On November 25, 2010, Mme. Yasuko Katsura, wife of Ambassador Makoto Katsura and honorary member of the Philippines-Japan Ladies Association, Inc. (PJLA) hosted “ A Merienda Afternoon with Japanese and Filipino Bamboo Performance by Philippine Normal University Rondalla and Himig Kawayan ” at the Ambassador's Residence.
The event was held to celebrate the long-standing friendly relations between Japan and the Philippines. In her welcome remarks, Mme. Katsura noted that cultural awareness and mutual understanding play a central role in fostering the long-standing friendship between our two countries, and the said event was a good opportunity to strengthen our cultural ties through music.
Japan Information and Culture Center Director Tomoko Dodo gave a briefing on the Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Projects (GACGP). The scheme, introduced in 2000, under the Official Development Assistance (ODA), aims to provide carefully planned assistance to directly benefit the so-called grassroots level in developing countries through assistance for educational institutions, NGOs and local public bodies in the field of culture and education. To date, seven projects amounting to approximately USD 263,000 have been implemented since 2001 in the Philippines. In 2007, the Government of Japan provided assistance for the “Project for the Improvement of Bamboo Musical Instruments” to the Philippine Society for Music Education (PSME) through the GACGP. PSME received USD 11,177 to fund for the procurement of bamboo musical instruments for the Himig Kawayan project. A set of bamboo musical instruments have been lent by PSME to Himig Kawayan school ensembles to further aid in training the students in bamboo music. At present, the following four Himig Kawayan ensembles benefit from the project:
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Jose Juan Serapio Elementary School
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Dagupan City National High School
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Regional Science High School
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Philippine Normal University
Dr. Loreto Gloria, Director of the Himig Kawayan project , was present at the event, as well as PSME President Prof. Leticia del Valle, who gave an introduction about PNU Himig Kawayan , expressing their appreciation for the support of the Government of Japan . PNU Himig Kawayan , an ensemble of musically-skilled students, performed Japanese and Filipino songs by using bamboo instruments, under the direction of esteemed conductor, Prof. Pacita Narzo.
The moving Himig Kawayan performance impressed the audience, including Mme. Katsura, who asked the ensemble to explain about the bamboo musical instruments and play each instrument separately to further appreciate the individual sounds. Mrs. Josefina Sanvictores, Past President and Adviser of PJLA and wife of Ambassador Benjamin Sanvictores, said that “the performance made us proud to be Filipinos.” Each of the students, as well as PNU Himig Kawayan conductor, Prof. Pacita Narzo, were given certificates personally signed by Ambassador Makoto Katsura to show the Embassy of Japan's appreciation.
PJLA members also attended the event, headed by current President Mme. Marilen Laurel-Loinaz. The PJLA Chorale group rendered a wonderful performance of Japanese and Filipino songs with piano accompaniment to reciprocate an outstanding performance rendered by PNU Rondalla and Himig Kawayan .
The afternoon was filled with a true spirit of long-standing friendship between our two nations connecting people of various generations and backgrounds through beautiful music.
