Why Casino Culture Has Gripped the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Once known primarily for its pristine beaches, vibrant street food, and hospitable people, the Philippines is now making global headlines for another reason: its booming casino industry. 

Manila, the nation’s bustling capital, is rapidly being recognized as the new entertainment capital of the world—a title once reserved for the likes of Las Vegas or Macau. As it grows its casino industry, the Philippines hopes to soon overtake Singapore as the second-largest casino destination in Asia after Macau. With world-class integrated resorts, a rising online gaming ecosystem, and a surge in international visitors, casino culture has embedded itself firmly in the fabric of modern Philippine society.

The Rise of Entertainment City

At the heart of this transformation is Entertainment City, a 100-hectare reclaimed land area along Manila Bay, masterplanned by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). Modeled after the Las Vegas Strip, this gaming and entertainment district houses a collection of luxurious casino-resorts, each aiming to outdo the other in terms of scale, service, and spectacle.

It started with Resorts World Manila, and the momentum quickly picked up with openings like Okada Manila, City of Dreams, and Solaire Resort and Casino. These integrated resorts offer more than just gaming; they combine five-star hotels, Michelin-star dining, lavish spas, luxury shopping, and high-end performance venues. Together, they have turned Manila into a playground not just for high rollers, but for families, couples, and tourists looking for upscale entertainment options in Southeast Asia.

Entertainment City has helped shift the Philippines’ image abroad—from a budget-friendly backpacker destination to a hotspot for glamorous leisure and luxury gaming.

Solaire’s Expansion: Solaire North and Online

Among the flagship names in this revolution, Solaire stands out as a market leader. Its original property in Entertainment City has long been considered a jewel in the PAGCOR crown. However, its ambitions didn’t stop there.

Credit: Wikipedia. No changes made to the image CC BY-SA 4.0

Solaire North, located in Quezon City’s Vertis North complex, opened with fanfare and marked a significant moment in the expansion of casino culture beyond the Bay Area. This second integrated casino resort by Bloomberry Resorts Corporation brought high-end gaming and luxury amenities to the heart of Metro Manila’s northern corridor, making casinos more accessible to a new wave of patrons.

But Solaire’s most culturally impactful innovation might be its leap into the digital world through Solaire Online. This move capitalizes on the growing appetite for top online casino games such as baccarat, roulette, and slot machines, especially popular among younger, tech-savvy Filipinos. Solaire Online combines the glamour of its land-based operations with the convenience of at-home gaming, appealing to a new demographic while reinforcing the country's growing gambling culture.

Boosting the Tourism Industry

The explosion of casino culture in the Philippines has also been a boon to its tourism sector. As other Southeast Asian destinations grapple with over-tourism or geopolitical challenges, the Philippines has found a unique selling point: upscale leisure tourism anchored by high-quality gaming experiences. Travel and tourism now represents more than one-fifth (21.3%) of the country’s economy, underscoring the sector’s critical role in supporting the nation and its local communities.

Luxury casinos have attracted visitors from China, South Korea, Japan, and beyond. Many come for the chance to combine gaming with access to the country’s top-tier resorts, natural attractions, and rich cultural heritage. This fusion of gambling and tourism has led to a significant increase in foreign arrivals and a diversification of tourism revenue.

In fact, integrated resorts have become a key pillar in the government’s national tourism strategy. PAGCOR revenues have helped fund everything from infrastructure projects to health and education programs. Local businesses—from high-end restaurants to ride-hailing services—have also benefited from the influx of domestic and foreign casino-goers.

Casino culture in the Philippines is no longer just a niche interest—it’s a national phenomenon reshaping the country's entertainment, economic, and tourism landscapes. From the glitz of Entertainment City to the innovations of Solaire Online and Solaire North, the industry has redefined Manila as a global destination.

With continued investment, government support, and the public’s growing interest in both in-person and online gambling, the Philippines is poised to not just rival but potentially surpass traditional casino hubs around the world. Whether you're a gamer, a tourist, or a curious observer, one thing is clear: the house isn’t just winning in the Philippines—it’s thriving.

For more on Philippine tourism and news, do visit the rest of our site. 

Cover Image Credit: Wikipedia. No changes made to the image CC BY-SA 4.0

From Silence to Strength: How DepEd’s 'Bawat Bata Makababasa' is Rekindling Hope, One Word at a Time

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

A quiet revolution is unfolding in classrooms across Region IX. In dusty schoolyards and makeshift learning spaces of far-flung communities, children are beginning to find their voice—not in shouts or songs, but in syllables, sentences, and stories.

This is the impact of the Bawat Bata Makababasa Program (BBMP)—a Department of Education (DepEd) initiative that’s turning the tide in the battle against illiteracy. In just 20 days, with simple daily reading sessions, the BBMP is transforming non-readers into confident learners, and classrooms once cloaked in silence into hubs of hope.

A Nation’s Call to Action

The BBMP is more than just a reading program—it’s a resounding response to a national crisis. Following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s urgent call to address declining learning outcomes, DepEd launched this bold initiative as part of its academic recovery strategy.

“It is imperative that we acknowledge this massive challenge, determine the necessary steps, and prioritize the implementation of learning interventions,” the President declared during the signing of the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program Act.

The BBMP answers that call—with urgency, with empathy, and with results.

From the Margins to the Mainstream

At the heart of the program are learners like Brittany, a Grade 3 student at Campo Uno Indigenous People Elementary School, nestled in the hills of Zamboanga del Norte. Hailing from the Western Subanon Tribe, Brittany was once unable to read. Today, she beams with pride.

“Ngayon, palagi na akong naka-smile. Palagi na akong naglalaro. Kasi marunong na ako magbasa,” she shared, her face lighting up with joy.

For tribal leader Edgard Pandalan, the program does more than teach ABCs—it bridges cultural gaps and opens the doors to opportunity.

“Reading programs like this help our children from our tribe better understand our culture,” he said in Subanon. “It also provides us with equal chances in life, especially for those of us in remote areas.”

A Voice Reclaimed

For 8-year-old Shammira, the transformation was deeply personal. A few weeks ago, she could not read. Her silence in class was not from disobedience but from shame.

“Natatakot ako dati. Hindi pa ako marunong magbasa,” she recalled, her voice trembling.

Today, she can read English and short sentences—a milestone she never thought she would reach.

“Dahil po sa program, kaya ko na pong magbasa ng English at short sentences,” she said with newfound confidence.

Her teacher-turned-tutor, Dulce Canones, recounted how even school signages—once a blur to Sham—now spark delight. “Masaya siya kasi nababasa na niya ‘yung mga nadadaanan niya.”

A Grandmother’s Dream

In every learner’s success story is a guardian’s silent prayer. For Inday, a 52-year-old utility worker raising her grandchildren, the BBMP is a promise she can now keep.

“I didn’t finish school, but I want them to,” she said in Bisaya. “Now that they’re learning to read, I feel more hopeful about their future.”

Every day, despite her long hours and meager income, Inday ensures her grandchildren attend the sessions. For her, the BBMP is more than a program—it’s a second chance at a dream she never got to chase.

The Power of the People

What sets the BBMP apart is its community-driven model. Across the Zamboanga Peninsula, nearly 7,000 volunteers—teachers, parents, and even local leaders—are stepping up as reading tutors.

Armed with phonics-based workbooks and DepEd-crafted lesson guides, even non-teachers are able to lead children through their first reading milestones.

“This program works because the entire community is involved,” said Education Secretary Sonny Angara. “When children are supported not just by their teachers, but by families and neighbors, learning becomes a shared responsibility—and a shared triumph.”

A Glimmer of a Bigger Tomorrow

While the BBMP is still in its early stages, DepEd sees it as a crucial part of a larger learning recovery roadmap. Programs like the Literacy Remediation Program, Summer Academic Remedial Program, and 2025 Learning Camp complement BBMP’s objectives, forming a holistic approach to academic revival.

“The BBMP is not a standalone fix,” Angara stressed. “It thrives when reinforced by a system that believes every child deserves to learn—not someday, but now.”

As data continues to be gathered and stories of progress multiply, DepEd is exploring a nationwide rollout, refining materials and strategies for greater impact.

A Nation That Reads Together, Rises Together

The early success of the Bawat Bata Makababasa Program in the Zamboanga Peninsula proves a powerful point: when a community commits to literacy, transformation follows.

From the gentle whisper of a child sounding out her first syllable to the bold declaration of a grandmother daring to dream again—these are the echoes of a nation that is beginning to believe that every child, indeed, can read.

As Secretary Angara aptly puts it, “We owe it to every Filipino child to ensure they’re not just in school—but truly learning.”

The Pili Powerhouse: Filipino Inventor Mark Kennedy Bantugon Eyes Global Recognition in Europe

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In an era defined by sustainability and innovation, one name is quickly becoming a beacon of Filipino ingenuity on the global stage: Engr. Mark Kennedy Bantugon. Armed with little more than a visionary mind, an unshakable belief in local potential, and the humble pili tree, Bantugon is now poised to make history as a finalist in the European Patent Office’s (EPO) prestigious “Young Inventors Prize 2025.”

Representing not just the Philippines but the aspirations of a new generation of inventors, Bantugon’s eco-friendly creation, Pili Adheseal, is changing the way the world views adhesives—proving that sustainability and innovation can indeed grow from the roots of homegrown trees.

From Batangas to the World Stage

Engr. Bantugon, a Batangueño and DOST-TAPI-supported inventor, isn’t new to global acclaim. His groundbreaking work with Pili Adheseal—a sustainable adhesive made from byproducts of the pili tree—previously earned him the 2021 James Dyson Award and the rare distinction of being the first Filipino recipient of the WIPO National Award for Inventor in Geneva, Switzerland. Now, with the EPO’s Young Inventors Prize in sight, he stands among ten of the world's most promising young innovators, each competing for a prestigious recognition that could change their lives—and industries—forever.

The Power of Pili

Pili Adheseal isn’t just another product. It’s a statement. A defiant response to an industry plagued by synthetic, petroleum-based adhesives. Developed through years of research and inspired by the Philippines’ rich biodiversity, Bantugon’s invention meets both commercial and ecological demands. Its applications extend from aviation to construction, offering strength without compromise to sustainability.

This innovation has already caught the attention of global giants. CATL SG and LG, both key players in the secondary battery innovation space, are reportedly eyeing bulk orders of 120,000 units in 2025 and 100,000 more in 2026. American electric vehicle manufacturer Aptera Motors is also in talks for product licensing. Meanwhile, Metal Roof BV Canada has already committed to a 10,000-unit order for metal sheet applications. With a conservative valuation of $1.38 million, Pili Adheseal’s economic impact is just as impressive as its environmental promise.

A Journey Fueled by Passion—and DOST-TAPI

Behind every great inventor is a support system that believes in the impossible. For Bantugon, that support came from DOST-TAPI (Technology Application and Promotion Institute). Through programs such as the National Invention Contest and Exhibits, and the SPICE (Science and Technology Promotion for International Contest and Exhibits), Bantugon turned ideas into international achievements.

He clinched bronze at the 49th International Exhibition of Invention Geneva and gold at the 2024 Seoul International Invention Fair (SIIF). His standout appearance at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 in Las Vegas amplified his story, showcasing Pili Adheseal to global investors and innovators alike.

The EPO Young Inventors Prize: A Global Stage, A Filipino Dream

The EPO’s Young Inventors Prize celebrates innovators under 30 whose ideas support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2025, the event will recognize ten world-changers during a prestigious awards ceremony in Reykjavik, Iceland, with three special honors presented by symbolic figures: World Builders, Community Healers, and Nature Guardians.

But there’s one prize where the world holds the pen—the People’s Choice Award. An online vote will determine who receives this honor, and for Bantugon, it's a chance to bring global pride and recognition back to the Philippines.

How You Can Help: Vote for a Better Tomorrow

Filipinos around the world, sustainability advocates, and innovation champions—this is your moment to act. A vote for Engr. Mark Kennedy Bantugon is a vote for sustainable innovation, national pride, and a brighter future.

Vote here: https://www.epo.org/en/news-events/young-inventors-prize?size=n_15_n

Follow EPO on Facebook for updates: https://www.facebook.com/europeanpatentoffice

A Symbol of Hope and Ingenuity

As the Philippines continues to carve out its identity on the global innovation map, the story of Mark Kennedy Bantugon offers hope. Hope that Filipino ingenuity, when supported and celebrated, can create solutions for the world’s toughest challenges. And hope that a pili tree—often overlooked—can anchor a revolution in sustainable technology.

This is not just a competition. It’s a movement.

Let’s help our very own Engr. Mark Kennedy Bantugon rise to the top. Let’s bring the People's Choice Award home. Let’s show the world what Filipino innovation looks like.

For press inquiries, contact Mirielle Vacal at +63 956 711 3145 or Heherson Valdez at +63 906 447 7735. Email: ccu@tapi.dost.gov.ph