I love Matcha. Matcha is now a common ingredient in any kind of sweets. It is not just for drinking but also used for culinary purposes. If you haven’t tasted matcha ice cream, pastries, cookies, castella and others, I highly recommend that you try one of these sweets.

NFSA scholars were given an opportunity to have an escapade in the land of tea – Shizuoka. Thanks to Akira who organized the said trip. It was a sunny day and everyone enjoyed the travel from Yokohama.

The overlooking view like the “green rolls cakes” signified that we have already arrived. Mrs. Mayo Suzuki (Vice President of Marushichi Seicha), Noboru Suzuki (Nakayama Tea Union President), and Akira Onoda (Assistant Manager for International Sales) welcomed us and gave us a warm greeting. We were very excited to explore the place and have a look in the production of tea. The thrilling part of the travel was the narrow uphill roads with Matcha trees all over the place. This kanji (茶, cha), was formed and trimmed on the mountainside by the local people in Shizuoka which is the origin of one of the best teas.

Mr. Suzuki guided us in the process of making the matcha. He said “due to extreme heat, there were teas that have been damaged”. And identifying the damage was a bit of a challenge. According to him, a dark blue green colored tea indicates it is not good. While identifying the bad teas and looking at the wide well-shaped field of tea, this experience really seize my day.
Marushichi Seicha received an honorary trophy awarded by the Majesty Emperor as “The Best Tea Producer in Japan”. Moreover, this company does not have a large number of employees yet they are able to manage. The company has well-focused goals of producing the best tea in the world that motivates them to be competitive and be the fastest growing producer of healthy drinks because of its benefits.

For the Shizuoka people, Matcha is their bread and butter. The long term process of preparing, planting, picking/harvesting and pruning under the heat of the sun and rain challenged the NFSA scholars, that this signifies a lot of preparation, brainstorming, and unity of action in order to achieve a successful harvest.

Mr. Masami Suzuki (President of Marushichi Seicha) visited us at the dinner party after the factory visit. He delivered an encouraging speech and spoke about the significance of being healthy. He said, “The secret of being young and energetic is by drinking tea”. A statement that made us burst in laughter.

We would like to thank Marushichi Seicha for their warm and accommodating welcome during our visit. If you would like to know more about this company click this link: http://www.marushichi-group.jp/profile/default.asp.
Haru No Kenshu 2010

My friends in Manila were shocked from typhoon Ketsana locally named, as Ondoy, which brought heavy rains that created a massive flood in Luzon. Most affected areas were in Marikina, Rizal and Bulacan where some of my friends live. I think this is the first time they have experience this level of floodwater reached up to chest deep and a lot of our stuff have been damaged. This is a traumatic incident for Filipino people.

.Photo by AFP

PictureTwo people search for usable materials as flood waters recede in Marikina City, suburban Manila

Last September 26, 2009, Saturday morning, I received notice calls from my church mates and friends in Manila. I received offline messages asking me to pray for our country. I didn’t know what was going on back home. I immediately checked the Pinoy Channel website and watch the latest news in Philippines. It was very alarming to see some children floating in a vast muddy of water asking for help but the rescuers and some citizens can’t help them out due to strong current flow of water and heavy rain. I felt badly seeing those poor kids dying. A lot of people were trapped and lost their houses, no food, no water and no electricity. Many of the rescuers attempted to cross and save them but it was very difficult and dangerous.

The Disaster Officials declared a state of calamity in the capital region to speed up the rescue, reliefs and rehabilitations. Some people evacuated in schools, stayed in covered basketball courts and shelters provided by the government.

According to the news, the death toll rose to 246 from water that inundated the homes of nearly 2 million people and where at least 38 people remained missing. The government and private organizations handed over their donations and aids for the Filipino. And what touches me most the helping hand of the people all over the world, volunteering, giving their time to serve and donating. I could feel the LOVE of the Filipino as we call it BAYANIHAN (carrying the load shoulder to shoulder).

A lot of my fellow Filipino people still needs our help. If you happen to read this blog and want to donate the Sagip Kapamilya accepts donations in cash or in-kind.

For donations in kind, you can drop them off at:

# 13 Examiner St. West Triangle, Quezon City

Warehouse tel. no: +632-413-2667

For cash or cheque donations, you may go to:

ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.

Mother Ignacia Avenue corner E. Lopez St. Brgy. South Triangle, QC

Office tel. no: +632-411-4995 or +632-415-2272 loc 3765

or deposit to:

BANCO DE ORO ABS-CBN Branch

Account Number: 5630020111

Account Name: ABS-CBN FOUNDATION INC.

Routing code: BNORPHMM

· For confirmation of donation, please fax (+632-411-0858) or email (sagip@abs-cbn.com) copy of transmittal slip with complete donor’s information.

You can also check their website: http://www.sagipkapamilya.com/index.php?page=don

I am thankful that my parents live in Davao, Mindanao and they didn’t experience this tragic incident. I believe its one way of thanking is through praying and giving. Even just a penny can make a difference for the lives of the victims.

Account Number: 5630020111

Account Name: ABS-CBN FOUNDATION INC.

Routing code: BNORPHMM

· For confirmation of donation, please fax (+632-411-0858) or email (sagip@abs-cbn.com) copy of transmittal slip with complete donor’s information.

You can also check their website: http://www.sagipkapamilya.com/index.php?page=don

I am thankful that my parents live in Davao, Mindanao and they didn’t experience this tragic incident. I believe its one way of thanking is through praying and giving. Even just a penny can make a difference for the lives of the victims.

Fireworks! One word describes it when it’s already summer in Japan. Many various events and fireworks display are held annually all over Japan. Summer fireworks display is one of  Japan`s traditional event where family and friends gather together while watching the beautiful and colorful summer night. This is one thing that everyone shouldn’t miss. If you’re a foreigner planning to visit Japan, as for me, this is the best time to witness Japanese fireworks although it is hot all day and night.

Last 1st of August, Shizu, Hana and I was given an opportunity to go to Yokohama Summer Fireworks. Prior to the said event, I thought of wearing a yukata. It seems to be much of a hassle while traveling from my dormitory to Yokohama, but then as the day came, I had a great time instead. All of the places were crowded from the train and bus stations to the streets of Yokohama, so nobody looked twice on what others were wearing. Some roads were closed for the night because thousands of people were there.

Our meeting place was at the JICA Building. Thanks to Akira’s invitation we had a nice spot to watch the fireworks display. I am not so sure if it lasted for about 2 hours because there were intervals. I was wondering while watching the enormous Japanese fireworks art, what technology was used to create different shapes like heart, rabbit, cat, shells, ribbons, butterfly, spiral and some other interesting shapes that some I could not recognize. It was really a fascinating display with creativity, rhythm and Japanese skill. I heard from the crowd that there’s a Doraemon firework but I didn’t see it. It shows how the Japanese modern period can still connect with their culture and traditions. There was also a smile-shaped firework which made everyone from the group shout – Merry Project! Guessing the shapes of the fireworks made the night more enjoyable.

After the fireworks, we said no one should miss the jump shashin. It was such a great night. See you soon next year!

It was my first time to meet people from the country of Turkey. I have read and heard of their country but it is here in Japan I got to see and meet them personally. They were very nice people and easy to get along with. Their names were hard to remember at the start, but after a while I got to remember them.

Last Tuesday day tour, Maya Kanatani and I met the scholars namely Ms. Aigerim Iskarayeva from Kazakhstan, Mr. Taghi Khaniyev from Azerbaijan, Mr. Anar Iskenderov from Azerbaijan and Ms. Dilafruz Abdulloeva from Tajikistan at the Apa Hotel in Akasaka-mitsuke.

The group first visited the Nissan Oppama Plant where the staffs escorted us to their guest hall. The factory was located in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture incrementally grown over years not just in domestic but also in other countries. The first stop was in the Oppama Wharf where hundreds of different car models were parked ready to be shipped to other countries. The next stop was the Nissan production way. It was one of the fascinating areas of the factory, with robots carrying parts needed for the production and manufacturing method. The precision process produces at an accurate and rapid way, where time is of value while maintaining high-quality vehicles. It’s a great opportunity to see the production with an understanding of how a vehicle was made.

The next scheduled visit was in Kao Kawasaki Logistics Center. Kao is a very well known name all over Japan where they produce many household and personal products. Their goal is to efficiently utilize logistics infrastructure, including logistics bases, systems and relevant subsidiaries. And reduce rental fees for external storage and cargo handling fees. At the same time, reducing delivery fees to their respective costumers and find more ways to be effective to their consumers. They gave us a tour inside their factory and we got to observe their system which is mainly operated by a large dimension of machines which contribute to the advancement of society.

The scholars enthusiastically asked each company about their system. It was a great opportunity to learn directly and to see the advanced technology ofthe companies we visited. The overall tour was very enlightening we had a great time together in exchanging opinions, gaining knowledge and demystifying our cultures.

Related Post: Study Tour with the JATCAFA Scholars

By Marie Mariko Matsuo

At last I am away from the noisy City of Tokyo.
The NFSA went to Waku-Waku Village two hours from Sakuragi-Cho, Yokohama. The place soothed us with the fresh air, peace and quiet, the scenery, team building and the smell of the campfire. One of the fondest memories of NFSA experience was sitting around in the evening’s campfire with your group buddies and doing some activities together.

Prior to the campfire event, the group was divided into 3 teams with 3 assigned tasks to present; a comical skit, cheers and a song number.  This idea was discussed and approved by Gustavo, our Kaicho (President of the group) and other organizers. They thought it would be good if it will be assigned to us, 6 kisei (batch).  The idea was to help us interact to other scholars.
Each team discussed various ideas for the assigned presentations, though, we felt some pressure and the what-if-we-can’t attitude, but fortunately, each team was able to decide what to present.

On presentation day, two of the 6 kisei’s asked each group to perform only one presentation instead of three because they were thinking that we were running out of time. But the other team didn’t approve the idea because they finished their preparations and they just needed little time to polish them.

The campfire started at 7:00pm and it was showtime. All of us were very excited and nervous and I must admit I was too, especially, being one of 6 kisei, we felt the pressure. As the group gathered around the wood pile, the coolness of the place and the smiles made us at ease and not worry.

Then, the show began as Akira carried the lighted torch and running slowly towards the wood pile. Everyone drowns in laughter. Gustavo was the master of ceremony and explained some details. Each team had its own codename Kani, Kani 2 and my team, Tako.  The first performer was the Kani, then my team and lastly, Kani two. Each team performed so well in entertaining the audience and making them laugh.

As for me, the highlight of the campfire was the fight of Pikachu and Ultraman and it was everyone’s favorite. The audience requested them for a final performance and once again the audience roared in laughter. The Kani team impersonated Gustavo and it was perfectly performed by Seiji. Everyone enjoyed it.  The harder the teams’ effort tried doing the right thing, the more we screwed up and the funnier it becomes.

Akira delivered the verdict of the show, the team who got the first place was the Kani group and received the banana pillow as their prize. Next, the Kani two. Receiving the bronze prize was the Tako team.  The show was a success. Each group received a lot of compliments and prizes after the show. Everyone returned to our respective rooms with a smile on our faces.

A campfire is more than a gathering of people around the fire. I think the best part of it was the building of friendship, seeing other’s smiles, united as a group and enjoying the moment in the last night together.

Konichiwa- Magandang Araw!

Yesterday, I arrived in Narita Airport around 8:20 in the evening. The cold breeze of Japan met me as I came out from the airport. This time I came here in Japan with a challenging purpose to study. I am the first Filipino Nikkei granted a scholarship by Nippon Zaidan.  It’s my first day here and there’s a lot of things I need to learn and explore as a foreign student. Also it’s a great feeling to be back in my grandfather’s country.

This morning, I met my fellow scholars from Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil. It’s really nice meeting them all. Until then.