Cultural events slated for Philippines-Japan Friendship Month
The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines and the Japan Foundation, Manila — in cooperation with various partner organizations — are co-presenting an assortment of exciting cultural events to celebrate the longstanding warm friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and Japan.
The Philippines-Japan Friendship Month is celebrated in the month of July to commemorate the designation of July 23 as the Philippines-Japan Friendship Day in celebration of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
The following events and activities are expected to bring the opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of Japanese arts and culture”
THE JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL | EIGASAI
Eiga Sai will be held from July 4 to 8 at Greenbelt 1 Cinema 2, Makati City; July 4 to 6 at Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City; Aug, 4 and 17 at CCP Complex, Pasay City; Aug. 5 at Cinematheque Center Manila; Aug. 15 to 18 at UP Film Center – Cine Adarna, UP Diliman, Quezon City; July 12 to 15 at SM City Davao Cinema, Davao City; July 27 to 29 at SM City Naga Cinema, Naga City; Aug. 9 to 12 at SM City Bacolod Cinema, Bacolod City; and Aug. 23 to 26 at Ayala Center Cebu Cinema, Cebu City.
Eiga Sai’s 21st edition runs from July 4 to Aug. 26 with 15 full-feature films of diverse genres selected for more than 100 screenings across five major cities nationwide. This year’s film festival is set to be unique as it collaborates with other Japan Foundation projects: EYES for Embracing Diversity (dialogue project); Hirata Oriza’s Manila Notes (performing arts); and “The Spirit of Budo: the History of Japan’s Martial Arts” (exhibition); and bringing three special guests from Japan. Visit the official Facebook page @eigasaiPH for the film lineup and screening as well as talk schedules. Admission is free except for movies to be screened at Greenbelt 1 Cinema 2 which will be P100 per screening. Tickets are available at https://www.sureseats.com or at the cinema ticket booth starting June 27.
SILENT FILM SCREENING WITH FILIPINO BENSHI AND MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT
A silent film screening will be held on July 25 at Ateneo de Naga University, Naga City
For the first time in history, the Japan Foundation, Manila, in partnership with Ateneo de Naga University, present the first-ever performance by Filipino benshi (silent film narrator) accompanying Yasujiro Ozu’s silent film comedy: A Straightforward Boy. The Filipino benshi’s captivating live interpretation of the Japanese silent film will be backed also by a Filipino band from Naga with original music for the film, adding authentic Filipino flavors to one of the funniest Japanese silent films directed by the highly influential Japanese filmmaker. For those in Manila, there will be a chance to experience the same silent film screening and performance in August during the International Silent Film Festival in Manila.
LITERATURE TALKS BY YOKO TAWADA
Yoko Tawada will have a talk on July 9, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the 20th Floor Multi-purpose Room, De La Salle University (Taft Ave.).
Tawada is an award-winning Japanese writer who writes in both Japanese and German, and has published several novels, poems, plays, and essays, such as “The Bridegroom Was a Dog,” “Memoirs of a Polar Bear,” and “The Naked Eye.” She has received numerous awards including the Akutagawa Prize, Kleist Prize, the Tanizaki Prize, and the Goethe Medal.
Tawada will discuss about her celebrated works and how she goes about writing. The moderator is Dinah Roma, professor of literature and creative writing at De La Salle University. Admission is free. Priority is given who will register online (http://bit.ly/2JtDaj1).
‘THE SPIRIT OF BUDO: THE HISTORY OF JAPAN’S MARTIAL ARTS’ EXHIBITION
This traveling exhibition — from July to September (exact duration to be announced) at The National Museum of Fine Arts, Manila — presents a brief history of Japanese martial arts: from battlefield combat techniques (Bujutsu) to popular sports or physical exercise tempering body and spirit (Budo), through originals and reproductions of historical weapons such as arrows, suits of armor, etc. as well as through materials and photo panels of popular sports and physical exercise such as Kendô, Judô and Sumô, among others. The exhibition will also feature free demonstrations and workshops on Martial Arts such as Karate, Judo, and Kendo. Admission is free.
TRAVEL MADNESS EXPO 2018: ‘VISIT JAPAN’ BOOTH
The Japan National Tourism Organization will exhibit the “Visit Japan” booth — from July 5 to 8 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City — to introduce many attractions of Japan, especially for autumn and winter seasons. The expo will also feature many travel agencies and airline companies offering good travel deals to Japan. Participants can experience Japanese cultural activities, such as origami (paper folding) and
shodo (calligraphy) at the booth. General admission is P70. For seniors, PWDs, and students, it is P50.
BAGUIO TANABATA FESTIVAL 2018
The Japanese Association in Northern Luzon(JANL) and Filipino-Japanese Foundation of Northern Luzon(Abong) organize a series of events from July 7 to Sept. 16 in Baguio, such as Philippines-Japan Friendship Day ceremony and Cultural show, Japanese film screenings, Kumamoto tourism poster exhibition, Tanabata (Japanese star festival) decoration workshop, and
shamisen (three-stringed traditional Japanese musical instrument) performance. Admission is free.
The event dates and details are subject to change. For updates, visit the Japan Foundation, Manila on Facebook @jfmanila and http://www.jfmo.org.ph.