When traveling overseas, there is often an initial high from being temporarily away from one’s home country. There is excitement in exploring new possibilities and making the most out of every situation. 

But eventually, the longing for home sets in — especially for those in it for the long haul, stationed for months or even years under work contracts: our overseas Filipino workers. Even with the advent of social media, which has made communication easier, tangible reminders of the Philippines continue to resonate deeply.

So when the headlines broke, it was full-blown Filipino pride resonating beyond borders as Hotel101 stepped onto the global financial stage. 

Its listing on Nasdaq signaled just how far a Filipino-driven hospitality concept can go. The company posted a market capitalization of around $1.5 billion as of 4 December and now trades under the ticker HBNB. 

NASDAQ, or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations, is the first electronic stock exchange, known for listing tech companies such as Apple and Microsoft. It is a significant global stock trading marketplace that operates without a physical trading floor.

This milestone reflects both scale and growing confidence from international markets, especially as one of the first Filipino-owned companies to be listed on Nasdaq. 

Being part of Nasdaq carries weight, placing Hotel101 among thousands of companies across major global industries and granting access to international investors, stronger visibility, and the discipline that comes with operating under one of the world’s most respected exchanges.

For Filipinos, the listing goes beyond financial achievement. 

It represents global recognition of a business model rooted in local insight and refined through technology. Hotel101 operates as an asset-light prop-tech hospitality platform built on a standardized condotel model, generating revenue from unit sales during development and recurring income from daily hotel operations. 

Its footprint currently spans nine properties in various stages across the Philippines, with additional openings planned for 2026 in Madrid, Hokkaido, Japan and Los Angeles in the United States. 

This expansion extends Filipino enterprise into key international markets. The Nasdaq listing followed a business combination with JVSPAC Acquisition Corp., which valued the company at $2.3 billion under a definitive merger agreement signed last year.

Brian Ong, head of public relations at Hotel101, visited the Daily Tribune for a roundtable discussion, where he shared the company’s plans. 

Hotel101 has identified 25 countries for brand expansion worldwide. Under the leadership of CEO Hannah Yulo-Luccini, confirmed developments are already underway in Saudi Arabia and Milan. Beyond hospitality, the brand is reshaping long-term investment opportunities. 

While operating as a hotel, the company sells units under its management, allowing buyers to grow their portfolios through real estate ownership and monthly profit dividends. Unit owners are also given designated usage dates, offering flexibility to stay in their units or rent them out.

By joining Nasdaq’s global roster, Hotel101 demonstrates how Filipino ambition, paired with innovation and scale, can confidently stand on the world stage. It is something Filipinos overseas can proudly point to as a reminder of home, echoing the now-familiar social media refrain, “Uy, Philippines.”