Shogun Renaissance Brings Two Cultures Together in a Lively Two-Day Celebration at Malcolm Square

Baguio City — The Cordillera–Japan Culture and Arts Festival: Shogun Renaissance unfolded as an exciting two-day affair on November 29 and 30, 2019 at Malcolm Square Plaza, fostering friendship and cultural exchange between two Asian traditions while opening a welcoming space for creativity, learning, and community participation. The festival was headed and organized by Maila Alog, whose leadership guided the overall vision, programming, and execution of the event.

From the moment the plaza came alive, the festival drew both the young and the young at heart. Families, students, artists, and visitors gathered—many dressed as beloved characters—turning the public square into a colorful tapestry of imagination and self-expression. The atmosphere was festive yet purposeful, reflecting the event’s aim to celebrate culture in ways that are accessible, joyful, and inclusive.

Day 1: Culture Takes the Stage

The festival formally opened with a PROCOR Cultural Performance, grounding the celebration in regional identity and setting a dignified tone for the activities that followed. Day 1 highlighted fashion as cultural storytelling, featuring runway presentations that bridged history and contemporary design.

A standout segment was the Runway Show: Asian Armours by Guy Singzon, which explored themes of strength, protection, and identity through Asian-inspired armor silhouettes. Another highlight, Kimono Collections, curated and modeled by Chairein Kris Cordoviz in collaboration with The Kimono Shop in Baguio, showcased the elegance and craftsmanship of traditional Japanese kimono in an open public runway. These presentations emphasized respect for tradition while inviting modern interpretation.

Complementing the runway were a Culture and Art Exhibit Showcase and interactive segments that allowed audiences to engage closely with both Japanese and Cordilleran aesthetics—through visual art, costume, and live performance.

Day 2: Youth, Talent, and Community Engagement

The second day focused on participation and play, with friendly competitions and performances that encouraged creativity across age groups. Search for Chibi Star and Cosplay X-Factor drew enthusiastic crowds, celebrating character portrayal, talent, and stage presence. The Chibi Star segment recognized young performers with the following honors: Irish Cassandra Matias (CHIBI STAR 2019, also Best in Cosplay, Best in Talent, Best in Lolita, and Darling of the Crowd), Miel Angela Castulo (1st Runner-Up, Best in Filipiniana), Pearleen Antonette Melchor (2nd Runner-Up, Best in Production), AJ Gwyneth Salvador (People’s Choice Award), and Zoey Kylie Angway (Photogenic Award). (Photo by Osharé)

Beyond competition, the festival remained rooted in learning and sharing. Audiences experienced cultural demonstrations, enjoyed performances, and participated in activities that emphasized appreciation rather than rivalry—making culture approachable and fun.

Creativity with Compassion

Adding heart to the celebration were the festival’s outreach initiatives, including “Share a Toy, Share the Joy,” which integrated projects of giving into the program. Chosen beneficiaries were part of the festival’s objectives, reinforcing the idea that art and culture can also be vehicles for compassion and social responsibility.

Throughout both days, the program was kept lively by the ever-jolly host Totoy Bugoy, whose humor and warmth energized the crowd and connected diverse segments of the audience.

A Festival to Remember

By bringing culture into a public space, Shogun Renaissance demonstrated how festivals can educate, entertain, and unite communities at once. The two-day celebration allowed people to immerse themselves in Japanese and Cordilleran cultures, witness creativity in many forms, and participate in a shared experience that blended heritage with contemporary expression.

As the final performances concluded and the plaza slowly returned to its everyday rhythm, the festival left behind a strong sense of connection—one that the community would eagerly look forward to renewing in the years to come.

Shogun Renaissance was powered by Wilvy Shows Entertainment Production.