Leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc. (PLDT), through its corporate business arm PLDT Enterprise, is reinforcing its support for the country’s digitalization aspirations as the Hyperscaler Hub of Asia-Pacific at the recent Philippine Digital Convention 2023 (PH Digicon 2023), hailing partnerships and synergy among various sectors as the core of this vision.
“In this era of awe-inspiring technologies, the Philippines stands resolute in its ambition to become the hyperscaler hub of Asia-Pacific,” said Mitch L. Locsin, First Vice President and Head of Enterprise and International Business Groups of PLDT and Smart, at the opening of the recently concluded PH Digicon 2023.
“As we gather here, we embark on this collective journey, which acknowledges the boundless potential of collaboration between entrepreneurial zeal, the daring of start-ups and the guiding influence of education,” Locsin added, hailing the collaboration with IdeaSpace, Go Negosyo, PLDT-Smart Foundation, PLDT Sustainability Office, PLDT and Smart Stakeholder Management Team, and PLDT People Group for the event’s programs for students, start-ups, and entrepreneurs.
“Together, this synergy of small businesses, start-ups, and education, creates an ecosystem of resilience, transformation, and perpetual renewal. It is a trinity that exemplifies the journey from idea to impact, from learning to innovation, from aspiration to achievement,” Locsin said.
Secretary Ivan John Uy of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) also set forth the government’s vision of a Digital Philippines that is anchored on digital inclusion and citizen-centric innovation.
“Crucial in our journey to becoming a competitive digital economy is ensuring that no Filipino is left behind,” Uy said, adding that the DICT has been working toward reducing the digital divide by expanding connectivity across the archipelago.
Uy also cited the launch of the eGovPH Super App, a one-stop platform that allows Filipinos to access vital national and local services, as an example of how the government puts a premium on citizen-centric innovation, making public service more accessible to the public with technology.
Emmanuel C. Lorenzana, Chief Transformation and Customer Officer at PLDT, also shared the PLDT Group’s visionary path before thousands of PH Digicon 2023 delegates, ahead of the company’s 95th anniversary in November.
“We stand on a well-defined roadmap for our future forged on both trials and invaluable lessons,” Lorenzana said, citing that the Group’s vision will involve personalized customer experiences guided by insights gained from listening to customers.
“Armed with new tools, we push to enhance our operational efficiencies and harness our existing assets to ensure the highest level of quality for our customers, who will always be the North Star of everything that we do,” Lorenzana added.
Another highlight of the plenary is the launch of ePLDT Pilipinas Cloud (ePPC). ePLDT, the ICT subsidiary of PLDT, becomes the first Filipino corporation to offer a sovereign cloud, which will host highly sensitive government data and applications in a trusted cloud environment to help fast-track the digital transformation of the country’s public sector.
“With ePLDT’s technical expertise and experience in delivering multi-cloud and data center solutions, backed up by our unique understanding of the Philippine government’s requirements, we are confident we can ensure the seamless deployment and management of the country’s first sovereign cloud aligned with global standards,” said ePLDT President and CEO Victor S. Genuino.
PLDT Chief Technology Officer Jojo G. Gendrano, meanwhile, also helmed a panel discussion on “Enabling the Vision for Industries” with Ragu Masilamany, General Manager and Head of Solution Engineering at Amdocs; Anup Changaroth, Chief Technology Officer Service Provider at Cisco (APAC); Brandon Wu, Vice President and CTO Enterprise Business Group, Asia Pacific at Huawei; and Raghav Sahgal, President of Cloud and Network Services at Nokia.
During the panel discussion at PH Digicon 2023, Gendrano said, “An execution of how the country can better pivot as a digital nation at warp speed, PLDT-Smart’s vision, and the focus of this afternoon’s panel, is in gearing up on how to take action. We say that technology is nothing without persons of vision. We have leaders here that in so many ways power communications in the Philippines.”
Thousands of delegates trooped to the two-day PH Digicon 2023, an annual digital convention where global industry mavens, thought leaders, and pioneers in technology come together.
PH Digicon 2023’s theme was “VISION: Reimagine Tomorrow’s Enterprise,” reflecting the goal to empower tomorrow’s tech titans and enterprises. In addition to tech forums led by industry experts, the event also showcased innovative solutions and cutting-edge technologies focusing on areas like IoT, AI, 5G, and automation, as well as mentoring sessions for SMEs.
Delegates were also able to participate in immersive experiences at the Digi Grounds, which featured activations from PLDT Home, Smart, Maya, mWell, and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), and Keystone Sponsors Amdocs, Cisco, Huawei Technologies Phils. Inc., Nokia.
PH Digicon 2023: VISION is powered by Amdocs, Cisco, Huawei Technologies Phils. Inc., Nokia, Google Cloud, Samsung, ZTE Corporation, Avolution Inc., Fortinet, Soprano Design, CSG, Dell Technologies Philippines, Ericsson Telecommunications, Inc., and Maya Philippines, Inc.
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