Thursday, November 30, 2006

A PLACE




I know a place
Where no one ever goes
There's peace and quiet
Beauty and repose

It overlooks the bay
As it rises to the sky
Where the moonbeams flirt with dewdrops
As the breezes sigh....

God fills the soul,
the body and the mind
Loving and sharing
Are never hard to find

Now I know
that there is a place
for me.............

FUJI Flowers




FUJI Flowers in bloom.
They are like LAVENDERS
in color but have no scent.
They blooms once only annually.

The trees are said to be hundredS of years old.
Some are said to be 800++ y/o.

They are supported by railings and
protected from typhoons by movable roofing.

I love to be among these flowers....

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Fax from GOD

To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: GOD
Subject:YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE






This is God.
Today I will be handling All of your problems for you.
I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day.

I love you.

P.S.

And, remember...

If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself !! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.





Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.




If you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.





Should you have a bad day at work; Think of the man who has been out of work for years.





Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; Think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.





Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; Think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.





Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; Think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.





Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; Think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.





Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.





Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; Remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!





Should anyone who read this stop, and think.....This may have touched their life in ways we will never know!

Now, you have a nice day, Okay?


God

A Prayer





May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received,
and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones,
and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

Love is Everywhere




Home is where the heart takes you:
Any place can be home if there's warmth and care;
Gladness and brightness abound for all
Home for me is where love and care blesseth.


Love is everywhere if we only do care
Love isn't there `coz people do not care!
I believe in my heart that God keeps and helps us
As we seek for that something we always want to have.


'Tis Love that we want, 'tis Love that we seek.
Look not beyond the hills, but look near your heart,
Stop whining and whimperin.....for
Love may be somewhere just within your grasp....

Monday, November 27, 2006

I WISH.........






I wish I had the wings of a bird
So I can fly high up in the sky
I'd like to see what God has made
For all mankind to have.



It must be good to see all these things
God's creation is indeed a wonder!
To fly my way so I can visit each one
As they go on their daily laughter!

Sunday, November 26, 2006

IF YOU LOVE ME







If the Sun should tumble from the sky
If the Sea should suddenly run dry
If you love me, really love me,
Let it happen I won't care.


If it seems that everything is lost,
I will smile and never count the cost.
If you love me, really love me,
Let it happen, Darling, I won't care.


Shall I catch the shooting star,
Shall I bring it where you are,
If you want me to, I will
You can set me any task,
I'll do anything you ask,
If you'll only say you love me still.....



When at last our life on earth is through
I will share eternity with you,
If you love me, really love me,
Let it happen darling, I won't care....


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~000000~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday, November 25, 2006

The Long Road Home



The LONG and WINDING ROAD may take us miles and miles away from home.....but HOME is where the Heart is.

I realized that once more when I saw a TeleDrama shown on the tube last night....making me shed tears as I locked my eyes on the tube.
Made me aware, too, that I haven't seen any tearjerker for quite sometime now.


You see, the teledrama was based on a real-life story of a Japanese man
who was taken prisoner by the Russians during the last part of World War2.
He was accused of being a spy.


While he was being hauled into a truck, he shouted to his wife that he is going to come back for them. He had been married only three years and his daughter was just a couple of month old.


He was taken to Siberia, along with other Japanese POWs where they were made to work under the chilly Siberian air, even long after the war was over. Sickness and the freezing weather made them die one by one. He saw how his fellow prisoners die, or shot because they can no longer move or work. He, too became sick, but his will was stronger than his body.


The man longed to go back to his home country. He once promised his bride that he would always be at her side. He wanted to see his daughter, too.


The freezing Siberian winter was too much to bear.
He longed to savor the warmth inside the HQ of the Russian soldiers. One time, he came inside to bring wood for the hearth. He lingered a little longer and saw one Officer throw a hair-cutting device because it has lost its sharpness.
He immediately volunteered to sharpen it despite his lack of knowledge on those things. He wanted to win the approval of the Officers so he can just stay, even for a while, inside the wamth of the room. He wanted to stay a live. He wanted to see his family again. His hope never waned.


He spent the night looking for ways to sharpen the device. He couldn't find any: no stone, no nothing! But he found ways to make it sharp despite his wounded hands. Finally, his persistence got the better of him. He was able to do it. He won the nod of the officials and was made one of the barbers inside the barracks.


AFTER the war, he was released from prison. Much as he wanted to go back home to Japan, he was not allowed. The Russian soldiers who monitored him said: "A spy will never be allowed to leave Russia."


ALL those years, the wife, Hisako waited and waited, hoping against hope that her husband was still alive. She went to the beach where he first proposed and looked beyond the waves, to the direction of Russia, and longed for him. She prayed that one day he, too, will come back home to them.


She worked and raised her daughter alone. Her hope never waned. She believed that her husband was still alive. After all, there was no dead body found, so why believe the rumors that her husband had died?


Sometime in 1956, Japanese prisoners of war from Russia were released. But this man was not among them. The reason given was the same: that he was a spy. They suggested that he rather take up Russian citizenship to make his stay legal. He did because there was no other alternative....but to obey what the Russians dictated.


Meanwhile, families waited on the Port where the ship carrying the P-O-W-s docked
and welcomed them with open arms. Hisako and daughter searched desperately and asked each returnee but no one can tell her his whereabouts.

Later, at home, she cried her heart out, asking why.....It was the first time the daughter saw her mother cry, and her heart broke, too.


It was a lonely existence living and working alone in a local barber shop in rural Russia. One time, while inside the coffee shop, the Japanese man took a piece of paper and folded a paper crane. A Russian woman came near his table and commented on the paper crane. That started their long friendship which later flourished into romance. It was Claudia who said that "when the time comes and you will have to go back to your family, I will let you go."


They lived for 3- or so years. They have fallen in love with each other so much that they have decided to die together. He even fashioned 2 coffins for both of them, bearing their pictures atop.....ready when the time comes.


Even then, there were times when Claudia would see him looking beyond the window, eyes longing for something....


This went on until the Policy of Perestroika was introduced in Russia. Everyone became free. Travels were no longer restricted.


It was then that Claudia encouraged the Japanese man to go back and see his family.
Seeing him sad and longing for home was too much for her. She arranged everything:travel papers, tickets and even a going-away-gift and a letter
which Claudia said must be read when he is inside the local train. It was a letter that made clear Claudia's stand: If ever he is free, he can come back and live with her, but if the family still exist, then he must be with his family. Easier said than done, huh?


There were tears, of course in bidding one goodbye. After all, no one with a heart could just throw away 30 years living together in perfect harmony, could they?


At the Train platform, Hisako was accompanied by their daughter.

When the final moment came, and they saw each other after more than 50 years of separation, they embraced for a long time. They kissed and cried, which is unusual for the Japanese. They just don't do that in public.


[The footage of the actual meeting was recorded in camera and scooped in all leading newspapers in Japan. It was a scene that is much more dramatic than in any Koreanovela I saw.....


It was beautiful love story: one that meant sacrifice for Claudia and likewise, for Hisako. Claudia knew that from the start she will never have all of him. Hisako, on the other hand, believed in her husband's words that he will come back....that he will never leave her alone. She waited for more than 50 long years!


Ahhh....LOVE!

Once found, it will go on forever....


Thursday, November 23, 2006

Reasons To Be Thankful For





It's THANKSGIVING!
And since God has blessed me with so many things,
I wish to list them here.......

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I thank God

[*]for the mornings of my life as I wake up into the world
[*]for nights, cold and warm as I snuggle in my bed
[*]for the sun that shines with warmth
[*]for the moon that glows at night
[*]for the stars that brighten the sky
[*]for family who stay with me in spirit
[*]for maxxi and jay and hans and vonz and kenji
[*]for all-weather friends who have been with me all these years
[*]for my netizen friends who make my day!
[*]for my PC which keeps me company even when no one is around;
[*]for warm-hearted friends who make my moments great each day!
[*]for persimmons and tangerines, and apples, too.
[*]for my sunglass that protects my eyes from glare
[*]for my bag that carries all loads as I go around
[*]for my car which carries me wherever I go
[*]for my pots and pans of differeent shapes and sizes
[*]for my health and my will and

my everything!


I Thank GOD so much
I am me and I can read......


Praise and Glory Be to The One Above
For Taking Care of Me As I Go Through My Years....

May the Good Lord Bless and Keep Me


and



YOU, too, My Friend!
************************************

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Time After Time

To realize
The value of time,
ask someone who serves time behind bars.

*****-----*****

To realize
The value of ten years:
Ask a newly
Divorced couple.


-----*****-----

To realize
The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.

*****-----*****

To realize
The value of one year:
Ask a student who
Has failed a final exam.

-----*****-----

To realize
The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a still born.

*****-----*****

To realize
The value of one month:
Ask a mother
who has given birth to
a premature baby.

------*****-----

To realize
The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

*****-----*****

To realize
The value of one hour:
Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

-----*****-----

To realize
The value of one minute:
Ask a person
who has missed the train, bus or plane.

*****-----*****

To realize
The value of one-second:
Ask a person who has
survived an accident...

-----*****-----

To realize
The value of one millisecond:
Ask the person who has
won a silver medal in the Olympics

*****-----*****

Time waits for no one.

Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when
you can share it with someone special.


::::::::::::::::::::

Tawa Muna/Holiday naman, eh!

TEACHER: Why are you late?
L-JOHNY: Because of the sign.
TEACHER: What sign?
L-JOHNY: The one that says, "School Ahead, Go Slow."


*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

TEACHER: Johny, why are you doing your maths sums on the floor?
L-JOHNY: You told me to do it without using tables!

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

TEACHER: Johny, how do you spell "crocodile"?
L-JOHNY: "K-R-O-K-O-D- A-I-L"
TEACHER: No, that's wrong
L-JOHNY: Maybe it's wrong, but you ask me how I spell it!

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

TEACHER: What is the chemical formula for water?
L-JOHNY: "HIJKLMNO"!!
TEACHER: What are you talking about?
L-JOHNY: Yesterday you said it's H to O!

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

TEACHER: George, go to the map and find North America .
GEORGE: Here it is!
TEACHER: Correct. Now, Johny, who discovered America ?
L-JOHNY: George!

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

TEACHER: Johny, name one important thing we have today
that we didn't have ten years ago.
L-JOHNY: Me!

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

TEACHER: Johny, why do you always get so dirty?
L-JOHNY: Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground then you are.

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

L-JOHNY: Dad, can you write in the dark?
FATHER: I think so. What do you want me to write?
L-JOHNY: Your name on this report card.

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

TEACHER: How can you prevent diseases caused by biting insects?
L-JOHNY! : Don't bite any.

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

TEACHER: Johny, give me a sentence starting with "I".
L-JOHNY: I is...
TEACHER: No, Johny. Always say, "I am."
L-JOHNY: All right... "I am the ninth letter of the alphabet."

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

Teacher: "Can anybody give an example of COINCIDENCE? "
L-Johnny : "Sir, my Mother and Father got married on the same day same time."

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

Teacher: "George Washington not only chopped down his father's Cherry tree, but also admitted doing it. Now do you know why his father didn't punish him?"
L-Johnny : "Because George still had the axe in his hand."

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

L-Johnny : Daddy, have you ever been to Egypt ?
Father : No. Why do you ask that?
L-Johnny : Well, where did you get THIS mummy then?

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

Teacher : What a pair of strange socks you are wearing, one is green and one is blue with red spots!
L-Johnny: Yes it's really strange. I've got another pair of the same at home.

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

Teacher: Now, children, if I saw a man beating a donkey and stopped him, what virtue would I be showing?
L-Johnny: Brotherly love.

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

Teacher: Now, Johny, tell me frankly do you say prayers before eating?
L-Johnny : No sir, I don't have to, my mom is a good cook.

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

Teacher: Johny, your composition on "My Dog" is exactly the same as your brother's. Did u copy his?
L-Johnny: No, teacher, it's the same dog!

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

Teacher: What do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?
L-Johnny : A teacher


*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-*

Monday, November 20, 2006

BAHAY KUBO

Sa akin lang naman,
Mas gusto ko pa ang ganito kesa sa ibang Bansa.







BAHAY-KUBO,

kahit munti!

Ang halaman doon

ay sari-sari.

Santol Avocado,

Kaimito at Guavas;

Sa paligid nito

ay puno ng Buco!

**************

Sunday, November 19, 2006

MT. FUJI, UP CLOSE




THIS WAS TAKEN SOMEWHERE IN ASAGIRI,
A FEW KILOMETERS AWAY FROM THE FOOT
OF THE SNOW-CAPPED MT. FUJI.

TOKYO TOWER




VIEWED FROM BELOW




A VIEW OF ONE SIDE OF TOKYO.
MT.FUJI CAN BE SEEN AT THE BACKGROUND, FAR CENTER.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

HAMANA-KO [LAKE HAMANA]




Lake Hamanako is famous for its EEL [UNAGI] and Shells.

This picture was taken when we went out to get those shells.
A small boat took us out into the area open for the public and back.

Pickin Apples, Tangerines or Persimmons








Thursday, November 16, 2006

DOING OUR SHARE: each one counts

During the Summer months,
when the weeds appear everywhere and become unruly,
our Community see to it that we do our share in
community-building. This is true in almost all areas
[even the remotest ones] in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Each member-household is required to send
one representative to do Community Service once each month
from July to October. Non-attendance would mean a fine,n
the amount of which is determined by each Group.

Only household owners are automatically considered members,
and those who live in apartments are exempted,
although they can volunteer to join, if they want to.


Our small Group can be classified as similar to our Barangay.
This group is then divided into sub-groups.
Leaders of these sub-groups are changed by rotation every year.



*******

Here are pictures of the KUSAKARI [Grass-cutting] activity we had last October.





All roads lead to the Jinja [Temple/Shrine]
All ready with their hats and towels and scythes.





Everyone listen to the Leader for instructions and assignments. The small Temple/Shrine can be seen at the background.






Residents of the community, old folks and young alike, work together in perfect harmony. Busy hands go together with the chance to exchange small talks among the women and menfolk alike. Its as if suddenly, the swarming bees are busy buzzing.....It's amazing!.





At the end of the activity,
small trucks provided by the City Hall go around to haul the trash and the weeds.

KOBE PORT Tower




A full view of the KOBE Port Tower.
Taken one cold morning, several years ago.

*********************************************

See the blue truck below?
That's where Jiji takes his needed nap,
after a long drive.
....While I walked my way around
and tried to see what KOBE was all about.
This 2nd picture was taken from atop KOBE Port Tower.


ASAGIRI /Shizuoka-Ken



This is part of the Totem Pole of the
1971 World Scout Jamboree site at ASAGIRI, Shizuoka-ken.
Snow-capped Mt. FUJI is seen at my back.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

ZEN



Contemplating inside the Garden





Preparing the Garden

Sunday, November 12, 2006

I LOVE [the FRUITS of] AUTUMN!




I love all the fruits that Autumn brings.
Persimmon and Tangerines,Apples supreme!
But it is this persimmon that makes me sing.
I love its sweet flavor, it's so yummy,that's what I mean.

On the Way Home




Can't help but stop the car and take this one.

RYOUTANJI JINJA [Ryoutanji Temple]



Entrance Ticket to the RYOUTANJI Temple in Shizuoka.



Temple Gate

TEA area outside the Temple

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Cold, Windy Sunday





It's cold outside my window. The wind is strong.
I sit and watch as those leaves go up, up in a throng:
Gold, and red and brown. Golden yellow love it brown!
They come from all over: from the nearby park, where trees abound.


In our garden, only one tree lay bare:
that Persimmon which lays as one enters the gate.
Evergreens line the property, enough to shield us all
From t he Lola next door, who always seemed to call.


Looking outside, a mug in hand,
I wonder what it's like in my dear Inang Bayan.
Ahhh! That place I have with trees around.
Makes me feel sad and happy;regret, there's none.


Life seems good. Life IS good!
The cold wind blows but my heart is warm.
I must Thank God, coz He's Good and Kind.
He makes me warm on these cold winter nights.

Friday, November 10, 2006

LICENSED

Finally!

I had the grandest feeling in months! Finally passed that GAMEN-KIRIKAE [Change of Foreign Driver's License to Japanese License].

Went last Thursday morning, when the sun is about to rise from this Land of the Morning Sun. Had to be there early lest I get caught in that bumper-to-bumper traffic at Sasagase Bridge connecting Iwata to Hamamatsu. The License Center was that city north of Hamamatsu.

There were two Officers in charge of the KIRIKAE.
They started to call our name: mine was under the same officer who tested me the first time I went there: Nakamura-san. THE Nakamura-san whose face does not even offer a glimpse of softness; just straight-face ala-Jack Palance [May he rest in Peace!] All others say he is the Terror of Hamakita: that Nakamura-san. I don't know. I can't say that to people I hardly meet.

I got number 4 slot and waited at the Driving Course inside the Testing Center. I didn't spot any Pinoy until late when I heard someone talk over the phone. 'Twas Tagalog, so I peered from the line. She had number 7. Smiled at her and said "GoodLuck."

All others [mostly Brasilieros/as] walked through the entire course. So with the 'other' Pinay. I didn't. I just watched them walk their way. I looked at the course and imagined in my mind how I would tackle each curve, each turn, each stop.

Then they came! By 'they', I mean the Police Officers who, because of their age, have been assigned in the home office. The young ones do the motorcycle and bicycle rounds.

I can't say I was nervous. After all, I had been there thrice and all the Police Officers could say was: "Check it all out before you make your move."
I wish I had the guts to ask which one........Oh well.....


When my turn came, I did what I have imagined in my mind. I did as best as I could. No hassles, walang hulog sa S curve or L-curves: no comments while I was doing the course.

When the car halted to full stop, the one riding at the back [the next applicant] got off and we were left alone. I mean, the Police Officer and I.

He asked:
"How many meters before each curve will you turn on the winker?"
I replied: `About 30 meters.' Nabasa ko yun sa Rules of the Road Safety Book. I learned that also when I studied Driving in Inang Bayan.

"Exactly, how long is 30 meters?" sabi ni Nakamura-san.

I imagined the private road leading to Jiji's property. I remember Jiji saying it was 70 meters. I imagined if that small road is 70 meters long, then 30 could be anywhere half---no, lesser thatn half of that 70 meters.

So I started calculating and said:
I said about several cars put together.
How many meters is one car?
I said `Around 4?'

Imagine he taunted me and said: `The cars in the Philippines must be too small.'

Honestly, I had no idea.
How do I know?
It wasn't even taught in the Driving School I went to years ago.

Anyway, he shook his head. I just kept my cool. Tao lang ito, I thought. Kaya ko rin siya. He kept on talking while I looked at his eyes and just nodded plainly. As I went out of the car, I said: "I am sorry. Thank you for your trouble. Excuse me." Then got out of the car, checking first if there was another car coming.


I thought: 'Wala na! Pag lumagpak pa ako, ayoko nang bumalik!'

As we waited till the last examinee was over, Nakamura-san [the Police Officer who tested us] came over to the bench where the other Pinay and I were sitting.

He asked: "How long do you practice driving?"

I wanted to say: `I drive everyday, kaya lang bawal yun, while undergoing KIRIKAE, so instead, I said, "Around 2 hours."

The other Pinay said:"None, except the one I had in the Philippines."

"You should practice more " was all he said.

Back to the Building, we waited for the results.

The other Pinay's name was called;

I waited.....

Wala.

Then the Police Officer waived the last paper/application: Tense ang lahat. Wala pa rin ang pangalan ko?

Those Brasilieros/as started to jump.

"You, too!" I heard them say, looking at me.

"No, maybe not." was all I could mutter, remembering the short discussion I had with the Police Officer. I wasn't sure..... Didn't he criticize me about my late use of winkers? I wondered.

Then another Police Officer came. He was holding a small bunch of papers. I saw my picture from afar. THEN he called out:

Y----i-san!
"Hai!" I said automatically!

I said aloud :"YES!" and my face must have registered a smile a lot better than Mona Lisa's! Ha-Ha!

We paid for the License, then went on for the Photo-taking.
After watching a video on safety rules and traffic accidents in our Prefecture, we were issued our Licenses.

YATTA! I DID IT!

H0-H0-H0!!!!!

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Sunset by the Bay




BUT I like this better!

Pinoy ako.....

may reklamo kayo?

Temple/Shrine in our midst














This is the small Temple/Shrine near our place.
It was inaugurated December last year.

During summer months, on a Sunday morning once a week, residents of the community clean this place and the roads leading to this Shrine. It is a community effort which opens communal communication as well.

There are more Temples, grand and lavish all over Japan. This one is typical of small village Temples.

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Do We NEED RULES?

******
My heart is heavy, my mind at a loss.
I cannot fathom some minds
who explicitly make others look dumb.
Is this true? Is this real?
****
Been up and about, sweatin my brows.
Share whatever I can to people who came.
But times are different and people simply don't care,
I am at a loss, is this for real?
****
Rules have been set, to make things easier.
But rules are just that, made to be broken.
Reminds me of leaders in the country I love most,
Rules that aren't followed, rules are just blown.
****
Why then, make rules if you wont stick to it?
I hear some people say: throw those to the air
And let chaos reign ..........
Sit back and watch what then happens.
****







Wednesday, November 01, 2006

UGALING PINOY?



Habang wala, gustong makarating.
Kapag nandyan na, ayaw importahen!

::::
Ano ba talaga?
:
Maraming Pinoy ang nagkalat sa iba't ibang lugar sa buong mundo.
Kahit yata sa pinakasulok ng Africa, sa Congo, o Kabul, sa Afghanistan,
merong Kababayang pinoy na matatagpuan.
Meron nga akong nabasa sa Balita na merong Pinoy sa
Kazakhistan ba yun? Hanggang dun, may Pinoy!
Ganun din naman sa Bayang ito sa Silangan.
Marami ang nagpupunta dahil sa bilateral agreement ng
Bansa natin at ng Bansang Hapon.
::::
OO at nakarating na rito.
Sa UNANG DATING.....ang babait!
Naku pow! Talaga naman!
Sobrang galang,
con todo de bow pa yang mga yan.
Ngiting-ngiti kada meet sa iyo.
Bati con bati kada salubong nyo!
:
Makalipas ang isa ?....dalawa?
o sige na nga, tatlong buwan na!
AYAN na!
Simula na.....
Lalabas at lalabas ang naturaleza.
Patay kang bata ka!
:::::
Sa bawa't matino at kilalang mga Kompanya sa Japan,
marami ang may mahigpit na pamamalakad.
Suzuki, Yamaha, Toyota, Honda, at iba pa.
Malalaking Kompanya ito, kaya
mahigpit na pagpapasunod ang kailangan.
:
LAHAT naman kailangang sumunod nang maging maayos
ang takbo ng Planta o ng Kompanya, di po ba?
:
ITO ang sikreto kung bakit naging matatag at maunlad ang
Bansang ito, makalipas ang nakaraang Digmaang Pandaigdig.
Matapos maubos ng bomba ang buong Tokyo,
Hiroshima,おNagasaki, nagsikap at umunlad ang Japan.
GNP nila, pangalawa sa buong mundo
at kahit na ganito kaliit ang Japan,
masasabing matatag at maunlad.
:::::
UNAng rule: Follow Company RULES.
Sa una lang yun!
Sa kalaunan, wala na!
Ni bumati nga, eh....
lumipad na sa kalawakan!
Pinadala na yata sa kanilang bayan-bayan!
::::
PANGALAWA:
BAWAL ang celfone sa unang taon habang sila
ay mga TRAINEE pa lang.
Ang Kompanya ay nag-issue ng isang celfone na LIBRE
gamitin sa loob ng isang taon.
AYAW pa nila yun?
Dun sa celfone na yun sila maaaring tawagan ng kani-kanilang
mga kamag-anak para makausap. Yun din ang gamit namin para ma-contact sila
anumang oras ng umaga o sa gabi man.
::::
Alam mo ba kung ano ang ginawa ng mga mababait kong Kababayan?
Wala pang apat na buwan, nagsibilihan na ang mga tinamaan ng kulog!
In-between those months [from the 4th month up to the 11th month
of their Traineeship,] aba'y nakailang celfone na sila!
Yung isa, tatlong celfone; merong may 2!
Hanep, Pare!
Tinalo pa ako na merong 2 lamang.
Isa pang-personal na gamit,
at isa eh yung issue nga ng Company,
meaning libre!
Yung isa, kadarating lang....TATLO!
Can you beat that?
::::
Nang nalaman ng Kompanya
at tinanong, DENIAL QUEENS ang mga Lola!
Sumalosep!
Ano ba yan!?
::::
PANGATLO:
BAWAL magpapasok ng lalake sa Dorm nila.
Noong Linggo, pang-ilang beses ko na bang napuruhang makakita ng mga lalake
sa kanilang kwarto? Lima? Anim?
Pinagsabihan ko na, pero sadya yatang may katigasan ang ulo ng iba.
:
Bakit Bawal?
Kasi po, may mga babaeng Trainees na nabuntis
habang nasa kani-kanilang three-year contract dito.
YUN ang iniiwasan ng Company.
Besides, kailangan ng bawa't kompanyang i-submit sa Ministry of Foreign Affairs
ang tunay na dahilan kung bakit pinauuwi ang mga Trainees.
Nakakahiyang ilagay dun..."Nabuntis sa kalagitnaang ng tatlong taon!"
Tsismis na dito yun, tsismis pa sa Pinas!
Imagine, uuwing buntis ang Pinay
eh ang asawa eh nasa Pinas naman!
Paano?
:
Minsan nang nagpunta ako sa Dorm nila,
mga alas 4 na ng hapon. Natagpuan ko nang may 2 lalake.
Kamag-anak daw. So wait ako, kasi nga, responsibilidad ko ang mga ito.
Aba, eh...alas 8 na kwentuhan pa sila.
Alas Diyes na, wala pa ring tumitinag.
Alas 10:30, nagsalita ako....
"Let's call it a day! Aba! Mag-a-alas 11 na pala!"
Etching lang.....
Saka lamang tumayo ang mga kumag at naghandang papauwi.
Hirap ng pakiramdam ko dun.
Gusto kong humikab, pero panay pigil.
I am used to go to bed at 9, 9:30...
Beyond that, talagang kailangang lagyan na
ng toothpick ang mga mata ko para mapanatiling bukas ito.
Eh mag-dra-drive pa ako pauwi sa bahay!
Sows!
Just imagine how I made tiis with that:
jingle na jingle na me, but
I can't make jingle there, kasi ba naman
some men were using those toilets along with the 10 under my care.!
And they hardly clean 'em toilets!
Yaiksss to da max!
::::
PANG-APAT:
LINISIN ang bahay.
:
Linggo linggo, ako ang nagche-check ng kanilang tirahan.
Bahay talaga yun ng may-ari na lumipat na sa ibang lugar.
Pinagamit sa mga Pinay.
Maganda, maayos, bagaman may kalumaan,
may modern amenities, ika nga:
kumpleto sa loob...bawa't room may aircon/heater,
may TV, satellite connection pa ang mga Lola, ha!
Tas, may Ref, Oven Range, Airpot, Gas Range,
Washing Machine, at meron pang panghugas ng puwet.
Heated toilet pa yun, ha? Para hindi malamig sa Winter.
Sa madaling salita, LAHAT!
:
O, saan merong ganyang accomodations?
Sige nga!
:
I checked first time. Tinuro ko ang tamang paraan ng paglilinis,
pagtatapon ng basura, personal napkins, atbp.
The next week, nag-check ako.
Tas, check din ang Toilet.
[Hiwalay ang Toilet sa Bathroom dito]
Nako pow! Nakita ko sangkaterbang buhok:
maigsi, mahaba!
:
Napalakas ang boses ko and I said:
"Hoy! mga babae kayo di ba?
Bakit ganito ang CR nyo?
Itong sapin sa toilet seat, kailan huling nalabhan ito?"
:
'Mula pa nung dumating kami rito.'...sagot sa akin.
:
"Mula pa noon, ni isang beses, wala pang laba-laba ito?" I asked.
:
Answer: 'Wala pa.'
:
Pag-angat ko ng toilet seat, may remnants pa ng
"ebs" sa likuran....parang nag-talsikan ang putikan!
Matigas na.
Naku! Talagang sumigaw na ako.
:]
"Ano ba kayo?
Hindi ba kayo nahihiya? Babae kayo di ba?
Kung sa kwarto ng mga lalake, baka hindi ako magulat....
pero mga Nanay kayo!....mga dalaga!
Sumalosep!" sabi ko.
:
Hindi ko mapigilang masuka.
Napasuka ako sa toilet.
Kadiri!
:::::
Since then, isnab-to-da-bones ang mga Pinay
sa biyuti ko.
:::::
These past few days,
nagkakaroon ng problema sa mga Pinay na ito.
Natuklasan ng may-ari ng Kompanya na hindi lang nagpapapsok sa
Dorm ang mga Pinay....
nangungutang pa sa ibang Pinoy at Hapon:
dun sa mga lalaking bumibisita
sa kanila sa bahay.
Lalong nagalit ang Owner ant Manager.
Bawal kasi yun sa mga Trainees nang maiwasan ang gulo.
Gusto ng may-ari na makapag-ipon ang mga Pinoy ng pera
nanag may maiuwi pagbalik-Pinas.
::::
Ewan ko, ha....
pero sa eded nila ay naglalaro mula 25 sa pinakabata
at 36 sa pinakamatanda, pero ang lumalabas,
kung sino pa ang bata, siya pang sumusunod sa mga utos.
Sa mga nakakaktanda naman, kung magbabago yan, eh di sana
noon pa. Bagkus sila itong malalakas ang loob na sumuway sa utos.
Marami nang pagkakataong nahuli at pinatawad sila.
NGAYON, eto na naman!
Ilang beses na nga ba?
:
Kailan matututo?
Kailan magbabago?
Hanggang 'Gomenasai' na lang ba?
:::::
When I was in Grade 4,
I remember a line taught to us in GMRC.
=
"Growing up children knows what is wrong
and what is right.
Good children shun what is wrong
and do what is right."
=
Hindi na sila bata.
Mga matatanda na.
:
Hindi kaya "Batang isip?"
::::
Pray, do tell.....
=
OSHIETE!
::::