Our Gala Fundraiser, with the theme Celebrating the Legacy of Filipino Excellence, coincided with the commemoration of our late Founder Dado Banatao’s birth as well as a Book Launch in his honor. It was a prime opportunity to bring together a thriving community of around 200 scholars, beneficiaries, and partner institutions toward a shared advocacy of utilizing technology and innovation for nation-building and global impact.

For more than 15 years, PhilDev has remained a trusted partner in advancing inclusive development in the country. By the numbers, PhilDev had supported 346 scholars across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, trained over 3,897 students in technopreneurship, and supported 98 startups. We aimed to expand meaningful impact by providing more targeted support to equip Filipino talent to meet the challenges and seize opportunities that come with AI and the shifting environment.

The Gala featured thirteen (13) Filipino honorees in science, technology, and innovation who are shaping the future of the Philippines across policy, academe, and innovation industries.

Our 2026 Honorees Included:

• Fernando Zóbel de Ayala – Lifetime Achievement Award

• Jaime Augusto Zóbel de Ayala – Lifetime Achievement Award

• Globe Telecom, Inc. – Companies of the Year Award

• PLDT, Inc. – Companies of the Year Award

• Shell Pilipinas Corporation – Companies of the Year Award

• Maya Bank – Startups of the Year Award

• Mylo – Startups of the Year Award

• Packworks – Startups of the Year Award

• Dr. Noel Peter Tan – Young Innovators of the Year Award

• Dr. Victor Erwin Jocson – Young Innovators of the Year Award

• Ivan Nara – Young Innovators of the Year Award

• Jana Quismundo – Young Innovators of the Year Award

• Leo Villalba – Young Innovators of the Year Award