Tokyo, Japan—The richness of Filipino culture and creativity took center stage in Tokyo as Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado and Madam Yoshiko Ishiba, spouse of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, graced the Philippine Fashion Showcase on May 19. The event was held at The Kudan,the official residence of the Philippine Ambassador to Japan and the only Philippine National Historical Landmark outside the country.
Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Tokyo, the showcase featured the “Filipino Elegance” collection by celebrated Filipino designer Paul Cabral. The event is a key initiative under the Malikhaing Pinoy program, DTI’s flagship strategy to promote the Philippines’ creative economy globally.
“In the Bagong Pilipinas envisioned by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., creativity is not only art—it is innovation, industry, and nation-building,” said Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque in her opening address. “Tonight, through fashion, we tell a story of heritage, hope, and heart. We are showing the world that Filipino identity is timeless, relevant, and worthy of the global stage.”
Cabral’s 30-piece collection reimagined the barong and terno through the use of the iconic piña textile. Elements of tradition were integrated with contemporary tailoring. His designs were brought to life with the collaborative brilliance of creative director Robby Carmona and visual artist Patrick Rosas. They styled and staged the show with deep respect for cultural heritage and Filipino pride.
The event was made possible through the strong leadership of Philippine Ambassador to Japan H.E. Mylene Garcia-Albano. She played a vital role in securing the presence of high-level Japanese dignitaries and ensuring the success of the showcase as a platform for cultural diplomacy.
“This is not just a fashion show—it’s a love letter to Filipino artisans, to our weavers, our designers, and everyone who carries our stories in every stitch,” Secretary Roque emphasized. “It is also a powerful gesture of friendship with Japan, a nation that understands the value of craftsmanship and cultural preservation.”
The showcase also highlighted the Philippines’ growing footprint in Japan’s creative economy. It attracted fashion professionals, cultural leaders, and business stakeholders. Through programs like Malikhaing Pinoy and the efforts of DTI Tokyo led by Special Trade Representative Dita Angara-Mathay, the event reinforced the Philippines’ place as a rising hub for design and heritage-driven innovation in Southeast Asia.
The business and creative industry network of DTI Japan also yielded noteworthy guests. From CEOs of centuries-old fashion and textile houses like Yamato, to sustainable plant-based textile startup Food Reborn, from the head of Japan Design Institute to the Chairman of Tsuneishi group of companies. Heads of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, units of major trading houses like Itochu and financial institutions like Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation also came to see how pineapple textiles can be transformed by local designers to haute couture.
By celebrating Filipino excellence in a venue as symbolic as The Kudan, the Philippine Fashion Showcase became more than an evening of elegance. It was transformed into a moment of shared vision, combining tradition and modernity, bridging the Philippines and Japan, through the universal language of creativity. ♦
Date of Release: 22 May 2025