WORLDSKILLS Asean Manila 2025 began on Tuesday at the World Trade Center Metro Manila and the Philippine Trade Training Center after the opening ceremony which was attended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday night.

WorldSkills Asean Manila begins

Some 1,000 competitors from across the region are competing in 32 skill areas spread out in the two venues.

The biennial competition serves as a platform for Southeast Asian youths to benchmark their skills against international standards, exchange knowledge, and foster regional cooperation.

In his speech, Marcos stressed the value of skill and knowledge in a globalized society.

“In a heavily interconnected and changing world, true success depends on the skills, the knowledge, and the creativity of our people,” Marcos said.

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez, who heads the national organizing committee, lauded the administration’s thrust for education, as well as the competition’s significance as a showcase of technical and vocational excellence.

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“Our diversity is not a challenge to overcome, but a strength we celebrate. It is through our people’s skills, honed, nurtured, and unleashed, that we lift not only ourselves but our nations, and Asean. This is Asean, a region built by skilled hands,” Benitez said.

The competition will end on Aug. 28.

Visitors at the World Trade Center can look forward to skills exhibitions that would showcase the latest tools, technologies and innovations in technical-vocational fields, offering an interactive space for students, educators, and industry leaders to experience emerging trends firsthand.

Delegates will also take part in an excursion program that would highlight the country’s cultural landmarks, historical sites, and innovation hubs, allowing them to immerse themselves in the Philippines’ rich heritage and dynamic growth sectors.

A One School, One Country program will also pair a participating Asean country with a local school where students will have the opportunity to share Filipino traditions while learning about the diverse cultures of their Asean neighbors.