Japanese and Filipino Artists stage friendship concerts

MANILA, Philippines - Concert-goers were treated recently to an interesting repertoire of Japanese classics and Filipino folk songs in the recently concluded Philippines-Japan Friendship concerts held at the University of the Philippines, Quezon City and at St. Scholastica’s College in Manila for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. 

The first concert, “Bridge to the Future” featured sopranos Satsuki Hayashisa and Ayano Kumada, world-renowned pianist Naoko Matsuoka and shamisen player Tatsuya Hosono. The concert was part of UP College of Music’s “Towards AHA@50 Concert Series.” They were joined by UP teachers, pianist Carolyn Cheng and bassist Rainier Arthur Cruz. 

The second concert “Across the Seas” held at St. Scholastica’s College showcased the exceptional talents of the Japanese artists with top Filipino pianist Josue Greg Zuniega and tenor James Doak.

The two concerts were presented by the University of the Philippines, St. Scholastica’s College, and KTCM Music Education Laboratory Foundation, with the support of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines and Japan Tobacco International in cooperation with the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines and the Japanese Association Manila.