Bridging Japan Through Art and Culture: Japan’s Friendship Ties Program News

Being featured in Japan's Friendship Ties Program is one of my significant opportunities to share my story as an artist here in Tokyo. As a Filipino pianist, this honor is a testament to my dedication and passion for promoting art and culture to both nationsー Japan and the Philippines.

Here is the article in Japanese written by Ms. Miyako Tsuchiya.

English Translation:

Carell Ethilca Belandres-Henry

Pianist/Music Teacher

2009 JENESYS participant (10 ASEAN countries + Timor Leste)

At the time of participation: High School student

"Building a bridge between Japan and the Philippines through music"

JENESYS was a turning point in my musical career

I currently live in Tokyo with my American husband and work as a music teacher and pianist. I have been living in Japan for over seven years, but when I was in high school, I thought that going to Japan was just a retirement dream. However, thanks to JENESYS, I was able to come to Japan at a young age of sixteen.

The most memorable experience was my homestay. My host father took me to a nearby music store and gave me a Chopin score as a gift. At that time, I learned for the first time that Japan has high-quality sheet music and music books that the Philippines does not have. There are no music stores like Japan in the first place. This encounter led to my research into music education. On the day of our farewell, not only I but also my host family cried. Although I only stayed for a few days, I was able to build a very deep bond. 

Studying at a Music Graduate School in Japan 

After graduating from St. Scholastica's College, Manila, School of Music, I went on to the Elisabeth University of Music Graduate School in Hiroshima in 2017. I passed the entrance exam. My student life in Hiroshima started without knowing Japanese. Of course, I had to present my thesis in Japanese, which was very difficult. However, I remember being surprised and happy when I received the Cecilia Award at graduation, which is given to the best student in the university for the completion of their research. I proposed a research topic on how to improve the current situation in the Philippines, where there are no music publishers. I came up with this topic after visiting a music store during the JENESYS program. The professors were impressed, and thanks to them, I was offered a full scholarship by the school. 

I want to give back for the education I received

I was fortunate to receive a scholarship and was able to attend university and graduate school free of charge. As a Filipino, I want to give back to the education I received in Japan. I have two major goals for the future: To invite Filipino artists to Japan and hold a big concert and to establish a music publishing company in the Philippines. The Philippines imports music books from overseas, but if we can produce them domestically, we can get high-quality music books at affordable prices. Also, as the first step towards my dream, I launched the "Philippines Tokyo Concert Series" in 2024. This is an activity to introduce Philippine music that is not well-known in Japan. I have already held it twice in Tokyo and performed with various Filipino musicians. This activity led to me being invited to a diplomatic event at the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, and I also had the opportunity to perform in front of members of the Japanese Imperial Family. The purpose of my activities is to connect countries and people through music. I want to be a bridge between Japan and the Philippines through music. 

▲Carell performing on the piano at an event held by the Philippine Embassy in Japan