Why Everyone’s Talking About the Philippines’ “Woven” Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka

Photo: Carlo Calma Consultancy

There are pavilions at Expo 2025… and then there’s THE Philippines’ Woven Pavilion. Subtle flex? Not at all. It’s a full-on cultural serve: lending tech, storytelling, craft, and sustainability into one wildly Instagrammable, soul-stirring space.

Here’s why it’s got both Tokyo creatives, global design experts and Titas from Manila talking — and why Filipinos all over the world the world should be paying attention (and planning a trip to see it if you are able to before October 2025).

Built around the theme of weaving together nature, culture, and community (a.k.a. everything that makes being Filipino so layered), the pavilion at this year’s Wolrd Expo officially opened to the public two weekends ago on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Entitled "Nature, Culture, and Community: Woven Together for a Better Future,” the Philippine’s Pavillion is literally wrapped in over 200 handwoven panels by artisans from 18 different regions. And you know what? It’s giving unity. It’s giving soul. It’s giving tangible heritage in a modern shell- all “woven” into one (we couldn’t help ourselves).

Photo: PH World Expo

And steering the whole vision? The Philippines’ own Carlo Calma, a major heavyweight in the global design scene and one of the Philippines’ most in-demand creative visionaries.

For those of you unfamiliar with his work, Carlo Calma is one of the most fearless creative disruptors out of the Philippines. He studied at Columbia University and the Architectural Association in London, and has a reputation for turning buildings into storytelling machines. His work spans sculpture, furniture, interiors, and performance art.

“We wanted the structure itself to breathe and move with the stories it holds,” Calma said in an interview. “It reflects who we are as Filipinos - always in motion, always evolving, always expressive,” Carlo tells The Post PH.

Some have described that stepping inside the Pavillion is like dreamily stepping into a living poem. Here are some of the activations/ installations that visitors are loving:

-“Dancing with Nature,” an AI-powered installation that reacts to your presence and movements. It’s interactive, emotional, and strangely meditative.

-Live performances from the Cultural Center of the Philippines bring that goosebump-inducing energy of folk dances, gongs, and chants to the world stage, every single day.

-Food? Obviously. You can grab Adobong Manok sa Gata, Halo-Halo, and more at the Hain Takeout Counter.

“Design can be a bridge between past and future, craft and technology, emotion and action,” said Pim Schachtschabel, Design Director of Tellart, who collaborated on the pavilion’s digital elements. “Through light, sound, movement, and touch, design has the power to transport us.”

Another future-forward element to this Pavilion is that its 1000% sustainable. This isn’t a “build and bounce” type of project. The entire pavilion is made from bamboo, rattan, and recycled steel, with plans to reuse and repurpose the materials post-expo in the Philippines. It’s anti-waste, anti-show-off, and pro-future, aka aligned with the next generation’s energy.

Photo: Carlo Calma Consultancy

“The Philippine Pavilion is our invitation for the world to connect with the heart and soul of the Filipino people,” said Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco. “We hope to inspire travelers to explore our 7,641 islands and experience the depth of our culture.”

The reviews so far? Glowing. The foot traffic? Constant. The vibes? Immaculate.

Even design media is paying attention. Architecture blogs, global critics, and culture writers are naming it a standout pavilion for its authentic approach to storytelling.

This Pavilion is more than an exhibit. It’s proof that Filipino culture, when done with intention, can show up on the world stage without watering itself down.

“The Philippine Pavilion is our invitation for the world to connect with the heart and soul of the Filipino people and to discover the many reasons to Love the Philippines,” said Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.

“We hope to inspire travelers to explore our 7,641 islands, experience the depth of our culture, marvel at the excellence of Filipino creativity, and be moved by the stories of triumph and resilience of our communities. By blending the use of traditional weaving methods with innovation and technology in highlighting the diversity of our Regions and the identity of our peoples, we are bringing our message of sustainable tourism development to the fore, where tourists are introduced to meaningful experiences while our local communities benefit with sustained livelihood and employment.”

For every Fil-Am who’s felt split between worlds... for every young Filipino who’s been told their culture was "too much" or "not modern enough"... this is for us.

The Woven Pavilion says: We can be both. And we can be bold about it.

After the Expo, the Pavilion’s woven artworks and select components will find a new home in the National Museum in Manila.