UP holds RP-Japan Friendship Day

CEBU, Philippines - To celebrate the relationship between Japan and the Philippines, the University of the Philippines Cebu College yesterday held the RP-Japan Friendship Day in UPCC Conference Hall.

Organized by UPCC Japanese Studies students under Professor Cherry Ballescas and Japanese exchange teacher Kodai Hino, the event was held to strengthen the bond between Filipinos and Japanese through exchange of cultural knowledge and skills.

With this year’s theme “Camaraderie among nations starts from cultural exchange,” different activities were held such as exhibit of Japanese and Philippine items, demonstration of Sumo, karaoke, Origami, anime film showing and cosplay.

There were discussions on long-term and short-term academic exchange and immersion programs, as well as scholarships for Filipino students who want to study in Japan.

Scholarships will be offered by the Japan Ministry of Education, Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship and other participating agencies.

Participants from different colleges and universities in Cebu had the chance to mingle with Japanese friends from the Japanese community in Cebu and others who just came from Japan.

The friendship day was first celebrated in 1995 and was usually held in February.

Ballescas said that they hope to make it an annual activity to strengthen the bond between the Philippines and Japan. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/LPM (THE FREEMAN)