Thank you Distinguised Toastmaster of the Evening,
Madam Zoila, for the kind introduction.
Fellow members, friends, and guests - good evening.
Did I ever tell you that I was granted an
international training scholarship by the Japan International Cooperation
Agency in years 2007 to 2008? Well, the
training course was about the “Application of Multimedia Technology for
e-Education. I will share with you my
experiences on my first five days in Okinawa, Japan. It goes this way...
I started forming impressions on Japan as soon as
my foot landed in the Narita Airport. After I was through with the landing
procedure of the Bureau of Immigration, I took my sets of luggage and lifted from
baggage carousel. As soon as I approached the JICA counter at the airport, I
was provided with a ticket to a limousine bus, then she gave me a detailed
instruction on what to do next, then she escorted me to the bus stop and guided
me go to the Haneda Airport then travelled again to Naha Airport where
I was cheerfully assisted by JICA staff to my final destination - Okinawa
International Center (OIC). At the OIC, a room key and a meal card were given
to me, some personnel offered explanations as to how these card and other
amenities of the center be used. I felt I was never away from home especially
after two young Filipinos (Erik and Cris) entertained me by telling wonderful
experiences during their first week of stay. I immediately bought call cards and called my wife
and daughter from the Philippines. My
first day ended at Room 235 of OIC, the
weather was so cold, and so am I.
I woke up at about 7:00 a.m. and started the 2nd
day at the Tsukodo (dining area). I saw jolly participants from different countries. Cris san guided me to the canteen staff who
showed me how to use my meal card.
After eating, I was visited by my coordinator
(from JICA) who briefed me about important matters like house rules, courtesy, meetings
and many more. I was able to meet my classmates for the training
and various participants from the various courses. It was fun to meet them and our sponsors as
well.
I was late during the 3rd day meeting with the
participants and sponsors and I felt so sad.
I was not able to control myself for I overslept. Perhaps, it was due to the changing of weather
condition which I was not accustomed to.
I saw that my colleagues were given calling cards by Japanese staff from
prestigious companies. Damn me, for not
waking up on time! I felt I was a little
form surrounded by the head and foot of a parenthesis. But I was able to recover as my name was
called to give a brief self-introduction. I stood up and immediately recited my prepared
speech – in Japanese of course! I felt
relieved after that.
The 4th day was spent at Urasoe City, wherein,
the participants were introduced to the mayor, and we were given a key to the
city, at the same time, we were given
our non-resident alien cards for us to be able to formally live with the locals. Astounding!
In the afternoon a raffle was set for
participants – a visit to the Churaumi Aquarium.
The day was spent studying Japanese culture
and discussing their form of government, the Diet.
I got interested to go to the Churaumi Aquarium
because of the feedback I received from my friends in Okinawa. They told me that it was extremely
beautiful. My enthusiasm to go there was
further intensified by the fact that only few participants would be able to go
there due to limited number of slots. It
would really rely on luck. So I was
praying very hard that my name be called.
Oooh... how can I forget the raffle day for the trainee
to attend an Observation Tour at Okinawa Aquarium (believe me it was so huge
and was in the deepest part of the sea). The slots for the participants were
53, but more than 80 persons signed up in the manifesto. So what the JICA staff
did was picked 53 individuals by random. Sad to say I was not chosen.
But the big fighter that I am, I did not quit...
I know that somewhere along the way some trainees who were selected would not
be able to join the trip for some reasons or another. So I thought waiting
early in the morning of the next day would be a great idea... maybe I could get
a slot... oh maybe...
The 5th day...
The next day I immediately went to the
registration room but got shocked after I saw five other individuals, ahead of
me, forming a long queue in case someone backout of the trip (I thought I was
the only one with that kind of thinking). So I was kinda praying that God would
give me a chance to join the trip - then two people called the secretariat that they
won't be able to join... another three sent peelers that they won't be able to
make it. So, I was left alone in the line and I was so nervous,
my heart was pounding too fast... maybe if you would come nearer to where I
stood you would hear my heartbeat.
But no more backed-out...
The coordinator then signal the driver to start
the engine... I got so frustrated and sad... so I prepared myself to leave and
never to look back again...
While walking (with my head showing melancholic
despair), I felt a soft tap on my shoulder - "Common join us young
man!"
I consider myself fortunate that these two
generous people from the bus company agreed to accommodate me in a two-seater
bench...and the rest was history.
Madam Toastmaster.
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