CHEERS and laughter filled the Jerudong International School (JIS) Arts Centre Auditorium last evening at the One Asia Concert held to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Japan-Brunei Friendship.

The royal guest of honour to grace the ceremonial concert was Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Accompanying Her Royal Highness were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz bin Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Hj Abdul Wadood Bolkiah, and Pengiran Seti Aminah binti Pengiran Othman.

Also present at the concert were Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Hazair bin Haji Abdullah and his deputy.

Receiving Her Royal Highness upon arrival was Kenichi Suganuma, the Ambassador of Japan to Brunei Darussalam, who then proceeded to present to Her Royal Highness with a pesambah in the form of a Japanese painting.

The event began with a welcoming remark by Kenichi Suganuma in which he encouraged members of the public to attend a Japanese festival which will be held at Times Square in March.

The night continued with cultural performances by four Bruneian artistes under the auspices of the Culture and Arts Section of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

Following that, the main concert kicked off with remarkable drum performances from Aun and Hide – three Japanese talents that have circled the globe to perform their music.

The trio continued to woo the crowd with nine distinctive musical performances before the concert concluded with two final collaborative performances by both the Bruneian and Japanese troupes. - Borneo Bulletin (9 February 2014)