By: Matthieu Oliver S Casolocan, Francis Christian J Ebarle, and Hilary Duff T Silleza 

The Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan Department of Economics held their annual educational trip on 5 November 2025 to 9 November 2025 wherein the participating students learned about the history and the growth, development, and evolution of the Philippines’ economy. Established by the Department of Economics, the tour was developed for the purpose of providing the students under the program Bachelor of Arts in Economics with meaningful and valuable experiential learning opportunities outside of their formal learning spaces. In line with Xavier University’s mission to form competent, compassionate, and committed individuals for national development, the tour aims to bridge academic learning with real-world economic applications. Through visiting significant historical and cultural institutions and participating in national events, the program enables students to gain a deeper understanding of the Philippine Economy with its evolution, structure, and ongoing challenges.

The first portion of the tour took place in Iloilo City, where the AB Economics students first arrived via Iloilo International Airport. The activities conducted by the students on this portion of the trip were designed to deepen the students’ understanding about the history and development of the Philippine economy. Visits to the National Museum of Western Visayas, the Museum of Economic History, and the Museum of Philippine Maritime History enriched students’ knowledge of the Philippines’ economic foundations, influential historical figures, and significant events that shaped the nation’s present-day economic landscape.

Following the visit to Iloilo City, the students continued their educational journey around Makati City and Taguig City’s Bonificio Global City (BGC). Following this, the students then visited Tagaytay where the students visited the People’s Park in the sky (Palace in the sky) which offered a fantastic view of the province of Cavite and one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines, the Taal Volcano. The students also visited the acclaimed Sky Ranch in which the students shared a leisure time with the amusements and attractions of the establishment.

Through an array of shared experiences, the students gained valuable insights into the development of Philippine economy as well as how culture and progress are weaved together as the nation moves forward. The educational tour reinforced that learning extends beyond texts and formal discussions, but it also thrives in human connections, new environments, and firsthand experiences. Holistically, the experience was a journey that instilled awareness, unity, and a renewed passion for understanding the economy not just numbers, but as the lifeblood of a nation and its people.

Photos by: Ms Krisha June Burgos, Ms Princess Alyssa Bajada, and Ms Ahlaizar Alvah Daquio