Beaming with pride, Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco welcomed dignitaries and guests to the vibrant celebration of Philippine National Day at Expo 2025 Osaka, showcasing the Filipino culture, heritage, and nation.
“Today, the Philippines presents itself before Japan and the world with the enduring strength of a nation rooted in heritage, reaching forward with hope. On behalf of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., and the Filipino people, I extend my deepest gratitude to the government of Japan, the organizers of the 2025 Expo, and to all our fellow nations for this extraordinary gathering of global community, aspirations, and shared humanity,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said.
“This Expo is proof that across seas and borders, we still believe in something larger than ourselves—the power of culture, the promise of peace, and the duty we share to shape a better world,” Frasco stressed.
Highlighting the close ties between the two countries, the tourism chief expressed gratitude to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who recognized the Philippine Pavilion during his recent State Visit to the Philippines.
“Domo arigatou gozaimasu, for your enduring friendship and your faith in the Filipino.”
“We are especially honored that during his recent visit to the Philippines, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba recognized the vitality and the vision of the Philippine Pavilion—and graciously invited the world to join us in Expo 2025 on this Philippine National Day. Domo arigatou gozaimasu, for your enduring friendship and your faith in the Filipino,” the tourism head said.
“President Marcos has called Japan a ‘steadfast and reliable partner’—and in a world often marked by division and doubt, such friendships are no longer just valuable—they are vital,” she added.
Inspired by Japan’s deep commitment to innovation and education, Frasco also took the opportunity to unveil two legacy initiatives that will extend the impact of Expo 2025 to the youth and future leaders of Philippine tourism—the Tourism Students’ Startup nationwide call for proposals from Tourism and Hospitality Students—and the Sustainable Tourism Development Training, a program aimed at equipping students from state universities with practical skills in planning, policy, and community-aligned tourism development.
“These initiatives inspire a next generation of tourism leaders—to build a sector that is competitive, resilient, inclusive, and proudly Filipino.”
“These initiatives inspire a next generation of tourism leaders—to build a sector that is competitive, resilient, inclusive, and proudly Filipino,” she noted.
The event saw the attendance of key officials and personalities including Secretary General Kenji Yamada of the Japan-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship League; Commissioner General Koji Haneda of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition and spouse Madame Ihoko Haneda; Secretary General Hiroyuki Ishige of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition; Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama of Osaka City; Kazuya Endo, Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines; Mylene Garcia-Albano, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippine to Tokyo, Japan; Senator Nancy Binay, Tourism Promotions Board—Philippines COO Marga Nograles, and other representatives of the governments of Japan and the Philippines.
