MAKOTO MIZUTA
A visiting friend from Tokyo, Japan:

Photo taken during our Lunch at Max Restaurant (OIC Esquillo, Mr. Mizuta and Mr. Gomez)

Picture taken at Wesley School with 11 Model Scouts during their practice session last Saturday, Feb.17, 2007.

OIC Mario Esquillo initiated the contact with email sent to different scout organizations around the Asia Pacific, some made their response including "MAK" our new found friend from Troop 1 of Fuchu, Tokyo Japan (Asst. Sct. Master) and who also happens to be the President of JUZEN Taxi Cab. Corp., a member of Japan Junior Chamber Inc. and of Japan Transportation and Welfare.

"Mak" made a promise to continue communicating with our council and hopefully comeback soon with his young scouts for a joint inter-cultural activity. Most probably, in our next Council Urban Jamborette on October 2007.

Thailand Scouts Association Visits James L. Gordon Council to Deliver Peace

By: GETHRO

It was an all Scouts Morning last Feb.2, 2007 at the Olongapo City Convention Center as the Thailand Scouts Association headed by the Secretary General Mr. Boonrat Wongyai, visited the James L. Gordon Council to deliver the Asia Pacific Rover Peace Baton.

Proud of the City's achievement, Mayor James Gordon delivered his words of acceptance saying that Olongapo City has been and will always be a protector of peace, proof of which are the consistent national and international nominations and awards which the city has received year after year including the coveted Peace and Order award from the DILG, the National Award for BEST Lupong Tagapamayapa and the UNESCO award for Peace. "The City of Olongapo will continue to promote and protect peace as the people and the leaders of this city will continue fighting for excellence" Mayor Gordon added.

The event which was attended by some National Officials of the BSP headed by Mr. Expedito Eduarte, Director for Field Services of the BSP and some staff, sounded the start of the last leg of the Baton's route, and served as the starting point of its Philippines, Luzon Route. Also present during the said event were Mr. William Chavez, Regional Scout Director for NCR/CLR, Mr. Syd Castillo, Director for Youth Services of the World Scout Bureau -ASPAC, Mr. Johny Genato of Ramon Magsaysay Council, and members of the Local council executive board headed by Mayor James Gordon, Jr., Mr. Gregorio Elane, Hon. Edwin J. Piano, Mr. Gregorio Manglicmot, Mr. Alberto C. Baviera, Jr.Mr. Richard Calimbas, Brgy. Councilor Luth Yanglay, Mr.Kenneth Salvatus and approx. 200 scouts and scouters from the local council including the new Rover Members from the the City's Hanjin Training Center.

The highlight of the event was capped by the hand-over ceremony and the exchange of commitment to continue the promise of strengthening peace in all nations not only in the Asia Pacific Region but more so around the world.
The event was also made colorful with the presence of Olongapo Wesley School's Drum and Lyre Corps. who welcomed all the guests with their lively Mabuhay rendition. A solemn invocation was rendered by Mr. Ronald Manila anddDuring the event, the monotony was broken by the inspiring interpretative number of Model Scouts from Olongapo Wesley School-Elem. Dept. Before the end of the program Mayor Gordon added glitz as he requested all the scouts to stand and dance as he sings the popular Boom Tarat..tarat song which made the venue very much alive. The Thai Scout Leader who's name is Boonrat (Boon is the nickname)was amazed as he watch the crowd singing and dancing along with the local leader.

The significance of the event was even highlighted as Mr. Syd Castillo of the World Scout Bureau narrated the countries which the baton has been since it left Moldives last August 2006. Adding more, the Baton is expected to travel around Luzon until it reach Makati and join the other Baton from Visayas and Luzon. This three Baton will then form one Big Baton which will then be brought to United Kingdom during its celebration of the centenary years of scouting.

Scouts from Columban College-HS, Saint Joseph's College, Barretto High School, Olongapo City National High School, Sergia Soriano Memorial High School, Olongapo City Elementary School, Nellie E. Brown Elementary School, Olongapo City Chirstian School, Olongapo Wesley School (Elementary and High School), Santa Rita Elem. School, Tapinac Elementary School, Banicain Elem, School, Gordon Heights I and II Elem. School, SPED-G Center, and many others were among spectators of the said international peace celebration.

The Thai delegations are the following: Mr. Boonrat Wongyai-Sec. General, Mr. Supakorn Wongprach-Deputy Sec. Gen., Mr. Prakorb Mukura-Coordinator and commissioners Mr. Pisit Detwongya,Mrs. Kakkanang Ronghanam, Mr. Suchart Aresinpitak, Mr. Sayun Tailee, Mr. Warin Sastrawaha, Ms. Oraphan Mukura, and Mr. Chaichai Prapatsorn.