(Photo courtesy of Intramuros Administration) |
Naoshima Onna Bunraku manipulating the Japanese puppets |
Ambassador Toshinao Urabe conveys the significance of the 40th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in his welcoming remarks |
Naoshima Onna Bunraku performs Dango Uri, a humorous dance depicting the life of the Couple Kinezo and Ofuku as they travel from place to place selling rice dumplings |
(Photo courtesy of Intramuros Administration) |
Naoshima Onna Bunraku showcases Keisei Awa No Naruto, a story of the daughter Otsuru's journey to find her mother Oyumi |
The Naoshima Onna Bunraku and the UP CIS Bunraku Ensemble's joint performance of Ebisu Mai, the narrative about the quest to the sea by the deity Ebisu |
(Photo courtesy of Intramuros Administration) |
An excerpt from Dr. Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio's CCP award-winning piece “Ang Paglalakbay ni Sisa: Isang Noh sa Laguna” |
The guests get a taste of Sanuki Udon provided by the Hanamaru Udon and the Organization to Promote Japanese Restaurants Abroad (JRO) at the cocktail reception held inside the Chambers of the Maestranza Curtain Wall |
The 40th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation kicked-off in great style on February 11, 2013 as the Naoshima Onna Bunraku Puppet Troupe performed at the Maestranza Park, Intramuros, Manila. The venue was transformed into an improvised theater with a stage set against a newly restored Curtain Wall decorated by bamboos and cherry blossoms.
Ambassador Toshinao Urabe welcomed the audience and expressed the significance of the long-standing partnership of ASEAN and Japan in the last four decades. He mentioned, “with our historical responsibility in mind, the Japanese Government supported the reconstruction of the curtain wall which was destroyed during the World War II” and that Intramuros hosting a Japanese traditional theatre play illustrates the forward-looking nature of Japan-Philippines relations. Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. of the Department of Tourism, Chancellor Ceasar Saloma of UP Diliman and Director Michikazu Aoi of the Organization to Promote Japanese Restaurants Abroad (JRO) graced the occasion with their inspiring messages.
The main event featured three performances by the all-women troupe, the Dango Uri, Keisei Awa no Naruto and the Ebisu Mai. The strong affinity of Japan and the Philippines were depicted through the joint performance of Ebisu Mai by the Naoshima Onna Bunraku and the UP CIS Bunraku Ensemble. The audience was captivated by the artistry and excellent performances by the two countries.
The UP CIS Noh Theatre Ensemble complemented the event with the prize-winning piece of UP University Professor Emeritus Amelia Lapena-Bonifacio's “Ang Paglalakbay ni Sisa: Isang Noh sa Laguna” recounting the familiar story of Sisa in a different view.
More than 250 guests were treated to a banquet, highlighted by the serving of Sanuki Udon. The wheat based noodles from Kagawa Prefecture were specifically brought from Japan by Hanamaru Udon and the Organization to Promote Japanese Restaurants Abroad (JRO) for the occasion.
This event is co-organized by the University of the Philippines Center for International Studies, Department of Tourism and Intramuros Administration with the cooperation of the Japan Foundation Manila, and sponsored by Japan Tobacco International (Philippines) Hanamaru Udon and the Organization to Promote Japanese Restaurants Abroad (JRO).
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