Continuing Philippine-Japan relations

Our warm welcome to Consul General Hideaki Matsuo who just arrived for his new assignment at the Consulate-General of Japan in Cebu!

Warm welcome, too, to his wife, Ms. Kanami Matsuo!

With Deputy Consul General Toshio Yadomi, Consul General Matsuo hosted the National Day Reception last February 15 to celebrate the 64th birthday of his majesty, the emperor of Japan.

Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama and Undersecretary Terence Calatrava of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas shared their greetings, participated in the Japanese Barrel-Opening ceremony, and, led the toast to Emperor Naruhito.

Among the guests were Calbayog Mayor Raymund Uy, Borongan City Vice Mayor Emmanuel Tiu Sonco, Cebu City Vice Mayor Raymond Garcia, Councilor Joel Garganera, and other city councilors from Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

Also present were Hon. Song Sewon, consul general of the Republic of Korea in Cebu, and members of the Honorary Consular Corps in Cebu.

The Japanese community in Cebu was represented by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Japanese Association Cebu, Japanese NGOs in Cebu and certain Japanese restaurants that prepared delicious Japanese favorites like sushi/sashimi/yakitori/tonkatsu/ramen, among others.

The Cebu Bonsai Society displayed their beautiful work at the entrance of the Grand Ballroom of Marco Polo Hotel.

The Ikebana International Cebu Chapter, former Filipino scholars of the Japanese Government and members of PHILAJAMES-Cebu and PHILAJAMES-Visayas also attended together with members of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Association of Nihongo Teachers in the Visayas, and, the Nikkeijin-kai (from Panay and Negros Occidental).

Here is to continuing strong relations of friendship and partnership between Japan and the Philippines!

Next day after the celebration for the Japanese emperor, the much-awaited Eigasai or Japanese Film Festival opened, free admission, at the SM Seaside City Cebu Cinema and will run until February 25.

Over 25,000 viewers have been treated to a wide variety of cinematic delights from drama, anime, and mystery to recently-released Japanese films since the launch of this Japanese Film Festival presented by the Japan Foundation Manila since 1997.

Among the anime films to be presented this February, Filipino fans since the 1980’s are eagerly looking forward to watching the two Voltes V films “Voltes V: Legacy - The Cinematic Experience” (2023), and “Voltes V: The Liberation” (1977-1978).

Those who like detective and mystery anime will enjoy “Detective Conan the Movie: The Time-Bombed Skyscraper” (1997) and “Detective Conan the Movie: The Private Eyes’ Requiem” (2004).

Basketball enthusiasts among anime fans will enjoy “First Slam Dunk” (2022).

You may also want to watch the warring “Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom” (2023) come to peace when Princess Sarah of Alhamit and Naranbayar of Baikari meet in the forest by chance, without realizing who the other is.

Those who enjoy drama/romance films may want to find time to watch “We Made a Beautiful Bouquet” (2021) and “And Yet, You Are So Sweet” (2023).

There is one drama/mystery film “A Man,” (2022) that asks the question:  Does the truth really set you free? The film revolves around unraveling the mystery hounding a widow who later discovers that her “late” husband whom she thought she knew was posing under someone else’s identity. “Prefaced by René Magritte’s surrealist painting Not to be Reproduced, this thought-provoking film is a vital addition to a growing genre of Japanese cinema that interrogates fragile morals permeating contemporary society.”

Another drama, “Father of the Milky Way” (2023) is a biopic that details the life of legendary poet and novelist Miyazawa Kenji, one of Japan’s most beloved children’s authors and the father who always believed in him.

Those who like comedies may want to see these following films “Not Quite Dead Yet” (2020) and “Mondays: See You ‘This’ Week” (2022).

Check ahead the films scheduled for each day at different hours.