Experiencing "Cool Japan" in the JENESYS 2.0: Social Community Course

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:

 http://wayoh.jp/archives/1438

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.

Here is the video we presented during the Philippines' presentation created by Jawo Galicia: https://youtu.be/gKV2PqtFPOk

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!)