An Imperial experience

I had the totally unexpected experience to have had a very short but memorable personal conversation with the Empress Consort Michiko last Thursday evening. I was fortunate to have been invited to the reception for the Emperor and Empress of Japan hosted by the Japanese ambassador.

When I joined the reception line to greet the guests of honor – the Emperor and Empress of Japan, President Benigno Aquino and Presidential Sister Pinky Aquino Abellada – I thought that we would just be introduced and then asked to move on.

Prior to the arrival of the Emperor and Empress, Ueno, the Japanese deputy chief of mission had given strict instructions to the invited guests. There would be no photographs taken including mobile phones which should all be turned off. Guests should not shake hands unless their majesties extend their hand first; no gifts should be presented; and to talk to the royal couple ‘only when they talk to you.”  If there was a conversation, the instructions were to talk clearly and to refrain from talking too long.

The dignitaries in the room were asked to stand in front. This group included President Fidel Ramos, Senate President Frank Drilon and Speaker Sonny Belmonte. I was waiting with the rest until a Japanese official came to us and told us to just go forward because he said “This is not a line.”

I moved forward right behind Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala and found myself facing Empress Michiko. Someone introduced me. She shook my hand then she asked me: “You are a journalist?” when I answered that I was, she asked me: “What do you write? “I told her I wrote a column in a daily newspaper. She asked me: “What is the name of your newspaper? “I told her I wrote for the Philippine Star.” Then she said: “We also have in Japan. What do you write about?” At that point, I was a little dumbfounded because I had really not expected to have a conversation with her. But she seemed genuinely interested. So I talked of some topics I had written about and that I had also written about the Philippines and Japan.

She then said: “Thank you.” She turned to her husband and introduced me.: “He is a journalist.” The Emperor shook my hand and said; “Thank you.” After that, I moved on and greeted President Aquino and Presidential Sister Pinky Abellada.

When the royal couple first walked into the room, my initial impression was that Empress Michiko looked like a fragile person. But when I met her, her handshake was very firm and her voice was strong and clear. She also spoke impeccable English and clearly had a very gracious and charming personality.

While waiting for my turn to join the reception line, I was standing and conversing with Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala who was telling me some very interesting stories about their family’s experiences during the Second World War. He recalls that his nanny was Japanese and even remembers her name. He also said that he studied for one year in La Salle and then their family moved to Calatagan in Batangas. Their transportation was a charcoal driven vehicle and it took them one whole day to travel from Manila to Calatagan. But they were also lucky that the Japanese contingent in their town treated them well and supplied them with fish almost daily.

He also recalls that one relative that had really suffered was the family of Joseph McMicking. But after the war, this experience did not prevent them from having a joint venture with Mitsubishi of Japan. According to him, it was McMicking who said that what happens during a war should not affect future relationships.

After the Second World War, his family sent Don Jaime to live in Spain where he studied in a La Salle school. But he remembers that he missed the Philippines and kept asking his family to allow him to come back here. When he finally returned, the flight from Madrid to Manila took four days because of several stops along the way.

Imperial Family

The Japanese Emperor is not considered a god anymore, but he is still considered as more than just an ordinary mortal by the Japanese people. The present Emperor belongs to the oldest imperial family in the world. According to tradition, he is the 125th direct descendant of Jimmu, Japan’s legendary first Emperor.

The present Empress Consort of Japan was born Michiko Shoda on Oct. 20, 1934 and was the first commoner to marry into the Japanese imperial family. Although she comes from a wealthy business family, her background is more literary. She graduated Summa Cum Laude  with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo, a Catholic school and later took courses in Harvard and Oxford.

She is still interested in literary work especially poetry. In 1997, a collection of her poems was published. In 1991 she also wrote a children’s book entitled Hajimete no Yamanobori ( My First Mountain Climb).

The increasing territorial aggression of China have made a Philippine-Japan alliance a geopolitical reality. But there are other economic factors expected to bring the two countries closer together. For example, the aging and decreasing population of Japan, in contrast to Philippine demographics, will mean more opportunities for Filipino caregivers, construction workers and service personnel to work in Japan.

The visit of the Japanese imperial couple could well be a milestone in the relationship between the two countries. My own personal encounter with the Empress Michiko was an imperial experience that will never be forgotten.

The Aquino Legacy: An Enduring Narrative is a collection of essays and stories about Ninoy, Cory and the Aquino family co-authored by Elfren Sicangco Cruz and Neni Sta. Romana Cruz. It is available in Fully Booked stores.

Email: [email protected]