Japan PM Shinzo Abe Adopts Philippine Eagle and Names it as "Sakura"

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The three largest eagles on the planet are the Steller's sea eagle, the Harpy eagle and the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga Jefferyi), a giant forest raptor endemic to the Philippines and was declared our national bird on July 15, 1995.

If you have the new Philippine passport, ypu can see that the graphics or illustration contained inside are the Philippine eagle, some tourist spots, the national anthem lyrics, and the Baybayin script.

During his two-day visit in the country, Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe adopts a female juvenile Philippine Eagle and names it Sakura, a Japanese word that means "cherry blossoms." The PM was with his wife, Madam Akie Abe, and President Rodrigo Duterte during the naming ceremonies of the Philippine Eagle "Sakura" adopted by the Government of Japan.

Likewise, the Philippines' gift to PM Shinzo Abe is a stuffed toy representing "Sakura", the Philippine Eagle adopted by Japan. He was also given a framed photo of a Philippine eagle.

One of the largest and most powerful eagles in the world, the critically #endangered Philippine eagle, also known as the Great Philippine Eagle or Monkey-eating-Eagle, is a magnificent #bird! Critical because the Philippine eagle now has an estimated population of only 150-500 mature adults and it is declining. It is almost extinct. They only hatch an egg every 2 years. Harming this bird is punishable by up to 12 years in prison by Philippine Law. It was just recently added to the IUCN Red List of critically endangered species.

With a wingspan of 7 feet, I am amazed by how magnificently majestic this wonderful creature is. It has the longest talons in the world and has been known to prey on monkeys, dogs, civets and even deer. It is the only blue-eyed bird of prey in the world! It is known to symbolise power, integrity, strength and nobility. I believe that like the Philippine Eagle, the Filipinos can find the courage and strength to rise above all the terrifying obstacles and challenges.

Yoshiaki Ito Named President of One Championship (Japan)

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship (ONE), has just announced another key addition to its team of senior leaders with the appointment of Japanese executive Yoshiaki Ito as President of ONE Championship (Japan). The promotion looks to expand its reach into the country and other Asian nations in the near future.

Ito is the Founder of X-TANK Consulting, former CEO of Haier Asia Group, and a former Senior Vice President at Sony Pictures Entertainment. During his tenure at Haier, Ito was responsible for US$1.2 billion in revenue and over 6,400 employees. Popularly known in inside circles as a business maverick, Ito’s stringent business acumen and undeniable talent has immensely boosted the performance of every organization he has led.

Born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, Ito speaks Japanese, Thai, and English. With over 20 years of professional experience, Ito brings with him a plethora of impressive accolades. He has received various awards throughout his career including being named among the Top 100 global leaders/innovators of 2015 by Nikkei Business, the Direct to Top Award and Best Leader Award from Dell Asia Pacific, as well as the Money Ball Award and Global Best Leader Award from Sony Pictures Entertainment, amongst others.

Victor Cui, CEO of ONE Championship stated: “ONE Championship continues to seek out the top executives from various fields to become part of our elite senior management team. Yoshiaki Ito is an excellent asset to have on our team. He, along with our very capable leadership, will be responsible for taking our organization to the next level and beyond. We are excited at the possibilities and welcome Ito-san to the ONE Championship family.”

Yoshiaki Ito, President of ONE Championship (Japan) stated: “I am elated to join ONE Championship, one of the greatest global sports brands. It’s amazing to be a part of the rapid growth of MMA in Asia. I will focus my efforts on developing the budding Japanese market. Japan has always enjoyed sports entertainment and ONE Championship’s unique live event atmosphere is something I am delighted to share with Japanese fans.”

Ito’s appointment as ONE Championship President (Japan) comes in line with the promotion’s plans to expand into the country. Japanese mixed martial arts athletes are an integral part of ONE Championship’s roster, with exciting fighters such as Koji Ando and Kotetsu Boku, as well as reigning ONE Lightweight World Champion Shinya Aoki and ONE Strawweight World Champion Yoshitaka Naito, amongst others.

The move into Japan also remains in line with the company’s aggressive growth and expansion plans. ONE Championship is the first major MMA promotion to hold a live event in mainland China as well as Bangkok, Thailand. Future markets include Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Australia, to name a few. Events are broadcast to a potential one billion homes in over 118 countries worldwide.

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

Animax Kicks Off 2016 with Express-from-Japan and Blockbuster Series!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The festive season may just be over, but fans in Asia can continue to rejoice at the spectacular line-up on Animax! The first 24-hour anime channel in Asia is serving up a fresh crop of anime including express-from-Japan series GRIMGAR, ASHES AND ILLUSIONS, and blockbuster series Assassination Classroom and The File of Young Kindaichi R.

That is not all – fans of the hit Durarara franchise will also get to catch the final chapter of the new season on the same day as Japan, on Animax.

Unleashing the chaos, one final time

Adapted from the light novel of the same name, Durarara is popular among anime lovers for its engaging storytelling – each event is retold in different perspectives, making for more episodes to look forward to! Back to stir up trouble in the dangerous Ikebukuro underground are the franchise’s distinct and eccentric characters – the headless rider Celty Sturluson, Mikado Ryugamine, leader of the notorious colour gang Dollars, and his childhood friend Masaomi Kida, who incidentally is the head honcho of another gang, the Yellow Scarves. With some new characters and the return of original director Takahiro Omori, the stage is set for what’s been described as “an ending that no one will see coming”.

Durarara x2 3rd Arc premieres on the same day as Japan, on 10 January 2016 at 10pm, Sunday, Same Day as Japan.

Loan Agreement Signing for North-South Commuter Railway Project of DOTC

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Finance Secretary of the Philippines Cesar Purisima together with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative of Japan Noriaki Niwa signed the US$ 2 Billion Loan Agreement for the North-South Commuter Railway Project (Malolos-Tutuban) of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) on November 27, 2015 at the Mezzanine Floor Lobby of the Robinsons (JG) Summit Center, Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

Also attending the signing were DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya, Department of Finance National Treasurer Roberto Tan, JICA Senior Representative Tetsuya Yamada, and JICA Section Chief Keisuke Fukui.

The project supports the expansion of a mass transportation network which is recognized as one of the priorities in the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan aiming to improve the efficiency of land transportation capacities in Metro Manila. It also seeks to provide a more environmentally sustainable mode of transport through the construction of about 37 km new elevated commuter railway from Malolos, Bulacan to Tutuban, Manila, procurement of rolling stock, and installation of electro-mechanical systems.

Alodia Gosiengfiao, AKB48, Akishibu Project, Kawaii 5 and Friends at Cool Japan Festival 2015

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We just experienced the biggest Japanese event dubbed as Cool Japan Festival 2015 last November 7 and 8, 2015 courtesy of Hallo Hallo Alliance.

The event highlighted the biggest idols from Japan and the Philippines namely AKB48 Team 8, our very own cosplay queen Alodia Gosiengfiao, Akishibu Project, Kawaii 5 (featuring Amachan), the Japanese drum group Tokoro Taiko, Hello Kitty and Doraemon and his friends Nobita and Shizuka.

Alodia Gosiengfiao did a fabulous song number with the Akishibu Project to the delight of the crowd who were all fans of both celebrities.

The two day festival also featured Japanese-inspired attractions like the teamLab Drawing Aquarium where drawings on paper come to life on massive screen, http://www.team-lab.net/en/all/products/aquarium.html, the teamLab Camera where a photobooth with 3 kinds of fun backgrounds and unique themes is available: https://youtu.be/Pfb1taVJ5Ac, a real Sushi Nigiri Experience where they had a chef straight from Japan who taught attendees how to make sushi!

There were also a Make-up Workshop where we learned the kawaii style makeups from BCL cosmetics, a Hello Kitty / Sanrio booth giving you nothing but cute and kitty goodies!