Innovative Ideas and Collaboration Shine at The World CIO 200 Summit in the Philippines

The World CIO 200 Summit in the Philippines concluded successfully, bringing together a dynamic assembly of the nation’s top IT leaders and innovators. This prestigious event, held in Manila, provided a unique platform for CIOs and industry experts to discuss, deliberate, and devise strategies to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of information technology.

The summit commenced with Jennefer Lorraine Mendoza, Project Lead Manager at GEC Media Group, delivering an insightful welcome note . Her address set the tone for the day’s discussions, emphasizing the critical role of CIOs in driving digital transformation.

Philip A. Varilla, Assistant Secretary for Infostructure Management at the Department of Information and Communications Technology, followed with the Country Inaugural Keynote, highlighting the government’s initiatives and vision for the country’s digital future.

Arlene Romasanta, Director of Knowledge and Information Systems Service at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, presented the Country Ambassador Keynote. Her speech underscored the importance of knowledge management and environmental sustainability in IT practices.

The first panel discussion, titled “Unleash the Might: Creating a Unified Vision and Stressing on the Importance of Aligning Diverse Stakeholders Around a Shared Vision for Transformation”, was moderated by Arlene Romasanta. Esteemed panelists included:

• Sheridan Leroy Laroza, Senior Director of Information Technology at Thermo Fisher Scientific
• Norman Carcellar, Chief Information Officer at Unioil
• Dennis Omila, Executive Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer at Union Bank of the Philippines
• Lito Villanueva, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovations and Inclusion Officer at Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC)

This discussion delved into the strategies for aligning diverse stakeholders around a unified vision for digital transformation, emphasizing collaboration and shared objectives.

The second panel discussion, “Agility and Adaptability: How CIOs are Enabling Organizations to Pivot and Innovate Rapidly to Stay Ahead of the Curve”, was moderated by Robert Sanchez Paguia, Chief of the International Cooperation on Cybercrime Division and Data Protection Officer at the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center. The panel featured:

• Alex Ustaris, CTO at PHINMA Education Holdings Inc
• Albert Silva, Director of the Information and Communications Technology Center at San Beda University
• Julius Caesar Principe, Chief Information and Transformation Officer at FWD Life Insurance
• Dr. Mary Joy Abueg, Vice President at the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines
• Francis Chiu, First Vice President IT at BDO Unibank

This session focused on how CIOs are driving agility and innovation within their organizations, enabling them to quickly adapt to changes and stay competitive in a fast-paced digital world.

The World CIO 200 Summit in the Philippines successfully provided an enriching experience for all participants, fostering collaboration, innovation, and strategic thinking among the nation’s top IT leaders. The event highlighted the pivotal role of CIOs in shaping the digital future and reinforced the importance of agility and adaptability in today’s rapidly changing technological landscape.