The Great British Festival 2026, held from January 31 to February 1 in Manila, concluded with vibrant energy and strong community presence. The two-day festival introduced British culture, creativity and lifestyle experiences to Manila audiences with engaging activities, exhibits and displays that highlighted UK-Philippines cultural and bilateral relations.
The event is organized by the British Embassy Manila, the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP), and the British Council Philippines. businessworld As a media partner, the two countries celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and the Philippines in what turns out to be a meaningful and inclusive event that blends lifestyle and culture while honoring the long-standing diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The event is organized with the following supporting partners: Prulife UK, VFS, HSBC, BPI, Shell, Union Jack Tavern, David Salon, Mini (Autohub Group), Lotus (Autohub Group), Triumph (Autohub Group), Jaguar/JLR, Cargo Fish, Robinsons Marketplace, Yummy Organics Food Products, Nutrigen, Don Revi Philippines, Mamas & Papas, Sainsbury's, Exceed, CTC Group Philippines, Pina Beauty + Palm, Chevening, AUG, AECC, Studyin and IDP.
The festival offered visitors a mix of cultural performances and interactive experiences. Attendees explored themed areas that included British art, food, music and creativity, as well as opportunities to learn about innovation, education and business collaboration between the UK and the Philippines. Live entertainment was a major attraction throughout the weekend, giving festival goers A vibrant environment to enjoy performances and cultural performances reflecting British influence and creative exchange.
Local and international guests alike enjoyed the casual yet dynamic setting with family-friendly activities, dining options and interactive exhibits that encouraged participation and exploration.
The two-day festival brought together families, students, professionals and culture enthusiasts for a dynamic showcase of British culture, creativity and lifestyle experiences. The event was part of year-long activities to commemorate eight decades of UK-Philippines friendship and cooperation. The festival also serves as a platform to strengthen cultural ties and celebrate the unique relationship between the UK and the Philippines, an ongoing collaboration that extends beyond cultural exchange to education, business and community engagement.
Beyond culture, the celebration reflected a broader message of confidence in UK–Philippines relations. More recently, during the Chamber's “Forecast 2026: UK-PH Economic Perspective” forum, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Tereso Panga pointed out that the number of British companies in the PEZA ecozone now stands at 75, with cumulative investments of P229.3 billion since 1995 and export value of $1.4 billion by November 2025.
Under Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry, A.T. Alan Gepti underlined that the Philippines provides “coherent, credible and forward-looking policy direction” based on long-term development planning and openness to trade and investment. He said this clarity of direction positions the Philippines as “a credible and attractive partner for investors seeking stability, growth and long-term value,” especially as cooperation with the UK deepens through platforms such as the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) and the country's ASEAN chairmanship priorities.
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