PHILIPPINES — The Philippines has returned to the WorldSkills International podium after nearly three decades, with Carlos Antonio Delos Reyes capturing a Bronze Medal in Hotel Reception at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China. He was also named Best of Nation, marking a historic comeback for Filipino skills excellence.
A Historic Win After 29 Years
Delos Reyes, together with expert Nomer Yuzon, represented Lyceum of the Philippines University – Batangas. The pair outperformed top young professionals from around the globe, proving that Filipino talent stands strong on the international stage. The last Philippine medal was won by Gerrelen Diaz in Switzerland in 1997, making this victory a long-awaited breakthrough.
The bronze medal in Hotel Reception reflects years of preparation, discipline, and mastery of service standards. Delos Reyes impressed judges with his composure and technical precision under pressure. His Best of Nation title added further prestige, recognizing him as the highest-performing Filipino competitor in the delegation.
Two More Filipinos Earn Medals for Excellence
Two other members of the Philippine delegation received Medals for Excellence, a special award for competitors who surpassed the international standards score of 700 points but fell short of the podium. James Cavin Sayago, an engineering student from Camarines Sur Polytechnic College, earned the distinction in Electrical Installations, with Jovencio Panida as expert and Eddie Cabaltera as coach.
Hannah Krystelle Caintic of the TESDA Regional Training Center-NCR earned a Medal for Excellence in Graphic Design Technology, guided by expert Demetrio Pable Jr. Their achievements underscore the depth of Filipino skill across diverse technical fields.
TESDA Celebrates a Milestone Victory
TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez congratulated the competitors, saying their performance reflects the capability of Filipino skilled workers to compete globally. He noted that the medals and distinctions serve as inspiration for other Filipinos pursuing technical-vocational education and training.
Benitez reaffirmed TESDA's commitment to providing skills champions with opportunities to compete, learn, and benchmark their competencies internationally. The agency governs WorldSkills Philippines, the country's official platform for promoting skills excellence and global competitiveness in TVET.
Eleven Delegates, Ten Skill Areas
The Philippines sent 11 delegates who competed in 10 skill areas: Bakery, Beauty Therapy, Electrical Installations, Graphic Design Technology, Hotel Reception, ICT Network Infrastructure, Mechatronics, Plumbing and Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, and Restaurant Service.
The broad participation demonstrates the country's commitment to world-class standards across multiple industries. Each competitor underwent rigorous training and regional and national skills competitions in collaboration with government and industry partners.
Aligning with National Skills Agenda
The Philippine participation directly responds to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to strengthen the global competitiveness of the Filipino workforce. In his 2026 State of the Nation Address, the President highlighted the expansion of TVET and skills development programs.
These initiatives aim to prepare Filipinos for employment and emerging industries. The WorldSkills victory validates the effectiveness of these investments and signals that Filipino skills can meet the highest international benchmarks.
