The Philippines is set to deliver an immersive experience highlighting Filipino craftsmanship at the upcoming World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan. The Department of Tourism (DOT), through the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, announced its plans for the Philippine Pavilion. The unveiling ceremony, held at The Garden Oriental Osaka, was led by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and TPB COO Maria Margarita Montemayor-Nograles. They were joined by 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.
Circularity is a central theme of the Philippine Pavilion, with the use of indigenous renewable materials in its construction. Additionally, a “second life” is planned for the structure and exhibitions, which will be relocated to the National Museum in the Philippines 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.
The Government of India has earmarked Rs 400 crore for its participation in the World Expo 2025 in Osaka. According to the Budget document, an India Pavilion will be set up at the expo, which will run for six months beginning April 13 next year. “The multi-billion dollar projects associated with the expo will generate significant opportunities for various sections in India. India Trade Promotion Organization has been appointed as the nodal agency for the event,” the document stated. The India Pavilion is expected to highlight the nation’s achievements and potential across various sectors, further enhancing its global standing and fostering economic growth.
