Rattan and  climate change

Osaka, Japan –   The  use of rattan for the façade of the Philippine Pavillion perhaps is  a simple way  to address climate change issues.

The panel discussion on  “Health and Climate Change: The Greatest Challenge of Our Time” underscored that  climate change impacts livelihoods and health through various direct and indirect pressures, and vulnerable populations facing social and economic inequalities are at the forefront of climate-induced health risks.

A 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) report  noted that the number of heat-related deaths among people over 65 years of age was 167% higher than the average for the entire 1990s. These numbers represent more than double what was expected.

They said  “that these effects are increasingly lethal and are rapidly expanding”.

One of the challenge that visitors like me in the Osaka Expo  have to endure  is  Japan’s scorching summer heat, with daily highs reaching close to 40°C. The expo organizers are implementing measures to mitigate the heat, including providing shaded areas, mist fans, and promoting hydration.

Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai is taking place for six months   (April 13  to  October 13, 2025) organized as a  global exchange and dialogue centered around the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” with sub-themes of “Saving Lives”, “Empowering Lives” and “Connecting Lives”.

Expo 2025  fosters interaction among people with diverse values from around the world with some 158 countries and territories and 7 international organizations participating in the Expo.

The rattan cladded façade of the Philippine Pavilion has the  theme “Nature, Culture & Community — Woven Together for a Better Future”  that showcases the nation’s rich heritage, biodiversity, and creativity.

Rattan somewhat served as cooling materials for those waiting in line to enter the Philippine Pavillion.

Rattan furniture   is a good choice for hot climates because it does not retain heat like metal or some plastics, making it comfortable for seating and lounging even in warm weather. Its natural fibers allow for airflow, further contributing to its coolness.

Rattan is a vine that possesses an innate flexibility that  allows for intricate designs while preserving durability, making it a favorite amongst furniture artisans.

Rattan is deeply intertwined with our  culture and economy, symbolizing versatility, sustainability, and craftsmanship.

Its abundance in the Philippines makes it a valuable resource for both local livelihoods and global trade.

The Philippine Pavillion rattan cladded façade was  crafted by Filipino artisans that symbolizes unity in diversity, featuring more than 200 handwoven textiles  from  different weaving communities representing the 18 regions.

Each piece represents the ethnolinguistic groups’ distinct culture, craft, and  traditions passed on from generation to generation, with each group developing unique techniques, materials, and designs.

The 18 handwoven  panels inside the pavilion   were  created by master artisans from all over the country using   a wide range of indigenous materials—from  Tinalak, cotton, abaca, pineapple (piña) fibers, and natural dyes. Each piece tells a story of culture, identity, and generational knowledge.

The Philippine Pavillion is part of  Department of Tourism (DOT) program  of attracting 8.4 million inbound visitors in 2025 under its National Tourism Development Plan of 2023-2028.

Tourist arrivals to the Philippines slowly picked up after significant disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

From roughly 1.48 million tourists in 2020, international visitor numbers rose to around 5.44 million in 2024. Despite the increase, this number remains much lower than the pre-pandemic level.

On average, international tourists in the Philippines stay for about 11 nights spending less than 8,000 Philippine pesos daily.

The top fifteen  countries of origin are South Korea, United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, China, Taiwan,  United Kingdom, Singapore, Germany, France, Malaysia, India, Hong Kong SAR and  Spain.

As of 2024, 6.75 million Filipinos were employed in the tourism industry, with some  ₱760.5 billion (US$13.1 billion) in revenue generated  from foreign tourists.