Manila, Philippines – In a dynamic exchange of ideas on digital education and the future of web development, Undersecretary for ICT Industry Development Jocelle Batapa-Sigue of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) met with WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg. Their discussion touched on integrating web development skills in education and how WordPress communities can collaborate with DICT especially in the provinces, the continued evolution of WordPress, and the potential for integrating the training platform into the Philippine education ecosystem.

Matt Mullenweg is the co-founder of WordPress, the open-source content management system that powers over 40% of websites worldwide. He is also the CEO of Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, WooCommerce, Tumblr, and other digital publishing and e-commerce tools.

A strong advocate for open-source software and web democratization, Mullenweg has played a key role in shaping the modern web by making website creation, blogging, and online publishing more accessible to everyone. Through Automattic, he continues to lead innovations in web development, AI, and online communities, supporting the growth of WordPress communities globally.

During his address at the WordCamp Asia 2025, Mullenweg, who pioneered WordPress—now one of the world’s most widely used content management systems—shared his excitement about AI’s potential to revolutionize learning.

“For the next five to ten years, what I’m most excited about in AI is kids getting a personalized tutor. That’s like an accelerated education for kids and adults—kids at heart. We’ll have the ability to go deep in any skill,” Mullenweg said.

WordPress in Philippine Schools

During his talk, Mullenweg positively welcomed Undersecretary Batapa-Sigue’s proposal to help integrate WordPress skills into Philippine colleges and universities, recognizing the opportunity to empower students through digital literacy and web development.

“I just met the [Deputy] Minister (USec. Jocelle) here. She wants to put WordPress in schools which, on the community side, creates opportunities for everyone—that is very exciting.”

The initiative aligns with DICT’s commitment to enhancing digital education in the Philippines by equipping students with web development skills and fostering an innovative digital community.

Under Section 6, Paragraph b of Republic Act No. 10844 which created the DICT, among its powers and functions is to formulate policies and initiatives, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepED), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), to develop and promote ICT in education consistent with the national goals and objectives., and responsive to the human resource needs of the ICT sector and ICT-enabled services .

The Role of AI in WordPress

When asked about AI’s integration into WordPress, Mullenweg explained that while sophisticated AI has yet to play a major role, basic functions like editing and spell-checking are already present.

“Not that much right now when it comes to sophisticated AI, but definitely with simple functions such as editing and spell-check, which are already integrated into browsers,” he said.

However, looking toward 2030, Mullenweg emphasized AI’s increasing influence on WordPress.

“The advancements in AI are going to be the most interesting part. Just like the personalized tutor, AI will eventually be able to accommodate users—showing the finished product but also how it did it. It’s hard not to think about anything for WordPress that isn’t tangled with AI right now.”

Community and Future Growth

Mullenweg also highlighted the importance of community-driven development in sustaining WordPress’ growth.

“The people keep me passionate about WordPress. The stories of going from zero to hero inspire me—from what started as a little project in England and Texas to influencing other countries, groups, and individuals,” he shared.

He also pointed to the role of WordCamps—community-organized WordPress events—as a valuable starting point for students and aspiring developers worldwide.

“WordCamp is a start. The Foundation has numerous projects. Perhaps, at the community level, we can do workshops and trainings, especially for students and younger people,” he added.

Batapa-Sigue is an active WordPress user with over a dozen websites already created in the platform.

I learned WordPress in just a week 7 years ago because I was curious. Today I have made a dozen sites under my account. Meeting WordPress founder Matthew Mullenweg today make me reminisce. Even when I am a lawyer, a government worker and a politician – may creative streak for learning and sharing cannot be quenched. Before I made my own premium websites jocellebatapasigue.com and legalresearchph.com in 2018. I already made several sites in WordPress that remains free till today.

Advancing Digital Literacy in the Philippines

The discussion reaffirmed the shared vision of both Batapa-Sigue and Mullenweg in advancing digital skills and education. Undersecretary Batapa-Sigue’s efforts to introduce WordPress in schools could serve as a catalyst for greater digital literacy and innovation among Filipino students.

With AI-driven learning and open-source platforms like WordPress shaping the future, the collaboration between DICT and global tech leaders signals an exciting path toward a more digitally empowered Philippines.

I am glad to be a part of close to 2,000 foreign and Filipino delegates who converged in the Philippines last week for WordCamp Asia. I am inspired to see everyone sharing the same vision and passion to build communities around valuable information sharing and learning, she said.

WordCamp Asia 2025 Unites Global WordPress Community in Manila

Manila, Philippines – WordCamp Asia 2025 successfully brought together over 2,000 WordPress enthusiasts, developers, designers, entrepreneurs, and bloggers from around the world at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) from February 20-22, 2025.

The event served as a premier gathering for the WordPress community in Asia, fostering collaboration, learning, and innovation. Attendees participated in over 50 sessions and workshops, featuring renowned speakers, covering topics such as AI integration, SEO strategies, accessibility best practices, and the latest WordPress updates.

One of the highlights was Contributor Day, where participants actively contributed to the WordPress ecosystem, engaging in hands-on projects to support the open-source platform. Additionally, Youth Camp debuted for the first time, offering young tech enthusiasts a fun and interactive introduction to web development, digital skills, and the power of open-source technology.

Beyond the sessions, attendees enjoyed unparalleled networking opportunities, connecting with professionals, sponsors, and global community members. The event also showcased the vibrant culture of Manila, allowing visitors to explore historical landmarks, local markets, and Filipino cuisine.

WordCamp Asia 2025 reaffirmed the significance of community-driven innovation in the ever-evolving digital landscape, solidifying the Philippines as a hub for open-source collaboration and technological growth.

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