Philippines, Japan celebrate Friendship Month this July

Tuesday 10th of July 2012

PASAY CITY, July 10 (PIA) -- The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines and the Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) with various partner organizations are inviting everyone to witness a wide array of remarkable cultural festivities in celebration of 56 years of longstanding friendship and cooperation between Japan and the Philippines.

Philippines-Japan Friendship month is celebrated every month of July in commemoration of July 23 as the Philippines-Japan Friendship Day in the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries in 2006.

As this year marks its 5th anniversary of the Friendship month, “Japan Day” will be held on July 21-22, 2012 at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

The two-day event will provide opportunities for endless discovery of Japanese Contemporary Pop Culture.

In line with the celebration, various events are lined up starting this month until September which will also be held in Baguio, Cebu, and Davao.

Movie goers and film enthusiasts are invited to watch 10 specially selected contemporary films from respected Japanese film makers to be screened in this year's most awaited EigaSai (Movie Festival).

The movie festival will be held on the following venues and dates: Cinema 4, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City, July 5-15; UP Film Institute, Diliman, Quezon City, August 15-21; Gaisano South Citimall, Davao on July 20-22; and Cinema 4, Ayala Center in Cebu City, August 7-12, 2012.

Meanwhile, enjoy the fascinating fusion of acoustic guitar by the dynamic duo, Aki and Kuniko as they perform in a series of shows using a Japanese traditional instrument, koto. The tandem's ingenuity combined with their soulful melody will surely captivate their listeners and lead them into a greater sense of musical appreciation.

The concert will be held at Abelardo Hall, UP College of Music, Diliman Quezon City on July 13; Conspiracy Garden Café, Quezon City on July 14; University of the Cordilleras Theater, Baguio City on July 16; 2Jazz ‘n Bluz Bar and Restaurant in Cebu City on July 20; and at the Ayala Center Cebu on July 21, 2012.

Contemporary artists will stage an exhibit to showcase their artwork inspired by the woodblock masterpieces of Toshusai Sharaku, one of the greatest masters of woodblock printing in Japan.

The exhibition is divided into three sections, “Reproductions of Sharaku”, “Sharaku in Graphic Art”, and “Homage to Sharaku.”

It will run from July 10 to September 9, 2012 at the Ayala Museum, Makati City.

On July 21, anime enthusiasts will take center stage for the 2012 J-Pop Anime Singing Contest and Mini Cosplay Event at the Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City from 1-5 p.m.

Anime fanatics are also invited to watch the anime film showing at the SM Cinema 6, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City featuring the following films: Full Metal Alchemist on July 21, 7 p.m.; The Sacred Star of Milos on July 22, 11 a.m.; and Detective Conan: The Lost Ship in the Sky also on July 22 at 1 p.m.

Finally, Japan’s hottest pop-opera group Le Velvets will surely captivate their audience with their incredible voice and charm for a one night show at The Atrium, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City on July 22 at 7 p.m.

For more details, please visit the Japan Embassy website at http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp or the Japan Foundation, Manila website at www.jfmo.org.ph. (Embassy of Japan/RJB/JEG-PIA-NCR)