The members of Batch 1998 were Ms. Chisato Takeishi (second visit), Ms. Noriko Ono, Mr. Yasufumi Ueda, Mr. Osamu Kishida, Mr. Ryota Asuma, and Ms. Shuko Oikawa.

The participants' itinerary included Tacloban, Palo, Santa Fe, Ormoc, and the Japanese-assisted PASAR copper-smelting plant in Isabel town.

Hi! I am very happy to come back here again. And I can see you and many other (familiar) people!

Well, first of all, I find several changes in Leyte. For example, the mayor of Palo has decided to build a tower (viewing deck) on Hill 522 (Guinhangdan Hill). I am sure that many people, especially tourists, will come and find out what happened here in World War II. And think about peace.

To "learn history" is as important as to "feel history."

It is also very special news for me that the people of Santa Fe can finally drink safe (piped) water. Last year, they did not have enough drinking water supply.

There is a water system, a JICA project not far from Santa Fe (in Pastrana). So, we thought (last year), "what can we do!" Anyway, they have succeeded (in having a pipe connection to the town for their water system).

I am proud of the mayor of Santa Fe (Mayor Gaudioso Rolo Fajardo, Jr.). I learned many things from his way of thinking and doing. The mayor told me he is a public servant. He tries to communicate with the people to determine their needs to develop Santa Fe. Yes, he does this. I do not think there are many mayors like him in Japan.

On the other hand, I heard it is very ordinary to engage in dirty money politics. (I could see many posters on the walls; now is the political campaign.) Lito (Litang, the SHS driver) said, "I select (candidates) with my mind."

The most important thing is education, I think. If people just live for today, they would be governed by the money of politicians.

I am so sad (to see) many children here can't go to high school. We should solve the education problem. This is very important for the future.

I am also impressed by students of SHS (School of Health Sciences) studying (learning by doing) in the barangay. It made me cry when I attended a graduation ceremony (for a children's health class) in Santa Fe. (The health teaching) is good for the barangay people and also for the SHS students.

I am sure I will write to SHS students. We will communicate with each other.

I am so happy! Thank you very much for giving us a very nice plan of study!

This is my first trip to the Philippines. I have been to America, Egypt, Hawaii, China, and Kenya. So when I arrived in Manila I thought, "Manila's smell is similar to Egypt and China." The smell of dust, gases, people's breathes, and so on. This may be called "atmosphere."

When I travel abroad, I have a strong sense of smell, like that of a dog (just kidding). Anyway, this was my first impression.

We came to Leyte on the same day. Leyte is different from Manila. I like Leyte rather than Manila.

We went to Hill 522 (Guinhangdan Hill in Palo). It was a very hot day. So when I climbed to the top, I got so tired. But the soldiers had fought here (during the war) in similar situation. I thought they must have been thinking, "Why do we fight here? What for?" I do not know (the answer). Probably no one knows.

I am interested in NGO activities, especially for children. I want to work with an NGO someday. So I was very happy to meet many children. Their eyes are bright and their smiles are wonderful.

But when we went to an elementary school in Palo, a girl said to me, "Give me your money." I was so surprised. I just said to her, "sorry, I have no money today."

I think to give money is easy for us. Anybody can do that. But this is not a fundamental solution. I do not know what I can do, what should I do. What is the most effective way to help children? This is a theme for me (to study).

My granduncle died in Leyte during World War II. So I had a different feeling from the other (T.I.U.) students. I felt much closer to the soldiers and the Filipino victims.

When we went to the memorial for Japanese graves (the shrine on Breakneck Ridge in Capoocan), I imagined I was in the battlefield (during the war). I imagined I was a soldier and I always had tensions. I also imagined I was a Filipino resident. So I felt much fear.

Anyway, thanks to you, Litang, Jovy, Nick and all people and children we met. I had a good time.

There are wonderful smiles here. I like Leyte very much. Someday, "I shall return."

It is nice to meet you and I am happy to be here.

This is my first visit to the Philippines, but I feel very familiar with the Filipinos. They are very lively and I think the Japanese and people from other developed countries have lost this (lively) attitude towards life.

We can see the people's way of life very easily in the Philippines. But our (Japanese) society is very complicated and it is difficult to see what is going on in Japan. Filipinos have stronger community ties than the Japanese. I think so because when I look at the (Filipino) children, they play and help each other very much.

Of course, the Philippines is a developing country and there are many problems to (solve). But I sometime think of the definition of "developing" and "developed" country. Here in the Philippines, (many areas) do not have water supply, electricity, paved roads, TV, etc. But they live with plenty of nature that gives them everything they need to live. I would rather live in such a country.

It was (unfortunate) that many Filipinos, Americans, and Japanese died (here during) World War II. We have to learn and never forget what happened in Leyte and to keep looking forward.

Thank you so much. We are all encouraged by such friendly people here. I would like to learn more about the Philippines and to visit here again

This is my first visit to the Philippines. And I think I got an important "something" in Leyte. I am influenced by this "something" because I am taught by this "something." It is environment, Philippine lifestyle, and English.

I think the environment is very important. Japanese environment is getting worse every year. I want the Japanese environment to improve. I think the Philippine environment is better than in Japan. But I want you to improve the Philippine environment, too.

I think the Filipinos work very hard. They are full of energy and their eyes are shining. I want to (be the same) in the future.

English is a very important language. But I cannot speak English very well. I am frustrated because of this. So I will study English very hard after now. I want to come back to the Philippines when I can speak English very well.

I cannot speak, hear and understand English very well among the members of our group. So I think I did not get very much (from the interactions). But I tried to "see" and "feel" very hard, to use my five senses. In the jeepney, I concentrated and strained my eyes to observe the scenery, people and houses in the Philippines. I observed every nook and corner everywhere we went.

The result: I did not hear (much from) the mayor, professor and the others speaking. On the other hand, I was late (in boarding the jeepney) for departure. I should reflect these things.

But I do not feel I made a mistake that I would repent. I think this is part of my role as participant of this study tour, and my professor thinks so too.

But I am disappointed that I was shy because I cannot speak English very well.

In Leyte, we learned that 10 percent of the people belong to the upper class, 30 percent belong to the middle class, and 60 percent belong to the lower class. The basic needs of people include water system, drainage, food, clothing, education, and so on.

Why do they have such serious problems, even if the Japanese government had helped in the development of the Philippines? How had our (Japanese aid) money been used so far?

We can guess who got the most benefit from the Japanese government (assistance). Only the 10 percent of the people who rule society with money; they who control politics and economics. "The big fish that eat the small ones."

Most of the people who belong to the lowest class got little benefit. How can we help the 60 percent of the people?

How can we help their children to keep smiling? They are full of energy, smile and love. However, they are faced with poverty. They are (assets of) the whole world. All the people should think of them seriously.

One of the most important (approaches) to solve this (poverty) problem is education. If they (children) are educated, they can have the ability to solve the problems by themselves. However, it is also a fact that they have to work for their families. So we have to establish more scholarship (programs). And the government should provide more learning materials. Education is necessary to do away with this class society.

The second (approach) is to increase the chance of employment that will help (the people) become independent (of) Japanese assistance. The government should (establish) local industries. There are many natural (resources); these should be utilized for (these industries).

Of course, the projects should be (implemented) with due consideration for (both) the environment and labor. The projects also have to be checked sometimes by the Philippine government, the Japanese government, and the NGOs. How about the "tuba" project?

The lower-class people of Leyte have to think of their independence (together) with the citizens of Japan. For us, this is not their problem because the money (the Japanese government) paid did not help the "small fish"; it only helped the "big fish." So the Japanese citizens should always check what the Japanese and Philippine governments are doing (with the assistance given). We should assert our opinions so that the people of Leyte can heartily say to us, "salamat" (thank you).