery club, they teach us the proper way
of how to accurately hit a target. Apparently, the highlight of this
activity for me was when KP is trying to be a legitimate archer with his
emotional disposition then suddenly the strings of the bow get lost causes for
many to react exaggeratedly which in effect create a reason for KP to be afraid
because of the damage. Everything was actually normal but we just make things
abnormal because of laughing too much about it. Our day in
Hou-oh High school
ended with a short closing ceremony while our foster parents are all waiting
for us. It’s time to bid goodbye again to our brothers and sisters awwwww.
On the way to Hou-oh High School
Japan, Japan with Grade 7 students
More Japan, Japan with Grade 7
Kakkoii Yusei-san
PHILIPPINE BOOTH. It exhibits the different delicacies, native products and promotional materials from the Department of Tourism.
CULTURAL PERFORMANCE. Performing a dance number to the tune of "Piliin mo ang Pilipinas"
Batch Batlaya on diverse Philippine Cultural Costume
Wearing Kimono and Yukata with Grade 7 students
ENGLISH ONLY PLEASE. Communicated with an English class of Grade 8 students.
Hou-High School Archery Club
The Bow
BULLS EYE. An eye to eye provocation with the target using bow and arrow.
WAVING TIME. A short closing ceremony to the students of Hou-High School.
As we arrived on our home, we are scheduled to have this
awkward moment again at the Onsen but this time its different because it's really
a public bath. Unlike in the hotel, only the occupants in the hotel are the
people in the onsen but this time, anybody from the town can go here. When we
were in the public bath, I feel immune with the onsen and easily acculturated
with the way everything happens so for me I just focus on the “art of dedma.”
Apparently, Lou, KP and Remart also arrived at the public bath so it’s the
Filipino who are noisy in this public place again HAHAHA.
After the onsen, the dinner is set for us to indulge and
since this is our last night, we really make the most out of everything by
sharing the best that we could plus giving them in return a token of gratitude
and appreciation for the love they endowed to us. I give them a refrigerator
magnet with Philippines on it then Kahlil gave a small figurine of Philippines’
Nipa Hut or “Bahay Kubo” in a bottle. We share to them also the different
sweets and delicacies native in the Philippines like durian candy, tamarind
candy, pastillas, chocnut, peanut brittle and many more. We exchange some
contact information so that in perfect time, we could meet again maybe in Japan
again or in the Philippines this time. This is definitely a night to remember
for me and my utol.
Otosan Yuichi performs Sado as a sign of affirmation for us.
HIGASHI FAMILY. Our pleasure to be your adopted child for a short time.
Day 8- March 17, 2015:
This day is heart-rending since today is our last day to
have a breakfast with Higashi-san. Our short stay in this humble abode creates
a lot of impression that even in the midst of promptness there is joy, that
even in the midst of being a foster child there is love and that even in the
midst of cultural differences there is understanding. This is an experience of
a lifetime which we will never forget since it creates a memory for tomorrow.
The sweet candies and biscuits, lemon and ceramic mug which they gave to us is
incomparable to the memory and experience to the taste of Japan’s country side
life which we will absolutely without any provocation remember for a lifetime.
It may be a short encounter but we are forever indebted to the generosity and
kindness they bestowed to us upon our coming. For them, thank you is not enough
to bring back everything they show to us. Farewell to you otosan and okasan
Higashi.
GIFTS TO REMEMBER. A simple token of love for us from otosan Yuichi and okasan Etsuko
LAST PHOTO. A photograph of a lifetime to remember
ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU HIGASHI FAMILY!
Upon waving for the last time, it’s very remarkable with the
tears of many that they will really miss their homestay family but life goes on
in Japan so for today we will head on to Sengan-en Garden still at Kagoshima.
At the Sengan-en Garden, a tourist guide joins us to roam the very haven place
land scape garden which still features the Sakurajima Mountain and Kagoshima
Bay. The Sengan-en was constructed in 1658 by the wealthy Shimazu Clan so you
would probably see a lot of their emblem in the garden. This garden is really a
place for relaxation since every spot is worthy for contemplating lifes’ drama
and of course a perfect setting to strike the best of your pose.
Shimazu Clan Emblem
Blazing Sengan-en Garden.
Blazing Sengan-en Garden.
Blazing Sengan-en Garden.
Blazing Sengan-en Garden.
More twist while blazing Sengan-en Garden.
Blazing Sengan-en Garden.
More pose while blazing Sengan-en Garden.
With our English speaking tour guide.
Batch Batlaya @ Sengan-en Garden
After some tiring time blazing the garden, we went on
Tenmonkan Mujaki to have our lunch. This is where they serve best Shirokuma
made out of crush ice filled with delicious and creamy milk top with different
kinds of fruits. It’s like the Japanese own version of Halo-Halo here in the
Philippines very famous every summer.
SHIROKUMA. An ice shave filled with milk top with different kinds of fruits; Japanese version of Philippines' Halo-Halo.
After about 5-days stay in Kagoshima, its waving time to the
very peaceful and calm prefecture of Japan. This place creates a lot of memory
which we will brought up for a lifetime. It’s time to go back in Tokyo so we
had our flight JL1872 going to Haneda Airport this time. And we’re back to
Tokyo again .. whuuu. We had then our dinner on one of the restaurant at Haneda
Airport which is Le Ciel Restaurant. Afterwards, we are set to go on the last
stay in place for our program in Japan and that is in Tokyo Prince Hotel which
took about 15 minutes ride going there. The farewell day is coming so the rest
of our day 8 is a night of an adventure on the silent street of Tokyo
(tittering).
Dinner @ Le Ciel Restaurant
MAGNIFICENT & RADIANT. Tokyo Tower near our hotel @ Tokyo Prince Hotel
View @ our window- Tokyo Tower
Day 9- March 18,2015:
Ohhh come on! This is technically our last day in Japan.
This is one of the saddest reality of my 2015 which I made myself ready to face
specially the next day. Nonetheless, this day offers the best of today and yet
to come with a breakfast at the 3rd floor of Tokyo Prince Hotel at Poruto
Restaurant. The cheesecake here is absolutely mouth-watering.
Our point of destination for day 9 is at Meiji Jingu Shrine
where the grandest Shinto shrine is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and Empress
Shoken. This offers a rich historical perspective during Emperor’s Meiji reigne
in Japanese era. We meet at Meiji Jingu Shrine the volunteer English guide
group known as “PIPS”. This group offers a free tour guide to visitors using
English as the medium of instruction. The company with PIPS is heaven if you
know what I mean HAHA XD. Upon entering at the Meiji Jingu Shrine, there is
this ritual of cleaning the hands first. Similarly, we do not step on the
entrance door’s lower portion since this shows the respect of every intruders
to the shrine to the father’s head. Asking Takeru who is our tour guide from
PIPS the difference of a shrine from a temple, he asseverated that the
difference comes from the way of praying. Frequently, the people who pray on a
shrine clap their hands while people at the temple do not.
Meiji Jingu Shrine Entrance
Provenance of the Bourgogne Wine for Consecration at Meiji Jingu
Barrels of Sake Wrapped in Straw
Cleaning the hands before going to the Shrine
The Meiji Jingu Shrine
Batlaya and the PIPS
PIPS Japan Tour Guide
Batch Batlaya with PIPS Japan @ Meiji Jingu Shrine
After some good walk
and talk at the shrine, it’s time to have our lunch at Ristorante Venire at
Harajuku. Its only a 5 minutes bus ride from the shrine. Before we head on to
the restaurant, we were given some few minutes to spend at Harajuku. This is
absolutely a crowded place since this is the center of Japan’s most extreme
teenage culture and fashion style. Side by side of the street are different
trendy shops and food stores. There is a daiso at this point so I just spent my
time in Harajuku buying some stuffs here. When you go in Harajuku, see to
it that you try to eat the crepes here since this is the most popular street
food on this street. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to try one since I almost
spent my money at daiso. Nevertheless, there is a next time which I absolutely
affirm at this point in time. Everybody is tired and hungry so our meeting
place is at Ristorante Venire which offers a buffet of Italian food. After the
appetizing lunch and exquisite sharing of words, it’s time to prepare for our
joint briefing session and cultural presentation together with the three
delegations at Hotel Tokyo Seafort. We are the last delegation to arrive at the
hotel while everybody are busy preparing for the session. In our case,
everything seems okay so we are all on chill mode.
Takeshita Street
FASHION DISTRICT. Harajuku Street offers more of this trendy fashion statement
The big hour we’re all been waiting for has finally arrived
with the presentation or culmination of our days spent in Japan capturing the
essence of “Cool Japan” from the different place we’ve been. The first
delegation to present was Cambodia followed by Malaysia then us, the
Philippines and last is Thailand. When our turn comes to present, everybody is
very proud and eager to showcase the best of the Filipino intelligence and wit.
The focal topic I presented together with Anna was about the Japanese food. I
made an extemporaneous talk about their food in a manner as if I am
contemplating over the past few days I spent in Tokyo and Kagoshima. Of course,
without any lie and provocation to lift up one’s chair, Japanese food are truly
palatable and delectable which I wrap up everything by saying “oishi.” Modesty
aside, when the Philippine delegation presents our Cool Japan concept, believe
me we are on the premier of everything.
There is this feeling of unexplainable gladness and proudness that stirs
us up to be more ecstatic to showcase the best of the Filipino talent specially
during our cultural performance were we show the diversified cultural panorama
of the Philippine to the tune of “Piliin Mo ang Pilipinas” (Choose the
Philippines). Even our batch supervisor made a very dignified and peerless
thank you speech on behalf of the Philippine delegation and the government of
the Philippines. Until we were all surprise to call him up to grace our dinner
for the night. The night becomes more vivid and exultant when someone from our
delegation starts up to change the music into a party song that makes us all to indulge and to cavort the august hall of the room. The Philippine delegation
were like the organizers of the event since we were the one who actually create
the reason to bring other delegations show there youthful side on the dance
floor. On the lead of Jowanna Hey, she made an impromptu choreography to the
party music. Then the Thailand delegation also lead the dance floor which makes
everything more fun. This was really a night of socialization which reflects on
how vibrant the youth of today eager to be ready on whatever matter of life’s
mirror. Sadly, the party has to put an end and the most heartbreaking on this
part is to say goodbye again to the other delegations.
Eldrin Cabilin, 20- Philippines!
Proud and loud on the Philippine's table
With Miss Philippines 1995 HAHA XD
Philippine's table for country promotion.
KAMPAI. A toast of success for everybody grace by Philippine delegation Supervisor Adriano Balagot
PRIDE AND HONOR. Unveiling the best of Filipino talent and wit to offer in the world here in Japan
Going back to Tokyo Prince Hotel, everybody seems to be very
busy packing there things up for tomorrow’s flight (awwwtss). On the other
side, we still make time to make the most out of the night until the midnight
(HAHAHA XD) and the rest was history.
Yukari-san wearing Bagobo tribe costume. She looks like a fortune teller here.
Day 10- March 19, 2015:
If there would be a day from our stay in Japan that is the
happiest day, there would also be the saddest day which is today. Before I go
on sadness, I just want to thank first my room buddy- Kuya Kenneth- who wake me
up for our early flight. Just a brush of teeth and a good wash of face, I’m up
to go on the bus to the airport with high hangover of the past. But on the other
room, Lou seems not yet ready to leave Japan since he is still sleeping HAHAHA.
So both of us just wake up due to adrenalin rush. On the way to airport at the
bus, everybody seems to be sleepy and not in the mood maybe because of the
reason that we’re going back to the Philippines. Thinking less about that, this
is very sad for everyone since we will be back to our own lives again. The
bonding and moments that we had are all priceless. Evidently, the tears
everybody shed specially our coordinator Yukari Kotaka and Misuzu Takeguchi
manifest well that we built a good relation to one another. Apparently, there
is a life waiting for us back in the Philippines so it’s waiving time for
Yukari-san and Misuzu-san. Manifestly, all good things must come to an end but
we know that this is not the end rather a good beginning of the bond that we
look forward to continuously work specially in bringing up an erudite spin- off
to the land where we will go back. So much that we wanted to extend our stay,
it cannot be; so much that we wanted to maximize our 15-days visa, it cannot
be; so much that we wanted to live in Japan, it cannot be simply because there
is someone who’s waiting for us back here. And as we go back, a bigger
responsibility awaits us which tantamount to the bigger panoply of becoming a
prime mover to our own social community. Therefore, reality is yearning for us
which awaits us to hug in order to enunciate and reckon the best of our duty
since the 23 youth delegates belongs to the finest and the privileged crème de
la crème out of about 400 youth applicants in the Philippines. And as we face
another beginning of reality, let it be noted that our love and gratitude
stretches into forever to the government of Japan but much more to the
government of the Philippines which we have an immense and substantial duty- to
serve, to uplift and to revitalize our dear Mother Land.
FAREWELL PHOTO. It depicts sadness but unending happiness to look forward of what's here and then
(*Photo credits: My acknowledgment goes to some of my batch mates but most specially to Jawo Galicia who owns most of the photo. Arigatou Gozaimasu!)
