PH Ambassador Highlights Strong Philippines-Japan Ties in Student Group’s Visit at Faces and Flora Exhibit Culmination Week
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano (center) graced the special tour of Salamat A student volunteer organization from Nihon University at the “Faces and Flora – Philippines and Japan Native Plant Photography” exhibition on 06 November 2025 at the JP Tower Museum Intermediatheque, featuring Filipino photographer Jan Zoilo Rafael Mayo.
TOKYO, 11 November 2025 – As part of the culminating week of the “Faces and Flora – Philippines and Japan Native Plant Photography” exhibition organized by the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) and The University of Tokyo-University Museum, Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano graced the special tour of the exhibition for Salamat A, a student volunteer organization from Nihon University, on 06 November 2025 at the JP Tower Museum Intermediatheque.
The “Faces and Flora” project featured the portrait work of Filipino photographer, Mr. Jan Zoilo Rafael Mayo, juxtaposed with specimens of native flora from the Philippines and Japan, which showcased the compelling fusion of art and science. Mr. Mayo was a recipient of the 2023 Regional Grant Award under the Fujifilm GFX Challenge Grant Program, and his work has been featured in Esquire, Tatler Philippines, and Vogue Philippines.
“This exhibition distinctly highlighted the strong connection of the botanical heritage of the Philippines and Japan, and was presented through a unique medium using the artistic lens of one of the Philippines’ sought-after photographers, Mr. Jan Zoilo Rafael Mayo. I greatly appreciate the interest of the Japanese audience, represented during the special tour by student volunteer organization, Salamat A, in this collaborative work which further promotes Philippines-Japan friendship and people-to-people connections between our two countries,” stated Ambassador Garcia-Albano during the visit.
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano (center) toured the “Faces and Flora – Philippines and Japan Native Plant Photography” exhibition on 06 November 2025, with Professor Yoshihiro Nishiaki, Director of the JP Tower Museum Intermediatheque (right) and Dr. Ayumi Terada of The University of Tokyo-University Museum (left).
The tour was facilitated by Professor Yoshihiro Nishiaki, Director of the JP Tower Museum Intermediatheque, and Dr. Ayumi Terada of UMUT. Salamat A was led by Dr. Inoue and Dr. Saori Kamozawa of Nihon University, together with Mr. Ryota Asami, Representative Director of the Ring of National Anthem Association, who coordinated the museum visit.
The exhibition opened on 12 July 2025, in celebration of Philippines-Japan Friendship Month, and will run until 09 November 2025. It is the outcome of the Memorandum of Understanding on Academic Research renewed in 2023 between NMP and UMUT, and has generated around 150,000 visitors thus far.
The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines served as a major partner for the exhibition. Tokens from the Philippines were handed out by the Embassy to the Salamat A participants following the museum tour.
Dr. Ayumi Terada of The University of Tokyo-University Museum (right) gives a special tour of the “Faces and Flora – Philippines and Japan Native Plant Photography” exhibition to the Salamat A student volunteer organization from Nihon University on 06 November 2025.
