Registration now open for J-pop anime singing tilt

MANILA, Philippines -  The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines is once again calling on all Japanophiles and music lovers to warm up their vocal cords, brush up on their Nihongo skills, and join this year’s J-pop Anime Singing Contest, the most energetic and youthful event to fete the 2011 Philippines-Japan Friendship Month.

Now on its third year, the J-pop Anime Singing Contest is open to all Filipino amateur singing groups (with the exemption of the previous years’ winners) composed of up to a maximum of five members. This year, solo performers can also join the contest. There is no age limit for contest participants.  Japanese nationals are allowed to join provided that they are part of a group and play supporting roles in the group (e.g. instrumentalists or back-up vocals or dancers) and do not exceed more than half the number of group members (e.g. a group of three can have one Japanese member).

Participants may choose the following performance set-up:  1) Play his/her/their own musical instrument and 2) perform  a capella. Minus-one performances will be allowed provided that the participant’s/s’ music accompaniment comes from an original music CD.

J-pop Anime Singing Contest application forms are available at the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) Library, Embassy of Japan, 2627 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City or can be downloaded at www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp.

To join the contest, interested participants must submit to the JICC a duly accomplished application form along with an individual/group photo, short write-up about the performer/s, and a demo CD containing two Japanese songs by the participant/s. Ten performers/performing groups who pass the screening process will be invited to compete in the grand final to be held on July 23 (Saturday) at the SM Megamall Event Center. Registration started last Feb. 20, and ends on May 20.

Top winners will win free lessons from the Nihongo Center Foundation and Center for Pop Music Philippines and bring home exciting prizes from Ajinomoto, Canon, Heritage Hotel, Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba, and Yakult. At the Grand Final, the participants can also enjoy special treats courtesy of Yoshinoya. Hero TV and Toei Animation Philippines will also be giving out special prizes to the performer/s of their choice.

The Singing Contest aims to further promote Japanese language and culture appreciation among Filipinos and to strengthen the longstanding friendship between Japan and the Philippines. The J-pop and Anime Singing Contest is presented by the Embassy of Japan in cooperation with the Japan Foundation, Manila and in partnership with Animation International Licensing Philippines, Center for Pop Music, Heritage Hotel, Nihongo Center Foundation, SM Cyberzone, SM Supermalls-SM Megamall, Toei Animation Philippines, Yoshinoya, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, Inc., Ajinomoto, Canon, Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba, Yakult, and Hero TV as the media partner.

For details, visit www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp, e-mail jicc-mnl@ma.mofa.go.jp  or call 551-5710 local 2318.