Skills outlast oil and gold, Marcos tells ASEAN youth
Published Aug 25, 2025 08:16 pm
At A Glance
- In his speech, the President stressed that in a globalized and interconnected society, true success depends on the skills, knowledge, and creativity of the people.
President Marcos told young competitors at the 14th WorldSkills ASEAN Manila 2025 that skills, knowledge, and creativity—not wealth or resources—define true success in today’s world.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (RTVM)
Marcos said this as he graced the opening ceremony of the largest showcase of professional and technical skills in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Region, in Pasay City, on Monday evening, Aug. 25.
In his speech, the President stressed that in a globalized and interconnected society, true success depends on the skills, knowledge, and creativity of the people.
“Skills are more valuable than oil, more enduring than gold, and more transformative than any technology,” he said.
Marcos described skills as “the new global currency,” calling them the foundation of innovation and the driver of industries.
“This is why we hold events such as this: to invest in our people, nurture their talents, and give them the opportunities to further grow,” he said.
The President added that ASEAN’s greatest strength comes from the talent and dedication of its people, noting that competitions like WorldSkills push young people to thrive under pressure, spark creativity, and build confidence.
“Your medals may shine today, but it is your skills that will shape your future, serve your country, and help build a more united ASEAN community,” he said.
This year’s edition is the largest WorldSkills ASEAN competition to date, with 259 contestants competing in 32 skill areas across six major sectors.
The Philippines is hosting the tournament from Aug. 25 to 30, with the main contests at the World Trade Center Metro Manila and the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City. The country first hosted the biennial event in 1996.
Meanwhile, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez, who chairs the interagency task force for the event, said side programs include a skills exhibition, cultural immersion activities, and the “One School, One Country” initiative that pairs ASEAN delegations with local schools for cultural exchange.
Career guidance sessions and industry talks at PTTC will also connect participants to career pathways.
According to Malacañang, nearly 1,000 delegates, including close to 300 top youth competitors from the nine ASEAN Member States (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand) plus Timor Leste, as an Observer State, will compete in the competition. Vietnam has withdrawn from this year’s competition due to funding limitations caused by institutional reorganization.