The Philippines took center stage at Expo 2025 Osaka last week with a grand celebration of its National Day, drawing a full house at the Ray Garden and putting the country’s heritage, creativity, and enduring spirit in the spotlight.
The day began with a vibrant Grand Parade at the Expo Grounds featuring traditional dances, colorful costumes, and cultural performances that captured the rich diversity of the Filipino people.
This was followed by a ceremonial program at the Ray Garden, where Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco extended a warm Filipino welcome to the Expo’s global audience.
“Today, the Philippines presents itself before the world with the enduring strength of a nation rooted in heritage, reaching forward with hope. On behalf of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., and the Filipino people, I extend our deepest gratitude to the Government of Japan, to the organizers of Expo 2025, and to our fellow nations for this extraordinary gathering of global community, aspirations, and shared humanity. This Expo is proof that across seas and borders, we still believe in something larger than ourselves—the power of culture, the promise of peace, and the duty we share to shape a better world,” Frasco said.
The Tourism Secretary offered a heartfelt reflection on the Pavilion’s message and the Philippines’ participation in the global event.
“Our Pavilion bears the theme: ‘Nature, Culture, and Community: Woven Together for a Better Future.’ And in that word—’woven’—lies the ethos of how we have endured, and emerged as a nation. Across our over 7000 islands, life does not follow a single thread. It is interwoven. Our traditions, our aspirations, our labors and triumphs—none stands alone. They are strands in a greater tapestry representing the spirit of who we are and who we strive to become. In Tagalog, we call this spirit ‘diwa’—the essence that animates. In Cebuano, ‘panaghiusa’—the unity that makes us whole. And in every part of our Pavilion, that spirit of unity in diversity is alive,” she added.
Frasco also highlighted the strong reception to the Philippine Pavilion, which has welcomed over 300,000 visitors in just two months and has quickly become a crowd favorite. She acknowledged the collective effort of the DOT, TPB Philippines, other national government agencies, and design partners Architect Carlo Calma and international firm Tellart in bringing the vision of the Pavilion to life.
At the heart of the National Day celebration was Hinabing Hiraya (Woven Imagination), a three-part cultural performance curated by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), showcasing the enduring artistry of Filipino weaving and storytelling.
The program closed with a stirring ensemble rendition of “Pilipinas Kong Mahal,” which echoed through the venue as a solemn vow to the nation’s past, present, and future—met with resounding applause from the crowd.
Officials also toured the Philippine Pavilion to immerse themselves in live cultural performances by the CCP, and experience its standout features—including ‘Dancing with Nature,’ a digital display that transforms visitors into elements of the natural world; an AI Photobooth; the Hilot Wellness Space; the Habi Gift Shop showcasing proudly Filipino products; the Hain Take-out, which serves Filipino snacks and dishes and has become a popular favorite among Expo visitors.
The Expo runs until October 13, 2025.
