Over 200 business leaders, entrepreneurs, representatives from line agencies, partners from the consular corps and the media attended the 2-day summit coined as 2024 Padayon Cebu: Inspire, Promote and Grow MSMEs at the City Sports Club, Cebu City.
The summit featured inspiring stories from renowned business leaders, Bernie Liu, Group CEO and Chairman of LH Paragon Incorporated on his journey of how his business navigate growth as a startup into becoming an industry giant during the morning session which was followed with a fire-side chat highlighting stories of scaling from MSMEs to titans: Profood International Corporation with CFO and VP, Jonathan Uy; Fast Group’s President, William Chiongbian III; Café Laguna’s Founder and Chairman of the Board, Madam Julita Urbina and Big Blue Logistics with Mr. Bobong Castillo.
The afternoon session sparked interest from the presentation of Emmanuel Samson, the CEO and Co-founder of Impero Group who underscored how Blockchain technology has revolutionized the digital economy by enabling decentralized networks to track and exchange assets – in promoting businesses. A fire-side chat with Nickie San Juan, the Managing Owner of Don Macchiatos were engaging with an influencer accelerates visibility and prominence. The equally engaging story from Ms. Faith Oberez optimized Facebook for her At Home Massage and Spa as well as Issa Cruz’s The Seven Pantry.
Moreover, Herbert Hernandez, Founding Partner of Gigil Group, shared how digital power tools enhanced MSME competitiveness in the digital age and how it enables SMEs to respond quickly to changing market conditions, customer needs, and industry trends. This agility and flexibility are essential for SMEs to remain competitive and seize opportunities as they arise.
A panel discussion revolving on the topic: Tools for Tomorrow with Djon Nacario of Lalamove Philippines; Martin Limgenco of Globe Fintech Innovations; Lerick Elipe of Viber and Gian Carlo Conde of Eastern Telecommunications provided a more in-depth and deep-dived dialogues on how these players in the industry support the growth and development of MSMEs. Day I session ended with a revealing and educational run-down of to dos in prepping the medium-sized businesses for a scalable success by Ms. Geontina “Boots” Garcia, President of Magco Consulting Inc. and Founding Chair & President of the Philippine Women’s Economic Network (PhilWEN).
Consequently, Day 2 of the Padayon Cebu: A Summit to Inspire, Promote, & Grow MSMEs fashioned a powerhouse of inspirational speakers. Day 2 Keynote Speaker, PCCI Vice President for Regional Affairs and Membership, Ms. Ma.Alegria “Bing” Limjoco imparted the roadmap to successful entrepreneurship. This was followed by a panel discussion attended by PLDT Enterprise FVP. Albert Mitch Locsin and Program Director for Cares and Youth of SM, Roystom Cabunag as moderated by Bryan Yap.
The afternoon session started with a stimulating speech and presentation by the Managing Director of RuralNet, Inc., Mr. Justin Arcenas on the importance of taking care of people and human resource as well as the demonstration of how human capital management metrics’ role in measuring ROIs by the Chief People Officer, Mr. Juan Pailo Arao of TecSurge.
A fire-side chat on HR and Digital Revolution was tackled with Juan Arao, Tina Calderon of UnionBank of the Philippines, Peter Buenaseda of Vivant Corporation with Ms. Joslyn Canon from Qualfon clarified that integrating technology into HR management is key for streamlining processes and boosting productivity. Leveraging software and digital tools, organizations can automate tasks such as onboarding, payroll, and performance evaluations; freeing time for HR to focus on strategic initiatives.
The last segment impressed presentations on Energy Economics- optimizing retail energy for business growth from Mr. Mark Habana of Vivant Energy Corporation, encapsulating that energy optimization leads to a significant decrease in operational costs for a company. By reducing energy consumption, it directly reflects on utility bills and production costs.
Furthermore, Mr. Michael Chong from UnionBank presented how bank loans, venture capitalists (VCs), Private Equity Professionals (PEs) among others are deemed as Capital Choices for MSMES. This was followed with a fire-side chat on funding perspectives and insights with Juan Carlos Camara, VP for Origination, NAVEGAR; Atty. Jecky Pelaez, AVP Legal and Compliance of Kickstart; and angel investor, Ms. Quenby Tiu Go, Executive Director of Manila Angel Investors Network (MAIN).
The open forum provided the attendees ample opportunities to solicit advice, consultative inquiries and interactive sessions to gain deeper insights and forge meaningful connections.
Throughout the two-day endeavor, the summit highlighted the significant transition from being a start-up enterprise to a starship business, as well as elucidating the challenges and opportunities of becoming an industry giant in the business community.
“Padayon Cebu: A Summit to Inspire, Promote & Grow MSMEs” does not only opened doors for the MSMEs and the rest of the business community a newfound knowledge, learning experience and expanded their networks renewed sense of purpose but also resonates the Chamber’s mission to strengthen the business community through advocacy, linkages and synergy for a more globally competitive Cebu and its people.
For more information, one may call CCCI at 232-1421 or email at info@cebuchamber.org
