Filipinos in the UAE are already anticipating the grandeur of Philippine artistry right at the heart of their second home through ‘Bangkota’—the official pavilion of the Philippines for the upcoming Expo 2020 Dubai, that aims to present a nation propelled by keen interconnectivity, a culture of compassion, and a fevered imagination.
Spanning 1,386 square meters, the Bangkóta pavilion, an ancient Tagalog term for “coral reef”, reimagines the Filipinos as an interconnected nation creating global linkages. It will showcase the Filipino people’s embrace of social system, and their passion for creating large-scale interfaces.
The design, digital innovation, and the concept of Bangkóta perfectly represent the theme of this upcoming Expo 2020—Connecting Minds, Creating the Future—as the pavilion promises to narrate the unique ways Filipinos connect with global citizens and celebrate diversity despite differences.
Located at the Expo 2020’s Sustainability district, the ‘Bangkota’ will storify the rich history of the Philippines while celebrating a forward-looking country with a bright, innovative future built on the foundations of progressive collaboration and meaningful cooperation.
The Philippine pavilion also promises to reveal to the world the untold story of Filipinos—with its unique structure and design showcasing the exceptional talent of Filipino artists, designers and craftsmen.
A collaboration of masters
Filipino artistry and creativity are revealed in every facet of Bangkóta, giving Filipinos a reason to celebrate their identity and talents.
For one, the design of Bangkóta pavilion is conceptualized and actualized by Budji+Royal Architecture+Design and Marian Roces & Digital Content Creators, in a bid to honor the variety of natural resources that the Philippines has to offer, specifically the architectural character of the coral reefs native to the archipelago.
In addition, Dubai-based celebrated Filipino fashion designer Ezra Santos, who is the official outfitter of the Pavilion, and his team are creating sustainable uniforms to be worn by the pavilion’s team of tour specialists that will reflect Filipino craftsmanship at the Expo.
Santos is one of the most prominent Filipino fashion designers in Dubai and recipient of the 2016 The Filipino Times Rizal Award and Fashion Designer of the Year, with celebrities the likes of Lady Gaga and Heart Evangelista having praised his work.
Back in the Philippines, Filipino filmmaker and animator Avid Liongoren is responsible for the unique and meaningful teaser videos featuring Ube Boy—the official mascot of the Bangkóta—while creative agency BBDO Guerrero brings to life the exhibit halls through its centerpiece 180° film.
The pavilion’s Avant Garde precolonial Philippine music, meanwhile, is created by National Artist Ramon Pagayon Santos. With a sound scape created using traditional instruments, the Pavilion score ensures visitors hypnotic aesthetic spaces.
Proving further the prowess of Filipinos in technology, James Palabay of Digital Art Chef leads the Bangkóta Trivia Quest, a mobile learning app which expands the Filipinos’ untold story in an engaging and interactive platform.
Reflecting further creativity of Filipino artists, world-renowned Filipino designers will have their creations made available at Marahuyo, the home of the most impressive collection of Philippine fashion designer brands.
Passion for sustainability
Resourcefulness is one thing Filipinos are known for, and the designers guarantee that it is widely reflected in Bangkóta. Architect Royal Pineda, a Principal of Budji + Royal Architecture + Design, instils various means to show this trait through art and humble materials like cyclone fencing.
Aptly located in the Expo 2020’s Sustainability District, Bangkóta is an actualization of the Philippine government’s drive to promote sustainability, with majority of the items used sourced locally and are recyclable. The pavilion, which shows organic and coralline shapes reef, forms around tiny polyps, attached to different surfaces in different waters, to become vast networks—mirroring how Filipinos are interconnected worldwide.
And, since it will be brought home after six months, the pavilion makes for a high-impact investment for the Philippine government, especially since it makes prudent use of the people’s money.
The spirit of Bayanihan on a global scale
The Philippines’ continued progress is rooted in its passion for bayanihan, our biggest identity that showcases our drive to help each other without question.
The concept of bayanihan has been vastly evident in the creation of Bangkóta. This time, however, ‘bayanihan’ is taking place on a global scale, with the concerted efforts between the Philippine team, the UAE-based construction team, as well as other multi-cultural and multinational entities responsible for the construction of Bangkóta.
The teamwork showcased by these individuals shows how progress can only be achieved if we work together as one, without discrimination, without prejudice. Bangkota shows the beauty of solidarity in the international arena, and inspiring the world to collaborate, especially as we reel into a new era after a year of challenges and crises.
Eight areas in the Philippine Pavilion
Area 1A (Entrance)- Welcome To Past And Future: Haliya by Duddley Diaz
Diaz’ sculpture, ‘Haliya’ is a depiction of the protector and goddess of wisdom – one among many of his works that are rooted in mythologies and religious beliefs.
Area 1B (Plaza) – Musical Fusion Of Nature And Culture: Mystique Cross by Dan Raralio
At the first area of the pavilion, Raralio takes visitors between the past and the future with a sculpture of a creature from the depths that is suspended in the air.
Area 2 – Nature Is Peace: Roots of the Universe by Lee Paje, Scott Tuason and Ivan Sarenas
Paje takes visitors to the Philippines’ expansive biodiversity the second area ‘Man is Nature’ where they would find a forest turned on its head. Filipino Photographer Tuazon captures his advocacy to preserve the country’s coral reefs and marine environment in still photos that will be on display at the second area of the ‘Bangkota’. Sarenas captures photos of species of birds only found in the Philippines as part of his advocacy to protect Avian species. His photos will be on display at the second area of the pavilion.
Area 3 – Man Is Nature: Vessel of Time by Patrick Cabral
Filipinos have been seafarers for thousands of years – of which Cabral has masterfully created a symbolic white boat sculpture at the third area of the ‘Bangkota’ – ‘Man is Nature’. This sculture encapsulates the science-oriented story of the 4,000-year movement of the Austronesian-speaking peoples through the Philippines into the Pacific Ocean.
Area 4 – Variety Of The World: Helix by Baby and Coco Anne of B+C
‘Bangkota’ hosts a uniquely-designed helix that showcases the descendants and origins of Filipinos that represent the variety of the world – a description that reflects the fourth area of the pavilion.
Area 5 – Our Gift To The World: Produced by BBDO Guerrero Inc.
BBDO Guerrero, led by their Creative Lead David Guerrero, creates the Philippines’ ‘Gift to the World’ at the fifth area of the pavilion – a 180-degree film that captures the history of the Philippines’ identity as a water-oriented culture for the past 4,000 years.
Denisa Reyes and Teresa Barroso. Reyes and Barroso bring a collaborative contribution for the fifth area of ‘Bangkota’ that conveys their message of cultural sustainability. Barroso creates the sound design for the fifth area while Reyes brings her creative energy from her years as a stellar member of Ballet Philippines and as a former Artistic Director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Area 6 – Go Lokal Store, Marahuyo Boutique And Travel Lounge
Area 7 – Imaginarium (Bridgeway) – The Transition Thematic: Limokon & Timamanukin by Riel Hilario
Avian-human sculptures will be a grand sight for visitors of ‘Bangkota’s seventh area – the Imaginarium Bridgeway. These giant structures are Hilario’s representations of the humane Filipino cultural power.
Area 7 – Imaginarium (Deck 1): Super Pastime by Dexter Fernandez
Filipino street art is the name of the game for Fernandez who has created an impressive wall mural that depicts the life and times of overseas Filipinos located at the Imaginarium Deck 1.
Area 7 – Imaginarium (Deck 2): Soaring High by Charlie Co
Images of floating men and women will surprise visitors at the Imaginarium Deck 2 at the seventh area of the ‘Bangkota’. These sculptures represent Co’s style of dream-like expressions that depict the Filipino tenacity and courage to face hardships head on.
Area 7 – Imaginarium: Confluence of Wings by Abdulmari Toym Imao Jr.
The Imagnarium roof deck at the ‘Bangkota’ will see a huge architectural sculpture with a roof of birds created by Imao –a metaphorical representation of Filipinos flying towards the futre filled with optimism while staying true to their cultural roots.
Area 8 – The Mangrove Café by Razon’s
