By Florenda Corpuz
TOKYO – A Philippine exhibition showcasing coconut-based innovation opened at the Tokyo Midtown Design Hub on Jan. 19, kicking off the yearlong celebration of the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan.
Titled “The Philippine Coconut: Tree of Life, Seed of Innovation,” the exhibition runs until Jan. 30. It is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC)-Tokyo, in partnership with the Embassy of the Philippines, and funded under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) pursuant to Republic Act No. 11524. It is the first flagship event of the anniversary year, whose theme is “Weaving the Future Together: Peace, Prosperity, Possibilities.”
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Garcia-Albano said the exhibition highlights how both countries are deepening cooperation through sustainability, creativity and innovation.
“In the Philippines, the coconut is known as the ‘Tree of Life’ because every part of the tree can be used,” Albano said at the opening ceremony. “Each part is transformed into food, materials, energy and livelihoods, reflecting the principles of a circular economy that promote harmony with nature and contribute to inclusive and shared prosperity.”
Albano added that sustainable materials such as abaca, cultivated in the Philippines and long used in Japan, including for yen banknotes, symbolize the depth and longevity of bilateral ties.
The Philippine Coconut exhibition’s pavilion inspired by the Coconut Palace. (Courtesy of Philippine Embassy, Tokyo)
Special Envoy to Japan for Trade and Investments Amable Aguiluz V said the exhibition presents the coconut as a platform for future industries rather than simply an agricultural product.
“What we present today is not a symbol of the past,” Aguiluz said. “It is a material system for the future, a platform for innovation that moves from food to wellness, from fiber to furniture, from construction to climate solutions.”
Aguiluz noted that the Philippines, one of the world’s largest coconut producers, aims to work with Japan, a leader in green transformation, circular design and advanced manufacturing, to create higher-value and more sustainable industries.
Special Envoy to Japan for Business and Investment Promotion Reghis Romero II highlighted the broader economic partnership between the two countries.
“We are confident that even greater opportunities lie ahead,” Romero said. “This is the strength of the Japan-Philippines partnership, working together toward a shared future that makes 70 years of friendship not just enduring, but genuinely meaningful.”
The Philippine Coconut exhibition showcases the coconut and its multifaceted application in architecture, design, food, wellness, life sciences, and climate resilient infrastructure. (Courtesy of Philippine Embassy, Tokyo)
The multidisciplinary exhibition features coconut-based product innovations from Philippine micro, small and medium enterprises, alongside design and architectural installations and contemporary visual art.
One section pays tribute to the Coconut Palace in Manila through architectural displays and a virtual walkthrough. Other highlights include coconut coir geotextiles used for erosion control, coconut-based wellness and food products, and a cellulose-based wound patch developed by a Filipina nurse that received a Good Design Award.
Organizers said the exhibition aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in sustainable production, circular economy practices and inclusive growth. A coconut-themed tasting event was also held during the opening to demonstrate the ingredient’s culinary versatility.
The opening ceremony brought together diplomats, government officials, business leaders, investors, and members of the design and creative industries from both countries, underscoring the role of innovation and sustainability in shaping the next chapter of Philippines-Japan relations.
(Article cover photo: Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Garcia-Albano, 4th from left, Special Envoy Amable Aguiluz V, 3rd from right, Special Envoy Reghis Romero II, 2nd from right, Commercial Counsellor Dita Angara-Mathay, 3rd from left, and ASEAN-Japan Centre Secretary General Kunihiko Hirabayashi, rightmost, Japan Institute for Design Promotion President Hiroyuki Fukano, and Tukod Foundation President Isabella Mañosa-Tanjutco lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony of “The Philippine Coconut” exhibition at the Tokyo Midtown Design Hub on Jan. 19, 2026. | Courtesy of Philippine Embassy, Tokyo)
