Birthday of Sensei Ikeda was Celebrated
with
150 Children
On January 7, a birthday party in honor of Sensei Ikeda was held at the
house of Mr. Rogelio M. Quiambao, the former Supreme Commander of the Order
of the Knights of Rizal.
SGI Vice President Takimoto and his wife, SGI Philippines General Director Mr. Niitsu and his wife, as well as graduates and exchange students from Soka University were invited to the party.
Vice President Takimoto and General Director Niitsu cheered the children
Mr. Rogelio M. Quiambao
On the stage there hanged a wholeheartedly hand-made banner on which "Happy
Birthday Sensei Ikeda" was written with the three colors of SGI.
The spacious garden of Mr. Quiambao's was filled with more than 150 children
who were prettily dressed, very cheerful and energetic – they all came
from the poor areas in his neighborhood.
It was in 1996 when Mr. Quiambao first met Sensei Ikeda and when he started
his celebration of Sensei's birthday at his house.
When Mr. Quiambao and his family, knew that Sensei's birthday is on January
2, they very much wanted to prepare him a birthday gift, for they already
considered him a very important close friend.
Mr. Quiambao said, "We were thinking what would please Sensei the
most, and came up with an idea to send greetings from children with a picture
of happy smiling faces. Sensei loves children, and if children are happy,
I thought he would be happy too. Sensei immediately responded to our gift."
Thus started the tradition of holding a birthday party for Sensei Ikeda
at Mr. Quiambao's place.
And it is being celebrated together with many children living near his residence, as well as representatives of SGI Philippines and students from Soka University.
Soka Students taught the lyrics of
"Sun of Hope"
Soka Students sang "Sun of Hope"
with children
At that party, the graduates and exchange students from Soka University enjoyed playing games with children, who were all excited and very friendly with the Japanese guests.
For this performance at the party they put a lot of effort into practicing
this song because it was the first time for the "Sun of Hope"
to be sung outside SGI meetings.
They also taught the children how to sing this song, and later they sang the song together in harmony.
It is thanks to Sensei Ikeda's continuous struggle for peace through dialogue,
cultural exchange and sincere friendship with people around the world that
SGI members as well as the graduates and students of Soka University can
be given precious opportunity such as this, to meet with prominent figures
of the country.
The birthday party for Sensei Ikeda became a place where the participants
sang and shared Sensei's wishes and encouragements expressed in a passage
of the lyrics – "Toward the future together, let us work for a glorious
Philippines."
Impressions from the Soka students who joined the party
Yoko Yuasa:
I was very impressed by the fact that Sensei Ikeda has been introduced
to many children through Mr. Quiambao.
The children were very friendly as well. I really appreciate my being able
to be there.
Masae Takahashi:
I was so happy and inspired by the children singing "Sun of Hope,"
which was written by Sensei Ikeda.
As its lyrics states, these children surely have "a great mission
in this land" and in the world as well. I sincerely hope that this
song truly inspired them at the party.
Nobuyuki Ota:
I was deeply impressed that regardless of differences such as nationality
and religion, people around the world, like Mr. Quiambao, eagerly seek
Sensei Ikeda's philosophy.
I was very much honored to attend Sensei Ikeda's birthday party.
Aya Toma:
I greatly enjoyed the party with cute kids and Mr. Quiambao.
Thank you for giving us such a great opportunity to join Sensei Ikeda's
birthday party where I was able to meet him along with spirited children.
