DepEd to expedite school repairs as 139.4M released for Masbate; Cebu and Davao underway

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

DAVAO ORIENTAL, 11 October 2025 – Following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order for an immediate response, Education Secretary Sonny Angara joined national government officials in Davao Oriental on Saturday to assess the impact of the 7.6-magnitude earthquake and to oversee the Department of Education’s (DepEd) rapid response operations for affected schools.

Angara said DepEd has frontloaded and accelerated the release of the agency’s Quick Response Funds (QRF)—a process that previously took up to two years—to provide faster assistance to schools hit by recent calamities in Masbate, Cebu, and most recent quake-hit Davao Oriental

To date, ₱139.4 million in aid has been released for typhoon-hit schools in Masbate, while validation and damage assessments are ongoing in Cebu and Davao Oriental.

“Hindi na puwedeng maghintay pa ng dalawang taon bago dumating ang tulong,” Angara said. “Kapag nasira ang paaralan, dapat mabilis ang aksyon, dahil bawat araw na nasasayang ay isang araw na hindi nakakapag-aral ang mga bata.”

As of 9:00 a.m. on October 11, DepEd reports that 1,006 schools have been affected by the magnitude 7.4 that struck offshore near Manay, Davao Oriental on Friday, impacting around 100,000 learners and 10,000 teachers in different regions. Among those affected, 139 learners and 50 teachers sustained injuries. To ensure safety, 97% of the affected schools suspended classes on Friday to allow structural inspections.

Initial visual assessments found 575 schools with varying degrees of damage, with estimated repair costs reaching ₱2.23 billion. DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), engineers, and DRR coordinators are conducting rapid site inspections in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local governments.

Angara emphasized DepEd’s commitment to strengthen its internal engineering capacity to complement national and local efforts for quicker recovery.

“Mayroon tayong 472 engineers sa buong bansa, at kailangan pa nating palawakin ang bilang at kakayahan nila,” Angara added. “Kasama ang DPWH at mga lokal na pamahalaan, gusto nating bumuo ng isang mas mabilis, mas matatag, at mas maaasahang sistema ng pagtugon.”

Angara reaffirmed that DepEd’s priority is ensuring the safety of learners and teachers while keeping education going, even in times of disaster.

“Our goal is simple: when disaster strikes, help should already be on the way,” he said.

The Farm at San Benito: Where Wellness Meets Sustainability, and Tourism Redefines Its Purpose

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Nestled in the lush landscapes of Lipa, Batangas, The Farm at San Benito stands as a living testament to what sustainable tourism should look like in the Philippines. It’s more than a wellness retreat; it’s a working model of environmental stewardship, community partnership, and responsible luxury — a rare combination that proves tourism can indeed heal, rather than harm, the planet.

While many destinations claim to be “eco-friendly,” few demonstrate it as authentically as The Farm. Here, every breath of air feels cleaner, every dish served tells a story of mindful cultivation, and every experience reminds guests that wellness and sustainability are inseparable.

A Living Laboratory of Sustainability

From the moment visitors step through its gates, they are enveloped in a world that operates in harmony with nature. The Farm’s organic gardens supply the resort’s kitchens with vibrant vegetables, herbs, and fruits grown without synthetic chemicals. What doesn’t get eaten is composted and returned to the soil — completing a cycle of nourishment that sustains both people and the planet.

The resort’s farm-to-table philosophy goes beyond culinary excellence; it’s a statement of intent. By growing its own produce and sourcing locally, The Farm dramatically reduces its carbon footprint and supports surrounding farmers who share its values.

Energy efficiency is equally prioritized. The resort makes use of renewable energy initiatives, employs waste segregation and composting systems, and consistently invests in resource-conscious operations that minimize its environmental impact.

Even the design of the property — open-air structures, natural ventilation, and abundant greenery — reflects an architectural respect for the local ecosystem, allowing nature to be the resort’s greatest amenity.

A Partnership with the Community

Sustainability is not only about protecting the land — it’s about uplifting the people who live on it. The Farm at San Benito has become a source of livelihood and pride for nearby communities in Batangas. Local farmers are trained in organic practices and supplied with market access through the resort’s network. Suppliers are chosen for their ethical and eco-conscious methods, ensuring that every transaction nurtures both enterprise and environment.

By hiring and training local residents, The Farm creates jobs that don’t just provide income, but also dignity. Every staff member becomes an ambassador of the resort’s holistic philosophy, merging world-class hospitality with heartfelt Filipino warmth.

Wellness Beyond the Self

At its heart, The Farm is about healing — not only for the body, but for the environment and society. Its wellness programs, from detox retreats to plant-based cuisine, are grounded in the belief that personal health and planetary health are interconnected. When travelers experience this harmony firsthand, they carry its lessons back home, becoming advocates for more sustainable living.

A Vision for the Future of Philippine Tourism

For Ross Flores Del Rosario, founder of Wazzup Pilipinas, eco-tourism is not a niche — it’s the future. Having visited and featured numerous destinations across the country, he believes the Philippines has both the natural beauty and human heart to lead Asia in responsible tourism.

“Travelers today crave authenticity,” Ross shares. “They want to know their stay contributes to something meaningful — that their visit leaves a positive footprint. Resorts like The Farm at San Benito show that luxury and sustainability are not opposites, but partners in progress. When tourism uplifts communities, protects biodiversity, and offers genuine experiences, it becomes a force for national transformation.”

He adds, “Eco-travel is not just a trend. It’s the next chapter of Philippine tourism — one where every resort, from the mountains of Luzon to the shores of Mindanao, can take inspiration from The Farm’s blueprint: connect your kitchen to your garden, your garden to your community, and your community to your purpose.”

An Invitation to Travel with Purpose

The Farm at San Benito isn’t merely a destination — it’s a demonstration of what happens when passion, purpose, and place align. It invites travelers to rest, recharge, and rethink what it means to travel well.

It challenges the industry to do better — to see sustainability not as an added feature but as the very foundation of hospitality. And it calls upon every Filipino to support and share stories of responsible tourism that uplift both people and planet.

In the end, the true measure of a resort’s luxury is not in its price tag or prestige, but in its power to preserve life — human, cultural, and environmental — for generations to come.

That is the legacy The Farm at San Benito continues to cultivate, one mindful stay at a time.

Philippines Secures ₱350M in Tourism Deals at Japan's Biggest Travel Expo

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

A four-day showcase in Aichi proves Japanese travelers are eager to discover Philippine shores—and they're bringing their wallets

AICHI, JAPAN — In a sprawling exhibition hall at the Aichi Sky Expo, the Philippines didn't just participate in Tourism Expo Japan 2025—it commanded attention. And the numbers tell a story of triumph: a staggering ₱349.9 million in sales leads, proof that the Land of the Rising Sun is setting its sights firmly on Philippine shores.

From September 25 to 28, the Philippine delegation transformed their booth into a portal to paradise, drawing from a crowd of over 127,000 trade professionals and travelers who descended upon Japan's largest travel marketplace. What unfolded was more than a tourism pitch—it was a cultural experience that left Japanese visitors captivated and reaching for their booking calendars.

Beyond Brochures: Creating an Experience

The Philippine booth didn't rely on glossy pamphlets and forced smiles. Instead, delegates orchestrated an immersive journey through the archipelago's most magnetic destinations. Intramuros's cobblestoned history met Boracay's powdery beaches. The otherworldly Chocolate Hills of Bohol stood alongside the vibrant marine sanctuaries of Moalboal—each destination carefully curated to resonate with Japanese travelers' well-documented passion for both historical exploration and natural beauty.

But the masterstroke came in the form of human connection. Japanese content creators Bonnie the Star and Miyuu took center stage at the Philippine Travel Talk Show, sharing authentic stories of Filipino cuisine and their adventures across the islands. Their enthusiasm was infectious, translating complex cultural nuances into relatable experiences for an audience eager to understand what makes the Philippines special.

Throughout the four-day event, the LUMAD group delivered regular performances that transformed the booth into a living gallery of indigenous culture. Visitors didn't just see the Philippines—they heard its rhythms, felt its energy, and glimpsed the soul of local communities.

The Art of the Deal

The first two days of TEJ 2025 belonged to business. Representatives from Philippine airlines, hotels, resorts, tour operators, and government agencies engaged in intensive business-to-business meetings, forging partnerships that would eventually translate into flight routes, package tours, and strategic collaborations. These weren't casual conversations over coffee—they were high-stakes negotiations that laid the groundwork for the impressive sales figures.

When the doors opened to consumers on September 27 and 28, the strategy shifted from boardroom tactics to winning hearts. The delegation sweetened the deal with raffle prizes featuring accommodations, tours, and flights to premier Philippine destinations, giving potential visitors a tantalizing taste of what awaited them.

A Market Hungry for More

"The successful results from this year's TEJ serve as solid proof of the Japanese market's strong interest in visiting our country," declared Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles, Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines. Her words carried the weight of victory, but also recognition of strategic positioning.

The Japanese tourism market represents a goldmine for the Philippines—travelers known for their respect, spending power, and genuine interest in cultural authenticity. The ₱350 million in sales leads reflects not just momentary enthusiasm but sustained interest in a destination that offers something increasingly rare in an age of homogenized travel experiences: genuine, unfiltered cultural immersion.

Standing Tall Among Giants

TEJ 2025 wasn't a small gathering. Organized by the Japan Travel and Tourism Association, the Japan Association of Travel Agents, and the Japan National Tourism Organization, the expo drew exhibitors from more than 82 countries and regions, all vying for attention in Japan's competitive travel market.

The Philippines held its ground, and then some. While tourism powerhouses showcased their credentials, the Philippine delegation leveraged something more valuable than infrastructure or marketing budgets—the authentic warmth that defines Filipino hospitality, what locals call "malasakit."

More Than Numbers

The ₱349.9 million figure represents more than potential revenue. It's a vindication of a tourism strategy that prioritizes meaningful partnerships over transactional relationships, cultural authenticity over manufactured experiences, and long-term engagement over quick wins.

Led by the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines in partnership with the Department of Tourism, the delegation demonstrated that effective tourism promotion in 2025 requires more than destination marketing—it demands storytelling, cultural exchange, and the courage to showcase not just picture-perfect beaches but the communities and traditions that make those destinations worth visiting.

As the Aichi Sky Expo closed its doors on September 28, the Philippine delegation packed more than promotional materials—they carried home concrete proof that the world, and particularly Japan, is ready to fall in love with the Philippines all over again. And this time, they're booking tickets to prove it.

The Tourism Promotions Board Philippines continues to position the country as a world-class tourism and MICE destination through strategic partnerships and authentic cultural engagement. For more information, visit www.tpb.gov.ph.

From Iloilo's Rocky Alleys to Osaka's World Stage: How Two Humble Dishes Are Redefining Philippine Identity

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

A dumpling soup and a sweet coconut stew carry the weight of a nation's story at World Expo 2025 Osaka

In a small compound at the end of a rocky alley in Iloilo, women's hands move with practiced precision, folding hundreds of dumplings—each one a tiny envelope of tradition, each pleat a meditation on heritage. Years later, that memory would travel thousands of miles to become part of something extraordinary: the Philippine narrative at one of the world's most prestigious cultural showcases.

At World Expo 2025 Osaka, where 160 countries compete for attention and admiration, the Philippines has chosen an unexpected weapon in its cultural arsenal. Not the spectacle of towering sculptures or cutting-edge technology alone, but something far more intimate and infinitely more powerful: the humble, honest flavors of home.

The Alchemy of Memory and Meaning

Chef Angelo Comsti stands at an intersection of past and present, tasked with an impossible mission: distill the Filipino experience into dishes that can speak across language barriers, cultural divides, and the sterile efficiency of an expo food hall. His answer? Pancit molo and binignit—two dishes that most international visitors have never heard of, let alone tasted.

"Pancit Molo is more than just a dumpling soup," Comsti explains, his voice carrying the weight of that long-ago journey down that rocky Iloilo alley. The scene he describes is cinematic in its simplicity: women gathered in community, their hands telling stories through repetitive motion, the steam rising from a kaldero carrying the fragrance of spring onions and belonging. "When we finally ordered a kaldero-ful of pancit, it came steaming, fragrant with spring onions, and brimming with comfort. That memory stayed with me, and I wanted Expo visitors to experience it too."

This isn't fusion cuisine or culinary experimentation. This is memory made edible, tradition transformed into nourishment. Each spoonful of that delicate broth carries within it the essence of Visayan hospitality, the warmth of communal cooking, the patience of hands that fold dumplings not for efficiency but for love.

The Dish That Refuses to Be Pinned Down

If pancit molo represents community and precision, binignit embodies something equally Filipino: radical adaptability wrapped in sweetness. This Visayan dessert—a luxurious stew of tubers, tropical fruits, and glutinous rice swimming in coconut milk—defies standardization in the most beautiful way possible.

"No two versions are exactly the same," Comsti reveals, and in that variability lies a profound truth about Filipino culture itself. "Some families add tapioca, others drop in bilo-bilo—chewy rice balls like mochi. It's a dish shaped by availability, preference, and tradition. For me, that adaptability mirrors the Filipino spirit: resourceful, communal, and always generous."

Binignit is pragmatism elevated to art. Born from whatever the season provides—sweet potatoes when they're abundant, jackfruit when it's ripe, saba bananas because they're always there—it transforms scarcity into celebration. The coconut milk doesn't just bind ingredients; it baptizes them into something transcendent, something that tastes like comfort and feels like belonging.

Beyond the Plate: A Nation's Strategic Gambit

But this collaboration between Hain by Via Mare, the Philippine Pavilion's official concessionaire, and Chef Comsti represents more than culinary nostalgia. It's a calculated move in the sophisticated game of nation branding, orchestrated by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines.

"Food allows us to tell our story in the most relatable way," declares Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles, TPB Chief Operating Officer and Secretary General of the Philippine Organizing Committee for Expo 2025. Her words reveal a deep understanding of soft power in the 21st century. "Through collaborations like this, we bring not only flavors but also the traditions and human connections behind them. It's a taste of the Philippines that lingers far beyond the table."

This is gastronomy as diplomacy. While other nations might showcase their technological prowess or industrial achievements, the Philippines leans into something more fundamental: the universal human need for comfort, connection, and good food. It's a bold strategy that positions the archipelago not as a competitor in the race for modernization, but as a keeper of something increasingly rare—authentic cultural memory.

The Pavilion as Canvas

These dishes don't exist in isolation. They're served within "Woven," the Philippine Pavilion itself—a structure that has become one of Expo 2025's top attractions. Its façade features 212 indigenous textiles, each pattern telling stories of mountains, seas, and the communities that have inhabited them for generations. Inside, 18 region-inspired handwoven artworks create a gallery of textile traditions, while interactive AI installations like "Dancing with Nature" bridge ancestral wisdom and contemporary innovation.

The pavilion's theme—"Nature, Culture & Community: Woven Together for a Better Future"—finds its most literal expression in these two dishes. The pancit molo represents culture preserved through careful technique. The binignit embodies nature's bounty and community's adaptability. Together, they weave a narrative thread that connects Iloilo's alleys to Osaka's futuristic expo grounds.

The Larger Canvas: Gastronomy as National Identity

The TPB's strategy extends far beyond a single event. By positioning gastronomy tourism as a pillar of the country's cultural brand, the Philippines stakes a claim in a global market increasingly hungry for authentic experiences. The collaboration with Hain by Via Mare signals a long-term commitment to this vision—one where regional diversity becomes national strength, where recipes passed through generations become cultural currency.

This isn't about competing with the refined techniques of French cuisine or the global dominance of Japanese food culture. This is about carving out a distinct space in the international consciousness: the Philippines as a place where food still means something beyond sustenance, where eating remains an act of community, where every dish carries the fingerprints of the hands that made it.

The Taste That Lingers

As visitors to Expo 2025 navigate the overwhelming spectacle of national pavilions, innovation showcases, and future-forward demonstrations, they'll encounter something unexpected at the Philippine booth: the past, present, and future collapsed into a bowl. The steam rising from pancit molo carries with it the ghosts of those Iloilo women, their hands still folding, still teaching, still preserving. The thick, sweet comfort of binignit offers a momentary refuge from the expo's sensory overload—a reminder that the future doesn't have to mean forgetting where we came from.

These are not museum pieces or anthropological curiosities. They're living traditions, evolving while staying true to their essence, much like the Filipino people themselves. In choosing to showcase pancit molo and binignit, Chef Comsti and the TPB have made a profound statement: that a nation's identity isn't found in its ability to mimic global trends, but in its courage to offer something irreplaceably its own.

When the expo closes and visitors return home, they may forget the technological marvels and architectural innovations. But they'll remember how something made them feel—the warmth of that first spoonful, the unexpected complexity of flavors, the sense that they've tasted not just food, but story, not just cuisine, but culture.

That memory, like the one that stayed with Chef Comsti from a rocky alley years ago, might just change how they see the Philippines forever. And in the end, isn't that precisely what a world exposition is meant to do?

The Philippine Pavilion "Woven" runs throughout World Expo 2025 Osaka, showcasing the theme "Nature, Culture & Community: Woven Together for a Better Future." Daily cultural performances and the special menu by Chef Angelo Comsti complement the pavilion's 212 indigenous textiles and interactive installations, making it one of the expo's most visited attractions.

DepEd, partners map out Adopt-a-School, procurement solutions to close classroom gaps

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

MANDALUYONG CITY, 10 October 2025 — The Department of Education (DepEd) has brought together its Adopt-a-School partners and private sector allies for a Classroom Market Scoping Activity—a key step toward mobilizing more partners to help address the country’s classroom backlog through transparent, standards-based collaboration. 

“Unang-una, prayoridad natin ang masiguro na maayos at matibay ang mga maipapatayo nating silid-aralan sa tulong ng ating partners. Nais din ng ating mahal na Pangulo, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., na mataas ang kalidad ng ating mga pasilidad sa mga susunod na taon,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.  

The activity presented DepEd’s latest classroom design and technical specifications, including those for Integrated Learning Resource Centers (ILRCs) and WASH facilities, and provided updates on procurement modalities—particularly Negotiated Procurement and the Adopt-A-School Program (ASP)—to help partners align their projects with DepEd’s standards. 

The activity builds on DepEd’s series of market scoping sessions for Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS), Supplementary Learning Resources (SLRs), and education technology solutions, which have helped the Department map out supply availability, cost efficiency, and logistical feasibility for critical learning resources. 

More importantly, the engagement served as a working dialogue with partners to discuss financing models, implementation strategies, and entry points for collaboration under the Adopt-A-School framework. 

“Isa pong goal ng Market Scoping ay transparency,” Undersecretary for Procurement and Finance Oversight Rowena Candice Ruiz said. “We’re calling everyone in—we are presenting what we need, and we are making it known to our partners what our children need for their classrooms.” 

By opening its procurement pipeline and design plans, DepEd aims to bridge information gaps between the Department and potential implementers, making it easier for partners to identify viable investment areas and accelerate classroom construction nationwide. 

“This activity affirms the Department’s commitment to providing conducive learning spaces while upholding accountability and transparency,” Usec. Ruiz added. “We are opening our doors so our partners can clearly see how they can support not just DepEd, but our learners, teachers, and schools.” 

The event gathered key development and corporate partners, including Aboitiz, Angat Buhay, the Asian Development Bank, Ayala Foundation, Inc., China Bank Savings, City Savings Bank, Inc., the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), Generation Hope, Globe, the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, Hawkstow Construction and Development, Hybrid Solutions Asia, Jollibee Foods Corporation, EM Cuerpo, Inc. Construction, Net Solar, One Meralco Foundation, Republic Biscuit Corporation, Security Bank Foundation, and the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, among others. 

Hosted at the Senate President Neptali Gonzales Integrated School in Mandaluyong City, the activity marks another milestone in DepEd’s ongoing effort to build stronger bridges with the private sector toward the shared vision of quality education for every Filipino learner. 

DepEd also announced plans to convene partners once more in November 2025 at the Classroom Summit in Clark, Pampanga, to finalize partnership models and formalize commitments forged through the market scoping process. 

World Pet Expo 2025: Redefining World-class industry experience

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

The inaugural World Pet Expo 2025 successfully concluded its first-ever run last September 25–28, 2025, at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, marking a historic milestone as the Philippines’ first and largest all-inclusive pet expo. Drawing an impressive 35,780 attendees and 16,840 pets over four days, the event brought together pet lovers, industry leaders, exhibitors, and organizations on one vibrant platform that celebrated the pet industry like never before. From innovative showcases to exciting competitions and informative talks, World Pet Expo 2025 became a hub of discovery, connection, and celebration for the growing pet-loving community.

Behind this groundbreaking event is Worldbex Services International (WSI), the country’s leading exhibitions and events organizer. With a solid reputation for pioneering world-class trade shows across multiple industries, WSI extended its expertise to the pet sector, creating a first-of-its-kind expo that combined advocacy, entertainment, and innovation. By uniting exhibitors, partners, and enthusiasts, World Pet Expo 2025 not only highlighted the dynamic growth of the pet industry but also fostered a stronger, more connected community of pet owners and advocates.

The overwhelming success of World Pet Expo 2025 affirms the start of a lasting legacy—one that strengthens the bond between humans and animals while spearheading responsible pet care and welfare. As it sets the bar higher for future editions, World Pet Expo promises to remain the ultimate platform for collaboration, education, and celebration in the ever-growing world of pets.

The World Pet Expo 2025 is organized by Worldbex Services International and is for the benefit of the ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. For inquiries and concerns, you may reach us at (02)8656-92-69 or email us at inquire@worldbexevents.com

From Bohol streets to the Geeks On A Beach: Pedi App empowers tricycle drivers

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 





Cebu, Philippines – Pedi App, a homegrown local ride-hailing platform born in the streets of Tagbilaran, Bohol, is giving tricycle drivers new earning opportunities while offering commuters a fairer and safer way to travel. This year, Pedi App joined in Geeks On A Beach (GOAB) 2025 in Mactan, Cebu, where innovators, founders, and investors came together to celebrate Philippine startups making an impact from the ground up.


“At first, the idea was simple — could we help drivers earn more by becoming guides or even local real estate scouts, since they know the towns and barangays better than anyone? This was the idea of my co-founder Feliciano “Doy” Agta, a real estate businessman and son of a tricycle driver,” said Reagan Loberternos, Pedi App CEO and Co-Founder.


“When I came on board with co-founders Christian Lugod and Erwin Saycon, the idea evolved further. To address the problem facing commuters who have to haggle and feel overcharged, especially in tourist areas, we thought of building a platform that could regulate fares while ensuring drivers still earned a fair remuneration,” said Loberternos.


A researcher and entrepreneur, Loberternos brings intellectual depth, credibility and longevity to the startup. He holds a Master’s degree in Material Sciences at the University of the Philippines and previously served as a Research Fellow at the UP Condensed Matter Physics Laboratory.


Empowering Bohol’s tricycle drivers and commuters


Development of Pedi App began in 2021, and it was launched in Tagbilaran City in September 2022. Since then, the app has attracted 22,000 registered users and has over 400 active drivers.


Most passengers using the app are locals. However, there is a growing number of tourists, especially foreign visitors facing language barriers, who rely on the app for its transparent fare system. For drivers, the platform can provide an additional income of ₱800 to ₱1,000 daily by completing just 10 bookings, helping to supplement their traditional street hires.


“Unlike transnational ride-hailing companies, Pedi App was developed entirely by a local team,” said Loberternos. “That allows us to quickly customize features for each municipality and better understand the social and economic realities on the ground,” he added.


All drivers undergo training and must present a valid driver’s license and franchise before being onboarded. The app enforces standardized fares, and commuters can report overcharging or misconduct, which can lead to penalties or suspension.


Expanding beyond just rides


The app is now expanding beyond just rides. It is piloting several new features, including Pedi Xpress for deliveries, PediPay for digital transactions, and Pedi E-Ticket for ferry and transport bookings.


Discussions are underway to launch in Dumaguete by the end of the year. The franchise-style system will allow local operators to manage front-end services while Pedi provides the technological infrastructure. There has also been interest from partners across Southeast Asia and as far away as Denver, Colorado.


There are challenges to overcome: some tricycle drivers remain hesitant to adopt smartphones, while others are concerned about competition within the app. However, positive impact stories continue to emerge—such as those of drivers who have steadily increased their income and a disabled government employee who now relies on Pedi App for daily mobility.


For Loberternos and his team, the long-term vision is clear. “We see the Pedi App not just in Bohol, but in other parts of the Philippines, in Southeast Asia, and every place where tricycles and tuk-tuks are a part of daily life,” he said.


A community behind Pedi App


Pedi App’s journey is not only a testament to innovation but also to the supportive community that nurtured it. The startup is part of the Bohol Island State University Technology Business Incubator (BISU TBI) in Bohol, which provided essential guidance and mentorship during its early stages of development.


When GOAB was held in Bohol in 2023, the Pedi App team applied and was accepted as volunteers. This experience inspired them to continue growing. Two years later, Pedi App returned to GOAB not as volunteers but as participants.


This year, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bohol invited and sponsored the team’s participation in GOAB 2025, highlighting the increasing support for Bohol’s startup ecosystem.


Pedi App’s innovation has also garnered international recognition, with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) featuring its creative use of technology to empower local transport.

STPI Presents - Pacita Abad: Common Ground

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

STPI Presents 

Pacita Abad: Common Ground

25 October – 13 December 2025

STPI – Creative Workshop & Gallery presents Pacita Abad: Common Ground, featuring artworks created during the late Filipino artist’s 2003 residency at STPI. After two decades, this exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience a significant body of her STPI works, alongside two of her iconic trapunto paintings from the Pacita Abad Art Estate. The exhibition runs from 25 October to 13 December 2025.

As the workshop’s third artist-in-residence and the first female to undertake the role, Abad fully embraced STPI’s experimental ethos in its formative years. In Singapore, Abad is most beloved for transforming the Alkaff Bridge into a rainbow of 46 colours and 2,350 circles—an iconic public artwork and testament to her belief in colour’s power to uplift communities. This latest exhibition arrives amid renewed global recognition for Abad, whose vibrant, boundary-crossing practice has recently been celebrated at major museum exhibitions and biennales worldwide.

“Pacita Abad’s practice, which championed cross-cultural dialogue and diversity, was ahead of its time in addressing what are now central concerns in contemporary art,” said Emi Eu, Executive Director of STPI. “Her fearless experimentation with materials resonates with STPI’s mission to push the limits of paper and printmaking. With this exhibition, we are proud to share an innovative chapter in her career with a new generation of audiences and celebrate an artist who illuminated the common ground that connects us all.”

Pacita Abad (b. 1946, Batanes, Philippines—d. 2004, Singapore) was an artist whose life and work spanned six continents and over 60 countries. “I always see the world through colour,” she once said. “I feel like I am an ambassador of colours, always projecting a positive mood that helps make the world smile.” Known for her bold canvases and textile-based works, Abad filled surfaces with dazzling colour, exuberant textures and abstract forms. Her palette, rooted in her Filipino upbringing and enriched by global traditions, became a radiant language of joy, resistance and connection.

During her three-month residency at STPI, Abad embraced the circle as her unifying motif—“direct, simple, modern, universal, intimate, fascinating and playful”. She turned circles into suns, moons, doorknobs, traffic lights and umbrella shapes, layering glitter, buttons, mirrors and luminous inks into richly coloured pulp. These kaleidoscope works shimmer with vitality, affirming colour as a universal language of optimism. 

Beyond aesthetics, her work challenged Western dominance in late 20th-century art and elevated often overlooked materials and practices. Migration, identity and social justice influenced Abad’s practice. Exiled from the Philippines at 23 for her family’s opposition to the Marcos regime, she settled in San Francisco and became immersed in activist and immigrant communities. Later travels to refugee camps along the Cambodia–Thailand border deepened her awareness of displacement and resilience, infusing her art with stories of shared humanity.

Pacita Abad: Common Ground reaffirms STPI’s role as a site of experimentation and dialogue with the international art world. Today, her works speak with renewed urgency, addressing culture, identity and diversity in ways that remain profoundly resonant.

Geeks on a Beach 2025 Crowns API Build Lab Winners in Cebu

Wazzup Pilipinas!! 

Cebu, Philippines – The Geeks on a Beach (GOAB) 2025 event concluded on October 3 in Cebu with the announcement of the API Build Lab winners, showcasing some of the most promising API-driven solutions from Southeast Asia. The top prize went to the Employer API, created by Jan Alvin Pabellon of Smile API. The First Runner-up was the KIVOE Identity API, developed by Elmer Joaquin of Kivoe, and the Second Runner-up was the FRED API, designed by Franczeska Lou Badong of Via Panisperna.

The API Build Lab, organized by 917Ventures through its API venture Concati, in partnership with GOAB,  invited developers and startups from the region to submit innovative API concepts that show strong potential for commercialization. Finalists participated in a two-week virtual Build Sprint from September 19 to October 2, where they received hands-on coaching and mentoring. They then pitched their solutions live at the GOAB event in Cebu.

An API (Application Programming Interface) acts like a digital intermediary, allowing different software applications to communicate with each other. This enables businesses to utilize existing tools and services, such as mapping or payment systems, instead of developing these solutions from the ground up. APIs save time and money while leading to enhanced and more integrated services for users.

Five finalists presented their solutions at the conference. Elmer Joaquin from Kivoe introduced the KIVOE Identity API, while Gabriel Catimbang from CSGUILD showcased the Lendr API. Franczeska Lou Badong of Via Panisperna unveiled the FRED API, Jan Alvin Pabellon from Smile API competed with the Employer API, and Christiansen Hermosilla from CHECK Technologies shared the Student Inference Engine. Each of these innovations highlighted the remarkable talent emerging from Southeast Asian developers.

At the finale, the Employer API from Smile API was crowned the Grand Winner, receiving a prize of ₱50,000. The KIVOE Identity API from Kivoe secured the title of First Runner-up with a prize of ₱30,000. The FRED API from Via Panisperna was named Second Runner-up and awarded ₱20,000. In addition to cash prizes, the winning APIs will also be published and monetized on Concati's open-exchange marketplace, offering developers opportunities to scale their solutions globally.

Smile API is a Philippines-based platform that helps businesses access employment and income data to provide faster and more reliable financial services. Kivoe is developing secure digital identity tools that simplify authentication and trust for online transactions. Via Panisperna, with its FRED API, focuses on creating data-driven tools that enhance information retrieval and management for enterprises. Together, these startups exemplify the growing diversity and impact of API-driven ventures in the region.

Since its inaugural edition in 2013, GOAB has served as a launchpad for startups, investors, and innovators across Asia to connect, collaborate, and create. This year’s conference, featuring the introduction of the API Build Lab, reaffirms its role not only as a platform for discussions but also as a launchpad for the next wave of solutions in fintech, e-commerce, logistics, and more.

Natasha Dawn Bautista, the Head of Growth Marketing and Corporate Relations at 917Ventures, delivered a keynote speech titled “Unlocking 917Ventures and Globe Group’s Unfair Advantage” at GOAB 2025. In her presentation, she shared insights on how 917Ventures enables startups to scale by leveraging the strengths of the Globe Group's digital ecosystem. Additionally, she served as a reactor for GOAB's lightning pitch sessions, where early-stage founders presented their innovative ideas, showcasing the vibrancy of the regional startup ecosystem.

Warning Out on Toxic Eyeliners Contaminated with Lead, Arsenic and Cadmium

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

9 October 2025, Quezon City. As the nation observes the Consumer Welfare Month and as the world gets ready for the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, the toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition cautioned consumers against the application of eyeliners containing extremely high levels of lead.

Test buys conducted by the group confirmed the continued sale of the Hashmi Surma Asmar in Quiapo, Manila where it is sold for P250 per set despite the absence of authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As per its label, the product was manufactured in July 2023 and will expire in June 2028. Hashmi eyeliners are also sold online at both Lazada and Shopee.

X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) screening conducted by the group revealed that the product contains over 100,000 parts per million (ppm) of lead despite being labeled “corresponds to Pb 0.00%" (Pb is the chemical symbol of lead from the Latin word plumbum).

The ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD) prohibits lead as an ingredient in cosmetics and sets a 20 ppm limit for lead as a heavy metal contaminant in such products.

Aside from lead, the group also found Hashmi Surma Asmar contaminated with 6,410 ppm of arsenic and 309 ppm of cadmium, way beyond the ACD limit of 5 ppm for these heavy metals, which, like lead, are forbidden in cosmetic product formulations.

Arsenic, cadmium and lead are among the 10 chemicals or groups of chemicals of major public health concern according to the World Health Organization (WHO). These toxic metals are also included in the country’s Priority Chemicals List (PCL) as per the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The EcoWaste Coalition in 2014 alerted consumers and health product regulators about the sale of traditional kohl or surma eyeliners containing high amounts of lead. The group in 2018 drew attention about the toxicity of such eyeliners after three children in Australia suffered from lead poisoning due to the use of such products. Last year, the group again pushed for a ban on such eyeliners following the analysis conducted by the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP), which found 125,688 ppm of lead on a Hashmi eyeliner.

According to the US FDA, “products containing kohl and similar ingredients have been linked to lead poisoning, especially among children.”



“The risks associated with exposure to lead are especially serious for children. Among the effects associated with high levels of lead exposure are anemia, kidney problems, and neurological damage that may include seizures, coma, and death,” it explained.

“Even at relatively low levels, chronic exposure to lead may lead to learning and behavior problems,” it warned.

To protect the public, the children in particular, the EcoWaste Coalition repeated the following safety tips from US FDA:

1. "Stop using the product immediately and be especially careful to protect children from further exposure."

 

2. "Ask a healthcare provider to test children as well as pregnant or nursing women for lead poisoning if they have used the product."

The group also urged the Philippine FDA to ban Hashmi eyeliners and to stop their further importation, promotion and sale.

FDA-Flagged Skin Lightening Products among those Banned in New York for Containing Toxic Mercury

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

EcoWaste Coalition pushes for concerted action to rid the market of dangerous cosmetics with mercury

10 October 2025, Quezon City.  The Office of the New York State Attorney General (OAG) has ordered three companies to immediately stop selling skin lightening products contaminated with high concentrations of mercury, a potent neurotoxin.  Among those banned were contraband facial creams flagged by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Philippines in 2017, 2021 and 2024.

In a press release issued last October 8, the OAG said that three New York companies have sold dozens of cosmetics with mercury content up to 30,000 times the legal limit of less than one part per million (ppm). 

“Mercury is poison, not a beauty treatment, and no company has any business selling it to consumers.  Products with mercury this high are dangerous and illegal,” said New York State AG Letitia James. “We will not let companies profit by endangering New Yorkers’ health.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the “adverse health effects of the inorganic mercury contained in skin lightening creams and soaps include kidney damage, skin rashes, skin discoloration and scarring, reduction in the skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, anxiety, depression, psychosis and peripheral neuropathy.”

The OAG’s action is in line with New York's Mercury Out of Cosmetics law prohibiting the sale of any cosmetic or personal care product containing mercury other than in trace amounts, which took effect in June 2023.

“We commend the OAG of New York State and its partners in the government and the civil society for this inspiring collaboration to promote and ensure the safety of the public, especially people of color and their children, against the damaging effects of mercury in skin lightening products to human health and the ecosystems,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition. 

The OAG is working with the Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, and the Zero Mercury Working Group to protect vulnerable communities from mercury in skin lighteners and other products.

Among the 21 products found contaminated with mercury by OAG investigators were Faiza Beauty Cream, Golden Pearl Beauty Cream, Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene, Parley Goldie Advanced Beauty Cream, and Sandal Beauty Cream.

These products are also among the hundreds of skin lightening products that have been flagged by the FDA for being sold without valid certificates of product notification and/or for containing mercury above the one ppm limit under the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive.

The EcoWaste Coalition reported to the FDA the detection of high levels of mercury in Faiza Beauty Cream, Golden Pearl Beauty Cream, Parley Goldie Advanced Beauty Cream, and Sandal Beauty Cream -- all labeled "made in Pakistan" -- leading to the subsequent issuance of public health advisories in 2021 and 2024.

The FDA banned mercury-containing Goree Beauty Cream with Lycopene, also from Pakistan, much earlier in 2017.

However, the illegal importation, distribution and sale of the FDA-flagged products, Goree in particular, has not ceased, the EcoWaste Coalition lamented.

To address this persistent threat to human health and the environment, the EcoWaste Coalition repeated its call for strengthened action at all levels to effectively enforce the ban on mercury use in cosmetics under the Minamata Convention.

Consumers Demand “Immediate Relief” from Skyrocketing Power Rates as Congress Revisits EPIRA Law

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Metro Manila — Mounting frustration over persistently high electricity bills has reached Congress as consumer welfare group Kuryente.org passionately called on lawmakers to provide “immediate relief” to the public amid ongoing discussions to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) — a law that has long shaped the country’s energy landscape.

During a House Committee on Energy hearing, Bas Umali, National Coordinator of Kuryente.org, delivered a sobering message: ordinary Filipinos continue to bear the brunt of escalating power costs without ever feeling the benefits promised when EPIRA was first enacted in 2001.

“Sana mayroon ding road map ang Energy Regulatory Commission para pababain ‘yung presyo ng kuryente,” Umali urged lawmakers. “Ang kailangan namin ay immediate relief kasi sa mahabang panahon na naisabatas ‘yung EPIRA na ina-amend natin ngayon, hindi nakaranas ang consumers ng mababang presyo.”

(We hope the Energy Regulatory Commission will also have a roadmap to lower electricity rates. What we need is immediate relief because since EPIRA was enacted, consumers have never experienced affordable electricity.)

Two Decades Later, Still Waiting for Affordable Power

When EPIRA was passed more than two decades ago, it was envisioned to encourage competition, privatize the power sector, and ultimately lower electricity rates. However, consumers argue that the opposite happened — electricity in the Philippines remains among the most expensive in Asia, burdening households and small businesses alike.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), tasked with ensuring fair power pricing, has repeatedly faced criticism for failing to rein in the rising cost of electricity — a problem worsened by global fuel fluctuations, foreign exchange volatility, and the continued dependence on imported energy sources.

Just this week, Meralco, the country’s largest power distributor, confirmed another expected generation charge hike, citing the weakening peso and higher procurement costs. This marks at least the fifth increase in power rates this year, further straining Filipino families already grappling with inflation and stagnant wages.

Consumers Want a Seat at the Table

Beyond demanding cheaper electricity, Kuryente.org is also calling for greater consumer participation in shaping energy policy — a move they believe would bring transparency, fairness, and accountability to a system often dominated by large corporations and private interest groups.

“Isa sa pangunahing adbokasiya namin ay ang pagkakaroon ng participation ng mga consumers sa iba’t ibang processes sa energy sector, katulad ng pagpaplano ng legislation,” said Umali.

(One of our main advocacies is ensuring consumer participation in the various processes of the energy sector, including legislative planning.)

This appeal reflects a broader public sentiment — that the people most affected by power policies are too often excluded from decisions that directly impact their livelihoods.

Proposed Measures for Relief

Kuryente.org has consistently proposed tangible reforms to lessen the burden of high power costs, including:

Removal or reduction of the Expanded Value-Added Tax (EVAT) on electricity;

Review of the Feed-in Tariff Allowance (Fit-All) and other universal charges;

Transparent auditing of generation and transmission costs; and

Promotion of renewable and locally-sourced energy to reduce dependence on imported fuel.

These proposals, according to the group, are not mere short-term remedies but part of a broader vision to make energy a basic right, not a luxury.

A Defining Moment for Energy Reform

As Congress deliberates the amendments to EPIRA, all eyes are now on lawmakers and regulators to deliver meaningful change — not just promises. For millions of Filipino consumers, “immediate relief” means more than policy adjustments; it means being able to turn on the lights without fear of another budget-breaking bill.

The challenge before the government is clear: to finally fulfill the decades-old promise of affordable, reliable, and inclusive energy for all. Anything less, critics say, would be another betrayal of the Filipino people’s trust in reform.

At Geeks on a Beach, a startup makes the case for reviving the Philippine textile-garments industry — one partnership at a time

Wazzup Pilipinas?! 

Cebu, Philippines - At Geeks on a Beach 2025, Cecilia Martinez-Miranda, co-founder of Isla-Tek, joined Maria Elena “Nannette” Arbon, as well as Nicky Rice and Sylbil Marie Fortuna of Unisol in a panel discussion titled “From Dependence to Self-Reliance: Reviving the Philippine Textile-Garment Industry Through Technology and Tradition.” Together, they examined how technology, design, and collaboration could help restore a once-thriving sector that previously positioned the Philippines among the world’s leading garment producers.

A window of opportunity 

“Fifteen years ago, during my visit to weaving communities in Baguio, I discovered that many were using imported Chinese threads because the local supply chain had disappeared,” Miranda said. “That made me wonder — why did we stop producing our own textiles?” 

In the 1970s to  1980s, the Philippines was one of the world’s leading exporters of textiles and garments. However, the rise of cheap imported synthetic materials, rising local power costs and a lack of reinvestment in technology led to a significant decline in the industry. “The last commercial spinning mill closed down in 2024. We have the raw materials, but lack the infrastructure to process them,” Miranda noted.

Republic Act No. 9242, also known as the Tropical Fabrics Act of 2004, mandates that government uniforms must be made from fabrics containing at least 5% indigenous fibers. However, Moderator Nannette Arbon, a former regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), emphasized the challenges of implementing such policies, even when they are well-intentioned. 

“This policy has been in place for twenty years but has never gained traction due to a lack of local supply,” said Arbon.

Miranda added that the revised implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of RA 9242, released in 2023, present a unique “window of opportunity” for progress. 

Weaving collaboration across the chain

Founded just a year ago, Isla-Tek is focused on developing specialty fabrics made from Philippine tropical fibers, such as pineapple and abaca. Instead of pursuing a vertical approach, the startup emphasizes collaboration by linking each stage of the supply chain. 

“We’re not trying to do everything ourselves,” Miranda explained. “We work with partners across the supply chain, from farmers, fiber processors, mills, to designers, so that value is created at every step.”

Among Isla-Tek's partners are Asia Textile Mills, a 40-year-old mill specializing in uniform fabrics which began R&D into tropical fabric in the early 2000s, and Unisol, a technology-enabled company that serves the government uniform market. “There’s a lot of innovation happening on the supply chain side,” Miranda noted. “We’re collaborating with people who have decades of experience—knowledge and skills that we can't afford to lose.”

Sylbil Marie Fortuna, Head of Customer Success at Unisol, emphasized the vital role that technology plays in connecting supply and demand. “Unisol is the go-to provider for government uniforms, offering efficient booking and delivery,” she explained. 

“Through our website, unisol.ph, clients can select fabrics and colors, upload their logos, set delivery dates, and process payments that create a hotel-like booking experience for uniform design,” said Fortuna.

Nicky Rice, Chief of Product and Design at Unisol, highlighted the importance of using local materials that resonate with consumers. She stated, “My goal as a designer is to transform fabric into something marketable, both functional and stylish, while also considering sustainability.”

A shared effort to rebuild

Challenges remain in scaling production, but the conversation at GOAB highlighted that collaboration among agriculture, manufacturing, and design could spark a new wave of domestic textile-garments innovation. 

“Competing with countries like China or India in cotton production is difficult, but few nations can produce pineapple or abaca as we do. That’s our competitive advantage,” Miranda noted.

Startups like Isla-Tek and Unisol are partnering with legacy mills, designers, and government entities, as the industry gradually reestablishes the connections between agriculture, manufacturing, and national identity. 

Although rebuilding the textile and garment sector may take time, each collaboration and partnership moves the country closer to realizing that vision. That is why the Philippine government, as the country’s biggest procuring entity, must be the first mover in supporting the local textile ecosystem by fully implementing Republic Act No. 9242.

About Geeks on a Beach

Geeks on a Beach is the Philippines’ pioneering beachside international tech and startup conference, launched in 2013. Known for its unique blend of serious conversations in a fun, laid-back environment, GOAB has connected thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, developers, creatives, and policymakers. Over the years, GOAB has helped catalyze deals, investments, and partnerships that continue to shape the Philippine and Southeast Asian startup landscape.

This year’s GOAB was held on October 1-3, 2025, at JPark Island Resort Hotel in Mactan, Cebu. It is organized by the non-profit group geeksPH with the support of its foundational government partner, the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT).

The Communication Crisis That Could Cost Us the Planet

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

A groundbreaking report reveals why we're losing the fight for planetary health—and it's not because we don't know enough

Rotterdam, October 9, 2025 — The science is settled. The evidence is overwhelming. Climate change, biodiversity collapse, and environmental degradation are accelerating toward catastrophic tipping points that threaten human survival itself. So why aren't we acting with the urgency this crisis demands?

The answer, according to a explosive new report launched at the Planetary Health Annual Meeting in Rotterdam, is startling in its simplicity: We have a communication problem, not a knowledge problem.

"We know the science," declares Prof. Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, Executive Director of the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health. "What we lack is a shared story that resonates across communities, cultures, and decision-makers."

The Deadly Gap Between Evidence and Action

The report, Voices for Planetary Health: Leveraging AI, Media and Stakeholder Strengths for Effective Narratives to Advance Planetary Health, delivers a sobering diagnosis: while scientists have meticulously documented the interconnected crises threatening our planet, their message has become fragmented, inaccessible, and drowned out by the deafening roar of misinformation.

The result? Public discourse lags far behind scientific consensus. Trust in expertise erodes. Political will evaporates. And misinformation spreads faster than truth—a dangerous pathogen in the information ecosystem that undermines the collective action we desperately need.

This isn't just academic hand-wringing. The stakes couldn't be higher. As Dr. Rachel Marcus of the Planetary Health Alliance puts it bluntly: "The ecological crisis is a global health and human survival crisis. To safeguard a liveable future, we must come together across borders and silos."

A Crisis Told in a Thousand Fragments

One of the report's most damning findings is how fragmentation is killing our chances of survival. Climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, pollution—these aren't separate crises happening in parallel. They're interconnected facets of a single catastrophic breakdown in the relationship between human civilization and the planetary systems that sustain us.

Yet we continue to discuss them in silos. Environmental organizations talk about nature. Public health officials focus on disease. Agricultural experts worry about food security. Each group speaks its own language, uses its own data, appeals to its own audience.

"Current efforts are siloed by sector and discipline, limiting reach and effectiveness," the report warns. This fragmentation obscures a fundamental truth: protecting ecosystems is inseparable from protecting human health. They are the same thing.

From Abstract Data to Human Stories

Perhaps the most powerful insight in the report is its emphasis on lived experience. Abstract statistics about parts per million of atmospheric carbon or projected temperature increases by 2100 fail to move people. They're too distant, too technical, too divorced from everyday reality.

But stories of climate-related illness? A farmer watching crops fail for the third year running? Families forced to migrate from lands their ancestors inhabited for generations? Children losing cultural identities as traditional ways of life become impossible? These narratives make the crisis real and immediate.

"The challenge for planetary health communication is not a lack of evidence but the distance between that evidence and people's lived realities," explains Tina Purnat of the World Health Organization and European Public Health Association.

The report calls for planetary health advocates to bridge this gap—to connect the dots between global frameworks and local realities, helping communities see themselves within planetary health narratives rather than as distant observers of someone else's problem.

Youth Voices: The Untapped Power

Young people emerge in the report as both critical audience and powerful communicators. They're digital natives who understand instinctively how to craft compelling narratives for social media. They're the generation that will inherit the consequences of today's inaction. And they're increasingly angry, mobilized, and ready to demand change.

"Partnerships and co-design are imperative," insists Dr. Omnia El Omrani of Imperial College London and the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations. "Planetary health advocates must understand the experiences, knowledge and needs of young health professionals."

Supporting and amplifying youth voices, especially through digital platforms, isn't just good strategy—it's essential for transforming planetary health from an abstract concept into a movement that can mobilize the massive collective action needed for survival.

The AI Double-Edged Sword

Artificial intelligence looms over the entire landscape of planetary health communication like a storm cloud that could bring either devastating floods or life-giving rain. The report doesn't shy away from AI's darker potential: amplifying misinformation, deepening inequality, and giving powerful actors new tools to manipulate public opinion.

But it also recognizes AI's transformative potential. When used responsibly and ethically, AI can enhance accessibility, break through language barriers with real-time translation, and enable creative storytelling at scales previously impossible. The key word is "ethically"—AI must be deployed in ways that promote inclusion, build trust, and advance equity rather than undermining these values.

Two Strategies, One Movement

The report proposes a sophisticated two-pronged communication approach that recognizes different kinds of communication serve different essential functions.

Strategic communication aims to shape policy, influence decision-makers, and create enabling environments for systemic change. It's targeted, evidence-based, and designed to move the levers of power.

Democratic communication fosters open, community-level dialogue. It builds legitimacy from the ground up, ensures accountability, and creates the broad-based participation necessary for lasting change.

Far from being competing approaches, these strategies are mutually reinforcing. Top-down policy changes without grassroots support are fragile and easily reversed. Bottom-up movements without strategic policy engagement struggle to achieve structural transformation. Both are essential.

Six Principles for Survival

Underpinning all effective communication, the report identifies six guiding principles:

Equity and power-sharing — Marginalised communities most affected by planetary breakdown must actively shape the narrative, not be sidelined by elite voices

Narrative coherence — Telling planetary health as a single, integrated story rather than fragmented crises

Integration across groups and geographies — Connecting diverse stakeholders and bridging local-global divides

Sensitivity to risks — Acknowledging uncertainties and potential harms while maintaining urgency

Grounding in cultural and social context — Respecting different worldviews and values rather than imposing one-size-fits-all messaging

Awareness of ideological comfort zones — Challenging assumptions and reaching beyond echo chambers

"Applying these principles can transform planetary health from an abstract concept into a lived, actionable movement," the report argues.

From Knowledge to Action: The Path Forward

The report doesn't just diagnose the problem—it prescribes solutions. Accompanying the main analysis are nine detailed playbooks tailored for engaging specific stakeholder groups, from policymakers to business leaders to media professionals. There's also a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework to help organizations assess the effectiveness of their communication efforts.

"What's missing in the current information landscape is a clear translation of planetary health risks into sector-specific business risks and value pathways," notes Prof. Pervaiz K. Ahmed of Sunway University's Institute for Global Strategy and Competitiveness. The playbooks aim to fill precisely this gap—providing clear, actionable guidance for different audiences.

Johan Rockström of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research issues a rallying cry to his fellow scientists: "We in the science community have a responsibility to communicate science. Now is the time for science to step up."

But this isn't just a challenge for scientists. As Dr. Maria Chansky of PlushCare reminds us: "Persistence is key. The goal of planetary health is for the long haul. Communications need to be repeated over and over for real impact."

A Catalyst for Change

Jayalakshmi Shreedhar of Internews, which implemented the research, frames the stakes with crystalline clarity: "Communication is not just a tool; it is a catalyst for change. By speaking with courage, coherence, and compassion, and equipping all actors to tell inclusive stories, we can turn knowledge into action and ensure no voice is left behind."

This is the fundamental promise—and challenge—of the report. We already possess the knowledge needed to understand the crisis. We have the technological tools to communicate effectively. What we need now is the will to unify our message, coordinate our diverse voices, and speak with sufficient clarity and urgency to cut through the noise.

The planetary health community must align, the report insists. Effective, consistent, inclusive communication can mobilize the collective action needed to safeguard a liveable future for all.

The Clock Is Ticking

As the delegates at PHAM 2025 in Rotterdam absorb the implications of this landmark report, one truth stands out with brutal clarity: we don't have the luxury of more time. The communication gap isn't an academic problem to be studied leisurely. It's an urgent crisis that's costing lives right now and threatening the survival of future generations.

The science tells us what we need to know. The report tells us how to communicate it. What happens next depends on whether we can finally bridge the deadly gap between evidence and action—before it's too late.

The full report "Voices for Planetary Health: Leveraging AI, Media and Stakeholder Strengths for Effective Narratives to Advance Planetary Health" along with the companion playbooks and monitoring framework is now available for download.

This research was conceptually developed by the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health (SCPH) at Sunway University, implemented by Internews, and funded by InTent.