Saturday, July 29, 2006

Fire Works Exhibition in Abe River 2006


This year, I went to watch the Abe River Firework Exhibition (HANABI TAIKAI) with my niece-- Belinda. It was Belinda's first experience to watch HANABI TAIKAI here in Shizuoka.
Gosh... as usual, the event was very crowded. Thanks to the entrance tickets to HANABI TAIKAI main viewing ground which my husband gave to us (a compliment from his patient)... we were able to get a nice sit and view of the fireworks exhibitions.
Oh... gee... we did enjoy the lovely exhibition while eating yakisoba and hot dogs which we bought from YATAI, a food stall.
I also enjoyed Belinda's collections of UCHIWA, paper fan. She enjoyed accepting UCHIWA from every distributer who offered her!




Yu and Shinichi's 1st bday!

Well... the birthday party of our cutie kids... Yu-- Chat's daughter and Shinichi-- Nerissa's eldest son was held together at Nerissa's home in Hatori! I dropped by there by car before lunch... just kissed the celebrants and all the young moms... handed in to kids my and Liza's gifts... have some food and picture taking with the group and then I rushed back home early to avoid after lunch traffic in Abe River bridge... remember... it's Abe River HANABI TAIKAI (fireworks exhibition) tonight!
Too bad... I missed the cake blowing time!
By the way, I would like to thank Chat and Nerissa's thoughtfullness to the sweet spaghetti sauce they asked me to take home... it's sooo tasty... it tasted like Jollibee spaggetti sauce! Actually, Nerissa's mother cooked it! I also appreciete the kindness of all the people behind that party like Nerissa's family and all the young moms... and kids... Analyn was a big help too and it's nice to met Nerissa's aunt! To all of u guys... hurray!!!

Yuu chan and Shiichi kun's gifts from mama Mel and okaasan (lola?) Liza!

Yuu chan with mom Chat!

... with the group of young moms and young at once!

... with Chat, Nerissa, Shiichi kun and Nao... oppppssss...time to escape! Yuu chan & Shiichi kun... happy 1st birthday!!!

Thursday, July 27, 2006

A visit to Philippine Embassy in Tokyo

Two days ago, I invited my friend Liza to accompany me to Philippine Embassy in Ropponggi, Tokyo to get some personal documents I needed and submitted the lists of activities and updated registered members of our voluntary group, the Philippine NAKAMA Organization.

Liza never hesitated to come with me because she wants to explore Ropponggi and at the same time... she really must come with me as one of the Philippine NAKAMA representative because she is our present President. Well, actually I did not push her to come... what I like about her is that she did it because she knows her role!

So, inspite of the hot and humid morning... we went to Tokyo... although we often lost our ways inside Tokyo Stations, finally we reached the Philippine Embassy in Ropponggi... and yes, that was our first time to visit our very own Embassy in Ropponggi. We used to visit the old one in Shibuya but that was so many years ago (whooo, it sounds I am really an old timer living here in Japan (^_^;)... and the new Embassy for us is much much presentable than before.

We went first at the Consul Section to get some of the personal documents I needed. Upon entering the Consul... wow! nasa Pilipinas nga ako! From the athmosphere, the system, the service and even the smell... trully, it seems that I am in the Philippines. I felt ...NATSUKASHII... but I just don't want to elaborate for more... just try figure it out...
Here's the entrance to the Consular Section

After my business with the Consul... it's lunch break already so Liza and I decided to have a lunch first before going to our next target... the Cultural Section.

There are so many kababayan outside the Embassy distributing brochures about their businesses... from Pinoy goods to restaurant, door-to-door to translations stuffs, travel agencies and...even religion ???

Since we are hungry, a promo of a Philippine restaurant nearby got my attention. It's about two blocks away from the Embassy...

Here's the Philippine restaurant we discovered... Nanay's Lugaw Restaurant at Imperial Roppongi No.2 Bldg., Minato-Ku, Tokyo.

...and what we like about this place is the promo of TABEHODAI LUNCH BUFFET for only 1000 yen! It's lutong bahay... talagang masarap, so I think 1000 yen is just a reasonable price.


Aside from that, the kababayans who manage the place like Cecile and nanay Rose--the cook are very friendly.

By the way Cecile... Cecile Roquero to be exact is also a translator and she's managing an interpretation firm. She'd been to this field for about 9 years. So for all our kababayan, even if you are here in Shizuoka... if you'll be needing some translation for your documents like Birth Certificate, Marriage Contract, affidavits and so on... you can ask Cecile's reliable service even only by sending your documents thru fax and she will mail back your translated documents. About the translation fee and other details... kindly contact her to her office- 03-5549-1592 or to her cellphone- 090-1980-0884. So... how's that Cecile, nag-promo na rin ako!

Then, after our lunch and chikahan at Nanay's Lugaw restaurant, we went back to the Embassy ... and this time at the Cultural Section to submit the list of Philippine NAKAMA's updated activities and registered members. Fe, the staff at the Cultural Section introduced us to Ms. Lilibeth V. Pono, the second Secretary and Consul of Cultural and Filipino Community Affairs. I call her ma'am... not only as a sign of respect but actually... she reminds me of my dear professor in college. Ma'am Pono is very smart... yah, like my dear professor. Well... we talked about the organizations and our activities. She gave us some advices. We also personally invited her to be a guest speaker on our 5th year anniversary celebration of Philippine NAKAMA wherein we will be holding a Charity Lunch Show for the benefit of our Japanese-Filipino Children Scholarship Program. Liza and I overwhelmed of joy when Ma'am Pono told us that she's interested to come. So... we need to send her our invitation letter ASAP! Kindly wait Ma'am!

Ma'am Pono introduced us to some Embassy officials like Mr. Felipe Carino III, the Third Secretary and Vice Consul of Consular Affairs and Assistance to Nationals. Bong, as what he told us to call him... mentioned to us that the Embassy also offer consul services for our kababayan outside Tokyo. It can be arrange thru an organization request like ours for example. We also invited Bong to be one of our guest speaker in our anniversary event on September 10.

Ma'am Pono also introduced us to the Tourism Section wherein we met Ms. Grace Horii, a Public Relation Officers. We asked her if she can provide us some Philippine maps, posters and brochures about Philippine Cultures that we can use in teaching and exhibiting Philippines... yap! she showed us plenty of stuff! Liza and I were like kids wandering around the rooms on what to pick and what to bring home. We end up having a lot of omiage or should I say lot of NIMOTSU!

To all our wonderful kababayan that we met inside the Philippine Embassy... thank you so much to all your warm receptions... especially to Ma'am Pono who toured us around the Embassy--- hoping to see you again on September together with some of your co-officials.

By the way... we also want to see Minister Claro Cristobal to personally give our thanks for joining our Induction event last year but unfortunately, he was not around. He is in the Philippines.

After our quest at the Philippine Embassy... since we are in Ropponggi... we drop by to Ropponggi Hills. Beside the building is the ASAHI TV Station . We roamed around for a while but then we end up at Starbucks because we are too tired already not to mention that we were loaded with NIMOTSU!

We reached back Shizuoka City at around 7:00 pm... tired but very content with our mission!

PS: I'm still working for the other photos.

Monday, July 24, 2006

Chinese Proverb about Money

I just want to share to everyone this cool thoughts about money...

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY A HOUSE BUT NOT A HOME

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY A CLOCK BUT NOT TIME

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY A BED BUT NOT SLEEP

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY A BOOK BUT NOT KNOWLEDGE

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY A POSITION BUT NOT RESPECT

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY BLOOD BUT NOT LIFE

WITH MONEY YOU CAN BUY SEX BUT NOT LOVE.

They said that this Chinese Proverb brings luck. It originated from the Netherlands.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

"TOMADACHI NO HI"

Our voluntary group, the Philippine NAKAMA Organizaton was invited to join the international event, called-- "TOMODACHI NO HI" in Shimada Dai-ni Elementary School which was held on July 19th. Actually, this is the second time of our group to join this event in Shimada and as what we had experienced before... it was really fun... we experienced a lot of new things and met a lot of interesting people. The international group

The Philippine NAKAMA representatives

I was assigned to teach this class, Grade 5, Section 2 with my American-Mexican partner about our cultures.

Beside me is my sweet partner, Imelda-- an American-Mexicana-- with our supportive teachers, Shimada sensei and Suzuki sensei who invited us to this event.

A student dressed in "saya" ... she looks nice desho?!

"Heads up, Seven up" game

School lunch for today--- KARE RICE!

I'm joining lunch with the students. The girl in white beside me is also a Filipina named Lovely. She's trully lovely like her name! She just arrived here in Japan last April.

Souvenir photo from the class

CLICK HERE for more photos


HAKKEN! I found this posted on the school bullitin board. I wrote this "message" --the first time I joined this event.

Charity Concert (7.17.2006)

The 4th and last Charity Concert of Zyncxation Band with Maritess was held yesterday, July 17th at Shizuoka City Shimin Bunka Kaikan. This charity is for the benefit of the mudslide victims in Leyte, Philippines which happened last February, 2006.
The organizer of this fund raising event is the Global Promotion in cooperation of Philippine NAKAMA Organization as one of their sponsors and donation box in-charge.
Our deepest thanks to all the people and friends who supported this Charity Concerts. Hanggang sa muli...
By the way... the Zyncxation Band is sched to go back to Philippines on July 21st, so they're going to have their sayonara party on the 20th at Virgin Dream Cafe.
To all of you guys ang girls... you'll be missed a lot! See you all on August in the Philippines.
This photo was taken after the Charity Concert.
CLICK this photo below for more
Hear, see, smell, speak no evil!

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Happy 10th birthday Yukie-chan!

Yesterday, I went to Yukie chan's birthday party with Kuya Jo, Belinda and Liza ! Who's Yukie-chan? She's the cute daughter of Precy who turned 10 this year! We got there late but there are still lots of delicious treat left for us! I am also happy to see and chat to some of our friends with their kids there! Actually... it's a children's birthday party... but it's a common practice
for titas and titos to enjoy the party too!!! We need to exit soon coz we are sched to volunteer to help at the
Zyncxation band's charity concert... so it seems that we only "eat and run"...
Happy Birthday Yukie-chan! Thanks a lot to your home-made
strawberry and melon flavored KAKIKORI! It's yummy!!!
Stay as sweet as your KAKIKORI as you are!

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Aroi-aroi Thai Restaurant

With my family... we had our lunch today at AROI -AROI Thai Restaurant. This is one of our favorite ethnic restaurant here in Shizuoka City. Thai foods are really yummy! OSUSUME DESU!

AROI-AROI Thai Restaurant is in Nishimoncho, Aoi District, Shizuoka City

Try to order this... Thai shrimp fried rice.

Thai's HAPPOSAI... this reminds me of Philippine dishes---
combination of chopsuey and pansit sotanghon. OISHII DESU!

With the friendly manager, Bunnam-- of course, she's a Thai JIN.
Who's the one in our back? Well, she wasn't able to introduce her self to me...
next time... I'll ask her...


Saturday, July 15, 2006

Simple obento

Here's one of a sample of Sachan's simple and easy school OBENTO-- packed lunch... that I prepare every morning. She hates vegetables and I am not a good cook... so don't expect too much! f^-^;

Summer clearance sales shopping

Here are the summer stuffs I bought in Isetan two weeks ago...

Friday, July 14, 2006

Read Carefully

Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every Moment, thank God.

souvenir photos with friends


Yukata Wearing Class on Tanabata Festival
Click the picture for more details. This was held on July 7th, Friday--Tanabata Festival Day in Shimizu Chuo Community Center, Shizuoka City. The class was organized by the volunteer group of Shizuoka Kokusai Fureai Corner and Philippine NAKAMA Organization.
Radio Appearance!
I was invited last July 6, Thursday to appear at 76.9FM-Hi! 's "HIRU RAJI" program, a lunch time radio program of City FM Shizuoka. They interviewed me about living in Shizuoka as foreigner and some informations about Philippine cultures. It was a fun experience (^-^)d

With Ms. Takada, the navigator and Mr. Murakami, the director after the interview.
Jay and Maritess Jazz Live!Friends from Philippine NAKAMA enjoyed June 24th Jazz Showcase 2006 in Life Time, Shizuoka City-- featured the live jazz and soul performances of our very own kababayan, Maritess and Jay♪♪♪

Mabuhay!

Hello everyone! This is my first entry. Finally, I got this things up and running! Yap! this is new to me--- new way to share my messages out.
Through this blog, I will feature my thoughts, ideas, escapades, experiences and other cool stuff with photos about my interest in life.
I hope you'll enjoy it... I'm going to keep updating this from time to time. Looking forward to reading your comments or suggestions.
Until next time...