Bayaning Pilipino sa Gawing Japan 2009

INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY

Allison Opaon (Country Winner)

• Yokohama, Japan.

When we travel or go to other places, we carry our culture with us.  Thus, it is inevitable that wherever we go, we'll always be our country's ambassador.  This is an opportunity that Allison Opaon took to heart.

Performing has always been Mr. Opaon's passion.  Being a member of the Philippine Educational Theater Association or PETA, he first came to Japan to perform in different cultural presentations.  He eventually worked as a factory worker while being a band vocalist on the side.

despite the rigors of his day job at the factory, he still found time to develop his musical craft. He continued to enrich his knowledge of our culture by practicing and further studying Filipino music.  He took this knowledge and shared it with fellow Filipinos and to Japnese people as well.  Contributing time and effort in giving seminars and trainings, Mr. Opaon became a much sought-after speaker teaching Filipino culture and music.

He also shared his knowledge of the theater and directed some theatrical plays in the different Filipino communities in Japan.

A true artist by heart, Allison Opaon carries the pride of the Philippines well in all the things he does.

Teresita Hosaka (Country Finalist)

• Osaka, Japan

A true survivor can be found in Teresita Hosaka, A Filipina residing in Osaka, Japan.  She has endured so many trials in her life but she has managed to rise above these ordeals and came out a stronger and more loving person.

When one sees her serving the community and the church and helping other people, one would not think that she was once a single parent who worked heard to take care of her daughter who was diagnosed with autism.  Teresita also overcame the challenge of her Japanese husband leaving her.  But the biggest trial of her life came when she was diagnosed with cancer.  She survived all of these.  Now, Teresita Hosaka dedicates her life in helping other people and counseling those who are faced with life's problems.

Nestor Puno (Country Finalist)

• Nagoya, Japan

It is human nature to look after our won.  That is why Filipinos abroad are known to protect and help each other.

One Filipino dedicated himself to doing just that.  Nestor Puno, in his job as the Director of Filipino Migrants Center in Nagoya, addresses the different issues and problems of his fellow Filipinos in the area.  He helps out Filipinos regarding their documentation and other legal matters.

Nestor also volunteered to teach the children of undocumented Filipinos, to reach out to them and look after most of their needs.  Simple tasks like bring them to school and back are but a few things that Nestor gets a few "thank you's" for.

COUNTRY FINALIST

1. Mari Mayang B. Nihei - Shinjuku-ku, Nishiwaseda, Japan