JAPANESE animé music lovers recently took center stage, proving the kawaii culture in the Philippines is nothing short of alive and kicking.
Fans of beloved Japanese animation series gathered during the 2016 J-pop Anime Singing Contest organized by the Japan Embassy and held at the SM Mall of Asia Center Stage to witness a clash of cultures showcasing Filipinos’ singing prowess and Japan’s colorful and imaginative cartoon industry.
Japanese Embassy Minister for Economic Affairs Hiroyuki Uchida commended Filipinos’ musicality and affirmed music’s role in bridging cultures.
“Music has definitely contributed in bringing our countries closer together. It is always fun to see young Filipinos enjoying Japanese pop music. Filipinos are incredibly gifted musicians. Their performances are sincere, even though the songs are not in their mother tongue,” Uchida said.
He added, “It makes me even happier to see many young people learning the Japanese language through J-pop and animé. Despite the differences, music has the power to unite us. I hope you will treasure this bond between the Philippines and Japan.”
This year’s J-pop singing contest featured 15 finalists, who came from different backgrounds but all share a love for animé and Japan culture.
Contestants Acel, Akano, Ana Enriquez, CMKC, Elle Genovata, Eugene Pachejo, Happy Kevin, Jena-Chan, Jhona Sacramento, Johannie Velasco, Nessie Bonite, Shielah Faye Labadan, Victoria Albo, Vinar Takumi and Yna Sebastian vied for the grand prize of an all-expense-paid trip to Japan.
YouTube artist and cosplayer Christina Marie Carbonell, who goes by the alias CMKC, bagged first place with her performance of Kimi Ga Kureta Mono or Secret Base from the 2011 Fuji TV animé Anohana.
“I was really hesitant to join at first. But this event made me realize that you have to take chances. This event is really nice, because it brings the Japanese culture and the Filipino culture together. And it shows how versatile Filipinos can be,” Carbonell said.
According to the Pampanga-based artist, who is an Education major in Baguio, she is excited to go to Japan’s cosplay districts Harajuku and Shibuya.
Second place went to online tutor and social-media blogger Kevin Retuya, or Happy Kevin, with his piece “Stand By Me Doraemon” of the Doraemon series. YouTuber Jhona Sacramento won third prize for her performance of “Will,” the theme song for 2002 Japanese drama Tentai Kansoku.
Japan Foundation Manila Director Hiroaki Uesugi said judging the contest had been a tough task, with all of the contestants bringing their best Japanese interpretations.
“I was very surprised. All the contestants, their Japanese was very nice. When you close your eyes, it sounds like Japanese singing. Brilliant,” Uesugi said.
Other special performances included the Japanese Embassy’s No Plan Band, Kawaii 5, Doraemon and Friends and 2015 J-pop Anime Singing Contest grand-prize winner, Maychell Hernandez.
Image credits: Roy Domingo