Nearly 500 J-pop and anime fans were treated to an afternoon filled with good music and friendship, as the top 15 contenders in the 2016 J-pop Anime Singing Contest battled it out at the SM Cinema Centerstage, SM Mall of Asia on Saturday, July 23, 2016.

The 2016 J-Pop Anime Singing Contest, which is one of the highlights of the celebration of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month this July and 60 Years of Philippines-Japan Friendship featured performances of J-pop and anime theme songs from finalists: Acel, Akano, Ana Enriquez, CMKC, Elle Genovata, Eugene Pachejo, Happy Kevin, Jena-Chan, Jhona Sacramento, Johannie Velasco, Nessie Bonite, Shielah Faye Labadan, Victoria Albo, Vinar Takumi, and Yna Sebastian; and special performers: Embassy of Japan’s No Plan Band, Kawaii 5, Doraemon and Friends, and 2015 J-pop Anime Singing Contest Grand prize winner, Maychell Hernandez.

(Up to Bottom) Performances from Top three winners: CMKC, Happy Kevin; and Ms. Jhona Sacramento

Of the 15 finalists who displayed exceptional talent in singing, the golden voice of CMKC emerged as the grand prize winner of this year’s contest. Happy Kevin came in second place while Jhona Sacramento placed third.  All three received gadgets and goodies from the event’s sponsors.  On top of those, both first and second prize winners won an all-expense paid trip to Japan.

Japanese Pop Music, Anime, and Manga have always enjoyed a huge following among Filipinos, serving as a gateway for many to learn Japanese culture and language. Aside from music, Japanese entertainment, fashion, and technology have also built dedicated fan bases in the country. More Filipinos are now pursuing opportunities to visit, study, and work in Japan, bringing Philippines-Japan relations even closer.

The J-pop Anime Singing Contest aims to promote J-pop, anime, Japanese language and culture appreciation among Filipinos and to contribute to further strengthening the longstanding friendship between Japan and the Philippines.

This event was organized by the Embassy of Japan, in cooperation with The Japan Foundation, Manila, (JFM), with the support of All Nippon Airways, Animation International, Ajinomoto Philippines, Bandai Namco Philippines Inc., Bobson, Canon Information Technologies, Inc., Canon Marketing Philippines,  Center for Pop Music Philippines, HERO TV, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, Inc., Lotte Confectionery Pilipinas Corporation, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Manila, Nihongo Center Foundation, Panasonic Philippines Corporation,  SM Cinema, SM Mall of Asia, Sony Philippines, Toei Animation Philippines, Inc., Yakult Philippines, and Yoshinoya.