Student by Day, Adventure by Night: Kyoto Chronicles

Hiyyaa....

This week’s adventure brought me to none other than Kyoto, Japan — a city full of tradition, charm, and, apparently… extreme summer heat! 😂 I wasn’t alone this time either — I had a great companion, a student from the Philippines, who’s also a friend of Budz (Their name is Keane and Zeus). Together, we came to join a special training session with Tanaka Sensei at Kyoto University, where we learned all about his Agent-Based Model (ABM).

Now, let me warn you — if you’ve never experienced summer in Japan, you’re in for a surprise. The heat was absolutely next-level. I’m talking about full-on sweat-the-moment-you-step-outside kind of heat! It honestly felt like we were being grilled alive under the Kyoto sun. Hahaha! #WannaStayIndoors 😅 But the excitement of learning and exploring kept us going. After all, it’s not every day you get a chance to train at one of Japan’s well-renowned universities!

Training Start!!!!!

When we arrived, we got the warmest welcome ever — Tanaka Sensei personally picked us up at our hotel near Kyoto Station. Since it’s the university’s summer break, the campus was quiet and peaceful, which made it the perfect setting for focused learning. And yes, training began right away! No time wasted.

At first, the Agent-Based Model looked totally intimidating — full of complex equations and even some Romanian-looking symbols that made us go, “Umm… what is this? (see the picture if you dont believe it)” 😅 But here’s the twist: Tanaka Sensei’s explanations were so clear and well-structured, it started to make sense piece by piece. He didn’t just explain the formulas — he told the story behind them, helping us understand how each agent behaves in the model and how it all fits together. Suddenly, what looked like rocket science started to feel kind of… fun?

The student from the Philippines also learned super quickly — we made a great team! The training was smooth and engaging the entire time, with Tanaka Sensei always there to support and guide us. Before we knew it, the week had flown by, and it was time to say goodbye. 😭 Honestly, the people in the lab were so kind and welcoming, it was hard to leave. 

Kyoto Guide and Making Friends

During the training, I ended up getting really close to Keane and Zeus — two super fun and friendly people! Since I’ve been to Kyoto quite a few times already (honestly, I think I’ve visited almost every tourist spot here 😅), I naturally became their unofficial tour guide. Even though the summer heat was brutal, I really wanted them to enjoy Kyoto as much as I do. So, I took them around to some of the city’s must-visit places: the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine with its endless red torii gates, the stunning Kiyomizu-dera Temple with its sweeping views, the traditional charm of the Gion District, and of course, the delicious chaos of Nishiki Market.

                                

                                

Then came the weekend — and with it, a wild twist! Budz came all the way to Kyoto to hang out with us. And if you know Budz, you know what that means… BEER FRENZY! 🍻 We had such a blast catching up, laughing, and yes — we drank until 5 AM on Sunday morning. No regrets. Just good vibes, great company, and a slightly blurry but unforgettable night. HAHA!

All in all, despite the insane heat, this week in Kyoto was absolutely amazing — a perfect mix of learning, new friendships, and unforgettable memories. I’m so grateful to be given the opportunity for such a valuable experience. I came for the training, but I’m going home with knowledge, connection, and a full heart. Until next time, Kyoto! 🌸✨ 

And for readers, thank you as always. Until next time too in the next story!

Back in Marikina: New Stories, Same Heart (ft. Tunyu-san!)

Hello everyone, this is Budz and Leon writing.

This time, we decided to co-write our blog since most of our activities overlapped throughout the process. Last June, we returned to Marikina for the third time to collect additional data — making this our third blog entry for our Philippine adventure. Having visited the Philippines three times this year, it's safe to say that Leon is now basically an adopted (and poging) Filipino — LOL!

What's different? 

Unlike our previous visit to the Philippines, this time we were left to handle things on our own, though with a welcome addition to the team, Tunyu-san (his blog for this trip is a must-read!!). Aside from the survey work, the first few days of our trip were spent at the HyDEPP-SATREPS Joint Cooperation Coordination (JCC) meeting at the University of the Philippines Diliman, where we shared some of our initial findings.

Proper coordination with local partners is always a crucial first step for a successful survey. This was especially true in Barangay Marikina Heights (one of the non-flooded areas in Marikina City) where we needed to clearly explain the purpose of our visit: why a flood-related study was being conducted in a place that doesn't flood. Thankfully, the barangay officials were warm and welcoming, and the local student enumerators we worked with proved to be dependable and enthusiastic.

We also surveyed two flooded barangays, Jesus Dela Peña and San Roque, hoping to capture the impacts and recovery from flooding of middle- to high-income households. Notably, Provident Village in Barangay Jesus Dela Peña was among the most devastated subdivision in the City during Typhoon Ondoy back in 2009, a disaster still etched in the community's memory. 

 

 

 

Insights that will stay with us

Throughout this household interview survey, we encountered many people whose stories have taught me so much about the Philippines and its people. Even though I'm not Filipino (but you're our adopted Filipino LOL) , I felt completely at ease in their environment. Their warm hospitality and easygoing nature truly made this experience unforgettable.

We were fortunate not only to meet the households we surveyed, but also to connect with the people who made this entire effort possible: the enumerators and barangay coordinators. As locals, they know their communities deeply and understand the realities of disaster situations firsthand. We've already said “thank you” to them countless times in person, but we'd like to express our heartfelt gratitude here as well: to Dean Tolentino and President Ayuson of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina, to Hon. Aramil of Barangay San Roque, to Hon. Sarmiento and the members of the barangay council of Barangay Jesus Dela Peña, and to Hon. Punzalan, with special mention to Ma'am Cora, of Barangay Marikina Heights. Also, to our dedicated enumerators (Joshua, Jannah, Oen, Carlos, Roxanne, Nathan, Victor, Joselle, Princess, Alyssa, R-Jay, Janina, Willin, Micky, Nejune, Ryza, and Kurt) and diligent checkers (Harvey, Alania, Daniela, Rona, and Elijah). Maraming salamat po! Your hard work, local knowledge, and commitment turned this survey into a success.   

Small moments that Made Us Laugh

Of course, we eat, and we leave no crumbs! The photos below say it all LOL. This trip wasn't just about the survey itself, it was also about sharing moments, laughs, and good food. We're especially proud to have recruited Tunyu-san into the avocado and mango craze though we still couldn't win him over to the joys of Halo-Halo. Maybe next time!

Despite the raining and hot sunny weather during the process of the survey, we tried to find good things to laugh about it each day- and I think we did. Tunyu randomly dancing wherever he is, Budz chanting “minna-san konnichiwa, watashi wa Allan desu” for his Japanese speech repeatedly. HAHHA! 

Once again, thank you for reading our blog and for joining us on this journey whether through our fieldwork stories, or our little food adventures. Until the next time!

Philippine Field Survey

 

This is TunYu's first blog.

First, I want to thank Kawasaki sensei for giving me this opportunity. For me, the Philippine survey gave me a chance to visit a new country for the first time in nine years. Though in the past ten years, I may have been to Japan more than ten times.

I also want to thank Budz and Leon for taking care of me and being patient with my questions. Because I looked like a mobile ATM, I cannot imagine what would have happened to me if the trip had been without you guys. And all the food and the spots you introduced to me, especially the avocado soft cream, have really become my favorite in the Philippines. Although throughout these ten days the things I wanted to eat most are still ramen.

This field survey gave me a lot of first-time experiences. Especially in the past ten years, I have only been to Taiwan and Japan, where people are strongly constrained by morality and society. Entering the local area, even though I couldn’t understand any Tagalog (the official language of the Philippines), I felt Filipinos were so chill. Everywhere and at any time, I could see a lot of people just doing nothing. Sometimes I think about whether they have more happiness than us even though they are poor. Although the community is not as clean as Japan, and noise and traffic jams continue every day, all I feel from them is optimism, enthusiasm, and chillness. Maybe it’s because I haven’t been robbed, haha.

Talking about my first impression of Manila and Marikina, there are lots of cute cats and dogs running around the city, even more than the tourists I saw. Skyscrapers and tower apartments—you can always see the fancy city from any angle in Manila and Marikina. In contrast, river pollution, beggars, slums, and rusty subways show that wealth disparity exists everywhere. I think “tolerance” is the best word to describe it. Maybe it’s because they’re chill, they have gotten used to tolerating all kinds of neighborhoods, or even just because God is taking care of all the life here.

To be honest, this trip was such a fortunate experience. First, it didn’t rain during these ten days whenever I was outdoors, and all the surveys we did went smoothly and safely. When we went to Manila, coincidentally there was a Japanese person who was robbed at gunpoint in a place we had been. Lastly, my flight back to Japan was delayed three times for a total of 12 hours, but they offered me a luxury hotel and buffet, which I think was the tastiest food I ate during this trip. This chance also allowed me to meet two new Japanese friends at the airport.

Finally, I want to thank Kawasaki sensei once again for giving this chance to such a new student like me, not only giving me a great experience and expanding my perspective, but also giving me a chance to learn a lot from my two senpai and get to know them better. I am looking forward to the next opportunity, and I believe the two years of the master’s program in this group will definitely be valuable and joyful journey.

2-weeks Manila: Retrieving Data (and Mango?)

Hi Everyone, Spring has arrived in Tokyo, and as I sit in a park bench looking at a cherry blossoms, I write this blog about my experience in Manila. 

In the mid of February, we officially started to conduct a Household Interview Survey in Philippines. It was an exciting two-week process! Unique and challenging because we organized everything ourselves, with the help of my philipinos colleague, and local university students as surveyors.

The Survey: Planning and Data Acquisition

Unlike our past surveys in Thailand, we didn’t rely on a third-party company for data collection. Instead, we recruited students from a local university who had prior experience in conducting surveys, which made the whole process smoother than expected. Huge shoutout to Budz, my colleague from the Philippines, whose help was indispensable. (You can read his blog for a more detailed look at the technical side of the survey. HAHA! xD)

Here are some photos from the kickoff meeting all the way through to the data collection in the field. It was a lot of hard work, but with the students on board, we managed to make it all come together.

Eat, eat, and mango!

One of the best parts about Manila, of course, was the food. My favorite treat was the mango juice, a local gem that we couldn’t get enough of. Served with tapioca, nata de coco, graham crackers, and fresh mango, it was the perfect refreshing snack after a long day of surveying. For just 300 JPY, it was both delicious and affordable. We also indulged in various snacks from local stalls, with fresh bread and cakes tempting us at every corner, but mostly mango for me. HEHEHE! :D

Museums and Churches

Despite the packed schedule, we managed to carve out some time to explore the historical Intramuros district. One Sunday, we visited several museums and churches, learning about the Philippines' rich history and culture. The art, architecture, and religious significance of the places we saw were awe-inspiring. It was the perfect way to unwind after the busy work week.

 

Two weeks in Manila may seem like a long time, but it passed by in the blink of an eye. Between the hard work, the new culinary experiences, and the hospitality of the Filipino people, it was an unforgettable experience. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work closely with the local students and feel the warmth of the country’s culture, both in the food and the people <3.  

 

As usual, thank you for reading my blog to the end. Enjoy the Spring!

- Leon

 

 

Back to the Philippines. My Journey in Understanding Flood Resilience, and more!

(Budz)

I'm back in the Philippines, again! This time, with two agenda: first, to conduct a household survey in Marikina, and second, to serve as a local student assistant for a tour of the Metro Manila Subway construction.

Household Survey in Marikina

Our survey officially kicked off on the afternoon of February 14—yes, on Valentine's Day! The entire city was painted red, from people's outfits to building decorations. Love was definitely in the air. We began with pre-deployment training to the enumerators, who were students from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina (PLM). These students had prior experience in conducting household surveys and, most importantly, were locals of the barangays they were assigned to (Nangka and San Roque). This gave them a huge advantage, as they knew the area inside out and had firsthand experience with flooding.

During orientation, we explained the survey's goals, shared helpful tips, and emphasized key protocols—like always wearing their enumerator IDs and maintaining professionalism when conducting interviews. With national elections coming up in May, we had to be extra cautious to avoid being mistaken for campaigners. It made me realize that in this part of data gathering and research, these small logistical details shall be considered.

 

Pre-deployment training to enumerators (February 14, 2025) in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina.

We also coordinated with barangay officials to request assistance from local tanods (village watchmen). Their support was overwhelming —they even provided free transportation on certain days to help us reach our target household.

Surprisingly, convincing residents to participate in the survey wasn't difficult. As soon as we mentioned that it was about baha (flood), they were eager to share their experiences. Every household had its own unique way of preparing for and recovering from floods. Some still had visible flood marks on their walls, evidence of past disasters. Talking to them face-to-face made me realize that real insights go beyond the written survey questions. People's recovery strategies varied depending on the level of damage they sustained and their economic status. It was a reminder that while floods affect everyone, their impact is never the same.

Some pictures of household survey in Barangay San Roque (left) and Nangka (right).

One can still see the flood marking in this house in Barangay San Roque. 

This household has lived in Barangay Nangka for almost 3 decades, enduring countless floods.  The most unforgettable were Ondoy (2009), Ulysses (2020), and Karina (2024).

We successfully completed our survey last February 28 !  It truly was a team effort. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made it possible: Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina (especially to Dean Tolentino, Dr. Reamillo, and Dr. Calaycay) for connecting us with the enumerators and providing a venue for our pre-deployment training; Officials of Barangay San Roque (Brgy Captain Aramil, and Councilor Sandee) and Barangay Nangka (Brgy. Captain Delas Armas, and Secretary Maryjane) for their unwavering support; and our dedicated enumerators (Raisyn, Liza, Ronalyn, Charmaine, Rafael, Ryza, Christian, Micaela, Hannah, Jeanelle, John, Glaizelle, Kurt and Lance) and checkers (Angelo and Miguel) for their hard work.  Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat!

Metro Manila Subway Tour & ADB Visit (Local Guide v.1.0)

After the survey, while Kawasaki-Sensei and Leon flew back to Japan, I stayed a few more days in Manila to serve as a local student assistant for a tour of the Metro Manila Subway construction and to visit the Asian Development Bank (ADB).  The tour, organized by Concrete Laboratory, took us to several on-going construction of subway station sites. Seeing the progress firsthand was truly exciting—it's amazing to think that soon, the Philippines will have a modern subway system! I'm grateful to have been part of this tour.

Site Visit to Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP)

Visit to Asian Development Bank (ADB) Headquarter

Food and Side Trips (Local Guide v.2.0)

Of course, after each day of fieldwork, the highlight for me was dinner! fortunately , our hotel was just a short walk from several amazing local restaurants. We made sure to indulge in Filipino food—  sisig , dinakdakan , lechon kawali, BBQ, silog, lumpia, pares, etc.  One thing I realized is that Filipino cuisine leans heavily toward meat dishes, with some meals little having to no vegetables (but they tried Laing ). But our desserts were definitely a hit, and of course, I couldn't let them leave without trying our local beer, San Miguel and Red Horse.

Food v.1.0

Food v.2.0

Food v.3.0

Marikina City is rich in history and culture. One of its oldest barangays, San Roque, still has century-old buildings standing strong. We also took time to visit the Shoe Museum and Kapitan Moy Building—both significant landmarks in the city. Marikina is also home to well-loved food spots, like Macky's Eatery,  which has been around since 1989.

Some landmarks in Barangay San Roque 

Since I was already in a 'local guide mode', I also took Leon on a trip to Manila. We explored Intramuros (the Walled City), home to historical sites like San Agustin Church (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest stone church in the Philippines), Manila Cathedral, and Fort Santiago. Since it was a Sunday, the place was packed with churchgoers and tourists.

Places in Intramuros

We also visited the National Museum of Fine Arts and the National Museum of Anthropology, both just a short distance from Intramuros. No matter how many times I see Juan Luna's Spoliarium (painted in the 1880s), I'm still in awe of its beauty. Entrance to these museums is free! No wonder the lines were long, with both locals and tourists eager to explore.

National Museum of Fine Arts 

National Museum of Anthropology

Local Guide v3.0 (??)

This journey was both eye-opening and fulfilling. From engaging with communities in Marikina to witnessing major infrastructure projects in Manila, I've learned so much. Looking forward to more adventures ahead—stay tuned!