I am in Japan as part of a goodwill exchange program called JENESYS (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths); hence, I am away from Jeff and the mutants.
The Jenesys program is sponsored by the Japan Government through the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) in partnership with the National Youth Commission (NYC) of the Philippines.
It has been 10 days since I left Cebu and flew to Manila. I stayed in Manila for two days before flying to Narita and attended the preliminary rites in Tokyo with 13 university students and young professionals representing the Philippines. We’re still in Nagasaki at the time of this writing. Read more about Jenesys and my batch (Sulon9) here.
This trip meant spending time away from home and away from the loves of my life.
Four times — in the midst of academic deadline and work demand — I told Jeff that I wanted to give up and email the NYC, the youth development agency in the Philippines responsible for screening successful Jenesys participants, and tell them that I decided to forego my chance of flying to Japan and experience its culture, heritage and learn about its economy and history.
But Jeff, my cheerleader, would not heed any of my lame excuses and told me to knock out every responsibility I need to fullfill one at a time; and then pack my bags for the “great Japan trip.”
I love my husband because of his generosity and kindness. I love him more because he lets me spread my wings and fly.
Ate Joy is home to take care of the twins but Jeff made sure that he is around to cook for the mutants, read to them, watch movies with them and comb their hair after naked parade and bath time.
Not many women are blessed with the chance to be part of a program like this especially when the woman already has a husband and three children.
The JICE coordinators — Ms. Noriko Endo and Ms. Natsumi Takamuku — were very surprised when they learned that I have three children.
“I cannot believe it,” said Ms. Endo.
I can’t believe it either.
I am in Japan for a two-week long trip while my three children are away from me. My husband — with the help of Ate Joy — is taking care of them.
My Singaporean friend, November Tan, emphasized to me that my participation in this program does not only signify my representation of the Philippines. She said I also represent the young mothers of today, who are carving their niches and reaching their dreams while raising a family.
I did not realize that.
Thank you November for pointing this out to me.
Last year, I decided to come home after three years of living in China and the United States of America. It took some time to convince Jeff to move to my country but eventually he agreed. It’s not yet clear if we are staying here for good.
However, this one is clear: I am a proud Filipino and I am honored and privileged to be part of the Jenesys program.
Why?
Because really, in all due honesty, what program allows you to travel to Japan for free and letting you experience and learn about Japan’s economy, history, culture and heritage from the lenses of the Japanese themselves? And then reflect on the exposure and experience.
There were 210 applications for Batch 9 and I made it as one of the 14 delegates from the Philippines.
It has been a while since I participated in programs like this and it has been a breath of fresh air to be part of a group: touring waste management plants, learning about renewable energy sources and tasting the famous Japanese castella (sponge cake) made by a 224-year-old small and medium enterprise.
I have been having a blast learning about Japanese language, officially my seventh language. But please don’t assume I am a fluent speaker. I am just learning the language and can’t go beyond the basic expressions and greetings. For now. 🙂
Today, we are flying from Nagasaki to Haneda Airport and we will be presenting our action plan in Tokyo on how we plan to disseminate information about the program when we go back to the Philippines.
It’s going to be an exciting day and I will be wearing a modern Filipiniana creation by Cebuano designer Griffins Malazarte with accessories from Gracie Q Creative Designs by Grace Niggel.
Trust me when I say that I will make the Philippines proud.
