The year 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines. To formally launch this landmark year, The Japan Foundation, Manila will present "Harmony of Friendship: A Jazz Prelude to 70 Years of Japan-Philippine Ties," featuring exceptional jazz performers from Japan and the Philippines. This concert serves as the official inauguration of a year-long celebration of enduring diplomatic partnership.
The festivities will commence on January 20, 2026, with an opening reception and jazz concert at the Proscenium Theater, organized in partnership with the Embassy of Japan.
The headline act is the Tokyo-Manila Jazz & Arts Festival Group, an ensemble led by acclaimed Filipino jazz vocalist, Charito, a prominent figure in the Japanese jazz scene.
They will be joined by the Philippines’ A.M.P. Big Band, an organization of professional session musicians. The big band genre represents the historic foundation of the dance and concert hall experience, making it the perfect medium for this celebration.
The theme for this 70th year anniversary is "Weaving a Tapestry of Friendships, Threading Bonds of Trust." If one views the seven decades of friendship between Japan and the Philippines as a work of art, the establishment of diplomatic ties provided the fundamental warp and weft of the loom as this partnership remain committed to being part of the thread where a vibrant future is woven, stitch by stitch, for the next generation.
Following the opening festivities, the concert tour then moves to the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium on January 22, 2026, before concluding with a final performance at the Social Hall of the Cebu Provincial Capitol in partnership with the Consulate-General of Japan in Cebu City on January 23, 2026.
There will also be a cultural and educational exchange as The Japan Foundation, Manila and the Tokyo-Manila Jazz & Arts Festival Group visit De La Salle University–Dasmariñas for “CIFRA International: A Workshop with Tokyo-Manila Jazz & Arts Festival Group.” Held in partnership with the Lasallian Pop Band, a student group dedicated to exploring diverse musical genres.
The opening at the Proscenium and Cebu Capitol Social Hall is an invitation-only event. The workshop at De La Salle University-Dasmariñas will be organized by Lasallian Pop Band and participation by RSVP is thru the organization. The concert at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium is free and open to the public.
- 20 January 2026 8:00PM The Proscenium, Rockwell Center, Makati City
- 21 January 2026 1:00PM De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, Dasmariñas City
- 22 January 2026 7:00PM Carlos P Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City
- 23 January 2026 7:00PM Social Hall, Cebu Provincial Capitol, Cebu City
The cultural weaving of our nations began long before official policy. It can be traced back to the introduction of jazz to the Philippines, where Filipino musicians later played a pivotal role in popularizing the genre in Japan. This history serves as a powerful reminder that our harmony is built on more than just governmental agreements. It is composed of individual melodies coming together to create a richer, unified sound.
We hope to see you on the concert dates.
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