<p>We interviewed Jhoenel Alejandro Marquez(stage name : Tensai), who is from Philippines. </p>

<p>He won the first prize at the International Red-White Singing Festival in Cebu, which was a ticket to Tokyo stage. </p>

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<p>1. Why did you decide to join this event in Cebu? </p>

<p>I have a group of J-pop singers (Team OKE Gakuen) who let me know about the event in Cebu. <br />
A free trip to Japan is what really encourages me to join the contest. <br />
But more than that, I want to gain experience through singing Japanese songs on stage. And it is also my first time to visit Cebu. </p>

<p>Singing in Japanese was difficult for me, especially the pronunciation. But with the help of my team, I could overcome the difficulty. </p>

<p> </p>

<p>2. Have you come to Japan? What are you interested in Japanese culture?</p>

<p>I'd been to Japan before when I was working as a Marine Engineer. </p>

<p>Anime is the major key why I've become interested in Japanese culture. It became part of my childhood that's why singing anime songs brings back my childhood memories.</p>

<p>Actually my biggest dream as a singer is to sing Anime songs. </p>

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<p>3. What song will you sing at the stage in Tokyo? And why did you choose the song? </p>

<p>I will sing “Konayuki” by Remioromen. <br />
It is a theme song of a Japanese drama "One Liter of Tears". <br />
It was aired in the Philippine television years ago. </p>

<p>Actually my mother is almost the same as the drama’s character who is sick, so I want to dedicate this song to my mother. </p>

<p><br />
4. What do you think is the attraction of music or songs? </p>

<p>Music can talk through everyone. It can break the language barrier and talk directly through people's hearts. </p>

<p>Singing makes me feel alive and express myself freely. I can say that my life is incomplete without it. </p>

<p>And especially Anime song makes me happy by remembering me of my childhood. </p>

<p><br />
5. What do you think about international exchange like this event?</p>

<p>It is like sharing and uniting everyone around the globe through a certain activity like singing and appreciating the culture of every nation. </p>

<p>It is a dream of mine to go to Japan and sing in international stage. That alone is a dream come true. </p>

<p>I just want to gain friends through my passion and share it to everyone especially to Japanese people since I am singing Japanese music. </p>

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<p><span style="color:#0000FF;">He will sing as a White team. <br />
Let’s enjoy his song and share his passion. </span></p>

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Interviewer: Sae Iida<br />
Graduated from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. <br />
Had guided foreign people to Meiji Shrine as a volunteer activity, Global Community, and based on the experience, created a guide book to Meiji Shrine in Japanese, English and Korean, as a graduation research. <br />
Working at a commercial vehicle company now.  She enjoys visiting various cafes every weekend. <br />
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