International Conference on the Shared Histories and Cultural Heritage of Japan and the Philippines
November 6 – 7, 2020
Grupo Kalinangan
Unit 25D, 2nd Flr., Zeta II Bldg., 191 Salcedo St., Brgy. San Lorenzo, 1223 Makati, Philippines
INTERSECTIONS: International Conference on the Shared Histories and Cultural Heritage of Japan and the Philippines
Grupo Kalinangan Inc., in partnership with the Japan Foundation Manila and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, will hold the very first International Conference on Shared Histories and Cultural Heritage of Japan and the Philippines on 6-7 November 2020.
The broad objective of this two-day international conference, which has the theme 文化遺産の交差点:日本とフィリピン (Bunka isan no kōsaten: Nihon to Firipin or Cultural Heritage Intersection: Japan and the Philippines), is to foster deeper mutual understanding of the shared history and cultural heritage of Japan and the Philippines during pre-colonial, colonial, modern and contemporary times. This conference will include various topics on anthropology, archaeology, architecture, linguistics, sociology, arts and culture, heritage conservation, design and collaboration, and international relations.
The conference also seeks to identify and explore possible solutions to major challenges faced by cultural heritage communities in Japan and the Philippines in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the conference promotes a wide-reaching online exchange to assist cultural practitioners, scholars, professionals, academics, and students to continue their education and discourse amidst the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions that prevent meaningful face-to-face learning opportunities.
A number of local and foreign heritage and cultural experts, anthropologists, historians, architects, and other allied professionals who have studied the Japanese influences and historic events in Philippine cultural heritage and society, will conduct lectures and talks in this two-day conference, which will be held as a private and curated Zoom web conference.
This event is funded in part by Japan Foundation Manila, and is sponsored by Asia Society Philippines and Yummy Tokyo. The conference is also part of the ongoing celebrations in solidarity with the 500th year of the coming of Christianity of the Philippines, being organized by the National Quincentennial Committee and the Local Historical Committees Network.
General Programme*
DAY 1
November 6, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
WELCOME REMARKS by Dr. Rene R. Escalante (Chairman, National Historical Commission of the Philippines)
OPENING KEYNOTE: “History of the Studies and Researches of Philippine Archaeology and Philippine Prehistory by the Japanese” by Prof. Kazuhiko Tanaka, Ph.D. (Professor, Tsurumi University, Yokohama, Japan)
LECTURE 1: “Changing Representations of Japanese in Children’s Print Media” by Prof. Karl Ian Uy Cheng Chua, Ph.D. (Professor, Ateneo de Manila University, Manila)
LECTURE 2: “Teaching the Filipino Language in Japan” by Prof. Naonori Nagaya, Ph.D. (Professor, Department of Linguistics, The University of Tokyo 東京大学)
LECTURE 3: “Japanese Influences in Philippine Architecture Before World War II” by Prof. Caryn Virginia Paredes-Santillan, Ph.D. (Professor, University of Santo Tomas, Manila)
LECTURE 4: “Shigeru Nakashima and the Nakashima Shoten: The Story of a Very Popular Pharmacy in Manila Before World War II” by Prof. Augusto V. de Viana, Ph.D. (Professor, University of Santo Tomas, Manila)
DAY 2
November 7, 9:00 am – 4:45 pm
LECTURE 5: “DOOR to ASIA: Bridging Cultures and Opportunities through Better Communication Design” by Mikiharu Yabe (Co-founder, DOOR to ASIA, Tohoku)
LECTURE 6: “The History of Japanese Migration in the Philippines 1900-1941: Insights into its Cultural Dynamics and Related Processes” by Prof. Cynthia Luz P. Rivera (Former Research Director, UST Research Center for Intercultural Studies, Manila)
LECTURE 7: “The Nara Document of Authenticity and the Japan Experience in Post-Disaster Recovery for Heritage Sites” by Rohit Jigyasu, Ph.D (Project Manager, ICCROM, Rome, Italy)
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS: QUO VADIS / どこに行こうか / Saan Ka Pupunta (Addressing the Challenges faced by the Cultural Sector in the time of COVID-19 Pandemic) with Prof. Eric B. Zerrudo, Ph.D. (Director, UST-CCCPET), Suzuki “Ben” Tsutomu (Director, Japan Foundation Manila), and Hon. Christopher V.P. De Venecia (Representative, 4th District of Pangasinan; Chairman, Special Committee on Creative Industries and Performing Arts; Convenor, Arts, Culture, and Creative Industries Bloc of the 18th Congress)
CLOSING KEYNOTE: “Re-Acquiring Taste: The Return of Japanese Ceramics to the Philippines” by Prof. Jose Eleazar R. Bersales, Ph.D. (Director, USC Museum, Cebu City)
*Programme is still subject to changes without prior notice. Kindly check this section for any updates to the program line-up.
View List of Speakers and Full Programme
