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Bon Dancing

JULY 2024 Bulletin ４ème

From the Editors

From the Editors

Greetings from theeditor,

As we present the ﬁnal issue of theBulletin for this term, we also markthe beginning of a new chapter andthe start of a fresh term.
What was the 2023-24 term like foryou?
There was a lot to remember: many
young people attended the AYC in
Kathmandu, Nepal in August. They
had a wonderful time spending afew days with their peers in a program they devised. What are they
doing now after that? Are theymoving forward with their goals?
The 30th Asia Paciﬁc Regional Convention was held in Hong Kong inNovember. Many Y's Men and Menettes were able to have a time of ex1change. The cultural exchange, thefantastic night view, and the warm
hospitality of the Host Convention
Committee are unforgettable memories.
Although our role in this Bulletin isto provide you with as much news
as possible, I am disappointed that I
could not introduce enough due tothe schedule and the space
available.
We also wanted to cover topics thatare happening in each Region daily.
We look forward to next year's
Bulletin issue. Thank you forreading our four issues of Bulletin
over the past year.

ctbqr809@yahoo.co.jp

Monotype Corsiva Regular 12pt

MESSAGE FROM AREA PRESIDENT

Farewell to my term
Asia Pacific Area President

Keiko Tonegawa

My Area President term ended on June
30th, 2024. Looking back on my two-year
term, I feel both joy and frustration at nothaving done enough. It was a challenging
journey, but one that I am proud to haveundertaken and grown from.
During my term, I had the privilege ofvisiting all the Regions twice, with theexception of Taiwan, where I visited oncedue to a scheduling conflict with the Japan
East Region's Convention. These visitswere a testament to my commitment to'Shine and empower through fellowship.' I
am particularly proud of the two new clubsthat were chartered in the Sri Lanka andSoutheast Asia Regions each towards theend of my term. These clubs are significant
in that they were chartered in the newareas of Sri Lanka and Nepal.
Another highlight of my term was thesuccessful Asia-Pacific Area YouthConvocation in Nepal and the Asia Pacific

2Area Convention in Hong Kong. Theseevents were made possible by theoutstanding work of the Southeast Asia
Region, particularly the Hong KongDistrict.
I am thrilled to see that the threecentennial Area projects are not justsurviving but thriving. The Songfest Book
songs are being used at various meetings
worldwide. The Makati YMCA Solar Panel
Project is generating the expected annual
profits, which will be repaid to the Area.
The e-Cookbook continues to be awonderful tool for exploring foreigncountries' recipes and exposing ourmembers to multicultural experiences.
As I conclude my presidency term, I am
deeply grateful to each and every one of
the AEOs, RDs, and ASDs for theirunwavering support and invaluableassistance.
In the new Y's year, AP Joan is fully
prepared to lead the Area. I extend my best
wishes to her and want to assure her that I
will provide any assistance she may needin my role as Immediate Past AreaPresident.

Area Executive Oﬃcers2023-2024 Area Executive Oﬃcers

Immediate Past Area President

Area President-Elect(Taiwan Region)(Southeast Asia Region)

Charming Shen3

Joan Wong

Area Secretary

Area Treasurer

Mark Eugen Tang

James Kong

(Philippine Region)(Southeast Asia Region)

COVER STORY / TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover Story

Bon Dancing
Originally, Bon Dancing is an event to
comfort the spirits of ancestors who havereturned during the Bon Festival. The"Odori Nenbutsu" (dance with emphasison the Buddhist prayer), which wasstarted by Kuya Shonin in the Heianperiod (794-1185) and spread throughout
Japan by Ippen Shonin in the Kamakura
period (1192-1333), developed into the"Nenbutsu Odori" (dance with emphasison the Buddhist prayer), which
incorporated various folk customs from
the Muromachi to Edo periods(1333-1573), and became associated withUrabon-e (Bon festival), an event tocomfort and send oﬀ the spirits. It
became an event to comfort and send oﬀ
the spirits of the dead in conjunction withthe so-called Bon Festival. This is thereason why Bon Odori is held on theevening of the 15th and the spirits aresent oﬀ on the 16th in many areas.
From HP/allabout.co.jp

4

Table of Contents
Editor's Note

P1

AP Message by Keiko Tonegawa P2Area Executive Oﬃcers

P3

Cover Story

P4

50th Anniversary of ManilaDowntown Yʼ s Menettesʼ ClubP5-9

Climate Change Webinar

P10-11

Regional Convention Photos

P12-14CPE Institute for the future

P15

Letʼ s say goodbye

P16

50th Anniversary of Manila Downtown Y's Menette's Club

50th Anniversary of Manila Downtown Y's Menette's Club

Anniversary Celebration chairperson/ Susana de Jesus

On May 18, 2024, the Manila
Downtown Yʼ s Menettes Club marked
a remarkable milestone with a grandcelebration of its 50th Anniversary. Thissigniﬁcant event led by Club PresidentShirley Tiujanco and Anniversary
Celebration Chairperson Susana deJesus, held at the plush Gloriamaris
Seafood Restaurant in Mall of Asia, wasa tribute to half a century ofunwavering commitment to community
service and empowerment.
The highlight of the evening was a5stirring address by Asia Paciﬁc Area
President Keiko Tonegawa. AP KeikoTonegawa imparted the history of theYs Men and Ys Menettes to theattendees. Her insights into the Yʼ sMenettesʼ role in fostering local
development and enhancing societal
welfare resonated deeply with theattendees, illustrating the profound
impact of their decades-long eﬀorts.
Established in 1974, the Manila
Downtown Yʼ s Menettes Club has long
been a beacon of altruism and50th Anniversary of Manila Downtown Y's Menette's Club

dedication. Over the years, the club hasorchestrated numerous projects focusedon education, health, and social
welfare, signiﬁcantly improving thelives of countless individuals. One ofthe highlights of the day was thecontribution of the scholarship fund to
the principal of the Philippine Sun Yat
Sen High School Dr. William Lee. This
will be to support the 20 scholar
students of the school.
The 50th Anniversary celebration of theManila Downtown Yʼ s Menettes Club
was further elevated by a heartwarming
and symbolic performance that united
both the Manila Downtown Yʼ s Men
and Yʼ s Menettes in a shared act ofcamaraderie and celebration. The twogroups collaborated on a special medley
song performance arranged by themaster composer and arranger ofManila Downtown Ys Menʼ s Club Mr.
Romeo Limsin.
This joint
performance not only entertained theaudience but also underscored thestrong, collaborative bond between theYʼ s Men and Yʼ s Menettes, reﬂecting
their shared values and mutual support.
The touching tribute, set against thebackdrop of the golden jubilee, served
as a testament to the enduring spirit of6

teamwork and the powerful impact of
their combined eﬀorts in bettering theircommunity.
With the theme of Honouring the Past,Embracing the Future, the golden
anniversary celebration honored all thepast presidents of the club. It was also
graced by the Yʼ s Men of Atami led byPresident Tatsuya Murakami. With Past
President Zenaida Yao and Yʼ s Men PP
Mark Tan as the emcees of the night,
the family and guests witnessed a dance
number by Past President Henry Lee
Chun with Menette Carolyn Magos andSherin Magos, a song number by Miss
Camille Chang, 50 raﬄe prizes given
away and souvenir 50th Anniversary
bags for all attendees.
As the Manila Downtown Yʼ s Menettes
Club looks to the future, the 50thAnniversary serves as a powerfulreminder of their enduring legacy andcontinued dedication to service. Theeveningʼ s festivities, marked bycamaraderie and celebration, reaﬃrmed
the clubʼ s commitment to making apositive diﬀerence in the community formany more years to come.

50th Anniversary of Manila Downtown Y's Menette's Club

Contribution of the scholarship fundWith IBC fellow, Atami-Club, Japan7

50th Anniversary of Manila Downtown Y's Menette's ClubCP Shirley Tiujanco

AP Keiko Tonegawa

850th Anniversary of Manila Downtown Y's Menette's ClubIn a gold dress in honor of the Golden Anniversary

9Climate Change Webinar on 25 May 2024

Climate Change Webinar on 25 May 2024
ASD for Green Activities & Environment, Colin Lambie

32 members of YMI and/or YMCA participated in the online workshop about Climate Change on 25 May 2024. The training was conducted by ASD for Green Activities Colin Lambie. Examples of action taken were provided by Narupacha fromSao Hin YMCA Thailand and by Magda Gana from Makati YMCA Philippines.

ASD Colin explained what gases contribute to the Greenhouse Effect, thecause of the global warming or climate change. The main source ofgreenhouse gases is from human activities, in particular the burning offossil fuels, for example coal, oil andgas.
So we know the cause of the problem– its us!
We also know how to fix the problem– stop burning fossil fuels.
10We are not going to stop immediately, but we can take steps that will
make our home, planet earth liveable for our children & grandchildren.
Examples of action to reduce greenhouse gases include: installing LED
lighting to reduce amount of electricity used and installing solar PV
panels reduces the amount of electricity coming from coal burning
power stations. The amount ofClimate Change Webinar on 25 May 2024

greenhouse gases we create is calledour ‘carbon footprint’ . This varies
from about 2 tonnes per year to 20
tonnes per year per person.
Narupacha from Sao Hin YMCA
Thailand described the training
about climate change that Sao Hin
YMCA have conducted over manyyears. YMI have funded LED lighting upgrades and solar PV at
YMCAs in Chiangmai, Thailand.
Below, Narupacha is demonstrating
have solar PV coverts light to electricity.

Magda Gana from Makati YMCA,
Philippines described the many environmental projects that Makati
YMCA lead, including recycling, reducing waste, reducing consumption
generally
YMI Green Fund & Asia-PacificArea Y’ s Men contributed funds tothe 57kW solar system Makati
YMCA purchased. This is a great example of YMI & YMCAs working inpartnership to take action on climatechange.

the 57kW solar system Makati YMCA purchased

Magda Gana from Makati YMCA, Philippines

11“Re-earth” Shoshiro Yokoyama

Regional Convention Photos

Regional Convention Photos
Asia Pacific Area President

Keiko Tonegawa

Hopping the Regional Conventionsin the Area
My husband and I were privileged
to visit four Regional Conventions
in June. Each convention was profoundly moving, as the characteristics of the Regions were evident. Itwas also an opportunity to truly experience my motto, "Shine and gain

Sri Lanka Region

June 14thstrength through fellowship. The
opportunity for participants to enjoyeach other's company and to think
about the future of the Y's movement and their respective Regions
was genuinely empowering, both for
the Region and for the individual. It
is my great pleasure to introduce
each convention with a snapshot foryou to capture what I mean about

Japan West Region

June 8th at Nagoya

the differences.

Japan East Region

12

June 1st at Tokachi Hokkaido

Regional Convention Photos
Asia Pacific Area President ElectJoan Wong

The 90th Anniversary Southeast Asia Regional Conference was held from June 21 to 22, 2024 at the Metropolitan YMCA Hotel. The installation of Regional & District
Officers was successful. This year, the Southeast Asia
Anniversary CakeRegional Conference stepped into 90th. Over 50 delegates and guests celebrated the anniversary together.

Southeast Asia Regional Conference
June 21-22,2024

13Singapore

Regional Convention Photos

The 48th Taiwan Regional Conference was successfully held at Sherton Hotel in Peng Hu
Island. APE Joan Wong installed Pai-Hsun Mike Su as Regional Director Congratulations
to the successful handover in Taiwan Region.

Taiwan Regional Conference
June 1st Taiwan14

Mid-Year Meeting on Feb.24 2024

CPE Institute for the future of YMI
Hiro Tanaka
PAP, Member of CPE Institute
In September
2 0 2 2 , Y M I
launched the CPEInstitute.
The heart of ourmovement is ourclubs, and we must
improve the quality of our clubs andCPs to become amore vital organisation and do better workand service worldwide. To achieve this, wehave decided to hold advanced training
sessions, mainly for Cub President-Elect(CPE), tailored to the needs of CPEs. The
differences from previous training sessions
are as follows.
1.In addition to knowledge acquisition,emphasis is placed on motivation.
2.The YMI organises training sessions asa model and expects the participants tobecome trainers in their Regions or Districts.
3.Invite external speakers when necessary.
4.Organise the training materials andhouse them online so everyone canaccess them.
The Institute comprises elected members
from Areas who organise and run thetraining sessions, including PAP Rita Hettiarachchi and myself from the ASP Area.

15So far, the following four pilot sessions
have been held, with many participantsfrom the ASP Area. PAP Edward, IPAS
Kayoko Maeda, and RDE JER Makoto Yamashita have also been speakers from theASP Area.
1. 5 June 2023
General Session (Understanding
YMI, Club Leadership, Membership
Development etc.)
2.

3 February 2024
Theme: ‘Membership Engagement’and introduction of Google Class
room e-learning platform

3.

8 April 2024
Theme: ‘Club Fundraising’

4.

11 May 2024
Theme: ‘Communicating YMI’

6-8 August, we will see the first in-person
training prior to the International Convention in Chiang Mai. We hope that themeeting will be fruitful and that participants will make use of what they havelearnt at the meeting in their Regions andDistricts.

Spring PoemLet’ s say goodbye to today’ s day

今日の日はさようなら
金子 詔一

Let's say goodbye to today's day
Syoichi Kaneko

いつまでも 絶えることなく

Forever and ever

友だちでいよう

Let's be friends

明日の日を夢みてDreaming of tomorrow's day

希望の道をOn the road of hope

空を飛ぶ 鳥のようにLike a bird soaring in the sky

自由に生きる
今日の日はさようなら

Live freely
Farewell to today's day

また会う日まで

Until we meet again

信じ合う よろこびを

Let's cherish the joy of believing in

大切にしよう今日の日はさようなら
また会う日まで
また会う日まで

16

each other
Farewell to this day
Until we meet again
Until we meet again

JULY 2024 Bulletin ４ème