I recently found out, just in this year of 2025, that I am around a rokusei or nanasei nikkeijin. I am a Filipino with Japanese, Chinese, Spanish and Dutch ancestry. It’s only this year that I’ve started identifying myself with the term ‘multiracial’. My ancestor probably came from Nagasaki and migrated to Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte in around the 1840s-1890s.  The passed-down story that I would like to share from my grandmother is as follows. As a 10-year-old, she (Lola Pilar) would live with her cousin (both they and their many other shared cousins would live in their shared household, under the care of their grandmother). One time, her cousin, Lolo Mario, received a ichimatsu kyou-ningyou doll from his parents. Then, he used it to make takot (scare) my grandmother because of how eerily still the expression was on this doll. This doll, in particular, was not robed in the traditional kimono, but was dressed in pyjamas, according to what my grandmother has shared with me. Also, my great-great-grandmother (my grandmother’s grandmother) had requested from her adopted child, Mang Asyon, to go to Okinawa, work there, and while working, buy an authentic kimono (it was purple, according to my grandmother’s words) from there. Sadly, this kimono is no longer in my grandmother’s possession, so it cannot be inherited by me. Still, just the thought of having this story is my own version of personal inheritance. I inherited her kimono through this story. Sometimes, I wonder what my great-great-great-great-(etc.)-grandfather felt before and after he moved to the Philippines. What was he like? What was his name? Unfortunately, I’m not sure how to retrieve records, because the Philippines is quite famous for its storms and natural calamities, which could have resulted in the destruction of such records. As for my interests, I like to listen to Kero Kero Bonito, Perfume, Ginger Root, Ena Mori, and even before I had been told by my own Lola or grandmother about our Japanese ancestry, I’ve deeply connected to the culture beyond pop culture like anime and manga. I’ve been studying the Japanese language, my ancestral language, since I was 13 years old, and now I have plans to study in a language school in Japan, my ancestor’s motherland.  I’m a visual artist under the name Eurikaileidoscope. As an artist, I love to explore themes related to identity through making angel-like characters. I would say I strongly identify as a BIPOC, and I do advocate against colorism through my artworks. The picture on my profile is a doll that I’ve made,though I’ve commissioned it from a doll-making business. Her name is Tamsy (short for Tamsin)… I’ve named her Tamsin because she has a twin named Mimi (short for Naomi). I’m looking forward to have her soon!    

OUR MISSION私達の使命 ​A space to engage, share, and embrace the Nikkei experience and culture.日系の経験と文化に関わり、共有し、受け入れる空間 OUR VISION私たちのビジョン The GVJCI envisions a vibrant network and a welcoming space for all persons interested in Japanese heritage and culture where history and tradition are honored, people are inspired to create action and change, and cultural pride and respect for all humanity are promoted.ガーデナバレーJCIは歴史と伝統が尊重され、日本文化と伝統に興味のある全ての人々のために活気に満ちたネットワークと親しみやすい空間を理想としており、そして歴史と伝統が讃えられ、人々が行動と変化を起こすよう鼓舞され、全人類に対する文化的誇りと尊敬が促進されることを理想としています。   Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community center providing various classes, services and programs for seniors, non-senior adults and youth in the South Bay of Los Angeles County for over 50 years.  Our mission is to create a space to engage, share, and embrace the Nikkei experience and culture. We are a hidden gem located on the border of the cities of Gardena and Torrance, and the beautiful Southern California beach cities.​​ガーデナバレーJCIは50年以上に渡って住宅、多種のクラス、サービス、シニアから子供達までいろいろな年齢の方々のためのプログラムをサポートする非営利団体です。私達の使命は日系コミュニティのニーズに応えることです。教育、文化、社会プログラムを通して、日本文化そして日系社会の文化を分かち合うことです。私たちはガーデナ市とトーランス市、そして南カリフォルニアの美しいビーチ街との境界に位置する隠れた名所です。

1. Member of Chicago Sister Cities Osaka Committee 2. Vice President of Illinois Association of Teachers of Japanese