AI, a practical toolkit for prediction, automation

CEBU CITY –Artificial Intelligence (AI) has officially transitioned from a speculative tech trend into an immediate, cross-sector toolkit capable of dramatically lowering costs, boosting efficiency, and permanently altering the workforce landscape.

Speaking as the keynote presenter at LAMBO, Cebu's AI Business Summit on June 27 at Waterfront Hotel Cebu, data science and AI specialist Christopher Monterola argued that modern AI systems are now practical, highly affordable, and broadly applicable for small and large enterprises alike.

Monterola, who has overseen more than 100 data science and AI projects yielding an estimated $178 million in annual recurring revenue across various organizations, emphasized that the commercial value of AI fundamentally boils down to two main pillars: prediction and automation.

According to Monterola, traditional statistical and mathematical models frequently fail businesses because they are fundamentally designed to ignore extreme events.

"Previous math, previous statistics is designed not to predict the outliers," Monterola explained during his address. "But AI does not make that assumption. It was built to make predictions."

This capability allows organizations to isolate complex, multi-variable patterns that human cognition or traditional physics models miss—such as equipment failure risks, fluctuating retail demand, or even the water levels of Metro Manila’s critical dams a year in advance.

The summit highlighted several notable milestones achieved through targeted AI deployment in the Philippines:

Banking Regulation: A review system developed for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas slashed a staggering 20,000 person-hours of manual account audits per month down to a highly optimized 11 minutes per account.

Logistics & Parcel Routing: An address-standardization system built for logistics giant LBC successfully parsed inconsistent, non-standard text formats for 1.5 million parcels monthly, projecting a conservative savings of 7.9 million pesos in operating costs.

Fintech Inclusivity: A motorcycle-lending tool developed for Uni Star automates asset value assessments using simple smartphone photos and 5-to-10-second engine audio recordings. This allows rapid, objective credit decisions for underbanked citizens lacking formal financial histories.

Retail Supply Chains: Demand-forecasting inventory models deployed for fuel retailers in Oriental Mindoro optimized stock levels, trimming overall operating costs by 5% to 10%.

Manufacturing Maintenance: In a major factory setting, AI models analyzed acoustic noise and human-machine interaction patterns to detect equipment failure risks completely invisible to human engineers, preventing costly downtime for machines valued at up to $500,000 each.

Confronting the realities of corporate layoffs

Addressing the controversial question of whether AI will replace human workers, Monterola bypassed typical industry sugarcoating.

"Some are trying to say that it will only replace humans who are not using AI. Let me mention... that is not true. AI can actually replace lots of jobs," he stated openly, pointing to recent down-sizing and workforce reductions at global giants like Oracle and Citi.

Reports suggest automation could contribute to roughly 70 million layoffs globally over the next two years as companies use AI to quietly eliminate repetitive tasks.

However, Montetola emphasized that the macroeconomic outlook is far from bleak. While 92 million jobs are expected to be lost to automation, the shifting landscape is projected to create 170 million new roles—resulting in a net global gain of 78 million jobs.

An unusual economic phenomenon is emerging, he noted: businesses are aggressively growing their earnings and increasing remaining salaries while simultaneously downsizing administrative positions. Capitalizing on these shifts will require rapid workforce adaptation and widespread retraining.

Democratizing tech for small businesses

A major takeaway from the summit was how drastically the cost of advanced technology has dropped. Driven by massive declines in data storage expenses and monumental leaps in compute power, sophisticated tools are no longer exclusive to multinational corporations.

"The same techniques that work for DBS, one of the best digital banks in the world, will be applicable to a rural bank," Montetola remarked, noting that generative AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and Gemini allow micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to process documents, launch websites in minutes, and deploy automated customer support for pennies on the dollar.

To mitigate development costs, Monterola urged Filipino business owners to identify common, recurring industry-wide bottlenecks, share generalized solutions among peer firms, and leverage collaborative networks.

By focusing on strategic adoption and proactive workforce upskilling, Monterola remains confident that the Philippines can successfully navigate the disruption and capture AI's massive economic upside.(Photos: MBCNewman)

Some 373 PLHIV clients in Central Visayas receive aid from DSWD7

CEBU CITY— Some 373 people living with HIV (LPHIV) in Central Visayas received aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Field Office 7 through the agency’s Community-Based Services Section–PLHIV Assistance and Psychosocial Support Program from January to April 2026.

DSWD7 provides comprehensive support to help affected families of PLHIV overcome economic challenges.  These include psychosocial care and support services in accordance with Section 36 of Republic Act No. 11166 that offers economic assistance such as education, livelihood, burial or funeral expenses, transportation, medical needs, and food support.

This provision aims to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS on affected individuals and their families while ensuring their well-being.  PLHIV clients in Central Visayas received a total of  P4,000 cash assistance for their immediate needs.

Aside from cash assistance, DSWD-7 also offers a free wireless mental health and psychosocial support service for individuals and families experiencing crisis situations. The program operates through online and wireless platforms such as text messaging, email, websites, and Facebook.

PLHIV clients may also avail themselves of medical assistance for their maintenance needs through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), provided they meet the assessment and documentary requirements.

DSWD-7 also actively partners with government and nongovernment organizations in providing immediate support to persons living with HIV. The agency accepts referrals from nongovernment organizations (NGOs) for cash aid assistance and psychosocial support services.

Recently, the DSWD7 through the Community-Based Services Section – PLHIV Assistance and Psychosocial Support Program, participated in the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial held at the Cebu City Health Department in May 2026. (Photos: DSWD7 & Google Images)

 

 

Smarter, more flexible systems key to powering VisMin economic boom, Experts Say

MANDAUE CITY-- The economic center of gravity in the Philippines is rapidly shifting south, but sustaining this momentum will require a massive overhaul of how the country handles energy, automation, and artificial intelligence.

This was the collective verdict of energy regulators, local government officials, and global technology leaders who gathered at the Bai Hotel, June 24 for Schneider Electric’s Innovation Day Philippines 2026, anchored on the theme “Powering Progress Through Future-Ready Industries.”

The forum highlighted the Visayas and Mindanao (VisMin) regions as the country's primary frontier for economic transformation—while sounding the alarm on critical grid readiness.  Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Executive Director Atty. Nancy Aurora Fajardo declared that energy is no longer just a passive operational input, but a "strategic enabler" of investment, data centers, and industrial productivity.

Fajardo argued that the traditional metric of success—simply having enough power plants—is outdated. Following a string of recent yellow and red alerts across the Visayas grid, the regulator is shifting its focus toward systemic agility.

"Recent yellow and red alerts in the Visayas demonstrate that today’s challenge is no longer simply supply adequacy, but system flexibility. Forced outages and tightening reserves exposed vulnerabilities in the grid, particularly as renewable energy penetration increases,” Fajardo said

To combat this, the ERC is leaning heavily into Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), revealing that the commission has already received 17 BESS applications dedicated to the VisMin corridor.  This aligns with a Department of Energy (DOE) mandate requiring new variable renewable energy projects of 10 MW or more to integrate storage capacities of at least 20 percent.

Furthermore, to eliminate severe transmission bottlenecks, Fajardo highlighted a crucial regulatory shift: the ERC has issued a framework allowing qualified third-party entities other than the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to directly finance and construct critical transmission projects.

Cebu Leads a Strategic Transformation

The push for a more resilient grid comes at a time of unprecedented regional growth. Schneider Electric Philippines Country President Ireen Catane pointed to recent Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showing that Central Visayas expanded by a staggering 7.3 percent in 2024, comfortably outpacing the national average.

Catane emphasized that Cebu is no longer a mere supporting region but the vanguard of a new economic trajectory driven by tourism, digital infrastructure, and sustainable manufacturing.

However, keeping pace with this growth requires a departure from legacy setups. "Companies are now looking for more connected approaches that bring together electrification, automation, and digital technologies," Catane noted, adding that managing these components in traditional, isolated silos is no longer sufficient for modern industrial demands.

The Triple Threat: Energy, AI, and Geopolitics

Zooming out to the global stage, Schneider Electric East Asia Zone President Pang Xing Jian challenged local industries to move from mere awareness to rapid execution. He outlined three mega shifts redefining global business.

The New Energy Landscape: Decentralized energy transitions and an exponential rise in electricity demand driven by rapid urbanization and industrialization.

The AI Explosion: Digitalization is no longer optional. Pang projected that data centers—which he termed "AI factories"—will reach 200 gigawatts of global installed capacity by 2030, consuming roughly five percent of worldwide energy.

"More AI requires more compute. More compute requires more energy," Pang warned, emphasizing that infrastructure must be built smarter and more efficient by design.

A Multipolar World: Rising trade barriers, tariffs, and geopolitical turbulence mean companies must build highly resilient, localized supply chains to ensure operational continuity.

"The future is not only about to electrify, it is also more intelligent," Pang stated, calling for open, software-defined ecosystems over proprietary frameworks.

Public Service Through Innovation

The call for rapid adaptation was echoed by local government. Representing Mandaue City Mayor Thadeus Ouano, Atty. Kevin Honorides emphasized that for local government units, technology must translate into tangible human impact.

"For Mandaue City, innovation is not limited to technology. It is about finding better ways to improve mobility, strengthen public service, support businesses, create jobs, and make everyday life better for our people," Honorides said.

He stressed that bridging the gap between emerging tech and public welfare can only be achieved if government, regulators, and private tech firms sit at the same table.

As Visayas and Mindanao cement their status as national growth drivers, the forum concluded with a unified message: building a clean, inclusive, and resilient grid is no longer a long-term goal—it is an immediate economic necessity.

Shopee ‘Tambai’ brings Tatak Pinoy Roadshow for Cebuano MSMEs digital growth

CEBU CITY -- Shopee Philippines brought its "Tatak Pinoy MSME Roadshow" to Cebuano MSME entrepreneurs on June 27 at the Waterfront Hotel under the local leg branded as “Shopee Tambai.”

Pinoy Roadshow trains Cebuano MSMEs for digital growth, gathering MSMEs, first-time sellers, and local government partners for a day of hands-on e-commerce skills training, export opportunities, and scale-up support to help Visayas sellers start, grow, and scale online.

“Tatabai” or tambay meets bai--a Cebuano term used to make the national program feel local. Shopee said the roadshow is designed to meet MSMEs where they are, especially in regions with limited access to digital training.

The Cebu leg follows Shopee’s nationwide push that has already trained more than 700 MSMEs across 10 cities since 2025 with earlier stops in Mandaluyong, Bacolod, and other VisMin areas.

Participants received practical sessions on the same curriculum used in the Tatak Pinoy program that include Online store setup on Shopee; Digital marketing and how to boost product visibility; Order fulfillments and logistics; Customer engagement and CX best practices; Data analytics to track sales performance.

Shopee Philippines Head of Commercial, Jack Ng said the goal is to give entrepreneurs real, practical skills that can help them build businesses and improve their quality of life. Organizers highlighted two other Tatak Pinoy pillars available to Cebu sellers.

Tatak Pinoy International-- Shopee has supported nearly 200,000 local sellers and enabled the sale of over 22 million Filipino-made products overseas, giving Cebuano brands a pathway to export.

Sibol Accelerator Program SAP-- For high-potential sellers ready to scale. The 6-month program includes mentorship from Shopee experts, custom growth plans, and milestone incentives. A pilot batch of 20 sellers was onboarded in Q4 2025.

The Roadshow is done in partnership with local government units and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to bring training directly to communities.  Shopee noted that over the last 10 years in the Philippines, it has invested nearly 100,000 hours in training and upskilling MSMEs nationwide as part of its commitment to digital inclusion, Ng said.

Cebu is a key hub for homegrown brands in crafts, food, fashion, and home products. With e-commerce adoption rising in the Visayas, Shopee said the Waterfront Hotel session aims to unlock the untapped potential of regional businesses.

“In short, Shopee Tambai means Tambay + Bai is a community-style training that gives Cebuano MSMEs the tools to go from small shop to online-first business, with a chance to sell not just in the Philippines, but abroad,” Ng added.

Shopee encourages Cebuano MSMEs interested sellers to register for future Tatak Pinoy Roadshow legs or apply for Sibol through the Shopee Seller Center. (Photos: MBCNewman/Google Images)

 

 

Silliman to honor 8 distinguished alumni with Outstanding Sillimanian Award

DUMAGUETE CITY -- Silliman University (SU) honors eight distinguished alumni with the Outstanding Sillimanian Award (OSA) during the University’s 125th Founders Day celebration on August 28 at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium, recognizing their exceptional contributions in their respective fields and their embodiment of Silliman's enduring values.

The conferment of the awards, approved by the Silliman University Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the Silliman Alumni Association, Inc. (SAAI), forms part of the University's milestone celebration anchored on the theme, “125 Years of Legacy: Remembering with Gratitude, Moving Forward with Hope” (Colossians 2:6–7).

The 2026 Outstanding Sillimanian Award recipients are: Edwin M. Caliolio, Ll.B. — for Community and Business Leadership; Juancho C. Campañano, Rev. Dr. — for Healthcare Chaplaincy; Cris Jude Lacsican — for Inclusive Finance; Edwin Somera Mananquil, CDR, USN — for Military Policy and Leadership; Junice Lirza Demeterio-Melgar, M.D. — for Advancement of Women’s Health; Albert M. Salamanca, PhD — for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Cristina S. Taniguchi — for Visual Arts; and Merlie Alunan-Wenceslao — for Revival of Regional Literature.

 The Outstanding Sillimanian Award remains the highest recognition given to Silliman alumni. Since its inception in 1962, the award has conferred 269 alumni whose achievements have brought distinction to their professions, communities, and alma mater.

Candidates nominated by alumni chapters undergo a rigorous evaluation process involving three screening committees before receiving approval from the Board of Trustees.

The University and the Silliman Alumni Association also reviews the OSA nomination and selection process, including the number of awards to be conferred, with proposed revisions expected to take effect beginning the 2027 award cycle.

As Silliman marks 125 years of service and excellence, the recognition of these eight alumni highlights the University’s continuing legacy of producing graduates who make meaningful contributions to society while carrying forward the values and spirit of Silliman. (Photos: Silliman University)

“Art for Cane” exhibit supports elderly with walking canes

CEBU CITY – Global Creators Festival with young Cebuano artists from the Art Gathering Exhibit Guild (GEG) in partnership with Simply Share Foundation, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).and Radisson Blu Cebu, launched “Art for Cane” exhibition at the hotel’s lower lobby from June 26 to July 31, 2026, aimed at empowering local emerging artists while providing mobility aid to vulnerable senior citizens.

Global Creators Festival founder Mary Jane Salomon said, the "Art for Cane" movement operates under the banner of creativity with accountability. The project transforms creative expression into a tool for restoring dignity to impoverished elderly individuals by funding the purchase of walking canes for senior citizens in remote communities.

The exhibition features an impressive collection of 400 artworks displayed in the lobby of Radisson Blu Cebu, to showcase primarily highlights pieces from young, authentic, emerging Cebuano artists, giving them vital exposure to both local patrons and international hotel guests.

In a poignant addition to the gallery, the exhibition also includes artworks created by Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), brought to the venue through a partnership with the BJMP officials.

“This is a break for them, the young emerging artists who make up most of the exhibitors.  Our initiative is to provide a platform where our artists can be discovered — not only by guests, but by locals who frequent restaurants or attend meetings here.  This opportunity for exhibition is something we believe will leave a lasting impact,” stated Ann Olalo, General Manager of Radisson Blu Cebu.

“Art for Cane” began earlier this year with artists from as far as Baguio, Naga, Cavite, and Cebu donating works in Manila, proceeds go toward providing walking canes to indigent senior citizens in remote communities who have difficulty accessing mobility support, according to Salomon.

“In just three months, from a simple idea, the initiative has evolved into a growing movement. We are able to identify recipients for art for people. Today, thank you for being here. I appreciate that there are 400 artworks in this edition,” Salomon said.

Now expanding its reach to Cebu, the campaign serves as the grand finale to the hotel’s activities for the month of June under its Responsible Business Program.  The exhibition also aligns with June activities for women and youth, with the group partnering with a Global Theatre School Festival to further empower young, authentic artists, Salomon added.

The event also honored veteran muralist and senior artist Jeff Kuan, who was recognized for his continued dedication to mentoring the younger generation of creators in Cebu.

The Simply Share Foundation, led by Dr. Nicole Catalan, serves as the conduit for the collaboration, ensuring that the proceeds from the art sales are directly translated into walking canes and distributed to properly identified elderly beneficiaries.

The "Art for Cane" exhibition is currently open to the public in the lobby of Radisson Blu Cebu from June 26 to July 31.  Radisson invites art enthusiasts and tech-forward philanthropists alike to support the local creative economy while giving back to the community's elders. (Photos: MBCNewman)