Not Just Another New Year's Eve for Dr. & Mrs. J. Falla

Last night's party may just be another countdown for another year, as the guests of Tokyo's New Sanno Hotel welcome 2011 with songs, dances, movies of yesteryears, and food and drinks ad libitum. But for me and wife Rose, this is another once-in-a-lifetime experience as we joined the socialites of US military corpse in this night of funfare and merriment, courtesy of son-in-law Dominic, a USN officer based in Atsugi Base in Japan.

Couples across continents of varied colors, as the 12 midnight approached, blew the horns, tossed their drinks of peace and prosperity, and bursted the balloons, which filled the hall with the desired New Year's noise.

Selected photographs are herewith posted for our network members.

Unique for this Filipino couple indeed, for it was their first time to celebrate the New Year's Eve with the international crowd. Regardless, happy New Year to all this Blog's followers and readers. (Josh and Rose)

Sojourn to the Land of the Rising Sun : Photo Gallery (Dec. 30, 2010)

Our very rare opportunity to be with our firstborn Jonna (Ma. Cristina) since she got married to Dominic Arguelles, our son-in-law working with the USNavy. They are assigned here in Japan for at least three years. We were surprised knowing Jonna, aside from her work in an insurance company in the vicinity of US military base in Ayase town, is an instructress of a self-defense sport a la kick-boxing. Has she assimilated the military mind of her hubby? Hmmm, your guess is as good as ours.

Posted in this gallery were our photos on our 2nd & 3rd day here in Japan: 1. Somewhere in Ayase-shi town, 2. In our hotel in Tokyo named New Sanno Hotel, an affiliate of US Military base, 3. In the gate of Imperial Palace and in the heart of Tokyo (Is that Marounni Mall?)

One unique experience we had here was the taste of Onsen, an indigenous Japanese culture of public bath. No photos, please, as we leave everything to your imaginations (lol).

Have a blessed and prosperous New Year to one and all. (Josue and Rose Blog)

A Sojourn to the Land of the Rising Sun : Travelogue-1

At around 7:45 PM of Dec. 27 (Monday), our aircraft touched the grounds of Narita Airport. With efficient Japanese immigration system, we easily completed all the entry requirements, and got out of the airport, with daughter Jonna and husband Dominic welcomed us at the arrival lobby.

As expected, there were a lot of developments we observed in Tokyo since I (JSF) was here sometime in 1995 when I presented a country paper in an international symposium organized by JIRCAS. It is really amazing to see those grand infrastructures, the towering buildings and bright neon lights which lighted the vast mega-city of Tokyo.

Using the USN official car, Dominic and Jonna drove us to their place in Ayasi-she close to Hokohama city, for almost 1.5 hours drive. Took our meals along the way, and tasted anew Japanese foods, which we really liked just as our native Filipino dishes. We enjoyed the sumptuous dinner, our first in this month-long stint with the couple.

We took a brief round in the US military base (Ayasi-she) where son-in-law Dominic is serving, showing us those powerful jetfighters and aircrafts. After which, we proceeded to their residence nearby (outside the base) to take the much-needed rest from a daylong travel from Nueva Ecija.

P.S. Our roving mobilephones do not function here. So, please don’t use them here. Just stay connected by cyber/email. Our best regards. . . Have a Properous New Year. (Josh & Rose @ Japan)

Simple Christmas @ the Countryside

This Christmas is one of the simpliest for me - enjoy the newly installed ladder going to our kitchen's rooftop, friendly exchanges with our neighbors from Hongkong Mr. and Mrs. Ballah with son Ian's family around, and the rare visit to our first grandson Kyle F. Taruc in Miranda, San Luis, Pampanga. Truly, the best things in life are free, Christmas @ the countryside.

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon! (JSF Blogs)

Simple Christmas @ the Countryside

This Christmas is one of the simpliest for me - enjoy the newly installed ladder going to our kitchen's rooftop, friendly exchanges with our neighbors from Hongkong Mr. and Mrs. Ballah with son Ian's family around, and the rare visit to our first grandson Kyle F. Taruc in Miranda, San Luis, Pampanga. Truly, the best things in life are free, Christmas @ the countryside.

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon! (JSF Blogs)

Countdown To Christmas 2010

Dec. 15 - My final day at the International Christian College of Manila (ICCM) in Antipolo City for my 2 semi-block classes on World Literature and Technical Writing, where I joined the morning Chapel to temporarily bid farewell to the campus people.

Dec. 16 - Luncheon with Bulacso family as sis-in-law Dr. Med Bolivar celebrated her nth birthday. This is also the start of the Roman Catholic's tradition called Simbang Gabi (Evening Mass) quite popular in the Philippines.

Dec. 17 - Thanks God it's Friday (TGIF). Waited for only son Ian at the NE Mall in San Jose who came from Pangasinan for official business.

Dec. 18 - Participated, along with the entire family, in the first ever PhilCotton reunion in Villasis, Pangasinan. PhilCotton was my 1st employer where I build my family. All our 3 children were made in PhilCotton.

Dec. 19 - It's Sunday! STCC (Sto. Tomas Church of Christ) celebrated Christmas this special Sunday with children's program and gift-receiving from the Church management.

Dec. 21 - Joined the Christmas party of PhilRice - TMSD right at the back of FTIC building. Enjoyed the company of TMSD staff and the 55 RSO trainees.

Dec. 22 - Grandson Kyle Falla-Taruc's Christmas party in Ateneo. Uncle Ian's whole family and grandmom Rose shared the happy moments.

- Joined PHilMech's (my immediate past employer)Christmas party, serving as one of the judges in the Christmas presentations contest.

Dec. 23 - My last working day at PhilRice. Start preparing for the visit of some friends this Christmas.

Have a Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year! (JSF Blogs)