The Philippine Embassy in Japan, led by Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Christian L. de Jesus, held a wreath laying ceremony in honor of President Elpidio R. Quirino in celebration of his 135th birth anniversary on 16 November 2025 at the Quirino Memorial at Hibiya Park in Chiyoda City, Tokyo.

TOKYO, 20 November 2025 – In celebration of the 135th birth anniversary of Philippine President Elpidio R. Quirino, the Philippine Embassy in Japan organized back-to-back events on 16 November 2025 to honor his enduring legacy and his pivotal role in laying the foundation for the normalization of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan.

Philippine Embassy in Japan Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Christian L. de Jesus (2nd row, left) led the Embassy personnel in the wreath laying ceremony in honor of President Quirino.

Embassy personnel, led by Chargé d’affaires, a.i. (CDA) Christian L. De Jesus, held a wreath laying ceremony in front of the memorial of President Quirino at Hibiya Park in Chiyoda City, Tokyo. The memorial was unveiled in 2016 in remembrance of President Quirino’s act to grant executive clemency in 1953 to 105 convicted Japanese war criminals who were then serving sentence in Muntinlupa prison.

Philippine Embassy in Japan Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Christian L. de Jesus delivered his remarks on behalf of Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano during the wreath-laying ceremony in honor of President Quirino.

“President Quirino was a consummate statesman and a man of peace, who, during his presidency, championed reconciliation, economic stability and strengthening of the diplomatic ties between the Philippines and other countries. Being at the helm of the Philippine government and tasked to rebuild a nation following a tumultuous time in our history, President Quirino chose forgiveness over resentment and compassion over division, and planted the seed of what is now one of the Philippines’ most vibrant and enduring friendships – that with our host country, Japan,” highlighted CDA De Jesus in his message on behalf of Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano.

Following the wreath-laying ceremony, a Quirino Day special event was held during the culmination of the Kami to Kami art exhibit at Gallery Kujaku, Kyobashi, Tokyo, featuring the exceptional work of three (3) talented Filipino artists, namely, Francisco “Nico” Moreno, watchmaker and urushi (Japanese lacquer) artist; sculptor Manelle Asis-Huang, and painter Thomas Joseph Huang.

Philippine Embassy in Japan Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Christian L. de Jesus (center) with Filipino artists Francisco “Nico” Moreno, watchmaker and urushi (Japanese lacquer) artist (leftmost); sculptor Manelle Asis-Huang (rightmost), and painter Thomas Joseph Huang (2nd from right); and former Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Hiroyuki Yushita (2nd from left) during the Quirino Day Special at “Kami to Kami” art exhibit held on on 16 November 2025 at Gallery Kujaku, Kyobashi, Tokyo.

The event, attended by former Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Hiroyuki Yushita; members of the Filipino community; and other special guests, premiered the collaborative artworks, which showcased the strong and vibrant friendship, and the multifaceted threads of cooperation and collaboration between the Philippines and Japan. As a watchmaker’s tribute to President Quirino, Mr. Moreno unveiled limited-edition Deco Ibarra Gran Luz watches with intricate inlays representing the colors of the Philippine and Japanese flags. Complementing this tribute, Ms. Asis-Huang and Mr. Huang jointly presented a pair of evocative paintings, one featuring a crane and a girl, the other a whale and a diver, symbolizing peace and harmony between the two countries that President Quirino championed.

The featured Filipino artists present their respective creations during the Quirino Day Special at the “Kami to Kami” art exhibit..

Filipino-inspired dishes and drinks, specially prepared by Japan-based Filipino chef, Ms. Loida Ozaki, were served during the event.

Kami to Kami is a play on the Filipino word “kami” meaning “us” and the Japanese word “kami” or “god” and the greater good. The art exhibit served as a prelude to the 70th anniversary of the normalization of Philippines-Japan diplomatic relations in 2026, for which the Embassy will organize a series of activities that will highlight President Quirino’s contribution to the strong and vibrant friendship between the two countries, as well as their multifaceted threads of cooperation and collaboration.

As a watchmaker’s tribute to President Quirino, Mr. Francisco “Nico” Moreno created limited edition Deco Ibarra Gran Luz watches with intricate inlays representing the colors of the Philippine and Japanese flags for the Quirino Day Special at the “Kami to Kami” art exhibit.

Sculptor, Manelle Asis-Huang, and painter, Thomas Joseph Huang, jointly worked on a pair of intricate paintings featuring a crane and a girl, and a whale and a diver, symbolizing peace and harmony between the two countries as strived for by President Quirino, for the Quirino Day Special at the “Kami to Kami” art exhibit.

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