Calma-designed Philippine Pavilion opens to global acclaim at Expo 2025

The Philippine Pavilion officially opened its doors at Expo 2025 Osaka, drawing enthusiastic crowds and international attention with an immersive cultural exhibit themed “Nature, Culture, and Community: Woven Together for a Better Future.”

The pavilion impressed visitors with its intricate woven façade, featuring 212 indigenous fabrics sourced from across the Philippines — the largest collaboration of Filipino weavers ever assembled. It also featured tech-powered storytelling, interactive art installations, and live performances aimed at bringing Filipino identity to the global stage.

“This façade is a statement,” said Carlo Calma, lead designer of the Pavilion. “We wanted the structure itself to breathe and move with the stories it holds. It reflects who we are as Filipinos — always in motion, always evolving, always expressive.”

Inside, the Pavilion showcased 18 handwoven art pieces, each representing a different Philippine region. Created over six months by master artisans using both traditional and unconventional materials — including abaca, cotton, candy wrappers, and chicken feathers — each piece is enhanced with light, sound, and projections that bring regional stories to life.

A key highlight of the Pavilion is “Dancing with Nature,” an interactive digital installation developed in collaboration with design studio Tellart. Visitors are digitally transformed into fluttering leaves, blooming flowers, or swimming fish — symbolizing their role in the ecosystem and reinforcing the Pavilion’s core message of harmony through connection.

“We are overwhelmed and honored by the reception on Day 1,” said Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles, Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Promotions Board and Secretary General of the Philippine Organizing Committee. “Seeing so many visitors moved by our stories, our traditions, and our people—it’s the strongest reminder of why we are here: to connect through culture and to showcase the heart of the Filipino spirit to the world.”

Daily performances by artists from the Cultural Center of the Philippines are held five times a day, adding further dimension to the Pavilion’s multisensory experience.

Love the Philippines through the pavilion

Dignitaries and guests, including Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Garcia-Albano, visited the Pavilion during opening day.

“Expo 2025 Osaka comes at a meaningful time as we mark 70 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan,” said Ambassador Mylene Garcia-Albano. “The Pavilion goes beyond being a cultural showcase— it’s a heartfelt expression of friendship, respect, and shared aspirations with our Japanese partners.”

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco also emphasized the Pavilion’s deeper purpose beyond aesthetics.

“The Philippine Pavilion is our invitation for the world to connect with the heart and soul of the Filipino people and to discover the many reasons to Love the Philippines,” she said, referencing the administration's tourism slogan.

“We hope to inspire travelers to explore our 7,641 islands, experience the depth of our culture, marvel at the excellence of Filipino creativity, and be moved by the stories of triumph and resilience of our communities. By blending the use of traditional weaving methods with innovation and technology in highlighting the diversity of our Regions and the identity of our peoples, we are bringing our message of sustainable tourism development to the fore, where tourists are introduced to meaningful experiences while our local communities benefit with sustained livelihood and employment,” Frasco added.

The Pavilion is also designed with sustainability in mind. After Expo 2025, its key elements, including the woven façade, will be repurposed and displayed at the National Museum of the Philippines.

Upcoming Pavilion features include the Habi Gift Shop, Hilot Wellness Space, and Hain Takeout Counter, as well as the debut of mascot Kokoro-chan — meant to represent the Filipino spirit of warmth and curiosity.

“We invite the world to not only see the Philippines, but to feel it,” added COO Nograles. “From every thread on our façade to every story told inside, this Pavilion is our invitation to connect—heart to heart, culture to culture.”