Michelin Guide 2026: Filipino food is getting a taste of the global spotlight

From adobo, sisig to Michelin stars: Marcos celebrates Filipino food’s global rise

Filipino food is having its global moment. President Marcos hopes MICHELIN recognition will bring more tourists and more business to the country’s culinary scene.

Politiko
October 30, 2026

Filipino food is getting a taste of the global spotlight, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is hungry for more recognition.

The President on Thursday hailed the growing international appreciation for Filipino cuisine, saying the country’s rich culinary heritage is making its mark on the world stage through the MICHELIN Guide.

“For a hundred years, the MICHELIN Guide has taken the world on a journey of great food. The Philippines joined that journey only last year, but Filipino cuisine is already finding its place at the table,” he said at the Michelin Guide Ceremony: Manila and Environs & Cebu 2027 held in Pasay City.

The President, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and other government officials attended the event.

Marcos said the recognition puts the spotlight on the talent, creativity, and hard work of Filipino chefs and restaurant teams, while giving regional specialties and homegrown ingredients a chance to shine internationally.

The Philippines made its MICHELIN Guide debut in 2025, with 108 establishments recognized, including 25 Bib Gourmand selections and nine MICHELIN-starred restaurants.

The President pointed to Filipino favorites such as adobo, kinilaw, and sisig as more than just dishes, describing them as expressions of the country’s identity, resourcefulness, and culinary traditions passed down through generations.

He also highlighted the potential of Filipino restaurants to promote local produce, including indigenous rice varieties from the Cordilleras.

Beyond putting Filipino food on the global menu, Marcos said international recognition could also serve up more economic opportunities for farmers, fisherfolk, food producers, and micro, small, and medium enterprises.

“Now, our cuisine can become another reason for travelers to visit, explore our regions, and to stay longer,” he said.

“Greater interest in Filipino cuisine can mean more opportunities for our farmers, our fisherfolk, food producers, and our MSMEs,” the President added.

To help turn that appetite for Filipino food into tourism gains, Marcos vowed continued investments in infrastructure and air and sea connectivity to make destinations more accessible.

He also pushed for enhanced culinary education and skills development for aspiring chefs and hospitality professionals.

“Let us continue to invest in our culinary talent, preserve our regional food traditions, and encourage the next generation of Filipinos to innovate while remaining rooted in who we are,” Marcos said.

Miss Universe bets from Sweden, Pakistan, Egypt undergo training in Manila

Miss Universe bets from Sweden, Pakistan, Egypt undergo training in Manila

Armin P. Adina
Inquirer.net
30 October 2026

The reigning Miss Universe national titleholders from Sweden, Pakistan and Egypt all flew to Manila ahead of their international competition slated next month in Puerto Rico.

Miss Universe bets from Sweden, Pakistan, Egypt undergo training in Manila

Filipino publicist, publisher and entrepreneur Josh Yugen, who is the national director and official Miss Universe franchise holder for the three countries, brought his queens to the Philippines to prepare for the international competition.

Miss Universe Sweden Josefin Strand, Miss Universe Pakistan Misbah Arshad and Miss Universe Egypt Sonia Gergis have gone under the guidance of some of the country’s most respected pageant mentors and coaches.

“Since 2022, we have consistently brought our queens to Manila because we believe the Philippines is home to some of the world’s finest pageant talent,” Yugen said.

“Filipino coaches, designers, photographers and beauty professionals understand pageantry from the heart. They know that preparing a queen is not simply about creating a beautiful image, it is about developing her confidence, individuality, communication and ability to represent her country,” he continued.

While in the Philippines, Strand, Gergis and Arshad also attended the final competition of Face of the Philippines Season 2 in Tagaytay City on Oct. 20.

The competition, presented by ROKID Philippines and actress Arci Muñoz’s Blumii, sought contestants for Face of Asia, part of the Asia Model Festival ecosystem in South Korea.

The Face of the Philippines Season 2 winners will receive an exclusive management contract with Yugen’s House of Yugen, a digital cover feature with Xpedition Magazine, and an all-expenses-paid, two-week trip to South Korea to represent the Philippines at Face of Asia – Asia Model Festival 2026.

Sarah Haithams Abdelrahman and pageant veteran Scarlett Anne De Mesa emerged as the grand winners, while a young girl simply called “Star” topped the “Kids” category.

De Mesa, who competed at the Miss Universe Philippines and Reina Filipinas pageants this year, is no stranger to international competitions. She competed at the Top Model of the World contest in Egypt in 2025, where she received the “Miss Globe” award. /ra

PH's Siargao to host World Surf League championship

Philippine hosts surfing’s premier Championship Tour event

Caecent No-ot Magsumbol 
The Freeman 
October 30, 2026

CEBU, Philippines — The gods and goddesses of the waves are headed to Siargao as Olympic gold medalists, world champions and some of surfing’s biggest names will descend on Cloud 9 from today, October 30, to November 8 for the World Surf League (WSL) Philippines Pro Championship Tour.

This is the first time the Philippines will host the sport’s premier Championship Tour event.

The star-studded field features some of the most accomplished surfers in the sport.

Leading the men’s division are Brazilian stars Italo Ferreira, the 2019 WSL world champion and surfing’s first Olympic gold medalist; Gabriel Medina, a three-time world champion and one of Brazil’s most celebrated surfers; and Filipe Toledo, a two-time world champion.

Also competing are Brazil’s Yago Dora and Miguel Pupo, Italy’s Leonardo Fioravanti, and Japan’s Kanoa Igarashi, underscoring the global stature of the event.

The women’s field is equally formidable.

Headlining the draw are Caroline Marks of the United States, a former world champion and Olympic gold medalist; Australia’s Molly Picklum, rising talent Erin Brooks; Hawaii’s Gabriela Bryan; and veteran campaigner Lakey Peterson.

For the Philippines, the event is being billed as more than a surfing competition.

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio, who also chairs the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NST-IAC), said the tour showcases the country’s growing position as a sports tourism destination.

“Sports tourism is more than staging competitions. It is a powerful platform that showcases destinations, drives local economies, inspires communities, and places the Philippines on the global map,” Gregorio said.

Three Filipinos will carry local hopes before a global audience, led by Siargao standout and “King of Cloud 9” John Mark “Marama” Tokong, alongside Jayuard Alciso and Mara Lopez.

The hosting of the Championship Tour is aligned with Administrative Order No. 38 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which created the NST-IAC to strengthen the country’s position as a destination for international sporting events.

Organizers flash the shaka or “hang loose” hand sign to convey the the “Aloha spirit,” during the launching of the World Surf League Championship Tour event at the Philippine Sports Commission office in Manila on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. | Philippine Sports Commission photo

William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos, Philippine Sports Ambassador and a key supporter of local surfing, said the event presents a rare opportunity to showcase both Filipino athletes and the country’s world-class surf breaks.

“The waves have always been here. The talent has always been here,” Marcos said.

“Bringing the WSL Championship Tour to the Philippines is the perfect opportunity to finally show the world what Filipinos have known all along: the Philippines has everything the world is looking for. Siargao will be unforgettable,” he added.

Gregorio described the arrival of surfing’s premier circuit as a watershed moment for the sport in the country.

“This will be a historic moment for Philippine surfing, and the arrival of the Championship Tour will usher the sport into an exciting new era,” he said.

The event is expected to generate worldwide exposure for Siargao, long regarded as one of the world’s premier surf destinations, while boosting tourism and local economic activity.

Gregorio also thanked WSL Chief Executive Officer Ryan Crosby and WSL Asia Pacific President Andrew Stark for their confidence in the country’s surfing potential and for choosing Siargao to host the milestone event.

“Let it inspire a new generation of athletes. Let the world discover not just our waves, but the vision, ambition, and heart of the Filipino people,” he said.

Filipino Americans in US politics

From Nevada to Hawaii, Fil-Ams vie for state legislative seats

Democrat Erica Mosca seeks reelection, while Republican Tess Abalos challenges an incumbent

Marisse G. Abelgas 
INQUIRER.net US Bureau 
29 October 2026

LOS ANGELES – As voters prepare to head to the polls on Nov. 3, Filipino American candidates are seeking public office in races spanning state legislatures, city councils and local school boards, highlighting the community’s growing presence in electoral politics.

Among them are Nevada Assemblymember Erica Mosca, a Democrat seeking re-election to represent District 14, and Tess Abalos, a Republican seeking a seat in the Hawaii House of Representatives for District 29.

Nevada Assemblymember Erica Mosca (left) and Hawaii House candidate Tess Abalos | Photos from Ballotpedia, ballotready.org

Their candidacies reflect the broader pursuit of Filipino American representation in elected office, from incumbent state legislators running for reelection to first-time candidates vying for public office.

According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 4.1 million Filipino Americans lived in the United States in 2022, accounting for 17% of the nation’s Asian American population. About 1.6 million, or 38%, lived in California, while Hawaii and Texas also had sizable Filipino American communities.

Erica Mosca (Nevada)

Mosca, the first Filipina elected to the Nevada Legislature, is seeking another term in the Nevada State Assembly, representing District 14 in Clark County. First elected in November 2022, she chairs the Assembly’s Legislative Operations and Elections Committee and serves on the Education and Ways and Means committees.

Born in San Diego, California, Mosca is the daughter of a Filipino immigrant. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Boston University, a master’s degree in education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and an additional master’s degree from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.

Before entering the Legislature, Mosca worked as an educator and founded Leaders in Training, a nonprofit organization focused on helping students pursue educational opportunities and become leaders in their communities.

Her legislative work has included measures addressing education, election communications, housing, health care and economic development. During the 2025 legislative session, she chaired the committee overseeing legislative operations and elections.

Mosca advanced to the Nov. 3 general election after the Democratic primary for District 14 was canceled.

Tess Abalos (Hawaii)

In Hawaii, Abalos is running as a Republican for the state House seat representing District 29, which includes Kalihi Valley and part of the Liliha-ʻĀlewa area on Oʻahu. She advanced from the Aug. 8 Republican primary and will face Democratic incumbent Ikaika Hussey in the general election.

Raised in Kalihi, Abalos has described her family’s history as a foundation for her commitment to public service. Her great-grandfather came to Hawaii as a sakada, or plantation worker. She has cited his perseverance, faith and dedication to family as formative influences.

Abalos is a business owner, community advocate and outreach coordinator who founded JESUS n’ ALOHA Marketplace and Green Citrus Clean. She holds a master’s degree in Christian ministry and has experience in counseling, life coaching, business mentoring and community outreach.

Her campaign platform emphasizes government transparency, economic relief, public safety and constituent service. She has pledged to support small businesses, address Hawaii’s high cost of living, protect older residents and children, and promote accountable government spending.

Abalos’ candidacy places a Republican Filipino American woman in a race against a Democratic incumbent, reflecting the range of political affiliations among Filipino Americans seeking elected office.

California candidates

Rob Bonta, Jessica Caloza, Mark Pulido | Photos from State of California Dept. of Justice, Asmdc.org, cerritos.gov

California, home to the nation’s largest Filipino American population, has an extensive field of candidates seeking office in November.

Among the Filipino American candidates identified for the 2026 election are Rob Bonta, the Democratic state attorney general seeking re-election; Mark Pulido, running for the 67th Assembly District; and Jessica Caloza, seeking re-election to the 52nd Assembly District.

Other Filipino American candidates are running for local offices across Southern and Northern California. They include Melissa Ramoso for Artesia City Council; Stephanie Loredo for the Culver City Unified School District; Ollie Cantos and Letty Lopez-Viado for West Covina City Council; Arleen Bocatija Rojas for Carson City Council, District 4; Phil Bacerra for Santa Ana City Council, Ward 4; Byron Salvatierra for Irvine City Council; Ditas Yamane for National City Council, District 3; Juslyn Manalo and Mark Nagales for the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, District 5; Rod Daus-Magbual and Tony Bayudan for Daly City Council; and Gabe Quinto for El Cerrito City Council.

These candidacies underscore Filipino Americans’ participation in electoral contests at multiple levels of government. California’s certified general election ballot includes statewide and legislative races, while county election offices provide information on local contests.

The potential electoral influence of Filipino Americans is substantial, although voter eligibility, registration and turnout are distinct measures.

AAPI Data, drawing on US Census Bureau American Community Survey figures, estimates that more than 2.14 million Filipino American adults were eligible to vote based on 2022 data. California accounted for approximately 933,000 eligible voters, followed by Hawaii with about 147,000 and Nevada with nearly 109,300.

Fil-Am voters

A definitive, comparable national count of registered Filipino American voters is not readily available because voter-registration data are not uniformly reported by detailed ethnic group across states. The eligible-voter estimate, therefore, should not be treated as a registration total.

Survey findings also suggest that Filipino American voters do not constitute a politically uniform bloc. AAPI Data’s 2024 election analysis found that 45% of Filipino American voters identified as Democrats or leaned Democratic, while 28% identified as Republicans or leaned Republican. Thirty percent identified as independents, including some who also leaned toward a major party. These figures reflect survey responses, not official election results or predictions of how the community will vote in 2026.

For Mosca and Abalos, the Nov. 3 election represents two different paths: one seeking another term in office, the other hoping to win her first.

Their campaigns, alongside those of Filipino American candidates across California and other states, reflect the community’s participation in the political process at both state and local levels.

Voters in their respective districts will determine the outcome of these races on Nov. 3. The results will offer a clearer picture of Filipino American representation in elected office across the country.

Turnout estimates show that Filipino American participation varied between the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections. AAPI Data reported that an estimated 54% of eligible Filipino American voters cast ballots in 2020, rising to 63% in 2024. These figures represent estimated turnout, not the proportion of all Filipino Americans who are registered or the percentage who voted for a particular candidate.

Three Filipino students have been selected as one of the four winning teams in the World Robot Olympiad

Filipino Students Win International Award for Tech Designed to Ease Nurses’ Workload

Three students developed CARED in response to the heavy workloads facing nurses, combining routine patient measurements into one system.

World Robot Olympiad Association
EINPresswire
October 28, 2026

OLONGAPO, PHILIPPINES -- Three Filipino students have been selected as one of the four winning teams in the World Robot Olympiad™ (WRO®) STEM Entrepreneur Program after developing a patient-monitoring system designed to automate routine measurements and reduce repetitive work for nurses.

The WRO STEM Entrepreneur Program, powered by Aramco, is a new initiative to bridge the gap between STEM education and entrepreneurship by giving students the opportunity to defend how their technologies work, why they matter, and how they would take their solutions from the competition arena to the market with the objective of solving real-world challenges.

Project CARED was among four winners of the WRO STEM Entrepreneur Program, powered by Aramco, receiving $5,000 and six months of mentoring to further develop their patient-monitoring system.

John Lee Bacoco, 16, Ahmika Julia Reyes, 15, and Katarina Sening Parungao, 16, from Regional Science High School III developed CARED, an integrated system that brings several routine patient-monitoring functions together and transmits the information to healthcare personnel.

The idea grew from the students’ concern about the heavy workloads facing nurses in the Philippines. The team wanted to explore whether several repetitive monitoring tasks could be brought together in one device, giving nurses easier access to patient information.

“In one sentence, it is the future of patient care. What we did was create an all-in-one medical device to lessen nurses’ workload, so nurses can have the vital signs of the patient in one place and the information can then be transmitted to the hospital database,” said Katarina Sening M. Parungao, Project CARED.

The prototype combines heart rate and oxygen-saturation monitoring, blood-pressure measurement, urine-output tracking and medication reminders. The team has built and tested a working prototype, comparing some of its measurements with commercial medical devices to understand where the system performs well and where it still needs improvement.

The students also see potential for the concept beyond larger healthcare facilities. In Hyderabad, India they highlighted rural health centers as an important long-term focus for the project.

Three Filipino students developed CARED, a patient-monitoring system that combines routine measurements into one device designed to reduce repetitive work for nurses.

“Our main goal is to reach rural health centres. We really believe that, no matter who you are or where you are, accessible healthcare is a right and not a privilege. That is the main goal of our project,” said John Lee C. Bacoco, Project CARED.

The WRO STEM Entrepreneur Program challenged the team to think beyond the technology itself. After presenting CARED to entrepreneurs, investors and industry professionals, the students said questions about how the project could reach users made them consider its potential beyond the Philippines and strengthened their ambition to continue improving the device.

22 student teams from 13 countries took part in the program, pitching both the technical and practical value of robotics projects developed through WRO’s Future Innovators competition.

“Project CARED stood out because the students connected their technical work to a challenge they see in their own country. They are using robotics not just to build something for a competition, but to explore how technology could respond to a real need in healthcare, particularly in Intensive Care Units. That is the kind of learning we want young people to experience through WRO in the Philippines,” said Mylene Abiva, President and CEO of FELTA Multi-Media, the National Organizer for WRO in the Philippines.

Project CARED was selected as one of the four equal winning teams, alongside teams from India, Italy and South Korea. Each receives a $5,000 award and six months of mentoring from industry experts, including investment professionals from Aramco Ventures, the global venturing arm of Aramco, as well as experts from India STEM Foundation and WRO, to help further develop their projects.

The WRO STEM Entrepreneur Program, powered by strategic partner Aramco, bridges STEM education and entrepreneurship by challenging young people to explain not just how their technology works, but why it matters and how it can evolve beyond the competition.

“At Aramco, we believe the future lies in empowering young people. Our STEM Education Global Program enables students to understand science and technology and use it to create, build, and solve. Our strategic partnership with WRO continues to expand, allowing students to take their ideas outside of the classroom, from ideation and prototyping to execution and real-world innovation,” said Hadeel Al-Eisa, Aramco Corporate Citizenship Manager.

Following the inaugural event in Hyderabad, WRO plans to bring the STEM Entrepreneur Program format to National Organizers around the world.

Ascott Properties won the World Travel Awards held in the Maldives

2 Philippine Properties Recognized at the World Travel Awards 2026

When In Manila
28 October 2026

The Ascott Limited (Ascott), a Singapore-headquartered global hospitality company wholly owned by CapitaLand Investment (CLI), won three accolades at the World Travel Awards 2026 in the Philippine market.

Photo: The Ascott Limited Philippines

Its flagship namesake brand, Ascott, which embodies the Art of Living through refined residences, fine art, and curated experiences, was named the Philippines’ Leading Serviced Apartment Brand for the 10th consecutive year.

Two properties in the Philippines were also honored: Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila was named Asia’s Leading Serviced Apartment for the fourth time, and Ascott Makati was named Philippines’ Leading Serviced Apartment for the seventh time.

Ascott received the awards at the Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony on September 27, 2026, in the Maldives. At the same event, Ascott was crowned Asia’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand for the 11th consecutive year, cementing its position as a leader in serviced apartments and extended stay accommodation.

Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards honors excellence across all sectors of travel, tourism, and hospitality, with industry professionals and consumers worldwide determining the winners.

Photo: Ascott Bonifacio Global City

In the Philippines, Ascott has established a distinctive approach to luxury, where sophisticated accommodation, fine art, and alluring experiences come together to create memorable stays for long-term guests and discerning travelers.

Patrick Vaysse, country general manager, Philippines, The Ascott Limited, said: “Celebrating 10 consecutive years as the Philippines’ Leading Serviced Apartment Brand is a proud milestone for Ascott and a testament to the dedication of our teams. This recognition belongs to every team member who brings our commitment to excellence to life each day, whether through thoughtfully curated spaces, meaningful guest interactions, or the care that goes into every stay. Here’s to another decade of creating memorable experiences, reaching new milestones, and raising the standard of hospitality in the Philippines.”

Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila retained its title as Asia’s Leading Serviced Apartment, marking the fourth time the property has received the prestigious accolade since 2020.

Centrally located in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig, the distinguished serviced residence places guests within easy reach of thoughtfully designed parks, shopping boutiques, dining destinations, fitness facilities, and a variety of lifestyle experiences. Its residences, ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments, offer spacious, modern accommodations with the comforts and conveniences today’s discerning guests expect.

Photo: Ascott Bonifacio Global City

Located in the heart of Makati and directly connected to Glorietta at Ayala Center, the luxury serviced residence offers accommodations ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments, along with exceptional convenience and easy access to a diverse selection of restaurants, shopping boutiques, and entertainment destinations. Its thoughtfully appointed residences combine the comforts of home with elevated hospitality, creating a luxurious home-away-from-home experience.

Photo: Ascott Makati

The Philippines' top diplomat leads a humanitarian mission to Myanmar

The Philippines' top diplomat leads a humanitarian mission to Myanmar

The Manila Times
Associated Press
28 October 2026

BANGKOK — The Philippines’ top diplomat arrived in Myanmar on Wednesday to oversee the distribution of humanitarian aid, as Myanmar’s military-backed government seeks to improve strained relations with its neighbors and other countries.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro is making the two-day visit in her capacity as Special Envoy on Myanmar for ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Myanmar is part of the regional bloc but has been rebuked by it since the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, plunging the country into a civil war that has displaced millions.

The Philippine Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Lazaro will lead an ASEAN Monitoring Team mission to distribute humanitarian support in Myanmar’s Kayin State, Southern Shan State and Northern Shan State.

The aid operation is expected to distribute 50-kilogram (110-pound) bags of rice, personal hygiene kits and other essential items to more than 11,000 households through November, said the statement.

Lazaro’s visit comes as Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing seeks to improve the image of his military-backed government to gain political legitimacy abroad. China and Russia have been allies since he led the 2021 takeover, but Western nations treated Myanmar as a pariah state and enacted sanctions against its leaders.

Min Aung Hlaing faced years of isolation and was barred from ASEAN summit meetings for failing to comply with the bloc’s April 2021 peace plan, which called for an end to violence, dialogue among contending parties, mediation through a special envoy, humanitarian aid, and full access to stakeholders.

Min Aung Hlaing was sworn in as president in April following an election in December and January. Critics dismissed the polls as a sham designed to consolidate the military's grip on power while ostensibly restoring civilian rule. His efforts to end diplomatic isolation have included visits to Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia.

He has also tried to ease concerns about Suu Kyi, who has not been seen publicly since she was detained in 2021 when her government was ousted. She is serving an 18-year prison sentence on charges that her followers and right groups consider bogus.

The 81-year-old Suu Kyi on Thursday was allowed her first telephone call in more than five years with her son, Kim Aris. On Monday, the military-backed government said it delivered two books sent by Britain’s King Charles III to Suu Kyi, along with diplomatic correspondence.

She was moved from prison in the capital Naypyitaw to house arrest at an undisclosed location in April, and in August, a representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross visited Suu Kyi, marking her first contact with an independent international humanitarian organization since her detention.