Create your own manga film on Torara

MANILA, Philippines - Torara, the tiger mascot for the J-Pop Anime Singing Contest, was given a name last year. This year, the Embassy of Japan calls all Filipino artists to let their creative juices flow and create a short manga film about Torara. The contest is open to all amateur artists aged 13 to 30 years old. Artists who have previously published artworks/manga in books, newspapers, magazines and other publications are automatically disqualified from joining the contest. Participants must create their own original short manga, featuring Torara as one of the main characters of the story. Entries must be hand-drawn and in black and white format. An applicant must submit only one entry for the contest. Japanese, English, or Filipino may be used for the script of the manga. Entries in Japanese and Filipino must have English translation. Application forms are available at the JICC Library or at the Embassy of Japan website at www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp.

Entries, along with the duly accomplished application form, may be personally delivered or mailed to the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan, 2627 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. The deadline for the submission of entries is on May 20, 2011.Winning entries will receive exciting prizes from Animation International Licensing Philippines, the licensing company behind the popular manga and anime Doraemon. Top entries will be displayed during the 2011 J-Pop Anime Singing Contest Grand Final to be held at the SM Megamall Event Center on July 23 (Philippines-Japan Friendship Day).

For details, visit www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp or e-mail jicc-mnl@ma.mofa.go.jpor call 551-5710 local 4210.