Bataan Death March

When I demonstrated one time to a 3rd year class the verb "march" as in marching soldiers, they don't even have a single strand of idea what is the verb "march." I even acted out a salute to them and to no avail, they were very clueless of what I was demonstrating in front of them. As innocent as small toddlers they were, they do not have any information on how their forefathers orchestrated the attacks to Pearl Harbor and the invasion of Korea, China, the Philippines and the rest of Asia Pacific. This picture was taken from Inquirer. Click here to read the whole story.

Exchanging Peso to Yen

Probably, the easiest way to exchange your PESO to YEN when you are already in Tokyo is the Travelex Foreign Currency Shop in Yaesu underground shop in Tokyo Grandstation, Tokyo. If you don't have bank accounts yet, this is the fastest solution. Otherwise, do not leave Narita without exchanging all of your PESO and other currencies because in Tokyo, FOREX shops are very rare. Thus, if you find one, like Travelex, the exchange rate is very low. My friend's money which was around 3,500 pesos only valued at 6,970 yen at 1.98 conversion factor (Philippine PESO to YEN). The exchange rate last week was usually leveled to 2.5 something (PHP to JPY).

Air Blimp Sighted

Along the way back home, my attention was caught by this air blimp circling around Hanyu. The mark in the blimp is NISSEN. I hope I can ride this and circle around Hanyu and its surrounding cities.

Tokyo Expressway Along Maihama

Seen focused is the Orange Airport Limousine Bus traversing around Metropolitan Tokyo from Narita Airport. Shot was taken on top of Keiyo/Musashino Line.

Milestones in Japan

For the past 8 months, here are my milestones in Japan:

1. Learned the Japanese the harsh way and learned that the friends you thought were actually assholes.
2. Dumped my previous company and changed my career path.
3. Able to eat 2 packs of natto (fermented soybeans) per meal.
4. Mastered the JR East, Tobu Line, Metro and Toei Subway Lines.
5. Have familiarized most of the scripts of train stations.
6. Learned how to transact over the phone regarding my Internet line.
7. Fought with a Tokyo Gas call center staff for cutting my gas line.
8. Able to sleep in Chuo Line every morning and able to wake up in my transfer station.
9. Able to sleep while standing in Chuo and Yamanote Lines.
10. Able to find locations using online maps like Google Maps Japan.
11. Went to Disneyland, Tokyo.
12. Had skiing.
13. Seen, touched, felt snow.
14. Enchanted with Sakura during Spring.
15. Seen several festivals in Japan Saitama and Tokyo.
16. Worked in bento a factory as a part-time job earning 900 yen an hour for 6 hours.

A Birthday Post

My girlfriend sent an SMS a while ago saying that we tend to be emotional during the celebration of our natal day. Perhaps its true. Well, I would like to recall some of my birthday experiences a few years ago.

1. May 30, 2005 - I celebrated it with my colleagues in San Pedro College. It's always our village fiesta in Dumoy, so I don't need to celebrate that much since food is provided within the fiesta celebration. I could recall that was the year when we filed a libel case against the School Director and Dean of College of San Pedro College. Me, Maan, Dennis, Cathy, Ivy, Homer, and Aura were there in my house discussing the merits and the strategies of our case while munching food.



2. May 30, 2006 - I celebrated it with Johfil Villanueva. Since I just moved to Makati and did some technical work at that time, my salary was not given yet and instead will be given the following month. Gosh. Luckily, he treated me to a 2-piece chicken meal at KFC in Amorsolo at the back of Plaza Fair.

3. May 30, 2007 - I celebrated it with my former colleagues in SHT, Philippines. I bought some bihon, and fried chicken. Oh God! I miss bihon. Thanks to Vivian, Paolo, Ron, Taka and Sato for the Red Ribbon cake. I was really surprised at that time. I did not expect that they will buy a cake for me. Me and Maan also cooked bihon and bought some ice cream and cake for Aling Nene, our landlady at that time, and for the kids living within the 3rd floor in Zapote, Makati, which I used to live.

4. May 30, 2008 - Just blogging, maybe. Or will be spending some beers and gyouza with Ernest, the newest ALT on the block somewhere here in Saitama. And by the way, a little broke.... :-D

Honda: The Power of Dreams featuring ASIMO

Roppongi By Day

Roppongi (六本木) by Day is filled with police and immigration secret agents. I have been interrogated once when I went out of Roppongi Station a few months ago. An agent even asked me if I would like to go to the Immigration Office in Shinagawa because he said they can give me a free ride going there along with the other captured overstaying aliens. Hahahaha... Fools. This picture was taken under an expressway near Roppongi Hills. How I wish I have lived there. I miss the night life already.

Yet Another Maid Cafe

I was able to bring my fellow colleague in Akihabara's famous Maid Cafe. The catch is, I didn't knew that there was a 700 yen table charge. The thing we only did was to do the "magic spell" to make our coffee delicious. The script says, "Seno. nyaw nyaw nyaw nyaw poi." Grrrr... The coffee was about 500 yen for a very small sized one. The only consolation we got was seeing the cute faces of the maids and a certified "goshuujinsama" card or they call it MASTER CARD. No guys, I am not referring to the competitor of VISA and AMEX. Me and a colleague are certified rookie masters at Home Maid Cafe.

Hachioji City

Hachioji City (八王子市) is the last so-called metropolis in Western Metropolitan Tokyo. This picture was taken within the city piaza just outside of the train station. The artwork designed by university students is the kanji for HACHI which is the first kanji of Hachioji City. This material is made from recycled compact discs.

Okachimachi Matsuri

御徒町祭

Last Sunday, me and a colleague were just for some Filipino food grocery in Ameyoko in Okachimachi when we were lucky to catch a glimpse of this men-in-thongs-style-blue-shirt-carrying-shrine-type festival. I apologize for not knowing what type of festival of this but for those who can share some insights on what is this festival called, please help me. Anyway, just view the video. 面白かったんだった。

Train Delay Certificate

Probably, Japan is the only country that provides train delay certificate to its commuters if the train is delayed. In Japanese, it's called 電車遅延証明書/densha chien shoumei sho. Densha means train. Chien means delay. Shoumeisho means certificate. If the train, especially during the rush hour is delayed for more than 5 minutes, then the entire JR train network will issue a delay certificate to all stations within the area of its jurisdiction upon exiting on your destination. At first, was hesitant to get a delay certificate because of my poor Japanese skills. I just did not knew that this delay certificate is automatically generated by a machine and it's being openly placed within the counter window of each train station. Train delays happen for various reasons like apparent suicide, accident, railway checkup due to an apparent earthquake, electrical failure, snow, wind, and the least probably is crime. During the spring season, wind or the worst, dust storm, is the most obvious reason for train delays. In winter, its probably snow. Suicides happen all the year around in Japan, so don't be amazed, surprised or even get angry if its delayed.

I have experience one incident wherein Yamanote line skipped one station because there was a stabbing incident in one of the coaches of the train. Luckily, I was a bit late in riding on that train. It was just around 3 seconds as I missed that train. Then the next thing I heard was that the Yamanote Line from Tamachi to Tokyo was grounded because there was a trouble in Hamamatsuchou. So I decided to rode on Keihin Touhoku Line on the other platform since it also reaches Tokyo. There, I saw blood within the platform of the train which I missed and the same coach which I was suppose to ride. In cases of train delay, try to learn other alternative routes. Most JR lines have subway alternatives within central Tokyo and other private lines within the suburbs and outskirts of Tokyo, Kanagawa and Saitama. Also train delay certificates can be retrieved online. Here is the link for JR East in Kanto and other areas while click here for Tobu Line. Sorry guys, it's all in Japanese.

Money Matters

No Money? Money.co.uk is here to help you solve your financial problems. This website gives a comprehensive comparison over the different credit cards presently offered in the market. Comparison is based from its rate, duration and fee in balance transfer service is easy to understand as the portal is user-friendly and does provide you with present updated and detailed information about its company, background and the value-added services that you can avail. One thing surprised me is that it will guide you on what type of credit card suits you best by running the comparison wizard which will suggest which credit card is the most competitive in the market. Zero-percent balance transfers and intro purchases are featured in each criterion in the website. Major credit card companies can be chosen from the options to be compared like HSBC, American Express and Capital One credit cards. The mailing list of the website will keep you updated with what is the latest in store for you in the financial market. The website also offers services from loans, mortgages, Savings, Insurance, Banking, Investing, and Utilities. The Insurance information section of the site gives you comprehensive information about breakdown covers, and several types insurances being covered like car, caravan, health, home, motorbike, pet, travel and vans. The site gives an in-depth detail on the advantages and services offered by different insurance companies. This site is very easy to use and provides accurate information on the present trends of insurance policies and other value-added services. Thus, this Insurance section is being categorized according to several criteria. The criteria may fall under women, young drivers, students, with classic cars, performance or top-of-the-line cars, and for the folks over 50’s. Each insurance policy differs from the needs and criteria of the recipients. The site also features discounts and other promotional offerings that may suit different insurance policy holders. The website also offers free services like Reminder Service. By simply adding your e-mail in the mailing list, you will be updated with the different changes in the insurance policy offerings of all companies. By that, you may be able to carefully decide whether you will reduce your annual premiums, maximum the use of your credit card benefits and minimize any interest payment, maximize the interest paid on your savings account, minimize your mortgage payments, minimize your mortgage repayments and maximize the benefits of your broadband contract and reduce the monthly cost. Also, a downloadable electronic book about steps in saving money can be downloaded in the website for entirely free. Yes, it’s the 10 Steps To Save You Over £1000 Every Year Without Cutting Back article which helps people save their money without the needed much tightening of their budgets. So what are you waiting for? Visit and apply for the said services online.

Remembering the Halo Days

If you have probably lived in Davao City between 2000 and 2004, this video clip might be familiar to you. And if you are a club aficionado like me, well, this is for you.

Odaiba Map

For the benefit of those who want to explore the Odaiba Area thoroughly. Here is the English and Japanese version of the Odaiba area map via the Yurikamome Line.

Yurikamome Pass

A Yurikamome 1-day pass is around 800 yen. With this ticket, you can have unlimited rides within the Odaiba Area.

An ordinary ticket from Shimbashi Station.

Train Terminologies

Types of Trains

1. 電車　－　でんしゃ　－　Electric Train

2. 列車　－　れっしゃ　－　Ordinary Train

3. 新幹線　－　しんかんせん　－ The Bullet Train

4. 汽車　－　きしゃ　－　Steam Engine Train

5. 郊外電車　－こうがいでんしゃ　－　Suburban Train

Classification of Trains according to speed and destination

1. 普通　－　ふつう　－　Local. This train stops in all stations.

2. 各駅停車　－　かくえきていしゃ　－ literal term for local train which means “stopping on all stations” Same as 普通・ふつう・local train.

3. 準急　－　じゅんきゅう　－ Local Express Train. It stops in all stations but destination is fewer than a 普通・各駅停車.

4. 快速　－　かいそく　－　Rapid. Stops in some stations.

5. 特急　－　ときゅう　－　Special Rapid. Stops in very few stations than Rapid.

6. 区間快速　－　くかんかいそく－　Section Rapid. Stops in some stations depending on the train line.

7. 区間特急　－　くかんとっきゅう　－　Section Special Rapid Stops in very few stations depending on the train line.

8. 回送者　－　かいそうしゃ　－　Out-of-service train

9. 通過　－　つうか　－　A Rapid or Special Rapid Train that bypasses a station. This train doesn’t stop on the station.

On Train Travel Terminologies

1. 行き　－　ゆき　－　bound for ~ train

2. 終点　－　しゅうてん　－　terminal

3. 参ります　－　まいるます　－　approaching (the train)

4. 乗り換えます　－　のりかえます　－　change trains

5. 電車遅延　－　でんしゃちえん　－　delayed train

6. 原因　－　げんいん　－　cause of the delay

7. 電車遅延証明書　－　でんしゃちえんしょうめいしょ　－ train delay certificate

Inside the Train

1. 自動列車制御装置 ―　じどうれっしゃせいぎょそうち　― ATC / Automatic Train Control. An automatic stop mechanism in case of emergency.

2. 優先席　－　ゆうせんせき　－　Priority Seat

3. 鉄子　―　てつこ　― nickname for a female train otaku

4. 鉄ちゃん　―　てつちゃん　―　nickname for a male train otaku

5. 飛び込み自殺 ―　とびこみじさつ　―　committing suicide by throwing oneself in front of an on rushing train

Rush Hour

I have lived in Kunitachi City in Western Tokyo for 6 months and I admit that the rush hour in the Chuo Line is maybe the wost amongst all train lines. But my perception was wrong upon seeing this recently uploaded video in You Tube. It appears as the train line is the yellow-line Sobu Line Rapid service in Chiba going to Tokyo. Watch how JR Train personnel try to squeeze the passengers as if they are packing bundles of rags inside a small sack. This is horrifying and I am thankful the Chuo Line is far more decent than this train line.

A 270 Yen Printer-Scanner-Fax

I was able to buy this junk Lexmark X1185 printer in Hard-off (Yeah, the name of the store sounds horny), a popular junk and 2nd hand store shop for electronics here in Japan, for just 270 Yen. Yes, I am not joking. But since this is a junk, the catch is, this printer doesn't have any ink cartridges. Also, when I bought it, the USB cable is sold separately. The USB cable is worth 300 yen. Strange because the USB cable is more expensive than the machine itself. My purpose of buying this junk is for me to scan most of my documents into PDF and JPEGs. Scanner works perfectly fine. This printer-scanner-fax has also bundled CDs for its drivers and utilities especially for the fax. Try looking for any Hard-Off stores nearby and discover a new paradigm in electronic junk hunting.

Shinagawa Intercity Bazaar

Last Golden Week, I had a little shopping at Shinagawa Intercity Complex. They recently hosted, or might have actually been doing it yearly, a Golden Week Shopping Bazaar. Floors of 2nd hand and brand new items fill its corridors and sell them to prospect buyers passing along this facility. Here are some of the pictures.

Yurikamome

Here is my travel from Shimbashi to Odaiba via the Yurikamome Line. The Yurikamome Line is an unmanned train. Controls are all computerized from its schedule to its stops with all of the stations.

Pimp My Ride

Toyota City Showcase Exhibit Area in Odaiba

Cool.

I love to have one of this these days. It's a dream of boys to have one of them as toys. I wish I have this driving simulator at home.
Yet another dream sports car.

Shinagawa Station (品川駅)

This picture was taken by myself on top of Prince Hotel in Shinagawa Station. Below is the Shinagawa Train station servicing JR, Haneda, Keikyu and the Shinkansen Lines.

Itsumo

Probably, the closest thing that the Filipino Music industry came in touch with the Japanese language is the single "Itsumo" by Dice and K9 of Cebu. Itsumo means always in Nihongo, the Japanese language. Its a rap song about faithful love. Watch as this music video topped the charts during its peak and making disco clubs and lads wild about this music.

Proud To Be A Filipino

This music video of the Black Eyed Peas starring Allan Pineda, who is a Filipino highlights his roots as a true Filipino who then struggled with his life to escape poverty in the Philippines and went to USA to study and work until he met and his fellow group mates, now called the Black Eyed Peas. This is probably one of the music videos that truly make me proud as a Filipino OFW like him. The Filipino lyrics in the chorus section was taken from the famous song of Asin.

Lyrics of Chorus in Filipino and English:

Lapit mga kaibigan at makinig kayo.
Come fellow friends and listen.


Ako'y may dala dalang balita galing sa bayan ko.
I brought news from my hometown.

Nais kong ipamahagi.
I wanted to share it to you.

Ang mga kwento't mga pangyayaring nagaganap,
Sa lupang pinangako.
The stories and happenings in the promised land.

The Video:

The music video shows the dying struggle of Filipino World War II Veterans who fought side-by-side with the USA against the atrocities of the Japanese, who are losing grounds in the US mainland as financial compensation, just benefits and full US government recognition are slowly fading away.

Earthquake

I have experienced the strongest earthquake (jishin/地震) so far here in Japan just this dawn around 130AM. It happened to me in Tokyo thrice already but this one is the strongest so far. The epicenter is around Ibaraki Prefecture and it registered intensity 5. Near my place is just 4.0 in the Richter scale. It lasted for around less than 40 seconds. Thank God it did not happen during office hours or else I would be in panic already.

Hello Kitty Resort Cable Car

A view of Heaven's Sonohara Resort. A Hello Kitty Skiing Resort in Nagano Prefecture. Sorry guys but all of us are very noisy due to excitement and confusion over a missing colleague that day.

Disneyland

Finally, I already visited Tokyo Disneyland. Disneyland celebrated its 25th Anniversary last April 15, 2008. Here are some of the pictures.

Kazo City's Koi no Bori Festival

Boys of Japan celebrate this festival during Kodomo no Hi or child's day. They raise this beautiful goldfish/carp lantern/kite or whatever you may call it. I went to Kazo City yesterday and it was breathtaking. It's a Guiness World Record for the World's Largest Lantern measuring 80 meters in length. Kazo City is very famous in Japan for producing this lantern all throughout Japan. Also, Kazo City is known for producing Kendo equipment, and soba. Festival is only held once in a year and I was lucky to take a glimpse of this once in a lifetime event. I hope I can still see this next year.

Shiba Sakura

Shiba Sakura (芝桜), situated in Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture, is one of Japan's most famous place every Spring Season because of its famous and most photographed flower fields. Access is via the Chichibu Tetsudou Line in Saitama and the Seibu Chichibu Line in Tokyo area. Entrance fee would cost around 300 yen. Train travel fee depends on where you are. My advice though is if you are in the Tokyo area, take the Seibu Chichibu Tetsudou and when you are in Saitama, take the Chichibu Tetsudou Line. Remember that these two train lines are different. The norikaemasu or change trains station is in Ohanabatake, one station away from Chichibu City Station, which is going towards Kagemori station. Best time of the day to go here is when the sun shines in its brightest because the effect of seeing an array of the colors of the flowers are blissful. Also, never do here without a camera. You might regret going here. You could also do side trips of strawberry picking in the nearby mountains and could have a glutunous lunch in their old-fashioned classy restaurants.