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Philippines Pavilion

Akin to a scuba dive on one of the archipelago’s magnificent reefs, the façade draws patrons with its 3-D interpretation of the coral, the foundation of marine life. When viewed from a distance, the pattern resembles the whale shark (aka “butanding”), which is one of the Philippines’ most successful eco-tourism attractions.

Toward the entrance, an LED monitor features the Philippine mascot’s guided tour of the various sections of the pavilion experience. To the right, a digital wall flashes relevant statistics emphasizing the country’s exceptional coastal resources, such as its extensive coastline, reputed largest number of fish and coral species in the world, etc.

Projection walls stretching from floor to ceiling offer a nearly all-encompassing view of images that unfold the breadth of the Philippines’ wealth in marine biodiversity. Four ornate pods suspended from the ceiling mimic glowing corals. The coral pods feature projections about preserving the Islands of Diversity and Seas of Connectivity thru eco-tourism. The first 3 pods exhibit visual presentations of the Philippine’s main island groups — Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Meanwhile, the fourth pod shows the country’s conservation efforts. Videos are projected onto screens embedded within each pod’s base. Those screens are surrounded by sand from the country’s most popular beach in that pod’s specified zone. The pods themselves are symbolic of Filipino-Korean friendship, highlighted by the intricately woven wrought iron frame, an age-old Filipino craft, with Korean paper moderating the lighting effects.

An illuminating coral wall made of abaca showcases Filipino creativity while providing further information for visitors about the country. Here, Philippine investment opportunities, a product catalogue, leisure and diving travel packages, corporate partners’ social responsibility, national conservation efforts, and related details can be viewed and downloaded via QR codes from digital frames strategically located in the Philippine map of coral pores. Throughout the experience, visitors can whiff traces of familiar Filipino scents.

An interactive game wall allows multiple players to learn about conservation efforts and the importance of protecting our coral reefs through a fun and simple game. Meanwhile, the gift shop takes visitors from sea to shore. Its remarkable structure and variety of environmentally sustainable products dramatically transform the visit.

The design of the gift shop is inspired by a fisherman’s basket, where customers can find the catch of the day. An impressive array of eco-friendly items from the country’s various regions lines up the unique display stands while underscoring the Philippine support of marginalized communities. The centerpiece, an encased pearl, is mounted as a reminder of the country’s pride as the Pearl of the Orient among the community of nations. Testimonies from Korean visitors to the Philippines are featured on a “We Connect” wall.