AUGUST 2022 • FREEISSUE #67 www.filipinojapanesejournal.com EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW KARYLLE ‘Fine’IS FEELING
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4 FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • AUGUST 2022 PUBLISHER D&D PRESS JAPAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF FLORENDA CORPUZ ASSOCIATE EDITOR LEN ARMEA CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER DIN EUGENIO ART DIRECTOR VERJUBE PHOTOGRAPHICS CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION MANAGER JIRO KURANE MARKETING OFFICER CORAZON KURANE EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICE 332-0004 KAWAGUCHI-SHI,SAITAMA-KEN,RYOKE1-6-13APPLEHEIGHTS105 MOBILE 080-9153-2430 / 080-3357-2430 FAX 048-611-9078 E-MAIL filipinojapanesejournal@yahoo.com DIGITAL EDITION issuu.com/filipino-japanesejournal WEBSITE filipinojapanesejournal.comhttps://www. FACEBOOK facebook.com/TheFilJapJournal/ TWITTER @FJJOfficial INSTAGRAM @filipinojapanesejournal COPYRIGHT NOTICE: NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED IN ANY MANNER WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE PUBLISHER. DISCLAIMER: FILIPINO-JAPANESE JOURNAL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY TRANSACTION BETWEEN ITS ADVERTISERS AND THEIR CLIENTS. To order a subscription, please contact: Call: 080-9153-2430 Email: filipinojapanesejournal@yahoo.com NEVER MISS AN ISSUE OF Subscribe today and have it delivered to your doorstep. 12 months for ¥2,500 6 months for ¥1,500 3 months for ¥1,000 SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS
Contents Editor's Note Florenda Corpuz Editor-in-Chief t’s a struggle to stay okay and be worry-free amid all the chaos and uncertainties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. People try to find ways to cope and feel fine just like Karylle who survived the challenges of this global outbreak with the help of music. The singer-songwriter and TV host talked about it and more in an exclusive interview with Filipino-Japanese Journal, which you can read in our cover story. We hope this issue of the magazine gives you the inspiration and strength that you need to move forward toward better days. 12 Andrea Torres TokyoFilipino-JapanesePromotesJournalCoveronSocialMediatoHost2025WorldAthleticsChampionships SPOTLIGHTSPORTS 7 ‘Kasama [Ninyo] Kami:’ Japan Expresses Readiness to Provide Aid for Quake Victims in Philippines Japan Receives More Than 27,000 Visitors from Philippines in First Half of 2022 IN THE NEWS 8 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Karylle is Feeling ‘Fine’ ON THE COVER 14 Japan Nabs Four Spots on World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 List FOOD 13 ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Crosses ¥10 Billion Mark at Japan Box Office Brad Pitt to Visit Japan HOLLYWOOD 6 FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • AUGUST 2022 Photograph taken in March 2018 in Tokyo, Japan
“We are offering prayers for the safety of everyone following the [7.0] magnitude [earthquake], especially the residents of Abra, and nearby provinces,” he tweeted.
Japan Receives More Than 27,000 Visitors from Philippines in First Half of 2022
e stand in solidarity with the Filipino nation in facing these challenging times. Kasama [ninyo] kami,” Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa said in a tweet.
Japan accepts tour groups from the Philippines, which is classified under the lowest-risk “blue” category, allowing travelers to enter the country without quarantine and testing upon arrival at the airport if they present a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test.
Japan Expresses Readiness to Provide Aid for Quake Victims in Philippines
FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • AUGUST 2022 7 IN THE NEWS ‘Kasama [Ninyo] Kami:’
Visitor arrivals include travelers entering Japan for transit, expatriates and their families, and international students, the JNTO said.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), meanwhile, reaffirmed its “unwavering support to the Filipinos.”
“In foresight, we aim to work closer with Philippine frontline agencies, such as DPWH and PAGASA, so that JICA’s experts currently deployed in the Philippines can continue to share their knowledge and lessons in disaster management.
WORDS BY FLORENDA CORPUZ
TOKYO/MANILA – Japan is ready to provide assistance to communities affected by the magnitude 7 earthquake that struck the northern Philippines on July 27, killing six people and injuring 136, according to a report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) last July 29.
The data also showed that Japan had welcomed 295,120 visitors from the Southeast Asian country in the January-June 2022 period. In June, the Philippines placed sixth in Japan’s market for visitor arrivals with 5,900, down 87.4 percent from three years earlier. Vietnam topped the list with 22,900 arrivals, followed by China (14,700), South Korea (11,200), United States (9,700) and Indonesia 7,000, the data revealed.
TOKYO – A total of 27,200 visitors from the Philippines entered Japan in the first half of the year, a drop of 90.8 percent compared to the same period in the pre-pandemic year of 2019, according to a preliminary data released by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) on July 20.
WORDS BY FLORENDA CORPUZ OF JICA PHILIPPINES
The Japanese envoy also offered prayers following the disaster.
“We
“As close partners who share same experiences being in disaster-prone countries, our thoughts are with those who suffered from this disaster,” it said in a statement.
“We wish for quick and resilient recovery of affected communities. Kasama [ninyo] kami,” it added. Japan and the Philippines are both earthquake-prone countries, owing to their location on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
In one of the episodes of “It’s Showtime,” Karylle had to perform a production number with fellow artists Erik Santos and Nyoy Volante when she suddenly became anxious.
“I was going to sing with Erik and Nyoy. We had our masks on backstage and we were waiting for our turn to sing. It was still the height of the pandemic and we had no vaccines but we would go to work every day (except Sundays),” said the singer-songwriter in an exclusive interview with Filipino-Japanese Journal (FJJ).
“I looked at Erik and Nyoy and I felt thankful to be surrounded by what I fondly call ‘can do’ people,” she Thisadded.exact moment of vulnerability – and her fervent wish to do a song collaboration with Erik – gave Karylle the idea and inspiration to write her newest indie song entitled “Fine.” Feeling so ‘Fine’ There are probably a million things written about Karylle and her string of accomplishments but if there’s one thing that the public does not know about her is that she talks less about her personal life especially when she’s going through something.
“Your feelings don’t necessarily define you. If you are feeling sad, you are not necessarily a sad human being. It’s important to validate your feelings but they don’t define you, they can simply give a peek into your heart at a certain moment in time.
WORDS & INTERVIEW BY LEN ARMEA EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW KARYLLE ‘Fine’IS FEELING
O
“There are days when we are not totally fine and that is okay. I feel that at this point in time, we need to learn to be more honest about how we feel so we can deal with our emotions.
PM Showbiz Royalty Karylle is no exception to this. As a mainstay of popular noontime show “It’s Showtime,” she has to report to the ABS-CBN studio to entertain the madlang pipol despite the novel coronavirus health scare because, as an entertainer, the show must always go on.
8 FILIPINO JAPANES E JOURNAL • AUGUST 2022 ON THE COVER
“I find myself starting sentences with ‘If I had to be honest…’ because I am training myself to stop and think if I am really lying to myself. After the lockdown, I want to save time by being real to myself,” KarylleTheredivulged.isacertain level of emotional bravery that makes “Fine” one of Karylle’s best songs to date. It is like her love letter to the people who turn to music for comfort and clarity.
We’ve heard countless stories about how ordinary people cope during the COVID-19 pandemic, which heightened everyone’s loneliness, stress, and anxiety because of the restrictions, lockdowns and other safety protocols. These inspiring narratives brought lessons and wisdom about life and the world in general.
“I don’t love revealing to people that I’ve had a tough time. I’m not ready to share what level of a tough time I’ve been through, but honestly, I don’t think I would’ve survived the pandemic without music,” Karylle confessed. And it is through her new song “Fine” where she bares her most authentic self – coming out with an upbeat song that talks about positivity and calmness in the midst of pandemic.
PHOTOGRAPHER:
IRVIN RIVERA (IG: @GRAPHICSMETROPOLIS) PRODUCTION: CECE ASUNCION (IG: @YETAASUNCION) GLAM: PATRICK SANTA ANA (IG: @PATRICKSANTAANA) STYLING: ESTELLE (IG: @ESTELLA.PNG) PHOTO ASSISTANT: JESSE Z (IG: @JESSEZAPATERO) THROWBACK BEATS: YAEL YRASTORZA YUZON (IG: @YAELYRAZ) HYPE & EMOTIONAL SUPPORT: TRICIA (IG: @TRICIAAAYN) DEE DEE MARIE HOLLIDAY (IG: @DEEDEEHOLLIDAY) ALSO HUGE THANK YOU TO CARLO CANLAS MENDOZA (IG: @DCARLOMEN) LOCATION: GMSTUDIO (IG: @GMSTUDIO.LA) FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • AUGUST 2022 9
“It is equal parts super ‘dyahe’ and exciting to ask your friends to help with the promo of any work you do. But honestly, it’s nice to give them a chance to show you their love by asking them for support. It is a humbling experience and also a nice bonding experience. There is always fear for rejection but it’s nice to ask and be grateful for the support of your friends.” Her fellow “It’s Showtime” host Jhong Hilario even made her a dance challenge on Tiktok. Karylle encourages Filipinos in Japan to dance to her song “Fine.”
“Sharing other people’s music also makes me feel the passion further. I loved volunteering for ‘Bayanihan Musikahan’ during the pandemic because it connected me with musicians whom I feel are kindred spirits to do something worthwhile during an uncertain time. The group led by our ninong and of course National Artist Ryan Cayabyab raised 122 million pesos for Filipinos in need during the pandemic.” She was also ecstatic to have played as a technician for Sponge Cola by learning how to operate Ecamm, a program for Facebook Live, so that the band can perform for their followers.
“It is my wish that you go through the motions of feeling your feelings no matter how bad and uncomfortable so that you can be totally fine one day. And more than ‘fine, fine, fine,’ most of the time,” she said. Feeling the Passion With the lockdown, Karylle was able to pursue things that she’s passionate about. For one, she has been writing and creating songs as well as sharing other people’s music.
“If you are on Tiktok please do the Dance Challenge (DC) by Jhong Hilario in your favorite scenic spots in Japan,” she Availablesaid.in all digital streaming platforms, there’s nothing more calming than listening to Karylle sing to the lines “Mix the beat of your heart with the beat of the drums ‘til everything’s fine, fine, fine.”
“I know it sounds like a trivial thing but it was great to step out of my comfort zone motivated by someone you love. I felt like I could do anything to support my husband,” said Karylle, whose husband, Yael, is Sponge Cola’s frontman. Feeling the Love Crossing over to being an indie musician, Karylle is deeply involved with every process. By producing and making her own songs, she is grateful for family and friends who are willingly extending a hand to help her.
“Alam mo naman ang rule sa bahay namin, you have to write your own music. Yael [Yuzon] is very passionate about creating new music at home so that we have more music to sing. Singing in the house all the time with Yael also helped so much,” she enthused.
Two Filipino Realtors Flying High
Aguinaldo)
Architect's perspective of Shore 2 Residences - Amenity Area
SM Development Corporation (SMDC) is undoubtedly the number one property developer in the Philippines at present, with its various projects in Metro Manila and some of the major provinces. Known for its afford able payment schemes, SMDC continues to develop incondominiumresidentialprojectsprimelocationswith five-star amenities and hotel-like lobbies. Its accessibility to SM Malls, supermar kets and transport hubs makes it an ideal propertySMDCinvestment.International Sales Directors
AJ Marlon Louie World-class township development, Gold City, located across NAIA Terminal 1
10 FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • AUGUST 2022 SMDC International Sales Directors
Ungson (left) and
Climaco (right) (Photograph by
“Two heads are better than one. We use little amount of our free time to collaborate and talk about great ideas. Some of it were already done. Some of it are coming soon,” AJ and Marlon shared.
AJ Ungson and Marlon Climaco are lead ing their respective sales divisions into its 2022 journey globally. Both started in real estate in their early 20’s as property specialists, they have worked their way up in the industry for almost two de cades now – from being real estate agents dealing with prospective buyers, to sales managers molding new breed of sellers, to becoming sales directors managing leaders.Asinternational sales directors of the country’s top real estate developer, there is so much pride in AJ and Marlon when they travel to meet fellow Filipinos from different parts of the world. Whether it is business with leisure or leisure with busi ness, these two result-oriented individu als make it a point to produce excellent outcome at the end of the day. So each chance of traveling has something to do with a long-term plan for their team members and marketing partners.
ADVERTORIAL
During their recent visit to Dubai, the two were featured in a Filipino magazine for their inspirational success stories. Their partnership is also busy engaging into event sponsorship for Filipino communities – opening doors for more opportunities to widen network and help more people in the process.
With AJ and Marlon’s experience, expertise and excellent track records, they are committed to share with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) the idea of saving and investing for the future.
FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • AUGUST 2022 11
MBC League Division International Division
AJU
“It is somewhat an advocacy for us to guide our kababayans on how to put a portion of their hard-earned money into an income-generating asset like properties,” the two corporate executives said. They are also sharing the good news of this income opportunity being offered to everyone who is based abroad and that is to become an international marketing partner. A referral partner program of SMDC aims to give others the chance to earn on a freelance basis. After conquering the Middle East, the up and coming “celebrity realtors” are set to do the same in Asia. They just went back home from a tour in Singapore and their next stop is Japan. “Japan is one of the top Asian countries with many entrepreneurial Filipinos looking for better opportunities. We want to reach out to them and be an instrument to help them have a sound investment. A property investment in the Philippines where they can enjoy and earn from it at the same time,” AJ said.
AJ and Marlon also noted that aside from residential condominiums and residential-office towers, SMDC has house and lot projects in selected provinces located in the North Luzon and South Luzon areas that can give overseas Filipinos in Japan a humble place of their own.When asked what’s the most fulfilling part of being experts in the industry, the two mentioned three: the joy of helping a kababayan achieve the dream of owning the “right” investment; the joy of educating someone to increase and leverage income; and the joy of creating a network of like-minded people who want to achieve the Philippinessame.will always be home to millions of OFWs. It is really sweet and fulfilling for any Filipino who’s been working for so many years in other countries to be able to buy their own house, their own condominium unit for themselves and for their families. AJU International Division of AJ Ungson and MBC League Division of Marlon Climaco will help you make that dream a reality. For more details, you may contact them thru WhatsApp or Line: +639173219339 / +639171330073.
“Based on statistics, there are more than 300,000 Filipinos living and working in the country. In fact, there is a good number of Filipinas married to Japanese husbands who are all qualified buyers. Foreigners are allowed to own a condominium unit in the Philippines,” Marlon added.
LeonarMartinbyPhotographs
Pray
ExpediteSaintto
The Kapuso star reposted a photo of the said magazine cover on her Instagram Story and also retweeted it on her Twitter page. The 32-year-old actress granted the publication with an exclusive one-onone interview where she talked about her recent visit to Japan to entertain thousands of Filipinos in the highly successful Philippine Expo 2022, her impression of the country and its people, and her upcoming projects, among others.This was Andrea’s third visit to the Land of the Rising Sun and she is ecstatic to come back again.
12 FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • AUGUST 2022 SPOTLIGHT
Andrea Torres
TOKYO/MANILA – Andrea Torres shared the July 2022 cover of Filipino-Japanese Journal (FJJ), which she fronted, on her Instagram and Twitter accounts.
Saint Expedite, you lay in rest. I come to you and ask that this wish be granted. Expedite now what I ask of you. Expedite now what I want of you, this very second. Don’t waste another day. Grant me what I ask for. I know your power, I know you because of your work. I know you can help me. Do this for me and I will spread your name with love and honor so that it will be invoked again and again. Expedite this wish with speed, love, honor, and goodness. Glory to you, Saint Expedite!
“I feel like kahit ilang beses akong bumalik dito mayroon at mayroon kang pwedeng bagong malaman, matuklasan, matutuhan.” - FJJ
Filipino-JapanesePromotesJournalCoveronSocialMedia
FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • AUGUST 2022 13 HOLLYWOOD
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPH
Brad Pitt to Visit Japan
FLORENDA CORPUZ
TOKYO – Hollywood actor Brad Pitt will travel to Japan to promote his action comedy thriller film “Bullet Train,” which will hit theaters in the country on Sept. 1.
“I wanna thank you, all of you in Japan, for coming to see ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ on the big screen in theaters where it’s meant to be experienced, and all of your excitement and commitment to going to the movies, it’s why I do what I do, and it’s my privilege to entertain you so I do it for you.“I also want you to know how much I appreciate just your endless kindness to me on every visit that I’ve had to your country. It’s very special, and I love watching the movie with everyone at the Tokyo premiere.
In a video, Pitt said “Konnichiwa,” hyping his upcoming visit to theThiscountry.willbe the 58-year-old actor’s 13th visit to Japan, the first time in about three years. He will be joined by director David Leitch. Set on a high-speed train heading from Tokyo to Kyoto, “Bullet Train” is based on the 2010 international bestseller “Maria Beetle” by Kotaro Isaka, where Pitt plays the role of seasoned but unlucky assassin named Ladybug.
In a video message, Cruise, who reprises his iconic role as Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the film, thanked his fans in Japan for watching it.
WORDS BY FLORENDA CORPUZ PHOTOGRAPH BY DIN EUGENIO
“I’m gonna be back next summer to do it again with Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One so please enjoy the rest of your summer, and I will see you next year. Arigato,” the actor, who personally promoted the film in Tokyo with producer Jerry Bruckheimer last May, beamed. The 60-year-old actor has the record for most visits to Japan by a Hollywood star, the last one being his 24th time.
TOKYO – The Tom Cruise starrer “Top Gun: Maverick,” which first hit screens in Japan on May 27,” has exceeded 10 billion yen (as of press time) in cumulative revenue at the Japanese box office and has become the number one live-action movie released in the country since 2020. Gun: Maverick’ Crosses ¥10 Billion Mark at Japan Box Office BY
‘Top
Tokyo to Host 2025 World Athletics Championships T he decision was made at the 228th World Athletics Council meeting in Oregon, USA on July 15 (JST). The event will gather sport’s biggest athletes to Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium, the venue for last year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“I am delighted and honored that Tokyo was chosen to host the 2025 World Athletics Championships,” Governor Yuriko Koike said. Koike assured that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) will actively work with everyone involved for the success of the event. This will be the second time for Tokyo to host the World Athletics Championships since the 1991 event, and the third for Japan following the 2007 event in Osaka.
SPORTS
TOKYO – The Japanese capital has been chosen by the World Athletics Council to host the 2025 World Athletics Championships.
WORDS BY FLORENDA CORPUZ PHOTOGRAPH BY DIN EUGENIO
TOKYO – Japan has captured four spots on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list of 2022, three of the awardees are from Tokyo and one is from Osaka.
Den, which was named Asia and Japan’s best restaurant earlier this year, led the Japanese contingent placing at No. 20. Florilège took the No. 30 spot, followed by La Cime, the only awardee from Osaka, at No. 41 and Narisawa at No. Meanwhile,45. two more Tokyo-based eateries made it to the 51 to 100 list – Sazenka at No. 59 and Sézanne at No. 82.
Japan Nabs Four Spots on World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 List
14 FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • AUGUST 2022 FOOD
Den’s Long-Tailed Red Snapper (Photograph courtesy of Shinichiro Fujii, Jesto)
The awards ceremony, held in London on July 18, honored gastronomic excellence from 24 territories across five continents before naming Copenhagen’s Geranium as The World’s Best Restaurant 2022 and The Best Restaurant in Europe 2022. - FJJ
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