UP Center for International Studies

21/08/2026

𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘: 𝟳𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀–𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗡𝗼𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁

The UP Center for International Studies (UPCIS), in partnership with Asian Center, UP Diliman, The Japan Foundation, Manila, and the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines 在フィリピン日本国大使館, cordially invites members of the press, media partners, and the academic community to a press conference for the upcoming FilipiNoh production :日比共同制作能公演「嵐翔」𝙍𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙤̄ — 𝙎𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢: 𝘼 𝙅𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙣–𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙉𝙤𝙝 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚.

🗓 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟮𝟰 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
⏰𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 𝟯:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠
📍𝗩𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲: 𝗚𝗧-𝗧𝗼𝘆𝗼𝘁𝗮 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺, 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗨𝗣 𝗗𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗻, 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘇𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆

To be staged in December as part of the 𝟳𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀–𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, Ranshō is an original FilipiNoh play inspired by Voltes V, a beloved symbol of Filipino childhood, resistance, and pop culture. It weaves this iconic figure into the classical tradition of Japanese Noh, alongside Filipino characters and narratives drawn from Philippine history and contemporary realities. The performance will also include the timeless Noh masterpiece 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘬𝘬𝘺𝘰̄ (𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘨𝘦) to be performed mainly by nine Noh masters with the UPCIS Noh Ensemble.

This coming Monday’s press conference will feature 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗽𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗼̄ performed by the UPCIS Noh Ensemble with the assistance of the 𝗡𝗼𝗵 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗨𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝘇𝗮𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻 (Sh*te-kata) and 𝗢𝗺𝘂𝗿𝗮 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗷𝗶 (Ōtsuzumi-kata), both recognized Holders of Important Intangible Cultural Property for Noh Theatre. The performance will be followed by an open forum.

𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸: https://forms.gle/hy69Q8XiSrUJA8gD7

For media inquiries, you may also reach us via email at [email protected].

We look forward to welcoming our media partners and colleagues on August 24!

18/08/2026

𝗡𝗼𝗵 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗮

The UP Center for International Studies (UPCIS) is delighted to welcome back Noh Grand Masters 𝗨𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝘇𝗮𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻 (𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦-𝘬𝘢𝘵𝘢) and 𝗢𝗺𝘂𝗿𝗮 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗷𝗶 (𝘖̄𝘵𝘴𝘶𝘻𝘶𝘮𝘪-𝘬𝘢𝘵𝘢), both recognized by the Government of Japan as Holders of Important Intangible Cultural Property for Noh Theatre. They arrive in Manila tomorrow, 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟭𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, for another week of intensive training with the two-decade-old UPCIS Noh Ensemble.

From August 19–25, the Masters will work with the ensemble at UP Diliman on Noh dance, chanting, and musical accompaniment in preparation for the much-anticipated December premiere of: 日比共同制作能公演「嵐翔 𝙍𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙤̄ — 𝙎𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢: 𝘼 𝙅𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙣–𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙉𝙤𝙝 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚.

The new FilipiNoh play will be presented alongside the timeless Noh masterpiece 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙠𝙠𝙮𝙤̄ (𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙜𝙚) as part of the 𝟳𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀–𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

The performances on 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟲–𝟳, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, at the 𝗨𝗣 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 will be 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰, while 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 will be held on 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, at the 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗼𝘀 𝗣. 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗼 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝗥𝗖𝗕𝗖 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘇𝗮.

The training-rehearsals are organized by the UP Center for International Studies (UPCIS) in partnership with the Japan Foundation, Manila and the Embassy of Japan.

𝗪𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 𝗮𝘁 𝟯:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗧 𝗧𝗼𝘆𝗼𝘁𝗮 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺, 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗨𝗣 𝗗𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗻.

Welcome back to Manila, Chozaemon Sensei and Omura Sensei! We are happy to have you with us once again!

24/07/2026

The UP Center for International Studies is accepting applications for one (1) undergraduate student assistant for the 1st semester, AY 2026-2027!

For interested student applicants, please send your intent to the UPCIS Director Prof. Ramon Guillermo, at [email protected] with subject heading: [STUDENT ASSISTANT APPLICATION - LASTNAME]

Expected tasks and duties include:
Assisting with classes such as taking attendance, recording class submissions, and assisting the team-teacher with their presentation or class facilitation; Creation of publication materials and generating social media captions, and; assist in organizing office files and inventories with UPCIS staff or faculty.

Please make sure you submit your application with complete requirements, especially the proposed work schedule that should not be in conflict with the student's classes.

Application documents from the accepted student will be endorsed to the OVCSA, pending appointment.

21/07/2026

Celebrating 80 Years of Egypt–Philippines Diplomatic Relations
Join us as we commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Egypt–Philippines Diplomatic Relations and Egypt National Day through a public lecture celebrating eight decades of enduring friendship, cooperation, and shared aspirations between Egypt and the Philippines.
Hosted by the University of the Philippines Office of the President, in collaboration with the Institute of Islamic Studies and the Center for International Studies, the lecture is entitled: "Bridging the Middle East and the Pacific: Egypt’s Foreign Policy and Eight Decades of Partnership with the Philippines."
We are privileged to welcome His Excellency Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt, as our distinguished resource speaker.
📅 𝟮𝟯 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 (𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆)
🕕 𝟲:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠
📍 𝗔𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗼-𝗟𝗶𝗯𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗼 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗮𝘄, 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗻

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗨𝗣 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘆, 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗲𝘀.

To confirm your attendance, please RSVP via
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScSfNYedVyWD_QaM0QxxbJE6t9aCZk35uQkgEEBaxzJ2mLOvw/viewform

We look forward to celebrating this historic occasion with you.

Celebrating 80 Years of Egypt–Philippines Diplomatic Relations

Join us as we commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Egypt–Philippines Diplomatic Relations and Egypt National Day through a public lecture celebrating eight decades of enduring friendship, cooperation, and shared aspirations between Egypt and the Philippines.

Hosted by the University of the Philippines Office of the President, in collaboration with the Institute of Islamic Studies and the Center for International Studies, the lecture is entitled: "Bridging the Middle East and the Pacific: Egypt’s Foreign Policy and Eight Decades of Partnership with the Philippines."

We are privileged to welcome His Excellency Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt, as our distinguished resource speaker.

📅 23 July 2026 (Thursday)
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Atencio-Libunao Hall, College of Law, University of the Philippines Diliman

The event is open to UP students, faculty, staff, and other invitees.

To confirm your attendance, please RSVP via

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScSfNYedVyWD_QaM0QxxbJE6t9aCZk35uQkgEEBaxzJ2mLOvw/viewform?usp=dialog

We look forward to celebrating this historic occasion with you.

20/07/2026

We invite you to a celebration of 𝗖𝘂𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹'𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗹 🇨🇺

📅𝟮𝟱 𝗝𝗨𝗟𝗬 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 (𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆) | 𝟭:𝟬𝟬 - 𝟱:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠
📍𝗨𝗣 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺

Honored Guest:
H.E. Yadira Ledesma Hernández
Ambassador to Malaysia
non-resident ambassador to Brunei Darussalam and The Philippines

🇨🇺 LET CUBA LIVE 🇨🇺

03/07/2026

The UP Center for International Studies (UPCIS) proudly extends its warmest congratulations to our esteemed faculty affiliate, Dr. Dave Centeno, on his official appointment as the new Assistant Vice President for Research and Innovation (Convergence and Translation) under the OVPRI!

Your UPCIS family is immensely proud of you, Sir Dave! We wish you the absolute best in this new leadership role!

🎉 𝐎𝐕𝐏𝐑𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐫. 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐨 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧)

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) warmly congratulates Dr. Dave Centeno, Professor of Marketing at the UP Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business, on his appointment as Assistant Vice President for Research and Innovation (Convergence and Translation) following the approval of the position by the UP Board of Regents and his appointment by UP President Angelo A. Jimenez.

OVPRI welcomes Dr. Centeno to this leadership role and looks forward to his contributions in strengthening the University's capacity to translate research into greater societal impact through strategic partnerships, institutional innovation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

30/06/2026

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗹𝗮 𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝟯𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆

The UP Center for International Studies (UPCIS) warmly congratulates the The Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) on its 30th Anniversary.

For the past three decades, JFM has been much more than an institution – it has been a cherished friend and steadfast partner, in strengthening the bonds between the Philippines and Japan through the arts, language education, academic exchange, and countless cultural encounters. Its work has touched the lives of students, artists, scholars, and audiences alike, fostering friendships and mutual understanding that continue to flourish across generations.

The anniversary celebration reached a memorable highlight on 𝟮𝟰 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 at 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲 with 𝙎𝙏𝙀𝙇𝙇𝘼 𝘿𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙅𝙖𝙢: 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨 × 𝙅𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙣 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 Featuring internationally acclaimed Filipino-Japanese choreographer 𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗛𝗔𝗧𝗔 and exceptional dancers from Japan and the Philippines alongside 𝗦𝗕𝟭𝟵, the performance beautifully embodied JFM’s enduring mission of connecting people through culture. Witnessing artists from both countries come together as one was a powerful reminder that dance, like music, transcends language and borders. It was a vibrant celebration of creativity, collaboration, and the enduring friendship between our two nations.

For all of us at UPCIS, JFM has been an invaluable partner throughout the years. From the leadership of 𝗠𝗿. 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝘂 to 𝗠𝗿. 𝗕𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝘇𝘂𝗸𝗶 the Foundation has generously supported many of our cultural initiatives, including the staging of 𝘒𝘢𝘯𝘫𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘰̄ (2022-23) in Filipino and Japanese and our long-running Noh Theatre program. Through its unwavering support, distinguished Noh Grand masters 𝗨𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗡𝗮𝗼𝗵𝗶𝗸𝗼 and 𝗨𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝘇𝗮𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻 have mentored UP students for more than two decades, nurturing not only artistic excellence but also deep and lasting bonds among Filipino and Japanese Noh practitioners.

We are equally grateful that JFM continues to stand with us as we prepare for another significant milestone — the grand Noh performance by our esteemed masters and their Filipino apprentices in December 2026, which will fittingly mark the culmination of this year’s celebrations.

As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we extend our deepest appreciation to The Japan Foundation, Manila for thirty years of friendship, generosity, and its unwavering commitment to fostering mutual understanding between the Philippines and Japan. May the next thirty years continue to inspire new generations to discover and appreciate one another through culture, learning, and the performing arts.

We look forward to many more years of meaningful collaboration and shared creativity and enduring friendship.

27/06/2026

The UP Center for International Studies (UPCIS) warmly congratulates the 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰 (𝗡𝗝𝗣) and the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines 在フィリピン日本国大使館 on the resounding success of "𝗔 𝟳𝟬-𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗢𝗽𝘂𝘀: 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀–𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁," held on June 24, 2026, at The Theatre at Solaire.

In its historic first performance in Manila, the New Japan Philharmonic, under the masterful direction of 𝗠𝗮𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗧𝗲𝘁𝘀𝘂𝗷𝗶 and featuring the acclaimed violinist 𝗠𝘀. 𝗞𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝘂𝗸𝗼, captivated the audience with magnificent renditions of Tchaikovsky and Beethoven. More than a display of extraordinary musical excellence, the concert was an evening that touched the heart. The orchestra performed with breathtaking precision and remarkable unity, while Ms. Kamio's mesmerizing artistry on her Stradivarius brought every phrase to life with warmth, grace, and emotion.

The inspired fusion of "Anak" and "Sarung Banggi" was one of the evening's most beautiful moments, while the unexpected Voltes V encore brought the entire hall to life with a joyful wave of nostalgia. The audience responded with enthusiasm, laughter, and heartfelt applause, making it clear that the music had found its way into every heart.

The evening was a beautiful celebration of friendship, shared heritage, and the universal language of music. It reminded everyone present that music has the power to transcend borders, connect cultures, and create lasting memories.

UPCIS likewise expresses its sincere gratitude to the Embassy of Japan, under the leadership of 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗞𝗮𝘇𝘂𝘆𝗮, for the gracious invitation to this memorable celebration of the enduring friendship between Japan and the Philippines.

Representing UPCIS at the concert were soprano and faculty affiliate Ms. Rica Nepomuceno, East and Southeast Asian Studies Coordinator Prof. Amparo Adelina Umali III, former UPCIS Director Dr. Cynthia Neri Zayas, and UPCIS staff members: Jianna de Celis, Nadeen Caasi, and Genevieve Avila. It was truly an unforgettable evening, and we look forward to welcoming the New Japan Philharmonic back to the Philippines in the future.

22/06/2026

𝗨𝗣𝗖𝗜𝗦 𝗡𝗼𝗵 𝗘𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘀 𝗨𝗽 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗡𝗼𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 “𝗥𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗼̄”

The University of the Philippines Center for International Studies (UPCIS), in partnership with the Japan Foundation, Manila, and the Embassy of Japan, has successfully concluded an intensive 10-day training and rehearsal program conducted by revered Japanese Noh Grand Masters from June 5 to 15, 2026.

The specialized residency brought back 𝗡𝗼𝗵 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗨𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝘇𝗮𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻 (𝗦𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗸𝗮𝘁𝗮) 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗺𝘂𝗿𝗮 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗷𝗶 (𝗢̄𝘁𝘀𝘂𝘇𝘂𝗺𝗶-𝗸𝗮𝘁𝗮)—both esteemed Holders of Important Intangible Cultural Property in Noh Theatre—alongside Umewaka Keiko. The grand masters spent the week refining the specialized skills of the UPCIS Noh Ensemble in Noh dance, classical chanting, and musical accompaniment (ōtsuzumi drum). They also introduced the vital new repertoire required for the upcoming December premiere of the highly anticipated FilipiNoh play:
日比共同制作能公演「嵐翔」 𝙍𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙤̄ — 𝙎𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢: 𝘼 𝙅𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙣–𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙉𝙤𝙝 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚
(Filipino Translation: Paglusong sa Sigwa)

Staged as a major artistic milestone commemorating the landmark 70th Anniversary of Philippines–Japan Diplomatic Relations, this training phase offered UP student practitioners a rare, transformative opportunity to master international performance traditions directly from Japan culture bearers.

During the training period, the visiting masters, accompanied by the Filipino production team, also conducted vital technical site inspections at two major performance venues: the University Theater in UP Diliman and the RCBC Theater in Makati. UPCIS would like to thank Ms. Sam Clarin at the University Theater and the accommodating staff of the RCBC Theater for guiding the visiting masters and the creative delegation - composed of set and production designer Otto Hernandez, theater and lighting designer Joseph Matheu, and production manager Jojo Casim - as they closely examined the stages, backstage areas, and dressing rooms.

The extensive 10-day program concluded on a high note on Monday, June 15, with a formal courtesy visit to 𝗨𝗣 𝗗𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗱𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗼 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻, 𝗜𝗜. The visit highlighted the university's continuous dedication to academic internationalization and deep cross-cultural diplomacy through the performing arts.

This milestone project was facilitated by the dedicated team of the UPCIS, led by East and Southeast Asian Studies Coordinator Prof. Amparo Adelina Umali, III, with the administrative support of UPCIS personnel Ms. Vianca de la Cruz and Ms. Jianna de Celis.

The UP Center for International Studies extends its deepest gratitude to Chozaemon Sensei, Omura Sensei, and Keiko Umewaka for their immense generosity, patience, and artistic guidance.

17/06/2026

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 ️‼️🫡 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 🎟☁️✨️

The gust of an exciting adventure is on its way! Be part of this venture to the skies as we officially 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 the registration for this year's Philippine-Korean Youth ConFest happening on 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟳, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲! 🪽✨️

Access the registration form through the link below
🔗 tinyurl.com/PKYC2026
🔗 tinyurl.com/PKYC2026
🔗 tinyurl.com/PKYC2026

More information can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nsmdxawDotq3jf3EDqkNkCSzkS3_TnyM/view?usp=drivesdk

For further inquiries, don't hesitate to message us on our page or email us at [email protected].

𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶~! ☁️🎐