May 24,2008 , Philippine Embassy, Tokyo
FJMGP members with Labor Attache Danilo Cruz
The program started at 4PM with the singing of the National Anthem lead by Ms. Glenda Tabata of Teatro Kanto Organization. The invocation was uttered by the representative of El Shaddai in behalf of Ms. Amy Iwase. The Opening Remarks was given by Jeff Kabante in behalf of Ms. Vangie Yamatomo of the United Filipino Group of Yokohama. Without further ado, the new set of officers of PAG were inducted by His Excellency Domingo Siazon, Jr. the Philippine Ambassador to Japan. The PAG new Executive Committee who took their oath were Mr. Leo dela Rosa, President of Filipino-American Association of Atsugi (FilAm Atsugi), Mr. Roel San Juan, President of Filipino Maritime Network (FMN), Ms. Lara Porciuncula, President of Association of Filipino Students in Japan (AFSJ), Mr. Noel Saludo, President of Philippine Men’s League (PML), Ms. Amelita Iwase, President of El Shaddai-Japan, and Ms. Cora Kasuga, Secretary General of Filipina Circle for Advancement and Progress (FICAP).
Ambassador Siazon then gave an inspirational message and thanked the PAG in its 11th year for its valuable support and help to the Filipino community who encounters problem about living in Japan. He mentioned that in the future the Filipino community in Japan will rise in number because even the unskilled workers will be welcomed by the Japanese government as long as these Filipinos know the Japanese language by heart. He encouraged all the Filipinos in Japan to learn the Japanese language not only in speaking but as well as in reading and writing in order to fully understand and help their children with proper parent-child communication. He also emphasized that help through fund should be given to the shin-nikkeijin (children born to Japanese and Filipino parents) who are unfortunately not recognized by the Japanese parents and are living in the Philippines without any financial support and proper education. Ambassador Siazon had to leave the gathering right after his message to attend another function outside Tokyo thus he did not hear the Response Message delivered by Ms. Caryn Santillan of the AFSJ. Caryn who has been active in PAG had stated that the three main goals of PAG are to support people in need financially, to give education such as immigration information drive and to give medical support to the Filipino community in Japan. Ms Caryn Santillan was called again to present further the Primer of PAG. She shared the history of PAG which was formed in 1997 with 16 founding members. She stressed that PAG is raising a PAG Assistance Fund which is used mainly for the repatriation of distressed nationals and medical assistance to the Filipino community. PAG has presently a fund of Y3.7 M. She discussed on how PAG choose its beneficiaries and how any Filipino organization can join and be involved in PAG’s activities.
After the formalities, an intermission song number was rendered by the handsome Jazz Ramirez to the delight of the females in the audience.
The Certificates of Appreciation to the outgoing PAG officers were then presented by Labor Attache Danilo Cruz with the help of Vice Consul Anna Lilia de Vera of the Cultural and Filipino Community Affairs office.
The charming Emcee of the program Ms. Jena V had given a special mention to the newly approved PAG membership of Teatro Kanto Organization and SOFILMA. She then thanked the presence of the representatives of other organizations in the affair like the Association of Filipino Wives in Japan(AFWJ) , United Filipino Group of Yokohama, El Shaddai, Fil-Am Atsugi, AFSJ, FMN, FICAP, SOFILMA, FJMGP and Tong Il Modo (TIMD). She also thanked the regular sponsors of PAG which are Metrobank, PNB, Landbank of the Phils., Philippine Airlines, WINS Japan, ISB, Frontier Call and numerous individuals who have contributed their resources , time and efforts to helping Filipinos in Japan.
Once again the dashing Jazz Ramirez sang a Tagalog intermission number. Then Mari “Mayang” Nihei of Teatro Kanto had given in to the clamor of the audience for a beautiful sexy dance number and was joined in the dance floor by the energetic President of United Filipinos for Peace and Advancement, Mr. Dante Negre.
The Closing Remarks was then given by the young Third Secretary and Vice Consul Anna Lilia de Vera.
The Labor Attache Danilo Cruz had many times invited everyone to attend the Migrant Workers’ day on June 15th at Oji Asukayama park.
Lastly, everyone had enjoyed the delicious Filipino food catered by Perry Rio of Knights of Rizal. And most of the participants had joined in the different dance steps that the dance instructors had started in the dance floor. After the picture takings and never-ending chatting with each other, some of the energetic and fully awake participants had moved to the nearby Wall Street Disco House to continue dancing the night away.
It was a gathering that gave everyone a chance to know more about PAG, know the other existing Filipino organizations and its representatives and know the steps on how we can help more the Filipino community in Japan.
Reported by : Lorlie Shiokawa
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