Message for the 10,000th Okinawa International Center Participant

As a former JICA Scholar at Okinawa, Japan , I was given a task to make a special message for the 10,000th participant at the Okinawa International Center - a milestone that happened after 28 years.  Here it is:

Message:

To the 10,000th participant:

Like you, I was once a participant at the Okinawa International Center (OIC) from 2007 to 2008.  I had amazing experiences – I was able to work with talented Japanese teachers and employees, I met interesting classmates and friends from various countries, I learned varied cultures, and I reached places I never dreamed of visiting.  I thought everything was a dream!

Allow me to share with you what happened to me after my training at OIC sponsored by MTEC and JICA – I immediately got a morale-boosting promotion from Creative Arts Specialist I to my current position.  Not only that, I was able to share the learning I gained during the workshops in Okinawa International Center to my colleagues here in the Philippines.  I became a better person and a worthy individual.

You are blessed!  Not only that you reach a major milestone of becoming the 10,000th participant of the OIC you also had responsibility to be at your best during the training period for you are being watched and being envied by all. 

May you be able to surmount all the challenges that may come your way and may you be able to share your new-found knowledge to your countrymen after the duration of your training.

Again, congratulations and best wishes!

Project 2, My First 5 days in Okinawa, Japan

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.

I'm all alone...

Several nights I felt so low

As I counted the hours they go so slow

I looked outside my window to the world below

All that I could see were memories of you.

Welcome to my blog!

"Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure."

This is my first Christmas away from home.
Far from the warmth of familiar voices, the smell of Noche Buena, and the chaos I once complained about but now desperately miss. It's not the same — not even close. There's a hollow ache where joy used to be. I feel... empty.

Writing on this blog helps — even just a little. It’s my way of pouring something into the silence, of keeping the loneliness from swallowing me whole.

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