Philippines Earns Silver Award for Exhibition Design at World Expo 2025 Osaka

 Philippines Earns Silver Award for Exhibition Design at World Expo 2025 Osaka

The Philippine Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka proudly received the Silver Award for Exhibition Design, a recognition from the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) for outstanding creativity, craftsmanship, and visitor engagement. The award honors self-built pavilions under 1,500 square meters that excel in exhibit design and storytelling.

Raquel Tria-Joya, Committee Head for Central Information, accepted the award on behalf of the Philippine Pavilion, joining representatives from Poland (Gold) and Austria (Bronze).

On the same day, the Philippines also held the official closing ceremony of its Pavilion — a celebration of six months of cultural exchange, innovation, and global collaboration. The event gathered dignitaries, partners, artists, and guests at the Yumeshima site, capping off a successful showcase of Filipino creativity and spirit.

Since opening in April, the Pavilion has welcomed over 1.1 million visitors, serving as a platform for showcasing the Philippines’ artistry, sustainability, and sense of community. Under the theme “Nature, Culture & Community — Woven Together for a Better Future,” it offered an immersive, multisensory experience that blended modern technology with traditional artistry — featuring AI-powered installations, live performances, culinary showcases, and intricate handwoven displays.

The closing program was led by Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Chief Operating Officer and Philippine Organizing Committee Secretary-General Margarita Montemayor Nograles, joined by Ambassador Mylene Garcia-Albano and Tourism Undersecretary Myra Abubakar, who delivered the keynote message of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.

“From the very beginning, we knew the Philippine Pavilion would be more than a structure — it would be our nation’s heartbeat at Expo 2025,” said Nograles. “We didn’t just build a pavilion. We built pride, hope, and a home for the Filipino spirit — here in Japan and in the eyes of the world.”

A Legacy That Lives On
The Pavilion made history as the first live-performance façade ever created by the Philippines for a World Expo. Its exterior was adorned with over 200 handwoven panels crafted by local artisans from all 18 regions — the largest weaving collaboration in Philippine Expo history. Inside, visitors experienced 18 large-scale handwoven art pieces, the AI-powered “Dancing with Nature” installation, interactive photo booths, the Habi Shop, and a Hilot Wellness Corner — all designed to highlight the country’s rich heritage and innovative future.

In its next chapter, key elements from the Pavilion will be repatriated to the National Museum of the Philippines and select regional sites. Some will also be featured at the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) and Travex in Cebu, January 2026, ensuring that the Pavilion’s legacy continues beyond the Expo.

Reflecting on its impact, Nograles shared, “What we created here was more than an exhibit — it was a feeling of warmth, wonder, and welcome. Through this Pavilion, we invited the world to rediscover the Philippines, and we look forward to welcoming them again on our shores.”

A Platform for People, Partnerships, and Possibility
Throughout Expo 2025, the Philippine Pavilion served as a hub for cultural diplomacy, trade, and tourism development. From the Philippine National Day celebrations to MICE roadshows and business meetings, it fostered lasting partnerships that will continue to strengthen Philippine-Japanese relations.

As this milestone chapter closes, the message is clear: the Philippines’ story doesn’t end here. Through community-based tourism, heritage-driven storytelling, and global collaboration, the nation continues to showcase its heart, history, and hope — and invites the world to experience it firsthand.