16/06/2025
𝑰𝒏 𝑭𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝑩𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒎: 𝑱𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒓 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒆 𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝑱𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒏’𝒔 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝑳𝒊𝒇𝒆
𝘉𝘺 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘌𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢 𝘊𝘶𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘰
Celebrating the Japanese culture in full bloom, the Junior College students of Lyceum of the Philippines – Davao (LPU Davao) brought life and cultural spirit to the classroom walls on June 4, 2025. The Japanese Festival transformed the learning spaces into a classroom-based exhibit wherein different prefectures were showcased through various themed booths, interactive activities, Japanese cuisine, explosive performances, and creative art displays.
In line with the event, several students actively showed their participation and pride by wearing cosplay and traditional Japanese clothing. Their characters not only reflected the country’s diversity, but embodied the symbolic motifs, rich heritage, and cultural backgrounds behind such vibrant attires.
In the morning, the Grade 11 students represented the distinct beauty and uniqueness of their respective prefectures: Shimane (STEM 11 A - Fortitude), Tottori (STEM 11 B - Integrity), Fukui (STEM 11 C - Unity), Tsukuba (STEM 11 D - Justice), Yamagata (ABM 11 A - Valor), Kochi (ABM 11 B - Leadership), and Saga (HUMSS 11 A - Loyalty).
As the festivities carried on in the afternoon, the spotlight shifted to the Grade 12 students who proudly flaunted the different traditions alongside replicas of well-known tourist attractions and historical landmarks: Hokkaido (STEM 12 A - Innovation), Okinawa (STEM 12 B - Efficiency), Osaka (STEM 12 C - Creativity), Kyoto (ABM 12 A - Dependability), and Kanda (HUMSS 12 A - Inclusivity).
The presentations unfolded into different explorations, each consisting of a 30-minute-long room tour carefully evaluated by the Junior College Faculty. The selected speakers of each classroom were tasked to deliver an engaging yet insightful explanation of featured sites to captivate the audience on different aspects of Japanese culture.
Following that, various activities were conducted— mainly games and dances which served as a ticket to complete the festival passport. Among the many games included Kendama, a traditional Japanese skill toy that challenged students to toss a wooden ball attached to a string, provided that they catch it once released into the air and Menko, a classic Japanese card game that involved flipping over their opponent’s cards by strategically throwing their own menko cards.
Meanwhile, the dances varied depending on the regions they originated from. Bon Odori, for instance, is a folk dance generally performed during the Obon festival, while Kachāshī is an Okinawan festive and lively dance used in celebratory events, and Sōran Bushi, a traditional Japanese folk song and sea shanty. Its powerful musicalities pictured a life at sea, signifying the hard work and efforts of the local fishermen— among many others that were showcased.
Despite racing against the clock, the students were able to walk through Japan’s rich historical background, which further blossomed into greater curiosity and wonder. This immersive experience not only brought a deeper appreciation of the country's long history, but also honored the remarkable people, their cultural identity, and the nation’s contributions to the world. The event also provided a better understanding and awareness of the diverse beliefs and practices that should be respected and preserved.
Graphics by: Keisha Salazar
