Medical J-Drama: Doctors

credits: http://animationlv.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30927

I recently reinstalled the TV on my apartment. I brought it out again to improve my listening skills. Also, I want to be more familiar with what the students are talking about. It's been more than a year since I watched Japanese TV shows. Aside from Doraemon, Anpanman and One Piece, I know nothing of the shows and celebrities they're talking about.

Anyway, one of the shows that got my attention is Doctors. It's a medical drama ala-Grey's anatomy. It's aired every Thursday, 9:00 pm- 9:55, Asahi TV. I used to watch Grey's Anatomy so that made me watch this program. 

I honestly don't understand the details of the show except for the surgeries and the rivalry between the surgeons Sagara and Moriyama. Sagara is a newer surgeon at Donoue Hospital than Moriyama but he seemed to be more respected by the other doctors there. He seemed to have more skills too. 

In the last season, the hospital was looking for a successor. The contrast between Sagara and Moriyama is very obvious. I don't understand the whole show but I knew who deserves to be the successor. Sagara is quiet and serious. He talks like an old man, full of wisdom. On the other hand, Moriyama is comical and impulsive. The other doctors don't like him very much. It's so apparent who should get the chair. 

I don't know what's the inspiration behind this show but I can see how Doctors is a "real Japanese drama." The characters are clear cut, much like how the Japanese think. It's either black or white, this or that, Japanese or not. Gray areas are uncomfortable territories. The show took pains in showing how different Sagara and Moriyama that choosing between the two is a child's play.

Aside from the hospital setting and lots of surgery, Doctors is not really comparable to Grey's Anatomy. The characters in Grey's are more complex and more human. They show a wide range of emotions. They have weaknesses and strengths. 

Another observation is the number of characters in the show. There's just a lot, I can't distinguish who is who. The women looked the same to me too because their expressions are the same. Everyone is kinda blending in the group. Very Japanese indeed. Not all characters have definitive stories or characters. 

I keep watching this drama because I love seeing the over-the-top facial expressions of Moriyama. The patients' stories also pull the heartstrings. It's not a bad drama. It's entertaining enough for a cold Thursday night. 

Setsubon: Spring's Starting

photo credit: http://blog.ofjapan.jp/awaiting-spring-japan-setsubun/

Today is the first day of spring in Japan.

At least that's what the lunar calendar is saying. (But the temperature is telling a different season.)

The first day of spring in Japan is called Risshun. There are no special events during this day. Instead, the celebration happened  yesterday, the last day of winter. This is called SETSUBON. In translation it means ''seasonal division.''

There's an ancient belief that when the seasons are about to change, the spirit world and the human world are in close contact. The spirits can wreak havoc to the human world. To avoid this, people wearing an ogre's mask should cast out the spirits from their houses... with roasted soybeans! While throwing soybeans, these phrases should also be uttered ''Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi'' (Devil get out, Happiness come in!)

Because it was setsubon yesterday, the school lunch included roasted peanuts coated in sweet batter. Actually, that's how I knew it was setsubon yesterday. A teacher explained to me that we have to eat roasted peanuts on Setsubon. Japan has a lot of traditional food for every occasion, I suppose. Aside from peanuts, we can also eat roasted beans and makizushi. These food will bring us good fortune.

For a clearer and idea of the Setsubon, here are some websites and  blogs you can check out: (It's Wednesday today, time to Share Other Blogs/ Bloggers)

1. (Of Japan) Awaiting the spring in Japan- Setsubon 

Aside from explaining the rituals on Setsubon, it also has an information of Setsubon celebrations in different parts of Japan.

2. (Human Japanese) Setsubon

This  summarized version the rituals during Setsubon. I included this entry because of the scary ogre picture on this post.

3. (Elementary Japanese Blog) Happy Setsubon is Coming Up!

This blog is maintained by Japanese teachers. I admire their efforts to write in English. Since the writers are Japanese and they know their customs more than foreigners do, they're more credible to talk about Setsubon. What's unique with this blog is it also features what the students did during the Setsubon.

4. (Zooming Japan): Setsubon; Bean Throwing Day

This post described the rituals on Setsubon in a personal funny way.


Aside from eating the peanuts in the school lunch, I alse ate a whole, uncut maki roll yesterday. A kind neighbor invited me to her place. Then she explained how we should eat the maki facing the ''lucky direction.'' I don't know what direction we faced but the maki tasted good! I have a kind neighbor who served a free delicious make- I'm definitely fortunate.

Happy spring!!!

Why the OEC (Balik-Manggagawa) Should Be Abolished

Note: This post is meant for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and has no direct relation to Japan. I'm posting this because I'm an OFW who sees no point for OEC. 

photo credit: http://polomuscatoman.weebly.com/how-to-get-an-oec.html

What is OEC? 

OEC stands for Overseas Employment Certificate. According to Pinoy-OFW:

"An Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is a requirement under POEA Rules and Regulations to help ensure that Filipino overseas workers (OFWs) are properly documented and protected. This certificate, when presented at Philippine airports for outbound international flights, also exempts OFWs from travel tax and terminal fees normally charged to travelers."

The purpose of the OEC looks reasonable and noble on print. It's meant to "ensure proper documentation" and to "protect OFW's". It's even meant to exempt OFW's from travel tax and terminal fees. 

But this is only in print.