1st National Reunion

1st 2008 National Reunion for all Filipino Brothers and Sisters in Japan

April 13, 2008 Seiyaku Bldg. Shinjuku Tokyo.

Inspired by the success of 2007 GPF-Philippines

.... It all started with the REUNION...

One Hope, One Dream, One Race, One Tribe,One Family.

Thanks to those who made it HAPPEN !..

Let's continue to DREAM BIG for the success of 2008 GPF.

Reported By:

Faye Obuchi

With the theme “One Family Under God” a hundred and fifty Filipino members in Japan and their families gathered together for a very successful National Reunion last April 13, 2008 at Seiyaku Bldg. Shinjuku Tokyo. They also celebrated the birth of “The Filipino-Japanese Movement for Global Peace (FJMGP) ” a newly founded peace movement which will support the activities of both Philippines and Japan .

The event started at 10 o’clock in the morning until 4 o’clock in the afternoon. The venue is filled with love and hope by the unexpected attendance of our brothers and sisters coming from other prefectures like Osaka, Mie, Toyama, Ishikawa, Niigata , elders including our dear Nanay Murotani, one of the pioneer missionaries in the Philippines and others. Each had the opportunity to introduce their family and the chance to talk to their old friends who haven’t met for decades.

There were several activities held that day including an explanation of the “One Child, One Peace” (OCOP) Project of the Youth Federation for World Peace -Japan to the Philippines. It served as an inspirational talk given by the YFWP-Japan, Head of the International Affairs Department, Mr. Takanori Todate. He explained that OCOP Project caters the educational need for some Filipino Children in Butuan and Manila for almost 6 years now.

Mrs. Angelina Obara, the elected President of the FJMGP explained the mission and enumerated the goals and purposes of the group during the meeting. She also shared practical ideas on how to accomplish the goals of the movement.　Mrs. Nora Hasegawa presented the appointed officers and coordinators of FJMGP and suggested a referendum thereafter. Most of the members agreed to keep the officers in their post until the next year’s election. The 2008 Set of Officers are as follows :

FJMGP Executive Board
President : Angelita Gimarino Obara
Vice-President for Internal Affairs: Nora Magpantay Hasegawa
Vice-President for Internal Affairs: Lorelie Odango- Shiokawa
Secretary-General: Priscila Miranda -Akahori
Assistant Secretary-General: Ma. Fe Miranda -Obuchi
Treasurer: Liza Nacorda Nakazaki
Assistant Treasurer : Wilma Nacorda- Kondo
Auditor: Agustin Granada Jr
P R O : Brian Dirige
Standing Committee Chairpersons:
Education: Remia Martin- Watanabe and James Paranada
Service and Outreach Projects: Cesar Pacada and Arnold Heramis
Culture and Sports :Maritess Lovitos Takahashi and Robert Alcamfor
Ways and Means: Jesus Juliano and Gilbert Juliano

During the meeting, the blessed children have their own special activities being taken cared of by Mrs. Lorie Shiokawa and Mrs. Priscila Akahori. The talented 2nd generation kids performed a surprisingly wonderful song and dance presentation which they have just learned. Teacher Marites Takahashi and Teacher Lolie Yamada helped them during the presentation. Other performers were the TIMD. Sarah Hangalay, daughter of Bro. Jameson Hangalay, was very graceful during her Korean dance and the Officers, coordinators and other members sung the GPF 2007 Theme Song entitled “Where Peace Begins”

The FJMGP also cited 3 awards for the family members who were (1) “early bird”, (2) who came from the farthest place and (3) most number of complete family member attended. The following families received the monetary awards respectively; Mila Yanai’s family, who arrived Saturday morning from Sendai, Annabelle Sosogi and family all the way from Osaka, and Wilma Kondo and family who brought with her, her 3 sons and husband.

At lunch, everyone enjoyed the bountiful food prepared by each family. Amazingly, some families generously brought food enough for everybody and all members who cooked their specialty for brothers and sisters, and for those who prepared and served the food, headed by our sister Liza Nakazaki we thank you greatly!

This reunion is the first step in fulfilling our goals for this year of helping Japan and Philippines for Global Peace Festival 2008. Now that Philippines and Japan is one, let us show our love and devotion to God and True Parents by uniting our hearts together in every undertaking we have. May the unity of Filipino brothers and sisters in Japan continue as we accomplish our dream of becoming one family under God. Hosted by the handsome Brian Dirige and the energetic Faye Obuchi, the program ended up at 3 o’clock in the afternoon after the 3 Cheers of Eog Mansei by Mr. Jesus Juliano.