By Robina Asido

Marking the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Philippines and Japan, a big Japanese clothing apparel company celebrating its 14th year of business in the country will set aside a portion of their profit to support educational initiatives.

During the ceremony to commemorate seven decades of Philippine-Japan friendship, Geraldine Sia, Uniqlo Philippine Chief Operating Officer, announced on Wednesday the launching of Uniqlo's educational initiatives in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd).

"Today, we are honored to begin another important partnership, one that invests in the future of Filipino children. We believe that every child deserves an environment where they can learn comfortably," she said.

"That is why Uniqlo Philippines is proud to launch a new and meaningful initiative, supporting brighter futures. Beginning today, a portion of the proceeds from every purchase of select AIRIsm products will help support educational initiatives, benefiting 15 schools across the Philippines," she added.

As he expressed appreciation for Uniqlo's initiative, Education Secretary Sonny Angara also emphasized the importance of learning from Japanese culture, noting the "uptick" in school violence and bullying in the country.

"Japanese culture really has a lot to teach us. It's a very difficult time for our schools because as you know, (there is) an uptick in violence. We've had an uptick in bullying," Angara said.

"We're trying to really not just securing our schools and making sure no untoward elements come in, we're also working on what we call the internal arrangements, meaning our values, how teachers relate to the students, how students relate to fellow students, how communities welcome new students to communities," he added.

In close partnership with the Department of Education, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya expressed confidence that Uniqlo's "initiative will open new pathways for the Filipino youths and will contribute to the human capacity development of the Philippines, as well as to the deepening of our bilateral relations."

"More than its growth as an apparel brand. Its presence here has been the measure of how far our two nations have come as close partners. With over 80 stores nationwide, Uniqlo remains richly represented, both in branches and closets all over the Philippines," he said.

Sia said the initiatives reflect the company's long-term commitment to creating opportunities beyond its stores and contributing to communities where future generations can flourish.

"When children are given the opportunity to learn, the entire community moves forward with them. This initiative is also a reflection of the enduring friendship between Japan and the Philippines. Just as our two countries have invested in one another for 70 years, we hope to invest in the next generation of Filipinos so that they too can build a brighter future for the years ahead," she stated.

"We know that meaningful change requires many hands, government, communities, educators, private organizations, and individuals who believe that every child deserves the chance to succeed. We are grateful to everyone who has joined this journey now, and we look forward to building many more partnerships that create lasting impact together," she added.

Uniqlo also celebrated their anniversary by introducing the collection of its limited-edition patches crafted by Filipino indigenous artisans which transforms fabric scraps into symbols of heritage and sustainability.

The "Re.Uniqlo" special collection patches created in collaboration with Filipino designer Wilson Limon showcased traditional handcrafted embroidery originated from the three main Island groups of the country (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao). PHS