The Woman Behind the “Japayuki” Label: One Entertainer’s Story
“I went to Japan in 1987. I was 18 years old then. So, I didn’t have to lie. Underaged girls, 16 or 17, had to visit Recto [a street in Manila] to get a ‘new’ birth certificate made… or have their marital status changed to ‘single’ in documents.” “Audition was simple before the ARB [Artist Record Book]. Before Sioson, we did those three dances in front of the promoter.” Julia narrated, as a matter of fact, how her journey began. “We Flashed our Best Smile” Julia recalled the process before ARB. “To get a booking, we only had to audition at a night club somewhere in Mabini [Manila’s red-light district]. The promoter [recruiter on the Japanese side] rented the club for the auditions. Sometimes we didn’t even have to dance. We just showed our face–no dancing, no singing. Other times, the promoter only needed to see our headshots.” “On rare occasions, the Japanese bar owner went with the…