Culture, education and Indian community in the Philippines

This article covers cultural exchange, tourism, education and the Indian community in the Philippines. It draws on the MEA brief of April 2026, and all figures on students and the diaspora are the estimates given in that brief.

Cultural exchange

The Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) between the two countries was renewed for the period 2025-2030 on 05 August 2025, during the State Visit of the President of the Philippines to India. According to the MEA brief of April 2026, Indian cultural events are organised regularly in the Philippines to mark Indian national days, Indian festivals and other occasions such as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, Constitution Day, Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas and Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.

Anniversary events and community outreach

The two countries marked the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2024-2025, and a number of activities were organised throughout the year. In the Philippines, the Embassy of India organised several of them. It hosted a reception on 27 January 2025, attended by SFA Manalo, his spouse and other Secretaries of the Philippine Government.

Other anniversary activities included a blood donation camp and the India-Philippines 75th Friendship Golf Tournament on 3 February 2025. The Embassy also arranged free screening of 1000 Filipino women for breast and cervical cancer in collaboration with I-We.

In November 2025, the Embassy organised the "Viksit Bharat Run", in which Indian and Filipino nationals took part.

Tourism

A bilateral MoU on Tourism Cooperation was signed on 18 October 2019. Under it, the 1st meeting of the India-Philippines JWG on Tourism was held on 8 October 2020. The 2nd JWG meeting was held on 21 May 2024 in Manila, with the Indian side led by Ms. Anita Baghel, Additional DG, Ministry of Tourism, and the Philippine side by Ms. Verna C. Buensuceso, OIC Undersecretary, Department of Tourism.

The year 2025 was declared the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism. During the State Visit of August 2025, the two sides signed an Implementation program on Tourism Cooperation for 2025-2028, which sets out programmes and projects in key areas of bilateral tourism.

Tourism Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat held a bilateral meeting with Philippines Tourism Secretary Ms. Christina Garcia Frasco on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers Meeting (AITMM) in Malaysia on 20 January 2025, focusing on tourism potential and connectivity. The two ministers co-chaired the 13th AITMM in Cebu on 30 January 2026, with Shri Shekhawat taking part virtually. That meeting covered cultural ties, air connectivity, people-to-people exchanges, sustainable tourism and a review of the ASEAN-India Tourism Work Plan 2023-2027.

Visa and flight arrangements for travellers are set out in the practical guide in this series.

Indian students in the Philippines

According to the brief, around 9,800 Indian students are currently enrolled in the Philippines. Most are studying medicine. A smaller number are pursuing management, information technology, nursing, Christian theology and divinity, church music and pilot training courses.

The Indian community

The Indian diaspora in the Philippines is estimated at more than 70,000, according to the brief, with most living in and around Metro Manila, the City of Davao and Cebu. Around 800 Indian professionals are estimated to be working in Indian and multinational corporations in the Philippines.

The major Indian business associations in the Philippines named in the brief are:

Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines (FICCI-Philippines)
Indian Business Forum (IBF)
Indian Women in Enterprise (I-WE) Philippines

Places of worship and associations

The Indian diaspora has established 31 Gurudwaras (including Khalsa Diwan) and 8 Hindu temples in the Philippines. Cultural associations include the Filipino Indian Ladies Association (FILA), the Bharati Indian Expats Women's Association and the Indian Cultural Association of the Philippines (ICAP).

Spiritual organisations active in the Philippines include Sri Satya Sai Organization, Art of Living, Brahma Kumaris, Siddhi Yoga and ISKCON. According to the brief, these groups celebrate Indian festivals and work with the Embassy of India and the Filipino community on social, cultural and welfare activities.

Since the brief of April 2026

Later developments in India and Philippines relations, from MEA publications, newest first. The article above reports the brief at its date.

Questions and answers

How many Indians live in the Philippines?

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, the Indian diaspora in the Philippines is estimated at more than 70,000, mostly in and around Metro Manila, the City of Davao and Cebu.

How many Indian students are in the Philippines?

The brief puts the number of Indian students currently enrolled in the Philippines at around 9,800. Most of them are studying medicine.

Is there a cultural exchange programme between India and the Philippines?

Yes. The Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) was renewed for the period 2025-2030 on 05 August 2025, during the State Visit of the President of the Philippines to India.

Sources

This article reports what the sources state at their date and does not add facts from elsewhere. Figures, office holders and agreements may have changed since. Diplo is independent and not affiliated with any government. Suggest a correction.