JFM in 2013

Akemashite omedetou!

2013 has been an interesting and busy year for JF Manila.  Aside from the yearly events such as Nihongo Fiesta and Philippines-Japan Friendship Month, JFM also presented events to celebrate the 40th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

Here are the some of the events in 2013:

“Tohoku: Through the Eyes of Japanese Photographers” Exhibit held last January 30 to March 17, 2013 at the National Museum of the Philippines.

“Uchusentai NOIZ Concert” held last February 23, 2013 at the SM City North EDSA Sky Dome during the Nihongo Fiesta 2013.

“Time of Mime 2” featuring Iimuro Naoki held at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) last February 27 and 28, 2013.

Pantomime Workshop with Mr. Iimuro at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute (CCP Studio Theater) last March 1, 2013.

Oshaberi Salon: Let’s make “Nihongo Friends Book” (May 3, 2013)

Filipino dancer, Mia Cabalfin during the “Eiga Sai 2013” Opening Ceremony held at The Atrium, Shangri-La Plaza Mall last July 3, 2013.

“unit asia Concert with Noel Cabangon” at the Music Museum last July 9, 2013.

“Ukiyo-e: Art and Tradition” Exhibit Opening at the Museo Pambata last July 17, 2013.

Printmaking Workshop for Kids by the Printmakers Association of the Philippines (PAP) last August 3, 2013 at the Museo Pambata.

“Iza Kaeru! Caravan” held in Marikina City from August 2 to 3, 2013.

“Restaurant of Many Orders” by the Hiroshi Koike Bridge Project held last October 16, 2013 at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater).

“Media/ Art Kitchen: Sensorium” Exhibit held at the Ayala Museum from November 7 to 24, 2013 featuring works such as “Mapping” by Fairuz Sulaiman (Malaysia).

“Biya” by Manny Montelibano (Philippines)

WSK.FM Radio at the Green Papaya Art Projects.

Performance by Tetsuya Umeda in 413 Escolta.

Oshaberi Salon: Let’s make “Nihongo Christmas Card” (November 22, 2013)

It has been a memorable year for JFM with all the new projects and collaborations.  Looking forward to more exciting events in 2014.

Makoto Sato Talks on Contemporary Japanese Theater

 I haven’t seen a lot of contemporary Japanese theater.

The last one I’ve seen was the play “Yaji and Kita” by the  Kudan Project. JFM organized its performance in 2006 at the Francisco Santiago Hall, BDO Tower (formerly called the Equitable PCI Bank Tower 1).  It was an enjoyable performance which on the surface, seemed like a simple play with only 2 characters, but was in actuality a technically complex production. I remember liking the performances, but couldn’t help wondering if Japanese contemporary theater usually is like being on an acid trip. Or is contemporary theater, in general, a trip to surreality?

   

 “Tosca”, a collaboration by the Black Tent Theater of Japan and Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) was somehow in the same vein as “Yaji and Kita”, in terms of the “incredible” factor, at least to me.

I know I shouldn’t be expecting the somberness of “Death of a Salesman” nor “The Cherry Orchard”, but I sorely need to get fresh perspective on what Japanese, Asian, or at least, what contemporary theater is.

No better person to hear it from than Japanese playwright, Makoto Sato, who will be in Manila for a visit next week. He has a programmed talk on May 20, Wednesday at the CCP Silangan Hall at 5PM, and hopefully it will be a lively discussion as the CCP and the Writers Bloc will be joining in. As it is a JFM activity, it will be free of charge (with coffee, even!)