Jeepney Press - Neriza Sarmiento-Saito 2025

Neriza Sarmiento-Saito

March - April 2025

ON THE ROAD TO SPRING

Spring is in the air - cherry blossoms are here and in full bloom!

With the Osaka Mabuhay Community (OMC)

"The sun himself is weak when he first rises and gathers strength and courage as the day goes on." - Charles Dickens

As I walked home after work on March 14th, the brilliance of the crimson-colored moon was both fascinating and intriguing. Its glow highlighted the plum blossoms, known as the harbingers of spring. Lunar eclipses occur when the sun, Earth, and moon align in space. Some believe they signal good or bad omens, while others see them as a time for introspection—an opportunity to release negativity. For me, it’s more of the latter.

For this spring edition of Jeepney Press, I’d like to reintroduce someone who radiates positivity - Ms. Rose Kasai, President of the Osaka Mabuhay Community and Auditor of the Philippine Community Coordinating Council. More than 20 years ago, I featured her as the “Rose Among the Chrysanthemums” in the paper edition of Jeepney Press.

After taking a hiatus to rebuild her life and reaffirm her dedication to the community she founded, OMC celebrated its 25th anniversary last December 21st at the Tennoji Kumin Center. I had the honor of inducting the new officers. It was evident that the group has evolved into a community deeply committed to promoting Philippine folk dances such as Benguet, Banga, Estudiantina, Pangalay, Singkil, Bulaklakan, Subli, and many more. Rose was quick to credit Vice President Ms. Beth Oboshi and Public Relations Officer Ms. Elga Ramos for their dedication to these performances.

Mr. Kentaro Kusamoto, PAL Osaka’s manager, who generously donated a round-trip ticket to the Philippines, remarked on the joyful atmosphere, saying he felt everyone’s warmth and hospitality. He also noted how overjoyed the winner was—a moment that left a lasting impression.

Perhaps it is Rose’s genuine nature and honest-to-goodness personality that make people feel at ease. This is also why her officers hold her in such high regard.

Rose recently celebrated her 60th birthday at the Pentecostal Missionary premises, joined by Pastor and Mrs. Phil Sison, OMC officers, and close friends. Her siblings in the U.S. and the Philippines had invited her to celebrate with them, but she chose to stay in Japan—among the people she considers her family.

Aside from managing a part-time job, Rose also runs an izakaya, which she renamed Cucina ni Rosa. Proceeds from OMC’s 25th anniversary event will be donated to an elementary school in San Jose, Camarines Norte.

Looking back 25 years ago, OMC’s events were much smaller in scale. But as Rose leads the community forward, she remains determined to embark on even more meaningful projects—especially as Osaka prepares for Expo 2025.

Neriza Sarmiento-Saito

January - February 2025

ON THE ROAD TO:

Ringing out the old,

Ringing in the new

in the Year 2025

"You are never too old to reinvent yourself." - Steve Harvey

When I woke up on the first day of 2025, I didn’t gaze at the first sunrise of the year but at the sunflower painting beside my bed—a gift from my sister, Alice. She took up painting a year ago as a hobby, but it quickly became her passion. Now, her home is adorned with more than 30 paintings, capturing flowers, fruits, landscapes, churches, and even portraits of our grandchildren.

We had never realized her artistic side before. Though she was hesitant at first, I encouraged her to share her paintings as gifts for family and friends on Christmas and other special occasions. With that encouragement, she has blossomed into a more confident and expressive version of herself.

The year 2024 was marked by significant elections across many countries. In Japan, Shigeru Ishiba assumed office as Prime Minister, ushering in a new political era. Meanwhile, in the United States, Donald Trump’s inauguration this January attracted a notable audience, including numerous tech CEOs. During his speech, Trump pledged to send U.S. astronauts to Mars and plant the American flag on the Red Planet. Elon Musk’s reaction—a simple thumbs-up—was a moment that captured attention globally.

This moment resonates with the themes of the 1969 hit song “In the Year 2525” by Zager and Evans. Written in the same year as the historic Apollo 11 moon landing, the song envisions a future where rapid technological advancements lead to dire consequences for humanity. As we navigate through 2025, it’s striking to observe how rapidly the world is transforming, echoing some of the concerns expressed in the song.

No matter what challenges we face, the arrival of the New Year brings hope for better days ahead. In Japan, people prepare osechi dishes, symbolizing longevity, happiness, and family unity. In the Philippines, traditions include eating round fruits and wearing polka-dotted clothing to attract good fortune. Across the globe, vibrant fireworks displays light up the skies, bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new with optimism and celebration.

The year 2025 marks the Year of the Snake, so I added a glass snake to my collection of animal signs. The snake’s ability to shed its skin symbolizes renewal and growth—a trait we aspire to as we strive to improve ourselves each year. This reminds me of my sister, who tirelessly reinvents her art and, in doing so, transforms herself into someone her family, friends, and especially the four youngest members of our family—Lewis, Duncan, Cade, and Renny—can admire and be proud of.

MASAGANANG BAGONG TAON PO SA INYONG LAHAT!

OWWA Welfare Officer in Osaka Assumes New Post

Ms. Pilipina Clemente Dino, the soft-spoken and tireless Welfare Officer of the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Osaka, has returned to the main office after five fruitful years in Japan.

Ms. Dino’s overseas journey began with her first assignment in Syria, followed by her dedicated service in Japan. During her tenure, the POLO (Philippine Overseas Labor Office), now rebranded as the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Office, shared a space near Hommachi, which became a vibrant hub for overseas workers and the Filipino community in Kansai. This venue hosted numerous gatherings, online seminars, and “Meet and Greet” sessions with VIPs.

Since 2023, under the leadership of Labor Attaché Elizabeth Marie Raquel Estrada and in collaboration with OWWA, various community-building projects were organized alongside the Philippine Community Coordinating Council (PCCC). These included events such as Paskong Kansai Ya, HIPTOK, PCCC’s Got Talent, Sportsfests, Leadership Training Seminars, sushi-making sessions, and ikebana workshops.

In March 2024, DMW and OWWA collaborated with PCCC to commemorate International Women’s Day with a panel discussion at the International House in Osaka.

To honor Ms. Dino’s dedication, a Certificate of Appreciation was presented to her by PCCC Chairperson Ms. Katrina Fujikawa.