UP Manila enters Global Top 500 ranking

UP Manila enters Global Top 500 – U.S. News & World Report

Andrea Gregorio
Inquirer.net
05 October 2026

MANILA, Philippines —The University of the Philippines (UP) Manila emerged as the Philippines’ lone representative in the global Top 500 of the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-2027 Best Global Universities rankings.

The country’s premier health sciences university rose 32 places from its previous ranking of No. 479 to No. 447 among 2,250 universities evaluated by U.S. News & World Report.

UP Manila said Monday that it “joined other universities that entered the roster of the best universities in the world, including Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University, and Harvard University, among others.”

UP Manila ranked first in normalized citation impact and in the percentage of highly cited papers among the top 1 percent most-cited publications.

It also placed No. 112 among the best universities in Asia and No. 972 in global research reputation.

Despite posting a lower global score of 50.8 in the latest rankings compared with its 52.5 score in the 2024-2025 rankings, UP Manila improved its overall position.

The rankings assess universities based on 13 indicators covering academic research performance, as well as global and regional reputation.

These include publication output, citations, books, international collaborations, conferences, and research reputation.

U.S. News & World Report said the indicators were selected to allow comparisons of higher education institutions across countries.

The media company noted that while the rankings primarily measure academic research and reputation, universities included in the list are likely to have highly respected faculty members.

The methodology for the five regional rankings—covering Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Europe, and Latin America—was also based on each institution’s standing in the overall Best Global Universities rankings, according to U.S. News & World Report. /mcm

PH bet is the First Miss Universe Asia

Chelsea Manalo named first Miss Universe Asia

Story by Yoniel Acebuche 
Philstar.com
17 November 2024

The Philippines' Chelsea Manalo added to her impressive Miss Universe journey by claiming the title of Miss Universe Asia, one of the pageant's continental crowns.

On Instagram, Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) creative director Jonas Gaffud shared the good news on social media where Manalo, who finished in the top 30 of the pageant on Sunday, Nov. 17, was announced as Miss Universe Asia and was awarded by Miss Universe owner Anne Jakrajutatip.

"Yes Thank you, Lord! Chelsea has an award! Miss Universe Asia!" Gaffud wrote in the caption.

Meanwhile, MUPH shared a video of Manalo thanking her Filipino pageant fans for the feat.

"Hello, Maraming Salamat. Mabuhay [ang] Pilipinas, we are making history as Miss Universe Asia," she said.

Joining Manalo are Nigeria's Chidimma Adetshina, Finland's Matilda Wirtavuori, and Peru's Tati Calmell who were named continental queens for Africa & Oceania, Europe, and the Americas, respectively.

In case you didn't know, the selection of continental queen is among the new rules set for the 73rd Miss Universe, where four girls from their respective continents will receive this award.

As continental queens, they will accompany Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, the newly crowned Miss Universe, on some trips, who is expected to visit 35 countries.

According to a report by ABS-CBN News, Manalo will travel to Asian countries, including Thailand and Palawan in the Philippines.

Manalo ended her Miss Universe 2024 journey in the Top 30 during the coronation night in Mexico on Sunday, Nov. 17 (PH Time). If she won, she would be the fifth Pinay to win the coveted Miss Universe crown, following the wins of Catriona Gray (2018), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margie Moran (1973), and Gloria Diaz (1969).

Meanwhile, Denmark's Theilvig has been crowned the 73rd Miss Universe, making her the first Danish woman to win the prestigious crown. This is also the first time since 1957 that Denmark has landed in the top five of the competition.

Office space occupancy in PH ranked 3rd globally

PH office space occupancy 3rd highest globally in H1 - consultancy firm

Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas
GMA Integrated News
30 August 2024

Philippine office space occupancy averaged 80% in the first half of the year, the third highest in the globe mainly due to the growth of the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, real estate consultancy firm PRIME Philippines said Thursday.

According to PRIME Philippines executive vice president Cholo Florencio, the country’s office rate was only behind Singapore’s 88% and India’s 85%. It is also higher than the global average of 70%, the United States’ 62% and Europe’s 60%.

Florencio attributed the occupancy rate to the BPO sector, which reported an annual growth rate of 7% to 8%, the increasing demand from the government, and the high adoption of flexible working arrangements.

For Metro Manila alone, the occupancy rate was recorded at 85%, slightly higher than the previous year’s 84%.

“I think we will be able to sustain our momentum in terms of adding a bit of occupancy levels. The challenge really is when more buildings will be left by the online gaming companies,” Florencio said on the sidelines of a briefing in Makati City.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., in his third state of the nation address (SONA) in July, announced the ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), and ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to wind down and stop all operations by the end of the year.

A cost-benefit analysis by the Department of Finance (DOF) showed that the POGO industry had a net cost of P99.52 billion to the Philippines, equivalent to 0.41% of the country’s economy as of 2021.

According to Florencio, there has been a decline in office space takeup, especially from POGOs since the COVID-19 pandemic, and vacancies are expected moving forward following the ban ordered by Marcos.

“There has been a very sharp decline ever since the pandemic. As you all know, the pandemic really triggered everything. It’s unfortunate lang, of course, we’ve heard a lot of negative stories about criminality, about scams that have really affected the POGOs here,” he said.

“The President has announced of course a total ban so once it is fully implemented, it will be more challenging for developers to attract more (locators) to come in,” he added.

To address the decline of takeups expected from the exit of POGOs, Florencio said developers should offer more to prospective locators such as including more benefits for them to take up space, like building more amenities.

Florencio noted, however, that he believes the country will be able to sustain the office occupancy rate as demand is still picking up from occupiers.

“Major economic driver pa rin talaga ang BPOs and then government has taken a large share of office space,” noting that government agencies have picked up demand as a lot of them need an interim space given the ongoing rehabilitations of their headquarters.

“Demand can also translate to co-working facilities, so it’s not just the traditional office space you’re seeing right now. There’s consistent demand for co-working spaces, because co-working also technically is part of the office sector,” he added.—RF, GMA Integrated News

PH tourist arrivals may exceed pre-pandemic level in 2025

BMI: PH tourist arrivals to surpass pre-pandemic level in 2025

By Kris Crismundo

Philippine News Agency

24 June 2024

MANILA – Fitch Solutions’ unit BMI has forecast that tourist arrivals in the Philippines next year may exceed the 8.2 million visitors before the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a commentary released Monday, BMI projected a 32.6-percent increase in tourist arrivals this year to reach 6.6 million from 5 million arrivals in 2023.

“The 2024 arrivals will be at 81 percent of the pre-pandemic level in 2019 (8.2 million arrivals),” it said.

It added that with the 1.6 million visitors in the first quarter of the year, this indicates that post-pandemic recovery is underway.

“We forecast the Philippines’ arrivals to continue to increase over the remainder of our medium-term forecast period, fully recovering in 2025 as they reach 8.3 million, rising above the pre-pandemic level in 2019,” BMI said.

By 2028, the Philippines is expected to attract 9.4 million tourists, or growing by 14 percent annually from 2024 to 2028.

“We expect arrivals growth to be driven by key source markets in Asia-Pacific, North America and Europe,” BMI said.

In the first quarter of 2024, top sources of foreign visitors are South Korea, the United States, China, Japan, and Australia.

“While we have a positive outlook for Philippines’ arrivals, there are short-term risks stemming from high living costs in many markets globally, and tighter credit conditions which will weigh on consumer spending, particularly on nonessential categories such as travel,” it added. (PNA)

OFWs: Boon or Bane on Philippine economy?

Highly educated Filipinos as OFWs: A double-edged sword for PH

Story by Cristina Eloisa Baclig
Inquirer.net
09 May 2024

MANILA, Philippines—In a world that’s constantly on the move, the Philippines has carved out a unique position as a powerhouse in the export of skilled labor. Every year, waves of Filipinos pack their bags to set out across the globe, driven by the pursuit of brighter futures and better opportunities.

This mass migration, while opening doors for many, wields a double-edged sword: it propels Filipino talent onto the world stage, filling crucial roles in international industries, yet it simultaneously strains the local workforce, especially in critical sectors such as health care and education.

These workers, known as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), are not just employees abroad; they are the lifeline of their homeland. Their remittances are the financial bedrock for countless families and a vital cog in the machinery of the Philippine economy.

However, this exodus of talent also brings to light the concerning issue of ‘brain drain,’ leaving the nation in a perpetual struggle to replenish its pool of professionals.

This phenomenon is reshaping the Filipino identity on the global map, striking a balance between loss and gain, between the home left behind and the promise of the world beyond.

Highly educated workers leave PH

Despite its relatively small population of just over 100 million, the Philippines has made a significant impact on the world’s skilled workforce. With an impressive 1.89 million highly educated Filipinos residing in OECD countries, the country ranks third in the world for having the largest educated diaspora, falling behind only India with 3.12 million and China with 2.25 million.

The significance of the country’s contribution to the global pool of skilled workers becomes even more pronounced when considering the country’s much smaller population compared to India and China, both of which have populations exceeding a billion. India’s population stands at approximately 1.325 billion, while China’s is around 1.379 billion.

However, this success story is not without its challenges. The country faces a critical issue: a high percentage of its highly educated workforce is emigrating abroad.

In recent years, the number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) has continued to grow, with data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showing a steady increase from 1,825,000 in 2021 to 1,963,000 in 2022. These numbers represent a significant proportion of the country’s workforce, engaging in a diverse array of occupations across the globe.

Of the Filipinos returning from overseas, data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) revealed that 49.6 percent have some college education or higher, reflecting the level of education many choose to take abroad.

This phenomenon is more pronounced in the Philippines compared to countries like India, where the emigration rate of educated individuals is minimal despite its vast population. This raises concerns about the sustainability of the country’s workforce development.

It is essential to note that while other countries like the United Kingdom (1.75 million), Germany (1.47 million), Poland (1.20 million), Mexico (1.14 million), and Russia (1.06 million) also supply skilled migrants, the situation in the Philippines is particularly striking.

The country’s departure of a significant portion of its skilled and educated workforce highlights its crucial role in the global marketplace. It also underscores the potential challenges to its workforce development and sustainability.

Where OFWs go

According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for 2022, Asia remains the predominant destination for OFWs, accounting for 80.8 percent of the Filipino workforce abroad. This substantial proportion reflects the longstanding ties and geographic proximity that facilitate labor migration within the region.

The Middle East is another crucial employment hub, with Saudi Arabia hosting 23.0 percent of OFWs alone. The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait also significantly contribute, with 13.7 percent and 7.7 percent respectively.

These regions depend on the diverse skill set of OFWs, particularly in sectors such as health care, construction, and domestic services, where their hard work and adaptability are highly valued.

In addition to Asia and the Middle East, other parts of the world also draw Filipino talent. Europe accounts for 9.0 percent of OFWs, while North and South America collectively make up 6.3 percent, with countries like the United States and Canada becoming increasingly popular due to higher wages, better living conditions, and opportunities for family reunification.

These nations, known for their multicultural makeup, provide a supportive environment for Filipinos, helping to foster a sense of community and belonging far from home.

This significant presence of OFWs across various regions highlights their integral role in the global workforce. It sets the stage for a deeper exploration into the impact of their financial contributions, mainly through remittances, on both their host countries and the Philippines.

Rising remittances

In 2023, remittances from OFWs continued to play a pivotal role in the Philippine economy, highlighting the significant financial contributions of Filipinos working abroad.

According to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), remittances reached an all-time high, with cash remittances alone amounting to $33.491 billion for the year. This marked a growth of 2.9 percent over the previous year, underscoring the resilience of OFWs’ financial contributions despite global economic uncertainties.

December 2023 saw a notable increase in remittances, with a 3.8 percent rise to $3.28 billion compared to the same period in 2022, reflecting the seasonal trend of increased remittance flows during the holiday season.

This boost was largely attributed to the contributions from both land-based and sea-based workers, demonstrating the ongoing commitment of OFWs to support their families back home during significant times of the year.

The United States, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and Japan were among the leading sources of these remittances, pointing to the diverse global footprint of the Filipino workforce. The steady flow of funds from these countries not only supports individual families but also plays a crucial role in stabilizing the Philippine peso and bolstering the country’s economic growth.

Projected trends suggest that remittances will continue to grow, with an expected increase of 3 percent in the forthcoming years. The data showed that OFWs continue to send financial support back home, ensuring a robust economic connection with their homeland.

This steady stream of funds not only aids individual family members but also plays a crucial role in maintaining the economic stability of the Philippines.

Addressing ‘brain drain’

As the Philippine government acknowledges the profound impact of brain drain on national development, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has proposed a new strategy aimed at retaining local talent.

The strategy involves enticing graduates, particularly from the health and information technology sectors, to serve in the Philippines before moving abroad.

“We have to come up with some kind of strategy wherein, let’s say, you provide scholarships, and then the scholarship agreement includes that you stay three years. After that, then they’re free to go,” Marcos said

This initiative is complemented by the acknowledgment that while Filipino graduates are free to seek opportunities abroad, the loss of trained professionals could be mitigated by such programs.

According to Marcos, these efforts need to be supported by more attractive local employment options that could compete with international offers.

In support of this strategy, the Private Sector Advisory Council’s Jobs Sector Group (PSAC-Jobs) has highlighted that the local market struggles to match the high salaries offered in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Europe.

“I think what we can do is to continue to offer certificate programs and train their skills. I think we can do that. There’s no way for us to retain them,” said Teresita Sy-Coson of SM Investments Corp.

The PSAC has also urged a more coordinated approach among government agencies—including the Department of Health (DOH), the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)—to create more compelling opportunities for Filipino workers.

SEA as top growth market

Southeast Asia seen as a top growth market

Story by Alden M. Monzon
Inquirer.net
22 April 2024

MANILA, Philippines — Asia-Pacific business leaders expect that most growth in the region this year will be in Southeast Asia, which includes the Philippines, highlighting the potential for global growth for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in this part of the globe.

This is according to a survey by the American multinational FedEx Corp., done in partnership with Forbes Insights, which involved a poll of 250 business leaders in the region, including founders and C-suite executives.

Respondents were asked to select the regions where they see the most growth potential in the next 12 months.

About two-thirds or 68 percent of respondents picked Southeast Asia, followed by Europe, which was chosen by 45 percent.

Meanwhile, North and South America was selected by 45 percent, while the grouping of India, the Middle East, Eurasia, and Africa was cited by 33 percent.

Maribeth Espinosa, managing director of FedEx Express Philippines, said in a statement the survey presents valuable insights and opportunities for businesses in the Philippines to better serve their customers and tap into new markets.

In the same survey, issues on government customs requirements, tariffs, and customs clearance were cited as the biggest barrier to cross-border business as cited by half of the respondents.

Marketing, as well as gaining visibility into global markets and finding customers, on the other hand, was cited by 45 percent.

The third challenge, as cited by 42 percent, is finding partners and suppliers in global markets. INQ

Indonesia and Philippines lead green investments in SEA

Indonesia and the Philippines contributed bulk of US$6.3 billion green investment hike in Southeast Asia

But it is Singapore and Vietnam which have made the most progress in reaching climate goals over the past year, as the region grapples to meet US$1.5 trillion required to achieve 2030 emissions targets.

By Hannah Alcoseba Fernandez
Ecobusiness.com
17 April 2024

Indonesia and the Philippines contributed most of the US$6.3 billion in green investments made in Southeast Asia over the last year, according to a study released on Monday by consultant Bain & Company and Singapore state investor Temasek.

The ongoing construction of  a wastewater treatment facility which is just part of Manila Water’s Three-River System Masterplan. Image: Manila Water 

The 2023 outlay was a 20 per cent increase on 2022, due to the rise in investments in solar and wind projects as well as spend on renewables-powered data centres. 

Despite making sizeable increases in green investments, the Philippines and Indonesia lagged in terms of how their national targets cascaded down to policies and businesses, according to the report’s index, which provides a snapshot of how each country is progressing towards their decarbonisation targets relative to their peers.

The Philippines is the only country in the region which has yet to announce a net zero goal, although it has pledged to the United Nations that it will reduce harmful greenhouse gases by 75 per cent by 2030.

Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, is currently pursuing a 2060 target for emissions neutrality, but has been struggling to receive favourable funding terms from foreign financiers to phase out coal power.

Singapore and Vietnam were not able to lock in large-scale renewable energy deals unlike in previous years, but remain regional leaders in terms of national targets that are sufficiently aligned with the Paris climate accord, which aims to cap global warming at 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. 

The Philippines and Indonesia make up most of the US$6.3 billion in private investments towards decarbonisation goals in 2023. Malaysia and Laos have made the most significant increases in climate-friendly investments compared to 2022, at 326 per cent and 126 per cent, respectively. Image: Southeast Asia Green Economy 2024 report

“While we do see relative differences in the progress different countries in the region are making, each one is moving forward in different ways. The idea of the index was to try to be transparent around what more needs to be done to be able to close the gap to move faster,” said Dale Hardcastle, director of global sustainability centre, Bain & Company. 

Indonesia raised US$1.6 billion, mostly for a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic recycling facility in Java. The Philippines attracted investments worth US$1.5 billion, almost half of which will go on the construction of a wastewater treatment facility across the municipalities of Marikina, San Juan River, Pasig, and Laguna.

Malaysia made the most significant increase in climate-friendly investments compared to last year, with US$530 million spent on data centres in Johor and Kulai to be powered by solar, while a large-scale project to unlock Laos’ renewable potential is being carried out by foreign investors.

Vietnam invested less than US$1 billion, as it awaited direction from its Power Development Plan 8 (PDP8), an ambitious masterplan currently being finalised to detail how it would reach its committment to net-zero emissions by 2050.

Singapore made no large solar deals of more than US$100 million. Its total green investment last year was US$900B, almost half of which included data centers of SingTel that rely on clean energy power. 

‘Shareholder activism’ lacking in Southeast Asia

While climate investments increased in 2023, Southeast Asia has an investment gap of US$1.493 trillion to fill by 2030 to reach its decarbonisation goals.

A key reason for this is a lack of shareholder activism pushing Southeast Asia’s corporates to decarbonise, Hardcastle said at Ecosperity, a climate conference held in Singapore.

“Our region lacks some of the shareholder activism that we see in other places that are taking action. Despite the growing pressure that anyone in the financial sector can attest to today, that is still not translating into the investment that we require,” he said.

In Europe and the United States, shareholders have pressured corporates to pivot towards sustainability. 

Shell faced a shareholder rebellion in January, as large investors including the United Kingdom’s biggest pension scheme prepared to back a climate activist resolution.

Twenty-seven investors that own about 5 per cent of the company agreed to back a resolution filed by the Amsterdam-based shareholder activist group Follow This that called for the oil and gas major to align its medium-term emissions reduction targets with the 2015 Paris agreement.

Follow This likewise sought a vote on ExxonMobil’s climate strategy at its annual shareholder meeting in May.

However, the investor group up dropped its petition for Exxon shareholders to vote on whether the company should set emissions reduction targets after the United States oil company legally challenged their plans.

PHL still BPO powerhouse

PHL still BPO powerhouse

Rizal Raoul Reyes
Business Mirror 
09 April 2024

THE Philippines remains a powerhouse in the business process outsourcing (BPO), ranking first in labor force among Asia Pacific outsourcing destinations, according to real estate consultancy firm Santos Knight Frank Inc. (SKFI).

Its recent report on the BPO industry shows the Philippines, tying with India for the top spot, emerged as the most well-rounded option across the Asia Pacific, in terms of overall scores in the index.

The report compares four offshoring hubs in Asia Pacific, namely: India, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines. SKFI’s analysis highlights five key drivers of location choice: growth dynamics, skills, labor force, business costs and commercial real estate value.

According to SKFI, among the four major outsourcing destinations in Asia Pacific, the Philippines—which has approximately 78.7 million people in the working population—has the youngest median age of just 25 years. India records a median age of 32.4; Malaysia, 30.8; and, Vietnam, 31.6.

With its well-rounded appeal, SKFI pointed out that the Philippines will be on the radar screen of global players for their specialized outsourcing services such as finance, human resources, legal processes and analytics from the United States, Europe and Australia.

“BPO has taken off over the last 20 years and the Philippines has grown right along with it,” SKFI Senior Director Morgan McGilvray said. “What started as a novel experiment for many firms—the hiring of a few support staff in Manila—has become an integral part of their business operations that they couldn’t live without.”

Holistic Destination

THE Philippine BPO industry grew by double digits in 2021 and 2022, reaching $29.5 billion and $32.5 billion in revenues respectively. A significant part of this growth includes business expansions outside Metro Manila and into other growth centers such as Cebu, Davao, Clark, Iloilo and Bacolod City.

The latest estimates set the Philippine BPO workforce at 1.7 million people, with estimated revenues last year of $35.4 billion, while maintaining a global market share of approximately 10 percent to 15 percent.

Bolstered by Filipino talent, the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) is optimistic that the sector will further grow to $59 billion in revenue and a 2.5-million strong workforce by 2028.