SINGAPORE, 14 November 2025 – The Philippines continues to steer its digital economy toward greater trust and inclusion under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of a Bagong Pilipinas, built on innovation, integrity, and inclusion

On 13 November 2025, on the second day of the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) 2025, Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda delivered a keynote address at the Philippine Pavilion, emphasizing the Philippine government’s commitment to advancing digital identity, open finance, cybersecurity, and AI governance. He highlighted the ambition for an AI future – every transaction reliable, every connection secure, and every opportunity within reach. The Philippines aims to be the hub of AI in digital and new age finance, where trust meets innovation and where startups, banks, and regulators shape the future.

Next year, as the Philippines proudly chairs the ASEAN Summit in 2026, the country will claim AI for ASEAN, seeing it not as a threat but as a shared opportunity to build a smarter, more inclusive region. Secretary Aguda reiterated the Philippines’ readiness to lead that conversation, inviting global partners to build, invest, and innovate together.

He underscored the spirit of “Digital Bayanihan”, which involves collaborating across borders and sectors to create a future where technology benefits everyone. The Philippines is prepared, connected, capable, and confident as it takes on its role as ASEAN chair, inviting all to participate in shaping the region’s digital and AI future. 

Secretary Aguda also used the Pavilion to share two books showcasing the ingenuity and innovative spirit of the Filipinos. The first book authored by the Secretary himself, which he said is inspired by the SFF, is titled “Opening the Archipelago: The Story of Blockchain in the Philippines.” It chronicled how blockchain technology has been woven into the Philippine ecosystem, and positioned the country as a regionally significant early adopter of blockchain-enabled innovation. 

The second book is the Philippine Embassy in Singapore’s own project, titled “Making a Mark on the Little Red Dot: Trailblazing Filipino Entrepreneurs in Singapore.” This compilation highlights the remarkable journeys of Filipinos who have distinguished themselves across various fields in Singapore, including a number who are driving innovation through technology and social-enterprise start-ups. 

The digital versions of both books may be viewed by clicking the following links:

Opening the Archipelago: The Story of Blockchain in the Philippines

Making a Mark on the Little Red Dot: Trailblazing Filipino Entrepreneurs in Singapore

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