On November 3, the Government of Japan announced the recipients of the 2026 Autumn Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals. From the Philippines, the following two individuals have been honored:

Jose Rene Gregory Almendras: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star  

Efren Tanghal Manalo:    The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays

Almendras, as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, realized the early approval of the "Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard."

He also signed the Exchange of Notes for the Japanese Grant Aid concerning "The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS)".

By supporting young Filipino government officials in pursuing graduate studies and obtaining degrees at Japanese graduate schools, he helped strengthen the Philippines' efforts to address its priority development challenges while contributing to the establishment of bilateral human networks between Japan and the Philippines.

Furthermore, during his tenure as Cabinet Secretary from 2012 to 2016, he contributed to the introduction of the Japanese digital terrestrial television broadcasting system (ISDB-T standard) in the Philippines, as well as the passage of the bill to liberalize the entry of foreign banks, thereby helping to revitalize the financial activities of Japanese banks in the Philippines.

Additionally, as Secretary of Energy from 2010 to 2012, he implemented the introduction of the Japanese digital terrestrial television broadcasting system in the Philippines, contributed to the enactment of the bill to liberalize the entry of foreign banks, and promoted the financial activities of Japanese banks in the Philippines.

Manalo, a former local staff member of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, receives the award in recognition of his long years of dedication and service to the Embassy. Japan Information and Culture Center