MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines took center stage at Expo 2025 Osaka with a grand celebration of its National Day on Saturday (June 7) at the Ray Garden, in Osaka, Japan, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.
In a news release, the DOT mentioned that the event drew “a full house”, showcasing the country’s heritage, creativity, and enduring spirit, through a Grand Parade at the Expo Grounds featuring traditional dances, colorful costumes, and cultural performances.
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,” Secretary Frasco said.
“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 added.
Photo courtesy of Department of Tourism (DOT)
She also mentioned what it meant for the country to participate in the global event, as well as the message of the Pavilion, and what its design stands for.
“We came not merely to exhibit the Philippines, but to extend our hand, open our heart, and speak to the world of who we truly are—not just for display, but for dialogue; not only as a showcase, but as an invitation,” Frasco stated.
“Guided by the vision of our President, it has been our mission at the Department of Tourism to bring the Filipino identity to the global stage—not as a single thread, but as a vibrant tapestry—woven from centuries of influence, shaped by our many islands and ethnolinguistic communities, held together by a shared spirit of resilience, warmth, and pride,” Frasco said.
She also explained that the Pavilion bears the theme: “Nature, Culture, and Community: Woven Together for a Better Future,” with the word—'woven’—lies the ethos of how the Philippines 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,” Frasco mentioned.
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.
The Tourism Chief 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 HinabingHiraya (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 DOT said.
Distinguished guests who attended the event were Commissioner General Koji Haneda of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition and his spouse Madame IhokoHaneda; Secretary General Hiroyuki Ishige of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition; Secretary General Kenji Yamada of the Japan-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship League; Osaka City Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama; H.E. Kazuya Endo, Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines; Philippine Ambassador to Tokyo Mylene J. Garcia-Albano; Consul General Voltaire Mauricio of the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka; Senator Nancy Binay; and other officials from the governments of both countries, international tourism stakeholders, and key personalities and media, the DOT confirmed.
National Days are a central highlight of the Expo 2025 Osaka, giving each participating country a dedicated moment to celebrate its culture, achievements, and global contributions.
The Expo runs until October 13, 2025.
