Most millennials would credit Filipino TV personality Ellen Nishiumi for their knowledge of and love for Japan. Known for her dynamic role as the host of the popular show Oh Tokyo, Ellen Nishiumi has been a pivotal figure in promoting Japanese culture among Filipinos. Her unique blend of charm, cultural insight, and enthusiasm made her a beloved media personality who brought the wonders of Japan into Filipino homes back in the early 2000s, a time when the yen was stronger and visas were a bit more difficult to come by.
Nowadays, it’s much easier to visit Japan. It’s not unusual to hear an Oh Tokyo quip among Filipinos while enjoying a spoonful of tonkatsu and making a candid comment as to how it tastes the way Ellen used to. Some would even go as far as to say that Ellen was the precursor—the OG as kids say these days—of travel vlogging in Japan. “I didn’t really expect it to be so famous,” she admitted as we sat at a café in one of Shibuya’s newest skyscrapers overlooking the famous crossing. “I just saw our work as our channel’s way of sharing about the uniqueness of Japan to Filipinos.”
Reflecting on the impact of Oh Tokyo, Ellen’s eyes sparkled with nostalgia as she recounted how she saw their work as simply trying to bridge a gap. In the early 2000s, Japan was this enigmatic place for many Filipinos and the goal of the show was to demystify it, to show its beauty and quirks in a way that was accessible and entertaining.
Through her personality that shined through the screen, her authentic reactions, and her informative reports, Ellen was able to deliver and create an immersive cultural experience. Her segments ranged from exploring Tokyo’s vibrant districts and historical landmarks to delving into the intricacies of Japanese traditions, cuisine, and daily life. Her approach was always warm and inclusive, breaking down cultural barriers with her endearing character and genuine curiosity.
Ellen came to Japan in the late ’80s after training to be part of a dance troupe. “I never hid the fact that I came to Japan as an entertainer,” she said. Later, through her work, she met her husband, a businessman whom she and their closest friends fondly call Teddy. “He really made an effort for me,” she said. “When I came home for several months, he would fly in and visit as often as he could.” Now married for over 30 years, the life of Ellen and Teddy in Japan has been quite the adventure, as she would put it. “He’s very active in his business and he encourages me to go for the things I want to do.”
Ellen joined WINS Filipino-Japanese cable channel’s roster of reporters in the ’90s and became the host of Oh Tokyo in 1999. “There used to be three reporters. I got hired thanks to one of them who was my friend, Gloria,” she recalled. “I used to just come with her to shoots and help out, recommending what to say. Then later, I was given a chance and I stayed on. I’m very thankful to her.” At some point, the other reporters left, with only Ellen to do the reporting and it became her show.
“I never watched it before. I just knew it was going to come out in the Philippines. All I knew is we would film 30-minute segments with the production team and later, they increased our show’s time slot to an hour.” As its popularity grew, more doors opened for Ellen and she just found herself enjoying the job and the opportunity to enjoy living in Japan while having her own career. Ellen would get shocked that some Filipino celebrities coming over knew who she was. “I would be at their show to interview them and they would be so happy to see me. Some would even ask for a photo even if they’re such big stars,” she said. “It made me realize how the show has really picked up back home.”
Her parents didn’t even know she was working as a TV personality until friends of theirs saw it. “They were in Makati and the TV had Oh Tokyo playing. They called my parents and asked if it was really me since the woman on the screen looked and sounded like I did,” said Ellen.
Oh Tokyo ran until 2008 when Tsuzuku Hiroaki, the show’s director, producer, and vice president for WINS International, got sick and later passed away. “After Oh Tokyo, I worked in a Japanese company, doing office work for 14 years,” she said. “It was pretty good but I missed the show and doing creative things.”
Nowadays, Ellen helps Filipinos who wish to go on tour in Japan, a service she offers through word of mouth among friends. “I help them arrange their tours while they’re here. I help them with the bookings and even join them while exploring Tokyo,” she shared. “I thought about putting up a travel agency but it’s a lot of paperwork and the process can be tedious. Now that I see vloggers on the internet sharing about Japan, it sometimes makes me think of coming back but on a digital platform. I’m not sure but I feel like I have more stories to tell about life in Japan.”
It’s been 25 years since Ellen and the production team at WINS started Oh Tokyo. “I normally don’t agree to interviews anymore,” she said. “Quite some time has passed but I’m happy people still remember Oh Tokyo after all this time. I’m happy with the impact we were able to make.”
Will she really make a comeback?
“Let’s see,” Ellen said with a knowing smile.