Embassy Press Release Philippine Embassy and FilCom Tokyo Celebrate 116th PH Independence Day With National Day Reception and “Yolanda” Thanksgiving Concert Featuring The Philippine Embassy in Japan, in The REO Brothers “Beatles of the Philippines” cooperation with the Philippine Assistance Group (PAG) representing the Filipino community, celebrated on 14 June 2014 the 116th anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence with a National Day Reception and the “Damo Nga Salamat” thanksgiving concert in Arakawa, Tokyo to express appreciation to the Filipinos and Japanese who helped the victims of last year’s typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
The concert featured the REO Brothers (photo above) – known as the “Beatles of the Philippines” – a band consisting of four brothers from Tacloban City. Also appearing at the concert were the Filcom Chorale and Japan-based artists Ms. Sayaka Akimoto, a young Japanese-Filipino actress who was
formerly a member of the J-Pop idol group AKB48, and jazz singer Charito.
faith in their talent, the brothers left Tacloban with members of their family to try their luck in Manila. They requested a bus company to allow them to ride a bus, with the promise of payment after arrival. Subsisting on biscuits and candies, they made it to the capital after two days, where they lived in a small rented apartment of a sibling.
They captured the hearts of admiring audiences in the ABS-CBN Christmas TV Special at the Araneta Coliseum last December and in the Pinoy Relief Benefit Concert in Madison Garden, New York City last March, where they shared the stage with world-class Filipino artists.
In the “Damo Nga Salamat” Concert in In Manila, they Tokyo, they wowed an In his message to the impressed many with audience of more than audience before the their raw musical talent. 400 who came not just start of the concert, from Tokyo Philippine Ambassador Their rendibut from to Japan Manuel M. tions in other parts of Lopez said the story of Japan. From the REO Brothers is one various perforthe moment of inspiration, proving mances they began that despite the their first tragedies and adversities of the music of song, they in the life of Leyteneos, the had the there is always hope. Beatles, audience Aged 17 to 24, Reno, Beachboys, Dave Clark 5, cheering and singing as Ron Joseph, Raymart Bee Gees, Gary Lewis they effortlessly sang and Ralph Evasco Otic and other well-known Beatles hits such as “A were left homeless by bands of the 50s, 60s Hard Day’s Night,”“All My Yolanda. With only the and 70s generated Loving,”“I Want to Hold clothes on their back, crowds and drew Your Hand,”“Here Comes the guitars they saved enthusiastic reception. the Sun,”“Twist and from the typhoon, and
Shout” as well as various medleys. The vibrancy of the REO Brothers performance moved the audience to dance along with the music. Many in the audience were amazed that the four young men were able to produce instrumentation and vocal harmonies worthy of more seasoned performers. Representing different musical genres, the other performers at the thanksgiving concert were likewise widely applauded. Charito, Chairperson of the Tokyo Manila Jazz and
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80 Japanese Iron Chefs Cook Up Feast in Charity Dinner for Haiyan Victims
The Ryori Volunteer no Kai (Food Volunteer Group), a non-profit association of top chefs in Tokyo, Japan, organized a charity dinner on 24 February 2014 for the benefit of Typhoon Haiyan victims in the Philippines. Entitled “Pray for the Philippines”, the charity dinner was held at the
Filipino dishes such as kaldereta and lumpia were served, while some chefs incorporated Over 500 guests paid tickets to enjoy a buffet Philippine touches through the use of feast prepared by 80 head chefs and assistant Philippine flavoring or chefs from eleven 5-star fruits. hotels and top The Ryori Volunteer no restaurants and Kai was established patisseries in Tokyo who crafted sumptuous after the Niigata earthquake of October Japanese, French and 2004 to bring cheer to Asian dishes. A few prestigious Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.
disaster victims through delicious food. The chefs go to various disaster affected areas to serve their specialties and conduct cooking classes, providing much-needed moral support to those affected by calamities. The Group also organized a number of charity luncheons and dinners in Tokyo after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake for the benefit of earthquake victims. The “Pray for the Philippines” charity dinner started with a minute of silence in memory of those who perished in the super typhoon. Chef Katsuhiro Nakamura, representative of the Ryori Volunteer no Kai,
thanked the 80 chefs who participated in the charity dinner. He said all the chefs wanted to support Haiyan victims through what they do best. Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel M. Lopez conveyed the heartfelt appreciation of the Filipinos to Chef Nakamura and the rest of the chefs for their humanitarian project noting that this gastronomical event takes place in Tokyo which is known as a center of culinary excellence along with Paris as the cities with the most Michelin-star rated restaurants. Amb. Lopez invited the guests to continue praying for the Philippines as the country rebuilds the devastated areas. Proceeds from the charity dinner will be donated to the Philippine government through the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo.
Arts Festival, impressed many with her deep, soulful voice while the Filcom Chorale gave a spirited performance of classical Filipino music. Japanese-Filipino actress Sayaka Akimoto, who sang the popular Cebuano song “Matud Nila” touched the heart of kababayans when she expressed pride in her Philippine heritage. Her mother is a Cebuana. Ms. Sayaka added that she would like to help and promote the Philippines in some way in the future. Following the concert, Ambassador Lopez hosted the National Day
Filipino Community in Ryukyu Islands (FILCOMRI) Celebrates 116th Philippine Independence Day 28 June 2014, Okinawa – Mr. Gilberto Asuque, Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, and Madame Asako Alarcon, Philippine Honorary Consul General in Okinawa, acknowledge the toast and remarks by Amb. Toshihisa Takata, Ambassador in Charge of Okinawa Affairs, at the celebration of the 116th Philippine Independence Day organized by the Filipino Community in Ryukyu Islands (FILCOMRI). The celebration was held at the Butler Officers’
Club and attended by members of FILCOMRI and their Okinawan guests. In his remarks, Amb. Takata noted the vibrant relations of Japan and the Philippines and the strategic partnership of the two countries in maintaining regional peace and stability as he expressed the best wishes of Japan for the continued peace and progress of the Philippines. CDA Asuque, for his part, conveyed the greetings of H.E. President Aquino to the Filipinos in Okinawa and the thanks of the Filipinos for the
assistance of Japan for the victims of Typhoon“Yolanda”in Leyte and Samar. CDA Asuque also acknowledged the assistance of US soldiers who flew to the typhoon hit areas from their US base in Okinawa as among the first responders along with Self Defense Forces of Japan. The Philippine Independence Day celebration was organized with the valuable assistance of Consul General Alarcon and her husband Dr. Alfonso Alarcon, and Dr. David Itokazu, President of FILCOMRI.
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Reception at the Sun Pearl Arakawa attended by some 300 invited guests among them the ASEAN Diplomatic Corps, Japanese parliamentarians, Foreign Ministry officials, Japanese businessmen and leaders of the Filipino organizations. The Honorable Nobuteru Ishihara, Minister of the Environment, conveyed the greetings of the Japanese Government on the 116th Philippine Independence Day and offered a toast for the further enhancement of Philippines-Japan relations.
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