Birthday Celebration of His Majesty the Emperor

CEBU, Philippines – The Consular Office of Japan in Cebu, headed by Counselor and Consul Shigeyuki Hirakawa sent invitations for a reception to celebrate the Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor on November 26 at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu.

The Emperor of Japan is the Ceremonial Head of State of the Japanese system of government which is a Constitutional Monarchy, Head of the Imperial Family and the Highest Authority of the Shinto religion. He is Emperor Akihito and he is the only remaining monarch in the world with the title of "Emperor." He acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne on January 7, 1989. Under the Japanese constitution, the Japanese Emperor is the "the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people."

Chargé d'Affaires Minister Atsushi Ueno welcomed guests and friends of the Consular Office of Japan in Cebu to the Birthday Celebration of His Majesty the Emperor and the head of the local governments units in Cebu; Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama gave their birthday greetings.

I myself do not speak, read or write Japanese; I know very little about the custom and regulations of diplomatic formality. So I simply chose to do what I do best - take good pictures of the food during the royal birthday celebration.

It was a cocktail reception and the appetizers served were: Beef & Chicken Yakitori, Tuna Tataki on Bread with Bonito Flakes, Scallops with Kani Salad, Wasabi & Mayonnaise Crystal Salt, Shrimp & Asparagus Salad with Shitake Mushroom,

Watermelon rolled in Peppered Beef with Mustard Cream, and Smoked Salmon on Horseradish Ciabatta Toast with Argula.

Crowd favorites, however, were the Royal Sashimi Platter (with the absolutely fresh and delicious sea urchin roe or "uni"), Select Sushi Platter and the wonderful Roast Beef. All these foods were best paired with the Special Saki selection, the Ginrei Gassan Junmai Sake and the Dassai 23 Junmai Daiginjo (with apologies: the bartender placed the container of the latter upside down and I noticed it much later).

Desserts were the Crème Bavaroise, Strawberry Panna Cotta and Fresh Fruits in Syrup. By the way, the  Emperor's Birthday  (currently celebrated on December 23) is a national holiday in Japan. I asked Chargé d'Affaires Minister Atsushi Ueno why the early celebration in Cebu, and he replied that many of the guests and friends of the Consular Office of Japan in Cebu would already be preoccupied with the Christmas celebrations on the actual date, and that's why it was celebrated nearly a month in advance.

It would be a golden opportunity of a lifetime to personally, excuse me, greet in person Their Majesties, The Emperor and Empress of Japan during their scheduled visit to the Philippines early next year.