Nihongo Fiesta at SM Mall of Asia

MANILA, Philippines - Cultural presentations, speech contests, exhibits, and kite flying will highlight the Nihongo Fiesta at the SM Mall of Asia from February 28 to March 1. The event is a joint project of the Japan Foundation Manila, the Embassy of Japan, and SM Mall of Asia in line with the celebration of Philippine-Japan Friendship.

The Nihongo Fiesta takes off with the 36th Nihongo Speech Contest, which will be participated in by Filipino students who will showcase their Nihongo language skills by articulating their original compositions using themes of their choice. This will be held at Cinema 1 of the SM Mall of Asia on Feb. 28 at 10:30 a.m.

This will be followed by the opening of the 11th Asian Cartoon Exhibit, which has been a project of the Japan Foundation since 1995 utilizing the trendy medium of cartoons to introduce Asian societies, cultures, and ways of life from various perspectives. The exhibit will be showcased at the SM Mall of Asia Atrium until March 15.

This year’s theme, “Asian Youth Culture,” will be expressed by 10 leading cartoonists from 10 nations who have produced 75 new works depicting the youth culture in their respective nations. Flavored with a unique sense of humor and a satirical slant, these are not only entertaining but also help promote awareness of our common traits and diversities as Asians.

Mallgoers will also have the rare opportunity to watch Koto: Japanese Traditional Music performed by Chieko Fukuda at Cinema 1 on Feb. 28 at 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The koto is Japan’s famous stringed musical instrument and will be played by Chieko Fukuda, a renowned traditional Japanese koto player who is currently the director of the Nihon Sankyoku Kyokai and Ikutaryu Kyokai. She is also headmaster of Mitsumonekai, a major Japanese koto-shamisen school, and was awarded the Arts Festival Prize in 1993 for her second koto recital, where she gained public attention as the youngest prizewinner in history. In 1997, she received the Arts Festival Superior Prize from the Agency of Cultural Affairs for her sixth recital.

Capping the event is the 2nd Philippine-Japan Kite Exhibit and Demonstration, which will open at the Mall of Asia Atrium on Feb. 28. The exhibit will showcase the works of Mikio Toki, Japan’s National Artist for Edo Kites, as well as well-crafted kites by Filipino kite flyers, and will also features a kite-making workshop. This will be followed on March 1 by a kite-flying demo and competition at the Open Field (adjacent to the eCom Center Building) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.