Digital Pilipinas, the private-sector-led initiative driving the Philippines’ digital transformation, celebrates a groundbreaking year with the conclusion of the Digital Pilipinas Festival 2023. The two-day event, held at SMX Aura, nearly doubled in size compared to its inaugural year, hosting 75 programs and events and generating considerable buzz for the Philippines’ thriving tech ecosystem.
Key Highlights:
Record-breaking participation: Over 2,500 attendees, including 237 foreign and local speakers, engaged in 50 hours of interaction across 11 diverse festivals focused on key growth sectors like Fintech, Sustainability, and E-commerce.
Government endorsement: The presence of 5 Government Secretaries and support from 10 National Line Agencies underscored the alignment between Digital Pilipinas and national priorities.
Community building: The Digital Pilipinas community proved to be the true driving force behind the festival’s success. Their dedication and enthusiasm attracted international attention and showcased the Philippines’ potential for tech advancements.
The festival cemented the Philippines’ position as a regional innovation hub, sparking international interest and praise from industry leaders like Mark Burnard, Practice Manager, Data and Intelligence at Sourced Group – an AMDOCS Company. He lauded the event’s “quality and caliber of speakers,” “ambitious scope,” and “networking potential.”
Moving forward
Strategic planning: Digital Pilipinas is already gearing up for 2024, with the first Community Planning session held on December 17th. The second session is open to the public on December 21st, inviting everyone to contribute to shaping the initiative’s future direction.
Focus on healthcare: January opens with an exclusive, by-invitation event on Vaccines and Primary Health Care, in collaboration with the Department of Health leadership.
Global outreach: Digital Pilipinas will be actively preparing its community for key international events like the Japan Fintech Festival, Singapore’s Summit X, and the Asia Financial Forum in Hong Kong.
Amor Maclang, Convenor of Digital Pilipinas and Cofounder of GeiserMaclang, reflects on the year’s accomplishments: “Digital Pilipinas Festival Year 2 demonstrated the Philippines’ incredible potential for innovation and collaboration. We are driven by our vibrant community, and together, we will continue to propel the Philippines forward as a leading digital nation.”
