MANILA, Philippines — Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso led the opening ceremony of the city's first-ever tourism expo, “My Manila Tourism Expo 2026,” on Friday, September 25, at Foro de Intramuros.
In a statement, the Manila city government said the three-day expo will run until September 27 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. It said the expo marks the official launch of “Manila, My Manila,” the city's new tourism campaign, and drew more than 12,000 registered attendees. Admission is free.
Explaining the spirit behind the campaign, Isko said Manila is a city of contradictions, where modern towers rise near centuries-old stone walls.
“We may have modern buildings, but we also have beautiful buildings tested by time,” Isko said, referring to Intramuros as the site of the country's first established civilization.
Isko cited local heroes including Rajah Sulayman, Andres Bonifacio, Asiong Salonga and Victor Lopez Jr. as examples of the diverse stories found across the city.
"Manila has a lot of stories to tell. In every corner, there is a story. In every alleyway and boulevard, there is always history and a past," the mayor said.
