Attending WordCamp Asia 2025 in Manila was an experience I’ll cherish forever. From insightful sessions to vibrant cultural exchanges, the event showcased the true essence of the WordPress community. Here’s a detailed account of my two-day adventure:
Day 1: Immersing in Knowledge and Culture
Morning: Workshops and Learning
The day began with palpable excitement at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). After the opening remarks, I joined the Block Developer Cookbook workshop led by Ryan Welcher. Although I didn’t have my laptop, Ryan’s engaging session offered deep insights into creating a dark/light mode block using the Interactivity API. His hands-on approach, paired with resources from the Block Developer Cookbook, made the learning experience rich and memorable.
Lunch: Capturing Memories
During lunch, Catrina and I eagerly positioned ourselves at the front for the family photo session, we wanted to make sure we’d spot ourselves in future event albums. A fun little memory to keep!
Try to find us at the bottom left in the photo! 😉
Sponsor Hall Finds: Creativity & Culture Collide
Before heading into the afternoon sessions, Catrina, and I spent more time exploring the sponsor hall, and I’m so glad we did. I gathered quite a few cool items like mugs, books, and even a photo booth souvenir. But one of my absolute favourites was from the WooCommerce booth, where they had this super creative idea: a towel station where you could pick your own patch and have it heat-pressed onto a towel right on the spot. It was such a fun and interactive way to engage with the brand.
Aside from the towel, Woo also gave out some Filipino chocolate and, to a surprise?, with calamansi flavour. I mean, who would’ve thought? I honestly didn’t expect it to be good, but it was shockingly delicious. As a Filipino, I felt so proud, seeing local flavours and creations being shared and celebrated at an international event like this.
Afternoon: Engaging Sessions
Post-lunch, I attended “WordPress Gems for Devs: Fresh New Features You’ll Actually Want to Use” by Millana Cap. Her interactive talk covered the HTML Processor and HTML Tag Processor, emphasizing their relevance in today’s web development landscape. She also shared invaluable developer resources.
Then came an inspiring session on diversity in tech hosted by Ms. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, a renowned Filipina advocate. She discussed how platforms like WordPress can bridge digital divides, empower women, and make tech education more accessible.
The day ended on a high note with the Keynote Panel: WordPress in 2030, where industry leaders explored the future of WordPress and AI. A key insight I took away: AI should be seen not as competition but as a tool to enhance learning and productivity.
Day 2: Deepening Connections and Celebrations
Morning: Continued Learning
The second day was filled with even more enriching sessions. Every talk added fresh insight into the ever-evolving WordPress landscape and gave me practical takeaways I could apply immediately.
Afternoon: Q&A with Matt Mullenweg
The event closed with a special Q&A with WordPress Co-Founder Matt Mullenweg in Meeting Room 1 – Rizal. It was surreal listening to him reflect on his journey and share thoughts on WordPress’s future. Following the keynote, a Sponsor’s Raffle took place at 4:00 PM, featuring an array of exciting prizes. Although I didn’t win, the opportunity to participate and the overall experience felt like a victory in itself. Being part of this event was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’ll treasure forever.
Evening: After Party Extravaganza
The celebration reached its peak at The Forum (PICC) from 7:00 PM to midnight. It was a true Filipino fiesta, complete with street food, drinks, traditional games, and lively music. A live band turned the night into a dance floor where laughter, connection, and celebration filled the air.
One personal highlight? Finally meeting my We are AG Fam in person. After working together remotely for so long, sharing that space with them felt surreal, a milestone moment in my journey.
We also got to meet the Freemius team and even had a group photo! I was pleasantly surprised to find out they had Filipino team members too, another reminder of how global and inclusive the WordPress community truly is.
And yes, Charles and I tried this dangerously sweet drink that didn’t even taste like alcohol. It was so smooth, we almost forgot it was a drink. 😂
Final Thoughts
WordCamp Asia 2025 was more than just a tech conference. It was a celebration of learning, culture, community, and connection. I walked away inspired, proud, and even more excited to be part of the WordPress ecosystem. This experience? Definitely one for the books.