INTERSECTIONS: International Conference on the Shared Histories and Cultural Heritage of Japan and the Philippines

Cultural Heritage Intersection: International Online Conference on the Shared History and Cultural Heritage of Japan and the Philippines
Registration for this conference is now closed. Thank you!

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.

Optional Conference Lunch For Delivery

We accept the following payment options

Event F.A.Q

Who can attend this conference?

Students, scholars and anyone with great interest in both Filipino and Japanese history and heritage, inter-cultural studies, anthropology, language, pop culture and international relations are very much invited to join this conference.

How will the online conference be held?

The online conference will be held via Zoom. You will receive an invitation link to attend the online conference two days before the start of the conference. Please make sure that you are using the latest version of Zoom on your computer.

What is the official language for this conference?

English will be used as the official language. In certain lectures, talks will be delivered in Japanese, with English subtitles. A Japanese interpreter will also be available to help translate from English/Filipino to Japanese the questions raised by the audience to the speakers, and vice versa for the answers.

What is included in the registration fee?

Registration includes access to the private Zoom web conference for two (2) days, and an online conference kit, which includes the papers presented by our speakers as well as the conference proceedings. You will also receive an e-Certificate of Participation via e-mail. Should you wish to receive a printed copy of your Certificate of Participation and official receipt sent to your physical address, please include it as an add-on during event registration.

What discounts are available?

20% discount to the regular conference fee is available to students (up to college level), senior citizens, PWDs and volunteers of Grupo Kalinangan with current membership status. Please note that we require your ID as proof for applying the 20% discount (you will be asked to upload an image/photo of your ID during registration and checkout).

What payment options are available?

You can conveniently and securely pay using your Visa/Mastercard credit or debit card, GCash, GrabPay, Paypal, bank deposit/online funds transfer or check deposit, during registration and checkout. For bank deposit/online funds transfer or check deposit options, here are our bank details: BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS,
Account Name/Payee Name: GRUPO KALINANGAN INC., Account No. 1661-0061-41. Kindly send screenshot of your online funds transfer or photo of your deposit slip to treasurer@grupokalinangan.org as proof of your payment, so we can confirm your registration.

Can I attend just the first or second day only?

You may; however we will still charge the full registration fee that is good for two days.

What is included in the lunch delivery option for Day 1?

Day 1 lunch includes a Tantanmen Ramen Kit (complete with a pack of handmade noodles, ramen broth, a slice of chashu, tamago, nori strips and sesame seeds), and Pork Adobo Onigiri, especially packaged for this conference. Price is inclusive of delivery fee within Metro Manila only. Cooking and storage instructions are included.

What is included in the lunch delivery option for Day 2?

Day 2 lunch includes a Shoyu Ramen Kit (complete with a pack of handmade noodles, ramen broth, a slice of chashu, naruto, tamago, nori strips and sesame seeds), and 4 pcs. Frozen Gyoza with dipping sauce, especially packaged for this conference. Price is inclusive of delivery fee within Metro Manila only. Cooking and storage instructions are included.

How will the lunch kits be delivered to me?

We shall deliver the lunch kits on Thursday November 5, a day before the start of the conference, on the physical address which you have specified on your registration. If you have chosen online bank transfer or check deposit during registration, kindly make sure you have settled your payment by Wednesday November 4, 2020.

What areas do you deliver for the lunch options?

We deliver on all cities within Metro Manila, and in the following areas of Rizal only: Antipolo City, Cainta, Taytay, San Mateo, Angono, Rodriguez

Can I avail of lunch kits if I am outside of Metro Manila and selected areas of Rizal?

Unfortunately, we cannot deliver lunch kits for participants residing outside of Metro Manila. We only wish we could, but the lunch kits are made on the day of delivery to ensure freshness and quality.

Where are the lunch kits being made?

We have partnered with YUMMY TOKYO, a Japanese food business famous for their scrumptilicious, restaurant-quality ramen kits and onigiri to young and on-the go Filipinos. Visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pg/yummytokyoofficial

Can I transfer my conference registration to another person?

No, this is not possible. As this conference will be conducted as an online Zoom web conference, your login credentials will only be given to the registered attendee. Please ensure you have entered the correct details of the attending person (e.g. name, e-mail address, etc.).

My credit/debit card details are declined! What should I do?

Your issuing bank may have stringent or aggressive fraud management systems in place that they may inadvertently decline your payment transaction. It does happen. You may want to check with your bank how they can authorize your payment via Paymaya Business, our internet payment gateway. You may also try using a different credit/debit card. Or when all else fails, you can still pay using GCash, GrabPay, Paypal, or just plain old bank transfer.

I have other questions or inquiries.

Please send us an e-mail to info@grupokalinangan.org for more inquiries. Please note that we will try to answer within 24-48 hours upon receipt of your e-mail.

Total Seats: 1000
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