Filipino-Japanese Journal September 2022

Editor's Note

n the Philippines, the arrival of the “ber” months is equivalent to the beginning of the longest Christmas season in the world, whereas in Japan, it is synonymous to red, orange and yellow leaves, and white snow. For us at Filipino-Japanese Journal, it means busier than usual days as we prepare to cover some of the biggest and most anticipated entertainment happenings in Tokyo, where Filipino talents are expected to take part.

Our September edition features multitalented actress/singer/host Glaiza De Castro on the cover. She first fronted the magazine in March 2016, where she talked about her passion for music and acting and her love for the Japanese culture, in an exclusive interview. This time, the “Running Man Philippines” cast member shared with us, via GMA Pinoy TV, how the local adaptation of South Korea’s longest-running variety show helped her release some of her inhibitions and become more competitive. Our cover story on her also reveals the reason why she is grateful to our kababayans here in Japan.

We have more exclusive news and features inside this month’s issue of the magazine, so make sure to grab a copy once it’s out!

IN THE NEWS

Philippines Appoints New Envoy to Japan

Japan Lowers Travel Warning for Philippines

Japan Grants ¥752-M Aid to Odette-Affected Farmers, Fisherfolk in Philippines

ON THE COVER

Glaiza De Castro is Up for the Challenge

Florenda Corpuz Editor-in-Chief

From Philippines to Japan: 10 Filipino Designers Showcase Creations at Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo PROUDLY PINOY

FOOD

Philippine Airlines Boosts Promotion of Filipino Food in Japan

SPOTLIGHT

Karylle’s Current Obsession: Reading Books by Japanese Authors

WUBS: Philippines’ Ateneo Blue Eagles Aim to Find Their Weakness in Japan Stint

Brad Pitt on his Visits to Japan: ‘I Have this Sense of Freedom Here’

HOLLYWOOD

Japan Grants ¥752-M Aid to Odette-Affected Farmers, Fisherfolk in Philippines

MANILA/TOKYO – The Japanese government on Aug. 31 has announced a grant assistance of 752 million yen to aid farmers and fishermen in central and southern Philippines affected by Typhoon Odette, which hit several regions in Visayas and Mindanao last year.

JapaneseAmbassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa signed and exchanged notes with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in the Philippines Sheila Wertz-Kanounnikoff and World Food Programme (WFP) Philippines Representative and Country Director Brenda Barton, according to Japan’s Foreign Ministry.

The Japan Embassy in Manila said that the FAO will implement the “The Project for Restoring Livelihoods and Enhancing Resilience of Farmers and Fisherfolks Affected by Typhoon,” which is expected to benefit around 4,000 small coconut farming and fishing households in Bohol, Southern Leyte and Surigao del Norte.

The beneficiaries will receive agricultural and fishery inputs as well as adaptation of climate-resilient agriculture and fishery practices, it added in a press release.

The Japanese government contributed 251 million yen for the project.

“As we implement this new project, we strongly hope that this sense of solidarity from Japanese people will reach many Filipinos on the ground,” Koshikawa said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the WFP will carry out the “The Project for the Improvement of Agricultural and Fisheries Value Chain for Smallholder Farmers and Fisherfolk in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” which will benefit approximately 7,500 farming and fishing households, or approximately 37,500 people in BARMM.

It will implement interventions such as improved market linkages and increased agricultural productivity in order to strengthen inclusion in the nutritionsensitive agricultural value chain, the Embassy stated.

Japan donated 501 million yen for the program.

“We strongly hope that this project

Philippines Appoints

New Envoy to Japan

MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has named former Davao City Second District Representative Mylene Garcia-Albano as the Philippines’ new envoy to Japan.

MarcosJr. administered the oath of office to Garcia-Albano in a ceremony at Malacañan Palace on Aug. 12, Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) announced in a Facebook post.

Garcia-Albano is the first female to be appointed as the country’s ambassador to the Land of the Rising Sun, which is home to more than 300,000 Filipinos.

- Florenda Corpuz

will be successful and that this model will be extended to the rest of the Bangsamoro region for a better future deserved by all,” the Japanese envoy commented.

- Florenda Corpuz

Japan Lowers Travel Warning for Philippines

TOKYO – The Japanese government has lowered its travel warning for the Philippines last Aug. 24 over the COVID-19 pandemic, and is no longer asking its citizens to refrain from nonessential trips to the Southeast Asian nation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced that it had downgraded the travel alert for the Philippines and 53 other countries and a region from Level 2 (avoid nonessential travel) on its four-point scale to Level 1 (be careful).

MOFA added it still recommends those who consider to travel abroad to receive the necessary vaccinations to prevent the novel coronavirus infection. - Florenda Corpuz

Kapuso actress Glaiza De Castro started in Philippine show business when she was 13 years old. In her almost two decades in the local entertainment world, she has proven her mettle in acting be it in movies or television. Who would forget her acting as the scheming and overbearing Eunice Aragon in the local adaptation of “Stairway to Heaven,” her fierce character as Althea in “The Rich Man’s Daughter,” her iconic portrayal of Pirena in “Encantadia,” and as the supportive wife Yannie in the recently concluded romantic-comedy series “False Positive”?

WORDS BY LEN ARMEA PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF GMA

Thereis always something new and refreshing each time you see Glaiza portray a role, proving that she is indeed versatility personified in an industry where good actors come aplenty.

From heavy drama to comedy, the 34-year-old actress is brave enough not to be boxed in a certain showbiz image.

“Komportable ako sa drama. Pero I always want to try comedy. Isa ‘yun sa mga hinihiling ko talaga. Mas nag-gain ako ng respeto sa mga aktor na nagco-comedy. Dito kailangan witty ka, dapat mabilis ka. [May] timing,” Glaiza said.

Doing different genres is one of the reasons why she accepted to be a part of “Running Man Philippines,” the biggest reality game show of 2022, which is coproduced by GMA Network and SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System), one of South Korea’s largest networks.

Up for Thrilling Races

“Running Man,” the most globally successful South Korean reality-variety show, is known for its outrageous missions—a series of wacky games and exciting races held in different locations with runners competing to gain advantages in the final mission, the signature Nametag Race.

Glaiza and the rest of the cast members that include Ruru Madrid, Kokoy de Santos, Lexi Gonzales, Angel Guardian, Buboy Villar and Mikael Daez went to South Korea to shoot the entire season at the exact location of the original series.

For Glaiza, being a part of the series is a dream come true.

“Parang kailan lang, hindi pa namin alam kung anong kahaharapin namin. Parati ko rin sinasabi na isa itong oncein-a-lifetime opportunity na never kong na-imagine na makakapagtrabaho ako sa Korea at makakapag-collaborate ang GMA at SBS,” she added.

The pilot episode aired on Sept. 3 where they were given their first mission at the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress: to find characters written in the Korean alphabet hidden all around the location and spell out their names in order to earn their name tags.

“Excited kami to show our different side sa audience. Ang saya mapasama rito. I am very blessed and grateful.

“Alam ko kung gaano niyo minahal itong show kaya ita-try namin na talagang ibigay sa inyo kung ano ‘yong deserved niyo,” Glaiza enthused.

She admitted that this show has allowed her to let go of her inhibitions and be more open and competitive.

“Dito natutuhan kong maging outspoken, mas maging palaban. May wall kasi talaga ako, pero rito mas nag-let go ako sa walls na iyon, mas naging open ako to listen, to share ‘yung mga personal experiences ko. Kasi ganon nga ‘yung naging trato namin sa isa’t isa, parang pamilya,” she said in a recently held media conference for the Philippine adaptation of “Running Man.”

On Marriage, Music

Early this year, Feb. 14 to be exact, Glaiza surprised the public when she announced that she is married to her fiancé, Irish businessman David Rainey, for a few months. They got married in October 2021 at the Dunluce Castle in Northern Ireland, which was one of the shooting locations of the popular series “Game of Thrones.”

“We’re just waiting for the right time. David is a very private person. We just wanted to celebrate it for ourselves and with the family,” she said in an exclusive interview with “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.”

Glaiza is thankful that her husband is supportive of her career.

“He is very supportive. Naramdaman ko na proud siya at excited sa ginagawa ko. Sinasabi niya sa akin na hindi siya makapaniwala na kaya kong gawin ‘yun na I’m capable of doing things like that, ‘yung pag-arte,” Glaiza went on.

The married couple, who met in Siargao in 2018, is planning to have their wedding in the Philippines too.

Aside from being a newlywed, Glaiza recently released a new song entitled “Tawid Dagat,” which features a mixture of hip-hop, alternative pop, and synth wave. Written by Glaiza herself, the song was inspired by her long-distance relationship with her husband during the pandemic – about not giving up on love despite the challenges.

She is also set to release a music video to be directed by fellow Kapuso artist Xian Lim.

The song is available for streaming on all digital music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

Grateful to Filipinos in Japan

In a virtual fan event, Glaiza shared her most memorable travel moments and encounters with her fellow Filipinos in the “Land of the Rising Sun.”

“First time kong pumunta ng Japan was for a ‘Magpakailanman’ taping. Doon ako nakakilala ng mga Kapuso natin doon, and every time na bumabalik ako, minemeet ko sila. So sila ‘yung nagto-tour sa akin like sa mga best ramen places, and then nung cherry blossoms, bumalik din ako with my family,” she said.

“Yung first time kong pumunta roon na cherry blossoms as in dinala kami nung mga Kapuso natin sa Japan sa isang park. Sobra akong na-amaze. It was a very precious moment to us as a family kasi my parents worked there for a few years and never silang nakapasyal, puro trabaho yung ginagawa nila,” she added.

With these recollections, Glaiza said she is grateful to them.

“Thankful ako sa mga Kapuso natin sa Japan na talagang inalalayan din kami, very hospitable sila, tinour nila kami sa mga places.” - With report from Florenda Corpuz

EXCLUSIVE

From Philippines to Japan: 10 Filipino Designers Showcase Creations at Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo

WORDS & INTERVIEW BY FLORENDA CORPUZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY DIN EUGENIO

TOKYO – Established and promising Filipino designers proudly presented their designs at an event dubbed as “PH MODE x TYO” by Manila Fashion Festival (MFF) during the Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo (RakutenFWT) 2023 Spring/Summer on Sept. 2.

Albert Andrada, Alodia Cecilia, Daryl Maat, Ditta Sandico, Jun Escario, June Samson Pugat, Kaye Morales, Lorico, Oz Go and S’toi|c created an exclusive collection ensemble by merging Japan’s quality fabric and Philippine indigenous material.

“It is definitely an honor to be part of PH MODE, and we are grateful RakutenFWT welcomed us,” Alodia, who was present at the event, said in an interview with Filipino-Japanese Journal (FJJ).

“It is an awesome experience for me especially working both front and backend of this project, it inspires me to take on more risks and try out new

things. Hopefully, MFF will continue to produce shows for Filipino designers and RakutenFWT will continue to support us,” she added.

The MFF, the largest fashion runway event in the Philippines, was at the helm of the Filipino designers’ participation at the celebrated biannual fashion event, in collaboration with STYLEM, a top textile company in Japan.

MFF Organizer Genshi Shigekawa, second from left, together with Creative Director and designer Alodia Cecilia, left, MFF Tokyo Project Manager Naoki Hayashi, second from right, and Project Coordinator Yoko Nogami, right

“I was pleasantly surprised, ang ganda, ang galing nang pag-curate, pagpili ng theme, ng venue. Maganda kasi simple, klaro ‘yung gusto nilang ipakita na aesthetic. Kahanga-hanga kasi ang gagaling ng Filipino designers,” Philippine Embassy - Trade and Investment Section Commercial Counsellor Maria Bernardita Mathay commented after the

show.

She went on to say that Filipinos are one of the best designers in the world.

“Our creative talent is something that we should really focus and highlight because its contribution to the economy is sizeable so dapat bigyan ng suporta ng gobyerno ‘yung mga talents natin.”

After their participation at

RakutenFWT, the MFF had a series of trade exhibits for “PH Mode x TYO” last Sept. 7 to 9 in Daikanyama, followed by another one at STYLEM’s Tokyo Showroom on Sept. 12 to 16.

Next month, they will go to Taipei and Seoul to showcase their collaboration with the two cities’ local fabric companies.

Albert Andrada

Jun Escario

Oz Go

S’toi|c

June Samson Pugat Kaye Morales

Lorico

Alodia Cecilia

Daryl Maat

Ditta Sandico

Karylle’s Current Obsession: Reading Books by Japanese Authors

WORDS & INTERVIEW BY LEN ARMEA PHOTOGRAPH BY DIN EUGENIO

TOKYO/MANILA – Celebrities are known to have busy schedules because of live shows, shootings, promos, and other showbiz events. With everyone dealing with COVID-19, even them have to find ways to cope with pandemic stress and anxiety. For OPM Showbiz Royalty Karylle, rekindling her love for books is one of the things she turns to in order to survive all of these.

The singer-songwriter and TV host has taken a great liking to reading novels written by Japanese authors such as Haruki Murakami, Durian Sukegawa, Sayaka Murata, Shaw Kuzki and Hiromi Kawakami.

“When I ran out of shows to bingewatch during the pandemic, a book entitled ‘The Nakano Thrift Shop’ in my mom’s house called to me. I borrowed it and that started my current obsession with books by Japanese authors,” she revealed in an exclusive interview with Filipino-Japanese Journal (FJJ).

Karylle was so inspired by the stories she read that when she gets the chance to visit Japan again, she plans to see some of the places and to try out the food mentioned in the books.

“I think you can tell that I will be visiting some of the places I’ve been reading about or eating certain food that is highlighted in the stories. I must eat the sweet bean paste for example. Drink tea and experience ‘ichigo ichie,’” she quipped.

To date, Karylle has finished reading Murakami’s “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running,” Sukegawa’s “Sweet Bean Paste,” Murata’s

“Convenience Store Woman,” Kuzki’s “Soul Lanterns,” and Kawakami’s “Strange Weather in Tokyo,” “The Ten Loves of Mr. Nishino” and “People from my Neighborhood.”

“I am currently reading ‘Before the Coffee Gets Cold’ by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and next in line will be ‘All the Lovers in the Night’ by Mieko Kawakami, which is a new online order and gift of Yael [Yuzon] to me,” she added.

If you want a new hobby or new books to read, these recommendations by Karylle may be the breather that you need.

Brad Pitt on his Visits to Japan: ‘I Have this Sense of Freedom Here’

WORDS BY FLORENDA CORPUZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY DIN EUGENIO

Aspart of the press event for the film, the 58-yearold actor together with co-star Aaron TaylorJohnson, director David Leitch and producer Kelly McCormick visited the Kōyasan Tokyo Betsuin Temple last Aug. 22 to take part in a Buddhist ritual to get rid of bad luck and pray for the success of their movie.

“It was an extraordinary experience,” he told the press after the ceremony.

Pitt stars as Ladybug in the film, a

seasoned but unlucky assassin who was ordered to board a high-speed train from Tokyo to Kyoto, steal a briefcase, and get off. The movie is based on the 2010 international bestseller “Maria Beetle” by Kotaro Isaka.

The Oscar winner said, referring to his role and the ritual, “We thought it would be a fun thing to do. Ladybug thinks he has bad luck, and he is coming to terms to that in the film. But I was really moved in there. It was so beautiful.

“The temple itself is so beautiful. The

monks themselves were beautiful. I almost got teary. I was really moved by it. So I really thank you for the experience and it’s one that I will not forget.”

This is the Hollywood A-lister’s 14th visit to the country, the first time in about three years.

“This is just one more example for me of just how beautiful it is here, how beautiful the culture is. Every time I come here, it’s so warm and loving, and I just have this sense of freedom here. So thank you, domo arigato,” he gushed.

TOKYO – Brad Pitt was in town to promote his action comedy thriller film “Bullet Train,” which is currently being shown in Japanese cinemas nationwide.

WUBS: Philippines’ Ateneo

Blue Eagles Aim to Find Their Weakness in Japan Stint

WORDS & INTERVIEW BY FLORENDA CORPUZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY DIN EUGENIO

TOKYO – Fans, supporters and players of the Ateneo Blue Eagles were on a high after the men’s basketball team won the first World University Basketball Series (WUBS) championship after beating Tokai University of Japan, 68-59 in the final game held at the Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium last Aug. 11, while also defeating Taiwan’s National Chengchi University and Indonesia’s Universitas Pelita Harapan during the three-day competition.

But for team captain BJ Andrade and head coach Tab Baldwin, determining their flaws is just as important as winning the games in this inaugural tourney.

“It’s a great honor to represent the Philippines and our school so I hope we did a good job,” Andrade told FilipinoJapanese Journal (FJJ) in an exclusive interview.

“Ang focus namin is ‘yung team namin kung paano kami magre-react sa mga strategies nila [opponents], ang focus namin is ‘yung development namin as a team.

“Kaya kami pumupunta sa mga liga na ganito ay para makita ‘yung mga weaknesses namin para pag-uwi namin sa Pilipinas, doon namin siya ipo-polish,” said the Ateneo veteran who is open to joining Japan’s B. League given the chance.

Baldwin echoed the same stance.

“We hope to identify weaknesses more than anything else. We want to see what we are not doing well,” he said.

“This is just part of the process of evaluation of our team. It is very important that we understand what our weaknesses are, but it’s also important we win games.

“We didn’t come over here to enjoy Japan. It’s a beautiful country, we love

it. But we came over here to get some hardware and make our university and our fans proud.”

Meanwhile, Kainoa “Kai” Ballungay’s efforts did not go unnoticed as he was named MVP of the first-ever WUBS.

“I’d like to thank my teammates, I’m nothing without them. They put me in a lot of good positions to shoot the ball,” the 6-foot-7 forward told FJJ.

“It feels great. Throughout the tournament, we faced a lot of adversities, and that’s something that this team needs just being that we’re a new team,” he commented on their victory. “We want to use this experience to build on where we want to go.”

TOKYO – Philippine Airlines (PAL), Asia’s first airline and the country’s only 4-star flag carrier, has collaborated with Akasaka Excel Tokyu Hotel and the Department of Tourism (DOT) to boost the promotion of Philippine cuisine in Japan.

Akasaka Excel Hotel Tokyu’s “Gourmand Buffet Pacific Cuisine,” PAL, together with the DOT, beefs up the Filipino food experience for diners in the Land of the Rising Sun.

A variety of Pacific cuisine including the hotel chefs’ version of Filipino favorites—adobo, pancit, maja blanca and taho can be sampled at the Akasaka Square Dining, which is the main restaurant for both hotel

guests and visitors, until Sept. 30.

Philippine Airlines Boosts Promotion of Filipino Food in Japan Through

“This is a good opportunity to inform the Japanese people about Filipino cuisine,” said Tomoyuki Nagao, PAL Country Manager for Japan.

“We hope that when diners come here to enjoy Filipino food, they will visit the Philippines via PAL,” he added.

For more information, please visit this website: https://www. tokyuhotels.co.jp/akasaka-e/restaurant/plan/89719/index.html

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS BY FLORENDA CORPUZ

From left: PAL Executive Secretary to Country Manager-Japan Keiko Fukuda Matsumura, Akasaka Excel Tokyu Sales Chief Noriko Sato, Marketing Chief Yoko Serizawa, Chef Masato Uemura, Executive Chef Masato Morita, PAL Country Manager for Japan Tomoyuki Nagao and Assistant Manager (Administration-Japan) Kazuyuki Saito

Halo-halo ingredients courtesy of Philippine Embassy - Trade and Investment Section

Commercial Counsellor Maria Bernardita Mathay. The popular Filipino dessert will be served on the last day of the pacific fare.

Adobo

Maja Blanca

Pancit

Taho

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