The University of the Philippines Center for International Studies (UPCIS), in partnership with the Japan Foundation, Manila, and the Embassy of Japan, has successfully concluded an intensive 10-day training and rehearsal program conducted by revered Japanese Noh Grand Masters from June 5 to 15, 2026.

The specialized residency brought back 𝗡𝗼𝗵 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗨𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝘇𝗮𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻 (𝗦𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲-𝗸𝗮𝘁𝗮) 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗺𝘂𝗿𝗮 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗷𝗶 (𝗢̄𝘁𝘀𝘂𝘇𝘂𝗺𝗶-𝗸𝗮𝘁𝗮)—both esteemed Holders of Important Intangible Cultural Property in Noh Theatre—alongside Umewaka Keiko. The grand masters spent the week refining the specialized skills of the UPCIS Noh Ensemble in Noh dance, classical chanting, and musical accompaniment (ōtsuzumi drum). They also introduced the vital new repertoire required for the upcoming December premiere of the highly anticipated FilipiNoh play: 日比共同制作能公演「嵐翔」 𝙍𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙤̄ — 𝙎𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢: 𝘼 𝙅𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙣–𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙉𝙤𝙝 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚

(Filipino Translation: Paglusong sa Sigwa)

Staged as a major artistic milestone commemorating the landmark 70th Anniversary of Philippines–Japan Diplomatic Relations, this training phase offered UP student practitioners a rare, transformative opportunity to master international performance traditions directly from Japan culture bearers.

During the training period, the visiting masters, accompanied by the Filipino production team, also conducted vital technical site inspections at two major performance venues: the University Theater in UP Diliman and the RCBC Theater in Makati. UPCIS would like to thank Ms. Sam Clarin at the University Theater and the accommodating staff of the RCBC Theater for guiding the visiting masters and the creative delegation – composed of set and production designer Otto Hernandez, theater and lighting designer Joseph Matheu, and production manager Jojo Casim – as they closely examined the stages, backstage areas, and dressing rooms.

The extensive 10-day program concluded on a high note on Monday, June 15, with a formal courtesy visit to 𝗨𝗣 𝗗𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗱𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗼 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻, 𝗜𝗜. The visit highlighted the university’s continuous dedication to academic internationalization and deep cross-cultural diplomacy through the performing arts.

This milestone project was facilitated by the dedicated team of the UPCIS, led by East and Southeast Asian Studies Coordinator Prof. Amparo Adelina Umali, III, with the administrative support of UPCIS personnel Ms. Vianca de la Cruz and Ms. Jianna de Celis.

The UP Center for International Studies extends its deepest gratitude to Chozaemon Sensei, Omura Sensei, and Keiko Umewaka for their immense generosity, patience, and artistic guidance.