The Digital Frontier: The Quest for the Philippines’ First National AI Team

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

The dawn of 2026 marks a historic turning point for the Philippines as the nation officially enters the global arena of artificial intelligence. In an unprecedented "whole-of-nation" effort, the search has begun for the first-ever National AI Team to represent the pearl of the orient on the world stage.

This isn't just a competition; it is a mission to prove that Filipino youth are ready to lead the global frontier. From the bustling streets of Manila to the furthest reaches of all 17 regions, the call is out for keen young minds to step forward and shape the future.

The Gateway to Abu Dhabi

The stakes could not be higher. The selected four-member delegation will carry the Philippine flag to the Global Finals of the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), held at the prestigious Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from August 2 to 8, 2026.

There, they will face off against hundreds of the world’s brightest students from over 60 countries, tackling the development and responsible use of AI.

A Masterclass in Innovation: Ateneo BUILD

Leading this charge is Ateneo BUILD (Business Insights Laboratory for Development), a powerhouse of research and innovation under the Ateneo de Manila University. As the sole accredited Country Coordinator, Ateneo BUILD is not just organizing a contest; they are acting as an incubator for the next generation of tech leaders.

While Ateneo leads the implementation, the organizers emphasize that this is a national initiative. The doors are wide open to every high school student (Grades 7-12) across the archipelago—whether from public, private, or science high schools. The selection is strictly merit-based, ensuring that digital equity and talent, not financial background or institution, determine who wears the national colors.

The Gauntlet: A Roadmap to Excellence

The journey to the world stage is a rigorous climb designed to transform problem-solvers into technical masters:

The Spark (Stage 1): The National Eliminations focus on logic and scientific inquiry, making it accessible even to those without initial coding experience.

The Ascent: The competition grows increasingly technical through the Semi-Finals and National Finals.

The Forge: Finalists will tackle a grueling syllabus featuring Machine Learning, AI Ethics, and Computer Vision.

The Transformation: To bridge the gap to the global level, selected students will undergo an intensive Selection Bootcamp and a dedicated training period from April to June.

Key Dates

January 25, 2026

Registration Deadline 

Jan 31 – Feb 8

National Eliminations 

Feb 14 – 15

Semi-Finals 

Feb 22 – 23

National Finals 

Mar 7 – 8

Team Selection Bootcamp 

Aug 2 – 8, 2026

Global Finals in Abu Dhabi 

A Call to Arms for the Future

This initiative aligns with the highest national strategies, including the Department of Education’s MATATAG Agenda and the AI strategies of the DOST and DICT. It is a collective effort to equip students with the ethical grounding to use technology responsibly while building the world of tomorrow.

The search is on. The future is waiting. Are you ready to lead the Philippines into the future? 

Students can register at www.ioaiph.org until January 25, 2026. For those wishing to support this national mission, partnership opportunities are available to ensure no talented student is left behind due to travel or registration costs.

Uninhibited Littering in Luneta and Quiapo as Millions of Devotees Take Part in Traslacion 2026

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

(Zero waste advocacy group reiterates "kalakip ng debosyon ang malinis na Traslacion)

10 January 2026, Quezon City.  Traditional littering has again defiled public spaces in the City of Manila, particularly in Luneta and Quiapo, as huge crowds gathered yesterday to venerate the Black Nazarene during this year’s Traslacion.

Widespread littering marred the mammoth procession re-enacting the transfer of the revered image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno from Luneta to Quiapo, generating familiar sights of garbage in every nook and corner, just like in previous celebrations, the EcoWaste Coalition observed. 

“Our repeated pleas for a waste-free conduct of Traslacion have gone unheeded,” said Ochie Tolentino, Zero Waste Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition. "Such a blatant disregard for our environment is unacceptable, especially given our current reality of climate emergency, pervasive pollution, and biodiversity loss, or what is termed as the triple planetary crisis."

“However, we also witnessed some commendable acts that have helped in preventing and reducing the fiesta trash and pollution,” she said. 

“We remain optimistic that the situation will change in future Traslacions as the devotees learn to put this year’s theme ‘He must increase, and I must decrease’ (John 3:30) into practice,” she declared.

From an environmental point of view, “He must increase,” the EcoWaste Coalition said, can mean humans decrease their sense of entitlement and dominion over Mother Earth and increase collective respect for God’s creation.

On the other hand, “I must decrease” can be interpreted as decreasing the throw-away culture and lack of concern for the environment by making conscious choices to lessen one’s demand on nature, and living a purpose-driven existence that upholds the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment for the benefit and sustenance of all generations, the group said.    

At the Quirino Grandstand and the open area where the faithful gathered for the “Pahalik,” "Misa Mayor" and other liturgical activities, the EcoWaste Coalition’s Basura Patrollers found assorted garbage scattered for cleaning personnel from the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), Manila Department of Public Services (DPS), and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to deal with.

Carelessly left for the assigned cleaners to pick up were boxes, cardboards, foils, plastic tarpaulins, and newspapers used for seating or sleeping; food and beverage packaging such as 3-in-1 coffee sachets, cup noodles, paper and plastic cups and tubs; food wastes, cigarette butts and vapes, lost slippers, and plastic bags containing mixed rubbish. 

A specific problem for the cleaners, as well as for the waste pickers, was the use by some men of empty PET bottles for urination, many of which were found abandoned next to overflowing waste bins and in garbage piles.

At Quiapo, the Basura Patrollers also found the processional route and adjacent streets strewn with litter, particularly single-use plastic water bottles, paper, and plastic food packaging waste, bamboo skewers, and food leftovers, including those given in “pa-karidad,” an act of sharing free meals and drinks, especially to the “mamamasan” and other devotees.

In many instances, the Basura Patrollers saw garbage piling up in street corners and gutters where the “mamamasan” rest and wait for their "pagsalang" to touch or pull the ropes of the “andas” (carriage).

Considered littering hotspots were the open field in front of the Quirino Grandstand; Roxas Boulevard from T. M. Kalaw St. to Katigbak Drive; T. M. Kalaw St.; Carlos Palanca St. from Plaza Lacson to Quinta Market; both sides of Quezon Boulevard from Quezon Bridge to Recto Avenue; Carriedo St.; R. Hidalgo St. from Lacson Underpass to Plaza del Carmen; Concepcion Aguila, Arlegui, Z.P. de Guzman, Bilibid Viejo, Casal and adjacent streets.  

On the positive side, the EcoWaste Coalition gave a thumbs-up to several acts that prevented and reduced pollution during the Traslacion 2026, such as the following:

--- repainting of the arches and gutters in Plaza Miranda by the Manila Department of Engineering using certified lead-safe paints;

--- non-use of wasteful plastic banderitas at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, and the minimal use of such plastic buntings by local communities;

---  very few “happy fiesta” plastic tarpaulins by national and local politicians;

---  use of eco-friendly coconut cloth banners by the LGU in place of plastic tarpaulins laden with toxic cadmium;

--- provision of water dispensers in some barangays;

--- collection of discarded PET bottles by waste pickers to be sold to junk shops;

--- LGU imposition of a ban on the sale and use of firecrackers;

--- sale of cheap Mindanao-style packed rice dishes wrapped in banana leaf, which reduces the use of non-compostable and non-recyclable polystyrene food containers and disposable cutlery, and the

--- immediate street sweeping and flushing of the processional route by government waste and sanitation workers to remove litter and other pollutants.

The EcoWaste Coalition thanked all formal and informal waste workers who spent long hours picking up the mixed litter left by the devotees and vendors, stressing that everyone should follow the "no trace" and "clean as you go" principles, and take their "basura" with them for proper segregation, reuse, recycling, or disposal. 

In closing, the EcoWaste Coalition emphasized the importance of its clarion call for waste prevention and reduction, reiterating "kalakip ng debosyon ang malinis na Traslacion." 

The only time there was zero littering was in 2021, 2022, and 2023 when the Traslacion had to be canceled due to health and safety concerns brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the group noted

Ross Flores del Rosario: The "Pambansang Blogger" Shaping Philippine Digital Media

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

 

Ross Flores del Rosario is widely recognized as the "Pambansang Blogger" of the Philippines, a title earned through his impactful work as founder of the award-winning online platform Wazzup Pilipinas. He has established himself as a key figure in the country's digital media landscape, bridging communities and amplifying Filipino voices through authentic storytelling.

 

Personal Background and Education

 

Ross holds a degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Mapúa Institute of Technology. Before venturing into blogging, he worked as an ICT Officer for the United Nations World Food Programme, where he gained expertise in technology and project management. He later founded an IT solutions business, offering services such as network setup, server administration, and hardware/software maintenance.

 

Career: From IT to Digital Media

 

When social media transformed how information is shared, Ross pivoted to meet evolving demands, prioritizing the management of Wazzup Pilipinas, which he launched in 2013. The platform, tagged "The National Blog of the Philippines," covers diverse topics including entertainment, lifestyle, travel, current events, and socio-political issues. It has partnered with brands, government agencies, educational institutions, and event organizers to deliver timely, reliable content to a broad audience.

 

Beyond the blog, Ross is a frequent guest on radio and TV shows, and his work has been featured in newspapers and magazines. He has also expanded Wazzup Pilipinas into a trusted digital hub that champions Filipino ingenuity, student initiatives, and advocacy programs.

 

Achievements and Recognition

 

Wazzup Pilipinas has garnered numerous accolades since its inception, starting with the Top Emerging Influential Blog Award in 2013. Other honors include titles like Top Filipino Community Blog and Most Outstanding Community Blog in Southeast Asia, validating the platform's commitment to truth, community, and editorial excellence. The site is also recognized as a credible voice in regional digital media, with partnerships that span industry expos, youth forums, and journalism conferences.

 

Personal Life

 

Ross is married to Wilma del Rosario, and in a 2014 blog post, he shared details of their wedding anniversary, celebrating their enduring relationship and the role she plays in his life and work.

 

Impact on Philippine Blogging

 

Ross has helped elevate blogging from a personal hobby to a respected form of citizen journalism in the Philippines. Wazzup Pilipinas provides a platform for emerging bloggers and influencers to share their perspectives, fostering diverse discourse and highlighting the positive aspects of Filipino culture and achievement.