(Released June 22, 2009)
by A. Principe
The recently concluded 25th International Philippine Festival held in the Nagoya International Center, was quite successful. One of the main activities was the Consular Services, held at the 4th floor. Consul Anne Hernandez along with personnel from the Philippine Consul-General in Osaka, went to Nagoya to conduct the Consular Services, in collaboration with the event organized by the Chubu Philippine Friendship Association. There were at least 300 people, around 200 of these were there to renew their passports. Passport renewal was the main purpose of the Consular Service this year, because of the new rule issued by the Philippine Government, that all Filipinos wishing to renew their passports must appear in person in the Consular Office in Osaka. This is because of the fact that the new Philippine passports are now equipped with a microchip, and requires fingerprinting for identification. The Consular Service held in Nagoya, in collaboration with the International Philippine Festival, was able to help many Filipinos needing to renew their passports, without having to go to Osaka.
Other main events during the Festival was the Opening Ceremony, headed by Mrs. Linda Taki (CPFA Chairman) and Ms. Marita Castaneda (CPFA President), followed by the giving of awards to people and institutions that have been helping CPFA throughout the years. The speeches given during the Opening Ceremony were inspiring. Ambassador Domingo L. Siazon, Jr. made special mention of CPFA Chairman, Mrs. Linda Taki's numerous contributions to the Filipino community in Nagoya and nearby areas. He mentioned that he has been observing Linda and her works, since from the start, almost 25 years ago, and he has seen her progress and the progress of CPFA. He was impressed with everything she and her organization have achieved achieved.
The awarding ceremony was also very informative because many people who were otherwise in the background throughout the years, were recognized and given thanks. This is a very important part of the 25th Anniversary celebration.
The entertainement part of the program was also both exciting and informative, with organizations and performances. A portion was dedicated showing the evolution of CPFA through the years, this was presented by CPFA President, Ms. Marita Castaneda. There was a jazz orchestra, Philippine dances, Japanese dances, singing and a dance party. Organizations like ICAN, RASA and many more, presented their groups and talked about what they do to help Filipinos in Japan and in the Philippines.
The whole event kept to the theme, blending of cultures, with Japanese and Philippine songs and dances. The participants were also a mix of Japanese and Filipinos, and both enjoyed the many activities, the dancing and the raffle draw.
It should also be noted that the participating volunteers, both Filipinos and Japanese, were very helpful and without them, the event would not have succeeded. This is also part of CPFA's goal, that of fostering the spirit of volunteerism in all its projects. For 25 years, CPFA made the International Philippine Festival possible with the help of the many volunteers, and hopefully their spirit of volunteerism will continue even in the years to come.
This year's event was truly exciting and memorable, befitting 25 years of the Chubu Philippne Friendship Association's service to the Filipinos and, in some cases, also to the Japanese, in Nagoya.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Press Release for the 25th "Philippine Festival sa Nagoya" May 31, 2009
CPFA 25th Year in Nagoya
The Chubu Philippine Friendship Association is celebrating its 25th Anniversary. It has been a long, yet fruitful experience encompassing the whole rollercoaster range of emotions. The Chubu Philippine Friendship Association first started out, in 1981, as the Association for Intermarried Couples in Nagoya, and because of the range of services it offered to the Filipino community, not only in Nagoya, but in the Chubu Area as well, the name was eventually changed to the Chubu Philippine Friendship Association (CPFA) in 1984.
Every year the CPFA celebrates the mixing of Japanese and Philippine cultures by organizing the Philippine International Festival in Nagoya. And now, this festival is also entering its 25th year, and this year's theme: Pagsanib ng Kultura (A Blending of Cultures) highlights the organizations focus on helping both Filipinos and Japanese alike. This year, like every year before, the event will take place in the Nagoya International Center (NIC). But this time, in honor of 25 years of service to the Filipino community in the Chubu Area, the program will highlight the different Filipino groups based in and around the Chubu Area. There will also be various activites like the food bazaar, small shops, and booths offering different services to Filipinos living in Japan. Everyone is invited to join the festivities, specially now, since, in honor of the 25th Anniversary, the tickets will be sold at the very affordable price of 1,500yen. The ticket will allow the bearer to participate in all the festival activies from morning til evening. It includes a 500yen food stub, and a chance to join the raffle, which will be drawn throughout the festival. The grand prize will be a round trip ticket to the Philippines!
The CPFA Chairperson Mrs. Linda Taki, quite known for her volunteer works in Nagoya, and CPFA President Ms. Marita Castaneda, a well-known business woman, will personally oversee the event. For ticket sales and other inquiries please contact the CPFA office: tel/fax 0528340614 , mobile 09012305298. Or Ms. Marita Castaneda 09015622499.
Magsama-sama tayong ipagdiwang ang ika-25 Anibesaryo ng Chubu Philippine Friendship Association.
A little background about CPFA
CPFA started with Fr. Nishimoto, in 1981, in the Logos Center of the Nanzan University Campus. It was originally called Association of Philippine Intermarried couples, and was changed to Chubu Philippne Friendship Association (CPFA) in June 24, 1984. The name change came about so that students and professionals could also be members of the group. The original purpose was to gather the housewives so that they will not be alone, and will have a group to support them in their life in Japan. These housewives were married to Japanese husbands, and this was also a venue in which they could get together and talk about their lives and concerns. And this was also a venue where they could interact with the Japanese people around them. There was also very few support groups for Filipinos at the time, and we started helping Filipinos who were in trouble, or needed information. Along with the change of name, the CPFA started doing volunteer work in a wider sense. We started helping in terms of translation, getting in touch with necessary offices for help, we also started introducing the Philippines to the different ward offices. This even included cooking Filipino food and showing Philippine dance, the most popular of which was the Tinikling. Many Filipinos helped in these activites, and it was a very busy time for CPFA. CPFA also organizes the Philippine Festival in Nagoya every year, last year was our 25th Festival, and it was quite a celebration.
- Linda Taki, CPFA Chairman (Jeepney Press Interview, January 2010)
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