PJLA Chorale members and Board of Trustees gathered on May 2, 2019 to give a surprise birthday party to Maestra Teresita A. Santos on her 89th. Held at the Dominion Building in Makati, the ladies also dedicated song performances to their maestra.

Atty. & Mrs. Herminio M. Alcasid Sr. sang “All I Ask Of You” with Tagalog medley songs, while Ms. Mikaela Victoria Aoki gave her rendition of “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You,” and Ms. Noriko Maruhashi sang a Japanese song. After the performances, chorale members also gave their warm birthday greetings and thanks to the maestra.

The celebrant and guests enjoyed a feast of Filipino and Japanese food such as fresh lumpia, rice noodles, kakanin, cassava cake, sushi, and Japanese traditional sweets. Also held before the party was the association’s board meeting where they presented a Plaque of Appreciation to former PJLA president, Mrs. Ma. Elena L. Loinaz.

The PJLA Chorale holds its practice every Thursday at the Ambassador Jose S. Laurel III Hall, Dominion Building, Makati City.

Photo Album

It was a big gathering of PJLA members during the Japanese Cooking and Tea Ceremony activity in February hosted by Madame Ihoko Haneda at the Ambassador’s Residence in Makati City. The activity featured Japanese guests who demonstrated “茶道” (Sadou) or tea ceremony and the different “和菓子” (Wagashi) or Japanese traditional sweets that are made by hand and usually enjoyed together with the tea.

During the demo, the ladies sampled different types of Wagashi based on the four seasons of Japan and learned the different steps and procedures involved in traditional tea ceremony such as cleaning the utensils and exchanging tea bowls.

“The tea ceremony was very formal, meaningful, and expressive of the Japanese culture,” said PJLA Adviser, Mrs. Herminia Alcasid. “The Japanese sweets were symbolic of the four seasons of Japan created artistically. It was an afternoon of learning experience!”

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Resources:

Photo Album

Members of PJLA welcomed 2019 with a colorful “Shinnenkai” or New Year’s party which was held last January 10 at the Dominion Building in Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City. In addition to welcoming the new year, the association also welcomed Dra. Nora A. Torres as the new PJLA President.

The Shinnenkai party started around 2 p.m. and wrapped up around 4 p.m. after snacks and fellowship. PJLA also held a feast for several PJLA members who had their birthdays in November and December 2018, and January 2019.

The ladies of PJLA held a farewell party for one of their long-time members, Mrs. Yoshiko Suzuki on March 8, 2018 at the Ambassador Jose S. Laurel III Hall, Dominion Building, Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City.  With a brief presentation led by PJLA President, Mrs. Elena Laurel-Loinaz, members wished Mrs. Suzuki a fond farewell and expressed their gratitude for all the cooperation and support she had given the organization for 12 years. Mrs. Suzuki became a PJLA member back in 2006.

The party, which started around 2 p.m., also served as a get together to celebrate the birthdays of other members for February and March namely:

February

Bernadette Sanvictores
Hiroko  Sato
Susana Delgado
Lourdes Abaquin
Celine Castillo

March
Victoria Aoki
Atsuko Kikuchi
Rowena Matti
Takayo Yabe
Maribel Sanvictores
Haruko Murakami

Resources:
Mrs. Yoshiko Suzuki Farewell Party – Photo Album

Members of PJLA welcomed 2018 with a colorful “Shinnenkai” or New Year’s party on January 17 held at the Milky Way Café in Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City. This year’s gathering had a special welcome for Madame Ihoko Haneda, wife of Mr. Koji Haneda who is the new Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines.

Mrs. Ma. Elena Laurel-Loinaz, PJLA President, welcomed the guests and members with her opening remarks and presented a bouquet of flowers to Madame Haneda, which was followed by the Ambassador’s wife’s brief acknowledgement message.

“I’m so honored and thank you for your warm welcome. I’m so happy. Thirty-five years ago, I was here, so we are balikbayans,” explained Mrs. Haneda. She added, “Our first country of assignment was Manila, so this is a very memorable country for Koji and me. I look forward to seeing you many times in the near future.”

The Shinnenkai party started around 2 p.m. and wrapped up around 4 p.m. after snacks and fellowship. It also served as the birthday celebration for several PJLA members who had their birthdays in November and December 2017, and January 2018.

Related Resources:
PJLA Shinnenkai 2018 Photo Album
PJLA Shinnenkai 2018 Video