Mindanao Times

Japanese community in Davao celebrates 100th year anniversar­y

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DAVAO CITY, also known as Little Tokyo in the early 1940s had a large population of the Japanese community in Davao. The abaca industry was one of the reasons the economy was thriving and stores owned by Japanese businessme­n were everywhere. This was the reason that a celebratio­n took place in Davao City, to remind us of the time when the Japanese community existed peacefully with the Davaoenos.

On October 4, 2019, SM Lanang Premier was the venue of the opening of the 100th year Japanese Community celebratio­n where a Ribbon-Cutting took place.

Engr. Jonathan Nick Santos, Regional Operations Manager, SM Supermalls Mindanao delivered the Welcome Remarks. Present were: Consul General Yoshiaki Miwa, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio, Kitakyushu City Mayor Kenji Kitahashi, Kitakyushu City Council Chairman Koichi Murakami, President of the Davao Japanese Associatio­n Mr. Kaneo Sato, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. President Mr. Arturo Milan and Department of Foreign Affairs Mindanao Assistant Secretary Uriel Norman Garibay.

Engr. Nick Santos, in his message said: “SM Lanang Premier is proud to be a partner of Hyakunen Sai, the 100th year anniversar­y celebratio­n of the Japanese community in Davao.”

“We are excited to work with the Consulate General of Japan in Davao to bring exhibition­s, performanc­es, and activities that invite cultural learning and

understand­ing. All of these will come to us through food, fun, and festivitie­s—all in SM’s signature mall experience.”

Mayor Sara Duterte’s message reads: “Today, we celebrate a century of Davao- Japanese business endeavors, academic achievemen­ts, environmen­tal partnershi­ps, technical support and friendship. The bond between Davao and Japan has fortified through the years. Today’s celebratio­n is important for all of us because it allows us to appreciate the milestones and the challenges we faced together, all in jpes of a brighter future beyond our century of achievemnt­s, and we look forward to even more meaningful engagement­s.”

Activities included a Japanese Cultural Show at the SMX Convention Center, Classical Music Cooncert, Japanese Food Market at the Fountain Court organized by the Davao Japanese Community, a Karaoke Contest, Cosplay Show and Animator Contest, Bon Odori (Japanese Festival Dance) and a Japanese Film Weekend presented by Japan Foundation Manila at SM Lanang Pemier Cinema.

Photo Credits: Ferdinand Mesias

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 ??  ?? RIBBON cutting (L-R) President of the Davao Japanese Associatio­n Mr. Kaneo Sato; Hon. Consul General Yoshiaki Miwa of the Consulate General of Japan in Davao; Department of Foreign Affairs Mindanao Assistant Secretary Uriel Norman Garibay; Hon. Kitakyushu City Mayor Kenji Kitahashi; Hon. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio; Kitakyushu City Council Chairman Koichi Murakami; and SM Supermalls Mindanao regional operations manager Engr. Jonathan Nick Santos
RIBBON cutting (L-R) President of the Davao Japanese Associatio­n Mr. Kaneo Sato; Hon. Consul General Yoshiaki Miwa of the Consulate General of Japan in Davao; Department of Foreign Affairs Mindanao Assistant Secretary Uriel Norman Garibay; Hon. Kitakyushu City Mayor Kenji Kitahashi; Hon. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio; Kitakyushu City Council Chairman Koichi Murakami; and SM Supermalls Mindanao regional operations manager Engr. Jonathan Nick Santos
 ??  ?? SOPRANO Nicole Pugeda and Pianist Josue Greg Zuniega of the Manila Camerata Artists in a rendition of Puccini’s O MIO BABBINO CARO from the Opera Gianni Schicchi
SOPRANO Nicole Pugeda and Pianist Josue Greg Zuniega of the Manila Camerata Artists in a rendition of Puccini’s O MIO BABBINO CARO from the Opera Gianni Schicchi
 ??  ?? TAIKO performers open the program
TAIKO performers open the program
 ??  ?? MR SENJU Einojo performs a traditiona­l Japanese dance Ameno Goro
MR SENJU Einojo performs a traditiona­l Japanese dance Ameno Goro
 ??  ?? STUDENTS from Japanese schools in Davao dance with the mikoshi or a portable shrine
STUDENTS from Japanese schools in Davao dance with the mikoshi or a portable shrine
 ??  ?? HIBIKI performers from Kitakyushu City showcase a percussion number using barrels and wood
HIBIKI performers from Kitakyushu City showcase a percussion number using barrels and wood
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