[ Sender:JCS ]
The second from the last interview series features two international students from the Philippines, Tiffany (left) and Herlyn (right)! They talked about how they perceive Japanese media content in their home country comparing other Asian countries and the tips on working with Filipinos.
Tiffany: From Manila. Living in Japan for 3 years. Researching on climate change in Tokyo University for Master's degree.
Herlyn: Currently living in Japan for 11 months. Majoring International Relations at Waseda university for doctoral degree.
― Why did you choose Japan first of all?
Herlyn: "Because my Master's degree was on Asian Studies major in Japan Studies. My thesis topic was about 'The Representation of Masculinity in Japanese Media'. So people ask me 'If you're studying International Relations now, why did you choose Japan?' Actually I can't find any other place that suits my interests apart from Japan, so I decided to take my PhD here."
Tiffany: "Back in high school, my friend who is a good artist and really interested in Japanese animation told me to study Japanese language together. I did my exchange in Japan after that because I didn't want to just forget about what I learned. After that I had some opportunities related to Japan like internship, and eventually Master's."
― What specifically interests you?
Herlyn: "I'm interested in idols, specifically 'Johnny's idols'. I'm a fan of 'KAT-TUN' and this weekend I'm going to Sendai to watch the concert. I did my Master's thesis on 'KAMENASHI Kazuya'."
Tiffany: "I'm interested in music, mainstream pop. I like CREAM. I know they're new but I've been following them since they were doing covers. They used to do a lot of covers of pop song and translated into Japanese. And now showing 'Rurouni Kenshin', I watched it when I was a kid. But I guess more than music and animation, I really like technology here and that's also why I came here to study environment."
― How did you get interested in Japan?
Herlyn: "When I was a kid, I was interested mainly in anime because it was shown in the Philippines, for Example 'YuYu Hakusho'. That was my childhood favorite anime. But then as I grew up, I wasn't able to follow the new anime any more, and I got more interested in Japanese dramas and movies. That's how I got to know Japanese actors through them. For example, I watched 'Gokusen' which was dubbed and aired in Filipino.
Most of the programs on TV these days are Korean dramas. Very few Japanese dramas get aired in the Philippines."
― So far many CoFesta ambassadors told us that Korean dramas are very strong in their home countries. What kind of different impression do you get between Korean and Japanese content?
Tiffany: "I feel while Korean dramas are more about romance that are really sad, tragic love story, Japanese dramas have this theme of 'dream come true'. There is always a big hurdle in front of a character and throughout the show and he/she is trying to overcome this hurdle, saying 'do your best!'."
Herlyn: "Korean dramas are more realistic in a way. They are really grounded on real normal events. But most of the Japanese dramas are based on anime or manga, some of them have some magic realism aspects. So there is always anime-ish feel to it. Everything is hilarious, and there is always some exaggeration. One thing I like about Japanese dramas is that they are shorter, from 10 to 12 episodes. Korean dramas are longer so it's hard to follow them all. They are around 20 to 30 episodes so it's difficult to follow them all."
― What about the Philippines made TV dramas?
Tiffany: "Recently you notice that the theme is having a third person in a relationship. That kind of conflict is popular recently. 'Love triangle'. "
Herlyn: "The trend in Philippine dramas are based on Mexican dramas. Like betrayal, the son of this person got exchanged with another person. There is always a mistress, extramarital affairs, that is the booming trend right now. But actually in the Philippines, we cannot get divorce. It is the only Christian country that doesn't have divorce."
Tiffany: "If we want to get separated, we can. But it is called 'annulment' and "
Herlyn: "We also have 'Fantaserie' (Fantasy + series)" which is based on Philippine comic books. Philippines comics are very similar to American 'Marvel' comics"
― What are the things we should be aware of when working with people from the Philippines? For example in Japan, we have 'Nomi-nication' (drinking+communication) culture to get close to your co-workers. How do you usually communicate?
Tiffany: "We do, but not as strong as Japan. We have an eating culture. So we don't need alcohol to communicate. "
Herlyn: "Like we eat every 2, 3 hours?"
Tiffany: "We have what we call 'Merienda' which is a Spanish word for 'snacks'"
Herlyn: "For British, it's tea time. People find it very strange because we look like eating all the time and not working... but that's what our culture is."
Tiffany: "In general, we're more laid back. We're not so formal. If you are too formal, then you put too much space and it'd be hard to work with."
― How do you usually get information on Japanese media content?
Tiffany: "Mostly from communities on Facebook. 'Live Journal' （http://www.livejournal.com/）has a good community of Japanese media content. It's like Tumblr but it's older and more community based. 'deviantART is an artwork platform for any kinds of artists and Cosplayers to upload their works. I also manage blog called 'Manila Foodistas' which introduces life and food in Japan. "
Wow, that was very interesting! Thank you very much Herlyn and Tiffany!
Stay tuned for the next interview, a case on <<Vietnam>>!
Vol.1 : Interviews with "CoFesta Ambassadors": Vol.1 << USA >>
Vol.2 : Interviews with "CoFesta Ambassadors": Vol.2 << Indonesia (1) >>
Vol.3 : Interviews with "CoFesta Ambassadors": Vol.3 << Indonesia (2) >>
Vol.4 : Interviews with "CoFesta Ambassadors": Vol.4 << Mexico (1) >>
Vol.5 : Interviews with "CoFesta Ambassadors": Vol.5 << Mexico (2) >>
Vol.6 : Interviews with "CoFesta Ambassadors": Vol.6 << Thailand >>
More about "CoFesta"
http://www.cofesta.jp/
What is "CoFesta Ambassadors" program?
Through the voices and observations done by overseas consumers of
Japanese media content, CoFesta administration team aim to provide
beneficial information from 1) marketing and 2) promotional points of
view for the CoFesta events and the exhibitors.
Every year, 150 international students studying abroad in Japan are
certified as "CoFesta Ambassadors" for this program.
