ORGANIZATION for the Development and Advancement of Negros in Japan (ODAN-J), formed by lawyer John N. Orola Jr. while he was still serving as the tourism attaché of Japan and Korea 30 years ago, will celebrate its 30th anniversary on September 21. The celebration will be held in Omotesando, Tokyo, Japan.
Eleanor Alonsagay-Fukuda, ODAN-J's founding president who came back to Bacolod on August 7, said they will celebrate the 30th anniversary because the organization has truly helped build a strong friendly relationship among the people of the host country of Japan.
The organization was instrumental in uniting all Negrenses in Japan.
It helped promote and enhance the Negros image.
It also helped promote the socio-economic development of Negros and develop the ability of the less-fortunate youth through its livelihood programs.
The organization also facilitated a lot of donations such as ambulances, fire trucks, the Mambukal resort bus, the City Buses of Bacolod City, the ¥1 million Yen donation given to the City of Bacolod many years ago from Aishin International Development Society, and a container van with relief goods that were distributed to typhoon victims and the victims of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, among others.
Judie Alvaran, ODAN-J's incumbent president, together with the founding president will turn over the check amounting to ¥779,705 (P370,359.875) to various organizations, such as the Ma-ao Evangelical Church, Sto. Niño Parish at BBB Galo Street, Bacolod City; Our Lady of the Pilar Church at Ma-ao, Bago City; and Parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental and other organizations that need help.
This endeavor is a collaboration of ODAN-J, the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo in partnership with the St. Anselm's Catholic Megoru Church, Philippine Assistance Group (PAG) and the Filipino Community Organizations in Japan.
Founding President Fukuda said, "We have been doing this for almost 30 years and it's good that we have a new president, Judie, who is as passionate as us to continue doing this cause for our fellow Negrenses. Our organization has been helping skilled Negrenses land a job in Japan and it truly helped their families here in the province."