The OCJ Formation

          Perhaps it is proper to say that OCJ started during the influx of Cordilleran Filipino-Japanese descendants in Minokamo City, Gifu Prefecture as early as 1999.  Those who came are mostly 3^rd generation Filipino-Japanese descendants and were able to work only in one company.  While working, they’ve learned that their residence status would give them more opportunity to look for better jobs, thus, they were scattered around the region of Tokai (Chubu area).  Some even went further up north in Tokyo, Kanto area.  Even so, new faces still come and those who migrated somewhere find themselves coming back.  Could it be the job, family, or probably it’s just the place that may resemble the Cordillera with mountains, valleys, plains and rivers.

          Groupings were a natural thing since all are new in Japan.  Everybody started to know someone and even got to know their distant relatives for the first time.  This family gathering with friends led to the idea of a bigger or communal gathering and so discussion arises.  The talks come and go but still  ends up to just an idea… until the summer of 2006.   Obon yasumi during summer means long vacation for families in Japan to remember their dead loved ones.  This also means fiesta and family gathering.  Foreigners are not  exempted in this occasion, so a group of Cordillerans gathered in one house in Minokamo spending the time with the usual manner—eating and drinking.  It was then at this time that the discussion of meetings began and eventually led to the formation of cell groups to spread the news that an organization of Cordillerans is born.

          Nevertheless, the organization is not what is seems right now without its humble beginnings.  The series of meetings during its first stage are done either at a park or at a house.  This cannot be done without the interest, dedication and enthusiasm of those who started it.

          The purpose by which the organization is formed is embodied on the Constitution and Bylaws.   In simple terms, the organization represents a bigger family.  Every family member has its own characteristic but still we belong to one family where we can relate to each other.   We do not know where the organization will lead us but for the meantime,   let`s`start playing the gongs!   and it will lead us the way.

(History of OCJ as written by Howard Glenn Bugnosen Yamashita, who, himself, is one   of the organizers).