Bayaning Pilipino sa Japan 2019

Brandon “Randy” Yonaha-Country Winner 2019

• Ibaraki, Tokyo

It was year 1992 when Brandon “Randy” Yonaha first step foot in Japan.  This man of Japanese descent has been working as a factory worker.  But that’s not the only thing that he does – he is a family man, a brother to many, a mentor to the newbies, and a dear friend of the community.

Kuya Randy as he is called by many, has been a guiding light and counselor to everyone who asked for his help.  The young men working in factories near his area would agree.  With his calm and approachable demeanor, it wasn’t hard for people to be drawn towards him.  Their Kuya Randy took them in and showed them the ropes of what it’s like to be a Filipino factory worker in Japan.  Without having second thoughts, Randy has opened his house to those who needed a home.

Randy works as hard in small groups as he does in big movements.  As a founder of Global Pikons Photography, a group of photography enthusiasts with members all around the globe, they organized the “One Shoot, One Meal” project where the funds raised wre used to help Filipino communities struck by calamities.

The victims of the massive Bohol earthquake and the victims of Bagyong Yolanda from Tacloban were part of their beneficiaries from this project.

As the brains of almost every activity, you would think Randy would be the face of every project; but this silent workers prefers to work behind closed curtains and is never one to be in the limelight.  He is a bulletproof example that one need not be a full-fledged Filipino to have a heart that beats for every Pinoy.

Donna Ann Beltran - Country Finalist 2019

• Tokyo-to, Suginami-ku Koenji kita

Love is such a powerful force and it is because of love for her kababayans that Donna Ann Beltran transformed into the "Ate Donna" her peers adore and respect.

To live in a foreign country is no easy fit; and being familiar with that struggle, Donna has studied the Japanese laws and culture in order to educate fellow Filipinos who took the same OFW route as her.  Her compassion to help her country-men also  drove her to open a Training School in her hometown in Bataan.  In partnership with TESDA, they currently have 25 scholars in technical skills training.  This training school aims to equip Filipinos with knowledge and skills so that they can have a better chance at landing a good job in Japan.

Surrounding everyone in her path with tender loving care, Donna has provided shelter. clothing, food, and assistance to every Pinoy who sought her help.  Undeniably, she is a committed adviser to her trainees, a supportive daughter to her parents, a loving wife to her husband, and indeed, a hero to every person she has encountered.

Joseph Banal - Country Finalist 2019

• Shimosakunobe, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa-ken

A father figure and a reliable friend rolled into one - that is how Joseph Banal's friends and peers would like to describe him.

this soft spoken but driven man has community service running through his veins.  For the longest time, Joseph and his family, has been very active in helping out the Filipino community.  Being a servant leader, he founded the Dabawenyos Organized Society in Japan (DOSJ) in 2010, an organization that aims to unite all Davaoeños residing in Japn.  Their close-knit group also pays homage to their Filipino root by doing fund raising activities in order to send assistance to their kababayans back home.  A big project they were able to finish was putting up a preschool/day care in a far-flung barrio in Mati, Davao.  They continuously show their love for their country-men by actively participating in outreach programs and relief operations whenever calamities hit.

Joseph hopes that he and his organization would be able to help more kababayans in need, whether in Japn or back in the Philippines.  His unrivaled dedication to others makes him their everyday hero.