See you soon! :D

The live action movie adaptation of the Rurouni Kenshin series, first known as Samurai X to most of us, was officially announced last December 2011. Fans of the series flooded cyberspace with the news, including the promising trailer released along with the announcement. It was so exciting that I just had to rewatch the whole anime series (yes, even the fillers), read all the manga, and watch the OVAs (except the last, I maintain that I will never watch that) all in preparation for the movie.

But even with all my enthusiasm, I couldn’t help feeling a smidge of sadness every time I thought about the upcoming movie. It was because I believed I would never be able to see it on the big screen. Sure I could, shall we say, procure it, sometime after the release. But I love the series, and I would rather give proper compensation where it was due. I didn’t have the money to go flying to other countries just to watch a movie though.

I was not alone in my distress. Fans of the series began to band together, petitioning for a subtitled release here in the Philippines. Our numbers and voice grew with each passing day, but I don’t think anyone of us really counted on having the film released here. Corporations can be very picky listeners.

By some stroke of luck though, local movie distributor Movie Punch (Pioneer Films Philippines), picked up our call and began negotiating with SM Cinemas for the release. It was straining to watch over. They would announce that the movie was finally getting released, but SM never said anything officially, and then they kept on extending the premiere night again and again.

We did our best to make noise and let them know that we really did want this movie. It was also around this time that UP Tomo-Kai began mulling over the possibilities of having the organization’s very first block screening, and taking the initial steps to secure the event. But at some point we all nearly lost heart. It was a corporation we were taking on, after all. What were we expecting?

But finally, finally, SM announced that they were indeed showing the movie here in the Philippines, and all that we had been trying to set in motion set off like a row of dominoes. Well, not really. We had to jump through antigravity portals and rings of fiery ice, but in the end UP Tomo-Kai finally got its first movie block screening. And it was a great success.

The first fifty audience members to arrive at the cinema received gift certificates from Mochiko. And the prizes just kept on coming. We held a raffle before the movie began. Lucky winners received manga, recordings, gift certificates from Octoboy, and two brand new yukatas from Miyoko Louisse.

We were able to fill nearly the entire house with our fantastic audience. I say fantastic because we all really got into the film, drinking up all the great moments and laughing at all the funny parts (errors in translation sustaining, Jin-e).

And the movie. When the stories we love get adapted into another medium, we try not to expect too much. More often than not, the adaptations are horrible mockups, which we still watch because we are fans. But thankfully, the Rurouni Kenshin live movie was no such mockup. It strived to stay true to its roots, both to the series and the era it was set in. I could go on, but I don’t think I have enough space. Suffice to say that I am looking forward to a sequel.

And so, now I would like to thank everyone who has helped make this even possible from the bottom of my heart. Our members first of all, particularly the Finance and Properties Committee. Of course, this event would not have been possible (it really wouldn’t have) without our partners: Touhou no Yuujin (Toujin), OCTOBOY’S JAPANESE PIZZA AND TAKOYAKI, MiyokoLouisse/Kimono Japanese Traditional Costumes 美代子の着物, Mochiko, and Gulliver Integrated Outsourcing.

I hope the next screening will be just as, no, even more successful. And I hope we’ll all be there. So, that’s it for now. See you next time!

– Maria Ysabel Caballes, Batch Chitose

The recruitment period of UP Tomo-Kai this 2^nd semester of AY 2012-2103 featured a dorm-to-dorm visit showcasing the organization in a way that the visited would never forget. Kikokushuushuu, a spine-chilling coldness in the air, was the theme of the tour. What more unforgettable visit would there be than that of the ones from the other side?

UP Tomo-Kai showcased a Japanese Horror-Suspense-Thriller film in each dormitory visit. On Monday, the 3^rd of December 2012, Molave, a co-ed dormitory,was the first to feel the chill. With projectors and speakers ready, at around 6 PM of that daymore than thirtypeople gathered in the TV area of Molave to watch the 2001 movie Kairo or “Pulse” by Kiyoshi Kurosawa. It is a supernatural story about a series of disappearances and accidents that started from the Internet. By the end of thealmost two-hour long film, the crowd reacted like students huddling after a difficult problem-solving exam. It was a challenge in inviting applicants, plugging events, and transitioning to the end among the ruckus, but the crowd watched attentively.

The next day, Tuesday, 4^th of December 2012, the Yakal all-male dormitory was the next victim in line. Around the same time, again more than thirty people braced their spines for the chill of their lives. The 2010 film Kokuhaku(Confessions) directed by Tetsuya Nakashima, a very relevant film for the dormers, was up next. The movie revolves on the youth and the horrors they can do without proper guidance. The movie was a thriller and not in the realm of the supernatural horror so there were only gasps of shock rather than shrieks of horror. It was obvious in their reactions that the lessons of the movie were conveyed well. Even though the movie was the main attraction, the most exciting part by the end of the dorm tour (that wasn’t present in the previous one) was the raffle of a ticket for the UP Tomo-Kai Rurouni Kenshin Block Screening to be held in SM North Edsa on December 7. From a scary chill to an exciting one, I say. Nevertheless, the turnabout was a job well done.

By Wednesday night, 5^th of December 2012, another coed dormitory by the name of Ipil was crossed out from the list of target spines. The movie this time is the 1999 film Audition by Takashi Miike. Its plot is about a widowed man finding a new partner only to discover her mysterious side, another one of those beautiful-yet-vengeful-woman genres. In the first half of the horror-suspense-thriller film, there were only about twenty viewers on the benches and the movie showed no sign of hostility to the audience. But as soon as the scenes in the film escalated quickly, guts were wrenched and hands were covering faces. Passersby stopped and looked and then curiosity killed the cat. Towards the climax, viewer reactions were in unison. In the end, people stayed and finished it. It was that factor of the movie that increased its viewer turnout towards the end. Afterwards, three authentic Japanese manga were up for grabs in the raffle and then everyone went back to their corresponding spines and lives.

The films in the Kikokushuushuu dorm tour were not as grossing as the popular Ringu. Most, if not all, had no knowledge of the movies prior to its introduction in the dorm tour. Yet it still had that taste of Japanese spook that dilates pupils. It was those things that were precisely used this time by UP Tomo-Kai for attracting applicants of the organization. If not, then the dorm tour served in making a name for UP Tomo-Kai. Even though some movies made it in the most-hated lists, what’s important was that people were talking about the film along with the name of Tomo-Kai; sinister but genius. After all, once they join UP Tomo-Kai, they will know what kind of an organization it really is.

– Jed Ilcilanor Lopez, Batch Chitose

Last June 29, 2012, some of Tomo-Kai’s members and a few Japanese exchange students from UP Diliman went to Dusit Thani hotel in Makati City for a cultural performance. It was for the All Nippon Airways (ANA) Appreciation Night. Tomo-Kai was recommended to perform by Jane Santos, an alumni member of the organization. Two Japanese dances were showcased, Sōran Bushi (ソーラン節) and Yosakoi (よさこい). Sōran Bushi is associated with fishing in Hokkaidō, the northern part of Japan. It was sung while fishing and hauling nets to keep the fishermen awake. Yosakoi, on the other hand, is a traditional summer dance.

Originally, I volunteered to join in the dancing, but due to some circumstances not permitting me to join in the practices, I was then tasked to document the event in photo and video. The dancers performed wonderfully, as reactions from the audience were enthusiastic. I also enjoyed filming the entire routine as it was great to see friends dancing together as one, even with cultural lingual differences. It only goes to show that Filipinos and Japanese can work together in harmony towards a common goal; this time the goal was to feature unity and cooperation through dance.

As we were resting and refreshing at the dressing room, we decided to have a little fun by dancing to the song Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen, a very popular and catchy song, and recorded it on video. Even our Japanese friends joined us in our little “celebratory dance” and had fun themselves. After we had our share of enjoyment, a Japanese businessman approached us and asked if we could perform in some of their events. We were even invited inside the ballroom hall to have fun and dance with some of the ANA members and guests. It was a very unique night indeed.

DOKKOISYO, DOKKOISYO! SORAN, SORAN! YOSAKOI, YOSAKOI! YOSHA, YOSHA, HAI! HAI!

– Stephen “Teptep” Adap, Batch Hatachi

References from:

• http://komuso.com/pieces/pieces.pl?piece=2486
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yosakoi
• http://www.youtube.com/user/uptomokai

Summer Wars enjoyed
Yakalistas all gathered
Splendid reception

II
(Molave)

Akira mind-blown
Molave dormers agree
Great experience

III
(Sampaguita)

Better watched from start
T’was another mind-boggler
Paprika, indeed

IV
(Kamia)

Tears shed and return
Until the very last time
Everyone was touched

V
(Kalai)

Mind Game-d Doraemon
Kalaifreshies and viewers
Shock and awe, plus more

Last June, UP Tomo-Kai held a week-long event known as “Screening Anime: Understanding Japan through Anime.” The event was a series of film showings in different selected dormitories inside UP campus and was held from June 19-22 and June 25. Aside from the visual treat of the movies, the audience were also given another treat in the form of a raffle wherein anyone from the audience will win a Doraemon bag courtesy of Animation International.

All the dormitories werevery welcoming in co-hosting the event and the dormers proved to be an enthusiastic bunch. During the first day, Mamoru Hosoda’s 2009 film “Summer Wars” was shown at Yakal Residence Hall. Next day, it was Katsuhiro Otomo’s “Akira” at the Molave Residence Hall. Third day of the event brought Satoshi Kon’s “Paprika” to Sampaguita Residence Hall’s viewing eye. Next, tears were shed as the movie “5 Centimeters per Second” by Makoto Shinkai was played at Kamia Residence Hall. Later on, the supposed movie “Doraemon” was replaced by Masaaki Yuasa’s “Mind Game” during the fifth and last day of the event held at Kalayaan Residence Hall due to technical difficulties, but the reception was astounding nonetheless.

The successful turnout of the event proves the interest of our students in Japanese culture in an easier-to-digest anime packaging. It is great way to spur the interest of many and, at the same time, make known of the Japanese culture to a considerable audience, indeed.

– Leonard Keven de Castro

Our Applicants’ Orientation is coming this Friday! Do attend if you have an intention of joining our club, or if you’re curious to know what UP Tomo-Kai is all about: our events, committees, goals, and whatnot.

Plus, there just might be free food.

So head on over on July 6, 2012, 5 pm at Room 211 of the College of Arts and Letters Building (also known as the CAL New Building, if you’re old-school)! You can choose to register online or by texting Lenard at +63 927 309 4009, though drop-in guests are equally welcome.

See you there!

UP Tomo-Kai presents Screening Anime: Understanding Japan through Anime, a series of film showings in selected dormitories inside campus.

Discover the synergy of images at work in animated features from Japan, glimpse at the snippets of culture that they project, and understand what it means to view them with a Filipino perspective this June 19-25, 2012.

See you there!

June 19
Yakal: Summer Wars

June 20
Molave: Akira

June 21
Sampaguita: Paprika

June 22
Kamia: 5 Centimeters per Second

June 23
Kalayaan: Doraemon