Showcasing Filipino innovation at World Expo Osaka 2025

Is the World Expo still relevant today?

- BILLIE DUMALIANG

The first World Expo took place in 1851 in London, known as the “Great Exhibition.” It was a landmark event that brought together the marvels of industry, science, and design—ushering in a global tradition of sharing ideas and cultures. Since then, World Expos have become rare but powerful platforms where nations unite not to compete but to co-create.

In 2025, Osaka, Japan plays host to this gathering of imagination and innovation. Over 150 countries are participating, each constructing intricate pavilions that reflect their identity and hopes for the future. At the heart of it all stands “The Ring,” the largest wooden structure in the world, built on Yumeshima, a reclaimed artificial island just three kilometers from central Osaka.