Step into Bonifacio Global City (BGC) on 21 January 2026, and you might feel like you’ve walked straight into a real-life sci-fi movie. The city is set to unveil Asia’s first Portal, a window that will connect Metro Manila in real time with Vilnius, Lublin, Dublin, Philadelphia, and Ipswich and, soon, more cities around the world.

Through a 24/7 livestream, the Portal allows people on opposite sides of the globe to see, hear, and even interact with each other. Imagine standing in Taguig and waving to someone in Lithuania, or watching the streets of Philadelphia from your office in BGC. The effect is both intimate and surreal, as if the walls of the world are momentarily gone. The life-size scale makes it feel more organic than the connection our smartphones and computers can give us.

“The opening of our first Portal in Asia is a powerful and exciting moment for us. Bringing the Portal to BGC in Manila—a city known for genuine warmth and deep sense of human connection—expands our vision of a world connected not by borders, but by direct human encounter. We cannot wait to welcome Filipinos into this shared global experience,” said Benediktas Gylys, founder of Portals Organization.

Enrique B. Manuel Jr., Chief Operating Officer of BGC, added, “We are delighted to introduce Portals to the Philippines and, for the first time, to Asia. At BGC, we draw inspiration from experiences that bring communities together and celebrate culture and diversity. With Portals and at BGC, we hope to create a new space for connection—one that not only engages our community, but also proudly shares the vibrancy and richness of Filipino culture with the world.”

The Manila Portal will be installed on 5th Avenue at Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City, with its opening ceremony set for 6:00 p.m. (PHT). Support from local partners including Excell Contractors and Developers Inc., Euroasia Marble & Granite, Habitus Design Group, United Neon, Globe at Home, Unionbank, and CMC Contract Manufacturing made the installation possible.

Portals.org, the global nonprofit behind the project, aims to build spaces where people can meet without borders or prejudices, experiencing Earth as a united planet. Since 2021, six Portals have already been installed across Europe and the U.S., and more locations (including Brazil) will open this year.

For Filipinos in Manila, the Portal isn’t just a sculpture. It’s a window to the world. Live, unfiltered, and interactive, it is a reminder of how humanity's desire for connection can test the limits of both science and art.