PRESS RELEASE

Philippine Embassy, Canberra

1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
www.philembassy.org.au    *Tel. No. 02-6273-2535*

07 NOVEMBER 2025, MELBOURNE - Two Filipino achievers were recognized as finalists in the Asia Society Australia’s Game Changer Awards held on 07 November 2025.

Under the category of Research and Education, Mr. Mark Bryan Manantan was recognized for his achievements as the first director of cybersecurity and critical technologies at the Pacific Forum in Honolulu, Hawaii. He has worked on capacity building in cybersecurity in the ASEAN region and has also led key dialogues in the field.

Under the category of the Gen A Emerging Leader, Mr. Thomas Da Jose was recognized for his work as CEO of WASH Education. WASH Education re-imagines Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) education with engaging content and digital scalability through an online learning platform that empowers teachers and educators. It is an education technology (edtech) social enterprise which has already received accolades for their work that has had a positive impact on over 150,000 students across the Asia-Pacific region.

Philippine Ambassador to Australia H.E. Antonio Morales met with the Filipino nominees and commended them for exemplifying Filipino leadership and excellence, as well as for their contributions to uplifting the profile of the Philippines in the region.

While the two awards eventually went to other winners (Prof Mohan Yellishetty for Research and Education and Natalie Loi Yoke Kei for Gen A Emerging Leader), Mr. Manantan and Mr. Da Jose were one of three finalists in their respective categories that have distinguished themselves over many other nominees.

This is the fifth Melbourne Asia Game Changer awards, which celebrates extraordinary changemakers and personalities making waves in Australia’s relations with Asia. Asia Society Australia is the Australian centre of the Asia Society, a global not-for-profit organisation dedicated to understanding Asia and its role in the world. - END