CCCI International Affairs
Sunset Soiree, The Pad, Banilad
- Consul Yudai Ueno, Consul General of Japan in Cebu
- Consul Samuel Chioson, Honorary Consul of Portugal in Cebu
- Hon. Pamela S. Baricuatro, Governor of Cebu Province
- Hon. Nestor Archival, Mayor of Cebu City
- Congressman Sun Shimura, District Representative of Cebu
- Hon. Stanley Caminero, Board Member and Committee Chair on Health and Environment
- Hon. Kerrie Shimura, Board Member and Vice Chair on Health
- Mr. Regan Rex King, President of Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Mr. Anastacio “Jun” Muntuerto, Past President of Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Good evening, everyone!
To our remarkable delegation of the Tokyo Trade Mission 2026, our government partners, business leaders, public officials, and every member of this 44-person team. Congratulations! and well done.
What you accomplished over those three days was nothing short of exceptional. You did not merely travel to Japan – you represented Cebu on the world stage. You engaged with some of Japan’s most respected institutions, explored technologies and systems decades ahead of what many cities currently have, and brought back invaluable insights to fuel Cebu’s growth and global competitiveness.
The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry conducts trade missions like this to open new opportunities for our businesses, strengthen international partnerships, and expose our community to the latest innovations and best practices from around the world.
These missions are about connecting Cebu’s entrepreneurs to global markets, fostering collaboration, and equipping our business leaders with the knowledge
and networks they need to grow, compete, and thrive in an increasingly globalized economy.
This mission succeeded because of people-and tonight, I want to honor those people.
First, our deepest gratitude goes to the Consulate General of Japan in Cebu Yudai Ueno, whose steadfast support, especially in facilitating visas for the delegates, made this mission possible. Your partnership exemplifies the enduring friendship between Japan and the Philippines, and we look forward to deepening collaboration that will benefit Cebu’s businesses, innovation, and global standing.
To our government partners — Governor Pamela Baricuatro of the Cebu Provincial Government, along with Hon. Stanley Caminero, Hon. Kerrie Shimura, Congressman Sun Shimura, Dr. Elisse Catalan, Col. Dennis Pastor, Ms. Ainjeliz Orong, Mr. Elizar Sabinay, and Mr. Felicisimo Tandoy; Mayor Nestor Archival of Cebu City; and Mayor Cynthia “Cindi” King-Chan of Lapu-Lapu City who was represented by Atty. James Sayson and Mr. Nagiel Bañacia — your presence and support transformed this mission from a business delegation into a whole-of-community effort. To the officials and delegates from your offices who joined us, your active participation and engagement were invaluable. Your commitment to translating these learnings into policies and actionable programs will ensure that the impact of this mission lasts far beyond the trip itself.
To VP Pete Delantar, our Delegation Chair, and VP Bernard Vonn Sia, our Co-Chair: thank you for your exceptional leadership. Every engagement was purposeful, every moment maximized, and every delegate returned home richer in knowledge, connections, and inspiration.
To Karen Joy Autor and Patricia Lauza: orchestrating an international mission of this scale is no small feat, yet you made it seamless. Your meticulous planning, tireless coordination, and attention to detail were the backbone of this mission’s success.
To our partner organizations and companies in Tokyo, including Business Engineering Corporation, N-Pax Cebu Inc., Cebu Landmasters Inc. and NTT Urban Development: thank you for opening doors, sharing expertise, and showing that Cebu-Japan collaboration is not just a future aspiration – it is happening today, and it is already producing results.
And to every delegate, business leader, officer, trustee, and past president: this achievement belongs to you. You showed up, engaged, listened, and returned home empowered with new ideas, renewed vision, and a deeper understanding of what Cebu can achieve.
But let us be clear—the work does not end here. The true measure of this mission will be in the innovations we implement, the partnerships we forge, the policies we enact, and the global competitiveness we achieve because of what we witnessed in Tokyo. The seeds have been planted. Now it is up to us to nurture them, grow them, and let them bear fruit for Cebu, for its people, and for its future.
Cebu is stronger, more connected, and more inspired because of this mission. This is our moment to lead—to transform challenges into opportunities, to embrace innovation, and to ensure that Cebu stands proud and ready on the global stage.
Congratulations to each and every one of you. Cebu is proud, and I am honored to lead alongside you.
Daghang salamat. Padayon, Cebu!