Science in The 2025 SONA and by 2050
Marco Angelo Rasos | 29 July 2025
I heard and read, across many digital platforms, the 2025 State of the Nation Address or SONA of the Philippine President yesterday (zeroing in on what he said about science or technology); in between my PDF readings of The Foresight for Science, Technology and Innovation or STI in the Philippines by Year 2050, entitled Pagtanaw 2050.
So now, I have a present, updated, topline report on the CURRENT state of Philippine STI, by no less than the country's top executive; and a 25-year vision of the POSSIBLE state of STI in the country, developed by the best minds in the sector. What an awesome strategic perspective!
And the verdict? I am strangely optimistic.
Perhaps because President Marcos praised the achievements of the DOST, or because I've been heavily involved in DOST projects for 2 years now, or because I have seen the tangible results of the hard work of previous DOST Secretary De La Peña and current DOST Secretary Solidum.
For any of the reasons mentioned above, the now and the past seems to have been secured. But what of the future? 25 years from now.
By Year 2050, 3 to 4 Presidents and DOST Secretaries will have passed. And the Alphas will be the 40 year old Business Directors and Scientists and Tech Leaders of this nation. And the Zs will be at the C Suite, and the Millennials on the Boards. And everybody else will be... simply glorious.
Pagtanaw 2050 or simply The Foresight, highlighted of first importance - the strengthening of Science Education, therefore, the critical training of the next generation of Leaders steeped in Science and Technology.
I should agree, because the learning curve is steep. And I'm happy to note that our education is catching up with the trends. Last year, AI is the leading global conversation; and just now, Masters in AI have just been offered.
But let's not get too excited, because Digital Tech is but part of 1 of the 12 Key Operational Areas (KOAs) identified in The Foresight. What is our progress in the other facets of Philippine STI? Or, the more pragmatic question is: How fast are we learning and teaching cutting edge tech?"
Forget the question "How fast are we utilizing new tech?", because we are still playing "learn and teach catch-up". But do you think, by 2050, 25 years from now, the 40 year olds and above, will be at the forefront of Science, Technology and Innovation?
Therefore, what do we have to do now... to get THEM there?