Faith, Sports, and Filipino Unity: Embassy Activities Highlight People-to-People Ties
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano (4th from right) with Fr. Edwin Corros of the Catholic Tokyo International Center (center), and Filipino parishioners of St. Anselm Meguro Catholic Church at the Philippine Embassy booth during the church’s International Day festival on 22 September 2025.
TOKYO, 25 September 2025 – To further promote people-to-people ties, the Philippine Embassy conducted back-to-back activities on 22 September 2025 through the Philippine booth at the International Day at St. Anselm Meguro Catholic Church and the Filipino Community Sportfest at Azabu Elementary School.
The Philippine booth at the International Day featured curated items highlighting Philippine culture and heritage, as well as tourist sites in the Philippines for the Filipino, Japanese and international parishioners and members of the community in Meguro to enjoy. The Embassy also extended registration services to the Filipino community members who attended the event, and performed a song number during the festival.
“This International Day festival, which the Embassy looks forward to participating in every year, provides an excellent opportunity to come together to appreciate the respective cultures, traditions and heritage of the parishioners of St. Anselm, as well as to showcase Philippine culture and tourist sites, and promote the Embassy’s services,” said Philippine Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano in a statement following the festival.
The event was also attended by the ambassadors from Senegal, Mali, Cameroon, Kenya and Poland; Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, Archbishop of Tokyo; Fr. Antonio Camacho, parish priest of St. Anselm, and Fr. Edwin Corros of the Catholic Tokyo International Center. Song and dance performances, as well as cuisines from participating countries were also featured.
Philippine Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano (left) with Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, Archbishop of Tokyo (right); and Fr. Antonio Camacho, parish priest of St. Anselm Meguro Catholic Church (center) during the International Day at St. Anselm on 22 September 2025.
On the other hand, nearly 300 members of the Filipino community in Tokyo and beyond participated in the opening ceremony and first leg of the Filipino Community Sportfest. Spearheaded by the Embassy’s Migrant Workers Section and the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Filipinos sa Japan (Association of United Filipinos in Japan), the Sportsfest included volleyball and basketball games with teams drawn from various Filipino community organizations and the Embassy.
Philippine Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano (right) during her welcome remarks at the Filipino Community Sportsfest. Also in the photo is Mr. Yuichi Hashimoto, Principal of Azabu Elementary School (left) which served as the venue of the Sportsfest.
For the second year in a row, the Azabu Elementary School served as the venue of the sports activity, which was graced by its school principal, Mr. Yuichi Hashimoto.
Participating Filipino community organizations during the opening of the Sportfest held on 22 September 2025 at Azabu Elementary School.
During her welcome remarks, Ambassador Garcia-Albano underscored the close cooperation and collaboration not only between the Philippine Embassy and the Filipino Community, but also between the Philippines and Japan, especially in further strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries, in the conduct of the Sportfest. She further called on everyone to uphold teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the event.
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano (2nd row, 5th from left) with Philippine Embassy personnel, led by Consul General Mary Joy B. Ramirez (4th from left), Consul Robert D. Quintin (last row, center), Labor Attaché Ramon Lamberto C. Pastrana (2nd row, 4th from right), and Welfare Officer Geronico M. Herrera (2nd row, rightmost).
The second leg of the Sportsfest is scheduled for 05 October 2025, also at the Azabu Elementary School.
