The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (CCCI) officially opened its Cebu Business Month 2026 summit series with the Investment and Entrepreneurship Summit, held at the Sta. Maria Grand Ballroom of Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu, bringing together business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, government partners, industry experts, and innovation advocates for a full-day dialogue on Cebu’s growth prospects, investment readiness, and entrepreneurial future.
Anchored on the CBM 2026 theme “Padayon Cebu!”, the summit served as the first of four (4) major conversations under CBM 2026, designed to position Cebu as a competitive investment destination and a stronger hub for enterprise development, innovation, and inclusive economic growth.
In his welcome message, CCCI President Regan Rex King challenged participants to look beyond adaptation and ask whether Cebu is ready to lead amid rapid global change. He emphasized that Cebu is not starting from behind, citing its strategic location, global connectivity, entrepreneurial spirit, and resilience as core strengths that continue to attract investments and inspire business confidence.
President King also underscored that investment is ultimately about belief: belief in Cebu, belief in enterprise, belief in job creation, and belief in the ability of families and communities to build a better future. He called on the business community to move from conversation to action, urging participants to become builders of partnerships, opportunity, and shared progress.
CBM 2026 Overall Chairman Bryan Yap further framed the summit as part of a larger master plan for CBM 2026. He explained that the Investment and Entrepreneurship Summit is the opening platform in a connected series of four summits, followed by conversations on technology and innovation, MICE and tourism, and good design as good business.
Chairman Yap stressed that investment and entrepreneurship are economic signals that tell the world what a place believes about its future. He called on participants to take part not only in one event, but in the full CBM 2026 journey, where each summit builds on the last and contributes to a broader vision for Cebu’s future competitiveness.
The program also featured a special message from Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, whose presence underscored the importance of local government engagement in advancing Cebu’s economic agenda and strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors.
The summit gathered a strong roster of speakers who provided timely insights on the forces shaping Cebu’s investment and entrepreneurial landscape. ARD Evelyn Nacario-Castro, Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Economy, Planning and Development and Secretary of the Central Visayas Regional Development Council, presented key Philippine economic data, setting the stage for a deeper understanding of regional growth prospects.
Eduardo Aboitiz, Vice President and Head of Water Business of Aboitiz InfraCapital, discussed public-private partnerships as a catalyst for Cebu’s economy, highlighting the role of infrastructure, utilities, and long-term development planning in enabling business growth.
The summit also featured entrepreneurial and industry insights from leaders who reflected the growing investment and entrepreneurial mindset of the Cebuano. Gio Visitacion, Founder and Owner of The Good Cup Coffee Company, shared the story of coffee as a daily staple and business opportunity. Catherine Del Villar-Pasilaban of AdventEnergy Inc. and Abigail Tan of ARQ SME BDC contributed industry insights on energy, enterprise support, and the systems that help businesses grow stronger.
A major highlight of the summit was the keynote presentation of Stephen Anthony Cuunjieng, Independent Director of Maharlika Investment Corporation and AppleOne Group, who spoke on the private sector lens, including the challenges currently faced by the Philippines and Cebu, areas for improvement, and emerging bright spots. His presentation challenged participants to think beyond short-term gains and recognize the importance of bold, anticipatory investments that can transform economies over time.
The summit concluded its speaker lineup with Steve Benitez, Chief Executive Officer of BO’S Coffee, who delivered insights on business leadership, love of country, and the need for Filipino business leaders to continue investing in the Philippines. His message reinforced the human side of entrepreneurship, reminding participants that successful enterprises are built through courage, humility, consistency, and a deeper sense of responsibility to nation-building.
The fireside chats and panel discussions provided practical and grounded perspectives on investment opportunities, MSME development, and Government Support, and strategic partnerships for growth.
The first fireside chat, Investment Opportunities in Cebu, moderated by Wendell Ganhinhin, CCCI Vice President for Finance and Administration and Partner and Practice Leader for Tax Advisory and Compliance of P&A Grant Thornton, featured Samantha Manigsaca of AppleOne Group, Jay Teodoro of Ayala Land Estates, Gwen Sala of City di Mare, and Avinash Menon of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts. The discussion highlighted Cebu’s strengths as a resilient, connected, and investment-ready economy supported by its people, strategic developments, and growing business ecosystem.
The second panel, Government Support and MSME Success Stories, was moderated by Ma. Aleta “Tatah” Dela Calzada, CCCI Assistant Vice President for Chamber Growth and Proprietor of A.T.E. Clothier, brought together government and business leaders who shared how MSMEs can scale through innovation, technology adoption, stronger systems, and public-private support. The panel featured Dir. Marivic Aguilar of the Department of Trade and Industry Cebu Provincial Office, Dir. Tristan L. Abando, PhD, of the Department of Science and Technology Region 7, Terrence Neil S. Padrique of The Lemon Co, Stuart Wayne L. Violanda of The Urban Fade Inc. and TUF Barber Shop, Philip V. Señora III of Siargao’s Bounty Seafoods Corp., and Jonas Kee Quilantang of Unisol.
The third fireside chat, Strategic Partnerships for Growth, moderated by Darwin John Moises, CCCI Vice President for Partnerships, Engagement and Governance, and CEO and Co-Founder of XPPLUS Solutions, Inc., emphasized that no major vision is achieved alone. The panel featured Consul Jose Franco Soberano of Cebu Landmasters, Inc., Eugene Erik Lim of Topline Group of Companies, Earl Christiansion Ng of Ng Khai Development Corporation, Jason King of King Properties, Taisei Hayashi of Hankyu Hanshin Properties Philippines Corp., Engr. Segismundo F. Exaltacion Jr. of Tsuneishi Technical Service (PHILS.), Inc., and Heidi Anne Garayblas of Converge SME Group. The discussion reinforced the value of trust, long-term planning, digital infrastructure, global standards, and local partnerships in building Cebu’s next phase of growth.
In his closing synthesis, VP for Cebu Business Mobilization, Bernard Vonn Sia, captured the summit’s key takeaways through three major imperatives: Cebu must build resilience, build intentionally, and build together. He emphasized that the summit was not merely about investment and entrepreneurship, but about nation-building, long-term thinking, and the collective responsibility to shape the future instead of waiting for it.
CCCI expressed its gratitude to the partners and sponsors who helped make the summit possible, including its Omnibus Partners ABOITIZ, CEBU LANDMASTERS INC., LH PARAGON GROUP, OAKRIDGE REALTY DEVELOPMENT CORP., APPLEONE GROUP, CEBU PACIFIC, EASTERN COMMUNICATIONS, and THERMA VISAYAS, INC., as well as its event partners: ADVENTENERGY INC, AYALA LAND ESTATES GROUP, CITY DI MARE, CONVERGE GLOBAL BUSINESS, ORO CHINA GROUP OF COMPANIES, SECURITY BANK CORP., TOPLINE GROUP OF COMPANIES, ARQ SME MEZZANINE ADVISERS INC., QUALFON, ABOITIZ INFRACAPITAL CEBU AIRPORT CORPORATION, ABOITIZ INFRACAPITAL WATER, DITO BIZBAYAN, GCASH, GT COSMETICS MANUFACTURING INC.
ISLANDS GROUP, THE MONT PROPERTIES GROUP, INC. and media partners, and venue partner RADISSON BLU HOTEL, CEBU.
We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to our generous donors and exhibitors whose participation enriched the summit experience for attendees. Special thanks to The Lemon Co., The Good Cup Coffee, Infovision Research Systems, Inc., and KMC Community Inc. for their valuable contributions.
As CBM 2026 continues, CCCI invites entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, MSMEs, partners, and stakeholders to take part in the remaining summit series and continue the conversations on innovation, tourism, design, and enterprise growth.
The Investment and Entrepreneurship Summit made one message clear: Cebu’s future will not be built by waiting. It will be built by leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and communities willing to act together.
CCCI calls on the business community to continue investing in Cebu, mentoring entrepreneurs, strengthening partnerships, supporting MSMEs, and helping transform ideas into action. The next phase of Cebu’s growth requires courage, collaboration, and confidence in what Cebu can become.
Together, let us build a Cebu that is resilient, inclusive, globally competitive, and future-ready.
Padayon Cebu!
