By Dennis Gorecho
OSAKA, JAPAN — The use of rattan for the façade of the Philippine Pavilion may seem simple, but it is also symbolic: a sustainable way of addressing climate change concerns.
During the panel discussion on “Health and Climate Change: The Greatest Challenge of Our Time,” experts emphasized how climate change impacts both livelihoods and health through multiple direct and indirect pressures. Vulnerable populations, particularly those facing social and economic inequalities, remain at the forefront of climate-induced health risks.
A 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) report noted that heat-related deaths among people over 65 were 167 percent higher than the 1990s average — more than double what was expected. As the report warns, “these effects are increasingly lethal and rapidly expanding.”
One challenge that visitors like me face at the Osaka Expo is Japan’s scorching summer heat, with daily highs reaching nearly 40 degrees Celsius. To mitigate this, organizers have introduced shaded areas, mist fans and hydration campaigns.
Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, which runs for six months from April 13 to October 13, 2025, is envisioned as a global forum for exchange and dialogue under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” Its sub-themes — “Saving Lives,” “Empowering Lives” and “Connecting Lives” — highlight shared responsibility in shaping a sustainable future. Some 158 countries and territories, along with seven international organizations, are participating.
The Philippine Pavilion features a rattan-clad façade with the theme “Nature, Culture & Community — Woven Together for a Better Future.” It showcases the nation’s heritage, biodiversity and creativity. For visitors waiting in line, rattan even provided some comfort by helping cool the atmosphere.
Rattan furniture is well-suited for hot climates because it does not retain heat like metal or plastic. Its natural fibers allow airflow, making it comfortable even in warm weather. Beyond furniture, rattan is also used in flooring, decking, panels, beams, and decorative materials. Durable and recyclable, it serves as a viable substitute for energy-intensive, non-recyclable and high-polluting materials such as steel, cement and plastic.
Like bamboo, rattan sequesters carbon, storing it in its biomass — stems, leaves and roots — through photosynthesis. This process reduces atmospheric carbon dioxide and helps mitigate climate change.
The pavilion’s façade was crafted by Filipino artisans, symbolizing unity in diversity. It incorporates more than 200 handwoven textiles from weaving communities across the country’s 18 regions. Each piece embodies the distinct culture, craft and traditions of ethnolinguistic groups, passed down through generations with unique techniques, materials and designs.
Inside the pavilion, 18 handwoven panels created by master artisans highlight a wide range of indigenous materials, including Tinalak, cotton, abaca, piña fibers, and natural dyes. Each work of art tells a story of culture, identity and intergenerational knowledge.
The Philippine Pavilion forms part of the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) program to attract 8.4 million inbound visitors in 2025 under the National Tourism Development Plan (2023-2028).
Tourism in the Philippines has been slowly recovering from the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. From only 1.48 million arrivals in 2020, international visitor numbers grew to around 5.44 million in 2024 — still below pre-pandemic levels. On average, international tourists stay about 11 nights and spend less than P8,000 daily.
The Top 15 source countries include South Korea, the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, China, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Germany, France, Malaysia, India, Hong Kong SAR, and Spain. In 2024, the tourism industry employed about 6.75 million Filipinos and generated P760.5 billion (US$13.1 billion) in revenue from foreign tourists.
The Osaka Expo also carries symbolic timing: 2026 will mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan, dating back to the opening of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo on July 23, 1956.
As of June 2024, immigration data showed 332,293 Filipinos residing in Japan — about 11.5 percent of the foreign resident population — making them the fourth-largest group after Chinese, Vietnamese and Koreans.
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Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 0917-502580./WDJ