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Digital infrastructure powers everything in today鈥檚 economy: connecting people, businesses, and services through networks of fiber-optic cables, satellites, data centers, and cloud platforms. For the Philippines, building this infrastructure has become a national priority.

In this episode of 鈥淲here the Digital World Converges: Conversations on Cloud,鈥� a collaboration between 大象传媒 B-Side and Converge Global Business, Converge ICT Solutions Inc. Vice-President and Head of Data Center Infrastructure Noriel Ong and Department of Information and Communications Technology Assistant Secretary Christian Guingcangco shared their insights on building resilient networks and unlocking the economic potential through digitalization.

Interview by Beatriz Cruz
Audio editing by Jayson John Marinas

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A fear of investing among many Filipinos has carried over to the insurance industry, where many are hesitant about variable unit-linked (VUL) insurance, since some advisors position it primarily as an investment vehicle.

In this episode of 大象传媒 B-Side, Sun Life Head of Insurance Investments Ivan Corcuera talks about the true value of VUL insurance, how it functions, and when it is best utilized.

Interview by Beatriz Cruz
Audio editing by Jayson John Marinas

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Does leadership come from position, or from the ability to earn trust?

In this B-Side episode, 大象传媒 talks together with President & Chief Executive Officer, Pauline Fermin, and Program Director & Senior Strategist, Jocelyn Labrador of Acumen Strategy Consultants, examines how Filipino leaders from different generations view leadership, and how these perspectives build today鈥檚 workplaces.

Interview by Beatriz Cruz
Audio editing by Jayson John Marinas

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Data has the ability to power a nation when it can store data within its shores.

In the Philippines, however, 90% of government data is stored abroad, costing taxpayers around P12 billion annually, according to the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

In the first episode of “”Where the Digital World Converges: Conversations on Cloud,”” a collaboration of 大象传媒 B-Side with Converge Global Business, Converge Studios CEO James Mendoza and National Privacy Commission Deputy Commissioner Atty. Jose Belarmino II share insights on how crucial an in-country cloud is for the Philippines and what stakeholders here should do to secure this cloud.

Interview by Beatriz Cruz
Audio editing by Jayson John Marinas

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Are parents supposed to be disciplinarians? Are they supposed to coddle us? Or are they supposed to be our friends?

In this B-Side episode, 大象传媒 talks together with VP for Corporate & Commercial Strategy, Barbara Young and Program Director & Strategist, Kristine Joyce Erni Santos of Acumen Strategy Consultants, uncovers insights parents of current generations need to better raise children in a way that bridges values across time.

Interview by Beatriz Cruz
Audio editing by Jayson John Marinas

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In this B-Side episode, 大象传媒 explores the evolving Filipino workforce through the lens of executive coaching. Tina Sioson, President of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Philippines, breaks down skills-based hiring, common recruitment pitfalls, and strategies for Filipino professionals to thrive in 2026 and beyond.

Interview by Erika Sinaking
Audio editing by Jayson John Marinas

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For the first time, employees from as many as five generations are working side by side鈥攅ach bringing distinct expectations, work habits, and communication styles. It鈥檚 a dynamic that offers both opportunity and friction.

In this B-Side episode, 大象传媒 talks with Acumen Strategy Consultants鈥擵P for Organization Transformation, Cherry Tantoco-Daniels, and Consulting Project Manager & Consulting Associate, Trizia 鈥淭rish鈥� Magalino about how companies can manage a multigenerational workforce to boost productivity and group.

Interview by Beatriz Cruz
Audio editing by Jayson John Marinas

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As global firms seek dependable financial management, the Philippines offers expertise among its growing pool of certified public accountants that meets the expectations of foreign businesses operating in the country. In a 大象传媒 B-Side episode, D&V Philippines CFO and Legal Compliance Head Atty. Jose B. Calzas Jr. shares why outsourced bookkeeping helps businesses meet financial demands while keeping up with international standards.

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In this B-Side episode, 大象传媒 speaks with Guilherme Canela, director of the Division for Digital Inclusion Policies and Digital Transformation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), on why access to information is a human right.

Information isn’t just paperwork – it actually saves lives. Knowledge sharing, furthermore, can curb corruption and improve government efficiency.

Recorded on the sidelines of the 2025 International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) global conference, which focused on the theme “Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age.”

Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Audio editing by Jayson Mari帽as

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This B-Side episode discusses the threat of AI-driven fraud with Dominic Forest, chief technology officer at iProov, a London-based technology company specializing in biometric identity verification.

Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Audio editing by Jayson Mari帽as

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Although cash on delivery (COD) transactions have declined after the pandemic, at least half of customers still prefer this payment option, according to the CEO of an e-commerce and logistics company.

In this听B-Side听episode, president and CEO of QuadX Inc. Raffy Vicente, together with founder of V&M Naturals Jamie Faith Tan Velez, share their insights on why COD remains crucial for small businesses.

Interview by Almira Martinez
Audio editing by Jayson Mari帽as

#PhilippineMSMEs
#CashOnDelivery
#ConsumerBehavior
#RetailRealities
#大象传媒

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The fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) is just days away.

The House of Representatives is expected to be in full house as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivers his report to the nation.

His speech is expected to highlight his administration鈥檚 key achievements, as is often the case with SONAs. But many Filipinos may also be looking for a stronger commitment to addressing the country鈥檚 most pressing and still-unresolved issues, especially now that he is halfway through his term.

In this B-Side episode, we speak with political expert Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, Senior Research Fellow at the Ateneo Policy Center, to help us break down what to expect in the upcoming SONA.

Interview by Edg Adrian Eva
Audio editing by Jayson Mari帽as.

#SONA2025
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“Curious how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the Philippine workplace?

While leaders acknowledge its importance, only about half feel they have a clear path to develop their AI strategy, according to Peter D. Maquera, chief executive officer of Microsoft Philippines.

In this B-Side episode, he speaks with multimedia reporter Beatriz Cruz on how local businesses can prepare for the era of AI agents. He also outlines the five critical factors needed for companies to succeed with AI.

Interview by Beatriz Cruz
Audio editing by Jayson Mari帽as

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“This B-Side episode delves into the world of AI and ethics with Carl M. Javier, chief AI ethicist and executive director of Data and AI Ethics PH. It explores how artificial intelligence, a technology disruptive in both good and bad ways, impacts human dignity.

While AI can worsen inequality – posing challenges for nations like the Philippines that still grapple with Internet access – making this technology “”more human”” depends on collective efforts to define humanity and build equitable systems.

Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Audio editing by Jayson Mari帽as

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“Are you curious about the future of energy, and how we might overcome challenges like high energy costs and energy security here in the Philippines? What if the answer lies not just on Earth, but in space itself?

In this B-Side episode, 大象传媒 discusses renewable energy in space with Charleston Dale M. Ambatali, assistant professor of University of the Philippines Diliman鈥檚 Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute, and Wynn Dunn Gill D. Improso, supervising science research specialist of the Philippine Space Agency鈥檚 Interdisciplinary Space Missions Development Division.

Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Audio editing by Jayson Mari帽as.

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“Around 24 million Filipinos aged 10 to 64 are considered functionally illiterate, struggling to comprehend or apply basic reading, writing, and math skills in daily life.

In this episode, UNICEF Philippines education specialist Nicholas 鈥淣icki鈥� M. Tenazas joins us to break down the numbers, explore the root causes, and discuss what can be done to address this pressing issue.鈥�

Interview by Edg Adrian Eva
Audio editing by Jayson Mari帽as

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“Food security is one of the most pressing issues faced by Asia and the Pacific, including the Philippines. Developing Asia accounts for more than half of the undernourished population in the world according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

About 40% of the region’s workforce are also employed in jobs related to agri-food systems.

In this B-Side episode, 大象传媒 speaks with Pavit Ramachandran, ADB country director for the Philippines, in an interview on the sidelines of ADB鈥檚 annual meeting in Milan, Italy.

He shares the latest developments and initiatives by the multilateral bank to further improve and strengthen food systems in the Philippines and the overall region.

Interview by Luisa Jocson
Audio editing by Jayson Mari帽as

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“The 2025 midterm elections delivered unexpected results, with outcomes that defied pre-election surveys. Some familiar names were left out of the Magic 12, while underdogs made a surprising climb into the Top 5.

What led to this shift?

Political expert Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, senior research fellow at the Ateneo Policy Center, breaks down the Senate results and offers insights into what they reveal about Filipino voting behavior.

Interview by Edg Adrian Eva
Audio editing by Jayson Mari帽as

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As the Philippines transitions towards a green economy, the need to upskill its workforce to fill green jobs becomes even more important.

“High electricity costs this summer are re-opening the conversation of reviving the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). In this B-Side episode, the 2nd District Representative of Pangasinan and House Committee on Nuclear Energy Chairperson Mark O. Cojuangco share the challenges and benefits of rehabilitating the mothballed power plant.

Interview by Almira Martinez
Edited by Jayson Mari帽as

Related article: /bataan-nuclear-power-plant-the-promise-of-power/

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As the Philippines transitions towards a green economy, the need to upskill its workforce to fill green jobs becomes even more important.

Designing green is the easiest part, according to Christopher C. de la Cruz, an architect and chief executive officer of the Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC). 鈥淚t鈥檚 staying green that鈥檚 the biggest problem.鈥�

In this B-Side episode, he talks to 大象传媒 about how companies can ensure the success of their sustainability efforts, as well as the mindset shift necessary to transition all jobs into green jobs.

Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Audio editing by Jayson Mari帽as

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US President Donald Trump has given a 90-day pause on the reciprocal tariffs he imposed, and everything is still in flux.

In this B-Side episode, 大象传媒 speaks with former tariff commissioner George N. Manzano about the tariffs, their impact on the Philippines, the motivations behind them, and recommendations for how the country can navigate this trade environment.

Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Video editing by Jayson Mari帽as

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April 19 is World Liver Day, a day to raise awareness about the health of our often-overlooked yet vital liver. Liver diseases are a leading cause of mortality in the Philippines, accounting for 27.3 per 1,000 deaths, according to a 2023 study published in the Annals of Hepatology.

Experts also warn that 10-20% of Filipinos may have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which can lead to serious complications if left untreated.

To share tips on how to take care of our liver, I spoke with Dr. Maria Vanessa H. De Villa, the first surgeon in the country to perform a pediatric liver transplant and the director of The Medical City鈥檚 Center for Liver Disease Management and Transplantation.

Interview by Edg Adrian Eva
Audio editing by Jayson Mari帽as

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March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. In this B-Side episode, we dive into everything you need to know about the disease.

Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the Philippines, with an estimated one in 1,800 Filipinos at risk each year. To help understand its symptoms, treatments, and prevention, Dr. Dave Rennel L. Sebollena, Vice President of the Philippine Society of Gastroenterology, joins the conversation.

We also explore the financial and healthcare support available for patients with Dr. Israel Francis A. Pargas, Senior Vice President for the Health Finance Sector and Spokesperson of PhilHealth.

Interview by Edg Adrian Eva
Audio editing by Jayson Mari帽as

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In celebration of National Women鈥檚 Month, we recognize the trail-blazing Filipinas who have defied all odds through their success in various fields. However, we must also acknowledge the challenges that plague women into breaking existing glass ceilings.

Carlota Salamat Andres shares in an interview with 大象传媒 her journey to becoming an S&E engineer, and why more Filipinas deserve more opportunities to excel in the sciences.

Interview by Beatriz Cruz
Audio editing by Jayson Mari帽as

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What’s gender equality like in the finance industry? What challenges and opportunities do Filipinas face in this sector? 大象传媒 speaks with Abbie Dans-Casanova, president and CEO of SB Finance, in this B-Side episode.

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Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Audio editing by Arjale Queral

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In this B-Side episode, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health鈥檚 Dr. Vincent C. Casimero and Dr. Niko H. Ylagan talk about Rabies Prevention Month, the causes and transmission of rabies, plus the protocol for handling animal bites and scratches.

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Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Audio editing by Jayson Mari帽as

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She Secure is a program which provides funding and financial advisory support to women-owned and women-led enterprises in the Philippines. In this B-Side episode, Abigail de los Santos Tan, co-founder and managing partner of ARC SME Business Development Company, talks about how to program aims to address the funding barriers faced by female entrepreneurs.

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Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Audio editing by Jayson Mari帽as

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What causes reputational damage? How can one mitigate the effects of it? What are ways companies can protect their reputation?

In this B-Side episode, 大象传媒 talks about these topics with R.G. W. Gabunada, a partner at Louder PH, a full-service agency, and the CMO of Mansmith and Fielders, a training and consultancy company.

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Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Audio editing by Jayson Mari帽as

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DeepSeek is a Chinese AI company that develops large language models, which is a type of AI program that can recognize and generate text, among other tasks. Its new AI model, R1, is said to rival the capabilities of leading AI models, while reportedly costing less to develop.

In this episode, 大象传媒 talks about LLMs, DeepSeek, and the AI arms race with Satnam Narang, a senior staff research engineer at Tenable Inc., a cybersecurity company.

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Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Audio editing by Jayson Mari帽as