A commemoration ceremony of the Great East Japan 2011 earthquake was held at the University of the Philippines in Diliman on Sunday, 11 March 2012, to pray for the perished souls, express gratitude for the warm help extended, and to celebrate the rebirth of Japan.
After a moment of silence , the Ambassador of Japan Toshinao Urabe thank ed the Philippine public and its leadership for the ir act of bayanihan.
Japan is recovering rapidly, thanks to such help. “Our goal is not simply reconstruct the Japan that existed before March 11, 2011. Smooth post disaster reconstruction, disaster risk reduction, energy saving environment - friendly “green economy”, aging society as an economy, such objectives will be pursued creating new opportunities. We will build a new Japan. ”
Ambassador Urabe presented Certificates of Appreciation to the Philippine National Red Cross, the Philippines-Japan Society , the University of the Philippines, the Philippine Medical Assistance Team to Japan and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama , recognizing their significant contribution in assisting the recovery effort.
At the ceremony, Speaker Feliciano R. Belmonte, Jr. of the House of Representatives, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa and UP President Alfredo E. Pascual extended words of encouragement for Japan . Also present were Senator Edgardo Angara, Congressman Mel Senen Sarmiento, Congressman David Kho, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Erlinda Basilio and Chairman Eusebio Tan of Philippine- Japan Economic Committee.
At the event , the Japanese dance group , Kikusuiren performed the Awa Odori dance and led the friendship march around the Quezon Hall of the University followed by hundreds of UP students and Red Cross volunteers. Furthermore three Filipino cheering squads including the UP Pep Squad performed their vigorous dances.
Speech of Ambassador Toshinao Urabe
