Filipino online shoppers emerged as Southeast Asia's "savviest" consumers in a 2026

Filipino shoppers ranked as Southeast Asia's 'savviest' online

Philstar.com
October 4, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino online shoppers emerged as Southeast Asia's "savviest" consumers in a 2026 regional e-commerce report, with more than one in three falling into its top shopper segment.

The 2026 eCommerce Savvy Shopper Report for the Philippines found that 36% of Filipino shoppers qualified as "savvy," the highest share among six Southeast Asian markets covered.

Another 22% were classified as "near-savvy," bringing the combined share to 58%, also the largest pool in the region.

The Philippines was followed by Indonesia, where 28% of shoppers were classified as savvy, Vietnam at 25%, Thailand at 22%, Malaysia at 20% and Singapore at 9%.

Filipino savvy shoppers also stood out for how much more they spent.

Their monthly spending was 47% higher than that of general shoppers, the biggest difference among the six markets.

Vietnam followed with a 44% spending uplift, Malaysia with 36%, Thailand with 27%, Indonesia with 19% and Singapore with 13%.

The report estimated the weighted spending gap associated with savvy shoppers in the Philippines at $3.3 billion in 2026. It said the estimate was based on annual e-commerce marketplace spending in Southeast Asia in 2026.

What makes a shopper 'savvy'?

The report, jointly conducted by e-commerce company Lazada and market data firm Cube, assessed shopper savviness across four dimensions: verification, value optimization, digital fluency, and confidence and protection.

These measured whether consumers choose the right products, get the best value, use available digital tools effectively and feel protected when something goes wrong with a purchase.

Across Southeast Asia, the report found that shoppers were more willing to put in additional effort to secure better value than give up trust-related protections.

Forty-three percent said they were willing to wait longer for delivery, 41% would spend more effort finding a deal and 36% would compare offers.

By comparison, only 14% were willing to give up authenticity signals, while 13% would sacrifice purchase protection.

The Philippines also stood out as the only Southeast Asian market in the report where Gen X and Gen Z shoppers were equally willing to pay more for stronger purchase protection.

The report described this as an indication that trust cuts across generations rather than being limited to younger online consumers.

The Philippines report, however, did not disclose key survey methodology, including its sample size, sampling and recruitment method, fieldwork period or the scoring thresholds used to classify shoppers as "savvy" or "near-savvy."

Philippines has taken the lead among major Southeast Asian economies in adopting renewable energy policies

PH leads race for clean energy among emerging SE Asia countries — study

Ted Cordero
GMA News
30 September 2026

Over six months after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a national energy emergency, a new study revealed that the Philippines has taken the lead among major Southeast Asian economies in adopting renewable energy policies during the peak of the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

In a news release, international climate and energy research organization Zero Carbon Analytics said it conducted a study on six fastest-growing Southeast Asian markets — the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore, alongside Vietnam — “all of which have committed to accelerating their shift to green technology amid historic oil market volatility.”

In its report, Zero Carbon Analytics said crude oil experienced greater volatility during the first six months of the conflict than 95% of all six-month periods since 2007, marking one of the most turbulent episodes for oil markets in nearly two decades.

In response, the research group said the Philippines adopted 13 clean energy policies between February and August 2026, representing the highest number among the tracked countries, which collectively announced 37 clean energy policies.

Across these nations, short-term clean energy policies outpaced the 29 fossil fuel policies passed during the same period, while long-term initiatives on renewables and electrification outpaced fossil-based efforts by a ratio of four to one, with 24 policies compared to six, according to Zero Carbon Analytics.

The research group cited key developments in the Philippines such as the proposing of the Sariling Kuryente Act, fast-tracking at least 250 megawatts of solar capacity to the grid, mandating energy storage systems for new renewable energy developers, and expanding electric vehicle adoption under the national energy emergency directives.

Despite its clean energy leadership, the group said the Philippines also adopted nine fossil fuel-focused policies, accounting for 40% of the energy policies tracked in the country.

These included accelerating up to 5 gigawatts of coal capacity and establishing the country's first government-managed Strategic Petroleum Reserve facility.

In a Facebook post, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin welcomed Zero Carbon Analytics’ findings.

“Who has introduced the most fossil fuel and renewable energy policies in the region? The Philippines has introduced the most energy policies since the start of the conflict, with 22 in total, leading in both fossil fuel and renewable energy policies,” Garin said.

“This is likely due to its declaration of a national energy emergency on 24 March 2026. The declaration included a list of emergency relief measures, such as directly procuring oil and increasing government control over fuel prices, as well as longer-term steps to accelerate renewables, EVs and energy efficiency across all sectors,” she said. — BAP, GMA News

Philippines emerged as one of the world’s fastest-improving tourism markets

Philippines jumps eight spots to 57th out of 110, ranks among world's fastest tourism improvers—WEF

Manila Bulletin Newsroom
Sep 25, 2026

The Philippines emerged as one of the world’s fastest-improving tourism markets, climbing eight places in a global ranking of conditions supporting travel and tourism (T&T) development, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF).

In its Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2026 Insight Report published on Friday, Sept. 25, the Geneva-based WEF ranked the Philippines 57th out of 110 economies, with an overall score of 4.08.

The country’s TTDI score improved by 5.5 percent between 2024 and 2026, making the Philippines tied with Morocco for seventh among the fastest-improving economies covered by the index.

Compared with the recalculated 2019 baseline, the Philippines climbed 12 places while improving its overall score by 9.6 percent.

The gains came as Asia-Pacific led the global improvement in tourism development conditions, with its average TTDI score rising by 3.6 percent between 2024 and 2026 as the region continued to recover from its delayed post-pandemic reopening.

Seven of the 10 fastest-improving economies were developing countries in Asia-Pacific, with the Philippines joining Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, and India among the region’s strongest improvers.

Albania recorded the largest improvement globally between 2024 and 2026, raising its score by seven percent.

WEF also classified the Philippines among the world’s 10 largest non-high-income T&T economies by direct T&T gross domestic product (GDP), alongside China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Türkiye, Mexico, and Brazil.

Together, these emerging tourism economies account for more than 28 percent of global direct T&T GDP, with their share projected to rise to 35 percent by 2035.

Their average TTDI score has improved faster than those of the world’s leading tourism destinations. Since 2019, the group’s average score increased by 4.7 percent, compared with 2.9 percent for all economies covered by the index and 1.9 percent for the top 20.

As a group, the 10 emerging tourism economies outperform the top 20 in price competitiveness, natural resources, T&T demand sustainability, and cultural resources, reflecting their combination of natural assets, cultural heritage, and competitive pricing.

However, WEF said significant development gaps remain between these emerging markets (EMs) and the world’s tourism leaders.

Tourist services and infrastructure showed the largest gap, pointing to the need for greater investment in accommodation, visitor services, and supporting infrastructure.

EMs also lagged in business environment and human resources (HR) and labor market, reflecting challenges such as access to financing, regulatory barriers, and workforce capabilities.

Environmental sustainability remains another challenge, potentially putting at risk the natural resources that help attract tourists to these economies.

WEF said narrowing these gaps would require stronger infrastructure and services as well as improvements in the conditions that allow tourism businesses to operate and expand.

Globally, tourism development conditions improved across 101, or 92 percent, of the 110 economies between 2024 and 2026, while the average TTDI score increased by 2.1 percent—the fastest pace of improvement since 2019.

Japan topped the 2026 index, followed by the United States (US), Spain, Australia, and France. Advanced economies occupied nine of the top 10 positions, with China the only exception.

TTDI measures the factors and policies that enable the sustainable and resilient development of travel and tourism rather than tourism performance itself, such as visitor arrivals, spending, or revenues. The 2026 index comprises 17 pillars and 102 indicators, with the latest available data collected as of May 2026. - with reporting from Danielle T. Bayani

Lagen Island in Palawan is better than Bali and Maldives

Goodbye Bali, So Long Maldives: This Philippines Secluded Island Sanctuary Is A New Hotspot For Pristine Beaches

Kirtana Menon
Islands.com
20 September 2026

Over the last decade, Indian Ocean beauties like Bali and the Maldives have carved out a space for themselves as some of the world's premier beach destinations. Each place welcomes millions of tourists every year, eager to swim in the area's characteristic crystal-clear water and sunbathe on the beach. However, following a year-long renovation, an old hidden-gem island in the Philippines has reopened its doors to prospective visitors in 2026 and re-emerged as a new hotspot for secluded, stunning beaches and nature-based stays: Lagen Island.

Lagen Island is a privately owned island in the Palawan province of the Philippines. The province consists of nearly 2,000 islands, with Palawan Island as its main hub. Lagen Island lies off the northwestern edge of Palawan Island in Bacuit Bay, near the town of El Nido, which is particularly famous for limestone karst cliffs, vibrant turquoise waters, and island-hopping tours. However, since Lagen Island is owned by its namesake resort, only guests of the resort are allowed onto the island.

The journey to Lagen Island Resort begins with a plane ride to El Nido Airport. From there, the resort arranges private, approximately 30-minute speedboat rides to the island, where you get your first glimpse of Lagen Island's tranquil, sandy beaches set in a quiet cove, framed by the island's looming, dark green, rainforest-covered mountains. Visitors can choose from four accommodation options at Lagen Island Resort. Water Villas provide that quintessential luxury island experience with overwater villas and decks that lead straight into the sea. The Forest Rooms, Forest Deluxe Rooms, and Forest Suites offer a similarly immersive experience of the surrounding land, set in tranquil woods toward the back of the resort.

Lagen Island's pristine beach beauty and luxury eco-tourism

Lagen Island Resort's renovation centered on the idea of providing luxury without harming the surrounding ecosystem, so the resort only occupies about 15 acres of the island, with the remaining land left completely untouched. The resort sits in a secluded cove, with a serene white-sand beach leading to shallow waters perfect for playing and splashing around in. With only 42 rooms, guests at Lagen Island Resort can look forward to the feeling of a private island experience complete with the island-hopping tours that characterize the dreamy, tropical tourist area of El Nido. Aside from the main beach in front of the resort, a trek through the island's rainforest leads to another, even more secluded private beach.

The resort organizes island-hopping tours for those who want to explore similarly beautiful beaches in nearby islands. These tours allow visitors to explore vibrant lagoons and limestone caves and enjoy activities like snorkeling at Shimizu Island or swimming at Entalula Island, voted Asia's best beach in 2025. You can even go on a night kayaking adventure in search of bioluminescence similar to the famous "Sea of Stars" of Vaadhoo Island in the Maldives.

While "luxury" has long been considered the antithesis of "eco-friendly," the kind of luxury offered at Lagen Island relies heavily on its untouched natural state. The resort offers spa services, customized tours, and air-conditioned rooms, but offsets that by having a firm no-plastic policy and ensuring its waste doesn't end up polluting the island. The real luxury on offer here is the experience of a serene, tropical beach paradise nestled away from the noise of popular tourist destinations.

Philippines forecast to be second fastest-growing economy in SE Asia through 2035

Philippines projected to be second fastest-growing economy in SE Asia until 2035

BusinessWorld
September 17, 2026

THE PHILIPPINES could emerge as Southeast Asia’s second fastest-growing major economy over the next decade, with growth averaging 5.8% through 2035, according to a report by Bain & Company, DBS Group Holdings, and Vriens & Partners. 

In the Southeast Asia Outlook 2026-2035 report released on Wednesday, the Philippine economy is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 5.8% from 2026 to 2035 under the baseline scenario.

“The Philippines, which has a favorable demographic tailwind, could grow at a 5.8% average annual rate as consumption, infrastructure, and governance reforms unlock investment,” the report said.

This would make the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) growth the second-fastest among the six major Southeast Asian economies covered by the report, behind only Vietnam, which is projected to expand by an average of 6.2% annually until 2035.

The Philippine economy is expected to outpace Indonesia (5.4%), Malaysia (4.3%), Singapore (2.7%), and Thailand (2.2%).

Philippine GDP growth over the 10-year horizon is also above the 4.8% average for the six Southeast Asian economies.

The latest regional forecast for Southeast Asia is slower than the earlier average expansion of 5.1% for the 2024-2034 period, reflecting a more complex and volatile global environment.

However, the Philippine economy is experiencing a sharp slowdown this year, averaging 2.6% in the first half. The government is targeting 3.5%-4.5% GDP growth for 2026, and 5%-6% annually from 2027 to 2030.

Despite its relatively strong baseline forecast, the Philippines is also among the Southeast Asian economies facing the greatest downside exposure, according to the report.

The report noted that Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand would be the most exposed under a downside scenario because of their “capital-flow sensitivities, energy dependence, political uncertainty, and weaker structural momentum.”

Under more favorable global conditions, the Philippines could also capture less upside than Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam, which are better positioned to benefit from their roles in capital intermediation and global manufacturing supply chains. 

“Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines see more limited benefit, as persistent structural constraints limit their ability to translate an improved external environment into stronger growth,” the report said.

The Philippines’ favorable demographics, steady remittance inflows, and consumption-led  economic model provide some insulation from disruptions to global trade, it added.

However, it warned that the country’s dependence on imported energy, weaknesses in policy implementation and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven disruption to the outsourcing industry could prevent the economy from reaching its full potential.

The report also pointed to longer-term risks from AI-driven automation to the country’s business process outsourcing industry.

“Without stronger energy security and governance consistency, growth could be capped below the Philippines’ potential,” it said.

The report said that one of the Philippines’ immediate challenges is managing the transition to AI.

“The next few years will be critical; the Philippines must move into higher-value services while sustaining reform momentum through its next leadership transition,” it said.

The country also needs to strengthen its energy system, as gains in Philippine technology services have been constrained partly by limitations in the power grid. 

Across Southeast Asia, the report said growth over the next decade will increasingly depend on stronger institutions, more reliable energy systems and the ability to use AI to raise productivity.

“Dependence on imported energy quickly turns external price shocks into household inflation, while weak policy implementation hinders the conversion of investment commitment into actual deployment,” the report said.

It said grid capacity and reliability will be increasingly important in determining whether economies can expand their industrial bases and support power-intensive AI infrastructure.

The Philippines has already fallen short of the report’s earlier growth expectations. From 2024 to 2025, the economy grew by an average of 5.1%, compared with the 6.1% average assumed in their previous 2024-2034 forecast.

“The Philippines saw growth impeded by weaker investment and public sector execution,” the report said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Philippines scores back-to-back international pageant wins

Philippines scores back-to-back international pageant wins

Margarette Briton is Miss Interglobal 2026; Jamie Casiño is Miss Equality World.

Jojo Gabinete
Philippine Entertainment Portal
31 August 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines once again proved its supremacy in the field of beauty pageants when two Philippine representatives won consecutive international beauty titles on Sunday, August 30, 2026.

Margarette Briton, 26, won the inaugural edition of Miss International 2026 held in Bali, Indonesia.

Jamie Casiño, 28, was crowned Miss Equality World 2026 at the coronation ceremony held at MGI Hall in Bangkok, Thailand.

MISS INTERGLOBAL 2026

Nabila Fenelia of Indonesia was the first runner-up in Miss International 2026.

Second runner-up is Nicole Missios of Australia.

Dariya Toleukhan of Kazakhstan was the winner of the Mrs. Interglobal 2026 category winner.

Margarette was awarded four special awards at Miss International 2026: Star Connect Award, Social Impact Award, Dinner Dress Award, and National Costume Excellence Award.

MISS EQUALITY WORLD 2026

Miss Equality is an international beauty pageant for transgender women that kicked off in Bali, Indonesia, in 2022

"Gender equality and human rights" are the slogans promoted by Miss Equality World.

Jamie Casiño was the first Filipino to win the aforementioned crown and title.

There are thirteen official candidates for Miss Equality World 2026.

If Jamie hadn't won, Filipinos wouldn't have known that there was such a beauty pageant except for Miss International Queen.

Allana Cordero of Mexico was the first runner-up in Miss Equality World 2026 and Vi Ai Giang of Vietnam was the second runner-up.

In addition to being crowned Miss Equality World 2026, Jamie is the recipient of The Voice of Equality award.

Jamie showed off his intelligence with his winning answer to the question: “If you had to choose between strengthening anti-discrimination laws and investing directly in economic opportunities for transgender communities, which would you prioritize and why?"

She answered: “As a trans advocate, I would prioritize making gender-affirming care accessible to everyone because I do believe that if we give this gender-affirming care for transwomen, then we would be able to save lives, just like how we queens here do advocate for trans people.

“I am more than ready to be the voice of equality, and to work with the Miss Equality World Organization and remind trans people that they are not alone, so come join with me.

"Let’s save lives together for a better tomorrow.”

PH companies dominate ASEAN’s best tech workplaces 2026

PH firms dominate ASEAN’s best tech workplaces

Story by J.G. Amor 
The Manila Times
02 August 2026

PHILIPPINE-based companies dominated the inaugural Southeast Asia's Best Workplaces in Technology 2026 rankings released by workplace culture authority Great Place To Work, accounting for seven of the top 10 organizations recognized across the region.

The rankings were based on more than 58,200 confidential employee survey responses representing over 219,200 employees from technology companies in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand. Organizations were evaluated on employee trust, workplace culture and the consistency of employee experience across their workforce.

Cisco topped the regional list, followed by Carelon Global Solutions Philippines and Insight. Other Philippine-based organizations in the top 10 were Genpact, Concentrix Philippines, Capital One Philippines and Lexmark Research and Development Corp., a subsidiary of Xerox Corp. Cognizant, which operates across several Southeast Asian markets, ranked eighth, while Vietnam-based Bosch Global Software Technology Co. Ltd. placed ninth.

The study found that younger employees expressed the highest levels of confidence in their employers. Workers aged 25 and below accounted for 11 percent of respondents and recorded a 91.1-percent trust score in leadership, exceeding the overall average for recognized workplaces.

It also found that 79 percent of employees in the under-25 age group had been with their employers for less than two years. According to the report, they were the demographic group most prepared to embrace innovation in the workplace.

Compensation, however, remained an area of concern. The statement, "I feel I receive a fair share of the profits made by this organization," received a 75-percent rating, making it the lowest-scoring measure even among the region's highest-ranked employers.

Pay fairness and transparency in promotions were identified as the weakest aspects of workplace culture across all categories.

Great Place To Work said participating organizations were assessed through employee feedback on leadership, credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie. Regional rankings also considered each company's presence across Southeast Asia, employee population, and the number of markets where it had achieved Great Place To Work certification.

Charles Plumley, general manager of Great Place To Work Philippines, said the inaugural rankings reflected the growing importance of workplace culture as Southeast Asia's technology industry expands.

"There has never been a more exciting time to work in technology in this region," Plumley said. "The companies that will define the next decade are the ones measuring how their people feel."

"Southeast Asia is where the next decade in technology is being decided," said Evelyn Kwek, managing director for Asean and Australia-New Zealand at Great Place To Work. "The 219,262 employees behind this list have given the region a clear, public benchmark for how technology companies treat the people doing the building."

Philippines among strongest travel destinations in H2

Philippines among strongest travel destinations in H2 – AirAsia

Elijah Felice Rosales 
Philstar Global
22 July 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Travelers are looking for opportunities to fly to foreign destinations in the second half, and this is going to benefit Philippine tourism, according to AirAsia’s booking platform.

Based on forward booking data from AirAsia MOVE, travelers are spending 35 percent more on flights than on their hotels, indicating they are scaling down on accommodation to afford higher airfares.

“The data suggests that travelers remain willing to invest in reaching their preferred destinations, while becoming more selective about where they stay,” MOVE said.

This is becoming evident in the kind of properties that travelers are choosing to stay in. Three in four hotel bookings in the second half are on three- and four-star hotels, as guests try to avoid the premium brands for now.

MOVE also said travelers are regaining the confidence to make forward bookings more than 120 days ahead of departure. They are planning itineraries to Asia’s most popular destinations, with Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand topping the list.

As fares remain elevated, MOVE noted that two in five flights are booked between the 25th and fifth days of the month, closely aligning with the salary cycles in Asia.

“The pattern suggests that while travelers often begin researching and planning earlier, many of them choose to make the trip closer to payday periods, reflecting a more disciplined approach to discretionary spending,” MOVE said.

Travelers are likely to maintain this level of financial planning until the end of the year given the volatility of the aviation market, with jet fuel prices still hovering above $100 per barrel.

There is also a growing preference to go to international destinations that are within four hours of flight time. MOVE said this allows travelers to maximize their travel budgets and time.

To date, MOVE recorded a 14-percent increase in overseas flights under four hours. MOVE said if this trend holds, it will benefit markets with the widest networks of regional flights.

By demographics, MOVE said millennials are driving air travel these days, as it traces 43 percent of its bookings to individuals between 30 and 45.

Combined with the Gen Z demand, MOVE said two-thirds of bookings in its platform are made by younger travelers, strengthening the belief that travel is a necessity to them.

Low-cost carrier AirAsia Philippines made it as the world’s fourth most punctual airline

AirAsia Philippines lands on world’s most punctual list

Elijah Felice Rosales
Philstar Global 
16 July 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Low-cost carrier AirAsia Philippines made it as the world’s fourth most punctual airline in June, according to aviation analyst OAG.

OAG said AirAsia Philippines turned in an on-time performance of 92.96 percent last month, the fourth best score among all carriers.

In addition, AirAsia Philippines posted zero cancellations — the only one among the leading 10 on the list — over its 2,535 flights in June.

Flag carrier Garuda Indonesia topped the list with an on-time score of 97.13 percent, while Fuji Dream Airlines came next with 93.29 percent. South African airline FlySafair ranked third with 93.18 percent.

Saudia tailed AirAsia Philippines at fifth with 92.41 percent, followed by Royal Jordanian (92.14 percent) and Sky Airline (91.87 percent). South African Airways came in at eighth with 91.44 percent to stay ahead of Copa Airlines (90.75 percent) and Jeju Air (90.12 percent).

The OAG on-time list is different from the one produced by aviation expert Cirium, which also issues a monthly index of punctual airlines, frequently including flag carrier Philippine Airlines.

AirAsia Philippines president and general manager Anna Victoria Lu said the carrier is focusing next on sustaining its on-time performance for the benefit of passengers.

Lu recognized the challenges faced by airlines recently, especially when flights were delayed, if not canceled, due to airspace restrictions and jet fuel price hikes.

At the height of flight disruptions, Lu said AirAsia Philippines managed to keep its on-time rates up by maintaining aircraft availability. She underscored the importance of working closely with air traffic control to improve flight dispatch and turnaround.

The AirAsia Group, the parent of AirAsia Philippines, ranked 10th in the world for large airlines with an on-time rate of 83.02 percent in June. The carrier also limited flight cancellations to just 0.92 percent across 14,502 flights.

To be assessed for on-time performance, an airline must have a minimum of 1,500 flights for the month.

Similar to Cirium’s index, OAG assesses a carrier’s timeliness if a flight departed from or arrived at its designated gate within 15 minutes of schedule.

Philippines remains the world’s leading supplier of seafarers

Philippines remains top supplier of seafarers

Bella Cariaso 
The Philippine Star 
July 12, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines remains the world’s leading supplier of seafarers, reaffirming its vital role in providing skilled maritime professionals to the global merchant fleet, the Maritime Industry Authority said yesterday.

MARINA cited the Seafarer Workforce Report 2026 which ranked the Philippines as first among the world’s five largest seafarer-supplying countries.

The report estimated that the Philippines supplies 203,179 officers, ahead of India with 140,718 officers, China with 110,893, the Russian Federation with 85,816 and Indonesia with 72,304.

The report said the Philippines and the four other top countries account for 56.25 percent of the global seafarer workforce supply.

MARINA added that data from shipping companies also showed that Filipinos are the leading nationality certified by the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), followed by Ukrainians, Indians, Romanians and Poles.

Filipinos also ranked first in both the officer and rating categories, MARINA added.

The agency said it continues to strengthen the country’s maritime education, training, assessment and certification systems to keep Filipino seafarers competent, globally competitive and compliant with international standards.

“The agency also continues to pursue reforms that improve the quality of maritime training and certification and address the evolving skills and competency needs of the global shipping industry,” MARINA added.

It said the findings reaffirm the Philippines’ leading role in the global maritime workforce and the continued demand for the competence and professionalism of Filipino seafarers in international shipping.

Published every five years, the Seafarer Workforce Report provides estimates on the global supply and demand of STCW-certified seafarers, workforce demographics and the future manpower needs of the world merchant fleet.

Nine Young Filipinos makes it on Forbes' Asia List 2026

Nine PH entries land on Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia list 2026

Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas
GMA News
29 May 2026

Nine entries from the Philippines were included in this year’s Forbes “30 Under 30 Asia” list, which recognizes entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators across the Asia-Pacific region “pushing the boundaries” in their respective fields.

The listees were chosen from close to 4,000 candidates who were evaluated by the Forbes Asia team and a panel of judges based on factors such as funding and revenue, social and industry impact, product-market fit, inventiveness, and potential.

Below are the listees from the Philippines, with cofounders of the same company listed together as one entry:

BayaniChain Tech cofounders Raphael Sevilla and Brandon Angelo Wong

Photo: Forbes| People Asia

Tennis player Alexandra Eala

Photo: Alex Eala Official | Screencap

Singer-songwriter Zack Tabudlo

Photo: Zach Tabudlo Official | Screencap

Amico Innovations cofounder Kharl Christian Yeung

Photo: Forbes | People Asia

Fan connection SEA cofounders Pauline Dizon and Adrian Jumangit

Photo: Forbes | People Asia

GoRocky cofounders Kiyanusch Braun and Martin Joaquin Palaña

Photo: Instagram | People Asia

ASEAN Youth Advocates Network founder Emmanuel Mirus Ponon

Photo: Facebook Profile | People Asia

Empath founder Steph Naval

Photo: Instagram | People Asia

Siklab founder Saje Miguel Molato

Photo: Siklab Pilipinas | Screencap

“The 11th edition of the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list spotlights a fresh wave of young minds from across Asia Pacific, who continue to innovate and disrupt their industries at a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping our daily lives,” Forbes Asia editorial director Rana Wehbe Watson said in an emailed statement.

“From entrepreneurs building companion robots and AI tools to up-and-coming stars stepping into the global spotlight, this year’s listees illustrate Gen-Z’s influence across business and culture in the region,” she added.

The list covers 10 categories: AI; Consumer & Enterprise Technology; Entertainment & Sports; Finance & Venture Capital; Healthcare & Science; Industry, Manufacturing & Energy; Retail & Ecommerce; Social Impact; Social Media, Marketing & Advertising; and The Arts.

India had the most entries for the year with 78, followed by China with 46, Australia with 38, and Japan with 32. Indonesia, Singapore, and South Korea all had 18. —VAL, GMA News

Philippines among top drivers of SE Asia’s RE growth

Philippines among top drivers of SE Asia’s RE growth

Story by Brix Lelis
Philstar Global
14 October 2025

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has emerged as a leading catalyst in Southeast Asia’s renewable energy (RE) transition through 2030, according to the International Energy Agency.

The latest IEA report showed that the Philippines, alongside Vietnam and Indonesia, would boost the region’s RE surge, with major capacity gains expected between 2025 and 2030.

In particular, the Philippines is poised to add around 15 gigawatts (GW) of new RE capacity, with solar and onshore wind making up 90 percent of the expansion.

“This represents a five-GW (around 50 percent) increase over the previous forecast, owing to completed and ongoing competitive auctions,” the IEA said.

Recently, the Department of Energy (DOE) attracted over 9,400 megawatts (MW) of capacity during the fourth green energy auction (GEA-4) round, with delivery dates between 2026 and 2029.

GEA-4 covers ground-mounted solar, roof-mounted solar, floating solar, onshore wind and integrated solar with energy storage systems.

This followed the successful bidding of over 6,000 MW of impounding hydro, pumped storage hydro and geothermal contracts under GEA-3.

“If challenges such as grid connection delays, high financing costs, land access restrictions and permitting bottlenecks are addressed, growth could be 90 percent higher, putting the country on track to exceed its targeted 35 percent renewable electricity share by 2030,” the IEA said.

Currently, renewables account for only 22 percent of the Philippines’ power mix, with coal remaining dominant at about 63 percent.

To ensure the timely delivery of new RE projects, the DOE is looking to allow power producers to build associated transmission facilities.

The move is designed to support effective grid integration of new projects and address constraints in the transmission network.

Across the region, ASEAN countries are on track to add over 95 GW of new RE capacity over the next five years, the IEA said.

Notably, more than half of these additions are likely to come from solar photovoltaic projects.

According to the IEA, Vietnam leads ASEAN’s RE growth and accounts for over 40 percent of total capacity additions, followed by Indonesia at 20 percent.

Both countries are expected to accelerate their expansion efforts through 2030.

Philippines emerged as one of the top-performing nations at WorldSkills ASEAN Manila 2025

PH bags 10 golds in WorldSkills ASEAN tilt

Philippine News Agency
September 1, 2025

MANILA – The Philippines emerged as one of the top-performing nations at WorldSkills ASEAN Manila 2025, bagging 10 gold medals during the competition held Aug. 25 to 30 in Pasay City.

The gold medals were earned in 10 skill areas, including in three demonstration events Industrial Control, Carpentry, and Plumbing and Heating.

The gold medalists were Hannah Krystelle Caintic (Graphic Design Technology); Hayden Christian Gravador and Gian Benedict Cariño (Internet-of-Things); John Patrick Torres and Steven Retirado (CNC Maintenance); Agee Docayso (Cooking); Carlos Antonio Delos Reyes (Hotel Reception); James Cavin Sayago (Electrical Installations); Denmark Dadia (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning); James Bryan Estrada (Industrial Control); Honorato Amad II (Carpentry); and Alexis Joseph Anuta (Plumbing and Heating).

The last time the country won a gold medal was in Vietnam in 2004 in the Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning skill area.

In his speech during the closing ceremony, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Kiko Benitez congratulated the competitors for their performance and reminded them about the competition’s significance.

“What we witnessed was bigger than medals. We saw not just skills, but discipline. Not just competition, but collaboration. Not just dreams, but the courage to make them real,” Benitez said, as quoted in a news release on Monday.

“We learned the lesson that excellence knows no borders. We gained confidence that ASEAN can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world. But above all, we took on a responsibility. A responsibility to keep investing in our youth, our workers, our communities.”

The biennial event, hosted this year by TESDA, brought together hundreds of young skilled professionals from 10 Southeast Asian member countries. They competed in 32 skill areas, celebrating technical expertise and innovation across the region.

The Philippines’ strong performance in this year’s competition reflects the nation’s growing investment in technical vocational education and training and its commitment to elevating skills standards to global levels.

Aside from gold medals, the Philippines also brought home seven silver and eight bronze medals, along with five Medallions for Excellence, which are awarded to competitors whose performance meets the rigorous international standards set by WorldSkills International.

Malaysia emerged as overall top performer with 13 gold medals, four silvers, three bronzes, and two Medallions for Excellence.

Indonesia produced nine golds, one silver, eight bronzes, and eight Medallions for Excellence.

The weeklong competition, held at the World Trade Center, Philippine Trade Training Center and SMX Convention Center, also featured industry-led exhibits, Try-a-Skill booths, and cultural performances, drawing thousands of students, educators, and industry partners to witness the transformative impact of skills development. (PR)

Three PH firms included in Forbes Asia's '100 to Watch' list 2025

Three PH firms included in Forbes Asia's '100 to Watch' list 2025

Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas
GMA Integrated News
26 Aug 2025

Three Philippine companies were included in Forbes Asia’s annual ‘100 to Watch’ list for 2025, which highlights small firms and startups in the Asia-Pacific region with up to $50 million in annual revenue, and up to $100 million in total funding.

According to Forbes Asia, this year’s list showcases a range of startups in fields such as biotechnology, space technology, and green technology, with India leading the pack with 18 companies, followed by Singapore and Japan with 14 each, Indonesia and South Korea with eight each, and Australia with seven.

“They are utilizing advanced technologies like AI to enhance their products, which include gene-editing tools and propulsion systems for spacecraft. As a clear indication of their potential, these 100 startups have raised a combined total of nearly US$3 billion in funding to date,” Forbes Asia editorial director Rana Wehbe Watson said.

The listees are grouped under 10 categories, with the largest cohort in biotechnology and healthcare with 18, followed by enterprise technology and robotics with 16.

The Philippine companies included in this year’s list are the following:

Enstack

The e-commerce and retail firm was founded in 2021, and offers an AI-assisted app that can be used to design web stores. It has been downloaded over 100,000 times from Google Play, and expanded into Thailand this year. It has raised $3 million in total funding from backers such as BlackPine, Mangrove Capital Partners, Unifer Ventures, and Xendit.

NetBank

Founded in 2019, NetBank provides digital financial services such as loan management, and payments and disbursements. Its backers Beenext and Kaya Founders, and counts Smart Money, TikTok, and Lazada as clients. It posted a net profit of P22.2 million or $390 million in the first half of 2025, driven by the strong loan growth and the rise in deposits.

Xpress Super App

The consumer technology company was founded in 2022, offering ride-hailing, delivery, and courier services through its  application. It was co-founded by PJ Lhuillier Group president and chief executive officer Jean Henri Lhuillier and AppFactoric founder Nathan Taylor, and now has over 100,000 downloads in Google Play while a separate app for its driver community has over 10,000 installs.

The finalists were selected from online submissions that were solicited, along with the nominations from accelerators, incubators, universities, venture capitalists. They were chosen based on factors such as impact on and contribution to their industry and region, market fit, promising business model, innovation, track record, and their ability to attract funding. —KG, GMA Integrated News

School in Baguio wins international award for organic farming

Baguio school wins Asia award for organic farming program

GMA Integrated News 
08 August 2025

The Happy Hollow National High School (HHNHS) in Baguio City won the 2025 AIA Outstanding Healthy Eating Award for its organic farming initiative. 

The Department of Education (DepEd) recognized the school as a model for how educational institutions can support the government’s food security and sustainability agenda.

The award honors schools in Asia that excel in promoting healthy lifestyles, active living, and environmental responsibility. 

Happy Hollow NHS was cited for its flagship program, Project O.R.G.A.N.I.C. (Offering Resources of Growing Agri-product and Nutrition in Community), and received US$15,000 (about P840,000) in prize money.

Designated as a farm school by DepEd in 2024, the Baguio-based school trains students in organic agriculture and sustainable food production while encouraging healthy eating and waste reduction. The program has taught 168 Grade 12 students under the Organic Agriculture Production (OAP) strand to grow mustard greens using organic methods and recycled materials.

Teacher Aries Busacay said the program aims to help students “live happier and healthier,” while involving the community in agricultural activities. Older students mentor younger batches, with support from barangay officials, nutritionists, and parents through backyard gardening, feeding programs using school-grown produce, planting and harvesting workshops, and nutrition seminars. Participants also prepare for TESDA NC II certification to enhance job opportunities.

DepEd said the program has contributed to lower malnutrition rates based on body mass index data, improved student engagement, and fostered a stronger culture of sustainability in the community.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the initiative shows what can be achieved when schools, parents, and local communities collaborate. 

"Patunay itong Project O.R.G.A.N.I.C. na kapag nagtulungan ang paaralan, magulang, at komunidad, kayang buhayin ang tradisyon ng agrikultura at sabay nating mapaunlad ang kalusugan at kinabukasan ng ating mga kabataan,” he said.

(Project O.R.G.A.N.I.C. proves that when schools, parents, and the community work together, we can keep the tradition of agriculture alive while improving the health and future of our children.) 

The farm school concept is anchored on Republic Act No. 10618 or the Rural Farm Schools Act, authored by the late Senator Edgardo J. Angara. Under the current leadership of Sec. Angara, there are now 156 farm schools across eight regions offering agricultural training, technical skills, and entrepreneurship education.

Happy Hollow NHS topped 15 other schools from across the Asia-Pacific region, including entries from Australia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. —Sherylin Untalan/KG, GMA Integrated News

121 PH universities made it to THE Impact Rankings 2025

University impact rankings: Philippines most represented in ASEA

Cristina Chi
Philstar Global
18 June 2025

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines had 121 universities ranked in the latest Times Higher Education Impact Rankings — the highest number among ASEAN countries and third globally behind India and Pakistan.

The rankings, released Wednesday, June 18, measured over 2,500 universities from 130 countries against the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. 

With 121 schools on the list, the Philippines placed ahead of Thailand (85 universities) and Indonesia (76 universities) in total representation within the Southeast Asian region. 

This is also more than double the 56 Philippine universities and colleges included in last year's edition.

The Ateneo de Manila University remains the Philippines' top school in THE's impact rankings, placing in the 101-200 tier overall. This is higher than its 201-300 placement the previous year.

It is followed by the Batangas State University, Isabela State University, and the University of the Philippines — all of which are in the 401-600 band. 

While the Philippines led in representation, Indonesia claimed the region's highest individual ranking, with Universitas Airlangga jumping to joint ninth place globally from joint 81st the previous year — the first time an Indonesian university cracked the global top 10.

The rankings assess how universities contribute to addressing global challenges like poverty, climate change and inequality. 

To qualify, institutions must submit data on partnerships for goals and at least three other UN development categories.

The top-ranked schools in the Southeast Asian region for each of the 17 SDGs are from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.

PH GDP grows 5.1% in first quarter

PH economy grew faster by 5.4% in Q1 2025 — PSA

Story by TED CORDERO
GMA Integrated News 
08 May 2025

The Philippine economy expanded faster in the first three months of 2025 —described as a “measured start”— amid the growth seen in services, industry, and agriculture sectors, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) —the value of goods and services produced in a period— grew faster by 5.4% in the first quarter of 2025, higher than the upwardly revised growth rate of 5.3% in the last quarter of 2024, PSA chief and National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa reported at a press conference in Quezon City on Thursday.

This was also the fastest GDP growth rate seen since the third quarter of 2024, albeit slower than the 5.9% growth recorded in the first quarter of 2024.

At constant prices, the economy reached a value of P5.477 trillion during the period, up 5.4% from P5.196-trillion GDP seen in the same quarter last year.

Department of Economy, Planning and Development Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said the country’s GDP needs to increase by 6.2% in the remaining quarters of 2025 to hit at least the lower-end of the. government’s growth target of 6% to 7% for the year.

“Our concise description of the first quarter economic performance is a ‘measured start,’” Edillon said.

The Philippines, so far, ranked second among its Asian peers that have already released their first quarter figures.

The country fell behind Vietnam, which grew by 6.9% and tied up with China with the same growth rate of 5.4%.

Nonetheless, the Philippines outpaced Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, which grew by 4.9%, 4.4%, and 2.8%, respectively, according to the DEPDev official.

“This performance underscores the relative resilience of our economy in the face of global volatility,” she said.

“The Philippine economy continues to show signs of a steady growth,” the DEPDev official said.

Major sectors

The economic performance was on the back of the year-on-year growths posted by all of the country’s major economic sectors.

In particular, the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing expanded by 2.2%; while Industry and Services sectors grew by 4.5% and 6.3%, respectively. 

“Sa naitalang pagtaas ng GDP na 5.4% sa unang quarter ng taong 2025, ang Services ay nagtala ng pinakamataas na kontribusyon na mayroong 3.9 percentage points. Ito ay sinundan ng Industry na nagtala ng kontribusyon na 1.3 percentage points; at Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing na nakapag-ambag ng 0.2 percentage point,” Mapa said.

(With the 5.4% GDP growth rate seen in the first quarter of 2025, the Services sector accounted for the biggest contribution of 3.9 percentage points. This was followed by Industry with a share of 1.3 percentage points; and Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing which contributed 0.2 percentage point.)

The main activities that contributed to the January to March 2025 GDP growth were Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motorcycles Vehicles and Motorcycles; Financial and Insurance Activities; and Manufacturing with annual growth rates of 6.4%, 7.2%, and 4.1%, respectively.

On the demand side, Household Financial Consumption Expenditure posted a growth of 5.3%.

“Easing food inflation supported household final consumption, which grew by 5.3%, year on year, faster than the 4.7% growth recorded in the fourth quarter 2024,” Edillon said.

Government Final Consumption Expenditure also grew by 18.7%, while Gross Capital Formation posted rose by 4%.

The DEPDev official said the growth in state spending has reflected “the front-loading of public programs in anticipation also of the election ban.”

Moreover, exports of goods and services recorded a surge of 6.2%, while imports of goods and services posted a 9.9% growth rate.

Strategic imperatives

Edillon highlighted the government’s “strategic imperatives” for sustained growth.

“We should note that amid the ongoing trade war, multilateral institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank consistently project the country to remain one of the fastest-growing economies in the region this year. However, this is no reason for complacency,” she said.

“On the contrary, the first quarter's performance reinforces the urgency of strategic policymaking, accelerated structural reforms toward economic diversification, and efficient and effective delivery of programs and projects as we near the mid-term of the Marcos Administration,” she added.

The DEPDev official said that managing inflation remains a top priority to ensure that consumer prices remain affordable. 

“The April 2025 inflation rate of 1.4% indicates that our interventions are working,” Edillon said.

The Economic Department official said the government must accelerate its efforts to expand trade partnerships with key economies such as the European Union, United Arab Emirates, United States, and other potential markets amid the global realignment of trade and investments.

“Such engagements will allow us to diversify our export markets, secure broader market access, ensure our businesses (particularly our micro, small, and medium enterprises) to become part of global value chains, and ensure food availability and affordability,” Edillon said.

“On the supply side, we can and must support and capitalize on higher value-added activities in the services sector, a sector in which we have found comparative advantage, especially as digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, gain greater momentum for adoption and industries undergo workforce transition periods,” she added.

Continued strength

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said that the first quarter performance highlights the continued strength and resilience of the Philippine economy, even amid rising global uncertainties.

“Our growth is strong, inflation continues to ease, private consumption is rising, and our job market remains vibrant. These are clear signals of accelerating domestic demand ahead, which is our strongest shield against external headwinds and trade wars,” he said.

The Finance chief expressed confidence that the government will hit its 6% growth goal for 2025, citing steady fiscal consolidation, easing inflation, and progress in trade negotiations with key partners, among other initiatives. 

“The national government’s revenue collections for the first quarter 2025 remain on track due to the strong performance of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), which drove tax collections to PHP 931.5 billion, a double-digit increase of 13.55% compared to the same period last year,” Recto said.

He added that as inflation continues to cool down, private spending is expected to further improve. 

The lower-than-expected inflation rate of 1.4% in April 2025 also provides more room for the BSP to further cut policy interest rates to help boost the spending power of Filipinos, drive in more investments, and grow the economy, according to Recto.

Recto added that private investments are expected to increase with the implementation of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act.

Likewise, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the administration’s focus remains on attracting high-quality investments in key sectors, ensuring consumer protection and empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises and local industries. 

Global uncertainties

Both the Finance and Trade chiefs  raised the ongoing global economic uncertainties, especially the reciprocal tariff policy of US President Donald Trump.

“We recognize the current global economic complexities, and we are responding with strategic focus and a commitment to open communication. The DTI will continue to monitor trends, engage stakeholders, and adapt policies to ensure sustained growth that leaves no one behind,” Roque said.

“On the other hand, significant progress has been achieved by the government in its trade negotiations with the United States. The Philippine government also continues to actively pursue new and expanded free trade agreements with economies like the United Arab Emirates, the European Union, Chile, and Canada to diversify export markets,” Recto said.

Trump, last month, announced a sweeping reciprocal tariff policy on its trading partners, including the Philippines which would be facing a 17% tariff on its imports to the US.

Although it is lowest among its Southeast Asian peers, still the Philippine government was prompted to send a delegation to Washington to seek dialogue with US officials while a 90-day pause in implementing the trade policy was ongoing.

On May 2, Roque, along with Economic Affairs adviser Frederick Go and Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and tackled “mutually beneficial ways to strengthen the bilateral relations” amid the 17% tariff rate imposed by the US on Manila. 

A series of meetings would follow after Philippine trade and economic officials met with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in Washington, D.C. earlier this month for a trade dialogue concerning the planned 17% tariff to be slapped on the country’s goods entering the US.— RSJ/VAL/BM GMA Integrated News