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
