The Okada Foundation (OFI), the charitable arm of integrated resort Okada Manila, has donated PHP 3m ($50,000) to the Asian Cultural Council Philippines Foundation (ACCPFI) to fund international artistic exchange opportunities for Filipino creatives.
The contribution will help finance six-month residencies abroad for selected Filipino artists and scholars, providing access to mentorship, international collaboration and cross-cultural exchange.
To mark the partnership, OFI hosted a meet and greet with Josie Natori, Chairman of the Asian Cultural Council (ACC), at Okada Manila on 13 March 2026, bringing together representatives and partners to discuss expanding opportunities for Filipino talent on the global stage.
The Asian Cultural Council was founded in 1963 by John D. Rockefeller III with a focus on fostering international cultural exchange across artistic disciplines. Over its history, the organisation has issued more than 300 awards to artists, scholars and cultural practitioners worldwide.
In the Philippines, it operates through ACCPFI, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary. Since its founding in 2000, the foundation has supported a number of prominent Filipino artists, including National Artists Lamberto Avellana, Jose Joya and Alice Reyes.
Commenting on the donation, James Lorenzana, President of the Okada Foundation, stated: “Our contribution to the Asian Cultural Council Philippines Foundation helps sustain programs that open doors for Filipino artists to participate in international residencies and collaborative exchanges.
“Through this support, we hope to empower more Filipino creatives to represent the Philippines on the global stage.”
The initiative sits under Okada Manila's Okada Green Heart sustainability and community engagement programme, specifically its Talent and Community pillar, which supports cultural development and individual growth.
The grant comes at a period of broader activity for Okada Manila and its parent company. Universal Entertainment Corporation reported a sharp decline in Q4 EBITDA at its Philippine subsidiary in January 2026, reflecting softer gaming demand, while operator Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment recently announced a new partnership with PhilWeb Corporation to launch Okada Play, a new regulated online gaming platform.
The Asian Cultural Council Philippines Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026, marking a quarter-century of supporting Filipino artists through international exchange programmes
