Filipino-Japanese Journal July 2022

ISSUE #66

JULY 2022 • FREE

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

ANDREA TORRES

TALKS ABOUT JAPAN AND MOVING FORWARD www.filipinojapanesejournal.com

FILJAP MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2012

2

2

FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • JULY

2022

FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • JULY

2022

3

NEVER MISS AN ISSUE OF PUBLISHER D&D PRESS JAPAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF FLORENDA CORPUZ

Subscribe today and have it delivered to your doorstep.

SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS

12 months for ¥2,500 6 months for ¥1,500 3 months for ¥1,000

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 SAITAMA-KEN, KAWAGUCHI-SHI, RYOKE 1-6-13 APPLE HEIGHTS 105 MOBILE 080-9153-2430 / 080-3357-2430 FAX 048-611-9078 E-MAIL filipinojapanesejournal @yahoo.com DIGITAL EDITION issuu.com/filipinojapanesejournal WEBSITE https://www. filipinojapanesejournal.com FACEBOOK facebook.com/TheFilJapJournal/ TWITTER @FJJOfficial INSTAGRAM @filipinojapanesejournal

To order a subscription, please contact: Call: 080-9153-2430 Email: filipinojapanesejournal@yahoo.com 4

FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • JULY

2022

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.

Contents

7

Editor's Note

he recent events that occurred in Japan gave us reasons to be both happy and sad.

On our cover is Kapuso actress Andrea Torres who headlined the successfully held Philippine Expo 2022 at Ueno Onshi Park last June 12. She granted our request for an exclusive oneon-one interview, which you can read in our Cover Story, with the help and coordination of our friends from GMA Pinoy TV. Another exclusive is our conversation with Filipino-Japanese actress Stefanie Arianne who stars as a Filipina caregiver in Chie Hayakawa’s dystopian euthanasia drama film “Plan 75” which received the Camera d’Or Special Mention Award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

We also had the privilege to witness the culmination of the world promotional tour of the top-grossing biopic “Elvis” here in Tokyo with the presence of its lead star Austin Butler and director Baz Luhrmann.

Last month’s issue of the magazine featuring Kapuso Primetime King and Queen Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera brought gladness to our team as it organically reached over 1.2 million people on Facebook.

However, our happiness was marred with deep sadness when we learned the news about former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s assassination on July 8. As Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, we already lost count on the number of times that we covered him – his government’s achievements, political will, and the assistance he extended to the Philippines – and all of which will forever be etched on our hearts.

We join the people of Japan in mourning the passing of a true patriot and great ally to the Filipinos.

8

IN FOCUS

ON THE COVER

Japan, Philippines Agree to Strengthen Strategic Partnership

Andrea Torres Talks About Japan and Moving Forward

11

HOLLYWOOD Austin Butler Fulfills Elvis Presley’s Dream of Visiting Japan

Photo courtesy of GMA Pinoy TV

12

SPOTLIGHT

14 SPORTS

Tokai University, Ateneo to Compete in World University Basketball Series in Tokyo FEATURE Digital Sunflowers Bloom at teamLab Planets

DongYan’s Filipino-Japanese Journal Cover Reaches Over One Million People on Facebook ENTERTAINMENT PH Film ‘Patayin sa Shokot si Remington’ Now Showing in Japan

13

PROUDLY PINOY Fil-Jap Actress Says ‘It’s an Honor’ to Represent Filipino Culture in Japanese Film ‘Plan 75’

Florenda Corpuz 6

Editor-in-Chief

FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • JULY

2022

FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • JULY

2022

6

Japan, Philippines Agree to Strengthen Strategic Partnership

IN FOCUS

Former Japanese PM Abe Dies After Being Shot During Election Campaign WORDS BY FLORENDA CORPUZ PHOTOGRAPH BY DIN EUGENIO

WORDS BY FLORENDA CORPUZ

TOKYO – Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agreed the two countries will bolster relations and further strengthen strategic partnership to promote cooperation and revitalize people-to-people exchanges toward post-pandemic economic recovery.

File photo taken on May 11, 2017 shows Shinzo Abe speaking at a women's event in Tokyo.

TOKYO – Shinzo Abe, the former prime minister of Japan, died on July 8 after being shot twice by an ex-Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) member while he was campaigning for a ruling party candidate in the Upper House election in Nara Prefecture.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. receives Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa in a courtesy call at the Malacañan Palace on Thursday, June 30, 2022.

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

A

report released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Hayashi and Marcos Jr. also concurred on working closely on maintaining and strengthening the free and open maritime order based on the rule of law.

The Japanese foreign minister was in Manila to attend the Philippine leader’s inauguration ceremony as special envoy of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

At the beginning of their meeting, Hayashi congratulated Marcos Jr. on his inauguration and delivered a personal letter from the Japanese premier.

Marcos Jr., for his part, expressed gratitude for the attendance of a high-level official from the Japanese government at the presidential inauguration held at the National Museum last June 30.

“It was a great pleasure to have met with the Foreign Minister of Japan… I look forward to deepening our alreadyvibrant relationships with Japan and further exploring areas of mutual interest and benefit to our peoples,” he said in a post on Facebook.

Hayashi also held talks with Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio and other Philippine government officials during his three-day visit to Manila.

A

be, 67, was delivering a speech in front of Kintetsu Railway’s Yamato-Saidaiji Station at around 11:30 a.m. when he was shot in the neck and chest by Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, a resident of the western city. He was airlifted via a medical helicopter to Nara Medical University Hospital but was in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest after being found bleeding and unconscious on the ground. He was confirmed dead by the hospital at 5:03 p.m. due to blood loss.

The gunman admitted shooting Abe with a homemade weapon, and said he had a grudge against a certain organization he believed the ex-premier was connected to, the Nara prefectural police said.

FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • JULY

2022

7

ON THE COVER

INA-ACKNOWLEDGE KO KUNG ANO IYONG NA-ACHIEVE KO BUT AT THE SAME TIME GUSTO KO LAGI LANG AKONG GROUNDED, NA GUSTO KONG BIGYAN SARILI KO NA MAYROON PA AKONG PWEDENG I-ADJUST PARA I’M ALWAYS GROWING. PHOTOGRAPHER: DOOKIE DUCAY STYLIST: MYRRH LAO TO MAKEUP: NIKKI DUQUE-MARTINEZ HAIR: MARK ANTHONY ROSALES

8

FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • JULY

2022

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

ANDREA TORRES

TALKS ABOUT JAPAN AND MOVING FORWARD WORDS BY LEN ARMEA INTERVIEW BY FLORENDA CORPUZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY DIN EUGENIO

Thousands of Filipinos working and living in Japan flocked to the Philippine Expo 2022 held at the Ueno Onshi Park in Tokyo on June 12 to not just commemorate the country’s 124th Independence Day but also to catch a glimpse of Kapuso actress Andrea Torres.

S

tunning and sultry in a black outfit, Andrea performed sizzling song and dance numbers to the delight of the Filipino community in Japan.

She gave an all-out performance and was so generous to give her most charming smile to everyone and shook hands with them. It

was effortless how she captured the hearts of Pinoys with her endearing, accommodating, and warm personality.

“Siyempre dapat new songs and new choreography. ‘Yung hindi pa nila nakikita sa Instagram at Youtube kasi gusto ko worth it ‘yung time nila lalo ngayon umuulan nandito sila and alam ko marami talagang looking forward

sa event na ito,” Andrea said in an exclusive interview with the Filipino-Japanese Journal (FJJ) held at the backstage of the event sponsored by GMA Pinoy TV. She had a meet-and-greet session with some members of the Filipino community and took the time to listen to their stories and struggles during the height of the pandemic.

FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • JULY

2022

9

“Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na makita ‘yung mga Pinoy ngayon na ang saya-saya nila. I am very happy na makita na okay sila rito at maganda ang relationship nila with the Japanese people,” she added.

Andrea Declares Love for Japan If there is one random fact about Andrea, it is that she loves to travel and Japan is one of her favorite countries to visit. In fact, she has been to the country a couple of times.

She spent 10 days here in 2017 when she watched Coldplay in concert, marveled at the beauty of cherry blossoms, and other tourists spots in Tokyo.

Before the pandemic happened, Andrea toured Osaka in February 2020 with ex-boyfriend Derek Ramsay and their respective families.

Two years later, Andrea was back in Japan not just to headline the Philippine Expo 2022 but to visit old and new places in Tokyo as well.

Wearing a stylish green blazer that perfectly accentuates her outfit, the Kapuso actress revealed what she loves the most about the Land of the Rising Sun. “Ang maganda rito sa Japan feeling mo na kakilala mo iyong kausap mo.

Humingi ka lang ng instructions, sasamahan ka, talagang hindi sila mapapalagay hanggang ma-sure nila na safe ka. Masarap ang pakiramdam to be here kasi nga may ganoong energy dito.

10

“I feel like kahit ilang beses akong bumalik dito mayroon at mayroon kang pwedeng bagong malaman, matuklasan, matutuhan,” she told FJJ. During her visit, she toured the Asakusa Temple in Tokyo wearing the traditional kimono, went to TeamLab, explored the Tsukiji Fish Market, Harajuku, and Shibuya.

“Nakapagpa-picture ulit ako kay Hachiko kasi faded na iyong picture namin,” she exclaimed like a giddy child.

Andrea even shared an anecdote about her trip to Japan.

“Nag-uusap kami ng mommy ko and nabanggit namin itong Japan.

Nagre-reminisce kaming dalawa tapos kung kailan kami makakabalik. And then, one hour after, promise, tumawag sila [GMA Pinoy TV staff]. So sabi ko na parang I’m meant to be here.”

Moving Forward To Greater Things Andrea is a woman who always wants to evolve as a person, to improve as an actress, and to move forward to better and greater things.

“Ina-acknowledge ko kung ano iyong na-achieve ko but at the same time gusto ko lagi lang akong grounded, na gusto kong bigyan sarili ko na mayroon pa akong pwedeng i-adjust para I’m always growing.

“Ano iyon, hindi laging ganon iyon, di ba, na willing kang i-check lagi ang sarili mo kung mayroon pa ba akong iimprove, mayroon pa ba dapat akong matutuhan, paano ako magiging mas

FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • JULY

2022

blessing sa ibang tao,” she quipped.That is why when the opportunity to star in the international film “Pasional,” a coproduction between GMA Network and Malevo Films of Argentina, she didn’t think twice of accepting it because it will surely broaden her horizons as an actress. “Pasional” is a romantic film where Andrea plays the role of a former tango dancer named Mahalia opposite Argentine actor Marcelo Melingo, who plays the role of a biologist named Norberto.

She recently launched her YouTube vlog and finished shooting a mini-series with Ian Veneracion which will be aired on Netflix soon.

She is also set to do another project.

“Yes, mayroon na po kaming inihahanda na next project although wala pa pong complete details kaya mahirap pa pong pag-usapan. But I also have a mini-series under Netflix, with Mr. Ian Veneracion, na kakatapos ko pa lang gawin. More of action pero may drama rin,” she beamed.

With her personal experiences and the stories she heard from Filipinos she met in Japan, Andrea has some good parting words to say.

“Iyong gusto kong sabihin sa kanila is continue to move forward, kung malaki man iyan na step o maliit na step, basta ‘wag kang mag-give up. Patuloy ka lang dahil mayroon at mayroon kang mapupuntahan.

Naniniwala ako na kung ano iyong effort na inilalabas mo, hindi man sure na makukuha mo ngayon iyong resulta na gusto mo pero makukuha mo iyon eventually.”

Austin Butler Fulfills Elvis Presley’s Dream of Visiting Japan

HOLLYWOOD

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS BY FLORENDA CORPUZ

TOKYO – American actor Austin Butler, who plays Elvis Presley in the Baz Luhrmann-directed biopic, said that he fulfilled the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s dream of visiting Japan. “It was Elvis’ dream to come here, and he never got to fulfill that dream. But it’s so amazing for me to get to live out his dream to come here and share his story with all of you,” he uttered.

B

utler revealed during his recent visit to Japan to promote his latest film “Elvis” that this was his first time in the country.

“You all welcome me so warmly. Thank you so much,” he told the press and the fans who trooped to Yurakucho Mullion on June 28 for the film’s Japan premiere, which marked the final stop of its world promotional tour.

“I just couldn’t be more proud that this is the last place on our journey. I’m just so

excited to do some karaoke tonight,” the 30-year-old actor beamed.

Since kicking off the film’s promotional tour in Cannes, the actor visited three other places including Graceland, which is the legendary music icon’s beloved home.

“Elvis always wanted to come to Japan and perform here live where he was deeply loved. If you want to find out why it didn’t come true, you have to see the film” Luhrmann, who joined Butler at the pink carpet event, noted.

“We didn’t let COVID-19 stop us from

making the film. We kept going and Tom [Hanks] came back, and Austin never gave up and we made the film. This is the right place to end the tour. We’re very, very honored to be here,” the award-winning Australian filmmaker added.

“Elvis” tells the story of Presley, who was enthusiastically loved by young people for his overly sensational performances, but became a target of accusations and was placed under police surveillance. It was released in Japanese cinemas on July 1.

FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • JULY

2022

11

SPOTLIGHT

ENTERTAINMENT

DongYan’s Filipino-Japanese Journal Cover Reaches Over One Million People on Facebook WORDS BY FLORENDA CORPUZ

TOKYO – Just five days after its digital launch, Filipino-Japanese Journal’s (FJJ) June 2022 cover, featuring Kapuso Primetime King and Queen Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, has reached more than 1.2 million people organically on Facebook.

T

his came after Marian, who is the most followed Filipino celebrity on the social networking site, posted it on her official Facebook page, which has 26.7 million followers on June 21.

Last June 23, the multi-awarded actress and host also shared the cover on her Instagram stories.

In the said issue of the magazine, the 12

two GMA-7 prime stars talked about their highly-anticipated on-screen comeback with the sitcom “Jose and Maria's Bonggang Villa,” which can be watched by Filipino viewers in Japan on GMA Pinoy TV. It can be recalled that in August last year, Dingdong and Marian confirmed to FJJ via the “#StrongerTogether GMA Pinoy TV 16th Anniversary Virtual FunCon” this reunion project after a decade.

FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • JULY

2022

PH Film ‘Patayin sa Shokot si Remington’ Now Showing in Japan

Filipino writer and director Jade Castro’s 2011 smash hit indie horror comedy film “Patayin sa Shokot si Remington (Remington and the Curse of the Zombadings)” was released in Japanese theaters, including K’s cinema, on July 16.

T

he film was first screened in Japan during the Old Town Taito International Comedy Film Festival in September 2012. It stars award-w i nni ng actor Martin Escudero in the lead role. - FJJ

PROUDLY PINOY

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Fil-Jap Actress Says ‘It’s an Honor’ to Represent Filipino Culture in Japanese Film ‘Plan 75’ WORDS & INTERVIEW BY FLORENDA CORPUZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY DIN EUGENIO

TOKYO – Stefanie Arianne, a Filipino-Japanese actress, can’t help but feel “honored” to be part of the dystopian euthanasia drama movie “Plan 75,” which won the Camera d’Or Special Mention Award at the Cannes Film Festival in France last May.

A

t a stage greeting event held at Shinjuku Piccadily Cinema on June 18, the newcomer Stefanie who plays the role of Maria, a Filipino caregiver to the elderly in Japan, said she was “really surprised, happy and thankful that we get to have a Filipino-Japanese film shown all over the world.”

“Playing Maria is very close to my heart and I’m very thankful to our director for guiding me really well on how to play her. And also for listening to how my culture is and giving respect to that culture.

“It’s really great playing Maria as a representative of the Filipino culture and the overseas Filipino workers all over the world, especially in Japan because she’s naturally kind-hearted and she’s very persistent in her life, especially for her loved ones,” she said.

She continued, “It’s such an honor to be Maria for ‘Plan 75.’”

The self-proclaimed “lola’s girl” admitted that portraying the role of Maria was “quite challenging because I really didn’t have the time to prepare that much because it was very short notice when I got the final casting.”

“I think the hardest part for me was the Tagalog accent. Having a [foreign] accent got me really scared that they might recast me but luckily, they did not. They brought in our accent coach and he was really amazing in helping me and even my co-actress during our shooting,” she confessed.

Stefanie revealed that she binge-watched movies and TV shows of her favorite Filipino actresses Angel Locsin and Angelica Panganiban to refresh her Filipino speaking skills.

When asked what she wanted to tell to the Filipino caregivers in Japan, the talented actress said, “Your job is very hard and it takes a lot of patience, natural empathy and kindness because it’s very hard to take care of someone you don't know. Thank you for being a great example for other people because that type of kindness, you cannot find that normally, especially these days.”

“Plan 75,” directed by Chie Hayakawa, tells the story of how a government program in alternate Japan encourages people aged 75 or older to be voluntarily euthanized to remedy the country’s rapidly aging society.

L-R: Stefanie Arianne, director Chie Hayakawa, veteran Japanese actress and singer Chieko Baisho and actor Hayato Isomura

FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • JULY

2022

13

SPORTS

Tokai University, Ateneo to Compete in World University Basketball Series in Tokyo WORDS BY FLORENDA CORPUZ

TOKYO – Japan’s Tokai University and the Philippines’ Ateneo de Manila University are among the four top college basketball teams in Asia that will compete in the first edition of Sun Chlorella’s World University Basketball Series (WUBS) to be held at the Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium from Aug. 9 to 11.

H

osted by the All Japan University Basketball Federation (JUBF) and supported by Rakuten Sports, the first edition of WUBS is an invitation-only event wherein teams will compete in a series of six round-robin games over three days to claim the series championship.

Aside from Tokai University and Ateneo de Manila University, also set to participate are the Pelita Harapan University of Indonesia and Taiwan’s National Chengchi University.

Akira Rikukawa, the head coach of Tokai University, is thankful to the organizers for inviting their team to the competition.

“I am determined to do my best to live up to the name of the All Japan University Basketball Federation, which has recommended us. I sincerely hope that this tournament will contribute to the development and friendship of university basketball in Asia and around the world,” he commented.

Ateneo de Manila University Head Coach Tab Baldwin, on the other hand, is excited and proud to be a university

selected by WUBS to represent the Philippines in the prestigious event.

“We believe that the quality of competition and the excellent organization that is always present in Japan will make this event a significant element in our preparation for the upcoming UAAP. The opportunity to experience international competition as well as the cultural experience in Japan will be priceless for our student athletes,” he said.

Basketball fans can purchase tickets on the WUBS official site: https://wubseries.com

FEATURE

Digital Sunflowers Bloom at teamLab Planets TOKYO – This summer, digital sunflowers are in full bloom in Toyosu as teamLab Planets showcases a space for this work for a limited time from July 1 to 31.

I

teamLab, Drawing on the Water Surface Created by the Dance of Koi and People – Infinity © teamLab

n the digital art piece, “Drawing on the Water Surface Created by the Dance of Koi and People - Infinity,” when a carp that swims on the surface of the water collides with people, it will turn into a sunflower and scatters.

Aside from this experience, guests can also enjoy vegan ramen flowers (cold) and vegan ice cream at Vegan Ramen UZU Tokyo, which originated from Kyoto.

14

FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • JULY

2022

Information: teamLab Planets TOKYO Address: Toyosu 6-1-16, Koto-ku, Tokyo Website: https://planets.teamlab.art/tokyo/

Our company offers a variety of communications and media related services for people and businesses.

What we offer: • Online and print publishing (magazine, newspaper, etc.)

• Writing and editing services • Professional photography

CALL US AT:

080-9153-2430 332-0004 Saitama-ken, Kawaguchi-shi, Ryoke 1-6-13 Apple Heights 105

FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • JULY

2022

15

16

FILIPINO JAPANESE JOURNAL • JULY

2022

Scan this QR code to open our website

www.filipinojapanesejournal.com

Digital Edition Read the latest news and the best topics about Japan and the Philippines anytime, anywhere!