It was exactly one year yesterday since my wife's father passed away.
He was born on August 24, 1944, so he was 74 years old.
The year 1944 was during the Pacific War, when Japan was occupying the Philippines.
President Duterte was born on March 28, 1945, so he was in the same grade as my wife's father.
I don't think it was a sign of the bug, but just before I left, on January 6, I had to renew my passport.
My previous passport was valid until April 22, so I wasn't in such a hurry to renew it, but I went through the procedure early in the new year and the due date was January 15.
If I hadn't gone through the renewal process at this time, I would not have been able to enter the Philippines.
And just to make sure I've written this far, I found out that Japanese people can enter the country even if their passport is valid for less than six months from 2018.
Anyway, I received my passport at the city hall on January 16, and on the following day, January 17, I left for Cebu Island with my wife.
In Japan, a wake is held immediately after the death of the deceased and the funeral service is held, but in the Philippines, the wake is held a few days later and the funeral service is held at a church.
So I was able to attend two wakes and be present at the funeral.
I have only met my wife's father three times before his death (at the time of asking for permission to marry, at the wedding reception, and at my wife's son's birthday party), but I have the impression that all of her brothers and sisters are hard workers, and that he raised them with good discipline.
The funeral was held at a large local church and there were many people who attended, and he was loved by everyone.
I don't think I will be able to go to the Philippines this year due to the Corona disaster, but I would love to visit the grave next year.
