CATBALOGAN, Philippines — The Philippines emerged as one of the top-performing nations at WorldSkills ASEAN Manila 2025, securing an impressive 10 gold medals as the competition concluded triumphantly at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
The gold medals were earned in 10 skill areas, including 3 demonstration skill areas such as Industrial Control, Carpentry, and Plumbing and Heating. The last time the country won a gold medal was in Vietnam in 2004 in the Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning skill area.
In his speech during the closing ceremony, TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez congratulated the competitors for their performance and reminded them about the competition’s significance.
“This week, ASEAN’s best and brightest showed us something extraordinary. But what we witnessed was bigger than medals. We saw not just skill, but discipline. Not just competition, but collaboration. Not just dreams, but the courage to make them real,” said Secretary Kiko.
“What are our takeaways from this week? We bring home unity. We learn the lesson that excellence knows no borders. We gain confidence that ASEAN can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world. But above all, we take on a responsibility. A responsibility to keep investing in our youth, our workers, our communities,” added the TESDA chief.
The biennial event, hosted this year by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), brought together hundreds of young skilled professionals from 10 ASEAN member countries to compete in 32 skill areas, celebrating technical expertise and innovation across the region.
The Philippines’ strong performance in this year’s competition reflects the nation’s growing investment in technical vocational education and training (TVET) and its commitment to elevating skills standards to global levels.
Filipino competitors who brought home gold were Hannah Krystelle Caintic (Graphic Design Technology); Hayden Christian Gravador and Gian Benedict Cariño (Internet-of-Things); John Patrick Torres and Steven Retirado (CNC Maintenance); Agee Docayso (Cooking); Carlos Antonio Delos Reyes (Hotel Reception); James Cavin Sayago (Electrical Installations); Denmark Dadia (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning); James Bryan Estrada (Industrial Control); Honorato Amad II (Carpentry); and Alexis Joseph Anuta (Plumbing and Heating).
Aside from gold medals, the Philippines also brought home 7 silver and 8 bronze medals, along with 5 Medallions for Excellence. The Medallion for Excellence is awarded to competitors whose performance meets the rigorous international standards set by WorldSkills International.
Meanwhile, Malaysia emerged as the overall top performer among participating countries, securing 13 gold medals, along with 4 silvers, 3 bronzes, and 2 Medallions for Excellence. Indonesia followed closely with 9 golds, 1 silver, 8 bronzes, and 8 Medallions for Excellence.
The weeklong competition, which was held at the World Trade Center Metro Manila and the Philippine Trade Training Center, also featured industry-led exhibits, Try-a-Skill booths, and cultural performances, drawing thousands of students, educators, and industry partners to witness the transformative impact of skills development.
