My grandparents and relatives recently visited Manila, so I came home to Marikina from the province. It was a fun three weeks with them. We also had two family reunions (one from my grandfather’s side and one from my grandmother’s) while they were here. My brother and I always assisted our grandparents during their stay here. I’m also grateful for my relatives and the wonderful time we shared. We all cried at the airport when they left.
After my grandparents’ short vacation, I gathered all my documents for my application for the JET Programme (Assistant Language Teacher/ALT) of the Japanese Embassy here in Manila. They offer this program annually. So, if you’re interested in spreading Japanese culture and want to teach in Japan, I recommend applying for this program.
I also took JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N4 last Dec 3rd. I was nervous yet calm the whole time while answering the exam. I had already taken N5 and N4 before, so I knew what to expect. I was silently screaming when it was the reading comprehension test. I think that’s my weakness among the three tests. The first test was grammar, the second was reading comprehension, and the third was listening. I believe my strongest part was the listening section. The results will be out by February. I’m nervous about the result but I’ll accept it if I fail since I wasn’t prepared enough.
Macken also visited Manila last November, so I finally took the chance to meet him! I got his photobook “Up The Road” and “Rurouni Kenshin: Final” Blu-ray signed! He smiled at me when I said, “Thank you.” I felt weak on my knees and smiled like an idiot afterward! Haha I also attended his first-ever fanmeeting in Manila. We all saw he’s more relaxed here than at the Manila Pop Culture Convention. Denise Laurel was such a good host! I hope organizers will hire her for future Japanese fanmeetings. She was so good and pretty! We also had the hi-bye session, and it was literally just a hi-bye! I shouted, “I love Haruma too,” but I don’t think he heard me. Huhu To see his smile up close was to die for!
I also watched two Japanese movies in our local cinemas. The first was “TOKYO MER: Mobile Emergency Room” and “My Happy Marriage” (As Long As We Both Shall Live). I was silently screaming for Kaku Kento everytime he appeared on the screen. I was cheering for him! I also silently cheered for Meme and Mio in “My Happy Marriage.” I was crying the whole time since the movie deeply moved me. I first saw them together in “Trillion Game,” their characters here were very different from that drama. Great job, Meme and Mio!
Overall, I’m enjoying my life again now since I’m already back here in Metro Manila. I can meet my friends and attend events again.
please recommend some stores here in Ph wherein we can buy Japanese merchandises. I really want to buy a certain japanese album but i don't know where. I tried visiting CDJapan but I don't know how to order from the said site and how to pay for the said album. thanks in advance ^^
Hello! Thank you for dropping by my blog! <3
I actually made a review about the four online Japanese stores (CDJapan, HMV Japan, YesAsia and Play-asia) that I know of. Please do read about it here.
If you don’t have any means to purchase from the said online stores, we have the following local stores here in the Philippines that sell Japanese merchandise:
Waku Waku - an anime / J-Pop hobby shop located in Katipunan, Quezon City. Although they have a physical store, they reach out to fans by being present in anime / J-Pop conventions. I blogged about them before here.
Red Monster Shop - they sell all kinds of J-Pop merchandise and even K-Pop merchandise. They’re also always present in anime / J-Pop conventions. They have a physical store too in Marcos Highway, Antipolo. Click here for the facebook page.
JPY Fashionvilla - They sell mostly second hand Johnny’s goods. For their facebook account, please head here.
Karupini Collectibles - If you’re an Amuse fan, I bet this store is for you since I think they mostly order from Asmart, Amuse Inc.’s web shop. For their facebook page, please head here.
For fellow fans who sell their preloved J-Pop goods, please refer to this facebook groups: 1 / 2. Although these groups are not properly moderated, most posts are still about selling J-Pop merchandise.
We actually have lots of local online stores that sell J-Pop merchandise. I’ll make a detailed list soon! ;)
Hi, do u promote other japanese idols n boybands aside from Amuse talents?
Hello there! :) In Amuse PH, we mainly focus on Amuse artists but we’re also open to the Japanese entertainment scene in general. For example, we also promote the co-actors of Amuse talents in their dramas. We also help fellow street teams to promote.
Personally coming from me, although I’m a huge fan of Amuse talents now, I’m also a huge follower of the Japanese entertainment scene in general so I just don’t focus on one artist. I do my best to be also open to all.
I hope I answered your question. :) Thank you for the ask! OMG /flails
We celebrated the International Day of Happiness not too long ago and I was also tagged by jonnaismeee a few weeks ago. (Thank you!) So, I think this post came at the right time.
So, here are 15 things that make me happy:
✰ A tight hug
✰ A random hello
✰ Good Japanese dramas and films
Okada Masaki in the Japanese drama “Scientific Task Force”
His bromance with Fujiwara Tatsuya made me so happy!
✰ Inspirational music (from Western pop culture to Japanese pop culture)
I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it on iTunes radio.
✰ An instagram update from my crush
His posts make me go ドキドキする。
✰ An instagram update from Kaku Kento (especially his dork face lol)
Follow Kaku Kento on instagram by the way! You’ll get flooded by this kind of face. lol
✰ Cat licks from Haru
✰ When Haru sleeps beside me
I love Haru so much.
✰ Quality time with friends
With my friend, Pat, being vain after the RKDVDLaunchPH event haha!
✰ Writing letters and sending snail mails
Working on the floor since I’ve got no desk lol
✰ Receiving and reading letters
A letter from a good friend
✰ Anything matcha (green tea)
A green tea cake!
✰ Long travels while listening to my music
✰ Daydreaming about my dreams
✰ That accomplished feeling after finishing translating a Japanese article
So, how about you? What are the things that make you happy? :)
This post will contain photos of outfits I wore for a certain day. I love dolling up and be creative in what I wear. I already lost a couple of pounds so my self-esteem in dressing up is coming back bit by bit. I’m covering my faces in some photos since I’ve got an awkward smile! Pardon me. I should really practice posing and smiling properly. lol I’ll update this post once in a while.
Hello! I turned a year older two days ago. I just did the things I normally do everyday during my special day. We also had pizza for dinner to celebrate. I’m thankful that I reached this long in life. I’m not really sure yet how and what will I be in the next years of my life but I’ll do my best to become the very best version of me each year. がんばります！
It's already the end of 2013 and I have a lot of things to be really thankful of for the past year.
Let's do a recap! Shall we? :)
January
Johnny's showed a documentary of the Johnny's World. It featured our young Johnny's idols who are working hard for a musical. This documentary reminded me how I became a JPop fan and how thankful am I to have become one of their fans. The Johnny's fandom is indeed one of my inspirations. For my blog post about the show, go here: CLICK
February
Came February 2nd, I celebrated my 23rd birthday with wonderful friends from the fandom. Thank you so much to B1, B2, Ate Ekai, Ate Butchoy and Jenpi for celebrating my 23rd birthday with me. You already all became precious friends for me. Thank you very much! <3 Thank you also to my dad who granted my cravings for J.Co green tea donuts! haha! For my blog post, CLICK.
Japanese Night at UP Diliman also happened in February. I was invited by my friend who studies at UP then. Hi Lhuke, thank you so much! My friends and I were so noisy that time; we were really having fun especially at the cosplay part! haha For some photos: CLICK. For the blog post, CLICK.
I wouldn't also forget that someone asked me out for a date on Valentine's day! BUT! SADLY! He only asked me through my ask.fm account! I really wonder who are youuuuuu! Please personally ask me out next time! I won't bite! haha!
March
Came March, Philippine One Ok Rockers' organized a tribute night for ONE OK ROCK. Thank you dearest admins for organizing this awesome music event for ONE OK ROCK! Click for the photos. It was also featured in Manila Standard Today. Click for the article.
Also on March, I was invited by the members of Kirei Ningyou to their anniversary. Thank you dearest Jenpi, Yannie and Jewel for inviting me! Please do keep on covering Perfume dances for us. I'm really looking forward to your upcoming performances!! For some photos, CLICK.
It was also on March when Amuse Team Philippines was at the Rurouni Kenshin DVD Buyout at Odyssey, Gateway. Here are some photos: CLICK Ms. Marica Hontiveros of PCheng Photography also blogged about it: CLICK.
Nakamaru Yuichi, my ichiban in KAT-TUN has also finally graduated from Waseda University last March. I'm really proud of you, Maru. You have already gone so far. <3
April
When April came, I was lucky to be working again for a JPOP online radio station called [J]Worldorder. I wrote numerous JPOP news articles for the site. Thank you to my boss, Michael, for taking me as one of the contributors! I really had fun writing for your radio station. :)
Also on this month, I attended Hyphens Philippines' 3rd Gathering. Thank you to my friends, Elli and Boots who pushed me to still attend the said gathering. Thank you, dear friends! Click here for some photos.
It was also in April that I got to talk to the person who is handling Amuse Inc. Asia's facebook page. I was really happy for our local fanclub since they now know that Filipino Amuse fans do exist and we're doing something here to promote their awesome artists!
May
May was indeed a very unforgettable month for since I got to witness a JPop concert once again. This time, it was dear Kyary. Her live was very awesome and what really hyped me up was I got to even shake hands with her! I was really really in heaven that time! Thank you dear Kyary for being a fashion icon and inspiration for me!!! For some photos, CLICK. For my fan report: CLICK
Also before I went to Kyary's concert, I met one of the amazing ladies behind Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Philippines: Anne. She's very oshare and a lovely girl. I'm really glad to have met you this year, Anne! <3
June
Last June, the admins of Philippine One Ok Rockers together with the admins of Amuse Team Philippines helped one another in starting an online petition to bring One Ok Rock here in our shores. We already have more than 1,000 signatures for this petition and we have already talked to Amuse Inc. Asia and to some productions who are willing to bring One Ok Rock here. The members of Philippine One Ok Rockers were also successful to give the banner full of messages for One Ok Rock during their live in Singapore. So far, I can say that our efforts may not be put to waste. :) Here's the link to the petition: CLICK.
July
Came July, it was the birthday of one of my precious people in the whole wide world: Kaku Kento. I honestly forgot his birthday since I was really absorbed with someone then. I failed to greet him on time but nonetheless, I know deep inside my kokoro (heart) that I really admire Kakkun. Thank you for inspiring me dearest, Kakkun bb! <3
I was also lucky to have been able to join the J-MELO Fanmeet with Inoue Joe! I really find him awesome with his hosting skills. He was so so lively during the fanmeet! I love his energy! I shall listen to your songs more, Inoue Joe!!
It was also announced at this month that one of my favorite Amuse bbs will be playing as Seta Soujiro for Rurouni Kenshin! Kamiki! You're an awesome actor, bb! Keep it up!!!
August
For August, I became an activist once again together with my fellow International Studies students from Miriam College. I was able to join the peaceful rally against the controversial issue, Pork Barrel. It was a very worthwhile experience since I really felt the unity of the Filipinos on that day.
Also on this month, I was able to watch several films at Eiga Sai! This was already my 2nd time in a row. I'll make sure to attend Eiga Sai every year! For my blog post about the Eiga Sai, CLICK.
September
I would not ever forget September 2013 since this month was when I knew that I got chosen as one of the delegates for Japan's exchange program called JENESYS 2.0!!! The moment I knew I was chosen, I literally hyperventilated so much! I was really really really happy!
October
October was indeed memorable for me since this was the time I already went to the land of my forever dreams: JAPAN! JENESYS 2.0, even though short, was a very life changing experience. It taught me to love Japan even more and further reach for my dreams. <3 For one of my blog posts about the exchange program, go here: CLICK.
It was also proven at this month that you cannot have everything all at once. My thesis group wasn't able to pass the thesis defense resulting to a longer period of doing an undergraduate thesis. But I did not look at it on a negative way. I tried to be positive about this. I was also supposed to graduate by this month but did not because of thesis. But, I'll really make sure to graduate this March!!!
November
November, another very memorable month for me! This was the time I got to travel together with my lovely friends the very first time! And of course, the very first time in witnessing a ONE OK ROCK concert! How awesomesauce their concert was! I was ogling at Taka and Toru the entire time! Haha! But seriously, hearing and seeing them live made me so so high! I was really in cloud nine at that time! If you want to read my live report, go here: CLICK
Also on this month, I realized that I have already gotten one of my long time wishes: to fall in love. /blushes furiously/ He makes me feel I'm in the land of pastel colors and cheerful music. He makes me blush so hard everytime I talk to him or everytime I talk about him to my friends. He has also become one of my inspirations since he's also a person who chases after his dreams.
I also got to attend a Japanese fashion related event on this year. Thank you to Ms. Tracy Dizon for letting me join her mini tea party. For my post about it, go here: CLICK. Also on the same day as this event, I also got to meet Ms. Tricia Gosingtian. She has an older sister feel. I want to be her sister! hihi
December
On this very last month, I got to official cover an event for this blog. Blog post about it will be posted soon. :)
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Year 2013 was very exceptional for me. This year taught me how to explore more and chase after my dreams. Thank you to my newly found friends and this someone who makes my heart flutter everytime. I will do my very best this year. I'll be a better me this 2014. I have lots of things that I want to do after I graduate like one goal for me this year is to work as an article writer again for a JPop news website! I am also so much looking forward to meet more people this 2014!
Let's have a great 2014! HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!! 8D
A LIFELONG DREAM COME TRUE: JENESYS 2.0 (First two days in Japan)
People who are closed to me would really know that I'm head over heels for JAPAN particularly to their soft power called "Japan Popular Culture". The soonest I came to know about JENESYS 2.0 through a friend who shared it on facebook, I immediately contacted one of my professors asking permission from her to join. She then recommended me to get in touch with our department chairperson and luckily, my college department allowed me to apply for the said program!
I actually saw myself as a worthless person then but as I was writing my CV for my application, I realized that I'm worthy as to who I am now; I have already come to a very long way. Along with all the requirements including the recommendation letter my department chairperson wrote for me (Thank you so much, Ms. Gigi!), I personally passed them at NCCA's office last August 30. Right after two days, I got a call telling me I was up for an interview two days after!
During the interview, I opened all about my love for Japan and for their culture. I expressed that even though Japan has a very negative image here in the Philippines that Japan isn't all about the negative image. They have lying cores and values that make them very unique. AND LUCKILY, I PASSED THE INTERVIEW!
We had an orientation three days before our departure at NCCA. They explained the do/s and don't/s.
So now, I'll talk about my first two days in Japan!
All the delegates met at NAIA near WOW restaurant at 11:30pm.
JENESYS 2.0 Delegates from the Philippines
We departed the plane bound for Narita International Airport at 2:20pm. The flight took about five hours! We were shrieking when we landed! While walking towards the immigration, SMAP x SMAP was screening on the TV/s in Narita's airport lounges! Oh the joy I felt while seeing it <3 The process in the immigration office was so fast compared here in the Philippines. Yes. Also on how we got our luggages was really fast! Talk about right on time in Japan! After getting our luggages, we lined up at the foreign exchange so we could exchange our dollars with yen. After exchanging our money, we immediately boarded the bus to take us to Hotel Nikko Narita.
Before checking in at Hotel Nikko Narita, Chiba, we were oriented at the bus about what to expect on our next days in Japan. We were given our JENESYS 2.0 IDs!
We rested for a while right after we checked-in. We took a stroll around the hotel and just checked the area after we took a rest. There was a ramen shop very near to the hotel but we didn't get to eat there unfortunately. We also visited the 7/11 just near the area. I bought myself candies since they're featuring some of my favourite artists in Japan.
A-chan and Kanjani8 <3
Next day came and it was raining when my roommate (Ams) and I woke up!
Our view from our hotel room window
We had an orientation about what lies ahead of us in Japan on our 2nd day. We got to meet delegates from other countries and also got to meet our coordinators.
I saw MatsuJun at Lawson's hihi
I also saw Perfume while watching TV! I literally had goosebumps! huhu <3
Pose while waiting for the orientation proper:
The orientation proper:
After the orientation proper, each group had a meeting. We introduced ourselves and we got to know each delegate bit by bit. I also volunteered to take all our temperatures every morning to check if each delegate is amenable to work for the day. My first friend was Mizael, a delegate from Singapore! Surprisingly, we have a common friend named Koji-san who's also a Perfume fan, amazing! 8D We had dinner afterwards.
Gifts from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan:
During our free time, I accidentally went to AEON shopping center. Accidentally since I thought my roommate left me for the mall! haha I couldn't find her at our hotel. I thought she already left me so I chose to also go to the mall. I'm so sorry, Ams!
So at the mall, I shopped for some JPOP goods! OH YESSS MY HEART WAS VERY JUMPY WHILE GOING AROUND HMV. I WAS SO SO SOOO HAPPYYYY! IT WAS A VERY RIGHT TIMING SINCE IT WAS ALSO THE RELEASE OF PERFUME'S NEWEST ALBUM, LEVEL 3! I found out that CD/DVD releases in Japan comes a day early before the official release! Same goes with magazines. Magazines are a month earlier than the official release! Way too early, Japan!
