- 14 hours ago
What does it take to create businesses that not only succeed, but also leave a lasting impact?
In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, we sit down with Bryan Yap and Buck Richnold Sia for an insightful conversation on leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and the power of good design in shaping meaningful business experiences.
From driving initiatives that strengthen the local business community to championing creativity and purposeful growth, our guests share valuable perspectives on building brands, fostering collaboration, and preparing for the future of business.
Tune in for inspiring stories, practical insights, and conversations that truly go beyond the headlines.
In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, we sit down with Bryan Yap and Buck Richnold Sia for an insightful conversation on leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and the power of good design in shaping meaningful business experiences.
From driving initiatives that strengthen the local business community to championing creativity and purposeful growth, our guests share valuable perspectives on building brands, fostering collaboration, and preparing for the future of business.
Tune in for inspiring stories, practical insights, and conversations that truly go beyond the headlines.
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NewsTranscript
00:00:00Thank you for joining us.
00:00:30Thank you for joining us.
00:01:00Is Cebu progressing economically or are we just becoming more dependent on the hype?
00:01:08To shed more light on these and more, we are joined this afternoon by Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industries
00:01:14Chairman of Cebu Business Month 2026, Brian Yap.
00:01:19Hello, Brian. Welcome to Beyond the Headlines.
00:01:22Thank you for having us, Dij.
00:01:25Yes, and hopefully back, we'll catch up later.
00:01:27Sige, every time we would attend, as if I'm not part of it, every time we would attend activities that's
00:01:36hosted or organized by Cebu Chamber of Commerce, we always hear, Padayon Cebu.
00:01:42What does this mean beyond the slogan?
00:01:45Sige, I think it started during the chairmanship of Reagan, who's president of Cebu Chamber now.
00:01:53Now, when we created that slogan, Padayon Cebu, and the reason why Padayon Cebu is just keep moving forward long.
00:02:01We didn't want to be able to change it because it doesn't really change.
00:02:08I think our industry and our world right now is really evolving, and we just have to keep moving forward
00:02:17because it changes.
00:02:19It's unlike before, it turns business changes on a yearly basis, three, four years.
00:02:26Now, it changes on every two weeks, every month.
00:02:30So, we just have to keep moving forward.
00:02:31And speaking of moving forward, let's talk about the mini elephant in the room.
00:02:39It's not yet a huge elephant.
00:02:41But I've been hearing more and more comparisons between Cebu and Iloilo.
00:02:49In fact, several days ago, there were even debates which one is the real queen city of the south.
00:02:57But let's not go that route.
00:02:59And then, from what I hear, there are observations that Iloilo's growth said to be more future-oriented, more disciplined,
00:03:11more structured.
00:03:12While in Cebu, we struggle with a lot of things, infrastructure, even waste management, etc.
00:03:20So, what are your thoughts about this one?
00:03:23Are we, is Cebu truly economically progressing?
00:03:28Or are we more of leaning towards the hype that we have enjoyed through the years?
00:03:37I think we grew too fast.
00:03:40That's one.
00:03:41Yes, we are also very complacent, as well.
00:03:45And I think in natural order, Cebu has an advantage geographically.
00:03:53We're in the center.
00:03:54We're in the center of trade.
00:03:56We have a beautiful airport.
00:03:58But we are very complacent.
00:04:01And, you know, we grew from a 2 million population to 5 million now.
00:04:05So, complacency is one.
00:04:09The other one is we just grew too fast that we didn't really build our foundations.
00:04:13And I'm talking about even us, us businesses as well.
00:04:18So, by the way, Architect Bak, welcome to Beyond the Headlines.
00:04:22You can greet your friends.
00:04:25And you just joined into the conversation.
00:04:28So, the next question is for you, you know, speaking of fundamentals, you know, which Brian mentioned.
00:04:34Yes.
00:04:35Now, it's summer.
00:04:36It's not raining.
00:04:38So, that means there's no flooding.
00:04:39And then the work has transitioned to hybrid for a lot of offices.
00:04:46And then classes were already done for primary and secondary.
00:04:49So, that means there's less traffic.
00:04:50But it looks like once Business as Usual returns, then it's Business as Usual.
00:04:59So, we're going to see these problems again.
00:05:02So, do you think Cebu moving forward can exponentially progress?
00:05:09Yes.
00:05:10Given our problems with infrastructure?
00:05:14Yes.
00:05:15But we cannot do it with traditional design thinking.
00:05:18Meaning?
00:05:19Meaning?
00:05:22Example, there are, let's say, there are key crucial aspects of problems.
00:05:26Let's say traffic.
00:05:28Okay?
00:05:29If we keep on building roads and widening them, and then just ensuring that traffic will stop, it will never
00:05:36stop.
00:05:37Therefore, how we design things, how we design cities, is very crucial where we have to design our city to
00:05:46be walkable.
00:05:48So, design our cities to have efficient public transport.
00:05:51So, this way, there is actually a systemic change in design.
00:05:56We have to design that walking is not actually inconvenient.
00:06:01So, there's a lot of mind-setting that we have to do, and we cannot just wait for the citizens
00:06:06to say what they want.
00:06:07So, it is also basically saying that let's design the way, the proper way of doing things, proper sidewalks, proper
00:06:15way for you to go to point A and point B.
00:06:17And actually, I truly believe that that actually also resolves a lot of these inconvenient issues on productivity.
00:06:24So, there's so much into play.
00:06:29Housing, is there any way to make sure that there's more accessibility for people aside from public transport?
00:06:35So, that's a very, that's a small chunk of information for a very wide problem that we need to address
00:06:42in a holistic way.
00:06:44So, that's something in terms of traffic.
00:06:47So, I've asked Brian the question about the small elephant in the room.
00:06:53So, I have another small elephant for you.
00:06:56Wouldn't it be big?
00:06:59It depends on your answer.
00:07:01But you've mentioned about transportation now.
00:07:04Yes.
00:07:05And then planning properly.
00:07:07Yes.
00:07:08The closest that we have right now, and I think you know where I'm headed, is on the Cebu Bus
00:07:14Rapid Transit.
00:07:15Is there hope for this project for Cebu as the only one we have as of this time?
00:07:24Well, we need to act faster than the two routes that we see or the two-kilometer stretch.
00:07:29Definitely.
00:07:30I think there is a study done already.
00:07:35I cannot put it in proper context because I have not even fully studied the whole route.
00:07:41But I think that has already been studied.
00:07:43That has to be implemented as fast as we should be doing.
00:07:48So, if that can happen, if you give that a chance, I believe that mass transit is a very good
00:07:54opportunity for Cebu to progress.
00:07:57Including the dedicated path.
00:08:01Yes.
00:08:02Path.
00:08:02Yes.
00:08:03As much as it is controversial because we complain because it's inconvenient.
00:08:10That's always the first thing.
00:08:12How do we adapt to inconvenience?
00:08:14How do we address to these standards?
00:08:18I mean, we always ask on certain comparisons to other countries.
00:08:23They've done this, that it's actually in the middle of the road when you want to cross.
00:08:28So, it's a matter of, you know, creating this system again that, you know, let's give it a shot, guys.
00:08:35As citizens.
00:08:36But how can we give this a shot if the pilot project is still very small?
00:08:422.3 kilometers.
00:08:44Yes.
00:08:44So, it's not, you won't be able to really achieve what you want to do if it's really, if you
00:08:50want to experiment.
00:08:51You know, if you want to have this as a lifestyle change or systemic change for us, Cebuanos.
00:08:57Actually, I have, this is joke, sarcastic remark.
00:09:00Now, I was about to say, 2.3 kilometers, dream come true.
00:09:03Walkable.
00:09:04Yes.
00:09:05Exactly.
00:09:07That's exactly what we do.
00:09:10A 2 kilometer radius is very, very walkable.
00:09:13Correct.
00:09:14It's very, very walkable.
00:09:16So, those are things, again, we need to address.
00:09:18And there are always been those connotations that, but Cebu is hot, humid, it's tropical.
00:09:24It's too, it's inconvenient to walk.
00:09:27Again, going back to inconvenience, how can we design it that it won't be inconvenient?
00:09:33Trees, shades, there are so many ways that we can do it, but it needs a lot of foresight
00:09:39and a lot of collaboration among sectors as well.
00:09:42So, now going back to Brian.
00:09:45I like this conversation.
00:09:48You mentioned, now, that we also grew from 2 million to 5 million, now, in just a short
00:09:57span of time.
00:09:59That's why there's also some catching up to do in terms of infrastructure.
00:10:08In the past, when we were 2 million, now, I'm just making this up.
00:10:12But in the past, when people are asked about Cebu, from people in Manila who's never been
00:10:19in Cebu, the description is, it's like Metro Manila minus the traffic.
00:10:25I used to hear that a lot.
00:10:28Is that still true?
00:10:29So, most of my friends and clients are based in Manila.
00:10:34Every time they come here, Brian, this is traffic, your traffic here is worse than Manila.
00:10:39Like, during rush hour, yes, I kind of want to agree, because I think Manila traffic is
00:10:44far.
00:10:45Sometimes, in your Manila area, it doesn't move, especially during classes.
00:10:51So, I wouldn't say it's worse, but yes, even in Manila, people also know that they would
00:10:58say that traffic is bad.
00:10:59Even especially for friends that actually stay in Mactan, who wants to have dinner here
00:11:04in the city, I always tell them, before you go to dinner, that's a rush hour, take at least
00:11:10an hour and a half to two hours time.
00:11:13You never hear that, you know?
00:11:16For the longest time, being Cebuano, it's always Hamburgiro.
00:11:20You know, everything in Cebu is 15 minutes.
00:11:22I've heard about that also before.
00:11:24I remember this.
00:11:25I go to the beach for like 30 minutes.
00:11:27I go to the mountains in 30 minutes.
00:11:29I go from my house to my airport, you know, 30 minutes before my boarding gate.
00:11:34That was before, but not anymore now.
00:11:38So, on the flip side, before we sink deeper, on the flip side, what do you think is Cebu's
00:11:47edge in spite of the challenges that we just talked about?
00:11:51I think economically and central, we still have that edge.
00:11:55We're still a center of trade.
00:11:57Most of the shipping, the main warehouses are still here.
00:12:02Even in tourism, when you want to really come in, we're kind of the gateway for central
00:12:07Visayas and even towards Mindanao, right?
00:12:12The population that we actually have, and I think we're 5 million something, the spending
00:12:17power is actually still better than most central Visayas.
00:12:22Infrastructure, yes, we're still better.
00:12:24We have a nicer hotels, especially now with the airport, the Mactat Expo, the SMX, the arena.
00:12:32Those are still a big, big advantage for us.
00:12:36Talent-wise, yes.
00:12:38Because, and I think you also know this, both all three of our industry, a lot of the neighboring
00:12:43cities will come to Cebu for better jobs and better opportunities.
00:12:49They really don't go to Manila outright.
00:12:51They come to Cebu, then from Cebu they might actually fly out to Manila.
00:12:56I think Cebu is also very marketed well.
00:13:01It took a long time that Cebu, if you want an alternative from Buraka, you have to come
00:13:06to Cebu because you have the balance of the beach, you have the city.
00:13:09So we still have a lot of advantage.
00:13:11We just have to work on some, a lot of major stuff.
00:13:17But on the other side also that because we had the, it was a natural advantage for us.
00:13:23Us as being businesses became also too complacent that, you know, I don't need to innovate.
00:13:29I don't need to grow.
00:13:30I'm happy to where I am.
00:13:32Anything I do, my business will grow.
00:13:37So now, in relation to that, and a disclaimer, this is not in the context of politics.
00:13:47What uncomfortable conversations to sustain our growth, we should be having more this time.
00:13:55I think infrastructure is really what's lagging us behind.
00:14:00In the Philippines in general, but of course, if you put it in the microscope of Cebu, yes,
00:14:06we do have the geography.
00:14:07We do have some advantages.
00:14:09We have a little bit more of a competitive edge because we've started earlier, but it
00:14:14doesn't mean that we will not.
00:14:16We will lag.
00:14:16We will lag.
00:14:17Complacency.
00:14:18So I still really believe that there's a lot of aspects of public and private partnerships
00:14:24and a lot of public, I would suppose, because these are a lot of, in terms of really creating
00:14:29responsible infrastructure, utilities, proper roads, proper transport, proper green environmental
00:14:38infrastructure, which we tend to forget.
00:14:40Open spaces.
00:14:41Open spaces.
00:14:42Because again, I want to challenge our fellow Cebuanos and our leaders, the matter again of
00:14:48the concept of inconvenience.
00:14:50We tend to try that if it's green and if it's a bearing plant, it's something that's
00:14:57natural living thing.
00:14:59We say, ah, we should maintain it, we should just maintain it.
00:15:03So actually, it actually creates all these counterintuitive aspects of going back why we're
00:15:09doing a city.
00:15:09We're doing a city for humans to have a better quality of life because we all come here for
00:15:15opportunity.
00:15:16So we need to have a better quality of life.
00:15:18So that should be in one of the main pillars of what we do, aside from economic progress.
00:15:26You know, hand in hand, it both is very crucial, at least for Cebu to thrive again.
00:15:32Architect, do you think there's...
00:15:35Now I have a co-host.
00:15:36Do you think it's really also because of a gap of education understanding?
00:15:42But it goes still back to infrastructure, you know?
00:15:45No, I mean, even the developers, that's why, you know, I don't want to do this because
00:15:49this becomes an inconvenience.
00:15:51So there's a gap of understanding.
00:15:52But at the end of the day, the public realm is the responsibility of the public sector.
00:15:58Okay.
00:16:00So there has to be that push as well.
00:16:01Yeah.
00:16:02To really put it, at the end of the day, the private developer, yes, they will put in
00:16:05these sustainable aspects, moment aspects, but creating a township and then public transport
00:16:11will have a bottleneck right after your township.
00:16:14There's so much a private developer can do.
00:16:17But of course, there's still stewardship.
00:16:19Us as private sectors, there is still a responsibility to go hand in hand with the public sector.
00:16:23And don't worry, because I'm moving towards the talent portion, the part on talent.
00:16:31And this one, to me, is one of my personal, this is one of the things happening in the
00:16:37Philippines that keeps me, I mean, keep me awake at night.
00:16:41So the Philippines ranks lowest in reading and second lowest in math and science.
00:16:52So this is according to the Program for International Student Assessment in 2018.
00:17:00And then in 2022, still the Philippines also ranks second to the lowest in creative thinking.
00:17:08So this is the global comparison.
00:17:10Now, if even we move locally, our EDCOM also reported that 21% of our senior higher graduates
00:17:18are not functionally literate.
00:17:22So how prepared is Cebu's workforce also as we move fast into the future?
00:17:33I'll talk in the perspective of my industry.
00:17:36So my industry is basically tech, advertising, and a little bit of creativity.
00:17:43Major gap for me right now.
00:17:46I would say most of our graduates, when they graduate, when we really put into the workforce
00:17:50right now, they're not workforce ready.
00:17:52We have to train them.
00:17:53We have to prepare them.
00:17:55They're not also up to date to what the industry standards, the trends, the innovations, especially
00:18:02for digital.
00:18:03Because on the digital side, the changes is happening by every two weeks.
00:18:10There's a new software that actually comes out.
00:18:12There's a new algorithm.
00:18:13There's a new AI.
00:18:14There's a new tool that actually comes out.
00:18:16So even when Claude, every time Claude or Anthropic comes up with a new feature, it kills a startup.
00:18:26So that's how fast things.
00:18:28And I agree to what architect, but I think one of the things that needs to change, even
00:18:33education, is really mindsets right now.
00:18:36Your industry.
00:18:38Yeah.
00:18:39So yeah, it actually keeps me awake at night as well.
00:18:44What did you mention again?
00:18:45You mentioned, there was something you mentioned about...
00:18:48Skills gap.
00:18:49Skills gap.
00:18:50They're not workforce ready.
00:18:52By the time we hire them, we have to train them again.
00:18:54Or by the time there's an update in technology, it also kills the startup.
00:19:00Okay.
00:19:00So the adjustability and flexibility aspect, I would say, as you mentioned in your question
00:19:06about analysis, there has to be an utmost focus on critical thinking.
00:19:15And I believe, based on how I observe it, how we teach the students and teach us, we're
00:19:25very instruction-based.
00:19:28Follow instruction, do this, put the exam.
00:19:30There is that aspect of dialogue that I truly feel that is a miss already.
00:19:36So just for the sake of passing, you basically do that.
00:19:40In that sense, if you increase your critical thinking assessment when there is a dialogue,
00:19:45and rather than asking for students to ask the answer, tell the answers, they have to
00:19:51pose questions as well.
00:19:53True.
00:19:53It's very, very crucial, even in our industry when we talk about, when we dialogue as well.
00:19:58Well, that's the time when they develop key critical thinking where it's easier for us
00:20:04to adjust in this volatile world right now.
00:20:06So I think somewhere along the way, and it happens because any education agencies or department
00:20:14or any aspect, schools, institutions, needs to be institutionalized.
00:20:19But there has to be a take back a little bit to put some space on breathing room for dialogue,
00:20:25creativity, qualitative aspects.
00:20:28It's kind of hard to measure-measure.
00:20:30But those are the things, we have to bring it back.
00:20:33Another thing, it's just a miss, it's not official, we don't know.
00:20:38But I've always heard that we are taking a lot of paths that students just pass, can just
00:20:44just pass.
00:20:45So accountability has already been, you know, watered down.
00:20:49And I think that way, failure is very crucial at any onset.
00:20:57As entrepreneurs, we are set to a lot of failures.
00:21:02Maybe I was a student before, I would avoid all these failing marks.
00:21:10But if you can just get a free pass because you don't want to exert and put some excellence
00:21:15into it, maybe that's, again, the mindset that's lacking, that we need to recuperate
00:21:20again.
00:21:21You know, I have a friend, I have a friend who was a mentor, Silicon Valley.
00:21:25And one thing that he actually taught me is, right, you have to learn the art of asking
00:21:31questions.
00:21:33Sometimes, asking questions is actually harder than finding the answers.
00:21:37Yes, but if you know how to ask questions, all the answers are there.
00:21:42Right?
00:21:43So, and I think that's something that, you know, connecting to what Architect Bak said,
00:21:46the critical thinking, that asking question is actually very important.
00:21:51On the failure side as well, as you mentioned, like even a lot of our stories, right, our
00:21:56workforce, they don't want to take risks.
00:21:58They don't want to innovate because they're always afraid of failing.
00:22:01You're not used to it.
00:22:02But when you become an entrepreneur, if you really want to innovate, you have to break
00:22:06eggs, a lot of eggs.
00:22:08And that's something those are critical thinking and mindset that has to change if
00:22:14you really want Cebu to really innovate.
00:22:17And this is for our teachers who are watching.
00:22:23So, if the approach has always been enumeration, fill in the blanks, multiple choice, memorization,
00:22:35that I call that actually parroting, then we are not necessarily raising critical thinkers.
00:22:43What we're raising are students who follow instructions, who can fill in the blanks, no?
00:22:51Not necessarily even connect the dots, no?
00:22:53Just fill in the blanks, no?
00:22:55Maybe it's a model that's already been in the past.
00:22:58Because if we model it with the first industrial revolution, when we needed production and factory
00:23:05workers, and just instructions-based, then that's the model that you need to go.
00:23:10Because they were not also encouraged to think.
00:23:12In a way, because you needed to ensure that's the manual.
00:23:14I like where this is going.
00:23:15But it's not the way it is.
00:23:18And unfortunately, we don't have a manufacturing sector.
00:23:20Yeah.
00:23:20It's a very weak sector for the Philippines.
00:23:22Which we also really need to drive up.
00:23:26And again, it goes back to infrastructure, policy, etc., etc.
00:23:30Can go on and on.
00:23:31I never knew that this is going to be a very serious conversation.
00:23:36Now that you actually said to the architect, I think one of the core that Sibur really has
00:23:42is really creativity.
00:23:44We used to be a furniture hub.
00:23:45We have a lot of nice buildings.
00:23:47We have the architectures.
00:23:48We have the designers.
00:23:50We have the artists.
00:23:50And I think creativity is something raw, talent, to what we actually have here.
00:23:55Aside from being a businessman, because we've always been traders.
00:23:59So I think that's something.
00:24:01But when you have creativity, you have to take risk.
00:24:03You have to have critical thinking.
00:24:05Those are definitely plus sides.
00:24:07At least we have that.
00:24:09Because entrepreneurs will always create opportunity out of constraints.
00:24:13And we've always been a city of entrepreneurs.
00:24:17Maybe less structured because Manila's capital cities are more corporate, more structured.
00:24:22We tend to figure things out.
00:24:25And there are some pros and cons with that one.
00:24:29But definitely, that's something that definitely we can have.
00:24:32And another thing probably would be customer service.
00:24:34I think we do actually want to satisfy a specific need.
00:24:38Right?
00:24:39We are people pleasers.
00:24:41People pleasers.
00:24:42In a good way.
00:24:43Okay, Sigit.
00:24:44In a good way.
00:24:46That's why our tourism sector really blew up.
00:24:49Because I'll actually handle our guests coming in here.
00:24:55Okay, go ahead.
00:24:56Before we leave the talent portion or the questions on the talent, with the way things are going, education-wise
00:25:10or upskilling or retooling-wise.
00:25:13And you've mentioned that we're moving towards a faster pace in terms of technology, like artificial intelligence.
00:25:23If things will continue as they are, do you see AI creating more opportunities?
00:25:30Or do you see AI widening the inequality?
00:25:36If we continue to do what we're doing.
00:25:39That's very hard to answer.
00:25:41It's very hard to predict what's actually happening if it's going to.
00:25:45I think, one, it will create opportunity.
00:25:48And I was under the impression, when we started using AI, it would make my life easier because less work.
00:25:55Not realizing because you become more productive, more work.
00:25:59Correct.
00:25:59More things gets done.
00:26:01Will it widen inequality?
00:26:03If people doesn't adapt, yes, it will.
00:26:07I think you really see it now, even on the software side.
00:26:11A lot of the tech companies are laying off people.
00:26:14The reason for that, it's the reason for that because, for one, they're more productive.
00:26:20But the more senior developed that who really has adapted stayed in the company.
00:26:26So it really will widen inequality if people doesn't really adapt.
00:26:30But on our side, being in customer service, in being creative, I really think there's opportunity there.
00:26:38One example.
00:26:40In terms of animation, we will never have that skill set to animate as how other countries.
00:26:46One, the tools are very expensive.
00:26:49The schools doesn't teach that.
00:26:51But we have the creativity and the storytelling.
00:26:53We're using AI.
00:26:54Now, if you have the creativity, you know how to storytell, you have the eye for it, you can tell
00:27:00your story by using these tools.
00:27:02So that could be an opportunity for us to be in that industry.
00:27:11And yes, I've heard about the creative industry and the opportunities also with animation in Japan, which could be another
00:27:23Disney in my generation.
00:27:26One example for me, before, for you to become, you know, a dresser, you need to really know how to
00:27:33draw.
00:27:35That's a mandatory.
00:27:36Yes.
00:27:36Now, because of technology, correct me, I may be wrong, correct me if I'm wrong, as long as you know
00:27:40how to use the tools.
00:27:42And you have the eye.
00:27:42You have the eye.
00:27:43You don't need to do the freehand.
00:27:46Yes.
00:27:47In which I had difficulty when I was in first year, you know.
00:27:52Because I'm an engineer, so we all went through drawing.
00:27:55And I had trouble with this.
00:27:57Anyway, yes.
00:27:58So, yeah, if you go back to fundamentals, first thing, yes, it's always a two-way street.
00:28:03In any problem, in any opportunity, in any new tech, there's always two ways to the story.
00:28:11I mean, two-way street.
00:28:12But yes, we agree.
00:28:14It does actually add the tools.
00:28:16It has to go back what can the learners and the educators teach us.
00:28:22We have to go back to what matters and what's the basic aspects.
00:28:26For example, of course, I'm in the design, architecture, construction field.
00:28:30If you feel that just it's a rendering, that it will come out, that it will look good and pleasing.
00:28:37But what I always tell my team is go back to basics to really check every standard.
00:28:43Because at the end of the day, we as architects are not here just to design.
00:28:48But we are accountable for the functionality of these.
00:28:51And it goes back to all our industries.
00:28:54The tools will be there.
00:28:55We have to understand what is the fundamental aspects of this.
00:28:58And at the end of the day, those still come from educators, us as mentors, principals.
00:29:05These are things that are still very crucial in our world.
00:29:08So there's always this hand-in-hand that comes with new technology or new revolutions.
00:29:14Now, let's go back to Cebu.
00:29:17Okay.
00:29:19And we will land with Cebu Business Month.
00:29:21Don't worry.
00:29:22Okay.
00:29:22Now, going back to Cebu, earlier, there was a comparison with Iloilo and then comparison with Metro Manila.
00:29:29Now, let's move towards what used to be the mindset of some people, whether we liked it or we did
00:29:37not.
00:29:38But Cebu as the island in the Pacific.
00:29:41So how competitive is Cebu right now also to Southeast Asian cities like Ho Chi Minh, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur?
00:29:51Because K.L. also has its own identity.
00:29:55What do you mean it's own identity?
00:29:56It's not just Vietnam.
00:29:58So how are we also doing in that context?
00:30:01You want to start?
00:30:02I want to start?
00:30:07I'll talk about it on the first part a little bit on the general things, especially in economy.
00:30:12Then I'll go probably focus a little bit with culture and our identity.
00:30:16I think that's crucial, especially for me.
00:30:18And we will do that for the next hour.
00:30:20Yeah.
00:30:22So the first part, I think on the outer lens, we know that I go back to all my first
00:30:28statements.
00:30:29It's still infrastructure, policy, et cetera, to really improve quality of life, where the quality of life also improves cost
00:30:35of living, productivity, et cetera.
00:30:37I think that's where we are still lagging.
00:30:39It's still a high friction to do so many things here and the Philippines in general.
00:30:47So I'll leave it in terms of heritage design and culture.
00:30:55Everyone has equal footing, I suppose.
00:30:58It's a matter of embracing who we are.
00:31:00We do not need to always think that Cebu will always be beaches.
00:31:05Cebu will always be the heritage churches, which we also still need to celebrate.
00:31:09But we need to celebrate what we can offer again in terms of the quality of the space again.
00:31:15For me, it's really like that.
00:31:17If you improve the walkability, if you improve the trees that is beside the establishments, it actually attracts a lot
00:31:24of people and environment and actually makes it thrive again.
00:31:29Every country in Southeast Asia is basically of the same microclimate as we do, in a way.
00:31:35I think Singapore is also just as humid now.
00:31:38They're more humid.
00:31:39They're more humid.
00:31:40But people still walk.
00:31:42People still walk.
00:31:43So again, it's really a matter of just understanding that.
00:31:45There's this always the debate again.
00:31:47Let me go a little bit more technical, especially as a designer and a student of design and architecture, which
00:31:53I self-proclaim to be.
00:31:58So we have a certain insecurity of who, what Filipino design is.
00:32:07To say, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Balinese, Balinese.
00:32:12I think we should not overcomplicate things and try hard to say those things.
00:32:21At the end of the day, we are an identity, form of our Malay race, Polynesian race even.
00:32:29Over the years, tribal to colonized, we should embrace that.
00:32:34Up to a point that we are Americanized or Westernized, we should embrace that.
00:32:39And at the end of the day, from that concoction of thinking from the past all the way towards the
00:32:44current generation,
00:32:45of all these mixed cultures and thinking, that's what makes us Filipino or even Cebuano.
00:32:52Where you have likes of products like Kenneth, Vito, and a few more.
00:32:58Maybe, I don't know.
00:32:59I would say I have a very Western philosophy in terms of how I do things.
00:33:06But ingrained with what we can do in terms of who we are as Filipinos.
00:33:12So at the end of the day, do something that's excellent.
00:33:14Do something that cares for society.
00:33:17And it will really just trickle through.
00:33:21Wow. Okay.
00:33:23And I think, you know, technology, talent technology, we're way behind.
00:33:28You know, even I want to compare it to more to Vietnam because Vietnam was once, was way behind us,
00:33:36like Ho Chi Minh.
00:33:37But we've seen how Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh really accelerated.
00:33:43Architect Bach covered the infrastructure side of things.
00:33:47We've also talked about the talent gap as well.
00:33:53But I think Cebu, like Philippines in general, we have something that's very unique to us.
00:33:57We're very social.
00:33:59I mean, in Southeast Asia, in terms of advertising, the center for excellence on all multinational countries for social has
00:34:07always been the Philippines.
00:34:09Right?
00:34:10So that's something that we're very adaptable to technology.
00:34:16We just have to be able to accelerate and really keep convincing.
00:34:23And I think there's really one thing that I want the Filipino trade to change.
00:34:27Fear.
00:34:30One, because I think by nature, we really grew up afraid.
00:34:34We grew up na, oh, you have to be an engineer.
00:34:37You have to be an accounting.
00:34:38You have to be a nurse.
00:34:39We were never told, okay, take whatever course that you have.
00:34:42Number one.
00:34:44We've always been told literally what to do.
00:34:46I think that's something that we need to be able to change.
00:34:50And as I said, in it, we have the creativity.
00:34:52If you just unleash that creativity, we can do a lot of different things.
00:34:57I think that's something that we need to work on.
00:34:59That's our natural culture.
00:35:01But for one is we also grew up, I'm not going to say spoiled, but regardless of whatever class you
00:35:10have, you're always a katulong sa bahay.
00:35:12Right?
00:35:12Independency.
00:35:13That's something that the culture that we also need.
00:35:16If you have independency, you're not afraid, then that's something you're more hungrier.
00:35:22Vietnam had nothing.
00:35:24That's why they're so hungry.
00:35:26And they're younger as a country, as a nation.
00:35:30But aside from that, they're also hungry.
00:35:31They're not complacent.
00:35:33We had everything.
00:35:34We had infrastructure.
00:35:36We're English speaking.
00:35:37We're confident we don't have that gap.
00:35:39We can talk to people.
00:35:40We have a beautiful country.
00:35:42That's why we became complacent.
00:35:47Okay.
00:35:50I thought you also wanted to say something.
00:35:53So now let's...
00:35:54Go ahead.
00:35:54No, no, no.
00:35:54If I'm going to continue, it's going to be long.
00:35:57Go ahead.
00:35:58I think that's also a cultural thing that we need to change.
00:36:01No, but while the two of you were also talking, I've heard, at least during my generation, that the general
00:36:11observation at that time is the Philippines was or is.
00:36:15It depends.
00:36:17Naturally creative.
00:36:18And I just...
00:36:20What happened along the way?
00:36:22Because I remembered that.
00:36:23Now, that's why before social media and before the Filipino talents were noticed globally, that's always the pride of the
00:36:33Philippines, that we have one of the most creative people in the world.
00:36:38We just did not have the platform.
00:36:40But I think we are still naturally creative.
00:36:42That was...
00:36:43Creative, whether it's going to be music, whether it's going to be design.
00:36:46There's still a lot of Filipinos right now that are...
00:36:48But I think it's just risk-taking.
00:36:50It's risk-taking.
00:36:50And putting ourselves out there.
00:36:52Risk-taking, dialogue.
00:36:54When we produce our buildings and produce our designs, we fail a lot.
00:36:59We do a lot of schemes and we do a lot of explorations.
00:37:02And that's...
00:37:02It's not...
00:37:04It's a matter of just really providing these kinds of prototyping and really just having this understanding a lot and
00:37:11actually produce a lot of better work that way.
00:37:13Why do Filipinos thrive when they're outside our country?
00:37:17We will have another episode for that.
00:37:19But yes, it's an interesting question.
00:37:21Not all, but a lot, right?
00:37:22They do work two jobs.
00:37:24They rose the ranks.
00:37:26And speaking of risk, at least now we have a couple...
00:37:30No, I just...
00:37:31But I will not name one.
00:37:33At least now we have a building in which when I look at the design, did a helicopter crash in
00:37:40this section?
00:37:42So, meaning we're taking more risk.
00:37:44That's the other way of looking at it.
00:37:45Okay, okay.
00:37:46It's okay.
00:37:47Now, let's move towards Cebu Business Month.
00:37:49Cebu Business Month.
00:37:50Now, it's been happening for decades, no?
00:37:5430 years.
00:37:5430 years.
00:37:55It's the 30th year.
00:37:55What makes Cebu Business Month relevant through the years?
00:38:04I think this is basically my fourth year of being part of Cebu Business Month and Cebu Chamber.
00:38:10I really see the progression, the changes.
00:38:15That's what's actually happening.
00:38:16And I think this is one organization that a lot of Cebu business owners, not just Cebu business owners, like
00:38:24people, Cebuanos in general, are really coming together as a private sector and a private citizen, making that effort to
00:38:33innovate or to change.
00:38:36And I think if you look at it, there are really, it took a while for us to really want
00:38:41to focus on.
00:38:42Like, we really focus on four pillars.
00:38:43You know, we have Architect Buck, who's going to talk more about the design side.
00:38:47We have the tech and innovation.
00:38:49We have the investment.
00:38:50And we have the tourism.
00:38:51We also have creatives as well.
00:38:53I think those are the five key low-hanging fruit that really Cebu can really thrive.
00:38:59So, and I highly encourage people to be there because conversations like this, these are important.
00:39:04These are important for people for information to know, for them to learn.
00:39:10You know, if all of us as five million people have the same mindset and we may be able to
00:39:15forward, we can do a lot of different things.
00:39:19My take, I think Cebu Chamber, I mean, it's not a thing.
00:39:25I know Cebu Chamber does, has a lot of care for progression in a responsible way.
00:39:33I truly believe that.
00:39:34This is not just a network of businessmen and communities just asking for favors and asking for something in return.
00:39:42There is, I would say, a key word, stewardship.
00:39:44We really actually want to improve things.
00:39:46And to improve things, you actually want to evangelize a bit, share, dialogue, because there's that selflessness to really ensure
00:39:55that, you know, we guys really need to share.
00:39:57Because for every Filipino, Cebuano, who can take part and can learn and apply, our median of excellence and standard
00:40:09goes higher.
00:40:10I think that has always been us, at least with our group and a few of us in our community
00:40:16and the members of the Cebu Chamber, who would really like to have this as well.
00:40:20I mean, at the end of the day, yes, it will become more competitive.
00:40:24But at the end of the day, that actually breeds a little bit more better products, excellence, you know, services.
00:40:31So in that sense, it actually really improves, you know.
00:40:34So that's basically something I've truly believed.
00:40:37That's why I volunteered in helping the CBM.
00:40:40And a personal note, of course, it's a family thing.
00:40:43My dad was there ever since.
00:40:46He was a very good role model, no?
00:40:48So I just saw the email of my rebel.
00:40:51They're invited for the opening salvo because he was a CBM cherry decades ago.
00:40:55So, and it's the same thing.
00:40:59I see him being a steward.
00:41:03My brother is a steward.
00:41:05I am also volunteering to become a steward for this.
00:41:09And your kids will eventually become a steward?
00:41:11In a way, because you build that environment.
00:41:15And I think that sense, it improves leadership, you know, and influence among your environment.
00:41:22So in that sense, we wanted to infill a lot of cross-sectors.
00:41:27And we don't even think about sectors anymore.
00:41:29We think about cross, you know, learnings already right now.
00:41:32So that sense, I had an agenda.
00:41:34I said, hey, let's put it in the service in the design industry because I feel that's also very important
00:41:40for us to be educated, vice versa, you know, from the business community, operations, all the way to the service.
00:41:47So beyond events and beyond the publicity, what do you think are measures of success that eventually reaches an everyday
00:42:02Cebu?
00:42:03Because they get to see that, oh, there's a Cebu business month again.
00:42:06I think, for one, investments really coming in Cebu, whether you're a foreign investment or whether you're a Manila business
00:42:14coming in to invest.
00:42:16So you see a lot of Manila brands actually coming in here to really invest because they really believe.
00:42:21That's a good thing.
00:42:22It provides jobs.
00:42:24You know, our hope for that is with these people in Manila invest here, they get the local supplier, not
00:42:31bringing their own supplier because we have the local architects here, have the contractors.
00:42:37A measure of success is the change of people's mindset, like, you know, people really coming in.
00:42:44And I think one thing that, you know, architect Buck said, Cebu Chamber is not just a club or an
00:42:50organization, but it's actually crafting on what is the right environment for Cebu to be.
00:42:57Whether you're a business or whether you're a private citizen, because we talk about sustainability.
00:43:06And I think for the past few months, with all the disaster happening, you really see the Chamber playing a
00:43:11major role.
00:43:12You and your brother were actually there on site, on ground, on addressing sustainability.
00:43:18And so, I think those are some measurements, like, every, you know, people that becomes part of Cebu Chamber, to
00:43:26listen, to attend the events, create that ripples effect.
00:43:31That one day we're all aligned, Cebu can actually grow sustainably.
00:43:36Again.
00:43:38Why is there an again?
00:43:39I'm sorry.
00:43:40No, no, but we're growing.
00:43:42No, I captured the words.
00:43:44Okay.
00:43:45Sorry.
00:43:46I mean, we're growing.
00:43:47But, and I think we grew too fast, we grew too fast that our infrastructure was not able to adapt.
00:43:55And that includes talent.
00:43:56That includes talent.
00:43:58Yeah.
00:43:58We need to forecast that with public.
00:44:00It's another discussion.
00:44:02But for me, keyword for me is, as a community of entrepreneurs, we are a community of entrepreneurs.
00:44:09And yes, investment is very crucial.
00:44:11There's a feeling of, you get to be, there's the feeling of familiarity.
00:44:17In terms of what you understand, what you receive.
00:44:20There is that relatability.
00:44:23That's the key word that I want to say.
00:44:25Relatability.
00:44:26There is highs and lows in entrepreneurship.
00:44:29And there's so many lows.
00:44:30There's so many grinds to entrepreneurship, right?
00:44:32I mean, we all know that.
00:44:34And we have all these group chats with our friends.
00:44:36It's lonely.
00:44:37It's lonely.
00:44:38But in that sense, when we have these forums and we have these summits, we tell them best practices.
00:44:44And sometimes it's just not, I mean, most of the time, it's not just about the success stories.
00:44:50It's about the how-tos.
00:44:52And these things will actually create that reliability.
00:44:55Hey, I tried that.
00:44:56That's what I felt.
00:44:57I'm not alone.
00:44:58Therefore, I'm not there yet, but I might be doing something right.
00:45:03So, I think those are the things that we have to latch on as a community that we know we're
00:45:11trying.
00:45:11And from all the forums and the summits and the platforms that we're trying to do, we are able to
00:45:19at least contribute some knowledge.
00:45:21And, of course, at the end of the day, it's the entrepreneur's responsibility to apply it.
00:45:27So, if we want to be globally competitive, these are the things that, that's why a lot of our speakers
00:45:32also are not just from Cebu, but really a lot of them are also from the outside.
00:45:38For another perspective.
00:45:39So, moving forward, what do you think are the biggest opportunities for Cebu in 2026 and even beyond 2026?
00:45:49The forecasts?
00:45:52I mean, in my industry.
00:45:53In my industry, it's advertising.
00:45:59The creative and advertising has a lot of opportunity.
00:46:01You see a lot of brands really investing heavily for Visa and Medinao.
00:46:04And the reason for that, the growth that they're really looking at is in this region.
00:46:11That's also, I'm not saying dangerous, but our local businesses has to play catch up in a way.
00:46:20As I said, complacent, if you look at the biggest businesses in Visayas and Medinao has never been like the
00:46:26Manila.
00:46:26There's always that local version from real estate to retail to pharmacy.
00:46:31But the big boys, the big ones are starting to come in.
00:46:35That's a good thing because there's investment, there's job.
00:46:38But I'm really hoping that our local businesses really catch up, really innovates, really ups their standard, really invest to
00:46:47their people and systems at the same time.
00:46:50A lot of the Manila business has invested already on software and technology.
00:46:53Basically, our local businesses are just starting to invest on SaaS software.
00:47:02And globally, or even Manila, they've been doing that for the past 10, 20 years.
00:47:08So, you know, BPO is a big improvement that we can still do.
00:47:11We've talked about that.
00:47:13Tourism is something that we can still really push.
00:47:15That's something that we have.
00:47:17Manufacturing, yes, there are some sectors that are really doing well.
00:47:24Service, I think service is still something that we can actually grow.
00:47:28We have a lot of manpower.
00:47:30We just need to build those skill sets.
00:47:32We have an opportunity of, there's a term for that, it's not augmentation.
00:47:42Arbitrage and cost.
00:47:44We have an arbitrage on cost for Cebu versus Manila versus other.
00:47:48If we can just train these people to be at that standard, then I don't think opportunities is not there.
00:47:59There's still a lot of opportunities.
00:48:02So, again, as you mentioned, as I mentioned kanina, opportunities comes from constraints.
00:48:08I'd rather put it based on constraints and a phenomenon.
00:48:12The first one is you mentioned, and I think it is crucial.
00:48:15When the big boys come in, this is already a constraint and a competition for our fellow Cebuanos.
00:48:22And I think our fellow Cebuano entrepreneurs are actually stepping up on this.
00:48:27So, in that sense, they have to provide and think of how to level the playing field or improve.
00:48:33So, it triggers so much more.
00:48:37We know the F&B market is going to be in that realm.
00:48:41Yeah.
00:48:41I mean, for a fact that all the Manila players will definitely come over for regional because that's the only
00:48:49way for them to grow further in terms of what they have in terms of their revenue.
00:48:53Therefore, our Cebuano players need to react.
00:48:56And it's a whole total supply chain effect from us, designers, everyone.
00:49:02Operations, logistics, and so on.
00:49:05Right?
00:49:05So, definitely, competition.
00:49:08Bring it on, I feel.
00:49:10The opportunity has to be there because that's where it's painstakingly painful to think about it, how to go about
00:49:17it.
00:49:17But that's the opportunity that we go to.
00:49:20The second one is something.
00:49:21It is unanswered for me.
00:49:23And that's always been in my head for the past few years.
00:49:27I call this the digital brain drain exodus.
00:49:34Okay.
00:49:34Not AI, not anything.
00:49:36So, prior to AI, we have a pool of talent.
00:49:40Yeah.
00:49:40Right?
00:49:41Our pool of talent are no longer working for local companies.
00:49:46Okay?
00:49:47So, this has been happening.
00:49:48Everyone I talk to, especially us, and currently with us, even in the design industry, are working as a virtual
00:49:56assistant or in an outsourcing company.
00:49:59It is an opportunity still for the Philippine economy and the Cebuan economy because at least the money stays in
00:50:06here.
00:50:06There is a challenge that maybe a person from the province may no longer come over to Cebu.
00:50:15That's why it's crucial that our infrastructure, our way of quality of life, again, we really revolve so that, again,
00:50:22we attract talent.
00:50:23And just like how other regional hubs are doing, you know, Hong Kong, Singapore, and so on.
00:50:29So, in that sense.
00:50:32So, it is actually still good for the environment, for the, sorry, economy.
00:50:36But, it is actually quite a struggle back to us as local and entrepreneurs because it goes back that the
00:50:45work goes back to us.
00:50:47Right?
00:50:47So, we have to strike.
00:50:49And we do not believe in policing.
00:50:51Policy, that policing that you do not do that.
00:50:53Right?
00:50:53There has to be a way for us.
00:50:56It is a very big constraint.
00:50:58Hiring people now.
00:50:59Right?
00:51:00We have to find a way, as local, to strike that opportunity.
00:51:04How do we tend to that current phenomenon?
00:51:09I don't want to call it a problem.
00:51:11I want to call it a phenomenon.
00:51:12Because it is really a phenomenon that's happening, that's affecting already Cebu and the Philippines in general.
00:51:18I think I agree to that.
00:51:21Because definitely we cannot compete, us being local, we can't compete with solar structure of global.
00:51:26But, I go back to education.
00:51:28If we have enough supply of people, it wouldn't be a problem.
00:51:34The problem right now is workforce ready, whatever that industry would be.
00:51:38And I'm not just talking about the design, the advertising, we're even talking about the hospitality, the hotel industry, the
00:51:45tourism.
00:51:46There is a lack of supply of ready workforce on power.
00:51:51And before we move to you, the reason why I also wanted to join in the conversation, because now that
00:52:02I'm more active with Cebu Chambers,
00:52:04so I get to see what the other industries are also challenged with, there's a common theme.
00:52:12We talk about hospitality, we talk about creativity, architecture, design, ITBPM, everywhere.
00:52:21And then there was one gathering I attended, and this was organized by the Management Association of the Philippines.
00:52:27And they came up, I mean, the speaker presented an information or data that said, in the Philippines, there's only
00:52:3613% hiring rate, no?
00:52:39Based on the Dole data in 2025.
00:52:43Wow, 13%.
00:52:44So that means there's a struggle for talent across all industries.
00:52:50And hopefully, a lot of our public and private leaders who are watching, wonder ba?
00:52:58Na we are producing so many graduates who are unemployed.
00:53:02But once they talk to the industry, the industry is also saying we have so many openings that we have
00:53:08a hard time...
00:53:09Hiring.
00:53:10Hiring, no?
00:53:12I mean, it's an obvious mismatch.
00:53:16It goes back to systemic design.
00:53:18It's not just about hiring and HR and all that comes in the office.
00:53:23Those that are opting to work digitally abroad, assisting virtually and outsourcing, they have the talent.
00:53:33They are our truest potential, maybe a certain percentage of the whole majority, that are qualified to work for local
00:53:43companies.
00:53:43That has been taken away.
00:53:45Why do they choose this?
00:53:47They say salaries, maybe, etc.
00:53:49Now, if you improve, and it's going to be a long time coming for this, if we start now or
00:53:55yesterday, or even 10 years back, it's still going to be 20 years from now that we will really bear
00:54:00the fruits.
00:54:00Because it's public infrastructure, infrastructure again, policy, quality of life, where you say, okay, if productivity increases, therefore, our revenues
00:54:12increase and profitability increase.
00:54:14Therefore, we can give it back.
00:54:16So, there's so much of these aspects that we really urge our public officials, you know, we really hang on
00:54:24to these guys.
00:54:25I mean, we vote for you guys.
00:54:26We actually really need your help.
00:54:28And if you need our help for assistance, we are always there.
00:54:31We're always there.
00:54:32At the end of the day, we just really need certain specific programs to ensure.
00:54:37On long-term views, not three-year views, or one-year views, or six-month views, you know?
00:54:43So, those are very crucial aspects that, in that sense, you think that it's not just about increasing minimum wage
00:54:51only, right?
00:54:52Productivity.
00:54:53Productivity is very crucial.
00:54:55To improve productivity, you need to ensure that the person can go to the office within 15 minutes rather than
00:55:02two hours.
00:55:03So, there's so many things in the gamut that it's just not just about the business side of the org
00:55:09structure.
00:55:10You're always nodding.
00:55:12So, again, I hope I would have that advocacy.
00:55:17You know, at least I want to put that in terms of us in our group, you know, that there
00:55:23is that aspect of design and planning that, you know, because we're all part of the team.
00:55:28We're all interconnected.
00:55:29We're all interconnected.
00:55:30So, that's definitely something that is, to address that, is so many interconnected things to tackle.
00:55:38I think that's the thing I like about what you guys shared then for the Simu Business Month.
00:55:43Like, literally, everything is interconnected.
00:55:45Like, you know, the program that you're talking about, it's good design, good business.
00:55:49Even if it's good design, but if you have good design, it's good business.
00:55:52That's why I really like how you coined that program.
00:55:57Yeah.
00:55:58Yeah.
00:56:01And before we move to my last question, and this is also a heads up now.
00:56:06Every time, at least a government or a public official would notice me in the room, and my thought bubble
00:56:13is it's good that there's better relationship and collaboration between the private sector and the public sector.
00:56:22But my thought bubble is, but don't outsource the thinking to the private sector.
00:56:28Yes.
00:56:29Please.
00:56:30Put something on the table also that we can also work together.
00:56:35Yes.
00:56:36And let me add to that.
00:56:37A good relationship doesn't always mean we agree to one another all the time.
00:56:44That's very crucial.
00:56:46Again, going back to dialogue.
00:56:48We have an aim, the public and the private.
00:56:50We talk, and then from there, we hash it out.
00:56:53What's your priority?
00:56:54What really matters?
00:56:56And then from there, I'm sure we'll be better off.
00:56:59And we'll reserve the other topics because it looks like we're just holding ourselves back because we might end up
00:57:05to have a three-hour episode.
00:57:07So why don't the two of you invite our viewers to the upcoming Cebu Business Month 2026?
00:57:15Let me start because you're the chairman.
00:57:18So I've been working with Cebu Business Month for the past three years.
00:57:24And then I've seen, again, as I mentioned, stewardship among the business leaders.
00:57:31We are here to volunteer.
00:57:33We just really wanted to provide insight.
00:57:36And we wanted to tackle these real topics.
00:57:39We are not able to resolve them all together.
00:57:43But I think, at the end of the day, it goes back again.
00:57:47There's a conversation.
00:57:48There's a dialogue.
00:57:49And there's an exchange.
00:57:50And I believe, because of that, there's that connection that you can get from fellow speakers and even to your
00:57:58fellow seatmate when you're there participating.
00:58:00And that actually builds connections.
00:58:03To add what architect, what's the date again for Good Design Bud Business?
00:58:09Oh, okay.
00:58:10July 17.
00:58:11Okay.
00:58:12So please do look at the Cebu Business Month page.
00:58:15Find, there's calendars there.
00:58:18For fellow architects, developers, creative, I highly suggest, or even as businesses, please attend Architect Buck's conference because there's a
00:58:28lot of good speakers there.
00:58:29And as a business owner, you're not just going to learn about design, but you're going to learn about how
00:58:33should you actually design your retail, your store to become a better environment or more profitability.
00:58:43We have a few serious events.
00:58:45Like, we have the advertising.
00:58:48If you're marketing, you're in business, there's the Philippine advertising conference happening on May 29.
00:59:00It's in Maktan.
00:59:02Please check out our page.
00:59:03You're going to get the best speakers.
00:59:06You're going to get the best speakers in the Philippines.
00:59:08You have the marketing directors from Unilevers, from Nestle's, from Samsung, and some of the biggest agencies.
00:59:17Even from the most awarded agency, which is GIGIL.
00:59:20On 30 to 31, it's a festival.
00:59:22It's fun.
00:59:23You're going to meet a lot of content creators.
00:59:25There's going to be music.
00:59:26But more than that is you're going to really see what the Cebuana culture is.
00:59:31We pushed that because we wanted to have our own mid-year festival, our own version of Coachella or South
00:59:38by Southwest.
00:59:40There's more series.
00:59:41There's investment and entrepreneurship.
00:59:43I forgot the dates, but I know it's happening also in June 1.
00:59:45June 4, I think.
00:59:46June 4.
00:59:46We have stellar speakers from Economist, from Steve Benitez to Stephen Cunyanhing.
00:59:54Cebu-grown brands as well.
00:59:55Cebu-grown brands as well.
00:59:58Good Cup Coffee, Lemon & Co.
01:00:00These are stories that really started really small that grew their business.
01:00:05Hoping these speakers can really inspire you.
01:00:08We have technology and innovations.
01:00:12You need to also attend if you don't want your business to get disrupted.
01:00:16We have the Tourism Summit, also happening in partnership with Lapu-Lapu Chamber.
01:00:21We're doing it there.
01:00:22It's really because that also plays a major role.
01:00:24And our focus there is really not just MICE tourism, but SMICE.
01:00:29So if your business is connected to that, please attend those events.
01:00:34Then we have the good design, good business, and we have the gold tournament.
01:00:37So I highly suggest please go look into our Facebook page of Cebu Business Month.
01:00:45And please also become a member of Cebu Chamber.
01:00:48It doesn't have to be, you don't have to be a business owner.
01:00:52You can work for corporate.
01:00:53If you really care for what's Cebu, please come join us.
01:00:58So thank you very much, architect back and the chairman of Cebu Business Month, 2026, Brian Yap.
01:01:04Thank you for joining us today.
01:01:06And it looks like there's going to be several parts after this.
01:01:09If there's Cebu Business Month, I think we will have conversations.
01:01:13Cebu Business Month?
01:01:15However we will call it.
01:01:17The Cebu Business Series.
01:01:18The Cebu Business Series.
01:01:19But thank you very much for joining us this afternoon.
01:01:22So the Cebu Business Month, 2026 is more than a calendar of events.
01:01:27It is a reflection of the conversations Cebu must continue having about innovation, education, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, governance, and inclusive growth.
01:01:40Because real progress is measured by lives, improved, and whether the next generation will inherit a Cebu that is better
01:01:52than the Cebu that we have today.
01:01:55This is DJ Moises.
01:01:57This is Beyond the Headlines.
01:01:59Thank you for joining us.
01:02:00Have a good afternoon.
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