Remembering OTOOSAN

OTOOSAN is actually my father in law. It's his 6th year death anniversary this year... but it is counted as 7th year in Chinese Lunar Calendar.

It is a custom here in Japan that Buddhist memorial services presided over by oboosan or monks are held on the seventh day, 49th day, one year anniversary, two year anniversary and seven year anniversary after death. So we also did the ceremony for Otoosan... and service was held in the temple with a monk chanting sutras in front of the altar. We also visited Otoosan's grave located at the back of the temple. It was attended only by close families. Oneesan and Hirotaka came from Nagoya but Oniisan and Michan were not able to make it due to their works.

Below pic-- while waiting for the monk's service at the temple.

Afterwards, we had dinner together.
This is Hiro's new Honda Crossroad car. I love this car next to my x-Nissan X-trail!

We all separated before dusk. This is the sunset sky. Over looking building is Amie's condo. Opppsss... not her building but she lives there! lol! ...and when we arrived home... this (below) is the sky scene from our house roof top! Well... that's what happen to my Sunday. Warm family bonding, a peaceful ceremony and a great meal!

After that I phoned to Philippines to say bon boyage to my brother in law... Sonny who was leaving for Libya tomorrow. Take care Sonny... hope and pray that you'll mission work there will be fruitful! Gonna miss you... good luck and God bless!

Now... I must go back to my work to meet my deadline on Tuesday... my newsletter! I am not even on half of it... i'm tired for researching and translating. Still many other works are waiting like the paper works for PHil NAKAMA's anniversary on September 6th. I still have many meetings and symposiums to attend from next week and I need to prepare my report for them... haaaah... sigh... somebody heeelp! I wanna surrender!!! I wanna give up!!! waaaaaaah!

Drinking with my international friends

The truth is I am having a very complicated schedules these days due to deadlines of my works and some activities... not to mention that Sachan is also here with us for her summer vacation. But still... I can't refuse the invitation of my friends especially that Nanako chan did the reservations of our drinking party tonight instead of me.

Well... the gathering was held in Suruga Dining downtown. It's an underground Japanese cozy restaurant. My international friends... Japanese, Chinese, from Arab ... ...to English, mix Germans, Mexican(?) and Pinoy! OCHAZUKE-- rice with tea and salmon. A simple Japanese dish Well... the gathering was fun and a good opportunity for intercultural exchange... lol!

Summer fun house

The season for YUREI, OBAKE or ghost stuffs here in Japan is not on halloween but every summer! I don't have an exact idea why... but just a guess... maybe it's also related to their celebration every summer of this Buddish custom of OBON Fest or the season of the dead. They actually honored in this season the souls of their beloved departed ancestors.

Well... in line to this OBAKE stuff... Twin Messe is also featuring this summer a fun house affair.

We got some free tickets courtesy of Liza's oneesan and with Liza, Sachan and I... we decided to visit the place after our radio and cable recording at SAME.

Well... the entrance fee is really TADA... but unfortunately when we enter the event site... all the attractions are not for free! That was so disappointing but we need to experience some of the attractions like the fun house sooo... even that cost us another 1,000 yen each to enter... we did get inside and scared our selves! lol! That was funny... habulin ka ba naman ng obake... what will u do? Shout and run... correct! lol!

MeowwwwPaging Nanako chan... is this true? lol!The story behind the mystery of horror house... or should i say fun house (?!) Gegege no Taro family! Our amulets against evil spirit... datte! We're in newspaper!!!

It's less than two weeks and summer vacation will be over... enjoy the rest of it!

SAME program in cable TV...

The radio program-- TAKE FIVE of SAME-- Shizuoka City Association for Multicultural Exchange in Shizuoka FM-Hi 76.9 mhz is still kicking for about 11 years already. It's a program in different languages like English, Spanish, Portugal, Chinese and Tagalog-- that gives different informations for foreigners regarding the everyday living here in Japan and some point of advices or measures for TOKAI earthquakes or any disasters.
Aside from the radio program activity... SAME also started to invade the Shizuoka Wave cable tv station last June. As usual... I am also a part of this. The motiff is the same like in the radio.

The program is being aired everyday... 8:00 in the morning and evening. Both radio and cable tv programs of SAME are also being aired at SAME net. Tune in!

Philippine team with our director Yon-kun at the set of SAME program in cable tv

Phil NAKAMA's gathering

The 8th anniversary of Phil NAKAMA is just around the corner! Kaya heto... we are now busy for the preparations and everything. ( Tama ba ako... o kami lang ni Liza ang busy plus si uncle Jo on UTAWIT side activity? lol) Not to mention that we also have a picnic in Abe Kawa Fireworks Exhibition on the 29th.

Yesterday... we had gathering regarding our up coming activities and of course the birthday celebrations of Liza, Dang and Ysa. Too bad... Tess Yasuhara was supposed to celebrate with them but she missed it coz she had a jazz session in Shimizu that day.

Opening prayer led by DangThe 3 bday celebrants! Snacks courtesy by the bday celebrants... GOCHISOSAMA DESHITA! OISHII KATTA DESU! Pa-cute muna... When the cats away... the mouses will play, lol! HISASHIBURI NO my dear Maika-chan... she's growing past! The beloved group! The leaders... sa kalokohan po! Well... the gathering was actually a success. Maraming suggestions for the aniversary celebrations... we've just finish the outline of the program but more details will be discussed privately by the whole officers and advicers on... kelan nga ba po?! Not yet decided pa pala...! heheh! haaaah... OMG... very busy talaga!

After the meeting and celebrations... I went with some of our friends in YOMISE ICHI or night market fest downtown. Honestly... I did not enjoy it compared to those good old days celebration of YOMISE ICHI. Everything is expensive... lol! I only enjoy the company of my friends.

The site of the stage where Phil NAKAMA used to perform folkdances every year... but we did not participate this 2 consecutive years. We are sooo busy to have a rehearsals!

Aroi-aroi Thai food booth... OSUSUME DESU!

Some of my friends who strolled aroundOTSUKARESAMA DESHITA. wheeew! sigh!

Happy birthday Liza!

Tonight, we celebrated the birthday of one of my close friends... LIZA! Her birthday was actually yesterday. It's only a date between close friends... naku marami na naman ang aangal nito... LOL! That's Liza, Amie and me!

My close friends... lalo na pagnanlilibre cla o nagbibigay ng regalo... lol!

We went to Izakaya where our new Japanese friend Raita kun is working-- in Kurumaya near Don Quijote in downtown.

Below is our young brother-like Raita kun... kawaii desho? Osusume dish... sashimi desu!Sakura ebi... our favorite!Service from Izakaya... tokubetsu no edamameThe birthday celebrant... ala na... lasing na rin po! Okawari?!Quiz time: Alin sa mga daliri ang naiiba? Obvious po ba?!Pa-cute na Amie and Liza... that's my best shot... jejejeh!Liza and meee... Kampai!

We celebrated Liza's birthday to the fullest. We ate and drink and laugh to the fullest. I don't know how many glass of cocktail drinks we had but I felt tipsy and it felt sooo good. I did love the feeling like I am very free and I kept on laughing.

Our Friendship

That was a terrific date! Thanks to you girls... for painting our night so colorful and with stars huh! lol! Thanks to Raita kun and the rest of the staff and for the services they provided us!

To Liza... hope you enjoy your celebration too as much as Amie and me enjoyed it!

I won't ask for your age anymore... I know you'll just lie! lol! Anyway... I know the truth and whatever you do... admit it or not... I am younger than you... hahahah!

Stay healthy, kind, truthful, working hard, funny and loving friend as you are! Happy birthday with love from me and Amie. (^3^)Mhwaaah!

Gochisosamadeshita! Totemo tanoshikatta desu! Need I say more?

Scary earthquake hit Shizuoka!

Strong earthquake with magnitude of 6.6 awakened me and my family this morning... as in "quake n wake"! lol! The shakings happened around past 5:00 a.m. and lasted for about 7 seconds.

Thanks be to God for we are all safe for the fact that there is also a typhoon this morning! What a disaster! Mother nature seems sooo angry! Very scary!

Some small shakings was felt after it. But one of my most aftershocked was those mess I need to clean up and put back to normal settings! After the strong shakes, some of our displays like figurines, photo stands, cd's, dvd's, video tapes collections, books and other stuffs were all knock down... lol! Most of our cabinets doors and drawers were all about half-opened. I found broken glasses and bowls inside the China wares cabinets downstairs and upstairs. I still never check some of our rooms... I had enough shocks for today! lol!

We were sleeping together in our Japanese living room lately. In the picture below... down the left board was Sachan's futon bed. All the displays around her felt down to her. Thanks to her comforter... it saved her... lol! I was sleeping on the other side of the room near our components while my hubs on the other side near our tv but lucky they did not fell apart. The rest were some mess that crumbled, scrambled and jumbled together caused by the horrible shake! I can't imagine it's the same Japanese room of our house. kekekeh!

The Japan Meterological Agency said that this was not Tokai Earthquake. It is expected to come very soon in many times stronger than we felt this morning... gosh... what do they mean... the rough ride we felt today was just like a practice... lol!

It's pretty helpful that we attended some trainings and seminars about preparations and measures in earthquakes. Likewise, we still keep on giving informations in different languages for foreigners living here in Shizuoka about some advices on Tokai Eartquakes. Stay tune in FM Hi! 76.9 mhz from Monday to Fridays, 7:45~8:00 a.m. or on Shizuoka Wave Cable TV -- morning and evening info or at SAME website.

Part of the historical Sumpu Castle's wall (near my office at SAME) also collapsed in the earthquake.

Here's a tip in case of this kind of emergency... don't PANIC! No matter what... keep calm! Promise!?

Lunch date with Nanako

After having Spain dishes for 3 days... today I had an Italian lunch with my cutie cute friend Nanako in Parco's Pizza Salvatore restaurant.

This place is great... good taste, good place, good staff and the price is right! I recommend this restaurant to all especially during lunch time except week ends because they offer a totally reasonable lunch where everyone can enjoy the buffet style of salads, drinks and desserts. Main dish is a choice of pizza or pasta.

Thanks to Nanako chan's effort for discovering this place. She's really someone to rely on... and I always enjoy her company. Hope she feels the same way too... lol!

Lastly... she's still available guys!

Spain in Japan

At long last we were able to have our summer family travel this weekend. We went to Mie Prefecture in Ise-Shima.
Our main target was this Spain Village also known as Parque Espana. We stayed there for 3 days... since last Friday and as I am posting this... we've just came back from Ise. That was our first time adventure there. We never expected too much on going there but it turned out to be interesting and fun... and should I say funny for some ironical stuffs we experienced and encountered. Imagine... Spain in Japan? lol! They did a great job of making the village a Spanish ambience anyway!

The place is a theme park about Spain and also the relations between Japan and Spain. The area also have a Spanish style resort hotel where we stayed and yes... spa and hot spring! OMG... we love it!
We enjoyed the stroll around the village. There are some amusement parks, museums, plaza for shopping, dining and events, outdoor theater stage, parades, fire works exhibitions and more. Good or bad but we also enjoyed the different taste of paella. The performace of flamenco dance by Spanish dancers was great.

They even build the replica of Xavier Castle.

My best shot... summer in Spain Village!

Fireworks at the plaza

Family bonding at the terrace of our hotel room

Nagwawala lang po!

On the way home... we visited the famous Ise Shrine. My hubs said he had been there with his family very long time ago. But I think everyone should go there even once in a life. It is actually regarded as the holiest shrine in Japan. The main shrine is actually located inside a sacred forest. We passed a sacred river, the Isuzu River then we walked for about 20 minutes inside the forests to reach the main shrine. Below pic are steps to the main shrine.

Ise Shrine...also known as NAIKU (inner shrine) has about 2,000 years history. The main shrine building is a thatched hut built in the ancient Japanese style of unpainted Japanese cypress (hinoki). The main shrine is currently under construction. Pictures are not allowed inside.

We also enjoyed the streets of restaurants and omiage shops. It looks like a time slip of old era of Japan. Truly amazing!

That's all for our 3 days family trip. We did enjoy our bondings and the adventures. We are blessed with fine weather. What more could we ask for?!

-more slide pics to come-