Eastern Communications Ramps Up Activities for 2025 National ICT Month

Eastern Communications Ramps Up Activities for 2025 National ICT Month

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Supports NICT Summit 2025 as Official Connectivity Partner and launches digital literacy initiatives

In alignment with the Philippines’ nationwide push for digital transformation, Eastern Communications extended its full support to the Chief Information Officers Forum Foundation, Inc. (CIOFF) for this year’s National ICT Summit 2025 (NICT2025) — the culminating event of National ICT Month.

This year’s NICT2025 took place last June 19-20, 2025, at The Manila Hotel, with the theme: “Transforming Together: Building an Inclusive Digital Nation.”

As the official connectivity partner of the summit, Eastern Communications provided a seamless, reliable internet connection for the event, making it more accessible for its online participants. Through this collaboration, the company actively supports initiatives that promote innovation, digital inclusion, and greater ICT awareness across the country.

“At Eastern Communications, we continuously seek opportunities to support the country’s digital advancement by way of strategic partnerships, digital education programs, and by empowering communities with reliable and accessible connectivity,” said Eastern Communications Chief Revenue and Innovation Officer Edsel Paglinawan.

The telco provider will also roll out its latest “Brown Bag Session” and “Access Eastern” tech workshops across Metro Manila and the new videos of its "Thoughts on Tech" video podcast as part of its ICT month initiatives.

Driving Nation-Building Through NICT Summit 2025

Supported by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the NICT2025 brought together national leaders, private sector innovators, and global ICT experts to present strategies and technologies that advance inclusive digital development.

The summit was joined by around 400 in-person delegates and 200–500 online participants, including representatives from the academe, IT associations, private industry, and government bodies. The event previewed the upcoming ASEAN CIO Association (ACIOA) 9th Forum in Singapore this September, featuring thought leadership on digital transformation, AI, cybersecurity, sustainability, and emerging tech trends shaping ASEAN’s future.

Furthering its mission to support nation-building and empower Filipino communities through technology, Eastern Communications is proud to be part of the annual National ICT Month celebrations, observed every June under Presidential Proclamation No. 1521, s. 2008.

Empowering Businesses Through Tech Workshops

Eastern Communications announces the return of its award-winning thought leadership events with its annual “Access Eastern” tech workshops, and its new learning series, the Eastern “Brown Bag Session.” These series of workshops will gather key opinion leaders in the technology sector to build collaboration and drive digital transformation among businesses in the Philippines. The dynamic lineup of sessions include:

• Future-Proofing Philippine Retail Industry for next Gen Connectivity in partnership with Huawei
• Accelerating Innovation Through Next Gen/Emerging Technologies in partnership with Cisco
• Resilient IT-BPM Delivery Using Hybrid Cloud in partnership with CloudSigma
• Empowering Governance Through Emerging Technologies in partnership with Nexusguard
• Securing Distributed Teams with Zero Trust and SASE in partnership with CATO Networks
• Access Eastern: Solutions That Power Your Business with workshop runs in Clark & Laguna

These industry-focused tech workshops will provide valuable insights and actionable strategies for businesses looking to leverage the latest technological advancements.

"Thoughts on Tech" Podcast Returns with Ai & Digital Literacy Focus

Eastern Communications also launched the third series of its official video podcast, "Thoughts on Tech," hosted by renowned news anchor and event host Danie Laurel. This series features insightful conversations with industry leaders, focusing on ICT as a crucial enabler of progress and why digital transformation is now a fundamental necessity for all businesses.

The series will address the need for greater AI and ICT awareness among Philippine businesses. Research from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) indicates that despite national efforts for AI integration, local businesses, especially MSMEs, face challenges in adoption due to barriers in infrastructure, awareness, and funding. As of 2021, only 14.9% of businesses were using AI technologies, highlighting the early stages of AI adoption in the country.

The "Thoughts on Tech" episodes are released weekly throughout June via Eastern’s official Facebook and Youtube channel:

• The Future of the Filipino Workforce in the Age of AI featuring Tonichi Parekh, Vice President of Concentrix.
• The Creator Economy, Its Challenges and Unique Trends with Marla De Castro Rausch, President of Creative Content Creators Association of the Philippines (SIKAP) and CEO of Animation Vertigo.
• From Classroom to Boardroom: Integrating Digital Skills in Education with Aurelien Chu, Co-Founder of Eskwelabs.
• Code Red to Code Ready: Managing Risks in Modern Enterprises with Alvin Harilla, Eastern Communications’ Enterprise Risk & Quality Management Head.

Through these various initiatives, Eastern Communications supports the Philippines' digital transformation journey by empowering businesses with knowledge and championing digital literacy during the National ICT Month.

 

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LBC Express Joins Forces with BidaBoss to Back Hardworking Bidang Filipino Entrepreneurs

LBC Express Joins Forces with BidaBoss to Back Hardworking Bidang Filipino Entrepreneurs

LBC Express, the Philippines’ leading logistics and money services provider, has partnered with BidaBoss, the first pioneering dropshipping platform in the country. Set to officially launch this June, LBC will provide warehousing, distribution, and last-mile delivery support to power BidaBoss’ nationwide operations, so that business ownership is more accessible for Filipinos.

As one of BidaBoss’ strategic corporate partners, LBC now operates a dedicated warehouse facility in South Luzon that serves as the platform’s primary distribution hub. From here, LBC ensures the seamless movement of products across the country from regional hubs to the doorsteps of customers.

This logistics support allows BidaBoss sellers to focus on growing their business without the burden of maintaining physical inventory. Sellers simply choose products to list, then LBC handles the storage and shipping, helping reduce costs, streamline operations, and expand reach.

“We’ve always believed in helping Filipinos succeed whether they’re sending packages to family or running an online store,” said Jerome Santos, Senior Vice President for Corporate Sales at LBC Express. “Working with BidaBoss lets us do that in a new way, by supporting everyday hustlers who are building businesses of their own.”

BidaBoss continues to make business more accessible by offering a wide range of affordable products and tools to support entrepreneurs at any stage.

“There’s so much potential in Filipino sellers. This partnership with LBC helps us give them a real shot whether they’re just starting out or looking to grow,” said Von Basa, CEO and Founder of BidaBoss.

Looking ahead, LBC and BidaBoss are exploring other ways to expand their partnership, including additional warehouse facilities, localized hubs, and system integrations to enhance efficiency.

At the core of this partnership is a shared mission to uplift hardworking Filipinos to build better livelihoods and succeed in creating long-term businesses.

Ready to build your business? Learn more by visiting LBC Express’ official website or follow their social media pages (Instagram | Facebook) for the latest updates.

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Fastly Appoints Nicola Gerber as Vice President for Asia Pacific & Japan to Accelerate Growth Across the Region

Fastly Appoints Nicola Gerber as Vice President for Asia Pacific & Japan to Accelerate Growth Across the Region

Fastly, Inc. (NYSE: FSLY), a leader in global edge cloud platforms, today announced the appointment of Nicola Gerber as Vice President, Asia Pacific & Japan (APJ). This new hire underscores Fastly’s commitment to expanding its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital regions, aligning with its global growth strategy and recent investments in go-to-market transformation.

Nicola Gerber brings more than 20 years of experience in technology sales, specialising in networking and cloud services. Her career includes leadership roles at Cisco, Amazon Web Services, and high-growth startups across the APJ and EMEA regions. For the past 16 years, Nicola has been based in Asia Pacific, where she has driven customer success and growth initiatives, leveraging strategic partnerships across the region.

“As Asia Pacific accelerates into an AI-powered future, the demand for fast, secure, and reliable digital infrastructure is unprecedented,” said Gerber. “Today, APJ has already established itself as the world’s largest region for mobile users and mobile app usage, and it's among the fastest AI-adopting geographies globally. With a strong foundation of people and expertise in place, we’re unlocking hyper-performance for these AI-driven businesses. Our partners play a pivotal role in this journey – not only as a channel for growth, but as strategic collaborators who help deliver end-to-end solutions that customers demand. I’m excited about the new enhancements to our portfolio that demonstrate Fastly’s commitment to delivering best-in-class customer experiences and also strengthening our security offerings even further.”

With APJ businesses unlocking growth through AI, Fastly’s modern architecture is uniquely positioned to support their evolving digital strategies. Its powerful global network allows Fastly to provide ultra-low latency and scalable performance needed for today’s AI-powered applications. From delivering real-time, AI-generated content to dynamically personalising user experiences and supporting inference at the edge, Fastly enables organisations to innovate faster, engage more deeply, and scale reliably.

“Bringing Nicola on board marks an exciting step forward in our investment in the APJ region – an essential part of Fastly’s global growth journey,” said Scott Lovett, Chief Revenue Officer at Fastly. “APJ represents one of the most promising markets in the world – not only for Fastly, but for our partners and customers who are accelerating their digital transformation journey.”

“We see immense opportunity here, and our partners are key to unlocking that value, helping businesses scale rapidly while delivering the best possible outcomes for customers. Nicola has a deep understanding of how to build and nurture strong partnerships and ecosystems that drive innovation and long-term success. With her track record of growing high-performing, diverse teams and leading with impact, Nicola is the ideal leader to harness the momentum.”

Nicola is a well-known and passionate advocate for diversity in leadership. She served as an Independent Director for Cavotec from 2014 to 2018 and continues her board work with the Singapore Institute of Directors. She was involved with the Asian University for Women from 2022 to 2023 and with Women@AWS APJC. Nicola was recognised as one of Asia’s “Most Inspirational Women in Leadership” at the “Break the Ceiling Touch the Sky” event in 2024.

Nicola Gerber will lead Fastly’s APJ go-to-market strategy, working closely with regional leaders, teams, and partners to accelerate growth, drive adoption of Fastly’s expanding edge cloud portfolio, and help customers deliver fast, safe, and engaging digital experiences.

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Alipay+ launches World’s First Smart Glasses-Embedded Payment Solution

Alipay+ launches World’s First Smart Glasses-Embedded Payment Solution

Sunday, June 22, 2025

The world's first successful e-wallet payment transaction was completed on Meizu StarV Snap smart glasses via AlipayHK

After Alipay debuted a smart glasses payment solution with Rokid in China, Alipay+, the unified wallet gateway service under Ant International, announced the Alipay+ smart glasses-embedded payment solution for global e-wallets. In collaboration with Meizu, a global industry leader, Alipay+ completed the world's first real-world smart glasses-embedded e-wallet payment transaction in Hong Kong.

The successful transaction on Meizu StarV Snap smart glasses with AlipayHK, Hong Kong’s leading superapp, marks another milestone in Alipay+’s advance at the forefront of global mobile payment innovation. Users can make seamless payments with QR scans or voice commands from their smart glasses, backed by Alipay+’s AI-powered voice interface, intent recognition, and voiceprint authentication technologies. The new feature will roll out to Alipay+ global partner e-wallets in 2025 upon the integration of Alipay+’s upgraded tech suite for smart glasses.

In April 2025, Meizu officially announced the global pioneer of offline AI glasses-enabled mobile payment function powered by Alipay+. Alipay+’s advanced payment SDK solutions are integrated into all new Meizu smart glasses, supported by Meizu’s industry-leading optical waveguide display technology, voice noise reduction and capture technology, and camera-based code scanning technology.

Alipay+ is accelerating new innovations to support e-wallets’ transition into the future of seamless commerce. Today, Alipay+ connects over 1.7 billion user accounts on 36 global e-wallets, national QR schemes and banking apps to 100 million merchants across 70+ core markets.

With one integration, wallet partners can access Alipay+’s expanding toolkits for customer engagement and business growth. Among these, Alipay+ now integrates QR-based and card payments via a global NFC solution. It also enables a full range of agentic AI features including MCP-based AI payments built on Alipay+ GenAI Cockpit, an AI-as-a-Service platform for fintech companies.

“The offline payment function of smart glasses launched overseas by Meizu and Alipay+ has set a new technological benchmark for the industry,” said Peng Guo, General Manager of the XR Division of Meizu. “The innovation in the payment scenario has enhanced the practicality and appeal of smart glasses and promoted the progress and development of the AR glasses industry. We hope this function will bring more convenient experiences to users.”

“We are grateful to work with industry leaders like Meizu to pioneer smart glasses-embedded payment solutions. By unlocking payment capabilities, smart glasses will rapidly transform into the next-gen personal device like the mobile phone," said Jiangming Yang, Chief Innovation Officer of Ant International. “We look forward to supporting more industry partners with one integration into Alipay+‘s premium wallet ecosystem across global markets, to help them build broader user scenarios and achieve growth.”

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Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42 Extortion and Ransomware Trends Report Reveals Aggressive New Tactics and the Escalation of Threat Actor Collaboration

Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42 Extortion and Ransomware Trends Report Reveals Aggressive New Tactics and the Escalation of Threat Actor Collaboration

Palo Alto Networks® (NASDAQ: PANW), the world's leading AI cybersecurity company, recently released the Unit 42 Extortion and Ransomware Trends January-March 2025 report, which revealed that threat actors are evolving their tactics, collaborating with state-backed groups and using extortion scams to extract payments.

Organisations across the Asia-Pacific and Japan region are putting their security posture first, and many are now detecting intrusions early in the attack lifecycle, before attackers can execute their objectives. This has led to an increase in incident response cases that are contained at the network access stage. Despite progress, ransomware and extortion campaigns continue to succeed at significant rates. Analysing Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42 incident response cases, Unit 42 researchers found that in response, threat actors are intensifying their tactics, using more aggressive methods to pressure victims and secure higher, more consistent payouts. Organisations therefore must stay aware of trends in ransomware and employ a defence-in-depth strategy for protection to remain prepared for ransomware attacks.

"We’re seeing a clear shift in how ransomware and extortion actors operate globally and across the Asia-Pacific and Japan region. Attackers are shifting from traditional encryption tactics to more aggressive and manipulative methods including false claims, insider access, and tools that disable security controls,” said Philippa Cogswell, Vice President and Managing Partner, Unit 42, Asia-Pacific & Japan, Palo Alto Networks. “These new and evolving tactics show just how critical it is for organisations to move beyond reactive defences and invest in security strategies that provide full visibility and rapid response across their environments.”

In the Philippines, ransomware continues to pose a serious threat to both public and private organisations. These attacks have caused major disruptions to online services and encrypted sensitive data across critical systems, often halting operations until ransoms are paid or systems are restored.

With millions of cyber threats detected daily in the country, the risk of ransomware demands urgent and coordinated action. In fact, the Philippines’ National Cybersecurity Plan 2023–2028 prioritises the protection of critical information infrastructures and adopts a proactive defence posture, specifically including ransomware readiness and incident response capabilities. However, to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated attacks, organisations will also have to invest in proactive threat detection, adopt AI-powered security tools, and strengthen collaboration across sectors.

Key findings of the report include:

Attackers are lying to get paid: Unit 42 observed a growing number of cases of extortion scams using fake data and even physical ransom notes sent to executives’ homes.

Manufacturing remains the top ransomware target, continuing a trend that has persisted for several years. The second most impacted industry is wholesale & retail, followed by professional & legal services.

Ransomware activity by location headquarters: The most targeted regions for attackers are the United States, Canada, UK, Germany.

Cloud and endpoint security are under siege: Attackers are increasingly using “EDR killers” to disable endpoint security sensors and targeting cloud systems more aggressively than ever before.

AI-generated insider threat extortion on the rise: North Korean operatives using AI-generated identities to post as remote IT workers have extorted companies by stealing proprietary code and threatening public leaks.

RansomHub emerges as top ransomware variant: RansomHub became the most prolific ransomware observed during the reporting period. This marks a sharp rise from mid-2024, when it was first identified as an emerging threat to watch.

To read the full report, please visit: https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/2025-ransomware-extortion-trends/

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Appdome is the First to Detect Agentic AI Malware on Mobile Devices

Appdome is the First to Detect Agentic AI Malware on Mobile Devices

New Android & iOS Plugins Detect Agentic AI Assistants Performing In-App Surveillance and Data Exfiltration in Consumer and Enterprise Apps

Appdome, the leader in protecting mobile businesses, today announced the availability of new dynamic defense plugins to detect and defend against Agentic AI Malware and unauthorized AI Assistants controlling Android & iOS devices and applications. The new Detect Agentic AI Malware plugins allow mobile brands and enterprises to know when Agentic AI applications interact with their mobile applications and use the data to prevent sensitive data leaks and block unvetted on-device AI Agents from accessing transaction, account, or enterprise data and services.

Agentic AI Assistants—such as Apple Siri, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, OpenAI ChatGPT, and others—are increasingly available to mobile users in consumer and enterprise environments. However, the same capabilities that make AI Assistants useful to consumers and employees can also be used by Agentic AI Malware and Trojans. Good and bad AI Assistants can gain broad runtime access to screen content, UI overlays, activity streams, user interactions, and contextual data. Malicious AI Assistants can exploit this access to perform data harvesting, session hijacking, and account takeovers—often under the guise of legitimate AI functionality. On Android, this risk is amplified by more permissive APIs. On iOS, threats extend to mirroring-based leaks (e.g., via AirPlay) and enterprise-targeted surveillance.

“Mobile brands and enterprises have quickly acknowledged the risk of Agentic AI Assistants on mobile devices,” said Tom Tovar, co-creator and CEO of Appdome. “Our new Detect Agentic AI Malware plugins give mobile brands and enterprises choice and control over when and how to introduce AI Assistant functionality to their users.”

Agentic AI assistants have wide appeal in internal enterprise and public-facing consumer use cases. However, in consumer use cases—like banking, eWallet, and healthcare applications—some brands might take the view that, for now, the risks outweigh the benefits. Currently, whatever a good AI assistant can do, a bad AI Assistant can do. Both can access, extract or input credentials, intercept transactions, and send messages to other users. In enterprise environments, malicious AI Assistants could perform actions as the employee, accessing proprietary systems, leak sensitive documents, or create entry points for lateral compromise. Wrapped or re-skinned AI apps—especially unofficial or third-party clones of tools like ChatGPT—further increase the attack footprint, often requesting dangerous (overreaching) permissions and quietly transmitting captured data to external servers. Without real-time detection and control, mobile brands remain exposed to surveillance, compliance failures, and data loss at scale.

“The mobile application and device can only know it’s an Agentic AI Assistant,” said Avi Yehuda, Co-Creator and Chief Technology Officer at Appdome. “The mobile environment has no concept of “good” or “bad” actors, only allowed and disallowed access or permissions, that’s the point.”

Security researchers have observed that malicious AI Assistants can extract session data, cryptographic tokens, or decrypted content by analyzing on-screen information in real time. These apps often masquerade as legitimate voice assistants, and once granted access, can silently monitor users’ activity. Furthermore, when coupled with generative AI models, attackers can script automated reconnaissance, tampering, or replay of sensitive operations inside apps.

“If you have sensitive data or regulated use cases on mobile, AI Assistants are no longer a hypothetical risk—they’re an active one,” said Kai Kenan, VP of Cyber Research at Appdome. “Detecting and controlling the use of these tools is a must-have capability for any mobile defense strategy.”

Appdome’s new Detect Agentic AI Malware plugin uses behavioral biometrics to detect the techniques that malicious or unauthorized AI Assistants use to interact with an Android or iOS application in real time. This includes official, third-party, or wrapped AI apps that impersonate trusted tools or gain elevated permissions. Mobile brands and enterprises can use Appdome to monitor AI Assistant use or detect and defend against Agent AI Assistants using multiple evaluation, enforcement and mitigation options. Mobile brands and enterprises can also specify any number of Trusted AI Assistants, to guarantee that users have access to approved and legitimate Agentic AI Assistants.

“A tsunami of Agentic AI—both good and bad—is approaching the mobile ecosystem. The question is no longer if, but when,” said Chris Roeckl, Chief Product Officer at Appdome. “Most concerning are wrapped versions of legitimate apps, which are increasingly used to trick users into signing in, transacting, and engaging with what looks like your brand—until a malicious agent takes over. Our new dynamic defenses stop Agentic AI from weaponizing your app against your users.”

To learn more about Appdome malware protection, including Detect Agentic AI Malware, please visit https://www.appdome.com/mobile-malware-prevention/.

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Top business leaders rally behind JCI World Congress 2026

Top business leaders rally behind JCI World Congress 2026

Distinguished business leaders, JCI members, and partners gather for an inspiring evening in support of the 2026 JCI World Congress, highlighting the power of collaboration and shared commitment to elevate youth leadership, drive innovation, and positive change locally and globally.

The announcement of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) World Congress 2026 hosting in Clark, Pampanga has ignited widespread enthusiasm among local JCI leaders in the Philippines. They see this as a remarkable opportunity to showcase their chapter’s capabilities on a global stage while reinforcing the country’s commitment to leadership and community development.

A legacy of inspiration

In a special gathering hosted at the residence of Felix Ang, Founder of CATS Motors and President of Auto Nation Group, former JCI members and distinguished guests attended, including Senator JV Ejercito; 2025 JCI Advisor Boydee Dizon III; former 2024 JCI Makati Senate President and 1997 JCI World President Crispin C. Dy Jr.; Chairman of Clark Development Corporation Ed Pamintuan, who also served as the 1978 World Congress Director; and former President of JCI Manila and former President of Clark Development Corporation Benny Ricafort. Their presence underscored the lasting impact of JCI leadership and the strong bonds within the organization.

Jan Adrian “AP” D. Padiernos, the 2025 JCI Manila President, shared his excitement for the upcoming event, reflecting on the historic 1998 JCI World Congress—the last time the Philippines hosted the prestigious gathering.

“Reflecting on the last JCI World Congress in the Philippines back in 1998, I think it inspired many to join and become more active in the organization. As JCI's mission is to develop leaders, we hope that this upcoming World Congress will do the same—encourage more leaders to step out of their comfort zones, embrace their potential, and create a positive impact in their communities and the country.”

The JCI World Congress 2026 is also expected to serve as a catalyst for youth development, providing invaluable learning experiences for young Filipinos. Many local leaders see this as a unique opportunity to engage young people in leadership training, business networking, and cultural exchange.

“One of the greatest opportunities this congress offers is the chance to foster international relations and cultural understanding,” said Randy Manaloto, 2025 JCI Senate Manila President. “It’s a platform where young leaders can engage in business networking while connecting with JCI members from different countries, backgrounds, and cultures. Though we may have different perspectives, we are united by a shared mission.”

The significance of hosting the JCI World Congress again after nearly three decades is not lost on Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro, President of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc., Founder and President of Lamoiyan Corp., and former JCI Manila President (1990).

“It has been 28 years since we last hosted the World Congress. This event is more than just a gathering—it’s a way to strengthen camaraderie among JCI members and reinforce the importance of strong, visionary leadership. The Philippines has so much potential, and with the right leadership, we can help this country to be one of the greatest countries in the world.”

Clark Pampanga as the ideal host city

Last year, JCI Manila, in partnership with JCI Angeles City Culiat, secured the prestigious hosting rights for the event. This milestone gathering is expected to bring together thousands of young leaders from across the globe, fostering international collaboration and leadership growth.

Leading the preparations is Luis Angelo Sevilla, the appointed 2026 JCI World Conference Director, who envisions setting a new benchmark for international JCI conferences. Rather than simply promoting an event, he emphasizes creating an immersive experience that inspires young leaders to drive innovation and embrace continuous improvement.

Kate Reyes-Romero, Deputy World Congress Director from JCI Angeles City Culiat, views the JCI World Congress as a profound commitment to the community and the nation. To her, it represents the unwavering love and dedication of Filipinos to their country, inspiring them to drive growth, foster unity, and create a lasting impact.

The JCI World Congress will provide a platform for emerging leaders to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and discuss global challenges. It embodies the core values of JCI, which has long been dedicated to empowering young individuals to drive positive change in their communities and beyond.

Scheduled on November 11-15, 2026, the congress is expected to welcome over 6,000 delegates from more than 120 countries. Clark, Pampanga, recognized as the premier MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) destination in the Philippines, will offer world-class infrastructure, seamless accessibility, and convenient travel options, ensuring a truly memorable experience for all participants.

More than just a gathering, the JCI World Congress 2026 promises to be a transformative event—one that will celebrate leadership, inspire action, and solidify Pampanga’s reputation as a hub for global collaboration and innovation.

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