1st Japan Festival 2012 in Cebu set

IN CELEBRATION of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month and the annual Japanese Film Festival, the Japan Festival 2012 has been set on Aug. 11 and 12 at the activity center of Ayala Center Cebu. All the events for these two-day activities will start at 2 p.m.

This year’s Japanese film fest, which will feature 10 movies, runs from Aug. 7 to 12 at the Ayala’s cinema 4.

Admission is free.

In line with the Japanese Film Festival, for the first time, it will be showcased in Cebu.

This is a way to express deep gratitude and appreciation to Cebu Province for its heartfelt and tremendous support for the Japanese people after the Great East Japan 2011 earthquake.

The event is also organized in response to the Cebuanos’ interest to learn more about Japanese culture and get the chance to experience it.

The Wako Daiko Drum Club, composed of 17 members, including women and children, will be in Cebu to perform.

Established in 1975, Wako Daiko is well-known all over Japan for its many performances. The band has also performed overseas such as in Rome, London, San Francisco, Beijing, and Beirut. The group is highly-acclaimed for their stylistic skills.

Japanese traditional dance, Awa Odori, will also be presented in the afternoon of Aug. 11 at the Ayala Center Cebu. A number of Japanese and Filipino dancers wearing summer kimonos “Yukata” will perform after having acquired their dancing steps from an expert choreographer in Manila.

All dance lovers are enjoined to participate

Karate demonstration will be performed on stage by a very skilled instructor from Japan Karate Association.

There will be a Cosplay event, which will feature a group of Filipino university students who will introduce anime characters.