CONTENTSTECHNOLOGY BUZZ21 Romance with Gadgets

Sir Cliff’s never ending love affair with gadgets leaves him wanting for more. Read on and get toknow who or what has his latest fancy.

27 Tech Tidbitz What are the latest and hottest gadgets to own this fall?

28 Tilt-shift PhotographyLearn this amazing technique in photography that every enthusiast can do; grab your camera and try it after reading this article.

04 07 10 13 16 19 21 23 26 29 31 33

MIND IT14 English for Japanese

How important is learning the English language for Japanese now? Tateki Uda writes about the challenges Japanese encounter in mastering the language.

22 Reading Basho: Misgivings of a

Secondary School Teacher Is the K-12 project the ultimate solution for the declining educa-tional system in the Philippines?

31 Coffee Confessions by Ricky Benitez The power of a simple prayer and deal with life’s distractions; start your day with fresh Wordsand inspiration.

IN EVERY ISSUE18 Food: Salad Salad Salad Pinoy and International Style 31 Star Guide for September-October Your bi-monthly guide.

35 Health and Wellness Keep away from stress & Your big breakfast meal.

37 Embassy Report Updates on Japan-Philippines.

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2013

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COVER STORY

Yes! Boundless and fearlessJudith Yotsuzeki shares how she overcame immigration trouble and more. From “TNT” to free at last!

TRAVEL GUIDE06 Intramuros

Step into history and learn why Intramuros is the premiere city of the past.

10 Mambukal’s Seven Falls Considered a jewel of the Negros Island, trek along the Dos and Don’ts when climbing Mambukal’s amazing falls.

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PRINTING & DISTRIBUTION PARTNER

24

A lot of things happened since our last issue – torrential rains and flooding brought about by typhoon “Mar-ing” hit our country back home displacing thousands

of families, waves of scandals about misappropriations of public funds involving Filipino politicians merit the head-lines, a passenger sea vessel collided with a tanker in Cebu and continues to operate despite the outrageous record of sea disasters in the past decade claiming hundreds of lives in the process, chemical bombing in Syria killing children, bloody demonstrations in Egypt, I could rant for the next hour about all the mishaps our countrymen and the rest of the world saw but could somebody give me an antidote to heal the world now. If only it is that easy. Would you think it is the month of August? Or is it human greediness in full view of God and God in turn reminding us to mind our ways by sending us some natural calamities.

My apologies for sounding so disturbed at the start of my letter, I just realized that I didn’t even greet you my dear readers. It’s just that I feel so PORKY mad that I couldn’t BARREL down my emotions.

I still want to say “MABUHAY mga Kababayan!” and wel-come to our September-October issue of EmMagazine.

To lighten up our mood, aren’t we proud of our netizen-kababayans who strutted their way to Quirino Grandstand and protest against the PDAF or pork barrel of the Philip-pine senators and congressmen – hundreds of thousands of them? Yes! Filipinos from all over the world joined in to

have their voices heard. And we can also be proud of our cover girl – Judith Yotsuzeki for facing a challenge many Filipinos abroad shy away from – IMMIGRATION woes. Read her story on page 24 and be inspired.

This issue is yet full of inspiration kicking off with Cof-fee Confessions on page 31 and the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the Philippines as accounted by His Excellency Manuel Lopez of the Philippine Consulate. A lot of things to be learned as well in our new Health and Well-ness section, and we promise you an easy and interesting read. Our regular sections have a facelift (as we constantly redo them) but the contents will keep your coffee cold. Te-chies will be delighted to learn about new gadgets and C. Anzo Pagua shares about his latest romance - juicy, cheesy and utterly entertaining.

Travel to a sweet spot in Negros – the Mambukal Resort and review your history because we will have Intramuros 101 this issue. Japan Connection talks about the impor-tance of learning the English language for Japanese. We thank Tateki Uda for giving us a glimpse of Japanese culture in our every issue.

Whew! I’m glad I didn’t wallow much in the muddy pig pen or else I might get my boots dirty and my demeanour crushed. We are still here to entertain you our dear readers and make you forget about the harsh realities in Philippine politics, even for just a short time. And yes, we don’t have bacon in our recipe section this issue. Enjoy!

I have been using the internet actively for the past years now and it is a very good way to communicate with friends and family. I could express my feelings by post-ing in social networking sites, encourage people and do

business as well. That is why I decided to publish a maga-zine so I can reach more people, especially my kababayan’s here in Japan. Just like when I post shoutouts in facebook, this time, I can do it better because EmMagazine gives in-formation, entertainment and inspiration. It gives a chance to know people and be encouraged by their stories and at the same time the magazine helps leverage businesses by

advertisement placements. I have also learned that advertising is an art in itself,

since EmMagazine is locally distributed in Japan and is cir-culated free, you, our advertisers are in for a treat because of its concetration and availability. PLUS, the artsy way we introduce you to our readers - BOLD, STRONG and EYE-CATCHING! This is our way of thanking you for your contin-ued support and for our dear readers, thank you for making EmMagazine a part of the PINOY CULTURE here in Japan.

We bring you our heartfelt appreciation in every issue. Salamat sa inyong lahat!P

NPu

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s Not

eED

ITOR

s N

ote

EN

MARIA JESUSA MOLDESPUBLISHER

BUTCH CAUSINGEDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ALBERT CAUSING / ROCHELLE GUIZA ART DIRECTOR ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR

C. ANZO PARAGUA l MARIVIC OYAMACHERRY MAE MOLDES l TATEKI UDA

PASTOR RICKY BENITEZ l CHEYENNE MOLDESROSELITO REGENIO l TIFFANY GOBANGCO

ENRIQUE GONZAGA l Melissa AquinoMoonyen Egusquiza

YVEs SIBUG l JULIO GO

CONTRIBUTORS & STAFF

Model:

Judith YotsuzekiPhotograph by:

Tomoaki TakagiHMUA by:

Enrique “Toto” Gonzaga Lynchin GlendaGown by:

Anvee Fashion Kimada ShoppeLocation:

Shinjuku Gyoen

06 EMTECHJP.COM

LIFESTYLETRAVEL

Every once in a while, some magazine or news site publishes a survey. Something along the lines of: World’s Most Welcoming Countries. World’s Politest Cultures. World’s Friendliest Cities—as if you could

sail over to a different country, bend down, and speak di-rectly to the dirt. And have it answer you, of course.

It’s understood that they’re actually referring to the peo-ple in these countries, cultures, and cities, not the coun-tries, cultures, and cities themselves. But at times, espe-cially when visiting a place for the first time, it’s difficult not to notice that every place has a temper of its own. It has its histories and moods; it has a soul.

If cities were people, Intramuros would be the quiet, crusty old codger who lives just down the road. Imagine In-tramuros as a person, a living human just like you and me. If you know your history, you’ll probably imagine him wear-ing a faded military uniform. Intramuros once saw many battles, but he is relatively peaceful now. As you pass by on your way to work or school, you might give him a nod, but he’s as much a part of the landscape as the sky and trees, and you probably won’t notice him. He’s nice enough, but is there anything really special about him?

Let us go back to the days of the datus, before the Span-iards ever saw our shores. Our Intramuros was still very young. He stood beside the Pasig River, and sheltered Ma-lay datus and their subjects; even in those days, Intramuros was sheathed in walls. Those stout wooden palisades were no match for the Spaniards under Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

In 1570, after months of warfare, they conclud-ed a peace pact with the natives, who handed Manila over to them.

Intramuros? Manila? What’s the con-nection? Well, back then, that humble pali-saded settlement was called Maynilad by the natives. After the Spaniards conquered it, King Phillip II of Spain awarded the city a coat of arms and declared it Ciudad In-signe y Siempre Leal: Distinguished and Ever-Loyal City. Legazpi, with his king’s approval, began laying the foundation for a newer, tougher city within the palisad-ed walls. Over time the wooden palisade would be replaced by stone, and a great-er city would rise within those walls. The Spaniards named the city Intramuros, which means, “within the walls”.

Let us recall that image of young In-tramuros, standing on the unspoiled island

shores. It was like the summer of childhood. Once the Spaniards arrived, Intramuros had a lot

of growing up to do, and plenty of growing pains to weather.

Legazpi laid Intramuros’ foundations in 1570, but the famous walls would take over three centuries to

complete. They were considered more or less complete in 1872—”more or less” in the sense that reconstruction and renovation continued on and off in the following years. It sounds like it would be hopelessly shambled, but inside; Intramuros was every inch an Imperial City, well-appointed and organized. The city sheltered Spanish officials and common people alike: the viceroyalties had their seats of power here, and the clergy raised several churches, some of which still stand today. Intramuros welcomed the young and inquisitive, too: some of the country’s most prestigious universities had their start here, including the Universidad de Santo Tomas, the oldest school in the Philippines.

As the Spanish influence spread throughout the islands, so, too, did the Spanish presence overflow from Intramuros’ walls. Roads leading from the city were paved, and shops and houses sprang up beside those roads. As the years marched steadily past, the city of Manila as we now know it came to be. It grew up outside and all around Intramuros, like a child embracing its venerable father. Intramuros was now no longer a separate city; rather, it was now a district of Manila.

The walls, the district’s defining feature, were impos-ing structures of defense. The long period of construction resulted in a patchwork sort of style, so that some parts of the walls looked different from others. No matter the style, though, every inch of Intramuros’ walls was built to repel intruders. Bastions, ravelins, redoubts, drawbridges, moats, bulwarks—these medieval designs were right at home on what was essentially a citadel. Intramuros was built to withstand war, and thus it was probably not at all ironic that when the Spaniards lost it, it was directly because of a peace treaty.

Fort Santiago was the Spanish government’s military headquarters, so it must have seemed strange when, on Aug. 13, 1898, the people of Intramuros looked up to see an American flag fluttering over it. It was the end of the Span-ish-American War, and as part of their victory demands, the US demanded that Spain sign over some of its territories, including the Philippines. Intramuros once again passed

ARTICLE BY MELISSA AQUINO

Dear Old Intramuros, Patriarch of Philippine Cities

07EMTECHJP.COM

SEP-OCT 2013

into foreign hands.The Americans moved in and began rebuilding the district—and

renovating it. Intramuros’ eight gates were joined by four more breaches in the walls, and the stones that fell were used to patch up damage done to other parts of the city. The moats, which were deemed unsanitary, were filled in with mud and rubble and convert-ed into golf courses. It became easier to get in and out of the walled city. The message was clear: Intramuros was opening its arms to the world.

And in December 1941, the world responded with a shower of bombs.

An “open city” is what General Douglas MacArthur called Manila. A plea for mercy, acknowledging that the invaders have won, and the military will abandon all defensive efforts, so you may march in as you like, and nobody will bother you. Just please don’t hurt our civilians....

But wars are ugly, horrendous affairs, and open city or not, Manila was bombed relentlessly. In Intramuros, the first casualties were the campus of Sto. Tomas and the Church of Sto. Domingo. A school for young people. A church where people pray to God. Wars are ugly affairs.

For three hellish years, the Philippines groaned under the burden of war. Intramuros, still strong and sturdy despite the renovation and bombing, became a stronghold for the invading Japanese. The Japanese flag replaced the American flag over Fort Santiago, where prisoners of war, civilians and soldiers, perished from inhospitable conditions, friendly fire, or war crimes.

Intramuros would eventually return to the people who had first built it, but it was a long and painful process. On Feb. 3, 1945, the bloody Battle of Manila began. It swamped the walled city on Feb. 23-28, 1945, in a rain of artillery and bombs. Of the city’s 4000 civil-ian hostages, less than 3000 were saved.

And what of Intramuros itself? That once-proud city, that had weathered the yoke of colonialism and the turmoil of peace, had finally fallen beneath what it had been built to withstand: the flam-ing hell of war. Its Spanish builders could not have foreseen the future, could not have guessed that, 400 years after their landing, Intramuros would be devastated by fire falling from the sky. The ramparts that had repelled cannon fire and musketry had been crushed by tanks and explosives. Poor Intramuros’ streets had been split apart. The magnificent buildings had been pulled down, and the walls had been shattered like glass.

Yet in the midst of that destruction, there was a breath of hope. The liberation of Intramuros officially marked the liberation of Ma-nila. Gen. Douglas MacArthur spoke thus to an assembly of Filipinos: “Your capital city, cruelly punished though it be, has regained its rightful place—citadel of democracy in the East.”

Peace had returned to the Philippines, and now it was time to re-build. In dear old Intramuros, only a single building remained stand-ing: the Church of San Agustin, its roof riddled by bombs, patiently waiting to be restored. It still stands there today, and the city of Intramuros has grown up around it once more.

Today, Intramuros is a firmly Filipino place. The days when for-eign flags fluttered over Fort Santiago are gone. If Intramuros were a man, he would be very old, and perhaps a little tired. He would wear an old military uniform—he was a city built for defense and war, after all. And he would probably still wear his military medals, and probably among the brightest, most polished of them would be the coat of arms that bears his motto: Distinguished and Ever-Loyal City. It is a motto bestowed by King Phillip II of Spain, but it is still in use today, and the Spanish influence remains prevalent in the stones of the city itself.

And tired and war-wounded though he may be, Intramuros, like his Filipino fellow cities, still welcomes the world with a smile. He still shelters government offices, churches, and schools for young people. Some of the churches and schools, like the University of Sto. Tomas, have moved out, as children do when they grow up, but

newcomers are still welcome. Intramuros bears no grudges, and he is an open city in a different, kinder sense; he appreciates the tour-ists who visit, so long as they are polite. People from all over the world are welcome: Spaniards, Americans, Britons, Koreans. Even the Japanese, once our feared invaders, will find that Intramuros is willing to forgive past hurts. Certainly Intramuros will tell you war stories, if you’re willing to listen. But he also understands the need for peace and joy. Step into the old city, and even if you get lost, don’t worry—the walls are still there, like a father’s arms, to keep you from falling into the Pasig River. Ask around for directions, and the people of Intramuros will help you get back on track.

Back in the days of war and colonialization, you probably would have been horrified to find yourself standing near Fort Santiago, but today it is a popular tourist attraction. The Rizal Shrine, a museum dedicated to Dr. Jose Rizal, is situated in part of the Fort’s barracks. If you want to find out more about the walled district, retrace your steps from the Fort to the nearby gate, and step into the Intramuros Visitors Center. Ask around here for maps and traveling advice.

From there, you can head southeast down the street until you reach the Plaza de Roma. You’ll see a statue of an amiable-looking fellow; this is actually a monument to King Charles IV of Spain, as thanks for sending a shipment of smallpox vaccines to the Philip-pines.

Northeast of King Charles, you’ll see a massive white building, constructed in the pre-war Spanish style. Or perhaps “reconstructed” is a better term, as this building was completely gutted in WWII. This is the Ayuntamiento. During the Spanish colonial era, it was the seat of the city council. These days it serves in a similar capac-ity, as the office for the national Treasury Department. Similarly, the Palacio del Gobernador is located on King Charles’ other side, on the southwest lot. It was rebuilt in a more modern style, and houses the Intramuros Administration.

If you take the street between King Charles’ statue and the Ayun-tamiento, at the corner of Anda and Cabildo, you’ll see Balay Tsinoy, a museum centered around Chinese-Filipino history and culture. Walk a little further and turn right at the intersection, and at the next corner, you’ll see Casa Manila, which recreates Spanish-Filipino life during the colonial era.

And right on the next block, you’ll find probably one of the tough-est buildings in the Philippines, the Church of San Agustin, which survived colonial-era fires, earthquakes, and WWII bombings. The church also has a museum attached to it, the San Agustin Museum, which contains exhibitions of Spanish-era cultural artifacts. The museum charges a small fee, but entering the church is free. Inside the church, you’ll find the Tomb of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi—yes, the very same one who founded Intramuros!—as well as other funerary monuments set into the walls and floor.

These are just a few—a very few!—examples of the wonders In-tramuros is willing to share with the rest of the world. And now the world is watching closely.

Intramuros is a city built for war, but you can’t be at war all the time, and sometimes peace is even more tumultuous than war. In 2010, the Global Heritage Fund identified Intramuros as being on the verge of irreparable loss and destruction, due to insufficient management and development pressures. Intramuros, like an old man, is unable to keep up with the fast-moving world all around him. He crumbles under pollution, squalor, and decay, and wonders where tomorrow might find him.

A city that has stood—that has lived—for so long is worthy of respect. But a city that has seen countless people be born, and live and laugh, fight and die, while sheltering them all the while, is wor-thy and deserving of our love. Like a grandfather in his dotage, he deserves our gentlest care and affection. We are not at war, but we must still fight to save Intramuros. It is a city that will continue to nurture and teach valuable lessons and offer many moments of joy to the world’s generations of tomorrow, if only we are willing to take him by the hand and guide him gently there.

10 EMTECHJP.COM

TRAVEL LIFESTYLE

Where do you go to get away from it all when you have already gotten away?

Ah, Mambukal! —A prime leisure spot for Negros locals and tour-ists alike. It’s famous for its hot springs (that’s how it got its

name, you see), swimming pools and spa, and I’m sure most people’s fondest memories of Mambukal involve relaxing at any one of these. My fondest memo-ries of Mambukal, on the other hand, involve a sore back and crawling up the mountainside, while hoping I didn’t do something horrid like setting off a rockslide. I was sore for a full week after I got back—an experience I still treasure to this day, and which I wouldn’t trade for another soak in the hot springs.

Generally when people get to Mam-bukal they settle down in their cottages for some well-deserved relaxation, and they’re content to leave it at that. My family and I were, too, until one of my friends told us about another place, far beyond the usual swimming pools.

“My cousins have been up there,” he said to us. As my cousins and I gathered around him, he continued, “But they didn’t get that far—only up to the fifth one.”

His eyes flashed. “But I want to go to the very top! Nobody I know has ever been up there! And we’ll have to take pictures as proof we actually made it!”

He was talking about Mam-bukal’s Seven Falls. It is exactly what it says: seven waterfalls, all arranged along the haphazard trail winding up the mountainside. The river that runs through the resort and feeds the boating lake is usually the only sign you’ll see of them. But for those prepared to climb to the top—all the way up to the top!—the search for the Seven Falls yields a vari-ety of stirring sights, all well worth the

effort it takes to reach the final seventh waterfall.

The moment you head up into the mountains, the first thing that hits you is how quiet it is. Down below, the resort is pretty noisy....Up among the trees, however, nature closes in, in a maze of leaves and trees and earth. It seems like you’ve left the main resort far behind and entered a whole new world. What can you expect to find here?

* Mambukal’s Canopy Walk is located here, just before the First Fall. A walk-way suspended far above the rainfor-est floor, the canopy walk offers you a chance to see the forest from a bird’s eye view.

* The First, Second and Third Falls: Visitors are not allowed to swim here, but the views are absolutely amazing—and they make great settings for photo ops.

But if it’s swimming you’re after, as the old saying goes, the best is yet to come. The first waterfall where swimming is allowed is only a short walk away!

* The Fourth Fall is where you pause and decide you’ve entered Paradise. The water is deep, milky green, and on a nice day young locals and tourists alike clus-ter atop the higher rocks, jumping some 20 feet down into the water. It looks frightening, but the pool is deep enough to allow high-diving.

But if high jumps aren’t your thing, follow your guide right and around the river, to slightly lower ground. Here the river opens out into a wide, calm pool beside a bamboo hut where local ven-dors sell juice, soda, candies, and native snacks. Visitors, whether they purchase something or not, are welcome to rest on the benches or dip their feet into the forest pool.

* The Fifth Fall is the halfway point: after an uphill climb, you’re greeted by a neatly thatched farmer’s hut with a tiangge (corner store) and a bench to rest on. Walk a little further and you’ll come to a dirt road, where the bikers of the mountain will give a lift to anyone who wants or needs to go back to the resort. It’s the quickest way down—it

only takes about 30 minutes.* If you felt as if you were in the middle

of nowhere before, the trail to the Sixth Fall takes that feeling and drives it further into the dirt. You truly are in the middle of nowhere now. You will pass the occasional farmer’s hut here, and even those are worth pausing at. Here, the farmers of Negros cul-tivate fruits and vegetables and some truly beautiful flowers; and while I don’t advise buying any (How would you carry them back down?), they’re worth looking at. If you’re still set on purchasing them, don’t worry; the flowers are readily available back down in the resort.

* Did you miss the hot springs? Up in the mountains there aren’t any sulfur pools to dip in, but you’ll pass by geysers that eject hot water ten feet above the ground—a nice place to sit and take a breather, especially in the cold mountain air. Take a moment to rest and wash your feet, and wonder at the locals’ stone-balancing art. (Somehow, it is not sorcery; those rocks really do stand atop each other like gymnasts.)

* You’ll know you’ve reached the Seventh Fall because there simply isn’t anywhere else to go. Your trail will cross a field of intertwining vines, and it will end at a small lean-to beside a pool of water. Take a mo-ment to stand beside the lean-to—sit down if there’s some space—and take in the sight of the elusive Seventh Fall.

And then, since it would be absolutely criminal not to let you do so after all you’ve been through, go swimming!

Dip your hands into the water. It’s as cold as if it had been drawn out of a cooler! Take time to get used to the shock of the cold water, and then let it ease your aching muscles and wash away the dirt.

Up here in the mountains, far away from the noisy bustle of the resort, you’ll find a truly serene place. There will be other people here—there always are—but nature dominates the scene. Sit on one of the rocks in the middle of the pool, and enjoy the beauty of a place where nature and man live hand in hand—only an hour and a half away (by foot!) from the resort at the bottom of the mountain.

But how do I get back down?I don’t have to climb down all over again,

MAMBUKAL’s

SEVEN FALLSBY MELISSA AQuINO

11EMTECHJP.COM

SEP-OCT 2013

do I?You will have to do a bit of backtrack-

ing, but only as far as the dirt road after the Fifth Fall. Hitch a ride on the motor-bikes here—one person per bike—and off you go, all the way downhill. It will be a somewhat bumpy ride—some sections of the road are unpaved—so hang on to the back of your seat and enjoy the view as it opens up around you: farmers’ fields, mountains and forests rising in the dis-tance, villages and old plantations behind iron-grille walls.

Once you get back to the resort, take time to change out of your soaked cloth-ing and dry yourself thoroughly. And afterwards, if you’re still feeling worn-out, head down to the hot springs and the spa for some pampering and relaxation. And finally, when you get back to the city, show your friends the pictures you doubt-less took of yourself at the Seven Falls. “This? It’s Paradise. It’s not very far, only within walking distance. Come with me next time, and I’ll show you....”

Now that you know what to expect, here’s a small guide to getting started—

The first thing you need to remember is that getting up there will require plenty of effort and consideration. To help you decide, here are some questions you can ask yourself and the people you’ll be with—

* Is it safe? Resort guides and person-nel can advise you about the route you’ll be taking, and they’ll also tell you if the trip is advisable or not. If you know any-one who has made the trip recently, ask them about their own personal experi-ences and recommendations.

* Is the weather nice? Not a cloud in the sky? Wonderful!—but if you can hear thunder rumbling and the air is turning cold, it’s best to reconsider. Rain will turn the ground muddy, and there’s always the possibility of falling debris. Don’t fret too much, and save your energy for another day. And when you do make the trip, do it in the morning, when there is plenty of sunlight to see by.

* Am I healthy enough for this activ-ity? I don’t recommend that very old, very young, very tired or just plain hungover people make the trip. You can pause and

rest any time you want, but there are no modern facilities up there: no cottages, restaurants, or clinics. There are no bath-rooms, either. Eat a medium-size meal, go to the bathroom before you leave, and make sure your head or stomach isn’t feeling funny when you set out.

* Am I willing to follow the rules? Yes, you are there to have fun, but the rules are there for your own protection. At the very first waterfall, you will come across a sign with safety rules and regulations. And remember that swimming is strictly prohibited from the first to third falls. Yes, you will be able to go swimming, just not right away. Above all, pay attention to your guide: he will be with you through-out the trip; when in doubt, stop and ask him for advice.

* Am I dressed sensibly? Pay close attention to your footwear: tough leather sandals or boots are excellent; rubber flip-flops and canvas sneakers are not. Whatever your footwear, make sure it’s breathable, durable, undamaged, and fits your feet properly.

Wear comfortable, breathable clothes. Long-sleeved, loose jackets offer protec-tion from the sun (Don’t forget to put on sunscreen!) and can be easily taken off if the air becomes too humid. Hats with brims will protect your head and eyes from the sun.

Do not wear a swimming outfit under your clothes. Up in the mountains, no-body cares whether you’re in a bikini or not, trust me. You can go swimming in an everyday t-shirt and shorts—and it’ll dry more quickly, too.

* How much should I carry with me? The best answer for this is “as little as possible”. We once saw a group of young women head up the trail, all of them carrying huge, overstuffed knapsacks. Please do not do this. The trail you will be following will be steep, almost vertical, in some places. Bring only the absolute essentials so that you can move more quickly and easily across the ground.

So now we come to another important question: What should we bring?

* Water is a must. Even a simple plastic bottle will do, but it would be best to carry it in a durable bottle you can sling

across your torso or clip to your waist, so your hands are left free for climbing.

* Snacks are another essential. I recommend that you eat a medium-sized meal before leaving, and bring along small, light snacks such as biscuits, ap-ples, or hard candies. Fold up the wrap-pers and stick them in your pockets instead of just throwing them away; you can dispose of them properly later.

* A towel, even just a small one, is use-ful even if you’re not planning on going swimming. Use it to wipe away sweat and dirt.

* A change of clothes is also a good idea. Even if you don’t go swimming, your inner garments will soon be soaked with sweat. You can wear a light shirt or jacket over them; it won’t dry you, but it will protect you from the cold.

Are you bringing a camera or cell-phone with you? Make sure you have a waterproof container for it. A padded, waterproof bag with adjustable, sturdy straps is good, so that you can carry your gadgets safely without holding them in your hands.

It might also be a good idea to bring some money with you: there are small tiangges up in the mountains, run by local farmers, where you can buy snacks and drinks.

Already a place with much to offer, Mambukal still holds some secrets just waiting for those with the curiosity—and mettle—to seek them out. All it takes is a little preparation and plenty of perse-verance. For those looking for a cool and soothing spot to rest, the resort already offers plenty of these, but for those look-ing for a challenge at once exhilarating and relaxing, the Seven Falls are only an hour’s hike away.

Melissa is an Industrial Designer who loves to write about her adventure and share useful tips.

14 EMTECHJP.COM

JAPAN CONNECTION

LOOKiNG BACK THE PAST TO face thE FuTURELEARNING ENGLISH IS FUN AND MAY BROADEN YOUR OPPORTUNITY

Japanese people like studying English. We can find English schools everywhere in Japan and English textbooks or re-

source materials in every bookstore. Why do we study English enthusi-

astically and seriously? English is now the widely used

language in the world and is popu-larly learned as a second language and is an official language of the Eu-ropean Union, many Commonwealth countries, and the United Nations, as well as in many world organiza-tions. Most businesses involved in international trade use the English language and since Japan is into the export business, we need to learn how to use the language. But the problem is, many Japanese cannot speak it fluently or some can’t even speak the language at all. Because of this, Japanese esteem people who can speak English and even respect them.

Why can’t most Japanese speak English fluently?

Japan is affected by the United States in politics, economy and cul-ture. After World War II, the U.S. oc-cupied Japan to control its govern-ment and maintain peace over the Pacific. A lot of Americans came and stayed in the country, most were soldiers. Others came to Japan for business, but English didn’t become a popular language in Japan.

There are three reasons why most Japanese can’t speak English flu-ently.

The main reason is that Japa-nese is a completely different lan-guage from English. Its characters, grammar, sentence structure, and

of course, pronunciation are differ-ent. For example, a basic Japanese sentence structure is composed of a subject followed by an object and then a verb (SUBJECT + OBJECT + VERB), while a basic English sen-tence structure is composed of a subject then followed by a verb and lastly the object or a complement. Another example is in pronuncia-tion and phonetics. It is difficult for Japanese to pronounce the TH and V sounds because there are no such sounds in Japanese phonetics. And just like Tagalog, Japanese grammar doesn’t change its noun form to plu-ral. These are just some of the exam-ples why it is not easy for Japanese to learn English. I believe that there are other languages which differ from the English language in many ways as well, and some are more similar. I have learned that Filipino (the language) has a lot of similari-ties to the English language making it easier for Filipinos to learn it.

The second reason is that most Japanese don’t have many opportu-nities to communicate with foreign-ers. Japan is a country that earns money by foreign trade, but only some businessmen have the chance to connect with their foreign coun-terparts and speak with them in Eng-lish. Unlike other countries, Japan’s immigration system is stricter result-ing in lesser foreigners coming in the country giving the Japanese people less exposure to different culture in general and to the English language specifically. Japan is generally not a cosmopolitan country, unlike Sin-gapore or the United Arab Emirates; these countries have a lot of immi-

grants or expatriates and English has become a common language in their main cities. Tokyo is one of the most advanced cities in the world but English is not very popular for its city dwellers.

The third reason is the design of the Japanese educational system. The basic elementary education started to include teaching the Eng-lish language in its curriculum not less than 10 to 15 years ago. Most of today’s businessmen didn’t have English classes during their elemen-tary school, although they started to take English classes in junior high school. Native English teachers or speakers are preferred to teach the language, but there are not a lot of them in Japan, so most English teachers are also Japanese.

These are just some of the exam-ples why it is not easy for Japanese to learn English. The Japanese min-istry of Education has made a new English curriculum. English is now taught to elementary students. This means that young kids will become better in speaking English as com-pared to the previous generation of Japanese. If a person can speak English, he can communicate to the world easily and can get better op-portunities globally. Many Japanese nowadays travel abroad to work and study. This will also add up to the number of Japanese who can speak English in different levels of profi-ciency. It is useful for business and the future of Japan, too.

I believe that in the near future, the English language can easily be a second language for Japanese just like with the case of Filipinos.

15EMTECHJP.COM

SEP-OCT 2013

日本人は、英語を勉強することが好きである。日本のいたるところでは、英語学校を見つけることができ、日本のすべての本屋では、英語学習用のテキストを売っている。我々は、何故そんなに情熱をもって英語を勉強するのだろうか？英語は、今、世界で広く使用されている言語であり、第二の母国語として多くの国々で学習されている。EUや国連等、多くの世界的な組織での公用語でもある。海外取引を伴うほとんどのビジネスは、英語を使用する。日本が輸出を行うにあたって、我々は、英語を学ぶ必要がある。しかし、問題は、多くの日本人が英語を流暢に話せない、もしくはまったく話せないことである。このため、日本人は、英語を話せる人を羨ましがり、尊敬さえする。何故、ほとんどの日本人は、英語を流暢に話せないのだろうか？日本は、政治、経済、文化の面でアメリカの影響を受けてきた。第二次大戦後、アメリカは、太平洋の平和を維持するために日本を占領した。その際、多くのアメリカ人が来日し、滞在した。多くは軍人だったが、一部はビジネスのために来日していた者もいたが、英語は日本での共通言語にならなかった。ほとんどの日本人が英語をうまくしゃべれない理由としては、以下の３つが挙げられる。まず、最も大きな理由は、日本語が英語と全く異なる言語であるということであ

る。個々の文字、文法、文の構成、そしてもちろん発音も異なっている。例えば、基本的な日本語の文構成が、主語、それに続く目的語、動詞となっているのに対し、英語は、主語とそれに続く動詞、最後に目的語もしくは補語で構成される。別の例としては、発音の問題がある。日本人にとって、“Tｈ”や“V”の発音は大変難しい。なぜなら、日本語にはそのような音が無いからである。また、タガログ語と同様、日本語の文法は、名詞を複数形にしない。これらは、日本人が英語を学ぶことを困難にしているほんのいくつかの例である。私は、フィリピンの言語が英語と多くの類似点があることが、フィリピン人が英語を学ぶことを容易にしているのだと理解している。二番目の理由は、ほとんどの日本人は外国人と話をする機会が多くないことである。日本は、外国貿易で利益を得ている国であるが、関係しているビジネスマンのみが外国の相手と接し、英語で話す機会がある。他の一部の国と異なり、日本の移民制度は閉鎖的であり、それが日本に来る外国人を少なくし、日本人が異文化に触れる機会を狭め、英語を特別なものとしている。日本は、シンガポールやアラブ首長国連邦のような多くの移民を受け入れ、主要都市では英語が共通語となるような国際的国家ではない。

東京は、世界で最も近代的な都市の一つではあるが、英語は、その住民にとって決して馴染みのあるものではないのである。三つ目の理由は、日本の教育システムにある。日本の初等教育にて、そのカリキュラムに英語が含まれたのは１０年もしくは１５年以内のことである。現代の日本のビジネスマンの多くは、小学校ではなく、中学校で英語教育が始まっているのである。日本において英語を母国語とする英語教師は多くなく、ほとんどの英語教師は日本人である。以上が、日本人が英語を学ぶことの難しさを表す理由の一部である。日本の文部省は、新たな英語教育課程を作成し、現在、英語は、小学校から教えられることとなった。これにより、現在の日本の子供達は、前の世代より流暢に英語を話すこととなるだろう。英語を話すことができれば、その人は、国際社会との意思疎通を簡単に図れるし、世界とつながる機会が広がることだろう。現在、多くの日本人は、仕事や勉強のために外国に行っている。これは、レベルの差はあれ、英語を話すことができる日本人の数を増加させるだろう。そして、それが、ビジネスや今後の日本に役立つだろう。私は、近い将来、フィリピン人がそうであるように、英語が日本人にとって第二の公用語になると日が近いと信じている。

By Tateki Uda

JAPAN CONNECTION

日本人にとっての英語

English for Japanese

Green salad is a versatile and healthy addition to your diet list. You can mix and match ingredi-ents according to your

taste and with whatever is left in the pantry. And you can toss the greens in a matter of minutes, so time is always at your

side. You can never go wrong with this beautiful presentation and taste. Learn how easy it is to prepare these crunch-

ers, the only challenge is looking for ingredients at the supermarket, but rest assured you will enjoy the entire process.

Ingredients:• ½ kg. skinless, boneless chicken breast

halves (marinated in garlic, white wine, orange juice and herb seasoning)

• ½ cup pecan or walnut• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar• ½ cup white sugar or lesser• 1 cup vegetable oil• ½ onion, minced• 1 teaspoon ground mustard• 1 teaspoon salt• ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper• 2 heads Bibb lettuce• 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries or

orange segments

Grilled Chicken Salad with Seasonal FruitDirections:1. Preheat the grill for high heat.2. Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill chicken for 8 minutes

on each side, or until juices run clear. Remove from heat, cool and slice. You can also order your perfectly grilled chicken from EmBacolod Chicken Inasal.

3. Place pecan or walnut in a dry skillet over medium to high heat. Cook until fragrant, stirring frequently, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

4. In a blender, combine red wine vinegar, sugar, veg-etable oil, onion, mustard, salt, and pepper. Process until smooth.

5. Arrange lettuce on serving plates. Top with grilled chicken slices, strawberries (or orange segments), and pecans. Drizzle with the dressing to serve.

13 YOURWEBSITE.COM

LIFESTYLE FOODRECIPE

14YOURWEBSITE.COM

SEP-OCT 2013

Filipino Style Recipe: Ensaladang talong or eggplant salad

Another easy and simple salad that is usually served as side dish. It consists of broiled egg-plants with skin peeled. Toss in some tomatoes and onions then serve with bagoong isda or toyo-mansi.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 20 minutesGood for 4-5 servings

Ingredients:• 4 large eggplants(talong)• 2 onions, cubed• 4 medium-sized tomatoes, cubed• 2 tablespoons bagoong isda or fish sauce

Procedures:Part 11. Broil eggplants until skin are charred and blister.2. Let it cool then peel off the skin and remove the crown

and the stem.Part 21. In a bowl, mash lightly the eggplants with a fork then

add onions and tomatoes.2. Serve with bagoong isda or fish sauce(patis).Note:1. You may also use the combination of garlic, soy sauce,

vinegar, chili flakes, salt and pepper instead of bagoong isda. You may also add some herbs and pepper.

15 YOURWEBSITE.COM

MODERN MAGAZINE

21EMTECHJP.COM

SEP-OCT 2013

“Indeed, Love is Blind...

A new Romance”

With all the modern tech-nology available in the world today, I often find myself spending

much more than I can spare for such luxuries.

A true-blue gadget aficionado, I sometimes spend quite a fortune in buying and acquiring unique gadg-ets which catch my fancy. Like a real impulsive buyer, I often “invest” hefty sums, much more than I have intend-ed, on gadgets that whet my curiosity to no end.

Recently, I purchased an LCD pro-jector for a hefty 40,000 Yen simply because the projector may surely be the smallest in the market today. It comes in the shape of a cube, with each side measuring a measly forty five millimeters. Although it has only a VGA resolution which is not really that sharp, it’s brightness is 35 ANSI lumens which is quite good.

Considering its very small size, the micro projector can produce a 60-inch image at a distance of 2 meters. Equipped with a LED bulb, its light source can last for some 10,000 hours according to the Korean manufactur-er. What really caught my attention is the fact that the projector can connect directly with a Samsung S3 or S4 or a Galaxy Note via an MHL cable. This means that any video or photos in a

Samsung mobile phone may be pro-jected using the MHL cable.

I had to go to Akihabara and spend quite some time looking for a Galaxy Note that would fit my budget. Luck-ily, I was able to get one for a measly 25,000 Yen at a bargain recycle shop in Akiba. Now I can watch videos that I snap on my phone through the MHL cable connector.

Believe it or not, the unit also has a micro HDMI slot. This means that it can connect to any device that outputs through an HDMI cable or through an HDMI adaptor. There are many adap-tors available in the market that con-verts the iphone or ipad male connec-tors into an HDMI slot to allow images from these devices to be projected on a screen.

I must have gotten my money’s worth with all those features. Howev-er, this view became somewhat tenta-tive when I acquired another gadget from Yodobashi some time ago. It is a handy GE instamatic camera which can take still photos and videos.

A GE instamatic camera may not re-ally sound so spectacular, but with its 14.1 megapixel resolution, I couldn’t help but notice. The most spectacular feature of my newly acquired gadget is its built-in projector which can pro-duce up to 15 lumens of brightness with a projection size of up to 70

inches. The projector can run continu-ously for 70 minutes which means that I can probably watch a full movie on its on-board SD card, provided that the movie file is compatible with the camera’s video software.

The GE camera is so affordable; its price is something that is way down its real worth, considering the features that I get from it. I have yet to see an-other camera brand with all these fea-tures.

Sometime ago, a mobile phone outlet near my place had some 7-inch tablets on display. I took fancy at the 7-inch Ainol tablet from Taiwan which came at a basement price of 6,900 Yen, a price I could not resist. The unit runs on Android 4.0 with an 8 giga-bytes internal storage capacity. With a 1 gigabyte memory, it is not really bad at all, since it has Wi-fi capabili-ties.

On my 7-inch Ainol tablet, I can do practically anything that an ipad can do, except that I can’t easily take pho-tos since it only has a front camera. I am not sure why the designers chose not to mount a back camera on the unit. Be that as it may, I am really sat-isfied with the gadget, given its base-ment bargain price.

What’s going to be next on my list? Well, only time and technology will tell!

By C. Anzo Paragua

Romance With Gadgets

By Moonyen de la Torre Egusquiza

Barely a month into the school year has passed. At the English Department of a public secondary school where I have served for thirty-one years, the flurry of activities has not subsided yet. In fact, we have just started. We are particularly excited, this being the first school year since the K-12 educational framework and with it, the new cur-

riculum, has been signed into law.For what it’s worth, I myself have made some preparations over the summer: I have

scoured the Internet for canonical Asian and African literary texts that align with the new curriculum; gathered teaching aids for my speech class; and with my colleagues, attended a week-long training for Grade 8 English teachers within the region.

What I like about this whole revamp is that the new curriculum “forced” me, if you will, to open my consciousness to and embrace World Literature. I read Japanese texts in English translation with pure joy, and marveled at how their national literature has been in exis-tence for thousands of years, producing literary gems that could rival their Western coun-terparts. I regret that I have not really given it the importance and the study it is due. Now I find myself having the same zeal I once had teaching Shakespeare and Browning and Poe to wide-eyed students.

Still, I have misgivings.Last night, I was re-reading some copies of haikus I have stashed inside a brown enve-

lope. I love teaching them to students as they are fun and easy to make – three lines, five-seven-five, doesn’t have to rhyme, talk about nature – no big deal. I let them make their own, have them write it in a piece of bond paper with matching drawings. I remember how amused I was reading their juvenile poems.

As I was reading Mr. Matsuo’s (probably) most famous frog haiku, it dawned upon me, as an epiphany, that adopting K-12 might not be the solution to the educational woes that the Department of Education professes it to be. Sure, I appreciate the DepEd’s efforts and the President’s political will to reform our educational system. Yes, the arguments for it seem sound and logical and for sure, they could only have the noblest intentions in implement-ing K-12. But not all reforms are for the better and the perennial problems being faced by teachers remain. We still lack classrooms. We have insufficient modules and teaching guides and books for the kids. We don’t have enough teachers, competent ones. We lack training that could further our skills and knowledge. We, too, need an upgrade! Of course, there are other problems if one would care to look at the bigger picture, but these shortages are just some of my immediate concerns as a teacher. Not that it does not concern me that it is geared toward producing semi-skilled workers waiting to be canned and exported, or if it paves the way to more dropouts, or that there has not been sufficient scientific studies conducted locally before its implementation. Questions about the effectiveness of the new educational system ought not to be swept under the rug. After all, education is a major com-ponent in nation-building (or destruction if the new curriculum proves to be a failure).

I am willing to give K-12 a chance. In fact, I support it and I will work whole-heartedly

The ancient pond A frog leaps in

The sound of the water.

- Matsuo Basho, translated by Donald Keene

READING BASHO: MISGIVINGS OF A SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHER

for it. Who am I anyway to digress? In my capacity as a secondary public school teacher, my voice is as faint as a feather falling to the ground. Besides, despite my reservations I cannot just walk out and quit my job, my passion for over thirty years. I will still be teaching haikus to stu-dents until the day comes for me to retire. That’s a few years from now.

My mind is an ancient pond, thoughts leapt in, the din in my head.

Moonyen de la Torre Egusquiza is an English Teacher at Negros Occidental High School, Bacolod City, Philippines on her reaction about the K-12 program of the Department of Education.

22 EMTECHJP.COM

SPECIAL FEATURE

21EMTECHJP.COM

SEP-OCT 2013

Judith Yotsuzeki

BOUNDLESS Beauty and FEARLESS Values

PHOTOGRAPHS TOMOAKI TAKAGIHAIR AND MAKEUP ENRIQUE “TOTO” GONZAGA AND LYNCHIN GLENDA

ALL CLOTHES FEATURED ARE AVAILABLE AT ANVEE FASHION AND KIMADA SHOPPE

We have heard of countless stories of victory and defeat. And sharing these stories serves a noble purpose – for the readers to learn from them. Having made a mistake in the past and taking responsibility to correct that mistake is even nobler and worth telling. So is the story of our cover girl – Judith Yotsuzeki. Her story is very common and a lot of you might be in the same dilemma as she was before, so read on and be inspired.

She is known as Star, a name be-fitting for her role when she first came to Japan and even un-til now. She is a star in her own

right - a performer and endorser; Judith shines and is an inspiration to many Filipinas who have been into a lot in Japan. Judith didn’t get the chance to enter college so she went around jog-gling different jobs as a shop cashier, service crew, sales attendant back in the Philippines. So when a chance to work abroad was preseWnted to her; she mus-tered all courage to take it and off she went to Japan even at a young age; she first came to Japan as an entertainer.

Judith was then able to help her fam-ily out in the Philippines. But there were challenges as well during that time. “Hindi rin ako sinuwerte as talent, bu-kod sa tagal nang booking at pahinga ay napakahigpit ng immigration para sa mga entertainers dito sa Japan.” Ju-dith recalls. “But God always has a good plan for us, I met my husband through a friend that is why nakabalik ako nang Japan.”Judith basically worked as an entertainer three times before she got married to a Japanese citizen. Their love affair was made in the Philippines. She met her husband for the first in the Philippines when he visited the country.

“I introduced him to my Nanay at Tatay, may konting salo-salo sa bahay, pasyal-pasyal for a chance of getting to know each other given a short period

of time.” Judith found true love and fol-lowed her heart in a whirlwind fashion. She describes her husband as someone who is responsible and can go along well with others, “Napaka-responsible niya pero strikto din kung minsan. Ang pinak-agusto ko sa husband ko ay he’s a home-body na kabaligtaran naman nang ugali ko. I’m a very outgoing person who loves to meet new friends. I’m an online seller so I have to meet people personally and through the internet.” Judith sells items online and plans to continue with this business until she finds a permanent job.

“My husband can control me and in turn I put some limitation to my ac-tions, so I give more priority to my family, which is exactly the same attitude as my father.” Judith continues to share about his husband. “Pwede kong ipilit ang gusto ko, (wagamama) but I respect him (my husband) and I know it’s all for good, but kahit hindi siya lumalabas palagi, na-kikita kong mahusay siyang makibagay at makisama.” Their union was blessed with a son who is now in first grade.

Judith also makes sure that her son learns values common to Filipinos like having close family ties and respect for elders. “I want my child to value fam-ily time and family day, like yung sim-ple ways lang. Dapat sama-sama kami pag lunch or dinner. We talk about his day at school; what they did or whom he played with. In short, dapat open ang communication line namin sa isa’t-isa.”

By Butch Causing

Now, she can do things which she wasn’t able to do before. On top of the list is going back to the Philippines for a long over-due visit to her parents in Bulacan. As of this inter-view, she has arranged her schedule for the visit and her excitement is readily palpable. “At last makakau-wi na rin ako after seven years.” (I can go back to the Philippines now after seven years.) Next stop is

to get her Japan driver’s li-cense, and she is busy tak-ing lessons in preparation for the arduous process of getting one. Judith has al-ways wanted to drive her son around and that would be a reality very soon.

“I will have more ca-pacity in helping with the charities and community groups here in my area and in Tokyo. And if given a chance, I would like to work. Kahit anong trabaho

okay ako, hindi naman ako maselan sa trabaho basta may regular income,” Ju-dith further reveals her plans. Now, it seems that the sky is the limit for our cover girl who also models at the side. A perfect com-bination of a pretty face and a strong core value that is sure to push her star brighter. Add to that is her new found freedom.

All is well with Judith now and you can tell by her peaceful demeanor but a few years ago; she didn’t have freedom at all. And this is her real story, a story she wants to share for others to learn and be totally free as well.

“Pumasok ako nang Japan without proper visa, sabihin na nating parang special visa ang ginamit ko. So in short nag TNT (tago nang tago) ako. Then nagkababy kami pero tago pa rin…hindi na ako nakauwi nang Pilipinas for seven years now. Napakahirap nang ganitong sit-wasyon. Natatakot ka kasi any moment ay pwede kang mahuli nang immigration.” (“I entered Japan without proper visa. I

had to hide from the authori-ties. I gave birth here in Japan but still I had to hide my iden-tity. I didn’t get a chance to go back to the Philippines for seven years now in fear that I might get busted. I really had a hard time.”) Judith recalls battling fear of being caught and be de-ported back to the Philippines.

“A few years ago, nagvol-unteer surrender ako…nakip-aglaban ako sa right ko dito sa Japan dahil nagkababy na ako. Marami talagang TNT na Pinoy dito sa Japan pero inunahan ko sila na bago ako mahuli. Mara-ming demands ang immigra-tion, magastos, inabot nang 3.5 years ang processing. Maram-

ing documents na kailangan at kinailangan ko pang ipasuyo sa Pilipinas, malaki ang nagastos namin. Mabuti na lang at buo ang suporta nang husband ko at ng pamilya ko sa Pinas.” She la-ments. (I surrendered myself to the Japanese immigration and fought for my right and my baby. The immigration demanded a lot of documents and the en-tire process lasted for 3.5 years. It drained us financially and emotionally but thanks to the support of my husband and my family back in the Philippines. Now, I can stay legally in Japan.)

Judith advises her fellow Filipinos who are in the same dilemma as she was years ago.

“Kung nagkamali ka na, at alam mong kaya mo namang itama ang isang pagkakamali, huwag nang magpatumpik-tumpik pa. Walang huli pag dating sa pag-babago, lalo na’t ang intensyon natin ay mabuti para sa ating pamilya, higit pa para sa sarili natin. Nagkamali man tayo na may ibat-ibang dahilan, sinadya man or hindi, ang pagtuwid nang isang mali ay lagi pa rin nasa sarili nating kagustuhan, with family support and prayers, and believing in God’s time, eve-rything will be ok.” Judith finds herself blessed because she survived this ordeal and she puts a lot of weight in prayers.

Sa lahat nang pinagdaanan

ko, mas marami akong na-

tutunan sa buhay. Sa kabila

nang aking mga problema,

hindi ko hinayaang mabuhay

ako sa kalungkutan o tuluy-

ang mawalan nang pag-asa.

Ginawa kong abala yung

sarili ko at matutong mag-

pasalamat sa kung anong

meron ako , and every time

I encounter new challenges

sa buhay , I make sure to

face them with prayers and

get lessons from them. I

believe that all these chal-

lenges make me a better

and stronger person.” Judith

confidently shares how she

was able to emerge victori-

ous over her immigration

problem and emphasizes the

importance of positivity and

prayers.

“

“

07 YOURWEBSITE.COM

27EMTECHJP.COM

SEP-OCT 2013

I f you are tired of your low resolution camera on your phone, you may want to check out the new Nokia Lumia 1020. Following from its Symbian counterpart, the Nokia 808 Pureview, the Nokia Lumia 1020 has the behemoth 41-meg-apixel shooter. Other than the 41-megapixel sensor, its camera features Backside Illumination which is perfect for low-light

shooting and Optical Image Stabilization which reduces motion blur on your pictures and stabilizes your videos. As with the Nokia 808 Pureview, the Nokia Luma 1020 is also perfect for zooming, thanks to photo over-sampling which gives you richer more detailed photos. The Nokia Lumia 1020 also has six ZEISS Optics lenses on its camera. Its camera also has Xenon flash that is more powerful than your ordinary LED flash found on most camera phones.

The phone also features post capture zooming where you will zoom into a subject right after you have taken the shot. This means less tinkering with the zoom buttons when you are taking a picture. Aside from the 41-megapixel image created by the camera, it can also create a 5-megapixel version of the shot for easy sharing on social media.

Camera aside, the phone features a 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon proces-sor that is also found on the Lumia 920 and 925, 2 GB of RAM, 4.5 inch AMOLED display with super-sensitive touch screen, LTE support, 2000 mAh battery, an additional LED flash for video, 32 GB internal memory with free 7 GB SkyDrive cloud storage, wireless charg-ing support and runs on the Windows Phone 8 platform.

The phone is

great if you are looking an

alternative to your regular point and shoot

camera. It is not too bulky un-like Samsung’s Galaxy S4 Zoom

and offers a camera grip accessory for a more controlled shot. Its onboard Nokia

Pro Cam and Smart Cam app is great for peo-ple looking for additional functionality for their

camera phone. The Nokia Pro Cam app lets you tinker with ISO, aperture, focus, exposure level and white balance.

Its controls are arranged in circles instead of menus found on most camera apps that make it easy to maneuver. The Nokia Smart

Cam app meanwhile lets you create amazing effects on your photos like creating action shots, motion blur and may other features.

If you decide to replace your phone with this, you are in for a treat. Due to its low power processor, your battery could last roughly the whole day. And because it is Nokia, you are assured of the phone’s good built quality that will last.

If you are looking for a phone where photography is impor-tant for you, you definitely want to check out the Nokia Lumia 1020. But if you are curious about the Windows Phone platform, you may want to check out other phones like Nokia’s 920 and 925 or HTC’s 8X and 8S. The Nokia

Lumia 1020 may be a niche device, but if you are looking for a reliable camera phone, the Nokia Lumia 1020 is for you.

If yo

u have te

chnologies,

gadge

ts, so

ftware

s, or

anyt

hing tech

nical t

hat yo

u wan

t

us to re

view or e

xplai

n, pleas

e

give us b

uzz vi

a email

at

emmagaz

ine@emte

chjp

.com

Wel

com

e t

he N

okia

Lum

ia 10

20,

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wit

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TECHNOLOGY TIDBITS

The Dos and Don'ts on creating a PowerPoint Presentation

From business meetings to the classroom, Power-Point presentations are some of the many ways to share your ideas. But some of the PowerPoint

presentations that you might encounter are boring, uninteresting and very bland.

We may have experienced creating these PowerPoint presentations and you see your audience uninterested or distracted by the design of your pres-entation. Knowing what you should and what should not do in a PowerPoint presentation is important. Here are the dos and don’ts of creating a PowerPoint presentation.Don’t: Consume more than 20 minutes for a Pow-erPoint Presentation

According to research, an average adult will only have an attention span of 20 minutes for a PowerPoint Presenta-tion. As much as possible, reduce the allotted time for the PowerPoint Presentation to the maximum of 20 minutes. You can do this by minimizing the number of slides in your presentation. To make your presentation more interesting,

use additional visual materials aside from your PowerPoint presentation.Do: Use readable fonts

Use readable fonts especially if you are presenting to a large audience. Fonts like Arial, Helvetica and other non-cursive fonts are ideal for a PowerPoint presentation. Using cursive fonts will make your presentation unreadable espe-cially at far distances. Also, avoid using narrow fonts and fonts with serifs (lines stemming out of letters). Make sure the font size is big enough to be read. A font one inch high is readable up to 10 feet. Two inch-high fonts are readable up to 20 feet while a font 3 inch-high is readable up to 30 feet.Do: Use bullets and short sentences

Use your PowerPoint presentation as a supplement when you are presenting your information. Make use of short sentences and bullet points so that your audience will listen when you are presenting your information and not reading it on the screen. Also, some projectors crop slides at the edges that means sentences may be croppedDon’t: Overuse graphics

Though graphics in PowerPoint presentations is helpful

to convey information, overusing graphics may cause distractions that will make your informa-tion difficult to convey. Minimize the use of the graphics and use it when needed.Do: Design your slides wisely

Do use PowerPoint templates that are ap-pealing and are not too eye-catching. Eye-catching templates may distract your audience from the information you are conveying. Use high contrast between your background color and text color. On a light background, use dark colored text while use light colored text if your background is dark.Do: Check your work for grammatical and spelling errors

After you have finished creating your PowerPoint pres-entation, check your work for any grammatical and spelling errors. Have a friend revise your work if you are unsure.

BY YVES SIBUG & JULIO GO

TILT-SHIFT Photography andHow to Achieve the Effect

For our photography tip this issue, we will check on some of the amaz-ing work of great photographers around the world using the tilt-shift technique. But how to achieve this effect will solely depend on your commitment to go out and try it. So read on dear photographers.

Tilt-Shift Photography. This is a creative and unique type of photogra-phy in which the camera is manipulated so that a life-sized location or subject looks like miniature-scale model. To add good miniature effect to your photographs, shoot subjects from a high angle (especially from the air). It creates the illusion of looking down at a miniature model. A camera equipped with a tilt-shift lens, which simulates a shallow depth of field, is essentially all you need to start. Or is it?

Canon Tilt Shift LensTilt-shift effects are done either

optically, via a special (and expen-sive) lens, or more usually, in Pho-toshop. The procedure in Photoshop is not complicated; it can be ac-complished in as little as one min-ute by those with experience. You don’t even need to have Photoshop to make a tilt-shift photo; tiltshift-maker.com has a free service for

you, using your own photo. And of course, there are a couple of iPhone apps for that.

Patrick Ashley, author and found-er of tiltshiftable.com writes about some things to consider in taking the initial photo:

The photo must be taken from above, but not directly over-head. This only reflects what some-one taking a photo of a miniature

scene would likely do; it’s unlikely they would (or even could) be level to the subject. If you have a direct over shot, you won’t be able to get a decent depth of field that is re-quired.

A simple scene is usually bet-ter than a complicated one. This is because miniature scenes are usu-ally very simple; you wouldn’t find a dense city block, for example, in a

By Butch Causing

“Roller Derby 2” Photograph by Jay Lee/baldheretic “Chinese Gardens” Photograph by Lachlan Sear, Australia “La Veracruz” Photograph by Nacho Garrido, Mexico

TOMOAKI TAKAGIBy: Enrique “Toto” Gonzaga

Tomoaki Takagi is a Filipino-Japanese that has an inner passion for photography ever since he was in his

teens. He started to have an interest in taking photos at a young age until he gradually discovered that he has the knack for it.

He specializes in pre-nuptial/engagement sessions and wed-

ding photography, but he also does portraiture, fashion, special event coverage and food photography.

Tomoaki Takagi’s photography work is labeled under his name Tomoaki Takagi Photography, and his goal is to provide clients with value for their money by producing Still Photographs that would last a lifetime and be part of the process

model railroad scene. Photo sharpness is a must, as well as good lighting. There will be

enough blur in the photo as it is; your focal point must be sharp.If people are in the scene, they need to be fairly obscure and

small. Again, reflecting what you’d see in a real miniature scene. People are very small, and not well detailed in miniature scenery.

Generally, avoid wide shots, and make sure the scene is interest-ing – for instance, an aerial photo of a cathedral with spires and flying but-tresses is interestiWWWng, while an aerial photo of a flat-topped shopping mall would not be.

Once the photo is selected, then the tilt shift treatment can begin. We can use Photoshop, and while a complete tutorial is out of the scope of this article, you can find tutorials at tiltshiftable.com. Here is a brief over view of the process. First, you determine what your point of interest (and therefore focus) will be in the photo. You create a mask, and then use the gradient tool on the mask to select what is to be in focus, and how the blur gradient will be placed. The Lens Blur filter is applied. The gradient placement and amount of Lens Blur usually requires some trial and error to get right. Once it is satisfactory, the look of being a miniature is already apparent. Next, kick up the master saturation level about 30%, giving more to greens sometimes, or other colors that you want to pop out. In minia-ture scenes, typically colors are very bold and saturated. Finally, using the Curves tool, enhance the contrast in the high tonal highlights of the photo. And that is pretty much it

Ogunquit, Maine shoreline. Photograph by Brian Talbot, USA.

“Amphitheatrum” Photograph by Piero Campilii, Italy Tilt-shift of a train on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. Photograph by Richard Leonard, Northern Wales.

of documenting an important event which transpires in one’s life.

What makes him different from others is his ultimate passion to produce life time documentation of events and moments in a group or an individual’s life, and he wants to share his passion to his clients.

Passion is Difference. Tomoaki Takagi believes that

“Achieving a Dream is nothing without serving others who continue to appreciate work coming from the Heart.”

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One of our dogs gets easily distracted. I think that’s a general description of his breed –a male Belgian Tervuren. He can’t seem to stay in one place for a long

time, and when he gets distracted he won’t even eat his food, no matter how hungry he may be. He gets distracted when another dog passes by, or when our other dog, a dachshund, is walking by. But the strongest distraction that he has is when our “lavandera”, the lady who washes our clothes, comes to the house. He gets distracted because ever since he was a puppy he got so fascinated with the bubbles that would come from the soap. Every time our lavandera would throw the water out it would run after the soap suds and bubbles. And so when it is wash day he has to stay in a cage. But that doesn’t stop him from getting super excited every time he sees bubbles flowing on the floor. And when that happens he will not even eat! No matter how much food, or how tasty the food is, he will not eat. We have to wait for him to cool down, before his appetite comes back. Now that is a real distraction – when it is able to overcome even something that is important, essential, to liv-ing.

Luke 10:41-42 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord an-swered, “you are worried and upset about many things,

42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has cho-sen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

God warns us of the many distractions that come our way. These are the distractions that compete with our time and walk with God. Some of us are so active, so busy, so distracted by the

many things that surround our life that we for-get about even the most important thing our life needs – fellowship with our Lord.

When Jesus entered the house of Martha and Mary you would expect that they would be excited to just be with Him, and listen to His teachings. This was what Mary did:

Luke 10:39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.

But Martha was distracted with all the prepara-tions that she had to make. Being the eldest this was a responsibility she had. But was it, or should it have been her priority?

Here is where the Lord corrected her. She was worried and bothered about so many things, but in reality only ONE THING IS NEEDED – what Mary chose. The better part – sitting at the Lord’s feet listening to His Word.

This is what many Christians need to learn – that the one thing that is needed is our fellowship with the Lord. This is what keeps our heart strong in the midst of a world whose lifestyle is opposite of our Lord’s teachings. And this is where a num-ber of Christians need to discipline themselves – to make our fellowship with God a priority. We need to make time to sit down at the Lord’s feet and listen.

Psalm 27:4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

So let’s not be “distracted dogs”, but attentive children of God, sitting at His feet and listening to His word.

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Distracted Dog

Is God too big for a simple prayer?

I was playing “angry birds seasons” in my tablet, and I was in a level that I was try-ing to pass since the day before!  As I was

trying and trying I found myself whispering “come on, Lord, show me what to do”.  Haha, I laughed at the fact that I actually asked the Lord to help me out in this game.  What’s fun-nier is, after I prayed I solved the level I was in…hahaha!

It made me think – does God listen to trivial requests such as what I prayed for?  Can you imagine the requests that the Lord receives from His children day after day, hour after hour, minute after minute?  A basket-ball player praying to make his shot, a boy praying that the girl he is courting answers “yes”, someone praying that the Lord help him choose the right clothes to wear.  So many trivial requests!  Does God actually answer

those prayers?I think it is not for me to say which prayers

the Lord answers.  What I know is that God does not look at what we are asking for, but at the heart that is asking.

When we pray, do we ask from a heart that is totally trusting in the Lord for everything?

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own under-standing; 

6  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

When we ask, do we ask with a heart that calls on a heavenly Father?

Matthew 6:8  …for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 

When we ask, do we ask trusting that God will give us what is best, and not just what we ask?

Matthew 7:9-11  “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 

10  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 

11  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 

When we ask, no matter how simple it may be, are we asking like a child asks his/her par-ents?

Luke 18:17  I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Are we living in the kingdom of God like a child totally trusting in the King for every-thing – small or big, simple or complicated?  I believe that’s the heart that God is pleased with.

By RickyBenitez

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SEP-OCT 2013LIFESTYLE HEALTH & WELLNESS

THE BIG BREAKFAST DIET

5 Anti-Aging Office Stress Busters

Eating your heaviest meal in the morning may help you lose weight.

CAN TOO MUCH STRESS REALLY CAUSE HEART ATTACKS?

Although conventional medi-cal wisdom maintains there is no evidence of a link be-

tween mental pressure and heart conditions, recent research has found stress does increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

A 2012 study by University Col-lege, London, found that those who become stressed are more likely to suffer from hardened arteries than those who remain calm un-der pressure. Cortisol is produced by the body when it comes under mental or physical strain. When re-leased, it can cause the arteries to narrow. The research suggests that high cortisol levels may cause fur-ring of the arteries – the accumula-tion of fatty materials on the inside walls. Stressed volunteers during the tests were twice as likely to have furred arteries as those who remained calm, the researchers found.

In a 2010 study, researchers an-alysed data from more than 68,000 people over the age of 35 years who took part in the Health Survey for England from 1994 to 2004 and measured the role of anxiety and stress in deaths from all causes, heart disease, cancer and external causes occurring over eight years.They found symptoms of anxiety or depression, known as psycho-logical distress, increases mortality rates from several major causes.

In May 2013, an overworked Chinese advertising employee died of a heart attack in his office at a young age of 24. Li Yuan had been working overtime until 11pm every night at the Ogilvy & Mather China offices in Beijing in the month be-fore he died.

China has now overtaken Japan as having the highest number of deaths related to overworking.

Nearly 600,000 Chinese workers die from ‘exhaustion’ each year, ac-cording to a report from last year in the official newspaper of the Com-munist Youth League, The China Youth Daily.

Most of the deaths are caused by stress-related heart attacks and strokes. 

Symptoms associated with such deaths include insomnia, anorexia and abdominal pains.

A stressfull day at the office might come as routine to most of us. Some-times, we even consider a productive day when it is full of stress, but little do we know just how much damage the pressure is causing your

body. Aside from the fact that it may lead to diseases ranging from the com-mon colds to heart diseases, too much stress may also lead to premature aging. Don’t’ speed the aging process up just because you have impossible deadlines, irate clients, and yes, intimidating bosses. Writer Jennifer Chan of FemaleNetwork.com suggests five simple tips to halt the aging process brought about by stress at the workplace.

1. Drink tea.Were you just on the receiving end of your

boss’s foul temper? De-stress instantly with a cup of black tea. According to Reader’s Digest Asia, drinking black tea four times a day for more than a month may help lower levels of cortisol after a particularly stressful event. With a cap on the stress hormone, you may also save yourself from aging overnight. 2. Munch on fruits rich in antioxidants.

Antioxidants are not only effective against stress but also help fight aging. As a preventive measure, bring blueberries or grapes as baon to work, suggests FitDay.com. They’re inconspicu-ous enough not to distract (or annoy) your co-workers and are infinitely better alternatives to junk food.3. Give yourself a hand massage.

If you can’t wait until after office hours to get a full body massage, give yourself a simple hand massage instead. Bring a small tube of lotion at work so you can give your hands  some much-deserved TLC. This doesn’t just help your mus-cles relax (carpal tunnel syndrome, anyone?), but

it also keeps your hands soft and well-nourished.   4. Squeeze in mini-stretches every other hour or so.

Hunching on your back for more than a few hours can make your muscles stiff and perhaps even put you at risk for arthritis. To lessen the burden on your joints, do a few stretches right in your cubicle. SheKnows.com says that this may “boost the range of motion of your joints.” If you want to flex your joints more, you can always excuse yourself to the ladies’ room and do more limber stretches there.5. Take a break from your computer screen.

Spending too much time in front of your com-puter screen may age you prematurely. Accord-ing to the Daily Mail, a lot of women now suffer from a “computer” face, which is characterized by saggy jowls and deep set wrinkles on their foreheads. Give yourself repose by turning away from the screen for 10 minutes at a time. Write your notes on paper, or leaf through a magazine during breaks. And if you’re already working with a computer during office hours, try to avoid do-ing the same at home.

The principle goes like this: eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper, in other words, starting your

day with a full breakfast and ending it with a light dinner may help you shed those pounds.

It’s not just about how much you eat—it’s also about when you eat. This is what a recent study on The Wall Street Journal says based on a study from Tel Aviv University.

Researchers asked 93 overweight and obese women in their mid-40s to follow a 1,400-calo-rie weight-loss diet for three months. One group consumed 50% of their allotted calories at break-fast, 36% at lunch, and 14% at dinner. Another group consumed 14% at breakfast, 36%at lunch, and 50% at dinner.

The results revealed that those who ate the bulk of their calories during breakfast lost an av-erage of 19.1 pounds from their total weight and 3.3 inches from their waist in 12 weeks. On the other hand, those who ate the most during dinner lost only 7.9 pounds and 1.5 inches. And although

both groups showed a decrease in glucose, insu-lin, and ghrelin (an appetite hormone) levels, the effect was much more evident in those who ate heavy breakfasts.

Although the kind of lifestyle you lead may either make this system easier or harder for you, the main point is that the last meal you have be-fore you sleep should be the lightest in order for your body to focus more on resting and recuper-ating instead of digesting.

The diet is also described in the book called The Big Breakfast Diet, by Daniela Jakubo-wicz, MD. On The Big Breakfast Diet, you can eat any foods you want. Ice cream, pizza, donuts -- all are fine for breakfast as long as you eat them along with foods rich in protein and fiber. Follow the plan, Jakubowicz says, and you can lose up to 25 pounds in 30 days.

“When you eat the right foods at the right time, you accelerate your metabolism, satisfy your cravings before they ever occur, and the result: you lose weight,” says Jakubowicz. 

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RAT- September is a fulfilling month that represents the

completion of luck and to finish all the projects that

have not been settled. You may proceed with them easily and

successfully. Try not to be in a hurry because there are lots of

opportunities coming your way. October is an excellent month!

Plan all your important meetings, signing of contracts, launching

of new products and new events this month. Your wealth luck is

fabulous so don’t waste your time with nonsense. October is also

excellent for students who are applying for scholarship.

OX- September is not exactly easy if you are not careful. A

lavish lifestyle is not good and it’s time for a reality check.

The main problem is being careless. Dealing with problems this

month may not be easy, stay strong and face your problems with

confidence. In October, you have the heaven’s luck and everything

is going to be smooth. The problems you’ve been through are

learning experiences; opportunities will come to you, and you

have all the right to grab them and make a good decision. There

is a person who is willing to help you when you are in trouble,

and this must be your mentor luck.

TIGER- Do not be upset when your plans don’t hap-

pen or become successful as you expected. In-

stead, see what you can do to make things better. Stay focused

so things will fall in its proper place. September is not a good

month to enter into a partnership even with person who has

good qualities – that is even if you have known and trusted him

or her for a long time. Tiger people can climb their own ladder

without a partner. In October, everything will go smoothly be-

cause you will be guided by the heaven’s luck. The past obstacles

will easily disappear, and they turn to be good learning experi-

ences. There are lots of opportunities coming your way, so take

them as new challenges.

RABBIT- Your energy level is very poor, and you are

not strong enough as you think. Don’t put

your self too much to work both physically and mentally because

your health is not in good condition. Spend your time with your

family and show them how happy you are even in just a short

time. There is a lot of things that will bring you happiness; start

in simple ways. In October, good fortune will open up your door

to welcome a powerful mentor. Yes! Your luck is back, and there

is a good person who is willing to help you whenever you need

him/her or when you are in trouble. Make some effort to improve

your relationship with him or her. Go with the flow to achieve all

the great things happening this month.

DRAGON- The energy that you have this month

can make you ill- tempered; you are

prone to get into trouble and misunderstandings. Don’t lose your

patience because it will affect your relationship with people;

always control your temper before losing it. Watch your words

before you speak because they can hurt others and might be a

cause of trouble. In October, you will be exhausted and it may

cause you to suffer some form of sickness. Do not commit your-

self to a situation that you can’t keep. You can do what you want,

but don’t force yourself too much in difficult situations. Try not to

go to crowded places to avoid picking up viruses or the spread of

diseases; don’t stress your self - be calm and relaxed.

SNAKE- The # 3 quarrelsome star appears in your

chart. This makes you more quick to anger

and be bad-tempered than usual. Working closely with friends

might reveal your true character and this may cause damage to

your relationship. And if you don’t want to hurt your feelings;

don’t ask the opinion of others because they will tell the truth

and it may affect how you deal with them. In October, You are

surrounded by the illness chi energy; you are easy to catch any

virus or minor ailment which can develop into a serious sickness.

If you feel unusual, go and consult your doctor immediately. Your

business and career is getting smooth, but too much work is not

good.

HORSE- There is a long term prosperity luck com-

ing your way, maybe this could be a source

of a new income, promotion at work, and making new projects.

Grab opportunities coming your way. Avoid something irritating

that will stress you out, however, focus on good things happen-

ing to you right at this moment. If you are looking for someone

who you want to be your partner, this is the right time to find

your love. In October, maintain stability and calm but be alert to

the # 7 violent star. The # 9 annual star on your chart magnifies

your problems while the # 7 star brings you betrayal and loss of

money. Do some charity work to eliminate this risky situation.

Beware of a person that you will trust and put your personal

belongings in a safe place.

SHEEP- You will benefit from the # 1 victory star. You

will have all the strength and confidence at

work because you can achieve all the projects at hand if you cou-

ple it with being responsible. You will receive some form of rec-

ognition from colleagues and friends. Keep a positive attitude;

you have the power to convince and you can use your influence

to win over some difficult situations. October is the right time

to do your decisions for the future because you have the luck to

materialize all the good things in your plans. If you want your

friends to stay on your side, try not to be aggressive, turn your

tone down and avoid making comments that have a bitter mean-

ing. Stay out of trouble - live peacefully and harmoniously.

MONKEY- You had faced some problems in the

past few months without solution no

matter the effort used to solve them. This month has a new be-

ginning, the problems will begin to see light and you will discov-

er something new to learn. You will start to welcome the changes

in your life. In October, there is a big opportunity approaching

you with regards to your job and also with your personal life. This

is the appropriate time for you to enjoy what ever it is. When you

meet some obstacles, don’t be disappointed because they are ac-

tually blessings in disguise. Set your mind in a positive way, and

you will find yourself a happy person.

ROOSTER- Your luck will begin to progress and

your energy level will go up. It is easy

to deal with some mishaps as long as you are focused and have

the determination. Avoid people who talks about you in a not so

positive way; they bring negative vibes and bad influence. In-

stead invite powerful people or successful people in your life.

In October, the # 5 yellow star joins your annual # 7 violent star.

Expect all the negative energy coming your way. To subdue all

the obstacles, burn or offer some incense to dispel this afflic-

tion star. You can overcome the obstacles, but you must approach

problems properly.

DOG- This is the month that you need to be careful; not

to trust anyone and be wary when you are doing

some negotiations with others because the # 5 misfortune star

will visit your direction affecting your career luck. Even if you

have the best plan to present, it can be more discordant because

you are running out of focus in your work. In October, you have

the completion luck and some of your projects will be success-

ful. In your relationship, there are many happenings to enjoy;

for those who are single, you will find your partner that you are

looking and also this is an excellent month for students who are

taking exams.

BOAR- September is not a good month, and you need to

be careful in dealing with other people every day.

The presence of the misfortune star in your chart could bring you

some losses, betrayal, backbiting and heartache. Don’t take any

risks, do not gamble and watch your cash flow; avoid spending

money on unnecessary things that you don’t need. These misfor-

tunes will only happen this month and everything will be better.

In October, your relationship is going to be more passionate be-

cause of the peach blossom romance luck flying your direction.

Those who are looking for a partner will find their soul mates.

And for those who are married, spend more time with your loved

ones. Money, career and health are all going to be better.

SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER FORECASTBy Marivic Oyama

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WRITE YOUR SUBTITLE INSIDE HERE

41EMTECHJP.COM

SEP - OCT 2013

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Manila on July 26-27, 2013; he cited

the Philippines and Japan being “strategic partners in substance” as both are embroiled in territo-rial disputes with China.

Abe said Japan has attached more and more importance to the Philippines as both countries “share a strategic interest” and cooperate to respond to issues nagging the Asia-Pacific region. Aquino and Abe have agreed to

boost maritime and economic cooperation as both countries face security challenges with separate maritime disputes with China.

His Excellency Manuel M. Lopez, Ambassador of the Re-

public of the Philippines to Japan, has written an article about the visit. The article was published in www.manilatimes.net and http://tokyo.philembassy.net.

Onward and Upward: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Visit Pushes Momentum of PH-Japan Strategic Partnershipby: H.E. Manuel M. Lopez

EMBASSY REPORT

Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Japan

On July 26-27, yet another important page in the history of Philippine-Japan relations will be written with the visit to the Philippines of His Excellency Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, on the invita-tion of His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III.

The visit attests to the particular importance given by the Abe Government to the Philippines, being one of Japan’s recognized bilateral strategic partners. Since 1956, bilateral relations have been mutually beneficial and characterized by cooperation in a wide range of fields. More importantly, Philippine-Japan ties stand out in the region for being underpinned by a strong shared adherence to the values of democracy, humanitarian principles and the rule of law.

Much value is attached to the Prime Minister’s forthcoming visit in terms of elevating the Philippine-Japan Strategic Partnership to an even higher plane of vigour, dynamism and relevance. It is the first visit under the Prime Minister’s sec-ond term. Prime Minister Abe was also the last Japanese Prime Minister to visit the Philippines, in 2006.

The visit comes at a most propitious time, with both countries undergoing an economic renaissance and riding a wave of renewed optimism and international confidence.

Prime Minister Abe will visit a Philip-pines that has become Asia’s fastest grow-ing and most resilient economy. Japanese interest in the country is reaching new heights, buttressed by sterling economic indicators and investment-grade ratings, and, according to the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), a standing as the top profit centre for Japanese businesses

operating in the region.Similarly, Japan seems poised for an

economic revival under Prime Minister Abe. Abenomics — combining aggressive reflation, fiscal stimulus, reform and re-structuring — has captured world attention and appears to be making inroads revving up the world’s third largest economy.

It is against this positive backdrop that President Aquino and Prime Minister Abe will hold their Summit Meeting. Both leaders are expected to commit them-selves to the comprehensive enhancement of the Strategic Partnership. They will take stock of gains in the relationship and chart the path of bilateral cooperation, with an eye towards making bilateral ties the region’s most economically vibrant and a pillar of regional security and stabil-ity.

Certainly, the visit signals Japan’s steady commitment to Philippine devel-opment. Japan is our top trading partner, top source of ODA, and one of its largest sources of FDI and foreign tourists. In 2012, two-way trade reached US$16.33 billion, while approved investments from Japan hit PHP 69.04. The visit is seen as catalyzing Japan’s support for the Aquino Administration’s priority programs in infra-structure development, the improvement of the business environment, disaster pre-paredness, and various other critical areas.

Japan has enthusiastically welcomed the progress in the GPH-MILF talks and the Roadmap of the Framework Agree-ment on the Bangsamoro. Prime Minister Abe’s visit will see Japan’s continued backing for peace and development in Mindanao, by way of political support and concrete economic assistance.

As maritime nations bound by shared values and a shared recognition of pre-vailing regional challenges, the enhance-

ment of the Philippine-Japan Strategic Partnership in the political-security arena also stands to receive a big boost from the meeting of the two leaders. It will provide occasion to review the prevailing regional security environment and to pledge a common stand in support of the rule of law and the just and peaceful resolution of disputes, including vis-à-vis global maritime commons.

Finally, Prime Minister Abe’s visit is also seen to propel forward our people-to-peo-ple ties, including reciprocal tourism and youth exchanges. This is timely. More and more Japanese tourists — 412,474 in 2012 – are discovering why “its more fun in the Philippines”. Japan, meanwhile, is turning to Filipinos and other ASEAN countries to rev up inbound tourism.

Prime Minister Abe heads to a Philip-pines that, in the words of President Aqui-no, is “ready to take our place as a reliable member of the community of nations, a nation serious about its commitments and which harmonizes its national interests with its international responsibilities…a predictable and consistent place for investment, a nation where everyone will say, ‘it all works’.”

The Philippines is truly open for busi-ness and warmly welcomes Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to its shores.

END.

“Always, our countries have looked out for each other’s interests, whether it comes in the form of economic coop-eration, or through solidarity and aid during times of hard-ship for our peoples,” – Pres. Benigno Aquino.

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