2016 J-Pop Anime Singing Contest will fly two winners to Japan!

2016/7/28

Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) - Press Release No. 35 - 2016

The 2016 J-pop Anime Singing Contest Winners and Special Awardees with the judges, Lotte’s Koala March Mascot, and Doraemon and Friends. (From left to right: Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) Director Tatsuo Kitagawa; The Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) Director Hiroaki Uesugi; Nihongo Center Foundation (NCF) Head Lecturer, Professor Kenjiro Ogata; Toei’s Favorite and Doraemon Special Awardee, Vinar Takumi; Bandai Namco’s Best Awardees, Elle Genovata and Shielah Faye Labandan; Doraemon Special Awardees, Jena-chan and Johannie Velasco; Third prize winner, Jhona Sacramento; Second prize winner, Happy Kevin; First prize winner, CMKC; Embassy of Japan’s Minister of General Affairs, Consul General, Hiroyuki Uchida; Center for Pop Music Philippines President, Ms. Gwen Albarracin; Toei Animation Philippines’ General Manager, Mr. Nestor Palabrica; and HERO TV Channel producer, Mr. Carlo Landrito.

Nearly 500 J-pop and anime fans were treated to an afternoon filled with good music and friendship, as the top 15 contenders in the 2016 J-pop Anime Singing Contest battled it out at the SM Cinema Centerstage, SM Mall of Asia on Saturday, July 23, 2016.

The 2016 J-Pop Anime Singing Contest, which is one of the highlights of the celebration of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month this July and 60 Years of Philippines-Japan Friendship featured performances of J-pop and anime theme songs from finalists: Acel, Akano, Ana Enriquez, CMKC, Elle Genovata, Eugene Pachejo, Happy Kevin, Jena-Chan, Jhona Sacramento, Johannie Velasco, Nessie Bonite, Shielah Faye Labadan, Victoria Albo, Vinar Takumi, and Yna Sebastian; and special performers: Embassy of Japan’s No Plan Band, Kawaii 5, Doraemon and Friends, and 2015 J-pop Anime Singing Contest Grand prize winner, Maychell Hernandez.

(Left to right) Performances from Top three winners: CMKC, Happy Kevin; and Ms. Jhona Sacramento

Special Performances from Doraemon and Friends, and Kawaii 5

Embassy of Japan's No Plan Band and 2015 J-pop Anime Singing Contest First prize winner, Maychell Hernandez.

Of the 15 finalists who displayed exceptional talent in singing, the golden voice of CMKC emerged as the grand prize winner of this year’s contest. Happy Kevin came in second place while Jhona Sacramento placed third. All three received gadgets and goodies from the event’s sponsors. On top of those, both first and second prize winners won an all-expense paid trip to Japan.

(Left to right) First prize winner, CMKC; Second prize winner, Happy Kevin; and Third prize winner Ms. Jhona Scaramento with Embassy of Japan’s Minister of General Affairs, Consul General, Hiroyuki Uchida

(Left to right) Doraemon’s Special Awardees, Ms. Jena-chan, Ms. Johannie Velasco, and Mr. Vinar Takumi with The Japan Foundation, Manila, Director Hiroaki Uesugi.

(Left to right) Bandai Namco’s Best Awardees, Ms. Elle Genovata and Ms. Shielah Faye Labadan with JICC Director Tatsuo Kitagawa.

(Left) Hero’s Choice Awardee, CMKC with HERO TV Channel Producer, Mr. Carlo Landrito; (Right)Toei’s Favorite Awardee, Mr. Vinar Takumi with Toei Animation Philippines General Manager, Mr. Nestor Palabrica.

Japanese Pop Music, Anime, and Manga have always enjoyed a huge following among Filipinos, serving as a gateway for many to learn Japanese culture and language. Aside from music, Japanese entertainment, fashion, and technology have also built dedicated fan bases in the country. More Filipinos are now pursuing opportunities to visit, study, and work in Japan, bringing Philippines-Japan relations even closer.

The J-pop Anime Singing Contest aims to promote J-pop, anime, Japanese language and culture appreciation among Filipinos and to contribute to further strengthening the longstanding friendship between Japan and the Philippines.

This event was organized by the Embassy of Japan, in cooperation with The Japan Foundation, Manila, (JFM), with the support of All Nippon Airways, Animation International, Ajinomoto Philippines, Bandai Namco Philippines Inc., Bobson, Canon Information Technologies, Inc., Canon Marketing Philippines, Center for Pop Music Philippines, HERO TV, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, Inc., Lotte Confectionery Pilipinas Corporation, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Manila, Nihongo Center Foundation, Panasonic Philippines Corporation, SM Cinema, SM Mall of Asia, Sony Philippines, Toei Animation Philippines, Inc., Yakult Philippines, and Yoshinoya.