Array
Written By: Jocelyn Valle
Just like Filipinos and many other nationalities, the Japanese love giving and receiving gifts, or what they call okurimono, especially during the holiday season.
“We open our presents on the morning of Christmas day,” said Yuriko Takatori, who was born and raised in Japan. She told Lifestyle that she traveled for the first time in the Philippines in January this year. Since then, she’s been part of Mitsukoshi BGC, which is part of the iconic Japanese department store chain, Mitsukoshi.
Mitsukoshi BGC is found at the podium of The Seasons Residences, which also gives a slice of Japanese living in the Philippines. Both entities comprise the premium mixed-use development by Federal Land and its Japanese partners, Nomura Real Estate Development Co. Ltd. and Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd.
Takatori works as a senior marketing and customer service omotenashi manager. Omotenashi, which roughly translates in English as “hospitality,” is a deeply rooted culture in the sado (tea ceremony) that commits to wholeheartedly looking after guests.
She had been informed beforehand that the Philippines holds the longest Christmas celebration, typically starting in September. Still, she was amazed when the Mitsukoshi BGC team started preparing for the Yuletide as early as March.
Takatori got more excited seeing the whole picture unfold at the lighting ceremony held last Wednesday at the mall’s location on 8th Avenue, corner of 36th Street, in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
Unique charm
Guests gathered in anticipation at the lobby, where the program took place. It zeroed in on three central gifting themes: The Gift of Celebration, The Gift of Sharing, and The Gift of Entertainment.
“We are thrilled not only to bring you the magic of Christmas, but also the unique charm of Japanese-inspired Christmas season right here in BGC,” said Mitsukoshi BGC general manager Yoji Kawaguchi.
“We’re more than happy to share with you what we have prepared for the rest of the year. This year alone, we opened additional unique and concept stores. We shall continue to bring unique offerings as we bring to the Philippines the same standard of service and attention to detail that the brand has been known for all these years.”
Kawaguchi was then joined by Federal Land Inc. chairman Alfred Ty and Federal Land NRE Global Inc. (FNG) commercial business group head Charmaine N. Bauzon for the traditional Japanese ceremony of breaking the sake (rice wine) barrel. It symbolizes breaking barriers to make new beginnings, forge unity, and bring in good fortune.
Giant ‘kokeshi’ doll
After the opening ceremony came the unveiling of the huge sculpture-like kokeshi doll named Mitsuko, creating a welcome sight just outside the mall. Mitsuko encapsulates what’s in store this holiday season at Mitsukoshi BGC: traditional, forward-thinking, and all-out cute.
