BON ODORI FESTIVAL 2015

過去は未来によって変えられる。

"The past can be changed by the future."

 -Yoshiki Hayashi

Japan and Philippines had come a long way in the history. From the time Japan conquered Philippines to Second World War up until our friendship with Japan now. Indeed Yoshiki-san is right "The past can be changed by the future". Even if we have negative encounters with Japan before it didn't become a hindrance to make amends and become friends today and hopefully until the near future. 

One way of continuing the friendship and connection we have with Japan. Bon Odori Festival in Cebu was made. It started last year and successfully it continued this year. This festival aims to let both Filipino and Japanese people experience the cultural exchange between these two countries.

Bon Odori, simply means Bon dance; a style of dancing performed during Obon. Originally a Nenbutsu folk dance to welcome the spirits of the dead, the style of celebration varies in many aspects from region to region. Each region has a local dance, as well as different music. The music can be songs specifically pertinent to the spiritual message to Obon, or local min'yo folk songs. Consequently, the Bon dance will look and sound different from region to region. The way in which the dance is performed is also different in each region, though the typical Bon dance involves people lining up in a circle around a high wooden scaffold made especially for the festival called a yagura. -Bon Odori; Wikipedia

Bon Odori 2015 as a continuation of last year's was once again held with the cooperation from several organizations in Cebu. Last year's event exceed more than 11,000 in attendance that contibuted to its great success. This year, another Bon Odori festival was successfully launched at D' Family Park, Talamban, Cebu last August 7 and 8, 2015. 

I was lucky enough to attend this year's festival since I wasn't able to do so last year. I can't compare last year's event and now but I can say I had so much fun in this year's festival. When I came there I was shocked of how packed the park was. Many people come and go from the main entrance, luckily I was able to find some of my friends. Food stalls and games are found in every corner of the park. I was able to taste the famous Okonomiyaki which I can say tasted really healthy. Takoyaki was also present there, which had the longest line among all the food stalls. Japanese noodles like yakisoba and ramen were also popular. They also had a lot of stalls for Japanese sushi and yakiniku. But a Japanese festival wouldn't be complete without the can of beers, so in every food stalls there was a beer stalls beside it. Different games were also showcased in the festival like Kingyo-sukui (goldfish scooping) where a lot of kids gathered around, cosplay, yukata contest and many more. Though it rained very hard at that time it didn't stop me and the others to still have fun. The fireworks display was very nice that gave the gloomy sky a festive light and a wonderful ending for the event.

Bon Odori scaffold called "yagura"

Tattooed Chef cooking okonomiyaki. 

(Okonomiyaki: a Japanese savoury pancake made from batter, cabbage, pork and optional ingredients like squid and okonomiyaki sauce and mayonnaise as toppings.)

After 30 minutes of waiting I finally got a hold of my okonomiyaki. 

NUM-NUM ^___^

A food stall with hot men serving. HEHEHEHE

Another food stall specialized in potato base Japanese dish.

One of highlights of the event. FIREWORKS!!!!

Having to attend this festival I realized something; that our connection and influence from Japan will never just stay in old history books but rather we're all carrying it inside ourselves from the day Japanese people set foot in our country. These influences have been part of ourselves and will always be. Due to this our friendship with Japan was strongly strengthen by an invisible bond that bind these two countries together.