June 7, 2025 was the day chosen to celebrate the Philippine National Day at the Expo 2025 on Yumeshima Island in Osaka, Japan. To complement the theme of the beautifully elegant Philippine Pavilion, which is “Nature, Culture and Community, Woven Together for a Better Future,” the main program, directed by Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Dexter Santos, was an exceptional cultural masterpiece.
Performers from different parts of our country gathered together just a day before for a general rehearsal in the International House in Osaka and even though it was the first time they were all together on stage, it was very clear that everyone brought their A-game.
The souvenir program of Hinabing Hiraya describes this curated performance as “tradition meeting innovation, artists bringing to life a powerful fusion of indigenous and contemporary expressions — from dance and music to fashion and visual arts.”
National Living Treasure for Chanting Rosie Godwino Sula opens the program by walking onstage chanting echoes from generations past — a tiny woman with a powerful voice that does not fade away even when she is joined by other performers. She is part of Suite 1 which showcases the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group paying homage to the Tboli (Kadal Tajo), Visayan (Tinikling), Tausug (Pangalay Sheherada and Pangalay Ha Pattung) and Kalinga (Salip, Banga, Tajok) ethnic communities.
Suite 2 pays tribute to three National Artists of the Philippines — all legendary in their chosen fields — Ryan Cayabyab for Music, Alice Reyes for Dance, Larry Alcala for Visual Arts. Acapellago, Baihana and Pinopela interpret chosen compositions (“Limang Dipang Tao,” “Araw Gabi,” “Hibang sa Awit,” “Nais Ko”) of Cayabyab while dancers from Alice Reyes
Dance Philippines performed in scenes that evoked Mr. Alcala’s “Slice of Life” series, lending a very happy vibe to the entire production. This segment concluded with “The Voice” Season 26 winner Sofronio Vasquez rallying Filipinos into a deeper sense of nationalism; he sang in both Tagalog and Visayan, shifting seamlessly between the languages to create a harmonious piece.
If Suites 1 and 2 represented “Matatag na Kasalukuyan” (Strong Present), Suite 3, themed “Hiraya ng Kinabukasan” (Imagination of the Future), opened with Lapu-Lapu City’s Arnis De Abanico. Their mission is to promote the traditional Filipino martial art of Arnis. Eight-year-old Jacob, the youngest member of their troupe, was understandably an audience favorite.
UPEEPZ, the winner of the 2024 World Hiphop Dance Championship, followed the Arnis delegation with a perfectly executed set. Their performance became even more entertaining when Arnis de Abanico rejoined them onstage for a joint number.
The second half of Suite 3 ushered in the multi-awarded Lumad Basakanon, performing their famed free interpretation Sinulog Dance — a way of venerating the Sto. Niño of Cebu. Cebu’s widely known Sinulog Festival is celebrated every third Sunday of January and marks the peak travel season for the city. Zephanie and the Loboc Children’s Choir followed the Sinulog number. This singing group, composed of children aged 10-18, was founded in 1980 and continues to reap awards locally and abroad, including a Gawad CCP Para sa Sining citation given in September 2024.
The Grand Finale was an emotion-filled experience for the packed audience, especially with the singing of “Pilipinas Kong Mahal.” As the performers were properly acknowledged group by group, the hearts of proud Filipinos in the audience swelled with immense pride for all the performers who delivered a truly spectacular show. It was a privilege to witness the performances firsthand.