The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines and the Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) in cooperation with various partner organizations are co-presenting an assortment of exciting cultural events and activities to celebrate the 55 th Anniversary of the longstanding warm friendship and cooperation between Japan and the Philippine this year.
The Philippines-Japan Friendship Month is celebrated in the month of July to commemorate the designation of July 23 as Philippines-Japan Friendship Day in the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries in 2006.
Make room in your July calendar of activities for these Philippines-Japan Friendship Month exciting events showcasing the best of Japanese cinema, energetic J-Music (Japanese music) performances by budding Filipino performers and musicians, the icons of Japanese anime and manga, contemporary Japanese music, and traditional Japanese festival.
Japanese Film Festival '11 – Eiga Sai '11 |
Venue and Schedule:
Manila
Shangri-La Cinema 4, Mandaluyong City
July 1 – 10
Davao
Gaisano Grand Citimall
July 22 – 24
Cebu
Ayala Center Cebu Cinema 4
August 2 – 7
UP Film Institute
August 17 – 20
Click here for the detailed schedule
Twelve handpicked contemporary silver screen gems from respected Japanese film makers to be screened in this year's highly anticipated Eiga Sai (Movie Festival) to be held in Manila, Davao, Cebu and UP Film Institute will surely delight viewers - from the passionate film fanatic and cineaste to the casual moviegoer. This year's Eiga Sai films will make the viewers laugh and cry, pull at the audiences' heartstrings and give them hours of cinema entertainment. Admission is open to the public and free of charge. For the detailed list of films and film screening schedules, please visit www.jfmo.org.ph or call the Japan Foundation, Manila at 811-61-55 to 58.
Venue and Schedule:
RCBC Plaza, Makati City
July 20, 7:30 PM
Listen to the unique sound of acoustic duo Aki and Kuniko in a one-night only concert featuring the duo's excellent fusion of acoustic guitar and the Japanese traditional instrument, koto. Gaining rave reviews from music reviewer Reiko Yukawa, the duo has come to be known for their originality and unmatched impact, whisking the listeners seamlessly into an extraordinary world. For inquiries, please call the Japan Foundation, Manila at 811-61-55 to 58).
| 2011 J-Pop Anime Singing Contest |
Venue and Schedule:
SM Megamall Events Center
July 23 (Philippines-Japan Friendship Day), 1 – 4 PM
From the calming and gentle sound and music of the acoustic duo, the festivities will take an upbeat and energetic tune and tempo with the J-Pop Anime Singing Contest Grand Finale. Held for the third consecutive year, the J-Pop Anime Singing Contest continues to draw raw J-Music singing and performing talents from all over the Philippines.
The audience will be treated to a youthful spectacle as the ten finalists give their best performance as they take the center stage to become this year's Philippine J-Pop and Anime singing idols. The audience will also be entertained with other activities such as the anime-making demonstration by Toei Animation Philippines, musical performance by the Embassy of Japan's own music band, the “No Plan Band,” meet and greet Doraemon (Japan's anime ambassador), Doraemon photowall, and have their photos taken with colorfully-garbed cosplayers. The winning entries of the Torara (mascot of the J-Pop Anime Singing Contest) Manga Making Contest will also be displayed in the event area for the audience to read and enjoy. Immediately after the J-Pop Anime Singing Contest Grand Finale, there will be free screening of a Japanese animation film in an SM Megamall Cinema.
This event is co-organized by the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation, Manila with the cooperation of SM Megamall, SM Cyberzone, SM Cinema, Hero TV, Toei Animation Philippines, Nihongo Center Foundation, Center for Pop Music, Yoshinoya, Animation International Licensing, Heritage Hotel, Ajinomoto, Canon, Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba, and Yakult. For inquiries, please call the Embassy of Japan at 551-5710 loc 2318 or send an email to jicc-mnl@ma.mofa.go.jp.
| Baguio Cultural Exchange Programs |
Venue and Schedule:
Benguet State University
June 27 and July 2
University of Baguio
June 30 - July 1
Saint Louis University
July 4 – 5
University of Cordilleras
July 11 – 12
University of the Philippines Baguio
July 14 -15
Baguio Museum
July 18, 20, 22, 25 & 27
Click here for the detailed schedule
The City of Pines will also be enjoying a Japanese Film Festival to celebrate the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month. Twelve classic and contemporary films from seminal directors such as Akira Kurosawa and Shinichiro Sawai, among others, which shaped and influenced modern Japanese cinema will be presented in five Baguio City universities, namely, the Benguet State University, University of Baguio, Saint Louis University, University of Cordilleras, and the University of the Philippines Baguio and the Baguio Museum. This event is presented by the Embassy of Japan with the cooperation of the Japanese Association in Northern Luzon. For details, please call 0910-411-33-06 (Japanese Association in Northern Luzon) or 074-444-75-41 (Baguio Museum).
Over the Milky Way – Tanabata Matsuri (Bamboo/Star Festival)
Venue and Schedule
Baguio City Museum
July 8 – July 30, 9 AM – 5 PM (Monday to Saturday)
This year's Philippines-Japan Friendship Month Celebration will bring more Japanese culture events and activities for Baguio City to enjoy. The Embassy of Japan, with the cooperation of the Japanese Association in Northern Luzon, will also bring the colorful traditional festival Tanabata Matsuri (Bamboo Star) Festival to Baguio City. Baguio City residents and residents of nearby provinces can visit the Baguio City Museum to write their wishes on a piece of paper, and hang them on a specially erected bamboo tree in the hope that the wishes come true. At the same time and venue, an exhibit of Japanese cultural heritage and Japanese natural scenery captured by the lenses of renowned Filipino photographer Kidlat de Guia and Japanese photographer Yasuhiko Naoi will also take place. For details, please call 0910-411-33-06 (Japanese Association in Northern Luzon) or 074-444-75-41 (Baguio Museum).
| Japan Kingdom of Characters |
Venue and Schedule:
Tall Galeries, Metropolitan Museum of Manila
July 7 – August 20, 9 AM - 6 PM (Monday to Saturday)
The Filipino's love affair with anime and manga characters goes a long way. From Astroboy in the ‘50s to Ultraman in the ‘60s or Mask Rider Black, Hello Kitty and Mazinger Z in the ‘70s, Doraemon and Gundam in the ‘80s, Evangelion in the ‘90s and the adorable Pokemon in the 2000s, Filipinos from the baby boomer generation to generation Y are endeared to Japanese anime and manga in the same way they are endeared to truly Filipino things like Manny Pacquiao and halo-halo . Likewise, the Japanese have a deep love for these characters and they have made their significant contribution in forming Japan's popular culture today. Japan's love for anime and manga characters will be showcased at the “Japan Kingdom of Characters” exhibit to be held at the Tall Galleries of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila located at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila. The exhibit examines characters as an aspect of the subculture related to anime and manga in the recent years, which has attracted worldwide attention, as well as Japan's long history of manga and anime. For details, please call the Japan Foundation, Manila office at 811-61-55 to 58.
All Philippines-Japan Friendship Month activities are open to the public. For more information on the program contacts, please visit:
http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp (Embassy of Japan)
http://www.jfmo.org.ph (Japan Foundation, Manila)
