Filipino and Japanese Youth Musical Groups Hightlight 70th Year of PH-JP Friendship in Heritage Concert in Tokyo
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano delivers her remarks during the “Pamana: Songs of Cultural Heritage, Bridges of Friendship” concert, with the concert interpreter providing Japanese interpretation.
TOKYO, 08 June 2026 – In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Philippines-Japan Friendship and National Heritage Month in the Philippines, the Mountain View College Academy (MVCA) Chamber Singers, and the Japan Adventist Academy (JAA) Bell Choir and Brass Band, with the support from the Philippine Embassy in Japan, staged a concert entitled “Pamana: Songs of Cultural Heritage, Bridges of Friendship” on 25 May 2026 at Square Ebara in Shinagawa, Tokyo.
“True to its title ‘Pamana’, which means heritage in Filipino, the concert is a fitting celebration of National Heritage Month in the Philippines. It showcases our country’s rich culture, traditions and values through well-loved Filipino songs, beautifully rendered by the MVCA Chamber Singers and Teenaires. It also highlights the equally rich culture of our host country, Japan, through its own musical heritage, with some of Japan’s most beloved songs delightfully performed today by the JAA Choir, Brass Band and Hand Bell Choir,” stated Philippine Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano in her remarks during the concert.
The Mountain View College Academy (MVCA) Chamber Singers and Teenaires with their renditions of well-loved Filipino songs during the “Pamana: Songs of Cultural Heritage, Bridges of Friendship” concert.
The Mountain View College Academy (MVCA) Chamber Singers and Teenaires with their renditions of well-loved Filipino songs during the “Pamana: Songs of Cultural Heritage, Bridges of Friendship” concert.
Ambassador Garcia-Albano further expressed hope that the musical event would further strengthen the people-to-people ties between the Philippines and Japan, and reinforce the enduring bonds of friendship, as both countries look forward to many more years of partnership, collaboration and cultural exchanges, especially in celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Normalization of Philippines-Japan Diplomatic Relations this year.
The MVCA Chamber Singers and Teenaires sang original Filipino music including “Rosas Pandan”, Isang Mundo, Isang Awit” and “Da Coconut Nut” to the audience’s delight, while the JAA Choir, Brass Band and Hand Bell Choir serenaded the concertgoers with Japanese cultural music and gospel songs.
The Japan Adventist Academy Hand Bell Choir during their performance at the “Pamana: Songs of Cultural Heritage, Bridges of Friendship” concert.
The Japan Adventist Academy Brass Band during their performance at the “Pamana: Songs of Cultural Heritage, Bridges of Friendship” concert.
The Mountain View College Academy (MVCA) Chamber Singers and Teenaires with the Japan Adventist Academy Choir during their joint performance at the “Pamana: Songs of Cultural Heritage, Bridges of Friendship” concert.
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano (4th from left) with Dr. Liel Gem Villaver Pondara, Principal of the Mountain View College Academy (3rd from left); Mr. Shiro Onoue, Principal of the Japan Adventist Academy (5th from right); Ms. Sheryl Talaogon (4th from right); and other Filipino Community organizers and volunteers during the “Pamana: Songs of Cultural Heritage, Bridges of Friendship” concert.
The event was attended by members of the Filipino Community and local public, as well as spouses of the foreign defense and armed forces corps in Japan.
“Pamana: Songs of Cultural Heritage, Bridges of Friendship” was organized by the Filipino Community led by Ms. Sheryl Talaogon, in partnership with MVCA and JAA.
