Cultural events mark RP-Japan friendship / An SPC major concert

During the Japanese Occupation, every Filipino family lost either a loved one or a home. Or both. Our family lost both.

But feelings of regret, rancor or resentment toward the Japanese are obliterated by the following statement by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi: "On the 60th anniversary of the end of the war, I reaffirm my firm determination that Japan must never again take the path of war, reflecting that the peace and prosperity we enjoy today are founded on the ultimate sacrifices of those who lost their lives for the war against their will."

For their part, Japanese Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki and his wife Moriko enhance Phil-Japanese relations, both official and personal, by their warmth, sincerity and friendliness. Through the Ambassador, all forms of aid are poured by the Japanese government into our country.

In a recent press conference held jointly by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Ambassador Yamazaki, both declared that 2006 marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of Phil-Japanese diplomatic relations with the ratification of the Peace Treaty and Reparations Agreement on July 23, 1956. The Golden Jubilee Year is proclaimed Phil-Japan Friendship Year, and July 23, 2006 Phil-Japan Friendship Day by President Arroyo.

At the close of the conference, a short Noh was performed by UP students of Noh Master Umenwaka who chanted Noh songs while Noh Master Jiro Fujito accompanied him on the flute. Called "Okina", literally meaning purification, the Noh combines music, drama, dance and poetry, and goes back to the 14th century. According to Umewaka, "Okina is one of the most esoteric and ritualistic Noh."

The dances were executed in very slow motion, so slow that they led Secretary Romulo to observe: "They symbolize peace and tranquility amidst a tumultuous and turbulent world." Singers from the DFA balanced the Noh with lively folk song renditions.

A photo exhibit followed, with one of the many pictures showing the 1962 visit of Prince Akihito and the Princess at the Kawit, Cavite, residence of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.

There will be an inter-change of visits between President Arroyo and Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi. The Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yasuhisa Shiozaki, MP, will be attending tonight’s Japanese cultural event featuring the world-famed Yamato Drummers which will herald the commemoration of the 50-year diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan.

The Yamato Drummers will perform tonight at the CCP auditorium, and according to Artistic Director Masa Ogawa, who founded the group in 1993, "Yamato" in the eight century was the former name of Nara where the group is based. The Nara Prefecture, Japan’s ancient capital, is believed to be the birthplace of its culture. Hence, the name Yamato evokes images of a peaceful and artistically important period in Japanese history.

The word Wadaiko (or taiko) means drum, and refers to the group’s instruments of varying sizes used in ceremonies and special occasions. Other traditional instruments – cymbals, gongs, flutes, zithers (koto) and lutes (shamisen) – complement and augment the percussive sound of the drums. The inclusion of women in the group ushers a clear break from tradition.

Founder Ogawa states that a Yamato concert, described as a blending of theater and musical arts, is not a simple drum performance. He explains: "We put our very souls into these unusual instruments whose sound stirs the hearts of people everywhere, and our performances are infused with the idea that the drumbeat, like the heartbeat, is the very pulse of life."

Various other cultural events, as Ambassador Yamazaki pointed out at the conference, will mark Friendship Year. On Feb. 25 at 8:30 p.m., a pop/rock concert entitled "One Love, One Day, One Life" will feature the Japanese pop trio "Core of Soul" at the Streetscape, Shangri-La Plaza Mall. "Core of Soul", consisting of Fukiko Nakamura (vocals), Song Rui (guitar and bass) and Kersuke Iisuka (keyboard) will be joined by Philippine top rock artists Barbie Almalbis, Hale and Kitchie Nadal. Admission is free.

The "Core of Soul" style has been described as "electric meeting electronic" as well as "relaxing and introspective". Their theme song for Phil-Japan Friendship Year is "Purple Sky".

Also programmed at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall are the Eiga Sai (Japanese Film Festival) which will show award-winning films, J-Teens from Feb. 15 to 21, and the Nihongo Fiesta on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. Both activities will be held at Cinema 3, Level 7 of the Mall.

In the 33rd Nihongo Speech Contest, Filipino students and professionals will each deliver an original composition in Japanese, written by the participant. Winners will be awarded an all-expense-paid week-long study tour of Japan; all qualified contestants will receive consolation prizes. For details, call Japan Foundation, tel. 8116155 to 58.

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To celebrate 65 years of music-making, the St. Paul University Manila College of Music and the Performing Arts will present "Baliktugtugan III" on Jan. 21, 6:30 p.m. at the Fleur-de-Lis auditorium.

The program includes composition for piano and strings, voice, guitar and marimba featuring faculty members Irma Potenciano, Ronan Ferrer, Thea Perez, Julie Ann Hallazgo, Mary Ann Espina, Najib Ismail, Teresita David, Jose Valdez and alumnae Carmencita C. Bautista, Priscilla Enriquez, Elizabeth Flordeliza, Ma. Luisa F. Montero and Ariel Arambulo, son of Carmencita Arambulo, Rowena Arrieta’s mentor.

Playing a piano trio are pianist Imelda Asiaten, cellist Renato Lucas and violinist Oscar Yatco, PPO conductor laureate who will conduct the finale, Tom Scott’s "Creation", with Tommy Abuel as narrator, and singers of Fr. James Reuter’s Ateneo Glee Club and St. Paul alumnae.

Special participants will be UST dean Raul Sunico, UP Dean Ramon Acoymo and PWU Dean Harold Galang.