Start Strong 2026 — History Unfolds for Filipinos in Kansai
- Jesrel Dela Victoria
- Jan 12
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 13
It was a fine Sunday afternoon. After months of preparation, coordination, and quiet persistence, the day finally arrived. What unfolded was not merely an event, but the realization of a vision first imagined a year earlier.
Hosting a forum at the Osaka City Central Public Hall, one of Japan’s most prestigious historical landmarks, often feels beyond reach. Securing such a venue is rarely simple. Yet, as with many meaningful endeavors, opportunities aligned—timing, purpose, and people came together for this vision to take shape. And now it becomes a reality.
A landmark moment for Filipinos in Japan, held at one of Osaka’s most prestigious civic halls
A Promise Rooted in Gratitude
In March of the previous year, standing in front of Osaka City Hall and looking toward the historic Public Hall, I made a solemn promise to myself. I was filled with deep gratitude to the Government of Japan for reopening its borders and extending opportunities to migrant workers—not only to work, but to improve their lives, strengthen their financial foundations, and grow as contributors to society.
That day, I promised that one day I would organize an event that would bring together the key pillars essential to the growth of Filipinos working in Japan—institutions, professionals, and community leaders who could help them maximize their productive years and become valuable assets to the Japanese economy.
That moment was quietly witnessed by a kind stranger wearing a green jacket—a color that symbolized forward movement—who generously took a photograph to capture that personal commitment.
On this day, that promise was fulfilled.
When a purpose is grounded in service and intention is sincere, progress often finds its way forward—sometimes in ways we cannot fully explain.
A Gathering Across Generations and Professions
START STRONG 2026 brought together 70 Filipinos from across the Kansai region, spanning multiple generations and life stages. Some participants had only recently arrived in Japan, still learning the systems, culture, and rhythm of migrant life. Others had spent more than three decades building families, careers, and community roots—carrying with them lessons shaped by time, experience, and transition.
This intergenerational mix created a rare space where perspectives met naturally. Newcomers listened to long-term residents who had witnessed both opportunities and hard lessons. Those with years of experience, in turn, reflected on what they might have done differently if clarity and structured guidance had been available earlier in their journey.
The attendees reflected the true diversity of the Filipino community in Japan. The room included care workers and skilled workers, homemakers and educators, mentors and community leaders, entrepreneurs, company owners, and professionals from various industries. Each role represented a different daily reality, yet all faced a common challenge—how to turn years of hard work abroad into long-term stability rather than uncertainty.
Despite their varied backgrounds, participants were united by a shared purpose: the need for clarity, direction, and intentional planning for the future. Whether early in their stay or approaching reintegration, each participant recognized the same truth—that time in Japan is finite, and how it is used determines whether the next chapter begins with confidence or with starting over.
In that sense, START STRONG 2026 was not defined by who attended, but by what connected them: a collective willingness to pause, reflect, and begin planning with intention.
The Core of START STRONG 2026
The forum was designed as a high-impact, one-day financial literacy and life-planning event for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and foreign residents in Japan who seek clarity, structure, and direction for the next phase of their lives.
Rather than relying on motivational speeches alone, the program delivered practical education, real systems, and direct access to experts—including a lawyer, a banker, and a representative from the Philippine Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Participants were guided to understand what support systems already exist in Japan and how to use them responsibly and effectively.
The event was intentionally structured to respect time, maintain focus, and provide actionable insights that participants could apply immediately.
Purpose and Central Message
Many OFWs work hard yet remain uncertain about:
Long-term financial direction
Compliance and visa stability
Reintegration planning
This forum existed to answer one central question:
“How do I use my remaining years in Japan intentionally—so that when I go home, I do not start over, but instead continue a reintegration plan already in motion?”
START STRONG 2026 is not about instant wealth.
It is about direction, clarity, and intentional planning—so years of hard work abroad translate into stability, dignity, and real choices in the future.
This is where planning replaces hoping.
Mindset: Where Every Future Plan Begins
A central theme echoed throughout the event: every future plan begins with mindset. Before financial systems, reintegration strategies, or business feasibility, internal alignment must come first.
This was powerfully addressed in a 45-minute workshop led by Ms. Line Cezar, a Life Mastery consultant, mentor, and founder of LineCezar. Her session, titled “3 Keys to Realigning Your Results From Within,” guided participants through the inner work required to sustain meaningful external change.
Voices That Anchored the Forum
The event was professionally hosted by Ms. Lea Bartiquin, a mass communication expert, radio reporter from Bombo Radyo Cebu, and educator based in Osaka. Her presence ensured clarity, flow, and discipline throughout the program.
The forum was also graced by Mr. July Bartiquin, Vice President of the Philippine Community Coordinating Council (PCCC), whose participation underscored the importance of community-driven initiatives that support Filipinos in Japan.
Mr. Sawano Tsuyoshi, a Japanese entrepreneur and advocate for migrant education and financial literacy, delivered the opening remarks. He emphasized that financially informed migrant workers are not only beneficiaries of opportunity, but also valuable contributors to Japanese society and the economy.
Ms. Flordeliza Shiga, an entrepreneur and care worker, delivered a heartfelt message rooted in lived experience. She highlighted the importance of maximizing time and financial resources in Japan, sharing her own struggles and expressing how initiatives like START STRONG 2026 could have changed her earlier decisions.
From Worker Mindset to Builder Mindset
The concluding segment was led by the overall event coordinator, focusing on a crucial shift—from a worker mindset to a builder mindset.
Participants were encouraged to see Japan not merely as a place of employment, but as a training ground for future reintegration. This segment introduced the 13 foundational principles that form the backbone of the book:
“The OFW Builder – 180-Day Transformation”
The book is tailored specifically for migrant workers. It is not a get-rich-quick guide, nor a rigid step-by-step manual. Instead, it emphasizes principles over shortcuts and systems over speculation.
The message was clear: with noble desire, firm decision, discipline, and determination, a reintegration plan can begin to take shape within 180 days. Participants were encouraged to design feasibility studies based on their current jobs and skills, leveraging what they already know instead of pursuing unrelated business ideas that disconnect them from their real experience. Here is the link to own this book.
The Open Forum: Awareness and Prevention
The main open forum featured Attorney Kenta Tsujitani, an immigration law expert, who emphasized the importance of awareness, compliance, and problem prevention as essential elements in maximizing life in Japan.
Mr. Jonel Habon, representing OWWA, highlighted the Philippine government’s continued support for OFWs, particularly in reintegration planning. He reassured participants of available assistance, consultations, and guidance whenever challenges arise.
A Beginning, Not an Endpoint
START STRONG 2026 was never intended to be an endpoint.
It was designed as a starting line—where clarity replaces confusion, systems replace guesswork, and intention replaces uncertainty.
History unfolds not through grand declarations, but through deliberate decisions followed by consistent action.
This was one of those moments.
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