MICHAEL “XIAO” CHUA
THE universal exposition, or the “World’s Fair,” is an occasion for countries to exhibit their achievements, basically to “sell” the country to tourists and investors, to introduce our “brand” to the world. The first such international exhibition was started in London in 1851 by Albert, Prince Consort to Queen Victoria, and dubbed the “Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations.” In these expositions, the Philippines can showcase not just its products but also its great talents. Notable have been the Philippine pavilions for the 1964 New York World’s Fair by supervising architect Arturo Valenzuela, grandson of Katipunan patriot Pio Valenzuela; and for the Osaka World Expo 1970 by National Artist Leandro Locsin.