Be Part of Celebrating Filipino Excellence at the THRIVE Gala & Awards
As PhilDev marks 16 years of empowering Filipinos in STEM, we invite you to nominate outstanding Filipinos who are driving innovation, education, and entrepreneurship.
Award Categories
Dado Banatao Legacy Award
This award honors an individual whose extraordinary body of work reflects transformative leadership in technology, innovation, or economic development. Named after PhilDev’s founder and tech pioneer Dado Banatao, the recognition celebrates those who have paved the way for systemic change and empowered generations of Filipinos through vision, mentorship, and global impact.
Nominated and selected by PhilDev Board
Innovation Award
This award honors a trailblazer whose breakthrough technologies, research, or models tackle real-world challenges at scale. The recipient embodies Filipino ingenuity—proving that from any corner of the globe, innovation can spark powerful change, uplift entire communities, and transform the systems that shape our lives.
Nominations open to the Public
Awardee selected by PhilDev Awards Committee
Entrepreneurship Award
This award honors an entrepreneur who has created scalable, mission-driven businesses that generate jobs, catalyze industries, and deliver meaningful impact. They exemplify resilience, grit, and creativity in turning vision into value for society.
Nominations open to the Public
Awardee selected by PhilDev Awards Committee
Education Award
This award recognizes a changemaker in education who is expanding access, equity, and excellence for generations of learners. Through courageous leadership and innovative practice, the honoree is reimagining the future of learning and building pathways for the next generation to rise.
Nominations open to the Public
Awardee selected by PhilDev Awards Committee
SPARK Award
This award recognizes an emerging Filipino leader who demonstrates exceptional promise and early achievement in their chosen field. Whether in science, technology, education, or social impact, the SPARK awardee leads with purpose, innovation, and a bold vision for the future.
Nominations open to the Public
Awardee selected by PhilDev Awards Committee
Nomination Rules
- Eligibility: Nominees must be of Filipino descent and must demonstrate meaningful impact in or for the Philippines or for Filipino communities globally, especially in the fields of education, innovation, entrepreneurship, and social development.
- Multiple Nominations: Nominators may submit more than one nomination across categories
- Submission Deadline: July 31, 2026
- Selection Process: All eligible nominations will be reviewed by the PhilDev Awards Committee, composed of respected leaders in the fields of technology, education, entrepreneurship, and innovation
- The Committee will assess nominees against a set of criteria specific to each award category.
- Final awardees will be selected based on merit, measurable impact, alignment with PhilDev’s mission, and committee consensus.
- Nominations Open: June 24, 2026
- Submission Deadline: July 31, 2026
- Awardee Notification: August 24, 2026
- Awardees will be honored at the PhilDev Awards and Gala: November 14, 2026 | Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, CA.
Continuing Impact Opportunities
PhilDev Awardees are not only recognized for their achievements—they are also invited to take on a meaningful role in shaping the next generation of changemakers. Awardees may be invited to:
- Serve as PhilDev Ambassadors, helping amplify PhilDev’s mission across their networks and platforms
- Participate in PhilDev events, programs, and campaigns that promote STEM, innovation, and entrepreneurship
- Mentor PhilDev scholars and fellows, sharing expertise and guidance with future leaders
- Contribute thought leadership or serve as speakers at forums, panels, or summits hosted by PhilDev
These voluntary commitments strengthen the legacy of each awardee and help further PhilDev’s mission of building an innovative and inclusive future for all Filipinos.