An informative, colorful and exciting day full of activities drew Japanese language, arts and cultural enthusiasts together as The Japan Foundation, Manila successfully presented Nihongo Fiesta 2016 at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall last weekend. Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines as well as the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Japan Foundation, Manila, Nihongo Fiesta 2016 was a showcase of the cultural ties that have blossomed between the two countries.
An awaited highlight of the event was the 43rd Nihongo Speech Contest held at Shang Cineplex Cinema 1, where students and professionals from all over the country got to present their own speeches written and delivered in Nihongo in front of an esteemed and discerning panel of judges. The contestants gave it their all in speeches they have worked hard studying, composing, and practicing.
After a careful lengthy deliberation by the judges, a speech entitled “My Body Size is 100, 90, 110” earned their admiration out of the 11 entries. It was from Princess Meg Y. Perez, a 19-year-old student from Davao, winning the grand prize (sai-yuushuushou). Surprised but elated, she got to accept her award, along with the top prize of an all-expense-paid study tour in Japan, along with many great prizes from the sponsors. In the interview afterwards, Ms. Perez related the many struggles she had growing up, including being bullied at school, that drew her to fight in her own way by immersing herself in Japanese language and culture. Director Hiroaki Uesugi gave his Director’s Remarks as Opening Remarks for the Nihongo Speech Contest Awarding Ceremony, stressing 2016 as a very significant year for Japanese-Filipino relations.
Held simultaneously at the Shangri-La Grand Atrium was the 8th Nihongo Quiz Bee. It was an informative and exciting contest that saw 20 teams of high school students from all over the country pit their knowledge of Japanese language, culture, current affairs and trivia against each other. In between rounds there was also some games for the audience to participate in as well as get some nifty prizes. Student organization UP Tomo-Kai got to share a Japanese dance in a lively performance onstage.
After some grueling and hard-fought rounds, Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science emerged victorious as Grand Champion, with Marikina Science High School placing second and winner from the wildcard round Florentino Torres High School claiming third place overall. They got to take home some prestige and some great prizes from the organizers and sponsors. All the participants were given some nice gifts as well. There were no hard feelings against each of the schools as one could see them cheering each other on, shaking hands, hugging, taking pictures with one another after the contest in a display of friendly competition.
Attendees got to enjoy an interesting and entertaining facet of Japanese art through a full-house screening of the acclaimed film Sarusaberi: Miss Hokusai at the Shang Cineplex Cinema 1. It was an amusing and lighthearted tale of Master Hokusai’s daughter: a lively portrayal of a free-spirited, utterly outspoken, and highly talented woman, unfolding through the changing seasons.
Warming up the crowd back at the Shangri-La Grand Atrium was local up-and-coming girl group KAWAII 5, who sang the theme song of the localized Japanese drama, Amachan, on TV5. They got to present some lively games, as well as perform several song and dance numbers for the audience. It was also their farewell performance here in the Philippines, as they are slated to go to Japan really soon.
Then came the much-awaited J-Pop performances from renowned artists Diana Garnet and Joe Inoue, with the special participation of Japanese band THE BEATMOTORS. They got to have an interview on stage where they got to share the many interesting and lively experiences that they had as they strove to make, perform and share their music in the Japanese language in Japan and with the rest of the world.
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Diana got to address her Filipino fans for the first time, remarking how lively and receptive they were and were as avid fans of anime as she was. Her melodic, haunting voice amazed the crowd with songs from Naruto Shippuden and Ano Hana.
Joe Inoue on the other hand was back in the Philippines for the fifth time, but it was certainly no secret how much he still loved his Filipino fans as he had so much energy singing well-loved and much-remembered anime songs.
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After their performances we had the opportunity to interview them and have a short photo op.
Many thanks to our Cosplay Model and Correspondent Irene and to our Photographer and Resident Meganekko Kami for helping us cover this event.
Their performances got to close Nihongo Fiesta 2016 on a high note with a lively, colorful spectacle of Japanese language, art and culture. We wish to thank and congratulate the people and organizations involved in this endeavor to promote and share Japanese culture with Filipinos.
Nihongo Fiesta 2016 and Spinning Manila: J-Pop Live! have been co-organized by JFM with the Embassy of Japan to commemorate the Japan-Philippines Friendship Year (The 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines). The Nihongo Fiesta 2016 is supported by the Shangri-La Plaza Mall, the Shang Cineplex, the Film Development council of the Philippines (FDCP), the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines, Inc. (JCCIPI), The Japanese Association, Manila Inc. (JAMI), the Japan Overseas Enterprises Association (JOEA), University of Philippines Tomo Kai and the Association of the Filipino Nihongo Teachers (AFINITE). Spinning Manila: J-Pop Live! is made possible by Canon Marketing (Philippines) Inc. and partners HERO TV, WhenInManila.com, Otaku Asia, arkadymac.com, Cosplay.ph and Naruto Cosplayers Philippines.
Thank you for dropping by, and do watch out for our article on the Spinning Manila! Concert.
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