AI, digital transformation, cybersecurity, education, workforce readiness, and open innovation take center stage as Cebu strengthens its position as a technology and innovation-driven business hub
Powered by Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, Blaster Pro Audio, and Visayan Electric (VECO), the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (CCCI), through Cebu Business Month (CBM) 2026, successfully convened the CBM 2026 Technology & Innovation Forum at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, bringing together at least 275 participants from business, government, academe, startup communities, technology firms, local government units, innovation organizations, and industry groups.
Held as one of the flagship initiatives of the 30th Cebu Business Month, the forum carried the theme “Future Ready Philippines: Navigating AI, Industry Disruption, and the Skills Revolution.” It was designed to demystify Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovation by moving beyond buzzwords and popular platforms, and focusing instead on practical, real-world applications for MSMEs, startups, enterprises, educators, policymakers, and industry leaders.
In his opening message, CCCI President Regan Rex T. King underscored that technology and innovation are no longer optional for businesses, but have become central to competitiveness, resilience, and long-term growth.
“Technology and innovation are no longer optional extras. They are now core to competitiveness,” President King emphasized, noting that AI, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and workforce readiness are already reshaping how businesses operate, compete, and create value.
He also stressed that Cebu’s strongest advantage remains its people: individuals and organizations with the ability to adapt, learn, unlearn, and relearn as technology continues to transform industries. President King called on participants to challenge assumptions, ask questions, build partnerships, and turn ideas into measurable impact for the business community.
Joslyn Canon, Chairman of CBM 2026 Digital Transformation & Technology, delivered the opening message and event rationale, positioning the forum as a timely and practical response to the rapid changes affecting businesses and communities. She emphasized that AI and digital technologies must be understood not only as tools that enable growth, but also as forces that disrupt traditional models of work, learning, and enterprise.
Canon highlighted the innovative mindset of Cebuanos, noting that Cebu’s strength lies in its ability to respond to challenges with creativity, practicality, and collaboration. The forum, she said, aimed to help participants see technology not as something distant or intimidating, but as an accessible driver of productivity, competitiveness, and inclusive growth.
The forum featured a strong lineup of esteemed speakers, technology leaders, policy experts, innovation champions, and business executives who shared insights on AI, digital transformation, cybersecurity, education, workforce development, and enterprise innovation.
The program opened with the keynote presentation of Dr. Donald Patrick Lim, Chief Operating Officer of DITO CME Holdings Corporation, who discussed “The New Intelligence Economy: Global Shifts in the Age of AI.” His presentation set the tone for the day by framing AI as a transformative force that is redefining global industries, business models, and skills requirements.
A major highlight of the morning session was the Policy Panel on Education and Skills, titled “Rewiring Education: Bridging Policy Gaps in the Age of AI.” The panel brought together key representatives from the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to discuss how the education sector can respond to the demands of AI, digital transformation, and the future of work.
The forum also featured case presentations from Engr. Bernard Villamor, President of Cebu Institute of Technology University, who discussed how local academe is translating national education frameworks into future-ready curricula, and Ryan Tan Yu, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Mata Technologies, Inc., who presented “To AI or Not to AI: From Buzzword and Insights to Impact.”
In the afternoon session, Abelardo Cruz, Global Chief Operating Officer of Qualfon, delivered a case presentation on “Cyber Threats and AI Transformation: Resilience, Risk, and the Human Impact,” emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity, digital trust, and human-centered resilience as organizations adopt more advanced technologies.
The forum continued with a series of fireside chats and panel discussions featuring industry leaders and innovation practitioners. The Solutions Panel: Industry Leaders, titled “At Scale: How Large Enterprises Are Navigating Disruption,” featured representatives from AboitizPower, Eastern Communications, Payoneer, Converge Global Business, and the Cebu IT-BPM Organization, with discussions centered on enterprise innovation, digital infrastructure, business process transformation, and scalable solutions.
The Startup and SME Panel, titled “Building Prosperity Through Innovation,” gathered leaders from Payruler, nVentures, The Sandbox Foundation, and Quest Ventures to discuss how startups and SMEs can adopt innovation, access opportunities, and build sustainable growth pathways in a rapidly changing business environment.
Another key highlight was the presentation of the 2026 Cebu SolutionFest, an open innovation initiative conducted before the forum in collaboration with CCCI, the City Government of Cebu, the Province of Cebu, and The Sandbox Foundation. SolutionFest brought together innovators to develop practical solutions to real-world community and industry challenges, with the winning entries showcased during the Technology & Innovation Forum.
The forum formally recognized the winners of the 2026 Cebu SolutionFest, whose solutions demonstrated how technology, creativity, and collaboration can be directed toward urgent problems affecting Cebu’s communities, industries, and local government systems.
The SolutionFest showcase affirmed that innovation is not limited to building the next app, platform, or device. It is about solving problems, improving lives, and translating ideas into working solutions that can be adopted, piloted, and scaled by communities, businesses, and government partners.
Through the forum, CCCI reinforced Cebu’s growing role as a hub for technology, innovation, and business growth. By bringing together policymakers, business leaders, educators, startups, MSMEs, and technology experts, the event created a platform for shared learning, collaboration, and action toward a more future-ready Cebu.
The event concluded with a synthesis and key takeaways session led by committee champions and industry representatives, followed by closing remarks from Bernard Vonn Sia, CCCI Vice President for Business Mobilization, who emphasized the importance of sustaining the momentum beyond the forum and converting conversations into partnerships, pilots, and measurable outcomes.
CCCI gratefully acknowledged the partners who made the forum possible, Province of Cebu and City of Cebu Government, including its Omnibus Partners – Aboitiz, Cebu Landmasters, Inc., LH Paragon Group, Oakridge Realty Development, Corp, AppleOne Group Inc., Cebu Pacific, Eastern Communications, AboitizPower, and Visayan Electric; and Event Partners – Silver: Converge Global Business, Payoneer, Vivant, Blaster Pro Audio, and Qualfon.
The Chamber also extended its appreciation to its Donors: GCash, NG Khai Development Corporation, MGen Meralco, and Islands Souvenirs. Special Thanks to DITO BizBayan and PLDT Enterprise; Organizing Partners: The Sandbox Foundation, Payruler, and Quest Ventures; Media Partners: Cebu Online News Press Corps, CDN Digital, Dual Story, RGC, and RMA News; and Special Thanks Partners: DITO BizBayan, PLDT Enterprise, and Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino.
CCCI also recognized the continued support of its CBM 2026 partners, sponsors, committee champions, speakers, panelists, delegates, government partners, academe partners, startup communities, MSMEs, and the Cebu business community, whose collective participation continues to strengthen CBM as a platform for enterprise, innovation, investment, and shared progress.
As Cebu moves forward in an era defined by AI, disruption, and rapid digital change, CCCI calls on business leaders, MSMEs, startups, educators, policymakers, and technology stakeholders to take the next step: adopt new tools, invest in people, strengthen cybersecurity, support innovation pilots, and collaborate across sectors to build a Cebu that is competitive, inclusive, and future-ready.
The future will not simply be handed to us. It is ours to shape.
Padayon Cebu!
