AS mesmerizing oriental music cut through the ambient buzz of people bustling around the halls of SM Seaside City (SMSS) Cebu and a semi-sweet scent wafted in the air coming from somewhere no one could quite place, the gentle call of something big happening beckoned people to trickle in the Mountain Wing on the weekend of March 8 to 10.
A first in the Philippines, the Sakura Festival (organized by SM Seaside in collaboration with the Japanese Association of Cebu) was a place for locals to learn about Japanese culture and taste authentic Japanese flavors through workshops and demonstrations. Under one roof, traditional Japanese arts and crafts and Japanese Pop Culture gathered together. Demonstrations were done by a mix of Japanese traditional experts who have either lived in the Philippines for a number of years or flew in from different parts of Japan.
SMSS regional operations manager Marylou Neri, who conceptualized the idea, said the mall’s successful collaboration with Japan Association of Cebu (JAC) president Ms. Kinue Sakurai and Mr. Katsuhiko Sakiyama of Caohagan Island for SM Seaside’s Independence Day celebration was what inspired the mall to come up with another event that would highlight Filipino-Japanese ties.
“It was an ambitious activity and they (JAC) said that it has never been done anywhere else in the country, much less Cebu. But they took on the challenge and jump-started the whole project,” she said.
In his speech, the president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Cebu, Mr. Kosaka said: “I am pleasantly surprised and overwhelmed with happiness to see this kind of event in Seaside--where deep-rooted Japanese culture is being showcased. Even in Japan, it is hard to put it all together.”
For about seven months, the team prepared for the huge undertaking—tapping the support of Ms. Tokie Kikuchi & the Focolare Group in Cebu, Cebu Bonsai Society, the Ikebana International Cebu Chapter 145, Oj Hofer, Ms. Junko Uchiyama & Mr. Junichi Kanda, Mr. Katsuhiko Sakiyama, Cebu Cosplayers Guild, Cebu Mecha Society, Bea’s Diecast Society and the Cebu Authentic Figure and Enthusiasts (CAFE) for the Japanese Pop Culture collectibles.
“Such tradition and authenticity—it was something quite impossible to think about that first, but with the help of our friends from the Japanese Association of Cebu and the Japan Association of Confectionery Youth Group who flew in 50 Japanese for this event and getting the support of our local groups—we were able to make something impossible possible. It was our goal to deliver something extraordinary to the Cebuano community and events like these are something that we hope to continue to do for everyone to enjoy at SM Seaside,” said Anther Infante, marketing manager of SMSS.