EVENTS: Celebrate Philippines-Japan Friendship Month with the Japan Foundation

PJFM poster
The Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) and the Embassy of Japan invite everyone to the month-long celebration of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month this July.

The JFM showcases the best of Japanese contemporary photography, cinema, music and theater through the different events happening in Metro Manila, Davao and Cebu.

Experience out of the ordinary moments captured in print with Japanese Contemporary Photography exhibit, Out of the ordinary/extraordinary at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila from June 22 to September 30. The exhibit introduces the works of eleven Japanese photographers who confront the complexity of an increasingly complicated world by coming up with new forms of expression. (more below)

Brace yourselves for another interesting line up of contemporary films and anime at Eigasai (Japanese film festival) which formally opens the friendship month on July 1 at the Shangri-la Plaza Mall. Box office film hits like “Always: Sunset on Third Street 2”, Tokyo Tower: Mom & Me and Sometimes Dad” are among the selected Japanese contemporary films to be presented this year. Eigasai continues its Philippine leg to Gaisano South Citimall, Davao on July 23-25; August 3-8 at Ayala Center, Cebu and August 18-21 at the UP Film Institute in Diliman, Quezon City.

The friendship month continues with the exciting Yamato: Drums of Japan. Yamato, one of the best taiko (Japanese drum) ensemble from Japan returns to Manila for a three-night show on July 8 at the SM Mall of Asia Center Stage; July 9 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall; and July 10 at the SM City North EDSA Sky Dome. The Yamato: Drums of Japan is supported by Cebu Pacific Air and SM Supermalls.

The J-Pop Anime Singing Competition concludes the month-long activities of the friendship month at the Cyberzone Event Center, SM City North EDSA. Witness as the ten best groups take stage and perform their unique J-Pop singing powers on the Grand Finals on July 24, 1:00 pm.

Other friendship month events not to be missed include the Virgin Labfest Year 6 (June 22 to July 4 at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute, Cultural Center of the Philippines) and the In the Grove: Four Japanese Ghost Stories (July 15 to 16 at the William Shaw Theater, De La Salle University).

The 2010 Philippines-Japan Friendship Month is made possible with the support of Manila Bulletin, ClickTheCity.com and Yoshinoya.

All PJFM events are open to the public. For inquiries, please contact the Japan Foundation, Manila through telephone numbers 811~6155 to 58; email@info.org.ph or visit the website at http://www.jfmo.org.ph.