DAY 7 (March 17, 2013)
Cultural Exchange Night.
Aside from our host families, there would also be officials coming so we had our mock presentation and final rehearsals in the morning for us to polish everything.
After lunch, we were given time to rest for a bit and prepare ourselves. We went back to our cottages and changed into our business attires for the action plan presentation. Coming back to the Main Hall, we had brought along with us our Filipiñana costumes so that we wouldn’t have to go back down to the cottage after the first presentation since they’ve allotted dressing rooms for us.
The officials and host families have started arriving in Hiraniwa. One by one, the delegates run to their families as they see them enter the hall. It was such a nice sight to see. To think that it was just a night with them, it felt like they’ve known each other for years.
Then I saw Okaasan and Sayaka-san. I was just so happy to see them again. I wish we could all sit in one table to accompany our families but we were not allowed. And when the hall’s almost filled with everyone expected to arrive, we were asked to go back to our places as the Action Plan presentation is about to start.
An official from the Kuji City local government, an official from JICE who came all the way from Sendai, the representative from Sanriku Railway, and some others were also there to listen to every group’s presentation.
Group A proposed seminars and workshops, and made a video that suggests the dos and donts (which we learned in one of our workshops) whenever an earthquake occurs. Group B proposed an interactive game application in Facebook that would give knowledge to the people on facts about earthquakes and tsunamis. And Group C as well, proposed seminars and activities that would give awareness about earthquakes and tsunamis.
Following the groups’ presentations, the guests and some members from the host families gave their comments to each of the groups’ action plans.
After changing into our national costumes and we had dinner first before the Cultural Exchange program starts. There were different sorts of sushi, onigiri, tempura, soba, and loads more served that night.
Actually, our group wasn’t even done with dinner yet when the program started, and we we’re the first to perform a Filipino cultural dance. After the dance, we went back on finishing our dinner. Group A danced with modern Filipino songs then sang a Japanese song, while Group C danced as well and sang a song that they have composed. Then it was the Japanese’ turn to perform. We first had a traditional song sung by a local resident; then the elementary school children played the taiko (drums) for us, we even got to request an encore from the kids!;
and surprisingly found the employees from Hiraniwa Cottage Village danced to a butterfly-themed-like dance.
When all the performances were done and having a bit of time left, we were beside our families already, starting to say our gratitude and goodbyes. Then the final words from the officials closed the night.
We heard from the Sanriku Railway representative that, finally, the national government is giving them a huge assistance for the complete resumption/recovery and even extension of their railways.
Then it was time for the families to go. Everyone was crying already, tightly hugging their families. We accompanied them outside. Despite the cold, some of us, including me, waited outside until their bus left. I wanted to at least send them off, bid and wave them my goodbye until their bus was out of sight.
I’ve overheard one of the supervisors said, “It was just one night, yet look at how much they cried. What more if it’s for 2 nights.” Indeed, I thought.
Group B with the officials from Kuji City.
Delegates from De La Salle College of St. Benilde, De La Salle University Dasmariñas, and De La Salle Lipa.
And since it was our last night, we took our last opportunity to use the onsen. We’ve been using it every night since our first time and have gotten used to it already.
I tried to finish washing up by 10pm because I really wanted to watch Arashi ni Shiyagare in its real-time broadcast no matter what. While waiting for the others, since there’s a television in the Main Hall’s lobby, I watched there, though I wasn’t able to see the first few minutes. When everyone’s done already, I walked as fast as I could to the cottage still being careful not to slip to catch up with the show. It really felt different watching it in real-time huh. LOL!
Then our group decided to stay in one cottage for our last night. Everyone’s tension was so high! We thought we were the only ones who gathered together for the last night because we were seriously so loud that night, but then we heard the 2 other groups’ laughter coming from the outside so they’ve gathered together too. I think it was almost 1AM when I decided to go upstairs and get some sleep as I am too whacked already and we still have to wake up by 6AM to prepare before departure. It was so loud downstairs but luckily, I was still able get a sleep.
Prologue
Day 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10
Aside from our host families, there would also be officials coming so we had our mock presentation and final rehearsals in the morning for us to polish everything.
After lunch, we were given time to rest for a bit and prepare ourselves. We went back to our cottages and changed into our business attires for the action plan presentation. Coming back to the Main Hall, we had brought along with us our Filipiñana costumes so that we wouldn’t have to go back down to the cottage after the first presentation since they’ve allotted dressing rooms for us.
The officials and host families have started arriving in Hiraniwa. One by one, the delegates run to their families as they see them enter the hall. It was such a nice sight to see. To think that it was just a night with them, it felt like they’ve known each other for years.
Then I saw Okaasan and Sayaka-san. I was just so happy to see them again. I wish we could all sit in one table to accompany our families but we were not allowed. And when the hall’s almost filled with everyone expected to arrive, we were asked to go back to our places as the Action Plan presentation is about to start.
An official from the Kuji City local government, an official from JICE who came all the way from Sendai, the representative from Sanriku Railway, and some others were also there to listen to every group’s presentation.
Group A proposed seminars and workshops, and made a video that suggests the dos and donts (which we learned in one of our workshops) whenever an earthquake occurs. Group B proposed an interactive game application in Facebook that would give knowledge to the people on facts about earthquakes and tsunamis. And Group C as well, proposed seminars and activities that would give awareness about earthquakes and tsunamis.
Following the groups’ presentations, the guests and some members from the host families gave their comments to each of the groups’ action plans.
After changing into our national costumes and we had dinner first before the Cultural Exchange program starts. There were different sorts of sushi, onigiri, tempura, soba, and loads more served that night.
Actually, our group wasn’t even done with dinner yet when the program started, and we we’re the first to perform a Filipino cultural dance. After the dance, we went back on finishing our dinner. Group A danced with modern Filipino songs then sang a Japanese song, while Group C danced as well and sang a song that they have composed. Then it was the Japanese’ turn to perform. We first had a traditional song sung by a local resident; then the elementary school children played the taiko (drums) for us, we even got to request an encore from the kids!;
and surprisingly found the employees from Hiraniwa Cottage Village danced to a butterfly-themed-like dance.
When all the performances were done and having a bit of time left, we were beside our families already, starting to say our gratitude and goodbyes. Then the final words from the officials closed the night.
We heard from the Sanriku Railway representative that, finally, the national government is giving them a huge assistance for the complete resumption/recovery and even extension of their railways.
Then it was time for the families to go. Everyone was crying already, tightly hugging their families. We accompanied them outside. Despite the cold, some of us, including me, waited outside until their bus left. I wanted to at least send them off, bid and wave them my goodbye until their bus was out of sight.
I’ve overheard one of the supervisors said, “It was just one night, yet look at how much they cried. What more if it’s for 2 nights.” Indeed, I thought.
Group B with the officials from Kuji City.
Delegates from De La Salle College of St. Benilde, De La Salle University Dasmariñas, and De La Salle Lipa.
And since it was our last night, we took our last opportunity to use the onsen. We’ve been using it every night since our first time and have gotten used to it already.
I tried to finish washing up by 10pm because I really wanted to watch Arashi ni Shiyagare in its real-time broadcast no matter what. While waiting for the others, since there’s a television in the Main Hall’s lobby, I watched there, though I wasn’t able to see the first few minutes. When everyone’s done already, I walked as fast as I could to the cottage still being careful not to slip to catch up with the show. It really felt different watching it in real-time huh. LOL!
Then our group decided to stay in one cottage for our last night. Everyone’s tension was so high! We thought we were the only ones who gathered together for the last night because we were seriously so loud that night, but then we heard the 2 other groups’ laughter coming from the outside so they’ve gathered together too. I think it was almost 1AM when I decided to go upstairs and get some sleep as I am too whacked already and we still have to wake up by 6AM to prepare before departure. It was so loud downstairs but luckily, I was still able get a sleep.
Prologue
Day 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10