MODORIMASU NIHON!

JENESYS PROGRAMME 2012 Batch 3- Group 4 (Fukuoka)

~Cassandra Giselle Ogabang Gaas~

The Red-Orange Sun warmingly welcomed us as we arrived at Taisenkaku Ryokan, Asakura-shi, Fukuoka (taken @ almost 7:00 pm)

         For the past two months and counting WE ,my fellow ambassadors, share same sentiments of suffering the  JENESYS SYNDROME—the instances when I slurp for green tea, crave for mikan, ichigo, shabu-shabu, sushi, mochi, the bento meals and every food been served on buffets; when I think of chopsticks while with spoon-fork-and-or-bare-hand meal, when I carelessly bow to people, unconsciously respond “hai” instead of simple “yes”,  when I dread for the you-must-wear-coat cold fresh air, the bath tub and onsen soaking moments, the majestic hotel rooms, the funny toto toilet experiences, the skyscrapers, the first ever shinkanshen ride, the subway rush, the single-lined escalators, the right-hand drive cars, the keep left rule, and the cleanest canals, roads and railways I’ve ever seen. But the things I’ll always miss most were the stories, laughters, and the hugs of the people we came to love so dearly—our best JICE coordinators, our foster families, and everyone in the delegation. We came there not as tourists nor guests, we were sent there for a bigger purpose--we are the Philippine-Tohoku Goodwill Ambassadors of the 2012 Japan East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths(JENESYS ) Programme, chosen and privileged to represent our country's hope by seeing the real Japan on our personal perspectives. It was everybody’s dream that came true for awhile then now back to be a dream.

Day 2: The Fantastic Fukuoka Group @ Grand Pacific Le Daiba Hotel lobby after the 311 Tohoku Great East Japan Earthquake Orientation and before heading to the tsunami-stricken Area (Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures)

At Ofunato-shi, Iwate with Mr. Kenji Saito, owner of Saito Seika Confectionery Co. Ltd., who was also a victim and an inspiring survivor of the 311 Great East Japan Earthquake

              "Overall, our group believes that the underpinning of Japan's success as an economic power, and swift recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake is their nation's strong sense of identity. The Japanese as individuals, know who they are. From our day to day communication with our JICE coordinators, to hotel personnel and even citizens we pass by - the common traits of being respectful, disciplined and hospitable, among others were clearly manifested.We saw how history and heritage was given much esteem at the Kyushu museum. They were able to learn from their past and were able to use such to build a collective national consciousness. In the end, we leave Japan with a lot of fun memories and with a deeper understanding and knowledge of its culture and traditions. While indeed a lot of things are enviable as our country is still on the road of development, WE REMAIN OPTIMISTIC. Armed with a first hand experience, that progress is possible with a strong sense of national identity at its core, rest assured that what we have seen and learned will be resonated to our fellow men - not only in words as it will also be translated into concrete actions especially in the line of disaster management and recovery efforts."  

-Jenica Dizon, Fukuoka Group Presentor at the MOFA-

JENESYS 2012 BATCH 3 GROUP 4 FANTASTIC Fukuoka @ Sendai Domestic Airport heading to Fukuoka Prefecture(May 10,2012)

            It is not undeniable to everybody that Japan has been the giant it was ought to be today. The nine days of meaningful and inspiring stay in Japan has made us conclude that its grandeur was yes indeed defined by its people. Its Nature embraced its Technology and remarkably not the other way around. The Japanese’s discipline, respect, courage, and unequaled sense of patriotism and nationalism have immensely stirred us most, instilling everyone the thought that loving our Country is knowing and living our True Identity. For the past decades Japan has surpassed enormous catastrophes, much more enormous than its size but overtopped it with in depth Glory, Honor and Dignity.To say that we were impressed with Japan would be an understatement.

JENESYS 2012 BATCH 3 DELEGATION
@ THE JAPAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (MAY 16, 2012)

             

            I've endured in this locale for twenty years already, and almost half of it, I have always been wondering how can a small country like Japan can extend its unending limits of success? Why can’t my poor country be just like it?—be sustainable and comfortable to live. It is baffling to admit that as a young Filipino, who seeks a greener pasture for/in my own country, I feel inferior . . . and hopeless. The approval of my JENESYS application has equated all of my hopes for Philippines. This I consider a great honor and pride as a member of the younger generation to be given the overwhelming chance to have answered personally such questions and revive the optimism in me. I may not be able to get back there or experience the same but the responsibility I shall forever earnestly hold in me-- to take part in stimulating boundless collective change, most especially be a channel to people in appreciating the real essence of citizenship, that is, to live with honor and pride as a Filipino. :)

 just boarded ANA flight NH949 back to Manila.



“People can tell you how great a place is, but the best way to know whether it's right for you… is to see it--and experience it Yourself. Mata aimashou Nihon!!! ”