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| Lecture - Cultural Exchange, Japan and
the Philippines - Rey Ventura |
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| Rey Ventura |
In his first lecture, Rey Ventura, a journalist
and filmmaker from the Philippines, used a series of short but powerful
documentaries to stimulate discussion on some of the current issues
in his country. While Mr. Ventura emphasised the resilience of Philippine
language and culture despite over 400 years of colonisation by Spain,
the US and Japan, his film clips focused on the problems created by
economic instability and a history of exploitation by developed countries.
The first film showed a religious festival, the popularity of which
demonstrates the extent to which Catholicism, introduced by Spanish
missionaries in the 16th century, continues to influence daily life.
Filipinos working in Japanese construction and entertainment industries
were the subject of another two excerpts. For some of the audience
it was a slightly shocking introduction to the phenomena of the so-called
"New Halves"; gay and transexual men working as hostesses in bars
and clubs in Japan. Rey's next documentary focused on one of the young
women forced into sexual slavery during occupation by the Japanese
Army in the Second World War. Lola Rosa, who died in 1999, was the
first comfort woman to come out with her story after over 50 years
of silence. She was followed by over 1200 others, of whom the remaining
survivors are still waiting for full recognition of their situation
by the Japanese government. |
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| One of the surviving comfort women |
The films above provoked a mixed reaction from the
audience, with many expressing surprise and distress at the situations
faced by those portrayed in the documentaries. Some older members
enriched the discussion with clarifications regarding the Japanese
governments reaction to the testimonies of Lola Rosa and others like
her. Questions also arose concerning whether sexual slavery had been
practiced by other countries during sustained conflict as well as
compensation for the Filipino victims. Rather than expounding on his
own theories, Rey chose to open the floor to the audience, asking
them first for their impressions of his films and subsequently their
thoughts on the complex situations portrayed. Finally, debate focused
on the more recent issue of organ trade with western countries, and
Japan in particular. According to Mr. Ventura's film, with a large
proportion of the population under-educated and unable to find work,
selling an organ brings in enough money to support a family for several
years and is sometimes seen as the only viable means of survival.
As one woman said, "My son's kidney is our family's last hope". Another
man expressed his belief that without having sold his kidney his disabled
son would not have been able to get the hospital treatment his condition
required. However, exploitation is rife, with donors receiving less
than a quarter of the ten million yen paid by the Japanese recipient
for a healthy kidney. The rest is pocketed by the brokers and Philippine
clinic that undertakes the operation and, despite assurances by doctors
profiting from the trade that one kidney is sufficient, many donors
reported sudden attacks of weakness following the operation. |
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| An organ donor proudly displaying his scar (photo
by Rey Ventura) |
After showing his documentary, Rey expressed his
sadness at a recent development whereby men as young as 19 are now
being approached by Japanese brokers to donate an eye. He also explained
that, although the organ trade is illegal in most developed countries
and a bill regarding donation is currently under consideration by
the Philippine government, the issue has yet to be legislated on.
This lead to audience members expressing fears that the government
may take a paternalistic attitude and bring in over-restrictive measures
that infringe on an individuals rights over their own bodies. Others
questioned the strictness of laws in Japan forbidding the procurement
of organs, as well as the low rate of donation among accident victims.
With the visit to Manila offering passengers the possibility to meet
and speak with comfort women and those living in poverty, Mr. Ventura's
lecture gave participants the chance to reflect on Japan's history
with the Philippines and how they can choose to be involved in these
issues. |
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| Peace Boat's
39th Voyage index |
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PEACE BOAT is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. |
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