Asia’s first Portal is set to open in Manila, placing the Philippines at the center of a growing global public art project focused on human connection. Portals Organization has announced that the Manila Portal will officially debut on January 21, 2026, at 5th Avenue in Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City (BGC). This installation marks the first Portal in Asia and the sixth Portal sculpture worldwide.
The Portal is a large-scale public sculpture featuring a circular screen that functions as a live digital window between cities. Once opened, the Manila Portal will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, allowing people in Metro Manila to see and be seen by individuals in other Portal locations across the world through a continuous livestream. The Manila installation will connect with existing Portals in Vilnius, Lithuania; Lublin, Poland; Dublin, Ireland; Philadelphia, United States; and Ipswich, United Kingdom. Future Portal locations are also set to open in Piauí, Brazil, as well as in other countries later this year.
A Global Project Finds a Home in Manila
Bonifacio Global City was selected as the site for Asia’s first Portal due to its status as Metro Manila’s premier business and lifestyle district. Known for its modern infrastructure, walkable urban design, and strong emphasis on public art, BGC is widely regarded as a dynamic cultural hub. The area is home to thoughtfully planned residential communities alongside many of the Philippines’ leading global businesses, creating an environment that reflects a forward-looking and globally connected spirit.
Portals Organization describes the placement of the Manila Portal as a natural fit for the project’s mission of fostering direct human connection across borders. By situating the installation in a busy public space, the organization aims to integrate global interaction into everyday urban life.
“The opening of our first Portal in Asia is a powerful and exciting moment for us. Bringing the Portal to BGC in Manila – a city known for genuine warmth and deep sense of human connection – expands our vision of a world connected not by borders, but by direct human encounter. We cannot wait to welcome Filipinos into this shared global experience,” said Benediktas Gylys, founder of Portals Organization.
What to Expect from the Manila Portal Experience
Once live, the Manila Portal will allow passersby to engage in spontaneous and unscripted interactions with people located thousands of kilometers away. The experience relies on real-time visual connection rather than sound, encouraging communication through gestures, expressions, and shared presence. Visitors can wave, smile, or simply observe, creating moments of connection without the need for apps, accounts, or prior registration.
Interest in the Portal concept grew significantly in 2024, when a live connection between New York City and Dublin went viral on social media. The circular screens became digital windows where strangers exchanged waves, smiles, and occasional unexpected moments, drawing global attention to the project. The concept itself was first introduced in 2021, when the inaugural Portal connected Vilnius, Lithuania, and Lublin, Poland. According to Portals Organization, the project reached hundreds of millions of people online within its first few months, driven by public curiosity and social media engagement.
A Shared Space for Culture and Connection
Beyond its visual presence, the Portal is designed as a shared cultural space that encourages empathy and understanding between people from different parts of the world. By existing in an open public setting, the installation allows everyday interactions to become part of a broader global exchange. For visitors in Manila, the Portal offers an opportunity to represent Filipino warmth, expressions, and everyday moments on an international stage.
“We are delighted to introduce Portals to the Philippines and, for the first time, to Asia. At BGC, we draw inspiration from experiences that bring communities together and celebrate culture and diversity. With Portals and at BGC, we hope to create a new space for connection – one that not only engages our community, but also proudly shares the vibrancy and richness of Filipino culture with the world.” shares Enrique B. Manuel Jr., Chief Operating Officer, Bonifacio Global City.
The Manila Portal was made possible with the support of several partners, including Excell Contractors and Developers Inc, Euroasia Marble & Granite, Habitus Design Group, United Neon, Globe at Home, Unionbank, and CMC Contract Manufacturing Pte Ltd. Their involvement helped bring the large-scale public installation to life in one of the country’s most prominent urban districts.
The History and Idea Behind Portals
Portals were created from the belief that people around the world have more in common than what separates them. According to Portals Organization, the roots of the project trace back to 2016 and were driven by a desire to meet humanity as it truly is, without borders, filters, or prejudice. What began as a personal reflection evolved into a global movement that exists in both physical public spaces and the virtual world.
“In 2016 I stopped believing that the success manual of our century deeply installed into my system will make me satisfied. After developing several online ventures I had success symbols to show and a painful lack of meaning to hide. Finally surrendering and sincerely admitting that I do not know anything about reality led me to a mystical experience where I felt oneness with all life on Earth for two weeks.
After this experience I started seeing our world with different eyes and the default worldview which kept forcing me to see our planet through a lens full of narratives and filters became unbearable. I felt a deep need to counter polarising ideas and to communicate that the only way for us to continue our journey on this beautiful spaceship called Earth is together. I did not want to enter the ring and fight but to offer something with love and light.”
The idea was conceived in 2016 by Lithuanian artist and entrepreneur Benediktas Gylys and shaped through collaboration with designers and engineers. In 2020, Gylys provided the majority of the financial resources needed to build the first two Portal sculptures in Lithuania, working alongside a team from the VilniusTech technology university.
The first Portals opened in May 2021, connecting Vilnius, Lithuania, and Lublin, Poland. The project quickly spread online and in the press, reaching hundreds of millions of people within its initial months of operation. In 2023, Portals Organization UAB was incorporated with offices in Vilnius and Berlin, allowing the team to further develop the next generation of Portal sculptures and expand the project globally.
By 2024, Portals became a growing network with new installations in New York City and Dublin, enabling livestreams to rotate between multiple Portal locations. In 2025, through collaborations with leading brands and artists, Portals evolved into a shared global stage at the intersection of the physical and digital world, bringing together communities through collective experiences.
Opening Day Details
“We look forward to welcoming everyone, both in BGC and those in other Portal locations, to share in this experience of unity. The Manila Portal will be unveiled on 5th Avenue at Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City, with the opening ceremony scheduled for January 21 at 6:00 PM (PHT, UTC+8.)”
The Manila Portal was made possible with the generous support of our partners: Excell Contractors and Developers Inc, Euroasia Marble & Granite, Habitus Design Group, United Neon, Globe at Home, Unionbank, and CMC Contract Manufacturing Pte Ltd
As the first Portal in Asia, the Manila installation represents a significant milestone for Portals Organization’s expanding global network. It reinforces the project’s core message of unity and connection, positioning Manila as a key participant in an evolving international dialogue that brings people together through art, technology, and shared public space.
To stay updated on the latest news, announcements, and global Portal installations, readers can follow Portals Organization on social media through its official channels on LinkedIn, TikTok, X, and Instagram.
