Nagoya International Center Annex Hall
The 35th Philippine
Festival in Nagoya, organized by the Chubu Philippine Friendship Association
(CPFA)
Last May 26, 2019 CPFA,
along with members of the international community of Nagoya, celebrated the 35th Philippine
Festival at the Nagoya International Center Annex Hall. The day was filled with
games, entertainment and information sharing.
A highlight of the 35th year
celebrations was the giving of certificates of recognition to the current and
former presidents of CPFA. Ms. Abigail B. Capitin-Principe, is the current
president, and a message of thanks was given by Professor Akira Yamauchi. Those
who were there to receive the certificate were, Ms. Mellienor Sahara, Mr.
Mitsumasa Hyodo, and Ms. Melanie Kojima. Former presidents that were recognized
were Ms. Myrna Mendoza, Ms. Elizabeth Kan and Ms. Marita Castaneda.
Mrs. Linda Taki, CPFA
Chairman, presented the certificates.
Messages of
congratulations came from the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in
Tokyo, represented by Minister Eduardo M.R. Menez, from the City of Nagoya,
represented by Vice Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa, and from the Aichi Prefectural
Government, represented by Director Masato Kawamura., from Aichi International
Association, Director Masanori Banno, from Nagoya international Center,
Chairman Takashi Iwata and from CPFA President Abigail
Capitin-Principe.
The event also included
iTalks, which the CPFA has integrated in its program for the past few years.
iTalks is a lecture/seminar/discussion event, where guests are invited to speak
about their field of expertise, and the audience are encouraged to ask
questions. This year’s guests included Ms. Maria Leona D. Nepomuceno, Tourism
Attaché and Director for West Japan for the Philippine Department of Tourism
(DOT), she talked about the new website and hashtag used the DOT to encourage
Philippine Tourism. Another guest is Atty. Eloisa D. Bayani, who introduced her
website, JobsConnect Manpower, she also gave information about getting a job in
Japan. And the third guest is Mr. Jitsuya Sano, a regular participant at the
CPFA events, he talked about what he does at Sano Office, which is mostly
helping Filipinos and other foreigners with their visa issues. All in all, it
was a very informative event, in which the audience themselves also participated.
Of course a Festival
will not be complete without festivities. This year we were entertained with
the music of Ms. Mayumi, who is the Tebasaki Ambassador for the upcoming
Tebasaki Summit, happening on June 7, 8 and 9 at Angel Park Sakae. Ms. Yolanda
Kobayashi and Mr. Ichiro Honda also graces us with their musical talent.
The event culminated
with a Grand Raffle Draw, with the grand prize being a round-trip business
class ticket from Nagoya to Manila, courtesy of Philippine Airlines, and a
round-trip ticket Nagoya to Manila courtesy of Cebu Pacific Air. Other sponsors
who supported the raffle were Nagoya Hilton, Marriot Hotel, Ana Grand Court
Hotel, Irago Hotel and Resort and Outback Steakhouse. IPS, The Earth,
