Ipswich Borough Council is delighted to announce that the Ipswich Portal, located on the Cornhill in the heart of the town centre, is linking with the newest Portal launching across the world.
Asia’s first-ever Portal in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Manila, Philippines, is opening tomorrow, Wednesday 21 January 2026. This exciting development marks the debut of the sixth Portal sculpture globally, expanding the growing international network of interactive sculptures that connect communities through real-time, life‑sized livestreams.
The Manila Portal will open at 10:00am UK time (6:00pm Philippine Standard Time), enabling residents, visitors and families in Ipswich to see, wave to and interact instantly with people in the Philippines - further strengthening Ipswich’s role as a uniquely global meeting point.
Since its unveiling in October 2025, the Ipswich Portal has captured local imagination by offering a direct window into four other cities around the world: Vilnius, Lublin, Dublin and Philadelphia. Now, with Manila joining the network and future Portals planned for Brazil and other global locations, Ipswich continues to shine internationally as a centre for innovation, culture and digital placemaking.
Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said:
“We are thrilled that Ipswich will help welcome the first Asian Portal into this extraordinary global family. The ability for our residents to connect directly with people in the Philippines - seeing another culture live, in real time, from our town centre - is exactly what makes the Ipswich Portal so special. This new link strengthens our role as a truly international town, celebrating unity, curiosity and human connection through a ‘global window on the world.’
“We hope people will join us at the Ipswich Portal on the Cornhill tomorrow morning to welcome viewers from Manila as the Philippines Portal goes live.
“Bring a smile, a wave, or even a flag, and be part of this historic moment of connection between Ipswich and the Philippines.”
Did you know?
The Portals network is operated by portals.org, an organisation dedicated to fostering human connection beyond borders and prejudice. Each Portal acts as a 24/7 livestream public sculpture, allowing strangers across the world to interact in real time. With the addition of Manila, the network widens its reach even further to six Portals - bridging continents through shared experience and shared humanity.
Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is Metro Manila’s leading business and lifestyle district, located in Taguig City, Philippines. Known for its modern infrastructure, walkable urban design, and commitment to public art and culture, BGC is home to a diverse mix of residential communities, global companies, and cultural institutions.
Ipswich’s participation forms part of the Digital Ipswich project under the Towns Deal, using modern technology to re‑energise the town centre with creative, interactive experiences.
Earlier this month, for the first time, Ipswich residents and visitors were able to experience our rich history as never before, thanks to the launch of six new augmented and virtual reality binoculars installed at key historic locations across the town. This project also forms part of Digital Ipswich, funded through the UK Government’s Towns Fund, and positions Ipswich as the first town in the UK to offer this type of immersive, street-based augmented reality experience free to the public.