MANILA — The Philippines is all set to host the WorldSkills ASEAN Manila 2025 from August 25 to 30, with the main competition taking place at the World Trade Center Metro Manila and the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City.

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Kiko Benitez, who chairs the interagency task force for the event, stated that preparations are in their final stages, covering infrastructure, logistics, competition equipment, and coordination with ASEAN counterparts.

“WorldSkills creates specific competency standards in selected skill domains. This ensures that what we teach is at par with the rest of the world. The aspiration is to ensure that we are at par with global standards in terms of skills,” Benitez said during his visit to Filipino competitors in their final training sessions at the TESDA complex in Taguig on August 20.

The international competition will gather hundreds of skilled youth from Southeast Asia to compete in 32 skill areas.

The opening ceremony will be held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom on August 25, while the closing ceremony on August 30 will be at the SMX Convention Center, both in Pasay.

TESDA has lined up side events, including a skills exhibition at the World Trade Center, cultural immersion programs, and the “One School, One Country” initiative, which will pair ASEAN delegations with local schools for cultural exchange.

Career guidance sessions and industry talks will also be held at PTTC to connect young people with potential career pathways.

The send-off ceremony for the Philippine delegation took place on August 19, the same day Benitez convened the interagency task force to finalize preparations.

World Trade Center Metro Manila

The World Trade Center Metro Manila is a major convention and exhibition center located in Pasay City, Philippines. It was originally built in 1976 to host the World Trade Center Manila and has since been a central venue for international trade fairs, expositions, and large-scale events. The complex has undergone significant renovations and expansions to maintain its status as a premier business hub in the region.

Philippine Trade Training Center

The Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) is a government agency under the Department of Trade and Industry, established in the 1980s to enhance the global competitiveness of Philippine products and services. Its primary mission is to provide training, consultancy, and resource facilities to empower local entrepreneurs, exporters, and MSMEs. The center has played a key role in the country’s economic development by building the capacity of its business sector for international trade.

TESDA complex

The TESDA Complex in Taguig, Philippines, is the national headquarters of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, a government agency established in 1994. It serves as the central hub for administering technical-vocational education and training programs across the country, aimed at developing the Filipino workforce.

Marriott Grand Ballroom

The Marriott Grand Ballroom is a modern event venue typically found in Marriott hotels worldwide, designed for large-scale functions like conferences, galas, and weddings. It does not have a singular historical significance, as each ballroom’s history is tied to the individual hotel it resides in, which are generally contemporary constructions built for hospitality and business purposes.

SMX Convention Center

The SMX Convention Center is a major exhibition and convention facility in the Philippines, first opening its flagship hall in Pasay City in 2007. It was developed by SM Prime Holdings to meet the country’s growing demand for world-class MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) venues and has since expanded to multiple locations nationwide.

World Trade Center

The World Trade Center was a large commercial complex in Lower Manhattan, famously known for its iconic Twin Towers. Originally completed in 1973, it was tragically destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The site has since been rebuilt as a memorial and a new complex, which includes the One World Trade Center skyscraper, a museum, and reflecting pools honoring the victims.

PTTC

I am unable to provide a summary for “PTTC” as it is an acronym that could refer to many different organizations, places, or cultural sites around the world (e.g., a training center, a telecommunications company, a sports club). To give an accurate summary, please provide the full name or more specific details about which PTTC you are referring to.