Welcome back! I think we can all agree with this one. We need to see more localize efforts for innovation, where moving to the big city is no longer a necessity but only an option to create and scale our innovative ideas and solutions.

Thanks, Martin and everyone! Let’s have more conversations like this. :)

Richest 0.1% produces more emissions a day vs what world’s poorest generates in a year — study
Oxfam releases a new report Monday, November 3, saying the world’s richest 0.1% produces more carbon emissions in a day compared to the amount that the world’s poorest 50% generates in a whole year.
According to Oxfam, the 0.1% should cut per capita emissions by 99% by 2030 if the world wants to keep global warming within the 1.5C threshold, as agreed upon in the Paris agreement.

Being one of the 2,200 delegates from over 190 countries here at One Young World Munich 2025 has been truly remarkable. As a Rappler Scholar, I feel deeply grateful for this opportunity to learn, connect, and represent the Philippines on the global stage.

Last night, we opened the summit with an incredible ceremony filled with energy and purpose. It was inspiring to see so many young changemakers and leaders coming together with a shared commitment to make a positive impact. The atmosphere was filled with hope and collaboration, and it reminded me why global youth spaces like this matter so much.

What stood out to me most were the conversations on the rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence. The updates shared were both fascinating and thought-provoking. For instance, a new AI model for cancer detection has achieved an impressive 99.26 percent accuracy, showing how far technology has come in advancing healthcare. Yet at the same time, researchers warned that overreliance on AI could begin to erode human skills in diagnosis within just a few months.

Other innovations also caught my attention, like AI systems that can instantly translate sign language into English, and tools helping people with autism better navigate social interactions. These breakthroughs show how technology can transform lives and open doors for inclusion.

Still, amid all these developments, one question continues to echo throughout the summit: how do we keep our humanity as we evolve alongside AI? It’s a powerful reminder that innovation is not just about making machines smarter but about ensuring that we, as humans, grow wiser and more compassionate in the process.

I’m truly excited for the days ahead here in Munich and for the chance to bring home new insights that can help strengthen our work in empowering innovators and changemakers in the Philippines. 🇵🇭

Stay tuned for more updates.

Hello! Rappler is here in Hong Kong for the 2025 Hong Kong Laureate Forum, which will run from today until November 8.

The event connects world-renowned scientists with 200 young scientists from across the globe, including 12 Shaw Laureates who are internationally recognized for their contributions to the fields of astronomy, life science and medicine, and mathematical sciences.

Notably, Reinhard Genzel, who was awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics for his research into black holes, is also part of this year's delegation.

Genzel and the rest of the laureates will be speaking about their research during the forum, while young scientists will also be able to present their work and visit top local research laboratories.

We'll be sending some updates and interesting facts from the forum to this chat over the next few days. Stay tuned!

Human cells make up what we are, quite literally. It's important to get a good, accurate look at their structure and how each part works if we are to understand normal life processes and how they can go wrong when disease strikes.

This is why Shaw Laureate Wolfgang Baumeister pioneered the development of cryogenic-electron tomography (cryo-ET). It's a ground-breaking technique that can visualize in 3D how cells work in their natural settings.

Baumeister is here at the 2025 Hong Kong Laureate Forum to discuss cryo-ET and how he has used it to identify disruptions in cells that cause different viruses and diseases.

Studies using cryo-ET have contributed to the development of neutralizing antibodies and vaccines.

Will a drug be able to treat cognitive disorders?

This is what Shaw Laureate Peter Walter discussed in a breakout session during the 2025 Hong Kong Laureate Forum. His team discovered that an integrated stress response inhibitor (ISRIB) may have the potential to treat a host of diseases, including cognitive disorders.

The discovery of ISRIB was based on the studies conducted by Walter and Kazutoshi Mori on the Unfolded Protein Response of the endoplasmic reticulum, for which they were awarded the Shaw Prize in 2014.

ISRIB can treat cognition problems by targetting the stress pathway of a cell and blocking the integrated stress response caused by an underlying disease, like Alzheimer's, Parkinsons, and Down syndrome.

So far, trials on mice have shown promising results. ISRIB analogs are now in human trials for Vanishing White Matter Disease and Major Depressive Disorder.

Aside from cognitive disorders, Walter said that his team's findings could open "therapeutic windows" to other diseases like cancer, diabetes, metabolic disorders, and inflammation.

Day 2 of the One Young World Summit unfolded like a masterclass in purpose and possibility — a day that reminded me why young voices matter, and why hope, when shared, becomes unstoppable. The morning began with powerful plenary sessions that filled the room with energy and conviction. Each speaker shared stories that transcended borders and inspired us to lead with empathy, courage, and truth. As Rappler scholars, we had the profound honor of sitting down with Maria Ressa — a living symbol of integrity and resilience. In that intimate conversation, we shared our advocacies and dreams, while she shared lessons that cut deep into the essence of leadership, collaboration, and the courage to keep standing for what is right. Listening to her felt like being handed a torch — a quiet reminder to keep the light burning, no matter how strong the winds may blow.

Throughout the day, the Summit buzzed with discovery and connection. Visiting the exhibitors’ booths was more than just collecting tokens; it was an exchange of ideas, a celebration of creativity, and a glimpse into the many ways young people are shaping the future. One of the most meaningful moments came during my mentoring session with Paul Polman. Together with fellow climate advocates, indigenous leaders, innovators, and conservationists, we engaged in deep conversations about climate justice — not as an abstract goal, but as a moral calling in a world that desperately needs healing. It was a dialogue that left me both challenged and renewed, reaffirming my commitment to act with compassion and urgency.

Meeting Maria Ressa, the first and only Filipino Nobel laureate, was a truly meaningful experience during the One Young World Summit in Munich. As a Rappler Scholar, I felt grateful just to be in the same space and to listen to her share her thoughts on truth, leadership, and the challenges our generation faces.

We talked quietly about the state of the world and the Philippines, about the work we each do, and the importance of staying hopeful and grounded despite everything happening around us. She also signed my copy of her book How to Stand Up to a Dictator, which made the moment even more special.

It reminded me that courage does not always come from grand gestures, but often from the quiet persistence to keep doing what is right, one small action at a time.

Earthquake Drill, Paranaque City Hall. (Nov. 4, 2025)

Senator Pangilinan clarifies that floor price for wet palay is P17 and P23 for dry palay.

The second day of the 2025 Hong Kong Laureate Forum kicked off with a keynote speech on black holes and a plenary session on biological intelligence.

Nobel Prize winner Reinhard Genzel discussed massive black holes and his journey to discovering them.

Shaw laureates Peter Walter and Kazutoshi Mori also spoke about their career paths, how their research has evolved through the years, and advice for young scientists in the crowd.

So far, there's a common thread in how all these world-renowned scientists came across their breakthroughs: most of the time, they happened by serendipity. But it isn't just blind luck—they had to be prepared, have the right resources, and the instinct to know which odd observations can lead to a breakthrough.

Meet these three Filipino scientists currently based in Hong Kong! They are among 200 young researchers selected to attend the 2025 Hong Kong Laureate Forum.

This year's United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP30, is happening in Brazil from November 10 to 21.

There are three key points to follow at COP30: the new climate targets, the roadmap to climate finance of up to $1.3 trillion, and a new arrangement that will ensure just energy transition. Read more in @Iya Gozum's report @here: https://www.rappler.com/environment/paris-agreement-climate-targets-cop30-2025/