Aussie-Philippine celebration brings food, fun to Glorietta

The Australian Embassy is turning up the summer heat with the return of the Philippines-Australia Friendship Festival, set for 7–8 June at the Glorietta Activity Centre in Makati City.

Organized with Ayala Malls and ACEN, the two-day event celebrates the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Australia through food, education, music, and lifestyle. “Each year, we bring the Friendship Festival to different parts of the Philippines to celebrate the strong ties between our two countries,” said Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu.

Festivalgoers can enjoy Australian-made food and drinks, grab exclusive Qantas travel promos, and explore booths featuring products by Australian-educated Filipino entrepreneurs. Study opportunities will also take the spotlight, with Australian universities like the University of Adelaide sharing insights on scholarships, career paths, and school life down under.

TV personalities Drew Arellano and Iya Villania will host the opening program, which highlights Anko’s eight-month journey in the Philippines. The Australian home and lifestyle brand recently launched its loyalty program, Anko Club, and collaborated with ambassador Anne Curtis.

The festivities will wrap up with a free concert featuring the all-female P-pop group G22, which includes Fil-Aussie member Jasmine Henry. Two lucky attendees will win roundtrip tickets to Australia, with destinations including Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane via Qantas.

Ambassador Yu noted that the festival celebrates a long and evolving relationship — dating back to the “Manila Men” of the 1800s to the more than 400,000 Filipinos currently living in Australia. She also credited the strong presence of Australian business in the Philippines for sustaining this connection, naming firms such as Anko, AMS Global, Qantas, Telstra, and more.

Described as a “celebration of shared values, culture, and the powerful connections between people,” the Philippines-Australia Friendship Festival promises a weekend of fun, learning, and community spirit.