(Aerial shot of Bataan Peoples Center, venue of Global Emerging Tech Summit 2025 in Balanga, Bataan)
Technologynewsph | Global Emerging Tech Summit 2025: Showcasing Filipino Innovation and the Spirit of Bayanihan in the Digital Age | Bataan, Philippines — October 27-29, 2025 — The recently concluded Global Emerging Tech Summit 2025 (GETS) gathered visionaries, innovators, and policymakers from around the world to celebrate how emerging technologies are revolutionizing the Filipino way of living, working, and community building.
Spearheaded by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), in cooperation with the Provincial Government of Bataan and the Blockchain Council of the Philippines (BCP), the two-day event served as a vibrant platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and forward-looking dialogue among industry leaders, educators, and technology advocates.
(In photo: Ribbon Cutting during the opening of Global Emerging Tech Summit 2025)
Innovation and blockchain were showcased through the event’s exciting talks and exhibitors, who presented real-world applications of digital solutions—from smart governance tools to blockchain-powered community systems—highlighting how technology can drive transparency, efficiency, and inclusive growth across various sectors.
Empowering Innovation and Collaboration
(In Photo: Congressman Bryan Poe Llamanzares shaking hands with Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III of Bataan)
Present at the event was Congressman Bryan Poe Llamanzares, who highlighted 12 blockchain bills currently being advanced in government. His message underscored the importance of building a supportive policy environment that encourages innovation, protects consumers, and accelerates blockchain adoption across industries.
Following his address, several notable presentations took center stage, including Donald Lim’s insightful summary of the Integrity Chain initiative—an effort aimed at fostering trust and accountability through blockchain. His talk emphasized how blockchain can serve as a foundation for ethical digital ecosystems, enticing more organizations to join and support the movement toward transparent and responsible innovation.
Another milestone during the summit was the official launch of GoodGovChain, a groundbreaking platform designed to make government data in Bataan transparent, verifiable, and accessible to every citizen. The initiative showcases how blockchain can strengthen public trust by ensuring that government records, transactions, and processes are easily auditable and tamper-proof—setting a model for smart governance in the Philippines and beyond.
Continuing the dialogue on governance innovation, a fireside chat on Smart Governance brought together Congressman Antonio “Tony” Roman III and former DICT Undersecretary Monchito Ibrahim, now Lead Convenor of the Alliance of Tech Innovators for the Nation (ATIN). The discussion explored how technology, when implemented with accountability and
foresight, can streamline government services, improve citizen engagement, and reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies.
(In Photo: Max Ward, CEO of Libera Global AI, Lorelyn Tamares, Spokesperson of PASCO, DTI Undersecretary Mary Jean Pacheco, Janelle Barretto, President and Co-Founder of Philippine Blockchain Week during their Panel Discussion)
Another highlight of Day 1 was “Smart Chains, Smart Gains: Public-Private Collaboration Using AI and Blockchain to Revolutionize Philippine Retail.” The discussion brought together leaders from both government and industry to explore how digital technologies are transforming the retail ecosystem—from major conglomerates to the smallest sari-sari stores.
Among the distinguished panelists were Libera Global AI CEO Max Ward and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Jean Pacheco, who shared insights on how emerging technologies can modernize local supply chains, improve market access, and empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The session also tackled common challenges faced by local retailers. Lorelyn Tamares, Executive Director of the Philippine Association of Stores and Owners, Inc. (PASCO), highlighted how many store owners rely on instinct-driven decisions that often lead to overstocking slow-moving goods resulting in wastage and income loss. Libera AI demonstrated how data-driven tools can help address these pain points, enabling smarter inventory management and strengthening grassroots entrepreneurship.
Championing Inclusion and Digital Literacy
(In Photo: Congressman Atty. Antonio “Tony” Roman III and Balanga City Mayor Raquel Garcia pose for a photo with the City of Balanga Education and Excellence Development Office, organizers of the morning program of GETS 2025–UTOWN Summit)
The second day of GETS 2025 placed the spotlight on education and inclusion through the UTOWN Summit 2025, which gathered over 2,000 students from 10 campuses across Balanga City under the theme “Building Smart Communities Through Blockchain Innovation.”
Students were introduced to the fundamentals of blockchain technology and its potential to shape smarter, more transparent, and connected communities. Through engaging talks and demonstrations, young participants gained a clearer understanding of how emerging technologies can empower citizens and foster sustainable development.
(Former Congresswoman Geraldine Roman discussing Gender Awareness and Development)
Adding depth to the discussions, former Congresswoman Geraldine Roman delivered a compelling session on Gender Awareness and Development, emphasizing the persistent gender divide in digital skills.
“Many women are discouraged to join the digital world as they do not feel safe online,” she said, calling for stronger digital safety measures and inclusive programs that empower women to participate fully in the digital economy.
Her message underscored the importance of ensuring that technological progress uplifts all sectors of society—especially women and marginalized communities.
Building on this theme of empowerment, women leaders took center stage in the “Code Without Borders” panel hosted by Gail Macapagal, Founder of Women in Blockchain Philippines. The session highlighted how women are leading innovation across industries and championing technology for social good. Participants shared stories of overcoming barriers, inspiring more women to pursue careers in emerging tech fields.
The dialogue uplifted attendees by showing that when women are at the forefront of change, the digital future becomes not only smarter but also more inclusive and compassionate.
Gaming, Prizes, and the Spirit of Bayanihan
(In Photo: Live competition hosted by Gridlock Games on the second day of GETS 2025)
Adding a creative and interactive edge to the event, Gridlock Games, a Philippine-based game development studio committed to creating fresh and exciting experiences for players around the world. At the heart of their work is Vi 3v3, their flagship indie esports title that delivers fast-paced, immersive action built for both casual and competitive play which was showcased at the event.
They spearheaded a thrilling gaming competition that brought together developers, students, and gaming enthusiasts in a showcase of talent, strategy, and innovation. The competition celebrated the Philippines’ growing digital entertainment and e-sports scene, encouraging young Filipinos to explore careers in game development and interactive media.
Exciting prizes were awarded to the winners, symbolizing the power of creativity and collaboration in technology. Both Day 1 and Day 2 also featured raffle draws of cutting-edge gadgets and tech prizes, which became a crowd favorite throughout the summit. Far from being mere giveaways, these raffles captured the true spirit of Bayanihan—bringing participants together in moments of shared excitement, connection, and community. Each draw reminded attendees that technology is most meaningful when it fosters joy, inclusion, and unity among people.
Bayanihan in the Digital Era
(In Photo: Several students in attendance for UTown Summit and GETS 2025)
At its core, GETS 2025 embodied the Filipino spirit of Bayanihan—a tradition of unity, cooperation, and shared progress. The summit underscored how this collective mindset can guide the Philippines toward a more inclusive and innovation-driven digital future.
Hon. Raquel Garcia, City Mayor of Balanga, also emphasized the importance of Bayanihan in the digital age, reminding participants that compassion and cooperation must extend both offline and online. Her message resonated deeply with the event’s theme—reinforcing that technology should always serve humanity and strengthen community bonds in both physical and virtual spaces.
Further strengthening the community dimension of the summit, Political Pump demonstrated how technology and storytelling can bring people together for collective growth. They delivered a lively talk on micro-memes—short, viral digital content that captures social sentiment and fuels online conversations. He emphasized that when used responsibly, these micro-memes can become tools for civic engagement, empathy, and awareness, helping bridge communities in the digital age. The Global Emerging Tech Summit 2025 and the UTOWN Summit 2025 together demonstrated that when technology, collaboration, and Bayanihan converge, communities thrive—and innovation becomes a force for national empowerment.
