sensei

Araw'y dumampi...
O, kayganda ng araw
Ngayong tag-araw!

- Fermin Salvador (2007)

Here's my first Japanese language sensei or teacher, Tajima Aya, in the secret bonsai garden of my university.

The plants here enjoy perfect weather nearly everyday and cheerfully spread their branches like a rainbow, like many typical deep-rooted trees in the tropics. They are cared for by internationally-renowned master Modesto Manglicmot, Javi's sensei in bonsai.