PH Embassy Hosts Ikebana International-Tokyo Founding Chapter’s Fair 2026 Briefing and General Meeting
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano (seated first row, 4th from right), in her capacity as Chairperson of Ikebana International Fair 2026, welcomes representatives of participating Embassies during the briefing session of Ikebana International – Tokyo Founding Chapter on 17 September 2026 at the Ambassador’s Official Residence.
TOKYO, 29 September 2026 – The Philippine Embassy in Japan, led by Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano, recently hosted two (2) key events for the Ikebana International – Tokyo Founding Chapter (II-TFC), namely, the briefing for the upcoming Ikebana International Fair 2026 on 17 September 2026 at the Ambassador’s Official Residence, and the chapter’s general meeting on 24 September 2026 at the Embassy’s Multi-Purpose Hall.
Ambassador Garcia-Albano (front, center) tours the members of Ikebana International – Tokyo Founding Chapter and representatives of participating Embassies in the Ikebana International Fair 2026 around the Ambassador’s Official Residence, fondly known as “The Kudan.”
The briefing brought together representatives from the Embassies of Cambodia, Gabon, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Liberia, Madagascar, Palestine, Paraguay, Sri Lanka, Serbia, and Tunisia, as well as members of II-TFC. The Ikebana International Fair serves as the organization’s flagship annual charity and cultural project. A significant portion of the proceeds from ticket sales, bazaars, and participating embassy booths is donated directly to social welfare initiatives across Japan.
Ikebana International – Tokyo Founding Chapter’s General Meeting at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the Philippine Embassy on 24 September 2027. The ikebana demonstration was led by Ms. Kozan Okada, Fourth Iemoto (Headmistress) of the Kozan-ryu School.
The following week, over a hundred members and guests gathered at the Embassy’s Multi-Purpose Hall for the chapter’s general meeting on 24 September. The event featured a live ikebana demonstration by Ms. Kozan Okada, the Fourth Iemoto (Headmistress) of the Kozan-ryu School.
Ambassador Garcia-Albano (6th from left) emphasizes that the partnership between the Embassy and Ikebana International contributes to the continuing growth of the friendship between the Philippines and Japan.
In her welcome remarks in both events, Ambassador Garcia-Albano highlighted the timely significance of the collaboration, noting that it coincides with both the 70th Anniversary of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Japan and the 70th Anniversary of Ikebana International. “This partnership between the Embassy and II-TFC not only celebrates the beauty and artistry of ikebana, but also contributes in our own meaningful way to the continuing growth of the friendship between the Philippines and Japan,” she added.
Display of select pieces of the “Threads of Dreams” collection of Philippines’ premier lifestyle and fashion brand, BENCH, at the Ambassador’s Official Residence.
Adding a touch of Philippine artistry to the briefing and general meeting, select pieces from the “Threads of Dreams” collection by premier Philippine lifestyle and fashion brand BENCH/ were placed on display. The exhibition featured works by three (3) of the Philippines’ most sought-after designers—Rhett Eala, Joey Samson, and Jaggy Glarino—fresh from their showcase at Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo earlier this month.
