The Kasbang Tenugui Launch

The Kasbang tenugui had a launch at Japan Foundation Manila's Nihongo Fiesta 2025 in Edsa Shangri-la Mall last February 22. It is a lucky day because this date is also cat day in Japan. The Nihongo Fiesta is an annual speech contest for nihongo learners. I was able to give a talk about co-designing the first Filipino tenugui with Hocus MNL and Sagada elders during this event. In turn, I met Edward Lee Chee Peng who is the president of Japan Language Society Malaysia (JLSM). He invited me share my love for tenugui online for his JL Fest 2025 last July 19, 2025.

I would like to express my graditude to Japan Foundation's Senior Japanese Language Education Advisor Yuko Fujimitsu for giving this cultural advocacy in a mainstream space. She even introduced us to Japan Foundation's Deputy Director Yojiro Tanaka. This partnerships was instrumental in helping me later in the year because Japan Foundation recommended my tenugui to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). JICA chose my second Filipino tenugui by architect Jomike Tejido as their official souvenir gift to celebrate the 70th year of Philippine Japan Friendship.

Gallery

(Left to Right: Deputy Director Yojiro Tanaka, Senior Japanese Language Education Advisor Yuko Fujimitsu, Tenugui talk at Japan Foundation Nihongo Fiesta 2025)