ROSS FLORES DEL ROSARIO: FROM ENGINEER TO THE VOICE OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE – THE STORY BEHIND THE PHILIPPINES’ "PAMBANSANG BLOGGER"

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

 

INTRODUCTION: THE BOY WHO DREAMED BEYOND CIRCUIT BOARDS

 

In the bustling streets of Pasig City, where jeepneys roar past glass towers and centuries-old traditions meet cutting-edge tech, there lives a man who didn’t just build a platform – he built a movement. Ross Flores del Rosario, known nationwide as the Philippines’ "Pambansang Blogger," didn’t set out to change the face of Filipino media. He set out to tell a story. His story. Our story.

 

From soldering wires in an engineering lab to shaping conversations that reach millions, his journey is a testament to what happens when passion meets purpose – and when a single voice dares to say, "Wazzup Pilipinas!"

 

THE FOUNDATION: A MIND WIRED FOR CONNECTION

 

Born and raised in the Philippines, Ross’s path began not with keyboards and cameras, but with resistors and transistors. He earned his degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from the prestigious Mapúa Institute of Technology – a field that taught him how systems connect, how signals travel, and how even the smallest component can power something extraordinary.

 

But it was during his time as an ICT Officer for the United Nations World Food Programme that Ross saw a different kind of disconnect: the stories of ordinary Filipinos weren’t reaching the people who needed to hear them most. While technology was bridging gaps in global aid, local narratives were getting lost in the noise of international news and mainstream media.

 

"Every time I’d visit communities in far-flung provinces – from the rice terraces of Ifugao to the coastal villages of Bicol – I’d meet incredible people doing amazing things," Ross recalls. "But you’d never read about them in the papers. I realized we had all the tools to connect these stories – we just needed someone to flip the switch."

 

He went on to launch an IT solutions business, honing his skills in digital infrastructure. But deep inside, a fire was burning – a desire to build something that would serve not just corporations, but kababayans everywhere.

 

THE REVOLUTION: WHEN "WAZZUP PILIPINAS" BECAME A HOUSEHOLD NAME

 

In 2013 – a year that would mark a turning point for Filipino digital media – Ross took a leap of faith and launched Wazzup Pilipinas. What started as a personal blog documenting his travels and daily life quickly evolved into something far bigger.

 

The breakthrough came when Ross covered a small community festival in Rizal Province – an event that no major outlet had deemed newsworthy. His post, filled with vibrant photos, heartfelt interviews, and the kind of local flavor only a true Filipino could capture, went viral. Thousands shared it. Comments poured in from across the country: "Finally, someone is telling our story!"

 

From that moment on, Ross knew his mission was clear. Wazzup Pilipinas would be a platform for all Filipinos – covering everything from blockbuster movies and travel hotspots to farmers’ struggles, youth activism, and the untold stories of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who keep the nation’s economy afloat.

 

The awards followed in a flood:

 

- 2013: Top Emerging Influential Blog

- 2015: Top Filipino Community Blog

- 2018: Most Outstanding Community Blog in Southeast Asia

- Multiple citations for excellence in citizen journalism and digital storytelling

 

But for Ross, the real prize was seeing his platform become a trusted space where Filipinos could share their voices, celebrate their culture, and hold power to account.

 

THE PHILOSOPHY: AUTHENTICITY ABOVE ALL

 

In an era of fake news and influencer culture, Ross has stayed true to one core principle: "Authenticity is the only currency that matters."

 

He refuses to prioritize clicks over truth, or trends over substance. When covering socio-political issues – from the impact of COVID-19 on small businesses to debates over national policy – he ensures every story is rooted in research, empathy, and respect for all perspectives.

 

"Our readers don’t just want information – they want understanding," Ross explains. "A Filipino in Manila has different concerns than one in Cebu or Ilocos, but we all share the same love for our country. We need content that brings us together, not tears us apart."

 

His commitment to authenticity has also led him to pioneer the responsible use of AI in Filipino digital media. By integrating tools that help verify facts, translate content into regional languages, and amplify underrepresented voices – while keeping human editors and storytellers at the helm – he’s showing how technology can serve community, not replace it.

 

THE MAN BEHIND THE MOVEMENT: FAMILY, FAITH, AND COMMUNITY

 

Behind every great leader is a strong support system, and for Ross, that foundation is his family. His wife, Wilma del Rosario, has been his partner in every sense – managing operations, curating content, and reminding him of why he started this journey in the first place.

 

"Wilma is the heart of Wazzup Pilipinas," Ross says with a smile. "When I get caught up in deadlines and strategies, she reminds me that we’re not just running a business – we’re building a family of readers and contributors who trust us with their stories."

 

Beyond his immediate family, Ross considers every Filipino who reads, shares, or contributes to Wazzup Pilipinas part of his extended pamilya. He regularly mentors young bloggers and content creators, offering workshops on ethical storytelling and digital literacy. Many of today’s leading Filipino influencers credit Ross with giving them their first break – proof that his mission to empower others is alive and well.

 

THE FUTURE: BUILDING A DIGITAL NATION THAT STANDS TOGETHER

 

As we look ahead to the next chapter of Filipino media, Ross has big plans. He aims to expand Wazzup Pilipinas into more regional languages, launch initiatives to train rural communities in digital storytelling, and create partnerships that will bring Filipino stories to the global stage.

 

But his vision isn’t just about growth – it’s about legacy. "I want Wazzup Pilipinas to outlive me," he says firmly. "I want it to be a platform that future generations can rely on to tell their stories, celebrate their culture, and work towards a better Philippines."

 

In a world that often feels divided, Ross Flores del Rosario reminds us that media has the power to unite. He didn’t just become the "Pambansang Blogger" by accident – he earned the title by listening, learning, and never forgetting where he came from.

 

CONCLUSION: THE VOICE THAT REFUSES TO BE SILENCED

 

Ross Flores del Rosario’s story isn’t just about building a successful platform. It’s about proving that one person can make a difference, that authenticity can triumph over hype, and that the most powerful stories are the ones we tell together.

 

From engineering labs to the hearts of millions of Filipinos, he has shown us that connection is not just about wires and signals – it’s about listening, caring, and saying with pride: "Wazzup Pilipinas – this is our story!"

DepEd, CHED, TESDA assemble permanent working groups to speed up coordination and education reforms

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte, 24 January 2026 — Public school learners struggling with reading gaps, senior high school graduates navigating post-secondary options, and teachers seeking clearer career pathways stand to benefit immediately from new coordination mechanisms established this week by the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).  

Meeting for the second time under the Joint Education Trifocal Management Committee (JETMC) on January 22–23, the three institutions moved to institutionalize their collaboration by creating Permanent Working Groups (PWGs) tasked to act on long-standing coordination bottlenecks that have slowed reforms that required the bridging of policies and programs across basic, higher, and technical-vocational education.

The PWGs are intended to reduce policy confusion and implementation delays caused by overlapping mandates, fragmented timelines, and unclear accountabilities across agencies.  

With the education sector receiving the largest allocation in the 2026 national budget, the agencies said clearer coordination is necessary to ensure funds translate into improved learner opportunities and outcomes –a marching order of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.  

Unlike previous coordination efforts that relied on intermittent meetings and circulars, the PWGs are now operational bodies with named leads, defined targets, and quarterly deliverables, which proactively group concerns by theme. The permanent working groups will be composed of senior officials from the three agencies, and will cover ten priority areas: Early Childhood Education and Development; Senior High School and Pathways; Inclusive Education; Functional Literacy and Learning Recovery; Workforce Development; Tertiary Education Scholarships; Teacher Education, Professionalization, and Training; Creative Economy including Arts and Culture; Strategic Communications; and Legislative and Policy Agenda alignment. Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the shift to permanent working groups makes execution systematic for frontline implementers.  

“Mas nagiging simple para sa mga nasa paaralan at rehiyon kapag malinaw kung sino ang kausap at ano ang susundin. Ang layunin nito ay bawasan ang kalituhan at pabilisin ang tulong na kailangan ng mga mag-aaral at guro,” Angara said.

CHED Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis further emphasized that these permanent bodies will address the structural gaps that have long hindered the sector. “The Permanent Working Groups of our Joint ManComm move us beyond ad hoc coordination. With clear

leadership, defined targets, and regular deliverables, they address long-standing gaps caused by overlapping mandates and fragmented timelines. They allow our policies, programs, and budgets to move together.”  

TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez said, “Sa matibay na pakikipag-ugnayan ng TESDA sa DepEd at CHED, we are building clearer pathways where learners can move seamlessly from basic education to higher education or technical education. Mas magiging madali para sa Pilipino ang makakuha ng future-ready skills that will land them decent jobs.”

Several of the PWGs began target-setting sessions identifying concrete actions aligned with the administration’s priority reforms, and with special provisions under the  2026 General Appropriations Act. Joining DepEd, CHED, and TESDA, are officials from the ECCD Council, PRC, University of the Philippines, among others.  

The agencies agreed to sustain regular progress reviews and escalation of unresolved issues to the Secretaries, and to the Management Committee level, slated to be convened every quarter, as part of a broader effort to ensure that critical education reforms funded in 2026 are delivered to improve access and quality of education.  

MarkADo! Winning Ads on the Board

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

MANILA, Philippines — Curious why some ads are unforgettable or why some jingles stay in your head?

THE UN2LD, fourth-year Advertising and Public Relations (ADPR) students from Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), will kick off “MarkADo! Winning Ads on the Board” seminar on January 27, 2026 at PUP Bulwagang Balagtas from 8:30 AM to 12:00 NN as part of the 22nd PUP Advertising Congress.

The PUP Advertising Congress is a three-day annual event that offers a series of seminars for students and aspiring professionals in the ADPR industry. Now in its 22nd year, it continues the tradition of delivering meaningful discussions, real industry perspectives, and opportunities that inspire excellence in the field.

MarkADo! breaks down the play-by-play behind creative advertising approaches that leave a lasting impression on audiences’ minds. It also aims to expand the knowledge of ADPR and marketing students in content strategy, enhance their creative production skills, and equip them with the foresight to adapt to future trends and challenges in the industry.

The featured guest speakers for MarkADo! are a diverse roster of industry professionals. The first segment talk will be led by Margie Husmalaga, a Media Director for advertising agency GIGIL Philippines. This portion dives into the dilemmas in today’s advertising and redefines ad recall, leveraging the role of timing and frequency—how sending the right message at the right moment helps audiences remember ads.

This will be followed by the second segment divided into two parts: audio recall will be discussed by Jeriko Buenafe, the jingle composer behind the iconic Ritemed tune; while visual recall will be discussed by Roman Carlo Olivares, the Executive Creative Director of MullenLowe TREYNA group. Adding a fresh digital perspective to the conversation, social media personality Inah Evans will make a special appearance as a resource panelist for the segment.

To complete the seminar, Mr. Gio Puyat, an Advertising Director of many popular brands and the Podcast Host of Kwentong Creatives, will complete the seminar—-focusing on how brands can sustain recall in the ever-evolving world of advertising. He will dive into strategies that blend creativity with data and strengthen brand continuity through consistent identity.

Beyond the seminar, THE UN2LD is a body of creatives that continues to learn and grow through projects they led within the ADPR program. Over the years, they’ve produced various campaigns and brand-focused outputs where they successfully collaborated with well-known brands and media organizations through academic partnerships.

The team is set to deliver a checkmate-level experience alongside its Lead Media Partners—Manila Standard, Manila Bulletin, and Wazzup Pilipinas. Also joined by Official Media Partners—WhenInManila.com, IKOT.PH, Edge TV Philippines, Now You Know PH, and TV Maria.

The board will be packed with exciting activities and prizes, made possible by our generous sponsors: Fitbar, the Official Health Boost Partner; PUPian Lifestyle, the Official Merch Partner; 901 Studios, the Official Production House Partner; and Fudgee Barr, Doowee Donut Delectables, and Brownie Break as the Official Snack Partners. The event is also mounted in collaboration with Cookie Corner, FlexOffice Philippines, and Ohana Philippines, with more support from event sponsors Careline, Floofs, Goya, Tri-Vision Ventures, Inc., and Dunkin’.

If you are a student or an aspiring practitioner who wants to improve your understanding of ad recall, strengthen your creative instincts, and learn what makes campaigns stand out, this seminar will help sharpen your next big move!

Don’t forget to follow @theun2ld’s official social media accounts for more updates!