The Philippine Development Foundation (PhilDev) proudly marks its 15th anniversary with the Thrive Gala & Awards, an inspiring evening dedicated to honoring Filipino changemakers and raising support for future leaders in science, technology, engineering, and entrepreneurship. The event will take place on September 27, 2025, at the Regency Ballroom of Signia by Hilton, San Jose, CA.
The evening will feature a live auction, a Fund-a-Scholar feature, and special performances by celebrated Filipino artists. Proceeds from the Gala will also support PhilDev’s growing portfolio of programs in both the Philippines and the United States, including the Philippine Science and Engineering Scholarship Program (PSES), PhilDev-Banatao Fil-American Scholarship, Young Banatao Learning Lab (YBLL), Technopreneurship 101, and the SHE++ Empowerment Program for Women in Tech.
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Founded in 2010 by Silicon Valley visionary Diosdado “Dado” Banatao, PhilDev has spent the past 15 years building pathways for Filipinos to thrive—not just survive—through the power of education, innovation, and entrepreneurship. With over 321 scholars supported, 225 startups nurtured, and 109 innovations backed, the organization has been a driving force behind STEM development in the Philippines and now aims to deepen its impact across the Filipino diaspora.
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“Our 15-year milestone is not just a celebration of what we’ve achieved, but a call to action,” said Olivia de Jesus, Executive Director of PhilDev Foundation. “Through the theme ‘Thrive’, our signature annual event honors individuals who embody the spirit of change and thrive as builders and leaders creating impact not just for the Philippines but for the world. We hope this inspires the community to join us in strengthening Filipino representation in STEM.”
Call for Nominations Now Open
As part of the 15th-year celebration, PhilDev invites the public to submit nominations for outstanding individuals who are driving change and innovation in the following categories:
Education Award – recognizes a changemaker in education who is expanding access, equity, and excellence for generations of learners.
Innovation Award – honors a trailblazer whose breakthrough technologies, research, or models tackle real-world challenges at scale.
Entrepreneurship Award – honors an entrepreneur who has created scalable, mission-driven businesses that generate jobs, catalyze industries, and deliver meaningful impact.
SPARK Award – uplifts an emerging Filipino leader who demonstrates exceptional promise and early achievement in their chosen field.
Deadline for submissions for the Thrive Gala & Awards is on June 20, 2025. Nomination details and forms are available here. For tickets, sponsorships, or to submit a nomination, visit this page.
