Jeepney Press / Irene Kaneko

UTAWIT: The 15-Year Journey

UTAWIT (Uta and Awit) is a national singing competition among the genuinely talented Filipinos and Japanese in Japan. However, UTAWIT is not just an ordinary singing contest that showcases the talent of singers as they render their chosen pieces. What makes UTAWIT uniquely different from contests of the same nature organized by Filipinos is the scale of production and the passion that the organizers have invested to ensure that the objectives have been achieved and the excellent quality of each production was beyond compare.

As UTAWIT closes its final curtain and makes history after 15 years, I take pride on the achievements and take pleasure in thanking everyone who has been a part of this noble endeavor.

In my capacity as Chairman, I am filled with gratitude for having been richly blessed with experience during the journey of UTAWIT.

Journey of humble beginnings

What has started 15 years ago as a simple idea from three groups: Jeepney Press, Samahang Pilipino and Teatro Kanto supported by the Philippine Embassy thru the Philippine Overseas Labor Office evolved into a symbol of unity and cooperation between the peoples of 2 nations with distinct culture. The past 15 years have witnessed the growth of UTAWIT from infancy when only Filipino migrants were able to participate using only Original Pilipino Music and auditions were limited only to Kanto. Eventually, Japanese nationals were allowed to join and Japanese songs were included in the repertoire of contestants. Significantly, UTAWIT has reached the national level with regional qualifying rounds held in several prefectures from Hokkaido to Kyushu through the help of Filipino groups in the local areas.

Journey with noble objectives

Through the years, UTAWIT remained faithful to its mission of recognizing and promoting Filipinos as mainstream performers in Japan, enriching cultural appreciation among Japanese and Filipinos, and generating resources for developmental activities of the organization. These goals served as light posts that kept the organizers motivated, humble and united in purpose.

Journey beyond borders

It was actually a journey that transcended borders of nationality, culture and language. Filipinos and Japanese from different prefectures in Japan converged and competed in the spirit of true friendship and camaraderie. Starting as competitors vying for the grand prize to be proclaimed as champion, the contestants forged friendships from Day 1 during the technical rehearsals and during Day 2 while at the dressing rooms or even on stage. Language barrier was overcome bearing in mind the spirit of unity between Filipinos and Japanese. We witnessed how Filipinos embraced Japanese music through their rendition of Japanese songs. Not to be outdone, Japanese with their soulful delivery of OPM proved that music is the universal language of the heart.

Journey towards excellence

Whether regional qualifying rounds or the grand finals, each UTAWIT production demanded time and attention to details, trivial or significant. The theme for each year was carefully conceptualized, planned and executed to present only the best performers matched with excellent production from the choice of venue to stage design and technical arrangements as well as souvenir program. After each of the annual grand finals, we woke up the following morning with an exhilarating sense of fulfillment and satisfaction while reflecting on the fruits of our labor.

One of the fruits of UTAWIT in a personal capacity is having been recognized for my contribution and service to our kababayans as the UTAWIT Chairman. Thru the recommendation of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, I was endowed with the Filipina Women’s Network Global 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World Award in October 2015 at San Francisco, California, U.S.A.

Journey imbued with social responsibility

One of the driving forces to pursue despite the challenges the organizers faced was the desire to help the poor but deserving children in the Philippines. UTAWIT, in its initial stages, provided support to the Classroom Galing sa Mamamayang Pilipino Abroad and later to Gawad Kalinga Sibol Child and Youth Development Program that provided assistance to the basic education to marginalized children in the Philippines.

Journey of love and heroism

Blessed with highly qualified and passionate members of the organizing committee, the challenges and the pains have been overcome with love for music and service. The sleepless nights were worth the excitement and the fulfillment that each UTAWIT Grand Finals brought. The selfless giving of time, talent and resources of the organizing committee members of each Regional Qualifying Round and culminating on the Grand Finals was highly commendable, enough to persevere and look forward to another year.

The definition of journey is movement with direction. And this is what UTAWIT has exemplified. UTAWIT has moved people to share their time, talent and treasure to achieve their dream. UTAWIT has moved in different places to promote what it believed in that is, music is a universal language without borders. UTAWIT gathered people and transcended limitations and challenges to bring the Filipinos and Japanese together in solidarity of purpose and mission.

To all of you who have been part of this wonderful journey of UTAWIT for 15 years, thank you very much for all the love and support. Doumo arigatou gozaimasu.

Irene Kaneko