Love, Valentines, and, Japanese film festival

Beyond February 14, Valentine’s Day, love goes on.

Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8).

And all are loved: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” (John 15:9)

Have you shared your love, have you received love, not only yesterday but through the days/years?

The commercial world equates Valentine’s Day with flowers/chocolates/gifts and treats from shops.

Oh, but a tender kiss/a simple message/a gentle touch --there are a thousand/more creative/original/heartfelt ways to express/share love each and every day!

In case you still want to treat yourself/your loved one/s to more days of love, you may want to consider this timely 2025 Japanese Film Festival treat from Japan Foundation.

From February 14 -23, at SM Seaside Cebu, 12 films are available for free viewing for all interested!

For more information about these films, please visit: https://japanesefilmfestph.jfmo.org.ph/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIaA-hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXcaDH-G-Z3x7fh9RX7sefNthNtr6-zolex2JcszVpfxJLOaEUf2yNsxEg_aem_-UZNi_Ks4HY3cBP3ogxiTw

In you do not have time to view the earlier suggested link, allow us to guide you all through the films to be shown during this Japanese Film Festival.

Top recommended movie to watch is “Godzilla Minus One”.

Shown in 2023, this is an Academy Award Winner for best visual effects! This film also commemorates the 70th anniversary of Godzilla series. The 125-minute drama shows how a pilot rescues a young woman and a little orphan girl under her care from Godzilla.

“Hailed by many reviewers and legions of worldwide fans as one of the best Godzilla movies of all - this is a must-see film!”

Those who missed seeing this last February 14 can still view the film at 4:20 P.M. on February 16 and February 22.

Those feeling romantic among you may want to catch the 110-minute drama/romance 2023 film “Our Secret Diary” to be shown at 4:20 P.M. on February 17 and 21.

“Let's Go Karaoke” is a 107-minute 2024 comedy focused on the friendship that developed (through a series of karaoke sessions) between an initially-reluctant school choir leader and an off-key Yakuza gangster. To be shown on 18 February 7 P.M. and February 20 at 4:20 P.M.

 For those who love drama, there are four films to select from:

1.) “Perfect Days” a 123-minute 2023 drama scheduled on 15 February 7 P.M. and 17 February 7 P.M., shows how the simple life of a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo can be “a deeply moving and poetic reflection on finding beauty in the everyday world around us;

2.) “Dito” a stunning 117-minute 2024 human drama depicting the growth and bond between a father (a professional Japanese boxer trying to make a comeback in the Philippines) and his daughter who find “Dito”, a place to live in the present in a foreign land. Showtime: 15 February 1:40 P.M., 17 February 7 P.M. and 19 February 7 P.M.;

3.) “Under the Open Sky” a 126-minute 2021 film about the struggle to be reintegrated into society of a middle-aged ex-yakuza released after serving 13 years. For showing on February 15 and 23, both at 4:20 P.M., and,

4) “Monster” for showing at 7 P.M. on February 16 and 23, this 127-minute 2023 drama shows how the truth gradually emerges through the eyes of a teacher, a child, and a mother trying to discovery what is behind the strange behavior of her young son.

“Matched” is a 110-minute 2024 suspense/thriller about “a wedding planner who reluctantly joins a dating app and is matched with a stranger who is a suspect in a murder case targeting users of the same dating app. Watch how this suspense thriller ends this February 19 at 4:20 P.M. and 7 P.M. of February 21.

For Anime lovers- there are four to choose from: 1.) “Akira” anime science-fiction, 2.) “Sand Land”, 3.) “The Imaginary”, and, 4) “Haikyu! The Dumpster Battle” –anime/sports.