Wazzup Pilipinas!?
The call for changemakers has returned. The Social Entrepreneurs in Tourism Competition 2025 is back—bolder, global, and more visionary than ever before. If you’ve ever believed that travel can be more than a business—that it can be a force for good—this is your moment.
Whether you're igniting a powerful new idea or accelerating a purpose-driven venture, this is your stage to pitch your vision for a better world through tourism. Apply under the Launch Track for innovative concepts or the Growth Track for existing businesses, and gain access to vital funding, mentorship, and a global community of fellow social innovators.
But this isn’t just a competition—it’s a movement. Your project must boldly align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, putting social and environmental impact at the very heart of your mission.
Applications close July 14—no second chances. A select 10 finalists will enter a transformative month-long mentorship journey, culminating in a live global pitch showdown on November 17, 2025.
With top partners like Amadeus, Lufthansa City Center, Travel Massive, and ITB Berlin behind you, your journey from idea to impact begins now.
Visit socialtourismcompetition.com for full details.
Apply now. Inspire change. Redefine travel.
Here are sample entries for the Launch Track of the Social Entrepreneurs in Tourism Competition 2025, ideal for a bold, early-stage concept by Ross Flores Del Rosario, founder of Wazzup Pilipinas:
Project Title:
“Bayanihan Journeys: A Movement by Wazzup Pilipinas to Transform Tourism Into a Tool for Indigenous Empowerment”
Track: Growth Track
Founder: Ross Flores Del Rosario
Organization: Wazzup Pilipinas – The Most Credible Source of Community Stories and National Advocacy
Base: Pasig City, Philippines
Target Areas: Indigenous and rural communities across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao
The Big Idea:
From the mountains of the Cordilleras to the shores of Mindanao, a silent tragedy unfolds: ancestral knowledge fades, livelihoods dwindle, and communities are left behind by the fast-paced, mass-market tourism industry. But what if the very force that threatens them—tourism—could be reimagined to save them?
Enter Bayanihan Journeys, an initiative born from the passion and purpose of Ross Flores Del Rosario, media influencer, environmental advocate, and founder of Wazzup Pilipinas. This project weaves travel with transformation—empowering indigenous communities to become guardians of their heritage, entrepreneurs of sustainability, and ambassadors of culture.
Why This, Why Now:
After years of traveling to both hidden gems and mainstream destinations, Ross saw a recurring problem: communities rich in culture and nature were treated as backdrops, not beneficiaries.
Fueled by this injustice, and empowered by his platform reaching millions across the Philippines, Ross founded Bayanihan Journeys—a community-led, impact-first tourism model. At its core is bayanihan, the Filipino ethos of unity and mutual help.
Our Solution: A Tourism Model That Gives More Than It Takes
Cultural Immersion with Purpose: Travelers participate in traditional rituals, crafts, and language exchange led by indigenous leaders—restoring pride and intergenerational knowledge.
Eco-Tourism Reimagined: Visitors help build bamboo eco-huts, plant native trees, and clean rivers—leaving tangible restoration behind.
Empowered Livelihoods: We train locals in hospitality, storytelling, digital marketing, and fair trade, ensuring their businesses thrive beyond tourism.
Digital Platforms for Indigenous Voices: Through Wazzup Pilipinas, we document and amplify these stories globally, bridging grassroots and global.
The Impact We Can Attain:
12 partner communities across Luzon and Mindanao
Over 300 local livelihoods generated (crafts, food, guiding, transport)
10,000+ trees planted in heritage forests
Women-led cooperatives formed in Abra and Bukidnon
1M+ digital reach via ethical tourism content on Wazzup Pilipinas
Our Ask: Let Us Scale a Revolution
Your support will enable:
A community-owned digital booking and storytelling platform
The Bayanihan Training Academy for young indigenous eco-guides
The First Indigenous Tourism Congress in Southeast Asia
Solar kits, digital tools, and mobile marketplaces for tribes with no access to tech
The Legacy We Want to Build:
We’re not building an empire. We’re building a movement. One where tourism doesn’t just visit places—it heals them.
As a media leader and environmental advocate, I’ve spent years raising voices and telling stories. Now, I’m building the bridge between travelers who care and communities that need to be seen, heard, and honored.
Together, through Bayanihan Journeys, we can decolonize tourism, restore dignity, and reclaim travel as a tool for justice.
Because in the Philippines—and across the globe—we don’t need more tourists. We need more heroes.
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Project Title:
“Green Escapes PH: The Philippines’ First Climate-Conscious Travel Marketplace”
Track: Launch Track
Founder: Ross Flores Del Rosario
Organization: Wazzup Pilipinas
Base: Pasig City, Philippines
The Big Idea:
What if booking your next vacation didn’t just feel good—but did good for the planet?
Green Escapes PH is a visionary digital platform where every getaway supports local communities, restores ecosystems, and reduces your carbon footprint. It’s the Philippines’ first climate-conscious travel marketplace, designed to connect responsible travelers with verified eco-stays, regenerative experiences, and purpose-driven tourism partners.
Think Airbnb meets Conservation International, with a Filipino soul.
The Spark:
As the founder of Wazzup Pilipinas, I’ve explored the best (and worst) of tourism in the Philippines. I’ve seen how paradise can be exploited—and how local heroes fight to protect it.
But what’s missing is a central, trustworthy platform that rewards sustainable choices, amplifies grassroots efforts, and makes climate-smart travel mainstream. Green Escapes PH fills this gap by curating only verified eco-partners and empowering travelers to choose trips that leave a legacy.
How It Works:
Verified Listings Only: Partnering with LGUs, NGOs, and sustainability certifiers to vet local stays, tours, and transport options.
Impact Calculator: Every trip shows your carbon footprint and how your booking offsets it—through tree planting, coral reef restoration, or rewilding.
Traveler Karma Score: A gamified rewards system encouraging eco-conscious choices, tracked through your travel profile.
Local Stories, Global Reach: Powered by Wazzup Pilipinas, we spotlight indigenous hosts, eco-guides, and green destinations—giving them global visibility.
SDG Alignment:
SDG 13 (Climate Action): Encourages low-impact travel choices and carbon offsetting.
SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth): Creates green jobs through local eco-tourism development.
SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Promotes ethical, low-waste tourism.
SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Empowers LGUs and communities to manage visitor impact.
What We Plan To Do:
Conduct surveys and focus group discussions with travelers and LGUs in areas like Rizal, Bohol, and Benguet
Forge early partnerships with local eco-resorts, tour operators, and sustainability educators
Design the prototype UI/UX for the platform with gamified sustainability features
Build a pre-launch waitlist of over 1,500 eco-conscious travelers via Wazzup Pilipinas
What We Need:
Funding to launch the MVP of the booking platform
Mentorship on climate financing, marketplace scaling, and tourism tech integration
Strategic introductions to global eco-certification bodies and impact investors
Why Us? Why Now?
The climate crisis is here—and tourism is both part of the problem and the solution. By launching Green Escapes PH, we harness the power of discovery, adventure, and community to reshape travel culture in the Philippines and beyond.
As a media influencer, sustainability advocate, and communicator trusted by millions, I’m ready to lead this charge.
Because the future of tourism must be green, and the future of our planet can’t wait.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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