Shin Nikkei-jin

Author: Isah V. Red
Column: Life & Entertainment

Iwa Moto (Aileen Quimapo Iwamoto) is Shin Nikkei-jin, a Japanese phrase used to identify children born of dual nationalities—Japanese and Filipino.

Iwamoto is her father’s family name, but it was broken into two syllables and used as her screen name when she joined StarStruck, finishing first runner-up.

Now, Aileen returned from Japan with Miki, her sister, to see their father, Hiroaki Iwamoto, who was at the time was detained in a prison facility in Japan. Thanks to the Philippine Shin Nikkei-jin Support Foundation’s Masahiro Okuda who is the foundation’s chairman, and Harold Aroban. The two worked with Iwa in locating Hiroaki Iwamoto.

The meeting, according to Iwa, was emotional in a way. “He was sick and couldn’t say much,” she related to us. “

Iwa is glad that Brenda, her father’s current wife, is in Japan to take care of him. They are in touch to get updates on how Hiroaki is doing.

“The last time I heard about him, he was already in the hospital and responding to the treatment,” she said.”

Iwa and her sister Miki are among thousands of Japinos (Japanese Filipinos) who have been abandoned by their Japanese fathers. Most Shin Nikkei-jin, says Harold Aroban, grew in the care of their mothers or relatives.

Although some of them receive financial assistance from their fathers, most do not. Some of them didn’t even get to know their fathers.

The Philippine Shin Nikkei-jin Support Foundation Inc. is duly registered in the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-government organization aimed towards advancing the cause of over 100,000 children of Filipino-Japanese heritage.

Most of them have not been recognized and acknowledged by their fathers, and a lot of them become orphans, shunned, and frowned upon in society. Often both mother and child are having a hard time finding work and education.

Today, the foundation has launched a special campaign dubbed as “Project Japan: Japanese Nationality Recovery Campaign.” The purpose of which is to support them (confirmation of their identity, pledge education and training etc.) together with the Philippine Nikkei-jin Teijyu Support Association.

The Philippine Shin Nikkei-jin Support foundation Inc. can help, at no cost, to any Shin Nikkei-jin to find his father, as well as to confirm his or her nationality, and have him registered in Koseki (family registration in Japan).

The foundation can also provide training and education. Most Shin Nikkei-jin grew up in poor environs not blessed with the opportunity of education and the experience of work.

There are reported cases of Shin Nikkei-jins having trouble adjusting to differences in culture.

Our support foundation, through the help of the Philippine Nikkei-jin Teijyu Support Association, will conduct advanced training which will help them learn the Japanese language and also gain insight in Japanese way of thinking and customs.

Iwa Moto is now the spokesman of the foundation because she also wants to help others find their fathers.

“Since we can’t be together anymore [he has a family back in Japan], what is more important is to have regular communication,” she said. She’s glad that Philippine Shin Nikkei-jin Support Foundation Inc. has been able to help her with that.

If you know of a Shin Nikkei-jin in your neigHBOrhood and is yearning to find his or her father, tell him to go to Rm. 4E Osmeña Bldg., 1991 A. Mabini St., Malate, Manila, or call 536-6585/523-7821, and look for Harold.

Tiny Tony jumps onto screens tomorrow

The adventure of John Prats as Tiny Tony will take off in Komiks Presents Mars Ravelo’s Tiny Tony tomorrow on ABS-CBN.

During Anthony’s (John Prats) childhood days, he has been gifted with intelligence and capabilities that other ordinary kids don’t possess. Because of this, he’s well-loved by his parents and friends.

As the genius kid is growing up, his extraordinary intelligence deepens until he meets an accident that will definitely change his life.

This Saturday, witness Anthony’s adventure as he transforms to Tiny Tony and face a whole lot of challenges that will surely keep the viewers glued to their seats.

Together with Alex Gonzaga, Coco Martin, Susan Africa, Mura Gerard Acao and with a special participation of Pen Medina, Tiny Tony is the fourth super hero brought by Komiks Presents Mars Ravelo.

A taste of Banana Split

Angelica Panganiban, Cristine Reyes, Roxanne Guinoo, and Valerie Concepcion together with RR Enriquez, Princess Ryan, and Dianne Medina will try to lighten weekends with their irresistible charms and wacky antics.

Banana Split will have weekly episodes full of hilarious sketches and most sought-after heartthrobs as guests, which include Zanjoe Marudo, Diether Ocampo, John Lloyd Cruz, Jake Cuenca and Sam Milby.

“We will be inviting one hunk every week to balance the girls’ antics here. We turn the tables around in this show because now, the girl will get to pull pranks and ‘play’ with the male guest,” said director Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz.

Bobot is confident that the young actresses who are known for portraying dramatic roles will do well in comedy given the well-written materials and gags.

“They are really not comedians, but the Banana Split girls are actresses who can do comedy. We have already taped several episodes and I’m very satisfied with their performance,” he said.

The cast members, on the other hand, welcome to do comedy as a challenge as it serves as a “breather” to their daily grind.

Don’t miss the exciting premiere of Banana Split, beginning tomorrow, after Maalaala Mo Kaya, on ABS-CBN.

Beyond world-class beauty

A radiant face with a charming smile is definitely the first thing you’d notice about her. But soon as you engage in conversation, inner strength and character shines through, complementing her world-class beauty.

Danielle Kirsten Muriel Castaño may well be defined above the average definition of beautiful, as she exudes confidence that complements an irresistible combination of substance and style. Danielle is the newly-appointed official representative to the Miss World 2008 pageant to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa this December.

The eldest of three sisters, Danielle also has a soft spot for children, particularly the sick and abused. According to her, she wants to campaign for their rights as part of her advocacy. “I want to be remembered by people as someone who did something socially significant, and not just become another pretty face,” she admits. She adds that she wants to carry across a message of hope for underprivileged children around the world, should she be lucky to take home the first Miss World crown for the Philippines.

Danielle is currently undergoing a series of rigorous training in catwalk skills and personality development with topnotch experts, but is definitely ready to make the country proud as she competes against 180 official representatives in the Miss World 2008 pageant.

Sundance 9th anniversary

There’s no stopping Sundance Direct Sales from soaring to its highest pinnacle. Recently, the successful company commemorated its 9th anniversary with thousands of legitimate members in full attendance.

Le Pavilion was virtually transformed into a “Filipiniana”-themed locale with Sundance officers and employees dressed in elaborate indigenous outfits. Stand-up comedians Inday Garutay, Lasie and Bonito brought down the house with hilarious antics and raunchy punch lines. No less than Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. was there as guest of honor. Revilla lauded Sundance for its selfless act of providing business opportunities to poor but hardworking Filipinos.

Leading the pack of celebrity performers was pop princess Kyla who enraptured the audience with her commanding voice. Belting out songs from her latest album, Kyla was definitely one of the most-applauded singers that night. Looking very radiant in black haltered dress, her crystal-clear voice reverberated in the entire venue. Meanwhile, pop-rock singer Kitchie Nadal turned the event into a concert hall as she sang hits after hits. Backed up by her own band, Nadal was swamped with Sundance members eager to take a glimpse of the beautiful crooner.

Not to be outdone was celebrity endorser Jolina Magdangal who looked very fashionable in Sundance casual outfits. She wowed the crowd with her soulful rendition of “Will of the Wind,” the official theme song of her latest movie I.T.A.L.Y. Sundance’ managing director Peter Yu gave Magdangal a bouquet of flowers for gracing the event.

ABS-CBN’s latest discovery Jon Avila was also there to greet the audience. Female guests were mesmerized by the former commercial model’s boyish charm and electrifying appeal. Interestingly, Avila appeared on the pages of Sundance catalog years ago when he was still into modeling.

For the first time in its history, a search for “Mr & Mrs. Sundance 2008” was held with married couples as official candidates. Nine pairs representing Sundance branches nationwide battled it out in the talent and Q&A portions. Adjudged as grand winners were Molex and Jenny Mojares of Taft Avenue branch. Each of them received P20,000 cash, a trophy and Sundance gift check .

As in previous years, it has become a tradition for Sundance management to give recognition to its valued dealers and loyal distributors. For the nth time, Estrelita Imperio of Cubao branch topped the list of “Circle of Achievers” this year. Meanwhile, a Cebuana businesswoman named Reshelle Jogdon went home with a brand-new Toyota Avanza which she won in the grand raffle draw.

Briefly noted

The Ronnie Liang Ngiti mini-CD mall tour will be at Metropolis, Alabang on Sunday, Oct. 12, 4 p.m.

Ronnie has just released the mini-CD from Universal Records with the Pampango version of “Ngiti,” titled “Ayli” and “Ikaw,” “Ika.” He will also perform selections from Ang Aking Awitin album from Universal Records.

JayR’s ongoing Soul In Love album mall tour will be at Shangri-la mall tomorrow at 5 p.m.

The gold-certified album contains 18 romantic soul ballads, performed by the Prince of Soul.

JayR will be performing live selections from the CD like “No One Else Comes Close,” “Tattooed On My Mind,” “Always and Forever,” “One Hundred Ways” and “You Make Me Feel Brand New.”

Rico J. Puno and other surprise guest stars will grace the PSB-Manila Alumni Association’s grand homecoming at the historic Manila Hotel, also tomorrow.

The event also marks the 45th year foundation of the Philippine School of Business Administration.

The affair starts with registration and photo session from 4 to 6 p.m.

Meanwhile, Ogie Alcasid’s The Great Filipino Songbook album mall tour will be at Alabang Town Center on Sunday, 6 p.m.

The singer/songwriter/actor/producer will perform live selections from the gold-certified album from Universal Records, such as “Kung Sakali,” “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo,” “May Minamahal” and “Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin.”

The Great Filipino Songbook album is a tribute to Pinoy singers and composer who have created hits the past decades.

Expanded office inaugurated

Divina & Uy Law Offices celebrated another milestone last month when it formally inaugurated its state-of-the-art and contemporary expanded office and launched the firm’s official Web site. Inspired by the vision of two young lawyers—Nilo T. Divina and Edwin C. Uy— to establish a law firm that can provide excellent legal service with superior results, the Divina & Uy Law Offices was founded in Makati two years ago.

Divina & Uy Law Offices has metamorphosed into a law firm to reckon with. With the meteoric growth of its clientele, it expanded its office space in the Pacific Star Building in Makati City, and beefed up its pool of legal talents increasing the number of its lawyers to 21. This has enabled the firm to serve its clients promptly and efficiently with its unique brand of dedication and excellence.

Shown in photo during the blessing and inauguration are guest of honor Antonio Go, and lawyers Edwin C. Uy and Nilo T. Divina.

Source: Manila Standard Today

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