The Australian Embassy in the Philippines will host the Philippines-Australia Friendship Festival, a two-day event celebrating culture, lifestyle, and the bond between the two nations, on 7 and 8 June at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati.

“We’re thrilled to hold this year’s Festival in the heart of style and business in the Philippines — Makati — thanks to Ayala Malls, Ayala Corporation and ACEN,” said Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu.

“Each year, we bring the Friendship Festival to different parts of the Philippines to celebrate the strong ties between our two countries.”

Festival attendees can sample Australian food and beverages, take advantage of exclusive travel promotions from Qantas Airways, and discover unique products from Filipino entrepreneurs who studied in Australia.

Education will be a key focus, highlighting the approximately 40,000 Filipino students currently studying in Australia. Booths and talks led by Australian universities and institutions, including the University of Adelaide, will provide information on study pathways, scholarships, and career opportunities.

Hosted by TV personalities Drew Arellano and Filipino-Australian star Iya Villania, the opening program will celebrate the eight-month presence of Australian home and lifestyle brand Anko in the Philippines, including its successful store openings and partnership with brand ambassador Anne Curtis.

The festival will conclude with a free concert by the all-female P-Pop group G22, featuring Fil-Aussie member Jasmine Henry.

Two lucky shoppers will also have the chance to win roundtrip tickets to Australia, with destination options including Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane, courtesy of Qantas.

The festival celebrates the long-standing connection between Australia and the Philippines, from the “Manila Men” of the 1800s to the current vibrant community of over 400,000 Filipinos living in Australia.

“The Friendship Festival is only possible with the strong support of Australian business investing in the Philippines,” said Ambassador Yu, citing firms such as Anko, AMS Global, Macquarie, Sekuro, ANZ Bank, GHD, Leighton, Macquarie, OceanaGold, Qantas, SMEC and Telstra. “They are helping deepen our ties and supporting local jobs — a testament to the talent and potential of Filipinos.”

The Philippines-Australia Friendship Festival aims to be a weekend of fun, learning, and community, celebrating shared values and cultural connections.