SHANGHAI, China. –The Philippines was adjudged among the Top Ten pavilions visited by visitors in the Shanghai International Exposition 2010. This was revealed by Rep. Erico B. Aumentado (2 nd District, Bohol) who, together with Rep. Dakila Cua of Quirino Lone District, represented the Congress of the Philippines at the Shanghai Expo. The Philippines landed on the sixth spot of well-patronized pavilions in the biggest expo since the first in London sometime in 1851. It was learned that the Shanghai Expo was participated in by 246 countries and institutions where more than 73 million people came to see. The Philippines registered over eight million visitors. Despite being among the smaller pavilions, the Philippines was the liveliest, with various daily shows highlighting the country's culture and traditions, heritage, live music and chorale. The Loboc Youth Ambasasador Band played a pivotal role in the opening of the expo and the visit of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Special Envoy Chan brought to Shanghai the Loboc Youth Ambassador Band, aside from contributing US$1 million for the pavilion for which he was given by then President Arroyo the Order of Datu Sikatuna Award for his outstanding performance as the country's working Special Envoy to China promoting tourism, trade and industry. China registered the biggest number of visitors with almost half of the 73 million visitors being recorded therein. The top other participating countries were the United States of America, United Kingdom (UK), Saudi Arabia, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Germany, France, and South Korea. The China pavilion included that of Jiangxi province which highlighted the Jiangxi-Bohol sisterhood agreement, the Mt. Lushan and Chocolate Hills sisterhood, and the photographs of the signing ceremonies by then Gov. Aumentado and then Gov. Huang Zhiquan.

Former President Arroyo and then Communist Party of China (CPC) Jiangxi Committee Secretary and Chair of the Jiangxi People's Congress Standing Committee Meng Jiangzhu who is now Minister of Public Security of China had witnessed the signing ceremony. Premier Wen Jiabao was the guest of honor during the very colourful closing ceremonies attended by over 8,000 people who filled to the rafters the Expo Culture Center. “Undeterred by the searing heat or soaking rain, visitors waited patiently in long lines to witness this much anticipated event ... Through such extensive participation, Shanghai World Expo has truly brought together people around the globe,” he said of the event.

Jiabao said the Shanghai Expo had been a splendid event and added a glorious chapter to Expo history. Calling the event “eye-opening and “unforgettable,” the premier expressed gratitude on behalf of the Chinese government, and paid tribute to all the people who had participated in, supported and contributed to the First Expo held by a developing country. The Philippine delegation was seated with the UK and Bulgarian delegations during the closing rites that Tourism Secretary and Mrs. Alberto Aldava Lim, Ambassador Leslie Gatan, Consul General Maria Rowena Sanchez, Rep. Dakila Cua of the Lone District of Quirino, his parents, Quirino Gov. Junie Cua and former Congresswoman Ma. Angela Cua, Leonard de Guzman, Consul Gerry Panga, and Aumentado, among others, attended.