OSAKA, Japan– The Philippines promises an immersive experience celebrating Filipino craftsmanship at the upcoming World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) through the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines made the announcement as it unveiled its plans for the Philippine Pavilion. Leading the unveiling ceremony held at The Garden Oriental Osaka is Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, TPB COO Maria Margarita Montemayor-Nograles, together with Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Garcia-Albano, 2025 World Exposition Commissioner General Ambassador Koji Haneda, Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition Secretary General Hiroyuki Ishige, and Osaka Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama.
"The Philippines’ participation at the World Expo 2025 will be a showcase of our nation’s natural beauty and biodiversity, our proud history and heritage, and the culture and creativity of the Filipino people, evincing our nation’s commitment to collaboration, innovation, and sustainability — hallmarks of our beloved President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’ vision for our country’s transformation towards a Bagong Pilipinas - a New Philippines,” said Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco who also serves as the Commissioner-General of the Philippine Organizing Committee (POC) for the World Expo 2025 Osaka.
“Japan has been a steadfast partner of the Philippines with bilateral relations deeply rooted in nearly seven decades of diplomatic and economic cooperation on various fronts, including trade and investment. Our people-to-people relations have also been long standing, with Japan consistently ranking as one of our top tourist markets, providing our third largest source of international visitors to the Philippines in 2023, and with the Philippines also ranking as one of Japan’s top source markets. The Memorandum of Cooperation in Tourism, signed last year between our countries fortified these relations as does our participation in this Expo which shall expand our ties in tourism, trade, and investment, even as we look forward to expanding the same ties with the rest of the world as nations and peoples converge in Osaka in 2025," she added.
The DOT has been appointed as the Chairperson and Commissioner-General of the POC formed by virtue of Administrative Order No. 7 signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on April 19, 2023, with the TPB designated as Secretariat.
“The precursor to our participation in the World Expo 2025 is also a reflection of our nation’s collective resolve and unity. We have converged with our National Government Agencies comprising the Philippine Organizing Committee. We are collaborating with our local government units across all of our regions, and engaging the expertise and design talents of the private sector and our communities across the country. We are grateful for these invaluable partnerships. We are optimistic that this steadfast support will ensure the execution of a truly excellent Philippine Pavilion, which we project would entice more tourists and investments to the Philippines, create more economic opportunities and propel the continued prosperity of the Filipino people," the Secretary shared.
The “Woven” Pavilion boasts an interactive live performance facade showcasing traditional dance and crafts, a World Expo first for the Philippines that embodies the Filipino spirit of creativity and connection. Celebrating diversity, the facade also features 212 handwoven textiles from the largest collaboration of weavers in one project. Each piece tells a unique story reflecting each community’s rich heritage, tradition, and art.
“Crafted together with our design team, led by Architect Carlo Calma, we are thrilled to present a pavilion that beautifully captures the essence of the Philippines through the theme: 'Nature, Culture & Community, Woven Together for a Better Future,' or simply just 'Woven.' The Philippine pavilion celebrates our nation’s rich diversity and interconnectedness, drawing inspiration from our indigenous weaving traditions. At the TPB, Community-Based Tourism (CBT) is a priority agenda for us not only to give that unique Philippine experience to every traveler but also to empower local communities all over the country. A project that we aim to bolster and sustain,” said COO Nograles about the commitment to collaboration.
Circularity is a key theme for the Philippine Pavilion. Indigenous renewable materials are utilized in the construction, while a "second life" is planned for the structure and exhibitions back home in the Philippines at the National Museum in 2025 after the World Expo concludes.
“Our participation in the World Expo is also a celebration of the long standing and excellent bilateral relations between the Philippines and Japan. The Expo 2025 in Osaka offers another avenue to deepen this bond, as we share our rich cultural heritage and innovative spirit with our Japanese friends and the world. I would like to acknowledge the Philippine Organizing Committee for the World Expo Osaka, led by the Philippine Department of Tourism, with the Tourism Promotions Board as its secretariat, who are working tirelessly to ensure that the Philippine pavilion will serve as a beacon, inviting everyone to experience the warmth creativity, and resilience of the Filipino people,” Ambassador Albano said.
Guests from the Expo Association, officials, and diplomatic corps, and media including Representative of the National Government of Japan and Ambassador in Charge of Kansai for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Himeno Tsutomu, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Director General Tsuyoshi Morishita, and Sennan City Mayor Yamamoto were delighted by a display of music and cultural performances and a reveal of the Philippine Pavilion’s scale model with a tableau featuring Filipino weaves from Randy Ortiz’ anniversary collection.
Also in attendance were Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Osaka Consul General Voltaire Mauricio, PCG in Nagoya Consul General Roy Ecraela, and Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Atty. Marge Gutierrez, and Carlo Calma Consultancies, Inc. Lead Architect Carlo Calma, Principal Architect and Lead Designer of the Philippine Pavilion.
𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗱 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱
Japanese officials expressed their strong support for the Philippines Pavilion concept at the upcoming World Expo 2025, signaling their endorsement with a formal "kanpai" toast to its anticipated success.
“I’m excited to learn about the concept of such a beautiful Pavilion. As we witnessed, the Philippines is really blessed with rich, natural, and cultural heritages, which is reflected in the concept of the Pavilion. Congratulations on the very beautiful Pavilion. I can’t wait to visit it next spring,” remarked 2025 World Exposition Commissioner General Ambassador Koji Haneda as he led the kanpai among officials.
“The essence of Expo, which has remained unchanged for 170 years, is to learn about the world today and create a future together. I’m very pleased that your pavilion theme, 'Woven Together for a Better Future,' embodies this essence perfectly, as symbolized by the façade that utilizes rattan, a traditional Philippine craft. I hope that the Expo will be an invaluable venue that connects the Philippines, and Japan and the world by weaving together the unity of diverse people and the expectations for the future,” said Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition Secretary General Hiroyuki Ishige.
“I hope that the construction of your Pavilion will go smoothly and safely. I wish for the further and closer collaboration between Japan and the Philippines, and between Osaka and the Philippines, and also wish the safe and smooth success of Osaka Expo 2025,” added Osaka Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama.
Construction of Pavilion right on track
A Topping Out Ceremony, combining cherished Japanese and Filipino traditions, was also held on July 25, 2024 at the Philippines plot on Yumeshima Island in Osaka, celebrating another milestone for the project and signifying its on-time delivery.
The building is scheduled to be completed in March 2025 in time for the World Expo opening on April 13, 2025.
The Filipino ceremony featured a blessing by a Catholic priest and the cherished Filipino tradition of throwing coins, marking the occasion with hope and prosperity. Meanwhile, the Japanese ceremony included the "Jotoshiki," celebrating the completion of the 'mune'age' stage of construction, the "Heigushi," an offering to the gods and a decoration to ward off evil spirits, and the "Shiho-gatame no Gi," a ritual to ensure the building's structural stability and protection by "purifying" the four corners of the building by sprinkling rice, salt, and sake.
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