MANILA – 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.
Make room in your July calendar for exciting Philippines-Japan Friendship Month events and activities that will bring the opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of Japanese arts and culture!
The Japanese Film Festival | EIGASAI
July 4 to 8 | Greenbelt 1 Cinema 2, Makati City July 4 to 6 | Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City August 4 and 17 | CCP Complex, Pasay City August 5 | Cinematheque Center Manila August 15 to 18 | UP Film Center – Cine Adarna, UP Diliman, Quezon City July 12 to 15 | SM City Davao Cinema, Davao City July 27 to 29 | SM City Naga Cinema, Naga City August 9 to 12 | SM City Bacolod Cinema, Bacolod City August 23 to 26 | Ayala Center Cebu Cinema, Cebu City
EIGASAI’s 21st edition runs from July 4 to August 26, 2018, with fifteen 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 EIGASAI Facebook page (@eigasaiPH) for the film lineup and screening as well as talk schedules. Admission is free except EIGASAI held at Greenbelt 1 Cinema 2 which will be PHP100 per screening and ticket is available online: https://www.sureseats.com or at the cinema ticket booth starting June 27.
Silent Film Screening, with Filipino Benshi and Musical Accompaniment
July 25 | 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 composing original music for the film adding authentic Philippine 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
July 9 | 2:30PM – 4:30PM | 20th Floor Multi-purpose Room, De La Salle University (Taft Avenue)
Yoko 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. Moderated by Dinah Roma, professor of literature and creative writing at De La Salle University, she will discuss about her celebrated works and how she goes about writing. Admission is free. Priority is given who registered online (http://bit.ly/2JtDaj1). As long as seating is available, we welcome walk-in.
The Spirit of Budo: The History of Japan’s Martial Arts Exhibition
July to September (exact duration to be announced) | The National Museum of Fine Arts, Manila
This traveling exhibition 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
July 5 to 8 | SMX Convention Center, Pasay City
The Japan National Tourism Organization will exhibit the “Visit Japan” Booth 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 Php70.00. For senior, PWD, and students, it is Php50.00. Baguio Tanabata Festival 2018 July 7 to September 16 | Baguio
Japanese Association in Northern Luzon(JANL) and Filipino-Japanese Foundation of Northern Luzon(Abong) organize a series of events 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.
Please note that event dates and details are subject to change. Visit the Japan Foundation, Manila Facebook page (@jfmanila) and http://www.jfmo.org.ph for updates.
For press inquiries, please contact: The Japan Foundation, Manila Tetsuya Koide tkoide@jfmo.org.ph
About the Japan Foundation, Manila
The Japan Foundation was established in 1972 by special legislation in the Japanese Diet and became an Independent Administrative Institution in October 2003. The mission of the Japan Foundation is to promote international cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and other countries. As the 18th overseas office, the Japan Foundation, Manila was founded in 1996, active in three focused areas: Arts and Culture; Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange; Japanese-Language Education Overseas. For more information please visit our website at www.jfmo.org and Facebook.
