A Spectacular Showcase of Filipino Culture at the 27th Philippine Festival Tokyo
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano (14th from left) and Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Akiko IKUINA (13th from left) formally opened the 27th Philippine Festival in Tokyo, Japan on 7 December 2024. They were joined onstage by the Honorable Yamato AOYAMA, Deputy Secretary General of the Japan-Philippines Parliamentarian Friendship League (15th from left), Honorable Ayaka SHIOMURA, Member of the House of Councillors (12th from left), Honorable Mizuho UMEMURA, Member of the House of Councillors (17th from left), Dr. Kunihiko HIRABAYASHI, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-Japan Centre (11th from left), and Philippine Festival Committee Heads led by their Chairman, Mr. BerlitoCapulong (10th from left).
TOKYO, 12 December 2024 – The 27th Philippine Festival, held on 7-8 December 2024 at Yoyogi Park, concluded with resounding success, attracting thousands of visitors eager to experience the vibrant culture and warm hospitality of the Philippines. Organized by the Philippine Festival Organizing Committee of the Philippine Assistance Group (PAG) with the support of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, the event brought together Filipinos, Japanese, and international guests in a joyous celebration of Philippine heritage and community.
This year’s festival featured over 85 booths showcasing Filipino cuisine, artisanal crafts, and essential community services. Visitors enjoyed lively performances by Filipino talents in Japan and guest artists from the Philippines. Popular Filipino actors Dennis Trillo and David Licauco, courtesy of media partner GMA Network Inc. in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), delighted audiences with their musical performances and added star power to the celebration.
Among the highlights of the festival were the culinary offerings and agricultural exhibits, featuring fresh Philippine produce such as bananas, mangoes, and Hass avocados. Government agencies were also present, with booths from the Migrant Workers Office in Tokyo, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center, and the Department of Tourism. Special guest agencies, including SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, the Professional Regulation Commission, and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Davao City Chapter, provided invaluable services and addressed community inquiries.
The festival’s opening ceremony was graced by Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Akiko IKUINA, Honorable Yamato AOYAMA, Deputy Secretary General of the Japan-Philippines Parliamentarian Friendship League, Honorable Ayaka SHIOMURA, Member of the House of Councillors, Honorable Mizuho UMEMURA, Member of the House of Councillors, and Dr. Kunihiko HIRABAYASHI, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-Japan Centre.
In her remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano expressed gratitude to the organizers, participants, and attendees who contributed to the festival’s success. “This two-day Philippine Festival Tokyo is one of the best examples of this commitment to promote the Philippines and strengthen these cultural exchanges by highlighting our traditions, products, services, food, art, and culture,” she said.
Ambassador Garcia-Albano further emphasized the important role of the Filipino community in Japan in building bridges between the two nations. “The Embassy will continue to work with our great partners – our kababayans, the members of the Filipino Community in Japan. Both individually and collectively through your organizations, Filipinos continue to create a positive impact on your local communities. Please continue to be our ‘ambassadors,’ sharing with Japan the best of the Philippines and the Filipino,” the Ambassador added.
Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Akiko IKUINA underscored the significance of cultural and people-to-people ties. “People-to-people ties bring not only economic but also cultural bonds. I would like to use today’s festival as an opportunity to learn more about the multifaceted charms of the Philippines,” she remarked.
Drawing an estimated crowd of over 170,000 across two days, this year’s Philippine Festival reinforced its position as a premier pre-holiday season cultural event in the Japanese capital.
Guests flocked to the agricultural products booth that showcased Philippine fresh fruits, including bananas, mangoes, pineapples, and Hass avocados, during the 27th Philippine Festival on 7-8 December 2024, Yoyogi Park, Tokyo.
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano (left) and Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Akiko IKUINA (right) both underlined the important role of people-to-people ties in the enduring partnership between the Philippines and Japan during the opening ceremony of the 27th Philippine Festival held on 7 December 2024 at Yoyogi Park, Tokyo.
