Performance pressures and rapid change often blur our sense of direction. Purpose has become the most powerful compass for both individuals and organizations. This keynote calls for courage — the courage to trust, to let go, and to lead with integrity and compassion. It invites every people manager and HR practitioner to see empowerment not merely as delegation, but as a deliberate act of faith in human potential—an investment that pays off not just in performance, but in collective progress and the greater good. 

LITO VILLANUEVA, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation and Digital Enterprise and Innovations Group Head, Chief Digital Transformation Advisor, Yuchengco Group of Companies 

Session Chair:

MICHAEL M. GODINEZ, FPM, SVP/Chief People and Culture Officer, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. and 2024 PMAP National President

WHILE HAPPINESS AND POSITIVITY have become buzzwords in workplace culture, the pursuit of genuine and enduring joy offers a deeper, more sustainable approach. This topic explores what it means to cultivate an environment where joy is not a fleeting emotion but a fundamental aspect of the employee experience. It moves beyond superficial perks and feel-good initiatives to examine the core elements that contribute to a truly joyful workplace.

 

Panelists:

MONETTE LASALA, FPM, Chief HR Officer, Aboitiz Power and 2018 PMAP People Manager of the Year

EDUARDO LUIS ANTONIO MORAN, Head of Integrated Shared Services Philippines, Coca-cola Europacific Partners

 

Moderator:

JO ANN ROSARY ASETRE, APAC Customer Success Manager, Lee Hecht Harrison

Exemplars:

ATTY. JUAN ALFONSO D. SUAREZ, People Advantage Gameplan: People experience made easy

CARLOS FEDELINO VALENCIA, VP for HRD, Far Eastern University FERDINAND DELA CRUZ, CEO, Franklin

TED BELZA, VP for Human Capital Management Golden ABC, Inc.

CHERYLL RUTH L. AGSAOAY, Group Head - SVP, Human Resources, SCMC Shopping Center Management Corporation (SM Supermalls)

KISLAY CHANDRA, Chief Operating Officer, Sprout Solutions

Session Chair:

MARIBEL V. UMALI, FPM, Assessor, PMAP Awards Team

CHERYLL RUTH L. AGSAOAY, Group Head - SVP, Human Resources, SCMC Shopping Center Management Corporation (SM Supermalls)

ROBERT CONRAD GONZALES, Chief People Officer, GCash (Mynt - Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.)

Session Chair:

EFREN ALBERTO, DPM, Assessor, PMAP Awards Team and 1999 People Manager of the Year

Organizations across Asia Pacific have used total rewards programmes to attract and retain talent by offering a buffet of benefits to highlight the investment they make in their people. Despite the efforts, these strategies often fail, not only in addressing employees' most important needs, but also in enhancing their overall employee experience.   

 
A focus on people will enable organizations to redefine their total rewards programmes, ensuring that employees feel seen, valued, and cared for.  

 

GINA LEE, Lead Advisor, Workplace Culture & Employee Experience Asia, O.C Tanner

RUSSELL FLINT, Director Business Development, Asia Pacific, O.C Tanner

Leadership transitions are pivotal in the life of an organization not just with every passing of the baton but with every change in the leadership patterns or dynamics that impact the viability and sustainability of the business.

JOSE R. SOBERANO III, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Cebu Landmasters Inc.

MARTHA SAZON, President and CEO, GCash (Mynt - Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.)

KENNETH S. YANG, President and CEO, Golden Arches Development Corporation (Mcdonald's Philippines)

HSBC Electronic Data Processing Philippines Inc.

RANDY G. FELICIANO, General Manager, Philippine Manufacturing of Murata

Session Chair:

EDGARDO SORIANO, DPM, President, Philippine Society of Fellows, 1995 PMAP National President, and 2005 People Manager of the Year

Not everyone begins with confidence. Some people enter an organization quietly—observing more than speaking, unsure if their ideas matter. But the right kind of leader does not overlook the quiet ones. They enable them. They create space for growth. They build belief. They unlock potential. In this talk, you will hear a true story from a Filipino company about an intern who was enabled—eventually becoming a partner in the organization. This session reveals what enabling leadership looks like in real life and why strong cultures are not built by slogans or HR initiatives but by leaders who develop people one person at a time. Participants will also learn the Leadership LENS, a practical approach for people managers who want to enable real growth from within.

DR. DAEHYUK LEE, COO, Beetzee Play

Session Chair:

MINCHU R. DECENA, EMBA, Assistant Senior Vice President for Business Operations, Chong Hua Hospital

Candidates Forum

Master of Ceremonies: 

JOVENIR BATAICAN, Managing Consultant, Ideas Central

FABI CARIÑO, CEO, Ifacilitate Thrive and Mind your Mind Academy

Many HR leaders want to drive inclusion but are held back by the perception that DEI is too costly or too complex. The truth is that while meaningful initiatives do require budget, there are smart, cost-efficient ways to start creating impact. This keynote reframes DEI as a practical, do it yourself journey that grows with your organization's resources. You will learn how to maximize existing tools, tap into everyday workplace moments, and design small initiatives that build momentum toward bigger goals. Most importantly, you will see why understanding your own workforce, their needs, dynamics and generational differences is the key to making every peso you spend on DEI count. Walk away with actionable insights to champion inclusion in ways that are sustainable, scalable and relevant to the Filipino workplace.

DR. MA. ELOISA TAN, MD, DPCOM, DPD (Cardiff, Wales), CLSSGB, Asst. Vice President, Head of Health Risk Management, Lockton Philippines

EMPOWERMENT IS OFTEN DISCUSSED as a bottom-up strategy, focusing on how managers can empower their teams. However, its success hinges on a crucial factor: leadership commitment and action at the very top. This topic explores the pivotal role of Human Resources (HR) in fostering a climate where empowerment is not just a buzzword, but a lived reality driven by senior leadership. It emphasizes the need for "brave spaces" where bold voices can challenge the status quo and old leadership accountable for creating an empowering environment.

Panelists: 

ALVANSON SO, Regional People Lead, Canva Philippines

JO-ANN TACORDA, Chief Admin Officer, PJ Lhuillier Incorporated

SHERIBEN MARIE PARAGUAS, First Vice President Head of HR Strategy & Center of Excellence, Filinvest Group

 

MODERATOR:
DAE HYUK LEE, COO, Beetzee Play

AI is no longer a buzzword—it’s transforming the very core of HR. This panel brings together global and local innovators to showcase how AI is powering recruitment, learning, coaching, and HR systems. From Q for Recruitment and SniperAI to CrossKnowledge Connect with Avatars and next-gen HRIS analytics, discover how organizations can move beyond hype to harness AI for smarter hiring, personalized development, and data-driven people strategies.

Panelists:

SATHISH VIJAYAKUMAR, Regional Head for APAC, Uniphore

JOHNATHAN JAYA SUDHIR, Chief Strategy Officer, CXS Analytics

DR. GRACE ALCID, Learning and Development Director, John Clements Consultants, Inc.

OJASVI PAREEK, Senior Manager – Sales; Global Alliances, Recruitment Smart Technologies

Moderator:

MARIA CAROLINA "CAROL" V. DOMINGUEZ, President and CEO at John Clements Consultants, Inc.

Organizations often launch new initiatives with enthusiasm and high expectations, but shifts in economic conditions, leadership priorities, or societal attitudes can lead to these initiatives being scaled back, rolled back, or completely reversed. This topic will explore how HR should navigate these challenging situations, focusing on maintaining employee trust, minimizing disruption, and ensuring legal compliance. We will examine this issue across different domains, including Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) programs and Work From Home (WFH) policies.

Panelists:

JANINE TAN-CARREON, Group Director for Human Resources, Manila Water Company, Inc.

TRUNG NGUYEN, General Manager, Albertsons-Philtech Manila

Moderator:

LUIS GIAN PAOLO O. MAPA, Founder, LinkOD and SeeWorthy International & Senior Asst. Vice President for People and Organization Development, AboitizPower

This is a call to action: to lead with heart, purpose, and bold imagination. It is about reigniting the human spirit in leadership, crafting cultures of belonging, and preparing organizations not just for the future of work—but for the future of humanity. In an era marked by unprecedented global challenges, rapid technological advancement, and a pervasive sense of uncertainty, the need for clear, purposeful, and ethically grounded leadership has never been more critical. This topic explores the concept of a movement focused on revitalizing leadership with a renewed sense of purpose, clarity, and a profound commitment to the greater good of humanity. It moves beyond traditional metrics of success to emphasize impact, sustainability, and the cultivation of human potential.

WILLIAM TIU LIM, Chairman and Founder, Mega Sardines (Mega Prime Foods Inc.) 

Session Chair:

GRACE ABELLA-ZATA, DPM, President, CESI Group and 2009 PMAP President

Approval of the Motion/Resolutions & Message: LILY G. QUINTANS, FPM, CTRP, PMAP President

Closing Message & Adjournment: DR. ROLAND SUICO, AFPM, Vice President, and Annual Conference Chairperson