Mga Nagwagi sa ika-18 Short Shorts Film Festival and Asia

Ang taunang Short Shorts Film Festival and Asia (SSFF & ASIA) na nasa ika-18 taon na ng kanyang pamamayagpag ngayong 2016 ay ginanap mula June 2 – June 26 sa iba’t-ibang lokasyon tulad ng Shibuya, Omotesando, Futako Tamagawa at Yokohama. Ipinalabas ang halos 200 short films mula sa iba’t-ibang panig ng mundo na sinala at maingat na pinili mula sa halos 6,000 entries. 

Ang Pagsisimula

Ang SSFF & ASIA ay pinasimulan ng aktor na si Tetsuya Bessho noong 1999 sa Harajuku kung saan ipinalabas ang 6 na short films ni George Lucas, ang gumawa at nagpasikat ng pelikulang Star Wars. Layunin ni Bessho na ipakilala ang short film bilang isang yumayamang porma ng pagkukuwento at pagpapalabas na noon ay hindi pa gaanong kilala ng mga manunuod sa Japan. 

Simula 2004, kinilala ang SSFF & ASIA ng Academy Awards bilang accredited festival. Dahil sa pagkilalang ito, maaaring maging nominado ang nanalo ng Grand Prix Award sa isa sa mga short film categories ng Academy Awards. Ang SSFF & ASIA lamang ang tanging festival sa Japan na nakatanggap ng ganitong prestihiyosong pagkilala at pakikipagkolaborasyon. Sa taong ito, naiuwi ni Reza Fahimi ang Grand Prix Award para sa pelikulang “Clound Children.” 

Ang mga Nagwagi

Ang competition ay binubuo ng iba’t-ibang kategorya tulad ng Official Competition na nahahati sa International, Asia International at Japan; Save the Earth! Competition; CG Animation; Music Shorts; at Music Video. 

Sa International Competition, nanalo si Lotfi Achour ng Best Short Award para sa pelikulang “Father” at Audience Award naman ang napunta sa “Catching Fireflies” na ginawa ni Lee Whittaker. Si Mailesan Rangaswamy na gumawa ng “Bicycle” ang nagwagi ng Audience Award sa Asia International Competition at Best Short Award naman ang naiuwi ni Reza Fahimi para sa “Cloud Children.” Sa Japan Competition, nanalo si Tsukasa Kishimoto ng Japan Competition Best Short Award/ Governor of Tokyo Award para sa “Kerama Blue.” Nanalo naman ng Audience Award si Yuki Sato para sa “Gotham Jumble Parfait.”

Nagsimula noong 2008 ang Save the Earth! Competition sa ilalim ng titulong “STOP! Global Warming Competition” sa pakikipagtulungan ng SSFF & ASIA sa Team-6%, isang programa na inilunsad ng Japanese Ministry of Environment upang higit na palaganapin ang impormasyon tungkol sa pagtitipid ng enerhiya. Noong 2013, pinalitan ang dating pangalan ng kategorya at mas pinalawak ang mga isyung sakop ng paligsahan. Hindi na lamang ito nakasentro sa Global Warming kung hindi pati na rin sa ibang isyung pangkalikasan na napapanahon at marapat talakayin. Sa loob ng nakalipas na 8 taon, nakapagpalabas na ng 84 na shorts sa ilalim ng kategoryang ito. Sa taong ito, nanalo si Marlene Van der Werf na gumawa ng “Once Upon a Tree” ng Save the Earth! Competition Best Short Award samantalang J-Wave Award naman ang naiuwi ni Emily Driscoll para sa pelikulang “Brilliant Darkness: Hotaru in the Night.” 

        Ang CG Animation Competition naman ay unang inilunsand noong 2012 sa pakikipagutlungan ng SSFF & Asia sa Digital Hollywood, isang kilalang IT university sa US sa larangan ng CG animation. Sa taong ito, napanalunan ni Jossie Malis ng “Bendito Machine V – Pull the Trigger” ang CG Animation Competition Best Short Award. 

        Para sa Music Shorts, nanalo ng UULA Award ang video ni Iori Fujiwara na pinamagatang “Shiori” kung saan inawit ni Tomoko Tane ang “Waratte te.”Cinematic Award naman ang naiuwi ni Santa Yamagishi na gumawa ng “Ikite Yuku Full Ver.” na kinatatampukan ng KANA-BOON na umawit ng Ikite Yuku.

Mga Natatanging Pelikula 

Ilang sa mga natatanging pelkikula ay ang “The Audition” ni Martin Scorsese na kitatampukan nina Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt at Robert Deniro na nagkukuwento ng pagbubukas ng isang magarbong casino sa Macau. Ang “Ellis” naman na ginawa ni JR at kinatatampukan ni Robert De Niro ay nagkukuwento ng malulungkot na alaala ng isang migrante sa US. Isa rin sa mga naging highlight ng festival ay ang pagpapalabas ng mga pelikulang ginawa ni Takumi Saito, isang sikat na artista na ngayon ay sumabak na rin sa directing. Nagsimula siyang mag-direk ng pelikula noong 2012. Isa sa mga natatangi nyang gawa ay ang “Half & Half” na na-nominate sa International Emmy Awards noong nakaraang taon sa ilalim ng Digital Program: Fiction Category. 

Iba pang Pakulo

Simula ngayong taon, pumili rin ang jury ng limang filmmakers sa Short Film & Tokyo Project upang gumawa ng shorts tungkol sa Tokyo bilang promotion para sa nalalapit na 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. 

***Published in the July 2016 issue of Pinoy Gazette

Cafes in Tokyo: Good Morning Cafe

This cafe situated only nine minutes away from Waseda Station is a small cozy cafe that is suitable for having coffee with friends or eating out with the family. It has a wide selection of beverages from coffee to alcohol, offers meals too like pasta and has tasty pastries like waffles and pancakes. 

Thumbs up: It has a large window though that allows you to people watch when you are bored working on your computer or if you just want to watch the rain fall as you construct a poetic sentence in your mind. 

Thumps down: While it is also a good place to work with your computer, there are limited power plugs around the place. There are a few under the counter seats but the high chairs are not that comfy when you are planning to stay and work for a couple of hours in the cafe. 

Recommendations: Try the blueberry waffle! It is perfect with a cup coffee on a rainy day. 

Louis Vuitton: Flying from Paris to Japan

Article was originally published in the May issue of the Filipino-Japanese Journal.

            Louis Vuitton was founded on the the principles of French style, rooted not only in recognizing the beauty of an object but also taking into careful consideration its functionality as well as mobility. Louis Vuitton’s “Volez, Voguez, Voyagez”, curated by Olivier Saillard, tells the journey of the brand from manufacturing travel trunks from 1854 until today through the display of its most noteworthy pieces.

From Trunks to Something Else

            The exhibit is composed of ten parts featuring different milestones in the brand’s manufacturing and design history. A large painting of Louis Vuitton, founding father of the brand, welcomes the visitors at the entrance of the exhibit.   

            The Trunk of 1906. The first part displays different trunks – flat trunks, cabin trunks, car trunks and aero trunks – that made the brand one of the most sought-after travel bag makers of all time. Each one specifically tailored according to the mode of transportation where they would be used. Though different in designs, the trunks showcase signature Louis Vuitton elements such as canvas motifs, locks, and ribbon tufting.

            Wood. Armed with knowledge of woodworking, Louis made wood one of the most important materials of his trunks. After he left his hometown, Anchay, in 1835, he was hired as a box maker-slash-packer-apprentice of Romain Marechal, whose main work involved manufacturing boxes and crates to pack different objects. After opening the company in 1854, Louis eventually perfected the flat trunk, an exemplary model of strength and lightness. Louis used poplar to assemble the inner frame, beech for reinforcement strips and camphor trees for the interior to keep pests away. This part of the exhibit shows not only carefully assembled woodwork but also one of the signature characteristics of his bags – the use of canvass. 

            Classic Trunks. After perfecting the flat trunk, the brand continued to experiment and discover new designs. This part of the exhibit shows the new types of trunks that the brand invented such as wardrobe trunks, mail trunks, hat trunks, low and high trunks, and the double-top trunks that were born out of the growing needs of the clientele. Louis Vuitton then became known as a brand that “safely packs the most fragile things” without losing a sense of fashion and style.

            The Invention of Travel. Louis Vuitton became part of the historical Croisiere Noire, an anthropological and technological mission exploring Algeria, Mali and Congo between 1924 and 1925. The head of mission, Andre Citrogen, specifically ordered Louis Vuitton trunks that would fit the circumstances of the travel such as different climates and modes of transportation as well as the daily necessities of the group such as toiletries and tea sets. This section shows the types of trunks that were used in that trip as well as others that eventually emerged when other modes of transportation such as ships became more common. Trunks were then tailored for sea travel. The rise of yachting during this period also sparked the creation of the Steamer Bag, a precursor of the modern gym bag. 

            Heures D’Absence. Gaston-Louis, grandson of Louis, enjoyed writing as well as reading books. His interest in books inspired the creation of secretary trunks, library trunks, writing desks and mobile offices that were showcased in this part of the exhibit.

            The Painting Trunk. In 1927, a prominent art dealer named Rene Gimpel, ordered a trunk that would secure his paintings as he transported them between places where he did business like Paris, London and New York. This part exhibits these oversized specialty trunks that could contain very fragile frames.

            Curio Trunks. This part features several trunks, chests and boxes of the finest kind collected by Gaston-Louis from the 1900s. A preserved version of the questionnaire he sent to those who could possibly buy an old trunk for him contained very specific inquiries about dimensions, materials and locks of trunks. 

            Beauty of Fashion. In the 1920s and 30s, Louis Vuitton’s handheld bags rose to popularity. Some of the pieces displayed were used, owned or related in some way to some famous celebrities like Greta Garbo, Katharine Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor. This part also plays videos of runway shows showcasing Louis Vuitton’s clothing line, which started in 1997 and was designed by Marc Jacobs. 

            Music Room. As Louis Vuitton became well-respected for its craft, more and more clients asked the brand to customize special bags for very own personal purposes. Some of which are displayed in this section such as trunks used to pack cigars, musical instruments like violins and guitars, conductor’s batons, and vinyl records. 

            Inspirational Japan. Japan has significantly influenced the designs of Louis Vuitton through the years. Gaston-Louis was a known collecter of tsuba, the decorated guards found at the base of the grip of a Japanese weapon like swords while his father Georges was fascinated with Japanese motifs that were said to have influenced the monogram. In this exhibition, bags with designs born through collaboration with Japanese artists lik Takashi Murakami, Yayoi Kusama, and Rei Kawakubo are displayed.

        

    From then til now, Louis Vuitton continues to fly, sail, and travel, not only as a companion to any fashionable jetsetter, but also as a brand that soars above, triumphs over and traverses the changing of the times. Louis Vuitton’s “Volez, Vougez, Voyagez” exhibition runs from April 23- June 19 in Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku. Admission is free but booking is required in advance through the event’s webpage.

Established and Emerging: A Fine Mix at the Tokyo International Art Fair 2016

Photo from the official website of the Tokyo International Art Fair 2016. Article was originally published in the June 2016 issue of the Filipino-Japanese Journal.

 

            The Tokyo International Art Fair (TIAF), organized by the Global Art Agency, welcomed more than eight thousand art collectors and enthusiasts during its two-day event at Omotesando Hills last May 13-14. The event allowed its visitors to enter the event for free and marvel on an exquisite collection of paintings, sculptures, photography art, illustrations and multimedia artworks by both established and emerging artists. The venue, Space-O Hall, was carefully designed to host 150exhibitors from 30 countries.

A Fine Mix of Art and Artists

            TIAF, now on its second year, was bigger and better not only because of the overwhelming turnout of visitors but also because of the amazing mix of big names and emerging artists who participated this year. Some of the familiar names were Thierry Guetta, more popularly known as Mr. Brainwash, who once collaborated with pop star Madonna; Shane Bowden, lovlingly referred to as “Andy Warhol on Steroids” and is famous for his silkscreen popart; and multi-awarded artist Michael Lam, who is known for his single stroke paintings and his work with UNICEF. Some artists from the Philippines, Sio Montero of Qube Gallery and Roberto Nolascoof KulayDiwa Gallery, also participated in the event.

NataleVallve, one of the organizers, described this fine mix of artists in an article posted on the TIAF official website, as a glimpse of what is happening in the contemporary art world. Vallve explained that artists from different countries embody different styles and concepts reflecting the places they came from. These represent different unique “personalities of the world.”

Filipino Art at the TIAF

            Sio Montero referred to his art as“process-oriented abstraction.” His experiements with industrial construction techniques and processes beautifully translate sights, sounds, interaction and experiences to canvas using acrylic and non-traditional media. Montera has spent more than a decade as a full-time Associate Professor for the Fine Arts Program of the University of the Philippines. He also pioneered community art development activities and projects with the help of some local organizations.

Another exhibitor was Roberto Nolasco, owner and manager of Kulay-Diwa Gallery. Kulay is a Tagalog word meaning “color” and Diwa meaning “spirit” or “thought.”The gallery showcased contemporary art from the Philippines and other Southeast Asian Countries. It’s aim is to foster a cultural interaction and exchanges among the countries in the region as well as with those on the other parts of the world.

Global Art Agency Awards

            TIAF capped its first day with a special paid event that allowed collectors a

first peek of the art works while sipping a glass of champagne. The second day closed with the awarding ceremony of the Global Art Agency Awards. August Vilella from Barcelona won first prize for the Global Art Award; second Prize went to Sezon Art Gallery from Tokyo; and third prize to Shingo420, also from Tokyo. The Facebook Competition winner was Babtiste Tavernier, who was chosen by the public on social media.The first prize for the Global Art Best Exhibitor Awards went to New York Art Gallery (Shane Bowden / Mr. Brainwash); second prize to Krystal Glam Gallery; and third prize to Chi Hang Wong. The Facebook Comptetition winner for this category went to Michael Volpicelli.

            Tokyo International Art Fair 2016 did not only provided a platform for both established and emerging artists to exhibit their works side by side but it also allowed the showcase of well-known art techniques as well as experimental styles in creating art at its finest. Interested art collectors and enthusiasts can check the details for TIAF 2017 on their website at tokyoartfair.com.

Green Day's American Idiot Musical in Manila!

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Toden Arakawa Line: Isa sa mga natitirang streetcar sa Tokyo

*Orihinal na inilathala sa May 2016 issue ng Pinoy Gazette

Ang Toden Arakawa Line ay isa sa dalawa na lamang na natitirang street car sa Tokyo. Ang isa ay ang Tokyu Setagaya Line na nagsisimula sa Sangenjaya at nagtatapos sa Shimo-Takaido. Ang Toden Arakawa Line naman ay tumatakbo mula Waseda hanggang Minowabashi, may habang 12 kilometro at tumatagal ng 50 minuto ang byahe. Mainam gamitin ang Toden Arakawa Line tuwing spring dahil marami itong nadadaanang magagandang lugar na puno ng cherry blossoms. Kung summer naman, nalilinyahan ng malalaking mga rosas ang dinadaanan ng tram mula Arakawa-nanachome hanggang Minowabashi.

           

Ilan sa mga madadaanan ng tram ay ang mga sumusunod na pasyalan:

Asukayama Park. Ang Asukayama Park ay puno ng mga cherry trees na sinasabing ipinatanim pa ng shogun na si Tokugawa Yoshimune nang unang magbukas ang park noong 1873. Pero hindi lamang “hanami” ang maaaring gawin sa loob ng park, mayroon din itong tatlong museums – Ang Kita City Asukayama Museum, ang Shibusawa Memorial Museum at ang Paper Museum. Makikita rin sa loob ng park ang dalawang lumang tren, isang tram car at isang steam locomotive train na minsang ginamit sa Japan. Maaaring bumaba sa Asukayama Station ng Toden Arakawa Line upang mapuntahan ito.

Arakawa Yuenchi. Sa halagang ¥200 sa matatanda at ¥100 sa mga bata, maaari nang makapasok sa Arakawa Yuenchi at sumakay sa iba’t ibang rides dito. Siyempre hindi mawawala ang carousel at ferris wheel. Bagama’t maliit lang at walang masyadong iikutan, mainam pumasyal dito kung gustong iwasan ang matao at magulong bahagi ng Tokyo. Tamang-tama ito sa mga pamilyang gustong mag-bonding tuwing araw ng Linggo. Sa gilid ng daan papunta rito ay makikita ang maliliit na mga lumang tindahan na nagbabalik ng mga alaala ng Showa Japan. Nagbebenta ang mga ito ng “kakigori,” choco banana at ilang mga maliliit na laruan at pagkaing pambata. Arakawa-Yuenchimae ang pinakamalapit na istasyon ng tram dito.

Sugamo. Kung ang Harajuku ay kilala bilang fashion street ng mga kabataan, kilala naman ang Sugamo na tambayan ng mga “obaachan.” “Obaachan’s Harajuku” kung tawagin nila. Makikita rito ang isang mahabang kalsada na nalilinyahan ng mga tindahang nagbebenta ng mga goods na tiyak na patok sa mga obaachan tulad ng mga tungkod, mga bag na may gulong, mga maluluwag at makukulay na damit at mga murang rain boots. Makikita rin na ibinibenta rito ang mga pulang panloob na karaniwang isinusuot ng mga obaachan bilang pampaswerte. Sa dulo ng mahabang shopping street ay makikita ang Koshinzuka Station ng Toden Arakawa Line. Sa kabilang dulo naman matatagpuan ang Sugamo Station ng JR Yamanote Line.

           

Zoshigaya Cemetery. Bagamat hindi ordinaryong pasyalan ang sementeryo, maraming dumadalaw sa Zoshigaya Cemetery hindi lang para dalawin ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay kundi para silipin na rin ang libingan ng ilang kilalang tao na nakahimlay dito. Isa na rito si Natsume Soseki, isang kilalang nobelista na nagpasikat ng mga nobelang “Kokoro,” “Botchan” at “I am a Cat.” Dati rin nakalagay sa likod ng ¥1,000 bill ang kanyang mukha bago ito palitan noong 2004. Nasa tapat lamang ng sementeryo ang Toden-Zoshigaya Station.

Minowabashi. Dito matatagpuan ang Joyful Minowa, isang mahabang shopping street kung saan tila makakabili ng kahit ano – mula sa mga murang gulay at prutas, tinapay, tsaa, at mga Japanese snacks, hanggang sa mga damit, sapatos, gamit sa bahay tulad ng mga pang-luto at plato, mga sariwang bulaklak at marami pang iba. Hindi kalayuan sa Minowa matatagpuan ang estatwa ni Yabuki Joe, ang kilalang boksingero na bumida sa manga na “Ashita no Joe” na isinulat ni Ikki Kajiwara at iginuhit ni Tetsuya Chiba. Nagkaroon din ito ng live action noong 2011 kung saan gumanap ang kilalang idol na si Yamashita Tomohisa, mas kilala sa tawag na YamaPi, bilang Joe. Mayaman din sa kasaysayan ang lugar na ito dahil dito matatagpuan ang dating execution grounds noong Edo Period na ngayon ay natabunan na ng sala-salabat na riles ng tren. Minowabashi ang huling istasyon ng Toden Arakawa Line.

Sa halagang ¥400 ay maaaring makabili ng one-day unlimited pass sa Toden Arakawa Line na magbibigay ng pagkakataon sa pasahero na bumaba sa kahit anong istasyon at tuklasin ang sulok ng downtown Tokyo na tila nagbabalik ng mga alaala ng Showa Japan.

Where to Eat in Tokyo: Cafe Chopin

Counter seats at Cafe Chopin

Cafe Chopin is a small cafe near the Tokyo Sky Tree. It is five minutes away from the station by foot. It is easy to miss the cafe even though it is along a main road because it is a small place amidst a residential area and its window blinds are often down because of the scorching sun in the afternoon. 

An piano organ on display inside the cafe

As the name suggests, it is music-themed cafe. It got it's name from (surprise!) Chopin, a Polish composer and pianist. The staff told us that the owner of the cafe is a big fan of Chopin. You can hear classical music playing when you enter the cafe. On the second floor of the same building is a music school where the owner teaches piano. The interior of the cafe is simple yet stylish. It has black and red for its theme - tables and chairs and things on display included. There is also an old piano organ on display on the far end of the room. I wonder if someone plays that sometimes. The place is kind of minimalist but even without its elaborate decorations, it is able to provide a relaxing and calm ambiance for people who are looking for a place to chill and relax, may it be in the middle of the day or in the late afternoon.

Green curry lunch set with potato salad

Though the cafe mostly offers coffee and tea, they also have a lunch menu that costs around Y1000. They have a green curry lunch set for people who would like to eat rice for lunch and a pasta set for those who would prefer otherwise. 

For those who would like to shun the crowds at the Tokyo Sky Tree, try roaming around the streets outside the station and you might surprisingly find small cafes like Cafe Chopin who could offer an alternative to the crowded cafe inside the mall. 

Fujigaya Taisuke Leads the Cast of Take Five 2

Take Five 2 is the sequel of the Take Five franchise, which ran at the Akasaka Act Theater from May 4 - 25, 2016. The first stage play was staged in 2015 with Fujigaya Taisuke (lovingly referred by his fans as "Taipi") in the lead role. This play was based on a drama that was first aired in 2013 with Karasawa Toshiaki as Homura Masayoshi. This year, Taipi reprised his role as Homura and also portrayed another character, Mamiya, who came from the future to save the former from impending harm. This year's production was top billed by other experienced TV and stage actors such as Yamamoto Yusuke, Suruga Taro, Shinkawa Yua, Asakura Aki, Kozuda Yasuto, Nekoze Tsubaki, Yasoto Yuichi and Aran Kai. 

The Akasaka ACT Theater after the show

My thoughts after the curtains closed and the lights on stage turned off: I had so much fun watching Take Five 2! Though I cannot really say that it was a GREAT show because of the bland acting, it had its moments too. Yusuke was so hilarious especially when he was imitating Kisumai's dance steps! Taipi did not stand out but at least his performance was consistent - not awkward, not overacting, just calm and cool the whole time, enough to send a fangirl home with a smile.  For the first half of the play, I thought it was "okay" but not amazing, but when Taipi did his short dance sequence in the middle of the play, I thought, "Okay, I already got what I came for." I almost screamed and cheered for him, almost forgetting that I was watching a play, not a Kisumai performance!

Promotional poster with the cast

If there was anything that amazed me that night, it was probably the stage production. The interactive screens were so cool I felt like I was watching a stage play one instant and spying on the whereabouts of the "real" Taipi the next. It was the first time that I watched a play that successfully merged traditional sets and interactive screens, not to mention a hologram in one of the scenes where Taipi was talking to himself! It created a "believable" world within an unbelievable one

.

The stage after the show

The stage before the show

Take Five 2 was a play worth watching for the entertainment value it offered. It was the kind of play that did not require a showcase of acting prowess, but rather targeted the satisfaction of the audience. And yes, it did a pretty good job in staging lovable moments with satisfying fan service. After watching this show, I finally ticked my bucket list to see Taipi on stage. I even saw him after the show waving goodbye from his car. So I guess, I got more than what I have asked for.