Festival showcases Japanese culture

THE first  Japan Festival exposed Cebuanos to a wide-array of Japanese culture.

The two-day event opened to a jampacked crowd in the Ayala Activity Center last Saturday.

The two-day event that culminated yesterday was in line with the celebration of Philippines-Japan Friendship Month.

Takahiko Imachi, chairman of the executive committee of the Japan Festival 2012 said the Japan Festival 2012 stemmed from how Cebuanos “cheered them up” during the “massive earthquake” that shattered Western Japan last March 11, 2011.

“With 3,000 Japanese  currently living in Cebu, it’s a chance for us to show gratitude to the Cebuano people,” added Imachi with a smile on his face.

All Walks of Life, Wakodaiko

One of these performances that was very well received by the audience was the Wakodaiko, a drummer’s group presentation from Wako City, a city near Tokyo, of Saitama.

Wakodaiko is a combination of Wako, a city of Japan and Taiko which means Japanese drums.

It was performed in the first day and second day of the festival by mostly Japanese female drummers.

For 30 years Wakodaiko performed to appreciative audiences abroad.

Japan Presentations, Awaodori

Cebuanos showcased their talents in the karaoke singing competition, traditional Japanese dances and  karate performance and costume plays popularly known as cosplay.

One of the highlight this year is the Awaodori, a traditional Japanese folk dance.

Imachi told Cebu Daily News that among the Japanese cultural presentations, he took pride in the Awadaori, a dance that he feels truly represent Japan.

“Awaodori is the largest dance festival in Japan (as part of the Obon Festival), that’s why we chose this as one of the biggest events of this year,” said Imachi.

A number of Japanese and Filipino dancers wearing summer “Yukata” kimonos performed the 15-minute dance.

The Awaodori is also performed in Japan every Aug. 12 to 15, the same month and nearly the same date as the first Japanese Festival in Cebu.

Yosakoi Battle

Four young Cebuano groups also competed in  the “Yosakoi Battle” dance competition, yesterday at 4p.m.

These groups dared to showcase their talent in modern dance while incorporating the Yosakoi dance moves.

Hailed as champion of the Yosakoi Battle was the Don Juan group which bagged the  P10,000 prize; the group is comprised of more than five male members with one female.

Though there’s an “overwhelming” number of people who watched and witnessed the two-day Japan Festival Imachi, in a separate interview,  said that it was  “within our expectation.”

Ryan Echevarria, Cebu City’s protocol officer said that the first-ever Japan Festival in Cebu “will enhance friendship, good will and also cutural exhanges.”

Among the officials and private groups present in yesterday’s opening ceremony of the Japanese Festival were Cebu Gov.  Gwendolyn Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Embassy of Japan ambassador Toshinao Urabe, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president, Prudencia Gesta, former Philippine ambassodor to China, Francisco Benedicto, and Consul Armi Lopez-Garcia of the Consular Corps of Cebu. /Tweeny M. Malinao, Correspondent