Forging JPN-PH connection MSU-GSC stands as sole Mindanaoan campus to host JFF 2025, celebrating cultural exchange, presentation

John Paul Siapel, Zyrelle Faith Erojo

Bringing Japanese culture and cinema to Mindanao State University–General Santos City (MSU-GSC), the Office of International Affairs (OIA), in collaboration with the Japan Foundation Manila, held the Japanese Film Festival (JFF) 2025 at the University Library Audio-Visual Room (AVR),  November 5.

As the only University in Mindanao who conducted JFF, they featured the films Bento Harassment and No Longer Heroine, which provided students and guests an engaging glimpse into Japanese daily life, values, and contemporary storytelling, strengthening cultural appreciation and international relations within the university community.

‘Aspect for enhancement’

Hirotaka Ono, as the Consul General of Japan in Davao, stated his support in establishing relations to elevate enhancement for both countries.

“One of my missions is to enhance the relationship between Gensan City and Japan, especially cultural exchange, but this is also very important to the economy, investment, trade and investment,” Ono addressed.

Ono further stressed the relevance of the partnership by presenting two major aspects of leveraging stronger connections.

“One is the economic relationship through trade and investment, and second is the cultural exchange and people-to-people exchange. There are so many people going to Japan, so many Japanese people coming to Mindanao, especially to Gensan City, which was important for us,” he stressed.

Ono also expressed his gratitude to MSU Gensan and to the students who participated in the said event, ‘wishing that every participant became driven and interested not only to the culture, but also to Japan overall’.

Art of storytelling

Emphasizing the strength of storytelling through film, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (VCSA), Dr. Norman Ralph Isla, delivered that cinema serves as a creative way in expressing and preserving culture.

“We believe in the power of film as something we forge through,” Isla said, stressing that this kind of art form allows people to capture reality and connect shared experiences.

Isla also shared that Mindanao, rich in color and culture, continues to overcome challenges and create better stories, showing that its people, as well as the entire Philippines, are more than tales of typhoons and wars, but a reflection of resilience and hope.

Slice of life

In the first film, Bento Harassment portrays the everyday struggles between parents and their children, showing the challenges of raising a teenager who seeks independence, and illustrates how love and communication, even when expressed in unconventional ways, can gradually bring a family closer together.

Meanwhile, No Longer Heroine follows high school student Hatori Matsuzaki, who sees herself as the “heroine” of her childhood friend Rita Terasaka, until Rita begins dating another girl, forcing Hatori to confront her feelings and navigate love, rivalry, and personal growth.

Aside from MSU-GSC, the University of Cordillera from Luzon and East Visayas State University from the Visayas were also chosen to participate in the Japanese Film Festival 2025, highlighting the collaboration of universities across regions and promoting greater appreciation of Japanese culture and cinema.