Ambassador ENDO Kazuya and Madame ENDO Akiko attend the fashion show "Thread of Dreams"
On 18 April 2026, Ambassador ENDO Kazuya and Madame ENDO Akiko attended the fashion show "Thread of Dreams," co-hosted by BENCH/ and the Japan Foundation, Manila.
This event was supported by the Embassy and held as a commemorative project for the 2026 Japan-Philippines Friendship Year (70th Anniversary of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations).
In his opening remarks, Mr. Ben Chan, founder of BENCH/, shared the story of how the concept for this project began over a meal at the Ambassador's residence. Drawing from his nearly four decades of experience in the fashion business, he emphasized how cultural exchange deepens mutual understanding and gives new meaning to tradition, noting that this event symbolizes the friendship between the two countries.
Ambassador Endo, in his remarks, expressed his gratitude to BENCH/ as the organizer and the Japan Foundation, Manila as the co-host. He noted that the theme of the 2026 Japan-Philippines Friendship Year, "Weaving the Future Together: Peace, Prosperity, Possibilities," deeply resonates with the spirit of this event. He also emphasized the importance of both countries leveraging their respective strengths to build a shared future based on the foundations of peace, prosperity, and possibilities, particularly as the region and the world face common challenges.
At the event, three Filipino fashion designers—Rhett Eala, Jaggy Glarino, and Joey Samson—showcased 20 styles each (60 styles in total), created based on their respective themes connected to Japan and incorporating designs and materials from both Japan and the Philippines.
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