The members of Batch 1996 were all females: Ms. Kazue Saito, Ms. Nanayo Iwabuchi, Ms. Kaori Sugiyama, and Ms. Shizuko Komori, and Ms.Hikari Koizumi.

"We visited some villages where people basically work in the farm, a hospital (the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center), two cases of ODA (official development assistance from Japan: the San Juanico Bridge and the National Maritime Polytechnic, a training school for seamen), and met some people with connection to politics," wrote a participant.

The participants visited sights in Palo, Tacloban, and Sta. Fe, mainly the latter. But they also went to Dagami town to see a war-time Japanese bunker upon the invitation of Dr. Josefina Balderian, municipal health officer of Sta. Fe and daughter of the late Major Alejandro Balderian, the guerrilla leader of eastern Leyte.

Before I came here, I knew just a little about the Philippines from reading books and newspapers or watching TV. So this country was far away from me.

But after I came here, I visited many places and met and talked with a lot of people. My idea of the world has widened and the Philippines has become close to me.

When I (joined a community health survey at) the household level, the medical student I was accompanying told me that the English language is very important, because if we can speak English we can communicate and understand each other more deeply.

So I think that without communication (there would be) no understanding, but with communication we can produce something new and can connect many countries.

By the way, the village I visited (Barangay San Juan in Sta. Fe) looked like my hometown where I spent my school days. There was a big rice field, river, and mountain, so I felt relieved looking at them.

I am not a medical student, so I do not know about medical (health) conditions like them (students of the School of Health Sciences). But every villager I met said their most serious problem is (drinking) water supply. I think so, because water is essential for man to live.

It will take a long time to (solve) this problem, but I believe that someday, the village people can drink and use clean and fresh water and become healthy.

I think that the use of people's power and knowledge may have a chance to change the medical condition (of the community) for the better.

Finally, thanks to Mr. Borrinaga and the many village people for their kindness. I could have a very good time in Leyte. I will never forget your kindness, the people's smile, the blue sky, and the taste of Filipino dishes.

Thank you very much.

What most surprised and impressed me was that Filipinos have a good smile and a pure mind. The people (we met) always smiled when they met strangers like us. In Tokyo, there are a few people smiling.

As for the pure mind of the Filipinos, this is difficult to express with my poor English ability. I can just say you have rich spirit and love for everybody. We Japanese seldom use the word "love", but I learned love is very important for humans.

Generally speaking, the level of the economy of this country is worse than that of Japan. Our country is full of (material) things and food, and almost all people can get these. But in the Philippines, being a poor country, so many people cannot get adequate money, food, jobs, and so on. (However,) in spite of this (disadvantage), the people are cheerful, powerful and friendly. They have a rich mind and good smile. I wonder why.

Next, I will write about regrettable things (I observed) in the Philippines.

I was most disappointed by the big difference between rich people and poor people. When I walked and looked around, I found rich people who have a big house, car, and wear good clothes. Opposite to this, I also found many poor people who cannot get adequate and clean water. In Japan, we do not have that much difference among people.

To solve this serious issue, (there is a need to address) the existing structural problem. But I do not want to write about this kind of thing here. I think more of what I can do for (making) people's life and health better.

When I went to the barangay (San Juan) in Sta. Fe, I learned the importance of supplying clean water. To (achieve) this, the biggest problem is money. If money and proper (technology) are available, the (people) will be able to get clean water.

So I decided to request JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) for their support. When I return to Japan, I will write a letter or go to JICA.

I learned many precious things here. Thank you for your support.

First, I really want to say, thank you so much, everybody!

I recognize the importance of experiential study. In Japan, I knew about the Philippines only in an academic sense (from books, TV). In the Philippines, we could see the actual scene.

I was very, very shocked when I went to some villages and heard true things (no toilet, dirty water). In Japan we cannot notice the convenience of our life.

In Japan we cannot smile like the Filipinos I met. Because we are too busy to have free, relaxed time. I think our life does not have true abundance, especially mental abundance.

The experience (community survey in San Juan, Sta. Fe) where SHS students guided us was very good. I really admired, and was influenced by, their work.

As a Japanese, I think about the relationship between Philippines and Japan. For example, ODA, World War II and so on.

I asked some Filipinos, "How do you think about the Japanese invasion during World War II?"

They answered, "It's over. The important thing is to think of the present and the future."

Of course, I think so too. But we Japanese should know what the Japanese did here.

After recognizing the past, we should think of the future for peace. I believe we, Filipinos and Japanese, can do this.

In some villages, I was surprised to learn about their life. Then I started thinking: what should I do? I want to solve (problems) as much as I can. After I go back to Japan, I will continue to think, and to do something (for example, by reexamining my daily life, entering NGO).

During this trip, I could make a lot of friends. So I want to keep in touch!

I am very, very glad to meet you. I was moved to see your smile and to feel your kindness.

I will continue to study the relation between the Philippines and Japan. I want to know more about this country.

I will never forget this trip.

Thank you so much.

Through my stay in Leyte, I recognized how (much) I had not known about the Philippines. We met many kinds of people. They were very friendly and positive, even if there was a wretched history of World War II between us (Filipinos and Japanese). It was like the people had forgotten the past, or maybe because our conversation was not so intimate yet.

Then I could feel the power of women, especially in local villages. I heard that this is getting stronger. I think it is a good tendency. The equality of males and females (contributes to) people's independence. I believe it will make a better society for the citizens. We, Japanese women, must learn from this.

Now I have many questions. First, what did the people think about the war? The things that the Japanese did to the Filipinos during World War II might be unforgettable.

Second, what is the relation between the wealthy people and people who are unable to make a living? I want to discuss how to make a better society for all Filipinos and what we (Japanese) should do (to help achieve) that.

Lastly, what type of relationship among people (not government) should be (fostered) between Filipinos and Japanese? This is a question I want to discuss with many people, especially university students like me or people of similar age.

After this study tour, I want to continue the good relationship between us. And I want (us) to think together the questions or problems (mentioned earlier).

Thank you for all your kindness. I will never forget my stay here. It has become my second hometown and I am proud of it.

I had thought that I would like to know the state of life in the Philippines, especially in the countryside. How do Filipinos live? How do they work? These were the simple questions I had at first.

Then I liked to think about what we Japanese could do. Because I am interested in international cooperation between municipalities and its importance (for the pursuit) of basic human rights.

This trip, cooperated by (Prof.) Borrinaga and many other people, taught us a lot of useful things for my interests.

We visited some villages where people basically work in the farm, a hospital, two cases of ODA, and met some people with connection to politics, and so on.

I was (bothered) by the differences between rural areas and urban areas. The rural areas are mostly in poverty, no toilets and water supply. I felt it was really a pity that we did not have anything to help them. I thought of what I can do for (the rural) people. I do not have concrete ideas. But I think I learned something the can be developed in the future.

I realized the importance of education and communication to improve lives. I think the small community, barangay, is a proper size for a project that aims (to achieve this goal), because human relationship is a key to success, especially in rural areas.

On the other hand, I felt "women's power" or affirmative attitudes for improvement. Basic human needs (BHN) are filled effectively by women. Because households are main parts of the BHN, and we met a lot of women politicians. I think women will be able to play a more important role in development.

These are my "official" impressions. In private, I really (had) a pleasant time. The people, especially the children, are very friendly. I felt like we were true friends and enjoyed talking in spite of my poor English.

I hope I can visit here again. Next time, I would like to do something that can be worked out together, and not only talking.

I would like to say thank you to all people who helped our trip. I really appreciate their kindness.

Good luck and see you again.