Philippine Fiesta Celebration at Waseda University
Some of the guests arrived early to get front seats at the program venue.
10 July 2019, Tokyo. The festive mood of a Philippine fiesta engulfed the usually staid Waseda University when more than a hundred students and university personnel gathered to celebrate the Philippines at this year’s Intercultural Communication Center (ICC) Country Festival.
The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo kicked off the celebration by inviting the crowd to visit the Philippines and experience the unique brand of Filipino hospitality. In its presentation, Tokyo PE highlighted the country’s splendor as an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands complete with pristine beaches, exotic wildlife, rain forests, UNESCO World Heritage sites and friendly people who treat visitors as family. Through a video presentation, Tokyo PE took the audience to some of the country’s world-renowned destinations such as Bohol, Cebu, Siargao, Boracay and Palawan, with the last two islands consistently voted as among the world’s best by Conde Nast Traveler.
Tokyo PE’s presentation was followed by an interactive session on Filipino languages, customs, beliefs, superstitions and traditional games. The program ended with students from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies performing a suite of dances which celebrated the mountain people of Northern Luzon, the Filipino’s love of fiestas, and adoration of Christmas. Guests were then invited to sample Filipino sweets and desserts.
Students performing an Igorot dance.
Dancers in their colorful terno.
The celebration was a joint project of the ICC and the Filipino Students Association of Waseda University. The ICC was established in 2006 to strengthen the university’s intercultural community while enriching the experience of the entire student body and community. It facilitates and supports dialogues and events on issues of diversity among students, staff and faculty.
Waseda University is widely considered to be the most international private educational institution in Japan and has had academic collaboration with leading Philippine universities beginning 45 years ago.
First Secretary and Consul Charmaine A. Serna-Chua joins The Association of Filipino
Students in Japan in their booth at the festival.
Guests lining up at the food booth.
