MANILA, Philippines — History, culture, and Filipino creativity came alive inside the historic walls of Intramuros as visitors—many of them from the younger generation—gathered for the My Manila Tourism Expo 2026 at the Foro de Intramuros.
Held from September 25 to 27, the three-day tourism and lifestyle event brought together tourism partners, local enterprises, cultural organizations, and visitors in a celebration of Manila’s heritage, food, attractions, and local experiences.
A visit during the expo’s second day offered a particularly encouraging sight: young Filipinos actively exploring exhibits about the country’s history and culture—not simply observing them from afar, but participating in activities designed to make heritage more engaging and accessible.
It was a reminder that history does not have to remain confined to textbooks, classrooms, museums, or old photographs. Events such as the My Manila Tourism Expo can provide a space where a new generation can encounter the stories of the past in ways that feel interactive, creative, and relevant.
Walking around the venue, visitors could discover booths showcasing Filipino-made books, locally created products, cultural pieces, and other works celebrating Filipino identity and creativity.
The experience went beyond exhibits.
Event-goers enjoyed cultural and dance performances, posed for pictures at a nostalgia-inspired photo booth, and participated in interactive activities throughout the venue.
One of the activities that brought history into a more playful setting was a quiz game at the booth of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), allowing visitors to put their knowledge of Philippine history to the test.
These activities showed how heritage can be presented beyond the conventional ways people may have encountered it growing up. Through games, performances, exhibits, books, photographs, and Filipino-made creations, history became something visitors could actively experience.
A New Generation Rediscovering Manila
Perhaps one of the most meaningful sights at the expo was seeing younger visitors spending time at the booths, participating in activities, taking photographs, and learning more about Manila and Philippine heritage.
In an age when much of the younger generation’s attention is centered on digital platforms, seeing them voluntarily participate in an event rooted in history and culture offered an encouraging picture of how heritage can continue to connect across generations.
The My Manila Tourism Expo formed part of Manila’s broader effort to promote the capital as a destination rich in history, culture, food, creativity, entertainment, and local experiences. It also served as the platform for the city’s new “Manila, My Manila” tourism campaign.
The interest was reflected in the event’s turnout. According to the Department of Tourism, Culture, and Arts of Manila, the three-day expo welcomed a total of 13,702 visitors before concluding on September 27.
More than the numbers, however, the gathering highlighted something worth celebrating: Filipinos, including a new generation, remain curious about the stories, places, traditions, and creations that make up the country’s identity.
The Philippines has a rich and complex history—one that deserves not only to be remembered but also experienced, discussed, rediscovered, and passed on.
And sometimes, keeping that history alive can begin with something as simple as walking into an exhibit, opening a Filipino-made book, answering a history quiz, watching a cultural performance, or discovering a story about Manila that you never knew before.
At the My Manila Tourism Expo, history was not merely something visitors looked back on.
For many young Filipinos walking through Foro de Intramuros, it became something they could experience for themselves.
