Hiroshima, Japan
22 June 2014

Husband and wife Manny and Esperanza Ruzgal moved to Japan when Manny was given an offer to work in Hiroshima as an engineer in the 90’s. Although both led a steady life and a good income in Japan, Esperanza works as an English teacher, and they soon became aware of the struggle of other Filipinos in Japan. Cases involving marital disputes among interracial marriages and unjust compensation of Filipinos workers in Hiroshima were the everyday issues they encountered.

This urged the couple to create a group that will bond all the Filipinos in Hiroshima for support and assistance. They formed the Hiroshima Filipino Association. Through this, Filipinos who were once living in recluse found a family in a foreign land.

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