PH among the happiest countries in the world

Philippines among the happiest, most optimistic countries — study

Jiselle Anne C. Casucian
GMA Integrated News
07 February 2025

The Philippines emerged as one of the happiest and most optimistic countries in the world, according to a nationwide study by the Philippine Survey and Research Center (PSRC) and Gallup International Association (GIA) in 2024.

The country placed 9th among participating countries with a net happiness score of 60 percent.  This is above the global average of 46 percent, according to the GIA End of Year Survey.

China topped the list of happiest countries, followed by Indonesia, Mexico and Kazakhstan.

Net happiness score (% happy Filipinos minus unhappy) is at 60%.  This is above global average of 46%.  GIA says, “regionally Southeast Asians are the happiest (73%) while those in South Asia [India] are the unhappiest (36%) with China (86%) and Indonesia (85%) the happiest.”

“Regionally Southeast Asians are the happiest (73%) while those in South Asia [India] are the unhappiest (36%) with China (86%) and Indonesia (85%) the happiest,” said GIA.

The Philippines’ net optimism of 40 percent also landed it as the top Asian nation with a positive outlook for 2025.

The score was a big leap from the global average of 17%.

“As they edge ever closer to The Kingdom’s 2030 vision, it is Saudi Arabians who are most optimistic with 82% hopeful for 2025. Austrians are the most concerned, with 50% expecting a downturn in 2025 and only 15% keeping their positivity,” GIA said.

"The Philippines still performs above global average on happiness and hope. A lot of this positive sentiment is driven by younger and upper/middle income segments. This is in spite of economic difficulties and multiple typhoons in 2024.," the report said.

However, the report added that "uncertainty is slowly creeping into many Filipino segments."

"There are more and more middle-grounders, hedging their dispositions and getting into wait-and-see mode.... More cautiousness is observed," the report also said.

This is a big challenge for aspiring leaders, as Philippines enters the midterm elections in 2025. While the Philippines remains a nation of resilience, keeping their positive disposition high, leaders need to be on the lookout for what will happen next. There will be needs in gaining back confidence and strengthening the disposition of Filipinos.," it added.

The worldwide study covered a total of 37,338 persons, among 37 countries. In the Philippines, face-to-face interviews were conducted among 1,000 randomly sampled respondents who are nationally representative.

The respondents were males and females, 18 years old and above from nationwide urban and rural areas and all socio-economic classes. The survey had a margin of error of 3%.—LDF, GMA Integrated News

Filipino tourists took lead in Taiwan tourism from Southeast Asia

Philippines overtakes Singapore for Southeast Asian travelers to Taiwan

Tourism Administration reports 415,635 Filipino visitors from January to November 2024

Michael Nakhiengchanh
Taiwan News, Staff Writer
06 February 2025

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Philippines took the lead for most tourists to Taiwan from Southeast Asia, surpassing Malaysia and Singapore for the first time, CNA reported Thursday.

According to the Tourism Administration, from January to November 2024, visitors from the Philippines reached 415,635. Malaysia followed with 384,000 visitors, Singapore with 376,000, Thailand with 356,000, and Vietnam with 344,000.

The administration said that while full-year data is not yet available, December is the peak travel season for the Philippines. Therefore, it is expected the Philippines will remain the top source of Southeast Asian visitors to Taiwan in 2024, it said.

Meanwhile, the administration also announced Thursday that 21 organizations and 29 businesses, including travel agencies and hotels, will participate in the Philippine Travel Agencies Association Travel Tour Expo in Pasay City, the Philippines from Feb. 7-9.

The event, now its 32nd iteration, is one of the Philippine’s biggest travel and tourism events. A Taiwan pavilion will be set up, featuring Filipino actress and social influencer Gabbi Garcia, who has promoted Taiwan in the past.

PH pancit canton brand one of NY Times top ramen list

Local pancit canton brand makes it to New York Times' Top 16 ramen list

Camille Santiago
Philstar Life
06 February 2025

Pancit canton is one of the ultimate Filipino comfort foods—perfect for those 3 a.m. cravings, school baon, or just a quick and tasty merienda. We love it in all its forms, from the tangy calamansi flavor to the chilimansi version. And guess what? The New York Times recognized its deliciousness, too!

In an article published under its Wirecutter section in January, Lucky Me! Pancit Canton Kalamansi flavor is one of the 16 best instant noodles, alongside Indomie's Mie Goreng and Nongshim's Neoguri Spicy Seafood.

"Of all the noodles we’ve tested, the Pancit Canton Kalamansi disappeared from the bowl the fastest," wrote New York Times supervising editor Marilyn Ong.

While noting that the serving is "small," the writer praised the noodle variant for its "dry seasoning, soy sauce, and oil packets" that "combine to produce a nuanced blend of light soy and fresh, aromatic citrus."

She described the noodles as skinny and "extra-curly," which gave it almost a "fluffy feel."

"I definitely called them 'cute' while eating them," the description read.

Ong "warned" that a serving is enough as it comes in smaller packs. "Be warned it may take more than a pack to satisfy," she said.

She said the list was completed by a rotating panel of taste-testers on Wirecutter’s kitchen team, who tried over 45 ramen varieties since 2020. Ong said that the items that they tried were recommended by cookbook authors, ramen reviewers, ramen-shop owners, and the president of Sun Noodle.

"Ultimately, we picked the highest-quality or most-compelling ones—noodles with the chewy or silky textures they promise, and broths or sauces with a good balance of flavors and that taste surprisingly similar to freshly made versions of the dishes they invoke," the writer said.

Lucky Me! Pancit Canton comes in five flavors: Original, Kalamansi, Chilimansi, Sweet and Spicy, and Extra Hot Chili.

PH economy to gain momentum in the next two years

Fitch expects Philippines growth to pick up

Keisha Ta-Asan
Philstar Global
05 February 2025

MANILA, Philippines — Fitch Ratings projects the Philippine economy to gain momentum over the next two years, supported by monetary easing, robust infrastructure spending and investment-friendly reforms.

In a report, Fitch Ratings analyst Krisjanis Krustins said the debt watcher expects the gross domestic product (GDP) growth of the Philippines to hit 5.9 percent in 2025 and 6.2 percent in 2026.

“Fitch still expects continued strong medium-term GDP growth and gradual fiscal consolidation in the Philippines, as reflected in its ‘BBB’/Stable rating, affirmed in June 2024,” Krustins said.

However, its 2025 forecast falls below the government’s growth target of six to eight percent, while the 2026 projection meets the lower end of the same target range.

“These growth rates are above ‘BBB’ peers, but below pre-pandemic norms, mainly due to continued weakness in private capital formation,” Krustins said.

The country’s GDP grew by 5.2 percent in the fourth quarter, matching the previous quarter’s pace but falling short of market forecasts.

This brought full-year GDP growth to 5.6 percent in 2024, below the government’s growth target of six to 6.5 percent.

Krustins also expects the Philippine government to post a fiscal deficit of 5.7 percent of GDP in 2024, down from 6.2 percent in 2023, with debt at 61.4 percent of GDP.

“We expect debt-to-GDP to decline from 2025 on strong growth and further narrowing of deficits. We expect general government metrics to remain stronger,” he said.

However, the pace of fiscal consolidation is expected to be constrained by political dynamics, particularly with midterm elections scheduled for May 2025. Fitch noted that the country’s political landscape has become more volatile ahead of the elections, with escalating tensions between President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte.

Public rifts between their families, particularly involving former president Rodrigo Duterte, could affect investor sentiment and policy continuity, Krustins warned.

Beyond domestic uncertainties, the Philippines also faces risks from shifting US economic and foreign policies.

“Further strengthening of the US dollar from trade protectionism could put further pressure on the Philippine peso and inflation, although weaker global growth and diversion of Chinese exports could offset this to some extent,” Krustins said.

“The Philippines would be vulnerable to a change in US immigration policy, given the importance of remittances for domestic consumption, although these are fairly diversified,” he added.

Despite these risks, the agency emphasized that the country’s economic fundamentals remain sound. Fitch said an upgrade in its sovereign credit rating would require stronger governance, faster debt reduction and sustained economic growth beyond current projections.