Powering the Philippines’ Energy Future: The Dramatic Rise of Clean Power at Solar & Storage Live Philippines 2025

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a time when the planet cries out for sustainable solutions and nations scramble to meet energy demands without compromising the future, the Philippines is boldly stepping into the light — quite literally — through solar energy. At the epicenter of this green revolution is Solar & Storage Live Philippines 2025, the country’s largest and most influential clean energy event, returning to electrify Manila this May 19–20 at the SMX Convention Center.

This isn’t just another industry conference — it’s a dynamic convergence of visionaries and vanguards. A marketplace of ideas and innovation, it offers a front-row seat to the future of energy, attracting policymakers, developers, technology providers, installers, distributors, and trailblazers in renewable energy. With the Philippines experiencing one of the fastest-growing clean energy markets in the world, the stage is set for a game-changing transformation.

A Future Forged in the Sun

Solar & Storage Live Philippines showcases the latest breakthroughs in solar and battery storage, covering every facet of the energy ecosystem — from towering utility-scale projects and commercial rooftop arrays to grassroots-level community and residential installations. It's where the largest energy players and nimble innovators gather, not just to demonstrate technologies, but to forge alliances that will shape the nation’s energy roadmap.

And the timing couldn’t be more crucial. With increasing energy demand, volatile fossil fuel prices, and climate change knocking on our doorstep, the shift to solar and storage is no longer a choice — it's a necessity.

More Than an Event: A Movement in Motion

What makes this event truly magnetic is its in-person networking experience, the kind that sparks ideas, ignites collaborations, and transforms handshakes into game-changing ventures. Whether you're a startup exploring rural electrification or a government agency strategizing grid integration, this is the hub where connections are made and futures are formed.

From the bustling exhibition floor to the high-powered conference rooms, every square meter at SMX will pulse with possibility and purpose.

The Conference: Where the Future is Spoken

A power-packed agenda featuring over 150 expert speakers awaits attendees ready to challenge norms and embrace disruptive technologies. Expect to hear deep insights and bold forecasts across topics such as:

Large-Scale Solar – Tackling the big issues of grid integration, financing, and policy.

Commercial & Industrial Rooftop Solar – Paving the way for cost-efficient, green operations.

Residential Rooftop Solar – Reinventing how solar is marketed, quoted, and installed at home.

Energy Storage & Batteries – Solving intermittency and converting renewables into baseload.

EVs & Infrastructure – Unveiling the road to decarbonized transportation.

Rural Electrification – Lighting up the nation’s most isolated communities.

The Exhibition: A Clean Energy Showcase Like No Other

With 400+ exhibitors showcasing the most cutting-edge products and services, the event promises an immersive experience like no other. It’s not just about passive observation — it’s about hands-on demos, real-time solutions, and engaging directly with the minds behind the technology. Whether you’re looking for the next breakthrough solar panel or the perfect inverter for your project, you’ll find it here.

And best of all — admission is free. That’s right. A front-row seat to the clean energy future at no cost, because knowledge and progress should be accessible to all.

The Solar Installer University: Knowledge to Power the Workforce

For those on the front lines of installation, the Solar Installer University delivers intensive, practical workshops to elevate skills, ensure safety, and guarantee top-tier service. As the demand for solar tech grows, so too must the quality and professionalism of the hands that deploy it.

Why This Event Matters More Than Ever

As the Wazzup Pilipinas founder, I’ve seen countless initiatives rise and fall — but Solar & Storage Live Philippines is more than a fleeting moment. It is a catalyst for national resilience, energy independence, and environmental justice. It’s where policy meets practicality, where vision meets execution, and where Filipinos can shape their own energy destiny.

We are no longer just energy consumers. We are now innovators, producers, and protectors of the planet.

So mark your calendars. Whether you're a clean tech evangelist, a curious business owner, a student, or a policymaker — your presence matters. Because the clean energy future doesn’t build itself.

It needs your light.

Event Details

What: Solar & Storage Live Philippines 2025

When: May 19–20, 2025

Where: SMX Convention Center, Manila

Admission: FREE

Let’s illuminate the future — together. 

Stop Taxing Survival: The Government Should Take Less Instead of Pretending to Give More!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Removing the 12% VAT on Electricity Could Empower More Filipinos Than Any AYUDA Ever Could

 

Imagine a nation where relief doesn't come with red tape.

Where help isn’t dangled like a carrot by politicians waiting for applause, likes, or loyalty.

Where dignity isn’t sacrificed just to claim a few hundred pesos in government aid.

It’s time to ask the uncomfortable but necessary question: What if we stopped pretending that AYUDA (government cash assistance) is the only way to help Filipinos—and started rethinking the system entirely?

Let’s break it down, no gimmicks, no politics—just pure numbers and logic.

The True Cost of Government “Help”

Every year, the government allocates ₱194 billion for AYUDA.

That amount is supposed to help 27 million Filipinos—the most vulnerable, the most in need.

But reality hits hard:

Not everyone receives it.

Distribution is often delayed, poorly managed, or worse—politicized.

Entire communities are left waiting, while others get more than their fair share.

Corruption, inefficiency, and favoritism plague the system.

That’s ₱194 billion spent with no guarantee of real, equitable impact.

Now Consider Your Monthly Power Bill

The Philippines consumes about 110 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually.

At an average of ₱10 per kWh, that translates to a national electricity bill of ₱1.1 trillion.

And then—here comes the punch in the gut:

A 12% VAT slapped on every watt we use.

That’s ₱120 billion collected in taxes—taken not just from the rich, but from every single Filipino who pays a power bill.

Yes, the same 27 million people that AYUDA supposedly targets.

So here’s the million-peso idea:

What if we REMOVE the 12% VAT on electricity instead of handing out selective, flawed AYUDA?

The Power of Letting People Keep Their Money

Removing VAT on electricity would instantly and automatically return ₱120 billion to the pockets of Filipino households.

No paperwork.

No waiting in line.

No political photo-ops or strings attached.

Everyone who pays for electricity—rich, poor, middle-class—gets a fair, equal share of relief.

And unlike AYUDA, which comes once or twice a year (if at all), this benefit is felt every single month, for every family, every business, every barangay.

The Bigger Picture: Economic Justice in Action

This isn’t just a numbers game—it’s a justice issue.

Here’s what removing the VAT on electricity really means:

Long-term affordability for every Filipino.

Boosted productivity for small businesses struggling with overhead costs.

More money circulating in local economies instead of going to government coffers.

Less corruption, because there’s no program to manipulate or mismanage—just straightforward tax reduction.

In fact, the ₱120 billion in VAT relief directly benefits the people who paid it—unlike the ₱194 billion in AYUDA, much of which gets lost in transit.

Let’s Call It What It Is: A Smarter Kind of Help

It’s time to stop acting like AYUDA is the only way to show compassion or provide support.

Real support doesn’t need to be performative.

Real support means making everyday life less expensive, not just handing out seasonal crumbs.

And real leadership means knowing when not to take, rather than pretending to give.

The Bottom Line

Do we continue with a broken system that demands people beg for a share of ₱194 billion?

Or do we choose fairness, dignity, and long-term impact by letting families save ₱120 billion on their electricity bills—no application required?

The answer is simple, bold, and revolutionary.

Stop taxing survival.

Remove the VAT on electricity.

Give power back—literally and figuratively—to the people.

Taxation hinders economic growth and individual prosperity, and that government spending is often ineffective or even harmful. The government should focus on reducing taxes to stimulate the economy and leave more disposable income in the hands of individuals.

Because sometimes, the best kind of ayuda is when the government simply gets out of the way.

Triumph of Integrity: CBN Asia Honored at Malacañang as the Philippines Exits FATF Grey List

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a momentous stride toward global financial credibility, the Philippines has officially been removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List—a milestone marked by a historic national recognition ceremony at Malacañang Palace. Among the 200 honorees, CBN Asia—the faith-driven media ministry behind The 700 Club Asia and Superbook—stood out, a beacon of integrity amid a sea of institutions honored for their role in this unprecedented national achievement.

Presided over by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the ceremony awarded 29 heads of government agencies with plaques of recognition, acknowledging their crucial roles in the nation’s reinvigorated financial vigilance. In the presence of state leaders, CBN Asia emerged as a compelling testament that even nonprofit and faith-based organizations can play a pivotal role in upholding transparency, trust, and good governance.

A Ministry on a Mission—Recognized at the Highest Level

Representing CBN Asia at the prestigious event was President and CEO Peter Kairuz, who accepted the plaque of recognition with humility and honor. Joining him were Malou Ibañez, Vice President for Administration, and Danilo Camerino, Senior Director for Finance, who both received individual certificates of recognition for their roles in ensuring the organization's financial integrity.

“As a non-profit organization, the award speaks about CBN Asia’s integrity—about our commitment to cooperate with our government in the best way we can,” said Kairuz. “We are here to be good citizens, be good stewards of what the Lord has entrusted to us.”

This declaration of stewardship was more than just ceremonial—it was deeply spiritual and symbolically powerful. In a climate where faith-based institutions are often sidelined in discussions about governance and reform, CBN Asia’s recognition from the nation’s highest office serves as a profound affirmation: that integrity transcends sectors and that morality can, and should, have a seat at the table of national development.

Beyond the Ceremony: What the Grey List Exit Means

The FATF Grey List is reserved for countries identified to have strategic deficiencies in their systems for countering money laundering and terrorist financing. Being delisted is not merely a feather in the nation’s cap—it is a transformative leap in the eyes of the international community.

Exiting the list brings far-reaching benefits:

Renewed trust from global investors

Increased economic opportunities for Filipino businesses

Lower remittance costs for OFWs, who remain the lifeblood of the Philippine economy

A stronger, more credible financial infrastructure

For a nonprofit like CBN Asia, the implications are deeply resonant. The recognition affirms that their financial practices meet the highest standards of accountability—strengthening donor confidence and reaffirming their commitment to responsible resource management.

“CBN Asia was honored, but we were there on behalf of our nation,” said Ibañez. “By the grace of God, we were part of this achievement. It was truly a great honor.”

Stewardship and Transformation: A Divine Partnership

CBN Asia’s honor is not just a reward; it is a responsibility. As the country enters a new chapter of financial credibility, organizations like CBN Asia become torchbearers of ethical governance. Their work in media evangelism is underpinned by an equally strong foundation in accountability—showing that faith and finance, when guided by principles, can move a nation forward.

Through its globally recognized television programs and humanitarian efforts, CBN Asia has long inspired spiritual transformation. Now, it adds another layer to its mission: to inspire financial transparency and public trust as instruments of national progress.

This recognition does not signal an end, but a new beginning—a call for continued vigilance, faithfulness, and unity between government, civil society, and organizations that champion both faith and facts.

A Collective Victory, A Shared Calling

As the plaques and certificates were handed out, one truth became clear: the Philippines’ removal from the FATF Grey List was not the work of a few, but the victory of many. CBN Asia’s presence at Malacañang stands as a symbol that change is possible when diverse sectors—government, finance, and faith—work hand in hand.

In a world too often shaken by corruption and doubt, this moment reaffirms a greater truth: that integrity, when grounded in faith and action, can indeed transform a nation.

And CBN Asia? They’ll continue doing just that—one broadcast, one community, and one act of stewardship at a time.