What do you want to see in 2025? • PhilSTAR Life

The past year was filled with events we celebrated and things that we’ve learned. Although we can cast our hopes and dreams for the future, it’s only a guess as to what the Year of the WoodSnake will bring. We asked the country’s movers and shakers to share what they want to see in 2025:

Pasig Rep. Roman T. Romulo

The goal of the education community should be to provide quality and accessible education for Filipinos. To this end, we must address the many challenges facing the education sector by focusing on providing and strengthening the foundational skills of every Filipino — reading comprehension, numeracy, science, and good manners and right conduct (GMRC). From academic recovery programs to career progression for teachers, mental health support for students, and countless other issues we have confronted, we are now entering what feels like a pivotal year for education. Collaboration among government, the private sector and communities has been both effective and dynamic, but it is imperative that this engagement goes beyond rhetoric and transforms into real and sustained action. Progress may not come immediately or perfectly, but I remain optimistic that the efforts we have made—and continue to make today—will pave the way for a better, more inclusive, and brighter future for every Filipino.

Makati City Mayor Abby Binay

There’s so much I want to see in 2025, but as a public official, I would like to see better healthcare and health facilities, especially in the poorest segments of our population.

Education should also remain a priority. Quality public education should not be limited to students in private schools and in economically-independent local government units.

On a personal level, I pray that the coming year will continue to bless my family with love, joy and good health.

RJ Jacinto, musician, entrepreneur

I hope our country becomes more attractive as an investment destination because we have a lot more to offer compared to other Asian neighbors. We are a democracy, speak English, with a people that are caring, resilient, resourceful, artistic and talented.

Kim Camacho, art collector

I want to see Ukraine defeat the Russian invaders. I want to see the Palestinians freed from oppression, and the violence and killings in Gaza and the West Bank to cease immediately. I want the destruction of our environment to stop. I want Filipinos to vote wisely. I want to see major reforms in our educational system.

Bea Zobel Jr., philanthropist

For 2025, my hopes and prayers remain the same: quality education and improved healthcare for Filipinos. I wish for my children’s happiness and to stay motivated and driven at work and in pursuing their dreams. Above all, I wish for everyone to discover inner peace and practice kindness towards one another.

Steven Tan, president, SM Supermalls

More mindfulness is needed in 2025. Social media has given everyone a platform to air views and opinions. We should be more circumspect in the things we say and pronouncements we make. Attach decency and fairness in all our communications and dealings with others.

Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng, founder of Summit Media and general manager of Gokongwei Brothers Foundation

More time with friends and family. Thirty books to read. Careerwise, work with a great team to drive more innovation in Summit Media. For society, roll out the class builder platform of the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation to 50,000 math, English and science teachers. For the world, a well-informed citizenry.

DSWD Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar

My wish for 2025 is that we will no longer have natural calamities hitting the Philippines.

Kevin Tan, president & CEO of Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI)

I hope to see more foreign investments and interests in our country, especially now that the economies around the world are recovering well. I also hope to see a peaceful election. And I hope that we have stability in the country for the sake of our people.

Stephanie Coyiuto-Tay, president, Casa Bella Home and Living

I am hoping 2025 brings about growth for all and a better Philippine economy. My husband, Joseph, who is a firm believer in technology, founded Inventi, a prop-tech company. So, I hope to see the Philippines advance in terms of using tech in customer service, real estate and travel platforms. On a personal note, I am looking forward to seeing our three sons make their own decisions as they become more independent. I want to see my parents flourish in golf, a sport they have grown to love. Overall, just really wishing for more peace and joy for all this 2025!

Paul Cabral, fashion designer

In 2025, I want to see us celebrate and champion our remarkable local fabrics and the artisans who craft them. Fabrics like piña, piña callado, and our other uniquely woven fabrics tell the story of our history and traditions, our culture, and our people. For me, it’s important that we preserve these fabrics and pay homage to our traditions even as we interpret and fashion them into more modern looks. Championing our local products also means seeing our local fabrics become more widely available and accessible to both established and emerging designers. More than that, it’s encouraging our young people to take up these traditional crafts, and supporting programs and initiatives that help keep these traditions alive.

Jaime Ponce De Leon, director, León Gallery

Call me an incurable romantic but I’d love to see the unexpected in 2025—beginning with the choice of a new voice as National Artist for the Visual Arts. I hear there have been more than 20 nominations and I am excited to find out who makes it to the shortlist. The other thing on my wishlist is for the Philippines to bring home a Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale. That art Olympics is happening in 2026 but we ought to be working hard on it in 2025.

Michelle Tiangco, vice president, PC Corp.

In 2025, I hope to see myself with a stronger relationship and deeper faith in God, one that truly reflects in my daily actions and decisions. I aim to channel my faith into meaningful projects that uplift those in need and foster a community of compassion and service.

Ultimately, I envision a purposeful year where my faith drives me to make a lasting difference in the lives of others.

Pangasinan Rep. Toff De Venecia

In 2025, I’d like to see closer synergy between [the] government and the private sector to come up with programs and policies advancing soft power, creative place-making, and sustainability outcomes through creative economy.

I’d like to see [the] government lean into the strength and competitiveness of our cultural exports, empower the diaspora, work with media, and co-orchestrate a strategic country brand to strengthen our soft power position.

To develop more creative place-making, I’d like to see opportunities for local governments and grassroots communities to come together to revitalize abandoned spaces, build more creative hubs, spur tourism, and generate more employment and content-making in the regions towards cultural and economic diversity. To make our creative industries more sustainable, I’d like for the private sector and government to invest in decarbonization efforts and integrate disaster-risk reduction and mitigation strategies to ensure business continuity and mainstream climate justice through creative output.

Overall, I’d like the whole nation to be more intentional about resource allocation, prioritization, and strategies towards helping us unleash the Philippines’ creative potential.

Sen. Robin Padilla

Peace! No to war.

Gilbert Pangilinan, chef and restaurateur

I want to see the de-escalation of global conflicts, peaceful local elections, economic growth across the country, food security and lower food prices. And that all these translate to the improvement of the people’s quality of life, and hopefully more celebrations and dining out.

Johnlu Koa, founder and CEO, French Baker

A stable peso-dollar exchange rate so that it won’t stoke inflation. More tourists to spur economic development in the countryside. Stable wheat prices in the world market and better sugar and rice prices that can keep food inflation down. Lastly, a better job outlook to absorb new entrants into the economy.

Benhur Abalos, former DILG secretary

After weathering the challenges of the past year, I envision a brighter and prosperous Philippines in 2025—built on the pillars of inclusivity, equity, and resilience. Walang nagugutom. Payapa ang Pilipinas. Lahat masaya. It will be a nation where citizens are more actively engaged, and dynamic, compassionate national leaders, together with empowered local government units, will take the lead in delivering the vision of a better life for all. (Mataas na kalidad ng buhay). It will be a year of milestones and a testament that no Filipino is left behind in our shared journey toward sustainable prosperity.

Kaye Tinga, president, Cultural Center of the Philippines

For 2025, I’m excited to see the Cultural Center of the Philippines strengthen and deepen its work in platforming Philippine artists across all disciplines, from traditional to contemporary forms. We’re particularly thrilled about TernoCon 2025, our biennial celebration with Bench that honors and reimagines the terno—a powerful symbol of our national identity and creative heritage. Through our various programs and initiatives, we aim to amplify Filipino voices and showcase our rich artistic traditions both locally and internationally. We’re looking forward to seeing significant progress in our Main Theater’s renovation project, which shows our commitment to providing world-class facilities for our artists and audiences. Our vision extends beyond physical infrastructure to creating meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange, artistic development, and community engagement that will help shape the future of Philippine arts and culture.

Albert Martinez, actor

I hope I will be able to spend more time with famil,y especially my seven grandkids, start planning my senior life, and create more awareness with my advocacy in protecting the environment, helping children of less fortunate families, and hopefully do one legacy project movie or serye (whichever comes first).

Zsa-Zsa Padilla, singer/actress

For myself, better health. I underwent surgery this year.

Las Piñas Vice Mayor April Aguilar

Good health for everyone!

Vice Ganda, TV host/actor

A more peaceful and meaningful year for everyone. Let’s be more productive in 2025.

Edd Fuentes, president, Fuentes Manila

With all the blessings I’ve received in 2024 and the previous years, I really can’t ask for more. But there are things that will definitely make 2025 sweeter such as more time to travel, more fulfilling work projects, more time spent with loved ones, and more time to finish and spruce up my resthouse. On the other hand, I also wish for less negativity, less stress, and less politics.