Christmas in a Pagan Land

Yesterday was my first time to celebrate Christmas outside the Philippines, and away from my family.

Christmas here in Japan is not a national holiday as I used to back home. Most Japanese I know don't have a religion. They practice sometimes Buddhism/Taoism  rituals as they are accustomed of but they usually use Christian (Catholic) rites when marrying.

They did celebrate Christmas though, but only the pageantry of the commercialism the western culture had brought here 150 years ago. Christmas here is just Santa Claus and lights.

On the eve just before the sunset, all of Minato Mirai's buildings (including our office building) raised their blinds. This is the yearly tradition of the complex they call Illumination. At first I taught that is because they want us, inside the buildings, to see the lights surrounding the city, but the main purpose of that is for the audience outside will see bright lights coming from the inside of the building. And because of that, the whole complex is full of visitors flashing their cameras here and there. Suddenly, it feels like home. Feels like the shopping districts of Manila on Christmas eve full of busy last minute Christmas shoppers. But then again, they celebrate Christmas yet not understanding what to celebrate about.

But fortunately, the Catholic faithfuls here celebrate Christmas. Not as festive as it is back in the Philippines but at least they have all the essentials in our spiritual needs.

We attended the bi-lingual (Japanese/English) Christmas Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve at St. Maur International School which is presided by no less than Diocese of Yokohama Bishop Raphael Masahiro Umemura and the priests serving the Sacred Heart Cathedral. There, carols are sung prior to the mass, including Filipino Christmas songs. Many Japanese who are not yet baptized Catholics joined the mass. A clear picture that spreading of the Word is in full action here. (It has been a tradition here, I think, that those who are not yet baptized can still attend mass, queue on the communion line but instead of receiving the Holy Sacrament, they bow their heads and the priest/minister bless they by laying of hands
on them)

My batchmates then celebrated the traditional Noche Buena at Fred's apartment few moments after the mass. A simple meal.

My key person and my immediate group leader allowed me to have an A.M. leave on Christmas day so I had a chance to attend the English Christmas mass at the cathedral.

After office, my closest friends in the office (Anna, Alfons, Cess, and Ate Cathie) and I went to World Porters to have our Christmas Dinner at Festa Garden, and eat-all you-can restaurant. Sulit ang pagkain, masakit nga lang sa bulsa.


Overall, this is one experience I will never forget. Not the usual merry making, simple yet full of hope, joy and true friendship. Christmas back home will always be the merriest. But one thing is for sure, here or home, we celebrate Christmas because of  a sole reason: The One True Love offered to us by Our One True God.

Goodbyes

Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow." 

- Juliet Capulet (Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare)

I had received a lot of goodbye mails a while ago. Many are coming back home to the Philippines for good. 


I envy them because they can celebrate Christmas in the Philippines. 


Suddenly, I felt sadness. Not because they are leaving. I don't know. Probably because goodbyes always are sad feelings. Sabi nga ni Juliet, parting is such a sweet sorrow.


In these two months that I have been living here, I got a chance to meet them and somehow be close to them, even for a short period of time. I wish them all a safe trip back home and a merry holidays in the Philippines.


Bon Voyage my friends! No "goodbyes", just "until we meet again".

Happy Hour Japan

I just came home from my department's bonankai (don't know if this is correct, lol). It is the year-end party. Another uniquely Japanese.

Japanese parties are usually a drinking session, and this is not an exemption. But what's so unique about this party is that everyone will have a chance to say thank you to everyone who he wishes to say thank you. A sort of saying it has been a good year for me and that is because I have you guys with me.

A totally new experience since you will never see often these people (my officemates) on a lighter side.Japanese are very much concentrated on work that they forgot sometimes to unwind. This party is their opportunity to do so.

After party is what's even cooler. Japanese people love after parties. And yes, after parties are just the same - drinking sessions. But this time you treat everyone as friends and not as officemates. You get along with them and they can share you interesting stories about them. This is a nice time to bond with your officemates.

I had a nice time tonight. The bonankai, the after party and the walking around and chatting in between the two are awesome experience here in Japan. Looking forward to more parties, and after parties, bonding with the HSE department.

Kanpai!

PS: I recently bumped into this fan page on fb. It's for a video blog of two American guys about Japanese culture, the title of their videos is the title I used for this post.

Train

I recently (over the weekend) experience boarding and exploring the very complicated train network of Japan. It must have been the world's largest (i guess) train network (wala sa kalinkingan ang Strong Republic Transit System ng Pinas)


I am used to travelling here by Yokohama Municipal Subway. My accommodation is 4 station away from my office (and it takes about 6 minutes). But this weekend, I tried to board the other trains. Yesterday, we went to Angel's (my SFC household leader) dorm at Komaba for our rehearsal for next week's CFC-Yokohama Christmas Party. We agreed to meet up at Yokohama Station (this station is a central station for 5 lines). So from Yoshinocho I took the subway to Yokohama (that means additional ¥200 because my train pass is upto Sacuragicho only). This is my first time to go to Yokohama alone, although I am familiar with the place. At the Yokohama Station we board the Toyoko Line to Shibuya. We choose to board the Rapid train (meaning express lane). And from Shibuya we transferred to Keio Line to Komaba (this time we take the local train because Komaba is jus 2 stations away from Shibuya).


A while ago, after the mass, we went to Shinagawa (at Angel's school the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology also for the rehearsal). So after eating out with my batchmates, I took the Negeshi Line (Rapid) from Kannai. This is my first time to be in Shinagawa but I even have guts to travel alone (rose, mei and glenda took Osogo line). After the rehearsal, we went back to Shinagawa Station, but this time we took the rapid Tokaido line to Yokohama then transfered to Negeshi line and again transfer to Yokohama Subway from Sacuragicho to Bandobashi where I bought my food supply for this week.


It is indeed a tiring weekend for me, but one thing is for sure, I j¥enjoyed travelling here in Jaoan, iit seems complicated but not.


I can't wait for next weekend. I am again to board other train lines (I guess) because the Christmas Party will be held in Tokyo. 

Japanese TV

Sa higit isang linggo kong walang laptop, TV ang pamatay oras ko dito sa bahay. Nakakatawa na wala naman akong naiintindihan dito sa mga palabas dahil sa hindi naman ako nakakaintindi ng hapon, pero nagawa nito ang kanyang silbi, ang aliwin ako at patayin ang lungkot sa bahay.

Narito ang ilang bagay na aking mga napagtanto sa aking panonood ng TV:

• Na-appreciate ko ang J-Pop, di ko man naintindihan ang lyrics, nakakaaliw naman silang panoorin. EXILE, Arashi, Funky Monkey Babys - eto yung mga grupo na tingin ko ay sikat dito sa Japan. Kahit saang channel e makikita mo sila, lalo na yung Arashi halos araw araw ata e meron silang program (sila ata yung F4 sa hana yori dango, pero 5 sila e). Yung EXILE naman e napakalaking boyband (katorse sila ayon sa wikipedia), pero sa isang linggo kong panonood ng tv, dadalawa lang ang nakita kong kumanta. Ang iba ay sumasayaw lang sa likod nung dalawa. Ang mas nakakatawa e tunog lovesong yung mga kanta nila, at yung dalawang kumakanta e di mo makikitaan ng kahit anong movement. Yung funky monkey babys naman e parang Salbakuta sa atin.
• Ang news nila dito ay parang hindi seryoso. Kahit kontodo porma ang mga anchors, ang set nila ay namumutakti sa kulay. May isang set na ang backdrop ay isang malaking aquarium. Ang isa naman e halos lahat ng pastel colors. At ang isa ay may cabinet na may mga stuffed toys. High tech sila pero mas gusto pa rin nila ang flash card sa pagrereport. Ang weather reporter nila ay lumalabas din minsan, habang umuulan. Kakatuwa din ang pangalan ng programs. May news program na ang pangalan e "U-la-la", "News Zero" at tsaka "20" (four hours siguro tulog ni mel tianco at mike enriquez dito araw-araw)
• Kakaaliw din ang mga game shows dito. As usual, ang imagination ng mga hapon e talaga naman kakaiba. Kailangan pa bang iexpand iyon? Pero kakaiba ang premyo nila dito. Nung isang araw e namigay sila ng mitsubishi na van.
• Mahilig din ang mga hapon sa sports. Andyan ang sumo, baseball, volleyball, golf at syempre soccer. Tyempo na natapos na kahapon ang 2010 World cup qualifier, sakto at nasaksihan ko sa TV ang qualifyer. Pasok ang Japan sa 2010 South Africa World Cup. Simula din ng Emperor's Cup (soccer). At ginaganap din dito sa japan ngayon yung world championship ng volleyball. Daming sporting event sa TV ngayon, kahit di ako nahilig sa paglalaro, naaliw ako sa panonood. Balak ko tuloy manood ng live soccer game, meron ata dito sa shin-Yokohama.
• Naaliw din pala ang mga hapon sa korean/taiwanese drama. Palabas pa lang dito sa japan ang boys over flower, love or bread, isang palabas ni barbie zhu na di ko alam ang title, irene (na college pa ata ako nung pinalabas sa pinas), pati winter sonata. Nagpapalabas din sila dito ng K-pop via Arirang.
• Madalas din nilang ipagmalaki ang mga imbensyon nila. May panel pa sila ng puro foreigners para magbigay ng comments. Meron silang Water falls na nakakapagcreate ng drawings gamit ang bumabagsak na patak ng tubig. Ang susunod na project nung gumawa nun e ang flaming water fountain. nagpakita na sya sample at talaga namang umaapoy yung tubig.

quick-e's

• Nakapagluto na din ako sa wakas ng totoong ulam (na hindi instant, hindi pirito) noong sunday ng gabi. Menudo (gamit ang mc cormick ready mix, ok ok instant nga sya pero indi ito yung instant na sinasabi ko kanina). Sa kasamaang palad, di ko sya napaabot sa lunch kanina, napanis. Ang tanga kasi, di nilagay sa ref. Anyways, lessons learnt. Ngayon ay asado naman (gamit pa din ang mc cormick). At ngayon, sisiguraduhing kong ilalagay na sya sa ref.
• Malapit na tumubo ang masels sa aking paa. Mahaba-habang lakaran ang karaniwang set-up dito. Bigla ko tuloy na-miss ang pedicab.
• Nakakainis, mukhang nagbabara na yung lababo ko. ang tagal bago bumaba ng tubig. May Liquid Sosa kaya dito?
• Meron nga palang Asian store dito, pero Filipino products (kasama na ang mga imported na kinalakihan na ng mga Pinoy sa Pinas) lang ang tinda na may kaunting Thai. Asian na nga kaya ang tawag dun? May Filipino store dito na ang pangalan ay Kapuso at Kapamilya. Hahanapin ko pa baka meron ding Kabarkada, Kabisyo, at Ka-shake.
• Nakabili ako dito sa may palengke ng mangga galing pinas. Ayun nga lang e alanganing hilaw, alanganing hinog ang lasa. Ang asim, pero ok lang, miss ko na din kasi ang mangga.
• Mga 10 minuto siguro akong nakatitig sa shelf ng mga sabon bago ako nakabili ng panlaba. Di ko alam kung tama ba yung kukunin kong sabon, wala akong kilalang brand, kahit tide at ariel ay wala. At walang translation sa english. So hulaan mo na lang sa picture na nakalagay, hehehe.
• Ganun din nga pala sa pagbili sa mga supermarket at kainan, Hai lang ng Hai pagkinakausap ka. Uso din sa kanila ang charades, maghulaan kayo kung ano sinasabi ng isa't isa. Sa kabutihang palad, tama pa naman lahat ng nabili kong pagkain.
• Ang mga bata pala dito e walang patid sa pag-aaral, may makikita kang school girls at school boys na nakauniporme kahit weekends at holidays. Nagtetren lang sila kapag nagfi-field trip.
• Kakaiba din ang fashion dito sa Japan. Saan ka makakakita sa Pinas na pumasok sa opisina nang nakamicro mini shorts? at take note, autumn ngayon. Ano kaya ang suot nila tuwing summer? Wala din silang pakialam sa color combination. Pero naaaliw ako sa mga sapatos ng lalaki dito. Gusto ko tuloy bumili ng light brown leather shoes.
• Kakaiba din ang trip ng mga hapon sa inumin. Nagustuhan ko ang lasa ng Ginger Ale. Meron din silang tinda ditong Calpis (Calcium Water) at Protein Water na parehas na parehas ang lasa (lasang yakult). Yung Suntory Protein water ay ginawa nila para sa mga slim macho daw at hindi sa mga gorilla macho, ayon sa kanilang commercial. So pwede ako sa protein water, di nga ako macho, slim naman.

Nature

We went to Sankeien Garden a while ago to have some nature tripping. No words can describe how beautiful the place is, so I think it's better to just post the pictures.

Torihama

Today's a holiday in Japan. Japanese celebrates Culture Day. We opted to go to Torihama.

Torihama is the shopping capital this side of Japan. Many international brands have outlet store here.

The place is called Mitsui Outlet Park at the Yokohama Bayside Marina.

To get there from Sacuragicho, we need to take JR Negeshi line then the Seaside Line.

The weather today is so cold. Strong winds intensify the coldness I have to buy the very first jacket I saw. Luckily I saw a cheaper one.

The place is architecturally nice. It's concept is a western style marina area.

Good finds, we may say. The temptation of panic buying struck us. Where in the world can you find an adidas shoes worth 2,200+ yen? Or a pair of Levi's worth 15,000+ yen now selling at 4,900? And how about winter jackets costing at around 5-7,000 yen? O yes, I bought it all. I grabbed the chance, hehehe.

Here's what I had shopped:

All in all, I had spent around 28,000 yen from the merchandizes alone. But that's ok. I want it and I think I need these for my a year or more stay here in Japan. Not that bad.

And should I say we plan to go there again at the yearend sale?

And here is the ultimate item I want at Torihama, hope I'll had the chance to buy this one:

A nice experience, but hopefully, I still have enough money for my leaving here for the next two months.

Japan has so much to offer, and this, is just a glimpse of it. I am excited for more.

The Other Side

We always picture Japan as a progressive country. The seat of technology and a super power. People seem to be inevitable. A country where everyone is rich, tasting the good life the technology offers. But that was not the case. Today, Japan broke that impression of mine. Not all have homes to live, and more than that no food to eat.

One of the ministries the Singles for Christ Yokohama Chapter is involved to is the feeding of the homeless around Kanai area every Sunday. This was initiated by a Filipina (Mrs. Girlie) and her Japanese husband and they called it the Curry Rice Patrol. By 6 o'clock of every sunday, people gather in Mrs. Girlie's place to pack curry topped rice that will be distributed to homeless Japanese who queued near Kanai Station.

A while ago, I was encouraged by my new found friends from SFC to join them in that ministry. So I went with them at Mrs. Girlie's place to help pack the food. It was mostly foreigners, in particular Filipinos and Americans, living in Japan who are active members of this ministry. They are doing this - allotting time, energy and love - with no hesitation every week, rain or shine, even when it is freezing cold.

We went to Kanai for the distribution at around 7:30. There, long queue of people waiting in the rain for a box of rice, good for one eating, as if waiting for redemption. Ok, I am sure it will not redeem them, but at least, it will help them get through their hunger, even for just a night.

Also waiting their are other volunteers and the priests from Yamate Catholic Church, all geared up to help.

To tell you honestly, these people are the most beautiful hungry people I ever seen in my entire life. All smiles, very happy and contented on what they have received, no complains, no greedy dirty acts. You would see them patiently waiting for their turn, and then bow and say "Arigato".

And suddenly, I felt how fortunate I am that I am enjoying the good life their country had offered me. I wonder if Filipinos do the same in other parts of the world. I wonder if foreigners in the Philippines do the same. Maybe yes, maybe no.

As I walked to the subway station, I run into a place were most of our "customers" that night will have their sleep, a place where cardboard boxes line the way, all with at least two people seating, calling it their temporary home. A different picture of Japan. A picture I haven't thought of, until now.


PS
I wanted to take pictures, but I taught they might be offended if i do so.

Boys Night Out

Last night my project team here in Japan treated me on a dinner, well not the typical Pinoy dinner we are used to. Beer are served first before anything else. They ordered a lot - sashimi, maki, yakisoba, and many other traditional Japanese dish. It was a feast I may say.

It is so fascinating how Japanese  serve their dishes - detailed and so much extravagant. In a way that night serve a cultural immersion for me. Japanese people are servants rather than being served. It would be their pleasure to hand you over the food and put beer on your mug.

I enjoyed that night. But somehow I was out of place. They are all speaking Japanese and of course I can't understand. But I know they are talking about us. I heard the word Firipin and our names in between japanese words. They were laughing so that means only two things - they are happy about us or they are laughing at us.

I will not be going into details but I'll admit, they asked me about some of my officemates. Hopefully they understood my comments and that I haven't got them into the bad side.

Then I realize, it may be cultural difference. And my mission is to decipher the code, to break this barrier, and then we will understand.

Weekend

Today's my first weekend here at Yokohama. Time for the usual weekend rituals for many foreign workers here, hear mass, laundry, household chores. And this will be the new challenge for me.

Going to sunday mass is not new to me, but the going to mass in a pagan land is a new thing. Luckily I got a bunch of friends who came with me a while ago. We hear the mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, the seat of the Diocese of Yokohama. It is unusual to see a small church, considering this is the cathedral, as my new parish for a long year. But hey, the church is nice, and to think that it is small, the mass is more solemn and the community is more closely tied. Hearing the mass here was a nice experience for me. Of course, I expected that there will be a number of Filipinos hearing mass there, and yes, a large number of the community are Filipinos, in fact, even the celebrant priest is one (I think so). But there are also a number of other foreigners - both white and black Americans, Europeans, and yes even local Japanese.

Laundry is one thing new to me. Back in the Philippines, I do not do laundry. haha. But luckily, washing machine here is automatic, throw the clothes in to the machine, put some detergent and press buttons. But still, I know I will be adjusting to this one. I am doing my laundry right this very moment I'm writing this one. One challenge for me then is to where will I hang my clothes - outside, at the veranda. And o should I say it's freezing cold outside? Japanese say this is not yet cold, but for someone who's been in the tropics for 25 years, this is really super cold. I heard a beep from the washing machine, I go get my laundry first.

At last, I finished my laundry. Next agenda, ironing clothes. I didn't iron clothes the same way I didn't do laundry when I am back home, but now I have to. So need more explanation? Just wish me luck, hehehe.

I still don't need to buy food in the market, I still have supply on my ref - foods from the Philippines I brought last monday. But I already visited the market a while ago. And it seems that it's not that as hard as doing the laundry less the language barrier issue.

Household chores, I think I will do it some other day.

I have to end this one right now. I will be cooking for my dinner tonight and for my breakfast and lunch tomorrow. Cooking for me, at this very moment means frying, hahaha, that's the only thing I know yet.

Firsts

Last Monday was my first time to leave the Philippines, to be exact, to leave mainland Luzon. I am now here at Yokohama, Japan for a year or so of project assignment at our company`s head office.

But that is not the only first time I had this week. Let me share it to you.

This is my first time to travel alone in a very strange land. This is also my first time to ride an airplane. Obviously, this is my first overseas adventure.

Last monday was my first time to eat authentic ramen. And in 5 days time, I already had eaten to 5 different Japanese restaurant here in Yokohama - three of which are the famous ramen houses: Jiro, Ichiran and Yokohama Ramen.

This is also my first time to experience autumn. And for sure, this will be my first time to see all 4 seasons.

This is also my very first time to buy a laptop for myself, and this post is the very first using it.

I am looking forward to experiencing many other firsts in my stay here at Yokohama. And I would want to put these things, and more of my Japan experience, into chronicles. And I@ll be doing these on this blog.

O and should I say, this is the very first time that I will be posting a blog at wee hours, when everyone seems to be sleeping already.