A fascinating cultural festival marked the culmination of the 25th Anniversary of UP Tomo-Kai, formally known as the UP Philippines-Japan Friendship Club. This year’s “Amakyō: Festival of Memories” was said to be inspired by the sweet, sentimental feeling of home after a successful return, reached its peak with Halina Culminating Night at UP Sunken Garden last May 16, 2025.
UP Tomo-Kai’s anniversary was an incredible two-week-long celebration from the second to third weeks of May at different venues at the University of the Philippines Diliman which got to feature interactive cultural exhibits and thrilling game nights.
Their anniversary culminated in a night-long artist and music festival with a colorful lineup of not only Tomo-Kai performers but also pop and cultural talents, such as cosplayers Mart and Kahon Bear; idol groups Mju:z Kiss, AS☆FIRE, and Hoshizora!; cultural performers UP Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino (Kontra-GaPi) and the UP Center of International Studies Bunraku Ensemble; and the acclaimed Korean-Filipino songwriter, Joshua Kim. The celebration is an appreciation of Philippine and Japanese culture and a homage to the organization’s rich history and extensive achievements.
Halina: A Cultural Night was a delightful fusion of the Japanese matsuri and the Filipino fiesta as it presented electrifying performances, engaging games, and a grand cultural celebration. The event also had an artist alley, merchandise bazaar, exhibitors, and food fair which made for an unforgettable experience which was free and open to everyone.
arkadymac.com has been a media partner for UP Tomo-kai events since 2014. Many thanks to our Photographer Marivic for covering the event for us.
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