Kaagapay The Official Newsletter of the Kaagapay Oita Filipino Association (KOFA) Vol.1 No. 5 October 2010

The family that prays together stays together.

Cover Design: Emily Kawakami

Kaagapay

2

KAAGAPAY SUPPORTS

DABARKARDS SHOW

Members of the Kaagapay served as volunteer-staff

during the recently concluded “Eat Bulaga Invades

Beppu” variety show in B-Con Plaza last September

26, 2010. The said charity show was intended to raise

funds for the St. John Bosco Street Children Program.

Members of the Kaagapay sang “Only Selfless Love”

as the show’s finale. Thanks to the members and

friends of Kaagapay for a job well done especially to

Mr. and Mrs. Kokichi Kudo for producing the show.

Daughters of Saint Paul Receives Donation from KOFA

Last June 18, 2010, the Kaagapay Oita Filipino Association

(KOFA) handed over a 10,000 peso-cash donation to the

Daughters of Saint Paul (DSP) in Pasay City, Philippines.

Present during the turn-over ceremony were Ms. Wilma G.

Bolves representing KOFA and Sis. Docilia Pizarro

representing DSP. As a way of conveying their gratitude to

KOFA, the Provincial Superior of the Daughters of Saint

Paul, Sr. Yolanda Dionisio, sent a thank you letter to the

members of the KOFA for the generosity extended to them.

The donation is part of the proceeds earned by KOFA

during their Christmas caroling last year. Thanks to Ms.

Mary Kawakami for facilitating the turn over. See message

below.

KAAGAPAY FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY A

SUCCESS

Officers and members of the Kaagapay Oita

Filipino Association (KOFA) gathered together for

its first general assembly held at the second floor of

the Oita Catholic Church activity center last

October 3, 2010. The objectives of the said

assembly were: to familiarize the new members

regarding the nature of the organization, to orient

the members and officers regarding their

responsibilities, and to come up with the

organization’s first general plan of action (GPOA).

After the general meeting, KOFA members had a

“salo-salo” together.

COLOR THIS DAY RED!

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND

THE OITA CITY CATHOLIC CHURCH

FAMILY DAY!

OCTOBER 31, 2010

For more details, please contact Emily Abe or

Fr. Takahashi.

KAAGAPAY MEMBERS. Taken before the start of the Dabarkads show.

Photo courtesy of Ms. Fely Yuki.

Kaagapay

3

MY LUCID INTERVALS

By: Chiden O. Balmes (Reprint: Philippine Inquirer’s Youngblood, page A11, Nov. 21, 2006 issue)

I HATE being pitied. Pity is only for losers. I also hate being asked about my father, because the moment I tell people that

I’ve lost him, I always see them feeling sorry for my misfortune, as if life without him has made me less of a person. My family lost my

father not because he’s peacefully resting six feet underground or because he’s working in some distant land teeming with dollars or

dinars, or snow or sand. We lost him because we had to let him go: he couldn’t be a father to two (or more) families. And from the time

he left, our lives have never been the same.

One basic lesson I learned from my values-education classes is that a father is the “sandigan” (pillar) while the mother is

destined to serve as “ilaw” (light) of the family. In the absence of the pillar, a family’s foundation is bound to collapse. I’ve witnessed

many times when we almost keeled over, but still managed to survive by hanging on to the hope that the worst would quickly pass so

long as we continued to help each other. In the absence of our father, my mother had to be the mother and the father, caretaker and a

provider to her four daughters and two sons. Right after finishing college, my eldest sister had no choice but to suffer the dreadful curse

of getting into the shoes of the original provider.

As early as my grade school years, I accepted our situation because I knew that I was not the only fatherless child in the world.

I never shed tears over my father’s absence since I had never been emotionally attached to him, which is hardly surprising since he only

came home on Sundays and he never spent a few minutes talking to his children or asking how school was or if we had problems or if we

wanted something and so on and so forth. For me, he was a complete stranger, like the old man knocking at our gate begging for a cup of

water or the bill collectors handling out water or electric bills.

I do not exaggerate when I say that I knew my pet dog better than my father. The only thing I knew was that I was his own

flesh and blood and that he is half-Chinese- - that’s all. So when he left, I bravely told myself that losing him was no big deal, but

eventually I was proven wrong.

All six of us children felt deprived of the tangibles and intangibles other kids enjoyed. Like any other child, we pined for new

toys and clothes, chocolates and candies, school stuff, etc. Like other children caught in our situation, we also searched for a father figure

who would compensate for our loss. This yearning inevitably affected every aspect of our lives and we often found ourselves asking God

why this had to happen to us?

My father couldn’t be with us during our ups and downs. He did not see; much less appreciate how my mother strived to do

various jobs, including the oddest ones which she would never have touched during her maiden years, just so we could continue with our

studies. He didn’t witness how his daughters willed themselves to earn their college diplomas so that they would not be dependent on

their husbands when they got married.

Had he been around, he would have commended my brother for being so tough to be doing various jobs to help my mother or

they could have had a man-to-man talk after my brother got busted by the first girl he courted. Since he was away, he wasn’t able to scold

his youngest daughter for having a puppy love at the age of 12 and coming home late so many times. He wasn’t there to comfort my

sister when her false teeth broke during her birthday, and he wasn’t there to make her feel better when she painfully broke up with her

first boyfriend.

I wonder if he’s aware that he has a daughter somewhere in Japan who’s just starting to fulfill her dream of being a successful

engineer. I do not know where he was when we needed him so badly, such as when we were forced to leave our aunt’s house. It seems

that he did not care that not even one of his daughters had a debut party. Probably he is not even aware that he is now a “lolo”

(grandfather), with two beautiful granddaughters.

The list would be endless if I were to write all the memorable moments that transpired in the absence of the most important

man in our family. (See page 4 for continuation.)

My Lucid Intervals….from page 3.

I must admit that we couldn’t help but feel the

emptiness, the sense of being incomplete especially during

celebrations on Christmas Day, birthdays, commencement

exercises, graduations, Father’s Day, etc. But maybe we should not

rue the loss, for our gains were definitely greater. In fact, I want to

thank my father for not being around because we learned to be

more helpful, patient, hardworking and independent. The less

determined he was about caring for us, the more determined we

were to survive by ourselves. We might have missed the most

precious memories that complete families have, but we are still

thankful for being blessed with wonderful people who filled the

space left by my father.

Throughout the years, God has provided everything that

we lacked. In losing our father, God did not allow us to lose our

world but instead helped us to conquer it. God made us go through

this difficult ordeal so we would prevail, not fall. If we survived the

most trying times without him, we can definitely do the same in the

future. I know we shall overcome. I know we shall prevail. God will

always see us through.

Several years from now, my sisters will be walking down

the aisle with their husbands. I hope and pray that they will find

real partners who are worthy of their love and trust, real men

whose manhood is measured not by the number of babies they

produce in the process, but rather by their ability to take one of the

biggest responsibilities and most of all their capacity to resist life’s

temptations. It takes a real partner and a real father to do such

things.

I used to succumb to self-pity upon seeing pictures of

fathers and sons. But as I’ve said, pity is for losers. And survivors

are definitely not losers, so feeling sorry for survivors isn’t fair.

Chiden O. Balmes, is a graduate of University of the Philippines-Diliman

with a degree in Public Administration (Magna Cum Laude). He went to

China for a 10-month language study program under the auspices of the

Gokongwei Brothers’ Foundation China Scholarship Program. Chiden is

now currently doing his master’s in international relations at Catholic

University of Korea. Chiden is a good friend of a Kaagapay member.

The Oita Filipino Catholic Community meets regularly

on Wednesdays for a Bible-sharing activity from 11:00

a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Oita Catholic Church Activity

Center, 2nd

Floor. You are all invited to hear God’s Good

news.

Sayings about FAMILY

To us, family means putting your arms around each other and

being there.---Barbara Bush

The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have

passed at home in the bosom of my family.---Thomas Jefferson

The family is one of nature’s masterpieces.---George Santayana,

The Life of Reason

Family means KAAGAPAY---KOFA

Sharing of Views on Family

Pinag-usapan sa “Bible Sharing” ng Kaagapay noong ika-29 ng

Setyembre ang kahalagahan ng pamilya. Bakit ba pati si Hesukristo ay

kailangan pang isilang na isang sanggol sa tahanan ni Jose at Maria?

Panginoon na SIYA, ngunit bakit pa siya nagpailalim pa sa awtoridad

ng mga magulang na tao?

“Simple,” sabi ni Susan. “Dahil nagmula lahat kay Eva at Adan.” Oo

nga naman. Pero may tinatawag din tayong social family, hindi lang

biological family,” sabat ni Emmalyn. “As a biological family, ang ating

mga magulang ang nag-uugnay sa atin, as a social family naman

(katulad ng Kaagapay), ang Diyos ang nag-uugnay sa atin.” So, tipo

palang pag-nawala na ang parents natin ay watak-watak na rin tayo?

“Iba na pag wala na ang parents, parang medyo kulang na ang saysay

ng pamilya,” ang sentimiento ni Susan. “Hindi rin naman,” salo ni

Grace. “Katulad namin wala na kaming parents, tapos may kapatid

kami sa Italy, America, dito sa Japan, pero buo pa rin kami, especially

now, nagbi-video call kami, nagpa-plano ng get-together,

nagdadamayan. Ganuon ang ka-pamilya, magwatak-watak man kayo,

paminsan-minsan nagku-kumustahan pa rin.” Kumbaga di nawawala

yung caring ano? Si Miyuki rin na isang Japanese ay nasabi na kahit

hindi sila physically together ng parents niya na nasa Nagano at ng

kapatid niya nasa Amerika, they have constant communication dahil

nga pamilya, at masaya siya pag nagkatipun-tipon sila

paminsan-minsan. So, basically, pareho rin ang importansiya na

ibinibigay ng mga Japanese sa pamilya nila, ano? “Kaya lang tayo

parang masaya sa Pilipinas kahit walang pera. Dito parang kailangan

kumayod ka ng kumayod,” sabi ni Jojo. “Oo nga,” pagsang-ayon ni Fely.

“Masaya ang mga bata sa Pilipinas kahit mahirap lang.” “Minsan nga

sinasabi ko sa asawa ko bigyan naman niya ng time ang mga bata,” ang

patuloy ni Jojo. Sagot naman si Mary Jane, “pero dapat intindihin

natin ng maigi ang ating mga asawa, dapat mahalin natin sila tulad ng

pagmamahal sa ating ng ating Ama. Palagi tayong magdasal para

gabayan tayo sa dapat gawin. Hindi dapat mawala ang “aijo” o ang

pagmamahal sa pamilya.” Oo nga naman. But what is it like to be a

single parent? To be both a mother and a father to your children?

“Mahirap,” sabi ni Annie. “Pero ang mahalaga ay huwag na lang

alalahanin ang mga pangit na nangyayari kasi mga ala-ala na lang

yun.” Ang ibig sabihin ni Annie ay we still have the chance to make up

for our shortcomings and to learn to forgive for a healthier, happier

family life, right Annie? Now, let’s hear from Melvin naman: “Our

relationship with our family is something permanent. Unlike other

relationships na puwede tayong maging choosy, ang parents at mga

kapatid natin ay di natin puwedeng palitan. We have to share both joys

and pains with them. (See page 7 for continuation.)

Kaagapay

4

Kaagapay

5

October is the month of the Holy Rosary. Please pray the Holy Rosary!

FILIPINO SPIRIT BEYOND BORDERS Whenever I leave the Philippines, I always bring with me not only the basic necessities enough for the duration of my stay

abroad but also the values and the pride that I as a Filipino should maintain. I always thought that no matter what economic status

one has, it is the responsibility of every Filipino living (temporary or permanent) abroad to carry the name of our country with dignity

and pride whether you are a domestic helper, an entertainer, a seafarer, a business executive, a student, or a construction worker.

I am now taking up my doctoral studies here in Japan. I am researching on the educational outcomes and experiences of

Japanese-Filipino children for my dissertation. This academic pursuit gave me the opportunity to mingle with Filipino residents here

in Oita City which is in the northern part of Kyushu Island. I met a lot of Filipinos here and I am really proud that some of them are

doing their share in promoting our cultural heritage.

As part of my personal advocacy work, I voluntarily helped a Filipino community here form a group which we named as the

Kaagapay Oita Filipino Association (KOFA). Our group aims to respond to the spiritual and social needs of our Filipino comrades and

to promote the Filipino culture to the Japanese. The establishment of our group is a testimony of the Filipino bayanihan spirit beyond

and across borders.

It is through this group that I met ordinary Filipinos with extraordinary altruistic contributions. By writing this essay, I

hope I am able to voice out their sentiments and to show how proud they are of being Filipino. Upon hearing their stories, I thought

becoming an ambassador of goodwill requires no economic and social status. It requires good values and spirit.

One Filipino I know is a cancer patient. She has been grappling with the debilitating effects of her sickness but this did not

stop her from going the extra mile. Through her strong faith, she was able to withstand her challenges and instead made them into

opportunities. While in the hospital, she was helping other patients by giving them hope and encouragement. Her strong Catholic

faith gave her the courage to become shepherd of the sickly sheep. As she said, “I thank God for His blessing and unbeknownst to me,

God is using me.” Many of her co-patients consider her as a symbol of hope.

Another Filipina is an English teacher. While she teaches her students English, she makes it a point that she is able to

promote our culture. Being the chair of the Kaagapay, she hopes to assert a new image of the Filipinos in Japan. She always

encourages other Filipino women here not to stop studying, to believe in themselves, and to make a difference in their lives.

Many of the Filipinos I know are also quite active in community and school affairs. Some of them are even officers in

parent-teacher associations and in community clubs. Their involvement in these social groups is a manifestation of the spirit of

camaraderie and sense of belongingness that we Filipinos dearly value.

Our group, the Kaagapay, has been doing a lot of activities to promote our culture. One of our activities was the Christmas

caroling last December of 2009. We visited select Japanese-Filipinos families to be able to bring the Filipino Christmas spirit to their

own homes. To our surprise, many of the Japanese husbands welcomed us warmly. Most of them prepared snacks for us. One Japanese

husband had this to say, “thank you very much for visiting our home. I appreciate your coming here despite that fact that we live in a

secluded and faraway place. Thank you for making my wife happy.” I also noticed some of the Filipino wives shedding tears upon

hearing our Christmas lullabies.

My experiences with my colleagues in Kaagapay made me realize that Filipinos regardless of social and economic

background can do their share in promoting our culture and values. Wherever a Filipino is situated, the Filipino spirit in him/her will

always come out. As a student, my ultimate goal is not only to finish my doctoral degree with flying colors but also to encourage our

Filipino brothers and sisters here become ambassadors of our own cultural heritage.

I hope that with our efforts and with the efforts of other Filipino groups here in Japan, we are able to change the image of

the Filipinos. We can only do this by showing to them our authentic culture and values. We should not lose touch with our heritage. I

am indeed happy that I was born Filipino.

(Reprint: Philippine Star’s Barangay Philstar, September 14, 2010. This essay was written by a member of the KAAGAPAY.)

Family: Greatest Form of Friendship

I just watched recently the movie “Eat, Pray, and

Love.” And one of the impressive lines I like in the movie

(starring Julia Roberts) is, I quote, “the only thing permanent

in life is family.” Such statement really hit the nail on the

head. Upon hearing it, it reminded me of how important it is

to really treasure one’s family. No matter what happens, good

or bad, your family will always be there to guide and protect

you.

Your family will always be there to support you

and they will never put you down. You are able to share your

pains and triumphs with them. They are always there to

listen to you and they never spread gossip about you. In times

of your success, they are always there to celebrate with you

and they will never be jealous of you. They will never compete

with you. Instead, they will help you reach your dreams

without asking anything in return. Your family members are

your greatest supporters.

Some friendships don’t last but your relationship

with your family is forever. Even if you experience fights with

your parents and siblings, your relationships with them

remain. This is something we cannot end unlike marriage

(divorce), boyfriend-girlfriend relationship (split-up), and

friend-friend relationship (disconnection). Relationships

within the family are constant regardless of time and space.

Couples may separate but the mother-child and father-child

relationships will remain.

Sometimes it is hard for us to be constructive

critiques to our friends. It is hard for us to say painful words

for the fear that the other cannot take it objectively. But

within our family circle, we are able to say what we want

without inhibitions. But can we really do this to our friends? I

bet it is hard. Why? Our relationships with friends are

sometimes romanticized. We expect only good things and if

bad things happen it is easy for us to either disconnect, back

bite, or to pass negative judgments. Unless we can elevate our

relationships with friends to the level similar to our

relationships with our family members, such relationships

will eventually dissipate.

One thing that differentiates family friendship

from peer friendship is that, “you don’t choose your family.

They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them” (Desmond

Tutu). Indeed, family is the greatest form of friendship.

フィリピンの日刊新聞“バランガイ フィルスター”「世界の中のフィリピン人」の欄に

掲載された「国境を越えたフィリピン人魂」

フィリピンを出るときは、いつも海外滞在中の必需品ばかりでなく、フィリピン人として忘れてはな

らない大切なもの、そして誇りを持って出かける。経済状況がどうあっても、お手伝いさんでも、エン

ターテイナーでも船員でも実業家、学生、建設業者であっても、気品と誇りを持って自分の国の名前を

携えるのは、一時的滞在でも永住する人でもすべてのフィリピン人の責任だと考えてきた。私は今、日

本で博士課程の勉強をしている。博士論文は、フィリピンと日本の親を持つ子供たちの、教育による結

果と経験の研究だ。この研究により、九州北部の大分市のフィリピン人居住者とのお付き合いが始まっ

た。ここで多くのフィリピン人に出会い、フィリピンの文化遺産を促進する仕事をする人もいて、私は

本当に誇りに思った。

私の個人的支援活動の一環として、ここの地元のフィリピン人の人たちが、カアガパイ大分フィリピ

ン人の会（KOFA）と名づけられたグループを形成するのに、自らお手伝いを申し出た。グループは、

フィリピン人の仲間たちの精神的社会的困窮に応え、日本人の皆さんにフィリピンの文化を促進するの

を目指している。グループの設立は、国境線を越えたフィリピン人の連帯意識の試金石となる。このグ

ループのおかげで、驚くほど人のために貢献する普通のフィリピン人たちに巡りあった。このエッセイ

を通して、声高らかにグループの意見を言い、フィリピン人であることをどれほど誇りに思っているか

示せればと願っている。グループの人たちの話を聞きながら、善意の大使になるには、経済的社会的身

分も必要ないと思った。優れた価値観と精神が要求されると思った。

知人のフィリピン人にガン患者がいる。体が衰弱する病気と闘っているが、病気が原因でもうひとが

んばりするのをやめることもない。強い信仰のおかげで、自らの挑戦に耐えられるばかりか、自分との

挑戦にしている。入院中は、ほかの患者たちに希望を与え、励まし助けている。その強いカトリック信

仰は、病める羊たちの羊飼いになる勇気を与えている。「神様にお恵みを感謝しています。気づけば、

神様は私に使命を与えていました」と彼女は言う。仲間の患者たちの多くは、彼女を希望のシンボルと

考えている。

もうひとりのフィリピン人は、英語教師をしている。生徒に英語を教えるときは、いつもフィリピン

文化を紹介する。カアガパイのリーダーとなった今、新しいフィリピン人像を日本に主張したいと願っ

ている。ここにいるフィリピン女性たちに、勉強を続け、自分を信じ、日々の生活をがんばるようにと

いつも励ます。

私が知っている多くのフィリピン人たちは、自分のいる地区でも学校のことでも積極的に活動してい

る。PTAでも地区クラブでも役員になっている人もいる。こうした社会集団に関係することは、私たち

フィリピン人がとても大切にする、連帯精神と帰属意識の表れである。

カアガパイは、フィリピン文化を促進するためにさまざまな活動を行っている。ひとつの活動は昨年

2009 年 12 月のクリスマス聖歌隊だ。フィリピンのクリスマス精神を自宅に届けようと、選ばれた日

本人とフィリピン人が暮らす家族を訪れた。驚いたことに、日本人の御主人の多くが私たちを温かく迎

えた。ほとんどの方たちは軽い食事を用意してくれた。ひとりの御主人は、こう言った、「うちまで来

て下さり、本当に有難うございます。人も住んでいない、遠いところまで来てもらい、本当に感謝して

います。うちの奥さんを喜ばせてもらい有難うございます」。クリスマスソングを聞き、涙を流すフィ

リピン人の奥さんがいるのにも気づいた。

カアガパイの仲間たちと経験し、フィリピン人は経済的社会的状況に関係なく、フィリピンの文化や

価値観の促進を共有できるとわかった。フィリピン人はどこにいても、いつもフィリピン人魂が生まれ

る。学生として、私の最終目標は博士課程を優等で終えるだけではなく、この日本にいる同胞のフィリ

ピン人たちを、フィリピンの文化遺産の大使となるように励ますことだ。カアガパイばかりでなく、日

本にある他のグループの努力で、フィリピン人のイメージを変えられることを願っている。それを果た

すには，真のフィリピン文化と価値観を見せるしかない。文化遺産を忘れてはならない。フィリピン人

として生まれ、私は本当に幸福者だと思っている。(See Page 5 for English version.)

Kaagapay

6

Essay Writing Contest

Theme: Am I Half, Full, or Double?

What I’d Rather Be Referred to by Everybody.

The Kaagapay Newsletter is inviting Japanese-Filipino junior and high school

students to participate in this essay writing competition.

Mechanics:

1. Essays must be written in Japanese.

2. Handwritten, composition paper (5 pages maximum).

3. Please submit your essay by post not later than December 15, 2010. Essays

will be evaluated by a panel of judges.

4. Winning entries will be published in the Kaagapay Newsletter.

5. 2 winners will be selected. Each winner will receive 10,000 yen and a plaque.

6. Please submit your essay to:

Kaagapay Essay Writing Contest

Oita Ken Beppu Shi

Ishigaki Higashi 1 chome 9-20

Terrace Ishigaki 225 Zip Code: 874-0919

7. On a separate sheet of paper, please write your complete name and contact

information. Please do not write your name in your essay. For more details,

you may contact the person-in-charge through email, antpsych@yahoo.com.

8. All submitted essays will automatically become the property of Kaagapay.

Essays will also be used as data for an on-going research on bicultural

children. Names will not appear in the research output, instead pseudonyms

will be used.

作文コンクール

テーマ：私はハーフ、フルそれともダブル？

日系フィリピン人の子供に必要なもの

カアガパイ新聞は、日系フィリピン人の中学高校生に

作文コンクールへの参加を求めています。

応募方法

１． 作文は日本語で書くものとします。

２． 四百字作文用紙に手書きすること。（５枚以内まで）

３． 2010 年 12 月 15 日までに郵送すること。作文は審査員が評価します。

４． 入賞作品はカアガパイ新聞に掲載されます。

５． 入賞は２人。各入賞者に１０，０００円が贈呈されます。

６． 作文の宛先: 郵便番号 874-0919 大分県別府市石垣東１－９－２０テラス

石垣２２５号 カアガパイ作文コンクール係

７． 別紙に、フルネームと連絡先を書いて下さい。作文に名前を書かないで下

さい。詳細は担当者まで e-mail でおたずね下さい。antpsych@yahoo.com

８． 応募作品は、カアガパイの所有となります。作文は、二文化に育つ子供た

ちの研究データとしても使用されます。研究論文には実名ではなく、偽名

を使用します。

Kaagapay

7

Sharing of Views on Family…from page 4

Actually, friendship is just a romanticized

relationship wherein puro good (roses) lang ang in-expect

natin, kapag may hindi na maganda, we try to separate

ourselves from the group. It’s not like that at all with our

family.” Oo nga naman, we have no choice but to stick it out

with our family members ano, so hirap man o ginhawa. Ito

siguro ang perfect na definition ng Family in one word:

KAAGAPAY.

In a sense, our small community here in Oita that

we call Kaagapay is a true family. Why? Because we’re

stuck with each other. No matter how different we are in

our values and views in life, we all exist and move around

the same axis, we all go to worship in the same Church.

Siguro ang tunay na kabuluhan ng kaagapay o kapamilya

ay masusumpungan sa Cor. 12:12-17: “…and so there is no

division in the body, but all its different parts have the

same concern for one another. If one part of the body

suffers, all the other parts suffer with it. If one part is

praised, all the other parts share its happiness.”

THE JAPANESE FAMILY IN TRANSITION

As in the West, the modern Japanese family is small. Some 60%

of all Japanese households consist of couples only or a single

parent and unmarried children.

Pre-1945 Situation

In prewar Japan, three generations (parents, children and

grandchildren) lived under the same roof. The father was head of

the household, and his word was law. As one of the Japanese

words for wife, kanai (lit. home and inside), implies, the prewar

Japanese wives’ place was in the home….During the war years

when food was scarce, the Japanese housewife did everything

she could to ensure that the family had enough to eat.

Changes since the War

The Japanese family has changed considerably as the nuclear

(small) family has become the postwar norm. The father no

longer has absolute authority in establishing family rules,

governing his children’s education, and granting permission for

his children’s marriages….At the same time, the wife’s role is

also changing, as aptly illustrated by the once-popular phrase,

“the two things that have gotten stronger since the war are

women and stockings….” Today, one of every two housewives has

an outside job.

Source: Japan As It Is, Bilingual Guide, 4th Edition, Gakken Co., Ltd.

Any views and opinions expressed in this

newsletter are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of

Kaagapay Newsletter Editorial Team.

Kaagapay

Vol. 1 No. 5 October 2010

Theme: FAMILY

Do you want to contribute?

Please submit your views, essays, poems, news, and event

information to the Editor of Kaagapay Newsletter

(Ms. Emily Abe; jhjsj744@yahoo.co.jp).

MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL

WHO IS HORRIFYING OF THEM ALL?

A SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN PARTY!

October 31, 2010 Bistro I, Taketa City

Party starts at 7:30 P.M.

Costume is a must!

For details, please contact Meldy.

This is a paid advertisement.

Did you know that? St. Dominic in the 12 century popularized the praying of the rosary after Virgin Mary appeared to him. He was promised by the Holy Mother that his religious order will thrive if he will propagate the devotion to the rosary. The original rosary consisted of 150 beads similar to the number of Psalms in the Holy Bible. Throughout the years, the rosary has evolved to that what it is now today. Pope John Paul II in 2002 added 5 new mysteries (Luminous Mysteries), which relate to the public life of Jesus. Source: www.personalizedrosaries.com/history.html

SOMETHING’S COOKING!

SIZZLING SISIG*

Ingredients:

1. 1kg. Pork Face

2. 1/4 Pork Brain (optional)

3. 2 tsp. Butter

4. 4 pcs. Onions (chopped)

5. 3 tbsp. Soy Sauce

6. 1 tbsp. Vinegar

7. 1 tbsp. Catsup or Chili Sauce

8. Salt and Pepper (to taste)

9. Fried Pork Skin (grounded, optional)

10. 1 Egg (only when serving, optional)

Cooking Procedures:

1. Boil pork face till tender, slice thinly into cubes.

2. Using butter, sauté 1 pc. Onion in a deep pan and add

the sliced pork face and brain.

3. Mix all the liquid ingredients in a bowl.

4. Add the liquid mix in the pan. Simmer for about 15

mins.

5. Serve in sizzling plate, garnish with fried pork skin,

egg and chili sauce.

*Sisig is a kampampangan word which means “to snack on

something sour”.

Source:

www.pinoyfoodrecipe.blogspot.com/2007/10/sizzling-sisig-pork.html

Kaagapay

8