LAST Friday afternoon, I received from Executive Director Arnel Cabanisas of the Filipino-Japanese Foundation of Northern Luzon, Inc. (FJFNLI) a letter of invitation and a set of program marking the Filipino-Japanese Friendship Week Celebration in the city to be held starting tomorrow, Sunday, July 22.
Herewith is the letter to wit:
“Dear Uncle Nars,
In behalf of the Filipino-Japanese Foundation of Northern Luzon, Inc. (abong), our warmest greetings! In keeping with tradition of the annual observance of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month in the Philippines, we will be celebrating the 9th Philippines-Japan Friendship in Baguio City on July 22, 2018 (Sunday) with following activities:
9:00 AM – 10:00 PM - Floral Offering and Candle Light Ceremony
Venue: Filipino-Japanese Peace Memorial Garden Governor Pack Road, Baguio City.
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Program for the Philippine-Japan Friendship Day in Baguio
Venue: W.C. Forbes Ballroom, Baguio Country Club
As a committed organizer of the very first and succeeding Friendship Day programs and our dependable partner in the promotion of the Philippine-Japan diplomatic relations in the City of Baguio, as well as to the activities of Filipino-Japanese Community in Baguio, it is with great pleasure that we invite you to join us on this day. Your presence during this event is highly appreciated.
Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you there with Auntie Sol.
Respectfully yours, ARNEL CABANISAS, Executive Director”
The memorial services at the Fil-Japanese Garden will be led by Hon. Carlos Teraoka, former Honorary Consul to the Japanese Embassy. Some Senior Citizens and officers and members of the foundation will also attend the occasion.
At 2 p.m., the grand opening program for the Friendship Week Celebration will be staged at the W.C. Forbes Ballroom of the Baguio Country Club, with the guest of honor And keynote speaker from the Japanese Embassy, after the invocation by the Chunglao family and Abong Scholars the singing of the Pambansang Awit and the Japanese Nation Anthem follows.
Foundation Chairman, former Honorary Consul Hon. Carlos Teraok will give the welcome remarks while Mayor Mauricio Domogan will deliver his friendship greetings and inspirational message. Phd Irene Hamada will introduce the guest of honor and speaker.
A cultural program composed of Filipino and Japanese songs and dances are added highlight of the afternoon gathering. The Wakakusa-Benikoma-Shachu-Kumamoto, Japan and Sayaw Hapon Sakura, Manila will present traditional Japanese popular music and dances. Igorot tribal dance number will be shown by NIIT-Baguio.
In the same manner, the Baguio City National High School Speciall Performing Arts Class will showcase songs and dances. The elderlies from the Philippine Retirees Association, Baguio Chapter, the Baguio Cosplay Group and the Filipino-Japanese Friendship Association will else share entertainment numbers to spread joy and more meaning to the occasion.
My esteemed friend, Atty. Allyson Locano, Vice Chairman of the FJFNLI will give the closing remarks. He will also serve as the master of the ceremonies.
From July 23 to 28, Japanese Culture and Art Exhibit will be held at the FVR Sports Center. The Calligraphy Workshop-Ukiyo Workshop, Origami, Tanabata Decoration Workshop will be held at the Training Center of the Baguio Country Club from July 27 to 28.
Finally, the culminating activity of the weeklong celebration will be held at the FVR Sports Center starting at 2 p.m. Special activities which will be featured include demonstration on how to wear the Kimono, FAB Kimono Walk by Abong Scholars. The opening remarks will be delivered by Director Cabanisas while the closing remarks by Atty. Locano.
I am sorry, with the deep regret, that I was not able to join the FPFNLI program committee this time around due to my health condition. Earlier, I requested my son Fritz Gerald to inform Mr. Gabanisas about it. I am more than happy to note that Apo Arnel and his hardworking staff are doing an excellent job in putting up this year’s Filipino-Japanese Friendship Week celebration in the city. Keep up the good work! God bless us all and always.