The Morioka-Manila Scholarship Association, who provides support for the education of children in Manila, has also been providing support for Filipino women and families living in Rikuzen Takata and Ofunato, where there was much damage from the tsunami.
These women, who decided to leave their home towns to come and live in Iwate, are kind and strong.
On the 4th, 13 Filipino women from Morioka and the Morioka-Manila Scholarship Association, visited the Village Center in Takkon-cho, Ofunato, with clothing and other supplies. There, they met other Filipino women and families living in Ofunato and Rikuzen Takata, and Filipinos from Catholic churches involved in support activities. In the assembly room, they handed out a 2 tonne truck’s worth of supplies provided by Morioka’s Victim Support Team, SAVE IWATE, which included clothing, blankets, diapers, and milk, etc.
The room was filled with Tagalog, English and Japanese, and within less than an hour, all the supplies had been handed out.
From Rikuzen Takata, Emily Suzuki (35), mother of 3 young girls, gathers diapers from the supplies while a member from the Morioka-Manila Scholarship Association watches her children. She shows a relieved expression as she says, “thanks, that helps a lot”.
A luncheon was held after the exchange, and after a few words of prayer from Father Gary Gestoveo, everybody enjoyed some home-style cooking.
A Strong Community
Marifé Sugawara (47), a leader of the Filipinos, lost her Yonesakicho home in the tsunami. Thankfully, her husband and two young sons were safe. For a while, her husband had to return to his old house, but three months ago, he returned and the four of them are now living in temporary housing.
The factory of the electronic component company he was working at was destroyed in the disaster, and he now works at the grilled chicken processing plant of the same company. It takes him more than 30mins by car from the temporary housing to the factory.
“And it costs a lot in gasoline. I wish I could work close to home”. Whilst he is grateful for the support, he reveals his concerns, saying, “it will be tough if we have to rebuild our home”.
According to Marifé, there are about 70 Filipinos in Ofunato and Rikuzen Takata. Of those, 15 from Rikuzen Takata and 4 from Ofunato lost their homes in the tsunami. Even for those who didn’t lose their homes, some have lost their jobs which has made living tough. Before the disaster, there were many Filipinos working at food or electronic parts factories, as well as working late nights at restaurants. Many of them have families with Japanese men and are raising children. The trial still continues, but the tsunami has passed and the Filipino community has become close knit and stronger. Marifé says that “the feeling of responsibility to protect my friends and family is what keeps me going”.
Loved like an older sister from all around her, Elva Sugawara (50) from Ofunato, who also says, “Seeing everyone’s smiling faces gives me the strength to try hard”. In January, her eldest daughter, Keiko, celebrated her coming of age. Elva, herself, challenged the Home Helper level 2 examination and passed. She says, “I want to study more and one day have a nursing job”.
Coverage from a Major Television Station
On this day, a Filipino major television station, GMA, is filming a documentary about the Filipinos. The producer says, “this area has suffered more damage than you could imagine, but you can feel the strength of the Filipino community to overcome these tough times. I hope that the message of hope will be conveyed through this documentary”.
The Morioka-Manila Scholarship Association helped with the job of confirming the whereabouts of Filipinos during the disaster, which then lead to them starting support activities. This is the sixth time they have helped with distributing supplies.
Secretary General, Yoshiko Ito (61), spoke about the Filipinos. “These women divided the supplies evenly, and they treat each other like neighbors. Just seeing that makes me feel good”.
Director, Toshiaki Takahashi (60), felt their power, saying, “it was actually them who gave us power”.
（Tokai Shinpo 2/11/2012）
