A bowl of halo-halo emerged as an unexpected symbol of Philippine-Japan friendship during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Tokyo after Japanese Emperor Naruhito revealed a fondness for the iconic Filipino dessert.
Marcos shared the story with members of the Philippine media delegation on Friday, May 29, recounting one of the more personal moments of his four-day visit to Japan.
The Philippine president said he learned through mutual contacts that the Japanese monarch had tried halo-halo at the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo and had become particularly fond of it.
“So nung narinig ko ‘yon, tinanong ko sa— hanapin niyo yung pinakamagaling na gumawa ng halo-halo padala natin sa Emperor,” he said.
The idea, however, ran into a practical obstacle. Marcos said palace protocol does not allow Emperor Naruhito to consume food prepared outside the Imperial Household.
Instead, the Philippine leader opted for a more creative gift.
“Regalo ko sa kanya nung isang araw, ‘yung mahabang baso na ganun, at saka ‘yung kutsara na mahaba,” Marcos said, gesturing to the shape of the traditional tall glass and elongated spoon used for serving halo-halo.
The following day, he handed the Japanese emperor a recipe for the dessert.
“Binigyan ko siya ng recipe, sabihin mo sa chef mo lutuin ito,” he said.
Marcos said the gesture was warmly received by the Japanese monarch.
“So ayun, tuwang-tuwa naman siya,” he added.
Halo-halo is among the Philippines’ most recognizable desserts. Typically served with shaved ice, milk, sweetened fruits, beans, ube, leche flan, and other toppings, it is especially popular during the country’s hot summer months. The dessert has also become a cultural symbol for many Filipinos, reflecting a blend of ingredients and influences that mirrors the country’s diverse heritage.
The President later quipped that halo-halo had become part of the growing rapport between the two countries.
The lighthearted exchange stood in contrast to the formal nature of the state visit, which was marked by ceremonial events, meetings with Japanese leaders, and discussions on regional security and economic cooperation.
Japan remains one of the Philippines’ closest strategic and economic partners, with the two countries deepening cooperation amid shared concerns over maritime security in the region. Tokyo is also a major source of development assistance and investment for Manila.
Marcos concluded the visit with new agreements covering maritime security, taxation and defense cooperation, while securing more than ₱260 billion in investment pledges from Japanese companies.
Among the outcomes of the trip were plans to begin negotiations on the sharing of classified information, discussions on maritime boundary delimitation, and talks on the possible transfer of Abukuma-class destroyers to the Philippines. The two countries also signed an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation.
Against that backdrop, a simple Filipino dessert became an unlikely diplomatic talking point, underscoring the increasingly close ties between Manila and Tokyo.
“Iyung emperor ng Japan kumakain pala ng halo-halo. Hindi lang kumakain, paborito ang halo-halo. So, ‘yan ang intimate connection ngayon natin,” Marcos said. “Mabuhay ang halo-halo!”
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