A Dream Came True...miss the friendship, the fun and surprises!

6^th Batch of the 2006 Youth Invitation Program (Education Category)

June 21 – July 13, 2006

Akihabara pose, where electronic gadgets are displayed.....

Mini exhibit in one of their schools.

with the coordinators....
Yumiko Kojima and Takako Kato

A pose with one of the Japanese volunteer....

Yokohama view

Narita Airport

courtesy call with the superintendent!

         Mixed emotions, excitement combined with the feeling of joy and fear, traveling to a different place, leaving my husband and four kids behind gave so much anxiety. Though eagerness over ruled my senses, I have stepped on the portals of Japan. I was accepted in the 6^th batch of the 2006 Youth Invitation Program formerly known as Philippines – Japan Youth Friendship Program.  The program aims to foster long-lasting relationship of peace and prosperity based upon the mutual understanding and true friendship through exchange between the youths of Japan and the Philippines. The government of Japan through JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) shouldered the international airfare from Manila to Kansai, as well as the accommodation expenses and allowances while in Japan.

I was so lucky to be with my friend and a teacher of City Central School who was also accepted in the program, Marichelle F. Neri. Along with four High School teachers: Sandy Flores of City National High School, Alven L. Gomez of Cugman National High School, Victor A. Salonoy of   Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS) and Fern Anne O. Barrera of Tubod Lanao del Norte and together with two other companions from the Local Administration Group, compose the delegate of Region X.

As a requirement, we have to attend the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs last May 28-31, 2006 at Hyatt Regency Manila. It was a heartwarming welcome to all of the 69 participants including the 23 participants from the Agriculture Category and another 23 participants from the Local Administration, coming from the different parts of the Philippines.  I always looked forward in our stay for 23 days. PDOS was really a great help not only knowing my colleagues but most of all gaining the knowledge of what to expect and what to do in our trip. We had an overview of geography, people, history, lifestyle and culture of Japan. Japanese language lesson was also taught which I listened and practiced diligently so as not to hamper our communication skills. (Most Japanese can’t speak English). In return we have showcased our talents in dancing and singing during the farewell party in Hyatt.

Beamed with the work in school and the preparation for the trip was a tiring task. I have to get ready with the things needed: costumes for the cultural presentation, “meishe” or calling cards and “omiyage”  or gifts for my home-stay and Japanese friends and volunteers; and most importantly the preparation of self. All these came to an end until the day of our departure. I have to face the biggest challenge one can imagine – this unforgettable journey.

Aboard Thai Airways, I was filled with excitement though a little bit uneasy. The glimpse of Kansai Airport gave a great relief of the uneasiness inside. This airport was known to become an island solely for the purpose. It was gigantic! The weather joined us with glee as we landed safely. In astonishment, I told myself I am really in Japan… with all the Japanese signs around and the people hurrying to get into the train, going down the escalator and to the luggage counter… I acclaimed, I am not dreaming anymore.

Our stay at Osaka JICA Center, Hotel Ad Inn in Naruto City and Yokohama JICA Center was excellent. We had individual cozy rooms with television and bathtub. Yumiko Kojima and Takako Kato, our coordinators enjoyed our company very much. They joined us throughout the duration of the program. We always moved from place to place in Japan. We were able to go many places by plane, by train, by bus and by foot (no jeepneys in Japan and Taxi is a bit pricey). Some means of transportation that we have tried and enjoyed was riding the bullet train!) We passed by vast tunnels and forests.  We were able to visit their underground malls were subways are located, the breathtaking Vine Bridge, splendid temples and the overwhelming longest suspension bridge (under the bridge was a tourist attraction where we would see the whirlpool once featured by Korina Sanchez in Rated K). It was really awesome!

Free time was given for us to stroll around and visit places we want to go. Usually we go by groups after dinner or during Saturdays and Sundays. Sometime we were accompanied by our Japanese volunteer who was with us for almost a day. Yukiko Iwata toured us around the giant Osaka aquarium. All kinds of fishes, eels, giant crabs, shrimps and lobsters, prawns, stingrays, turtles, jelly fishes, even penguins and sea lions, I saw. Near it’s building, was an amusement park where the biggest ferris wheel like we usually see in foreign movies was located. Wow! It was all God’s great creations!

One of the common Japanese’ custom is to leave their shoes before getting inside a house. We likewise do it in their exclusive karaoke room and in schools where we had visited and observed. We use the slippers provided in the said areas.

The first taste of Japanese food was a bit awkward though later we were used to it. The food preparation was great with a variety of courses. Like the Philippines, rice is their main staple food. Fish is also important in their food source. Of course, Sashimi (thin strips of raw fish) and Sushi (slices of raw fish on top of small portions of rice flavored vinegar) is present.

Courtesy call to the Mayor and Superintendent of the Ministry of Education was always a prerequisite as we visit their schools. We were made to observe classes in elementary and junior high school. We were able to get inside their classrooms, mingle and had lunch with the school children (lunch is free in most schools).

Sharing of culture was a fun one especially the exchange of views with the “sensei and gakusie” or teachers and students in elementary and junior high school. The facilities in their school were great, especially the ones inside their classroom. Each room has television set, computers, and the like. In return, we discussed the lifestyle, language, beautiful scenes in the Philippines. Children were very eager to learn the basic greetings in Filipino.  We taught them how to sing “Leron-leron Sinta” and the game “luksong tinik” where they found very pleasing. We even showed our cultural presentation, where we dance and sing.

No idle time spent in Japan. Days were full of activities like in Ozu, the place where the National Youth Center is located.  It is situated in one of the mountains, where we had our in-house seminar.  We mingled with the Japanese volunteers and had fun together during the group discussion on Japanese and Philippine Education, the canoeing in the river and the Ikebana lesson (the Japanese way of arranging flowers). 

My three-day experience with my home-stay was splendid. Mrs. Miwa Chikatsu with his son Yuto and grandmother were very accommodating. Her husband was not with them because he is working in Tokyo. The short stay was not enough to exchange views, ideas and culture. They toured me around the area: malls, restaurants and in a temple where the Tanabata Festival was held. We shared our thoughts and ideas regarding the differences of our culture. I’m very glad to see a Filipino book where they borrowed from Yuto’s school library. Like Filipinos, Japanese has strong family ties, too. Even though the family could not speak so much in English, I managed to talk slowly or write words and sentences in a piece of paper. It’s a bit amusing that sometimes Miwa would find these words in the dictionary. And I am very glad that we indeed shared our culture this way. 

Saying farewell to every one was not that easy. It was already carved in the hearts and touched the lives of everyone of us. My utmost gratitude to my host family and the organizations who took care of us (NIEA or Naruto International Exchange Association and UNESCO or  United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization). It has been a very memorable journey which I could not forget in my entire life, even when I grow old.  The experience gave so much understanding about life in general as a part of the whole world. I learn to appreciate little things as we continue breathing with god’s gifts and kindness to make us all united. 

  I could say this is not just an ordinary dream…. It’s a dream came true…




A proud Member of PAJAFA-21...http://pajafa21.net/MemberDir.php?PajDirPage=9