By Pauline Songco and Pauline Pascual

If 2025 has proven anything, it’s that trends no longer remain in one lane. Food, beauty, fashion, technology, and even politics are mixing in ways that feel both thrilling and uneasy — and very online.

Michelin makes a Filipino mark

The prestigious MICHELIN Guide officially debuted in the Philippines in 2025, announcing its first Philippines 2026 selection, which includes one Two-Star and eight One-Star restaurants across Manila and Cebu, as well as numerous Bib Gourmand and selected listings.

This historic launch underscores the rapid rise of Filipino gastronomy on the global stage, celebrating local flavors, creativity, and sustainable culinary practices. Tourism officials and food leaders say the guide will boost both culinary tourism and local pride in Filipino cuisine.

Veejay Floresca’s runway triumph

Filipino designer Veejay Floresca rose to international prominence after winning Project Runway Season 21, becoming the first Filipino contestant to capture the top title on the global franchise.

Floresca’s elegant, refined aesthetic and years of persistence on the competition earned widespread praise and rekindled conversations about Filipino talent on the world design stage. The victory brought renewed interest in Filipino designers and creatives breaking barriers abroad.

Beauty pageants still reign

Beauty pageants continued to be a major cultural force in 2025, with Filipinas taking top spots in multiple prestigious competitions. Emma Tiglao won Miss Grand International 2025, while Ahtisa Manalo was crowned Miss Universe 2025 third runner-up. Face of Beauty International’s Nikki Buenafe secured back-to-back crowns for the country. These successes reflect a sustained passion for pageantry in Filipino society, where local and global titles remain a source of national pride.

AI takes over screens

Artificial intelligence became a defining lifestyle and tech force in 2025, as tools like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini AI entered everyday Filipino life — from schoolwork and office tasks to creative writing and content production.

At the same time, viral AI-generated videos flooded social media, blurring the line between reality and fabrication as hyper-realistic clips of celebrities, politicians, and historical moments sparked both awe and alarm. The trend fueled renewed debates on ethics, misinformation, and digital literacy, prompting calls for clearer safeguards as AI reshaped how Filipinos consume and create content. 

‘Nepo babies’ spark debate

In 2025, the conversation around so-called “nepo babies” in the Philippines spilled into public scrutiny of long-delayed and repeatedly funded flood control projects that failed to protect communities during severe monsoon rains. Some of the nepo babies linked are Claudine Co, Jammy Cruz, Gela Alonte, and Vern and Verniece Enciso.

Social media users and watchdog groups questioned how politically connected families and contractors continued to benefit from government infrastructure budgets while cities and provinces remained vulnerable to flooding. The overlap of privilege, public contracts, and unfinished projects sharpened calls for transparency, turning “nepo babies” from a pop-culture label into a symbol of deeper governance and accountability issues.