The Philippine Embassy’s two entries for the Minato International Cultural Exhibit 2024 are a photograph of boxing by Sherwin Vardeleon and of basketball by Marlo Cueto.

20 September 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Japan is proud to participate in the Minato International Cultural Exhibit 2024, themed “Sports Around the World.” This year, the Philippines presented the dynamic world of basketball and boxing—two of the nation’s most beloved sports. The Philippine entries feature evocative photography by Filipino sports photojournalists, Marlo Cueto and Sherwin Vardeleon.

Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano shared her thoughts on the exhibit, stating, “This collaboration with the City of Minato gives us the opportunity to showcase not only the excellence and passion of Filipino basketball players and boxers, but also the cultural values these sports embody—resilience, teamwork, and an unyielding drive to succeed.”

“Through this exhibit, we hope to present a deeper narrative about how these sports shape our national identity and our approach to intercultural dialogue,” she added.

Minato City, one of Tokyo’s 23 special wards, is home to over 80 diplomatic missions, including the Philippine Embassy. The Minato International Cultural Exhibition, organized annually by the Global Community Planning Section of the Minato City Government, offers a platform for residents to explore and appreciate diverse cultures. This year, 32 countries have contributed images to the exhibition.

During her meeting with Minato City Mayor Ai Seike on 19 August 2024, Ambassador Garcia-Albano reaffirmed her commitment to continuing the active engagement between the Embassy and its host city.

The first run of the Minato International Cultural Exhibition 2024 was held at Tokyo Midtown Galleria from 2 to 16 September 2024. The second run will be open to the public from 17 to 31 October 2024 at the JR Takanawa Gateway Station. Admission is free.

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