Note that hindi encouraged to stay sa Sanrakuso kung hindi makapag-Hapon dahil zero English talaga yong mag-asawang Hapon who own the place.  Also, they prefer only guests referred to them by their other repeat-visitors.  You can email me if ever, and I will introduce you:  isabelita.manalastas@smtj.co.jp

Kahit within the center of Tokyo, mayroon din na spa/rotenburo using natural springs water - Spa La Qua. They dug 1 kilometer deep down the earth for the natural water that they use. A little pricey, though (a little less than ¥3,000 for entrance ang ofuro/rotenburo, plus, plus for your drinks, meals, other spa services.  Always full of many people, and no private place for your parents inside the spa.

But anywhere in Japan, may onsen. Rotenburo and private bath for 3, will, however, be very rare except if you book a private house with onsen for your own use only (super expensive!)

REMINDER:  Most onsen will not admit those with tattoo.

Dear Teresa:

Of course it IS ALRIGHT to refuse such requests next time around. And DON’T ever FEEL GUILTY about doing so!

What you could have done was to suggest to that passenger to consult with one of the flight attendants or the purser to relocate her and her daughter so they can sit together.

I thought at first, while reading your letter, that you felt compassion to give your seat because the daughter is a child. It is not clear though if she were, or already an adult. If she were a child, the more you should have thought of suggesting that she consult with a flight attendant. But if already an adult (or even just a girl in her teens), no need to give up your seat! It was the mother’s responsibility and/or her tour group to secure a seat beside her daughter.

Remember also that many airlines now announce that you should not change seats until after the plane has already taken off/ is already in cruising altitude.  Also that is you want to change seats, it is recommended that you consult your flight attendant/s.

Tita Lits

June 12, Philippine Independence Day

I am a bit emotional right now after hearing a song sung in celebration of our Philippine Independence Day, June 12, 2024. The singers were good, and the lyrics were heartbreaking.

Que sera-sera, bayan kong Pilipinas? 

Nalagpasan na tayo ng maraming bansa, kahit sa ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), of which the Philippines was one of the founders of the initial 3-country grouping MAPHILINDO (Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia). Even Vietnam, which we used to think of as far behind us, has already overtaken us in many things: exports, technology, and tourism. Even in Japan, you can already find many products exported by them, but not by us.

Thailand, for instance, established a strong presence early on with its exports to Japan, including ready-to-eat curry and its renowned brand of Patis, Nampra, which Japanese consumers readily recognize. Their packaging meets Japanese standards ("eat with the eyes first," as they say). In contrast, our Patis is still sold in large bottles that are not only impractical for the typically small kitchens in many Tokyo homes but also lack essential Japanese labels detailing content, origin, expiry dates, nutrition information, and more. A comparison between our Patis and Nampra clearly illustrates this disparity.

When I shop for essentials, I consciously seek out products made or produced in the Philippines. For instance, I exclusively choose Philippine-grown bananas (if you can't read Katakana, you might not realize their origin), avoiding those from Latin American countries that dominate the market. It's a small gesture on my part, akin to a speck in the sand, but it gives me a sense of fulfillment to contribute in this way, however modestly, to our nation.

Avoid ZIPAIR – Terrible Experience at NAIA Check-In

ZIPAIR may boast comfortable leather seats, but my recent experience with their ground staff at NAIA has left me with a bitter taste. On May 23, 2024, I encountered a significant delay due to an unforeseen accident, arriving just five minutes late for my flight to Narita. According to their policy, if you can't check in one hour before departure, you're out of luck. Fair enough, but what followed was anything but fair.

Despite pleading with the check-in counter staff—three women and one man—to understand my situation, I was promptly refused without any inquiry into why I was late. Wasn't that their job? To assess circumstances? The supervisor, whose name I've reported to ZIPAIR's Japan office, oversaw this debacle. I felt discriminated against and treated poorly because of my attire and a taped-up suitcase, which I planned to replace upon reaching my Tokyo condo.

What really got to me was how this incident unfolded in front of other passengers, reducing me to tears and loud arguments. I felt it highlighted how budget airlines sometimes mistreat ordinary travelers, especially those who don't fit the stereotype of wealthy, influential passengers.

Ironically, I could afford business class or another airline altogether. In fact, I'm the president of my own Japanese company, and my flights are reimbursed for business. I've even served as managing director at a major Japanese bank, where I flew economy to save costs. But none of these mattered at the ZIPAIR counter.

Despite mentioning my connections with ZIPAIR's Japan headquarters and offering to call them, I was dismissed with excuses about international call charges. It was infuriating, especially as the airport police intervened to calm the situation—a stark contrast to ZIPAIR's unyielding stance.

In the end, despite having insurance and assurances from ZIPAIR Japan that they'd help, I booked another airline out of sheer frustration. My experience with ZIPAIR has been nothing short of a nightmare, tarnishing what should have been a routine trip.

Avoid ZIPAIR at All Costs

I urge everyone reading this: do not choose ZIPAIR if you have any other option. In over 40 years of frequent global travel, including almost monthly trips to the Philippines, I have never experienced such disrespectful treatment from ground staff. Even as a senior citizen, I was denied basic respect and understanding by ZIPAIR's ground supervisor.

Despite my significant experience and the unforeseen emergency that caused my brief delay in checking in—just five minutes late—I was met with outright refusal without any attempt to address my situation. I'm still waiting for ZIPAIR to provide me with the specific page in their Operations Manual that details how emergencies like mine should be handled.

I've encountered countless airlines and their staff over the years, but ZIPAIR stands out for all the wrong reasons. They failed to uphold basic courtesy and professionalism, leaving me feeling utterly disregarded and disrespected.

If you value respect and customer service, look elsewhere. ZIPAIR's treatment of passengers is simply unacceptable, and I cannot recommend them to anyone after this experience.

(Note: I am still waiting for my request for that specific page in their Operations Manual on how to handle emergencies such as that, which caused my 5-minute delay in checking in.).

Clark International Airport

Have you seen the plans for the new airport that came out in the press? It was built to the same beautiful specs, with a high ceiling, comfortable air conditioning, and a lot of wood in its construction. It is my pride as a Kapampangan to see such a beautiful structure that can compete with other international airports in other countries.

But this is where we Filipinos (at least as compared to Japanese) are careless—the little things that matter. Not the beautiful decor, not the high ceilings, but little things that a passenger will need AND have to use. TOILETS! I went inside one toilet for PWDs and senior citizens, and the door lock was broken. I took a photograph of it and even the empty toilet paper containers. 

The airport is very new, and not many passengers use it as compared to NAIA. There are much fewer airlines flying in and out of Clark. So many shops are yet to be opened. The airport was almost empty when I went to check-in for my early morning flight to Narita. And yet, are the are the toilet door locks already broken? Is no one maintaining the comfort rooms to refill toilet paper? Can you imagine once the airport operates full blast?

So very sad…

Philippine Festivals/Expo

As far as I know, there are two (2) big festivals wherein various companies, restaurants, and groups are invited to participate: one, the Philippine Expo, normally held yearly at Ueno Park, and the other, the Philippine Festival, which has been held at Yoyogi Park for several years in a row now.

I visited the Philippine Expo in Ueno last Saturday, June 8th. Despite the sweltering heat, the event attracted a large crowd. People flocked to the numerous booths, which I heard cost around JPY400,000 each, and sampled a variety of foods from different restaurants, including some non-Pinoy ones. I took many photographs, capturing the vibrant atmosphere and the many visitors. It seemed like there were more attendees at the Expo compared to the Philippine Festival held in Yoyogi Park last December. Perhaps the weather played a role in drawing more people to the event? 

The Philippines IS a tropical country, and thus, holding a Philippine festival during tropical weather makes sense. For me, at least, it does NOT MAKE SENSE to hold it during the WINTER! We wear our Terno/Filipina dress and Barong Tagalog during the winter fiesta, and imagine how cold and risky (health-wise) this could be for the wearers of our tropical clothes. Some male dance performers on stage even wear less, as is the norm for our other traditional dances.

I remember writing about the last winter Philippine Fiesta and suggesting that the date be moved, maybe to October, when it is not very cold and also not very hot. Maybe we will get more sponsors to join and/or more visitors to come. One comment I received from a reader of my write-up in Jeepney Press was “Ang tigas talaga ng ulo” (referring maybe to the organizers/Philippine Embassy?). 

This year’s Philippine Festival is again scheduled for winter, and on a much later date than last year’s, meaning it's colder! If the justification is that this is a Christmas celebration, then advance it much more, closer to December 25! But this will also be risky for the organizers—maybe many embassy officials and (surely) many of our OFWs will prefer to be home for Christmas and experience the real thing, taking some Japanese friends (which our Department of Tourism has been promoting) for the real thing.

Dear Tita Lits: 

Mahigit na pong 12 taon akong nagta-trabaho sa Japan. Wala po akong papeles (alam nyo na po ibig sabihin noon). Plano ko na pong umuwi, siguro po bago mag-Pasko. Miss ko na po talaga asawa ko at nag-iisang anak. 

Mahina na rin po kasi ang sipa ng Yen. Hindi na po ako nakakasobra at nakakapagtabi ng kahit kaunti man lang sana - nauubos po sa pag-suporta ng pamilya. Pero may naitabi naman po ako kahit kaunti lang para madala pag-uwi ko. Marunong din pong humawak ng pera si misis kaya may naitabi rin po siyang savings namin. 

Sumulat po ako sa inyo dahil may tatlong bagay pa po na gusto kong ma-experience bago ako tuluyang umuwi na. 

Una po ay ma-akyat ko si Mt. Fuji. Sabi po kasi ng mga kasamahan ko sa trabaho at mga kaibigan kong Hapon ay swerte daw po kapag nakaakyat sa tuktok ng Mt. Fuji. 

Pangalawa, gusto ko pong makapasok sa palasyo ng Emperor. Sa labas po ay may litrato na ako, pero sana sa palasyo mismo. Baka sakali ding makita ko ng personal iyong batang emperor at ang magandang empress niyang asawa. 

Pangatlo po, gusto ko pong makita yong bahay ng Ambassador natin. Napakalawak daw po kasi at napakaganda ng loob ng bahay at saka garden. 

Iyon pong katulad kong wala ng tamang papeles, kaya po bang magawa ko itong tatlong pinakamimithi ko bago ako tuluyang umuwi sa atin? 

Nestor 

Saitama-ken 

Dear Nestor: 

Ang dami na ngang naiinip sa pagbabalik ng Yen sa dating palitan. Dati-rati karamihan ay naglalaro sa .0040 o lampas pa. Ibig sabihin, ang isang lapad mong ipinapadala sa atin ay may halagang 4,000 - 4,500 pesos.

Ngayon, mga kulang na lang ng 3,700 pesos. So for every JPY10,000 yen mong padala kulang na ng at least 300 pesos. E kung 10 lapad ang padala mo, 3,000 pesos na ang talo mo.  Isang payo lang - kung mag-uuwi ka ng Yen cash, kapag ang total ay 100 lapad o higit, huwag mong kakalimutang i-deklara sa customs, sa Japan at sa Pilipinas din (kung ang equivalent ng Yen mo ay US$10,000. Hindi bawal mag-uwi ng cash - basta’t i-deklara lang kung 100 lapad (Japan), o US$10,000 (Philippines). 

Tungkol naman sa wish list mo - 

1.  Kahit wala kang papeles, pwede namang umakyat sa tuktok ng Mt. Fuji. Masarap kung may kaibigan kang kasama. Mag-plano kayong mabuti at mag-check ng weather forecast. Kasi madulas at delikadong umakyat kapag umuulan. Huwag din sa winter - manginginig kayo sa lamig. Siguro summer season - yong date na hindi pa super init at hindi super humid. Normally, pupunta muna kayo sa 4th station sa Mt. Fuji, matutulog, at gigising ng madaling araw para umpisahan na ang pag-akyat in time for you to see the sunrise kapag nakarating na kayo sa tuktok. Hindi ako sigurado na goodluck sa mga Hapon kapag naka-climb na sila sa kanilang itinuturing na simbolo ng kanilang bansa.  Ang alam ko lang, mithiin ng karamihan sa mga Hapon ang maka-akyat even just once in their lifetime.   (It’s closed to the public during winter. There’s a schedule, usually from July to September when people can climb Mt. Fuji. - Ed)

2.  Imperial Palace sa Tokyo. 

Maganda ang view sa paligid ng Imperial Palace. Alam mo iyan dahil may litrato ka pa nga. Napansin mo sigurong may nakapaligid na tubig (moat) sa palasyo. Para sa seguridad ng Emperor/Empress iyon. Sabi nila, may mga “frog men” pa nga daw na lumulusong doon sa moat para mag-check baka may bomba or any hazardous na bagay na makakasakit sa kanilang Imperial Highnesses/Family. Dahil na rin siguro sa strict security measures para i-protect sila, hindi bukas sa publiko ang palasyo kung hindi sa ilang okasyon lamang sa loob ng isang taon. Only on Jan. 2, New Year’s Greeting, at saka sa birthday ng Emperor (Feb. 26) allowed ang general public to enter the inner grounds of the palace to meet/greet the Imperial Family. Not face to face, though. Nandoon sila sa balcony several times para kumaway sa mag-greet sa kanilang imperial subjects/mga common tao. Hindi ako sigurado kung mag-re-require sila ng ID. Baka kailanganin, for security of the Imperial Family. Pero kung December ang plano mong umuwi no chance ka na sa Jan 2 at Feb 26. 

3.  Yong tungkol naman sa official residence ng ating Philippine Ambassador - popularly known as Kudan. 

Maganda at malawak ang hardin sa Kudan. Malaki din ang bahay pero luma na. Binili ng Philippine government ito from the Yasuda family noong 1944 sa halagang 1 million yen (Yes! Isang daang lapad!).  It was the first Philippine Embassy and Residence outside the Philippines after World War II. Shortly before the close of the war, Kudan served as the Chancery and Residence. Ngayon, Residence na lang ito. Ang embassy natin ay nasa Roppongi. 

Entonces, atin yong Residence - pag-aari ng gobyerno natin, and it follows, pag-aari ng sambayanang Pilipino. Pero designated na opisyal na tirahan ito ng ating Ambassador. Isipin mo na lang - kunwari, may pabahay na bigay sa iyo ang ating goverment as part and parcel ng package sa pagta-trabaho mo sa overseas assignment mo sa gobyerno natin. Alangan namang kahit sino ay pwedeng pumasok sa tirahan mo. Dapat naman siguro iyong inimbita mo lang, ang iyong papapasukin. 

Nasa sa nakatira ang rules niyang gagawin, kasi nga, pabahay naman iyon sa kanya para sa kanyang seguridad, para may personalidad naman din ang sugo ng Pilipinas sa bansang Hapon, at kung may official reception na gagawin doon sa Residence. 

May mga Ambassadors tayo noon na natutuwang mag-imbita sa ating mga OFWs para magkita-kita at mag-diskusyon sa loob ng residence. Noong time ni Ambassador Valdez (R.I.P.), doon palagi ang practice sa Rigidon de Honor. Si retired Ambassador Arguelles, ganoon din - maraming gathering sa Residence yong mga ordinaryong Pilipino. Si Ambassador Lopez (R.I.P.), gusto niya masaya - may kantahan, etc. iyong mga “professional” Pinoys na iniimbita niya sa Residence. 

So kanya-kanyang sariling policy and personal choices ang mga Ambassadors natin. Kanilang residence naman iyon habang sila ay in-a-sign ng ating Presidente. Prerogative ng Ambassador kung gustong buksan o hindi sa katulad nating ordinary mortals and official residence niya, o pang-official business gatherings lang. 

Tita Lits

P.S. Sulat ka ulit sa akin kung matutuloy kang mag-give up, or magtitiyaga pa ng kaunti. Pwede namang mag-tourist dito sa Japan si misis at ang anak mo.

ISANG PANGARAP:

Buong buhay ko, ako ay isang empleyado. At akala ko, hanggang mag-retiro na ako, ako ay isang empleyado pa rin. Not that masama ang naging takbo ng aking career – sobra-sobra nga blessings kong natanggap kay Lord. Kaya lang, pagkatapos ng mahigit ng 25 taon na pag-i-stay ko sa Japan – estudyante, propesyonal, maybahay ng isang Hapon – bigla akong inilipat ng aking kumpanya (PNB) sa bansang Italia, para maging base ko ito sa pagiging head ko ng overseas banking business sa buong Europa, Israel at Africa. 

Laking tuwa ko noong tawagan ako sa Roma ng Presidente ng bangko noong ika-12 ng Pebrero, 2010 – balik na daw ako sa Japan, at Tokyo na ulit ang base ko! Magiging head ulit ako ng Asia-Pacific business ng bangko. Laking tuwa na aking asawa na finally, babalik na ako sa aking second home, ang bansang Hapon.

Ngunit hindi pala nauukol. Hong Kong daw finally ang magiging base ko. So noong Mayo, taong 2010, lumipad na ako doon para sa turn-over of responsibilities, at para tumingin na ng matitirahan. Bitbit ko na rin mga damit ko at ibang basic na gamit para sa magiging bagong challenge ko sa buhay.

Ngunit noong unang araw ng Hunyo 2010, ako ay nag-sumite ng aking resignation sa bangko.  Ipokrita ako kung sasabihin kong hindi ako ninerbiyos doon sa desisyong tumigil ng mag-trabaho, para makasama ko na araw-araw ang pamilya ko. Ang laki ng kaba ko sa dibdib na wala na akong tatanggaping sweldo buwan-buwan. Papaano na ang buwanang pag-suporta ko sa magulang ko?  Paano naming kakargahin ang malaking gastos sa eskwela ng aking anak? Hindi kaya ako ma-bore dahil nga buong buhay ko, sanay akong nagta-trabaho? Hindi kaya ako maging nagger sa asawa, dahil nga nasa bahay na lang ako araw-araw, at wala ng propesyong pinagkaka-abalahan?

ISANG DASAL:

Tulad ng lahat sa atin, kapag may problema, lapit kay Lord. Of course, hindi lang sana kapag may problema, pero sigurado, kapag may kargang mabigat sa dibdib, di-natin nakakalimutang lumapit.  So lumapit ako at sa paglapit ko sa Kanya, hiningi ko na sana’y bigyan niya ako ng sapat na lakas ng loob, na malagpasan ang kahit anong pagsubok kong dadaanan sa aking naging desisyong tumigil ng mag-trabaho para hindi na malayo sa aking pamilya. At sana’y i-guide Niya ako, sa tamang landas ng patutunguhan.

Araw-araw, walang tigil na dasal. Noong lumi-liwanag na kung ano ang aking gagawin sa next stage ng aking professional career, ang dami kong nilapitan, para maging aking Prayer Angels.  Nangunguna na dito ang aking mahal na Nanay, ang aking asawa, anak, kapatid, mga kaibigan, mga dating kasama sa trabaho – lahat sila ay tumulong magdasal, para ibigay ni Lord sa akin ang isang specific na dalangin ko. Takot akong humingi ng specific na pabor sa Kanya, dahil nga baka  kung ibibigay Niya, ay hindi naman pala makakaganda sa akin, or hindi ko kayang palakarin. Pero this time, specific talaga ang hiningi kong ibigay Niya sa akin.

Sabi ko, Lord, please, please, please… Grant that the Japanese financial regulator gives me already the permission and the approval for a money transfer license para sa plano kong mag-remittance business. Ilang buwan ding nabingi siguro si Lord sa paghingi ko, sa pagdarasal ko, at ng mga Prayer Angels ko.

Pero ginawa ko din naman ang parte ko. Tatlong buwang pagpapapawis at pagta-trabaho araw-araw, ng 12 oras sa isang araw, buhat noong Setyembre 2010, sa pagpe-prepare at pag-rerepaso sa napakaraming mga requirements ng Japanese financial regulator. Finally, pinag-sumite na kami ng formal application papers noong huling araw ng Nobyembre 2010. At noong ika-11 ng Abril, 2011, heto na! Registration No. 00011, Director General of the Kanto Local Financial Bureau! April 30, 2011, pinabasbasan na namin ang bagong office; May 1, 2011, nagbukas na kami ng negosyo.

ISANG TAGUMPAY!

Salamat sa lahat ng tumulong, sa lahat ng nagtiwala, sa lahat ng mga nagdasal. At higit sa lahat, salamat sa Diyos. Hanggang ngayong kasalukuyan, di-humihinto ang aking pagdarasal, para sa ikabubuti ng kumpanya, at ng mga tauhan ng kumpanya na umaasa sa kumpanya para sa kabuhayan ng kani-kanilang pamilya.

Ang majority stockholders ng Speed Money Transfer Japan K.K. ay migrant workers din, katulad ninyo, dear readers. Nag-dare mangarap, nagdasal ng taimtim, at nagtagumpay!!!

Tita Lits

Toto (I forgot his family name!), interviewed me for the article, and edited my draft. He passed away—an untimely, young death—a couple of years or so ago, and I miss him so much. I hope he will see this column in heaven and have a big smile.

I will quote here some of the passages in the article in the original Tagalog it was written and do a summary of important points we can all learn from:

Ang sarap mangarap! Sa pangarap, kayang abuting kahit anong pinakamataas na mithiin natin sa buhay. Subalit ang pangarap ay iyon lamang—isang pangarap na kung hindi maisasakatupad, ay mananatiling isang pangarap lamang. Pero sabi ng Diyos, “Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened," diba?

So hingi tayo kahit anong favor kay Lord! Kaso nga lang, baka naman ang hiningi natin ay hindi pala ang nararapat o makakabuti sa atin. So ano kaya ang mabuting gawin?

Iba-iba and magiging sagot natin sa katanungan na ito. Ako, humingi talaga ako kay Lord. Sabi ko sa kanya, “Takot ho akong humingi kasi baka hindi naman makakabuti sa akin kapag ibingay mo. Pero this time, talagang heto po ang gusto ko. Promise ko sa iyo, kapag ibinigay mo, i-se-share ko sa nakakarami ang biyayang matatanggap ko.”

Isang Pangarap

Ilang taon na ba tayong nasa ibang bansa para makipag-trabaho? Hanggang kailan kaya natin kayang magtiis na malayo sa ating mga mahal sa buhay, dahil kailangan nating kumayod, kumita, at makatulong sa ating mga mahal sa buhay? Sulit kaya ang mahabang panahon na mahiwalay sa ating mga magulang, kapatid, asawa, at anak?

Iba-iba tayo ng pangarap. Iba-iba rin ang mga paraang ginagawa natin para makamtan ang ating mga pangarap. Mayroong simple lamang ang pangarap—kumita, tumulong sa pamilya para maiangat sa kahirapan, para makapagtapos ng pag-aaral ang mga anak. At ito ay madali naman nating makamtan kung kayang magtiis ng kalungkutan ng hindi makapiling araw-araw ang mga mahal sa buhay kung magsisipag at pagbubutihin ang pagta-trabaho.

Ganoon din ka-simple ang aking gusto sa buhay—ang kumita ako ng sapat para maka-sustento sa aking mga magulang at makabili ng isang bahay at lupa kung saan makakapag-retiro at maibigay sa mga anak ang pinakamataas ng edukasyon sa pinaka-magandang paaralan, para maging pasaporte nila sa magandang trabaho at magandang buhay.

Pero kung minsan, hindi naman tuwid-na-tuwid ang landas na ating tatakayin sa buhay. Mayroong mga pagsubok na dumarating sa atin, na nagiging dahilan ng paglihis at pag-iiba ng ating landas na ating tatakahakin. Kung minsan, hindi natin naiintindihan, at kalimitan atin pang kinu-question si Lord kung bakit may ibinigay sa atin ang ating mga dinaranas sa buhay. Nalalaman natin ang sagot hindi sa loob ng isang araw, isang linggo, ng isang buwan, o kahit sa loob ng isang taon. Kung minsan, years talaga, bago natin ma-realize na tama pala Siya. Na kung hindi nangyari iyong iyong mga paghihirap at maraming pagsubok noong mga nakaraang maraming taon, hindi pala tayo magiging handa sa ibibigay Niyang magandang regalo sa ating buhay. Na iyon palang mga paghihirap at pagsubok, ay para lamang sa ating practice para maging handa sa kanyang inilalaan sa itin.

Itutuloy…

(Hanggang sa susunog na kabanata, my dear readers, ng ating mga Pangarap, Dasal, at Tagumpay!)

Tita Lits

January 2024