PH Ambassador Joins Uniqlo Philippines’ Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of PH-JP Friendship

PH Ambassador Joins Uniqlo Philippines’ Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of PH-JP Friendship

Posted on 31 Jul 2026 • Categorized as News

Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano (center) joins Philippine and Japanese officials and stakeholders at the launch of UNIQLO Philippines’ commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Normalization of Philippines-Japan Diplomatic Relations. With the Ambassador (from left to right): UNIQLO Philippines Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Geraldine Sia; Ayala Corporation Senior Vice President and Leasing and Hospitality Group Head Mariana Zobel de Ayala; SM Investments Corporation Vice Chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson; Ayala Corporation Vice Chairperson Fernando Zobel de Ayala; Philippine Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay; Philippine Education Secretary Sonny Angara; and UNIQLO Philippines Chief Operating Officer and Chairman of the Board Osamu IKEZOE.

Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano attended the launch of UNIQLO Philippines’ celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Normalization of Philippines-Japan Diplomatic Relations held under the theme “Celebrating Our Friendship: Japanese Innovations For Everyday Filipino Life” on 29 July 2026 at the UNIQLO Manila Global Flagship Store, Makati City.

The launch showcased UNIQLO Philippines’ collections and initiatives that demonstrate the synergy of Philippine and Japanese aesthetics and crafts, and bolster partnerships for education and community development.

Ambassador Garcia-Albano joined various officials and stakeholders from the Philippines and Japan in marking the milestone, including Philippine Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay, Philippine Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuya ENDO, and UNIQLO Philippines Chief Operating Officer (COO) Osamu IKEZOE.

Ambassador Garcia-Albano (leftmost) with Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuya Endo (rightmost) and Madame Akiko Endo (2nd from right), Filipino photographer Jan Zoilo Rafael Mayo, and Filipino beauty artist Patrick Rosas at UNIQLO Philippines’ commemorative launch.

As part of its celebration of Philippines-Japan friendship, UNIQLO Philippines featured its collaboration with heritage clothing brand NIñOFRANCO by Wilson Limon for the Re.UNIQLO Special Artisan Patch Collection. The initiative promotes Philippine traditional embroidery through limited-edition handcrafted patches representing the indigenous communities of Itneg in Luzon, Panay Bukidnon in the Visayas, and T’Boli in Mindanao.

Ambassador Garcia-Albano (2nd from right), NIñOFRANCO Creative Director Wilson Limon (rightmost), and (from left to right) Mr. Luis Agaid Jr., cultural master and the local coordinator of the Itneg School of Living Traditions (SLT) in Namarabar, Peñarrubia, Abra; Ms. Regina Villanueva, cultural master of the Panay Bukidnon School of Living Traditions (SLT) in Brgy. Datagan, Calinog, Iloilo; and Ms. Edna Mofak, cultural master of the T’boli School of Living Traditions (SLT) in Sitio Lem-ehek, Brgy. Poblacion, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, during the unveiling of the Re.UNIQLO Special Artisan Patch Collection.

During the launch, UNIQLO Philippines unveiled its limited-edition items featuring Philippine and Japanese pop culture, along with embroidery patches depicting Philippine and Japanese cultural icons such as the Filipino jeepney, halo-halo, and banana cue, as well as the Japanese daruma doll, sushi, and sakura cherry blossoms.

The guests of the commemorative event were treated to stunning performances celebrating Philippine and Japanese traditions, as well as Philippine-inspired refreshments such as ube kome. In collaboration with Salcedo Auctions, architectural installations combining Philippine natural landscapes and Japanese design further enhanced the ambiance of the UNIQLO flagship branch.

The celebration reaffirmed UNIQLO Philippines’ enduring commitment to empowering Filipino talent and local communities through education, disaster support, and community partnerships.