9TH NATIONAL CONVENTION

DATE

October 15, 2026
Thursday

VENUE

Grand Westside Hotel
Parañaque City, Metro Manila

AUDIENCE

Leaders
Government · Academe · Industry

THEME

Beyond Future-Ready
A Future-Resilient Filipino Workforce

About the Convention

One network. Three sectors. A shared mandate.

The Government Academe Industry Network (GAIN) is a national coalition that convenes public institutions, higher education, and enterprise to close the country's employment skills gap and make Filipino talent globally competitive.

The GAIN National Convention is the network's flagship annual gathering—a platform for collaboration, research, policy dialogue, and strategic partnership that turns shared priorities into national workforce outcomes.

Government

academe

industry

Why Attend?

Built for decision-makers who need results, not just information.

Learn directly from national policy and industry leaders
Discover innovative practices shaping the workforce
Expand a professional network of decision-makers
Build strategic partnerships across sectors
Strengthen the government-academe-industry pipeline
Leave with actionable insight

Speaker Highlights

Keynote Address

Beyond Future Ready: Building a Future-Ready Resilient Filipino Workforce

Hon. Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV
Senator, Republic of the Philippines
Chairs the Senate Committee on Science and Technology and the Senate Committee on Basic Education

Keynote Speakers

Keynote 01

Geopolitical Risks, AI Disruption, and Global Economic Shifts: What They Mean for the Future of Work in 2027

Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit
Founder and CEO of StratBase

Examines major geopolitical, technological, and economic developments and how these may reshape industries, jobs, and workforce requirements in the coming years.

Keynote 02

The Filipino Workforce at Risk and at Rise: Skills, Jobs, and Survival in the Age of AI

Mr. Maulik Parekh
Award-winning CEO of global companies like Inspiro and SPi Global | Author of Amazon #1 Best Seller book

Discusses how global changes and artificial intelligence affect Filipino workers and what must be done to prepare, upskill, and strengthen the national workforce.

Plenary Speakers

Plenary 01

The Workforce Mismatch Problem: Education vs. Employment Reality

Ms. Sarah McLeod
Managing Director & Customer Experience at Q2 HR Solutions Group of Companies

Explores why workers struggle to find jobs suited to their qualifications while employers continue to report gaps in job readiness and relevant competencies.

Plenary 02

The Filipino Work Ethic Advantage: Why Filipino Talent Stands Out in the Global Economy

Ms. Ma. Rhodora Campos
Country and Business Head Sr Regional DC Head, Infosys BPM Philippines and Malaysia;Leadership Council Member IBPM Global / Chairperson of IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP)

Highlights the strengths, values, and professional behaviors that make Filipino workers competitive and valued in international workplaces.

Plenary 03

The Workforce Conversion Gap: Why Talent and Education Do Not Translate into Employment Outcomes

Ms. Haidee C. Enriquez
CEO, MicroSourcing & Beepo and President of CXAP (Contact Center Association of the Philippines)

Examines why strong Filipino talent and existing education systems do not consistently result in employment, productivity, and sustainable career outcomes

Executive Networking Exchange

Networking

Filipino Values for Global Competitiveness: An Executive Networking Exchange

Dr. Felma Carlos-Tria
University President and Chief Academic and Executive Officer at Universidad de Manila

A structured networking experience where participants use assigned Filipino values to discuss leadership, professional practice, responsible citizenship, and national competitiveness.

Research Findings

GAIN–PMAP Joint Study Findings

“Is Philippine Education Preparing the Workforce the Country Needs?

Ms. Grace Abella-Zata
President, Advanced Outsourcing and Business Services, Vice President for Industry Linkages of GAIN

Presentation of preliminary key findings, insights, and implications from the joint GAIN–PMAP National Workforce Capability Survey.

Panel from Government, Academe and Industry

Atty. Marco Cicero F. Domingo
Regional Director, Commission on Higher Education – National Capital Region (CHED NCR)

Dr. Felma Carlos-Tria
University President and Chief Academic and Executive Officer at Universidad de Manila

Mr. Gilbert T. Camasura, FPM, MBA
President, People Management Association of the Philippines

GAIN in Action

Bridging Government, Academe, and Industry to Empower Filipinos to Be Globally Competitive

Ms. Maria Montserrat Iturralde-Hamlin FICD
President, Government Academe Industry Network, Inc. CEO/Founder, Team Asia

Presents GAIN's mission, flagship programs, partnerships, and continuing role in connecting institutions toward workforce development and national competitiveness.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
A day designed for momentum

Registration and Arrival of Delegates
Delegate check-in, online access assistance, and sponsor exhibit viewing.

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
(30 min)

Opening Ceremonies
Formal welcome and opening spiel by the host, followed by the Philippine National Anthem AVP.

8:30 AM– 8:40 AM
(10 mins)

Welcome Greetings and Opening Remarks
Dr. Peter P. Laurel

8:40 AM – 8:50 AM
(10 mins)

Keynote Address — Beyond Future Ready: Building a Future-Ready Resilient Filipino Workforce

8:50 AM – 9:10 AM
(20 mins)

Keynote 1 — Geopolitical Risks, AI Disruption, and Global Economic Shifts: What They Mean for the Future of Work in 2027
Examines major geopolitical, technological, and economic developments and how these may reshape industries, jobs, and workforce requirements in the coming years.

9:10 AM – 9:40 AM
(30 mins)

Keynote 2 — The Filipino Workforce at Risk and at Rise: Skills, Jobs, and Survival in the Age of AI
Discusses how global changes and artificial intelligence affect Filipino workers and what must be done to prepare, upskill, and strengthen the national workforce.

9:40 AM – 10:10 AM
(30 mins)

Morning Break & Networking

10:10 AM – 10:40 AM
(30 mins)

Plenary 1 — The Workforce Mismatch Problem: Education vs. Employment Reality
Explores why workers struggle to find jobs suited to their qualifications while employers continue to report gaps in job readiness and relevant competencies.

10:40 AM – 11:20 AM
(40 mins)

Plenary 2 — The Filipino Work Ethic Advantage: Why Filipino Talent Stands Out in the Global Economy
Highlights the strengths, values, and professional behaviors that make Filipino workers competitive and valued in international workplaces.

11:20 AM– 12:00 PM
(40 mins)

Lunch Break, Networking and Sponsor Exhibit
Lunch service, delegates interaction, sponsor engagement, and exhibit viewing.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
(60 mins)

Filipino Values for Global Competitiveness: An Executive Networking Exchange
A structured networking experience where participants use assigned Filipino values to discuss leadership, professional practice, responsible citizenship, and national competitiveness.

1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
(45 mins)

GAIN in Action: Bridging Government, Academe, and Industry to Empower Filipinos to Be Globally Competitive
Presents GAIN's mission, flagship programs, partnerships, and continuing role in connecting institutions toward workforce development and national competitiveness.

1:45 PM – 2:05 PM
(20 mins)

Plenary 3 — The Workforce Conversion Gap: Why Talent and Education Do Not Translate into Employment Outcomes
Examines why strong Filipino talent and existing education systems do not consistently result in employment, productivity, and sustainable career outcomes.

2:05 PM – 2:45 PM
(40 mins)

Afternoon Break & Networking

2:45 PM – 3:15 PM
(30 mins)

Panel Discussion — Who Moves First? Aligning Government, Academe, and Industry to Strengthen the Workforce Pipeline
A moderated discussion on the responsibilities, priorities, and coordinated actions needed to strengthen the education-to-employment pipeline.

3:15 PM – 3:55 PM
(40 mins)

GAIN–PMAP Joint Study Findings
“Is Philippine Education Preparing the Workforce the Country Needs?
Presentation of preliminary key findings, insights, and implications from the joint GAIN–PMAP National Workforce Capability Survey.

3:55 PM – 4:15 PM
(20 mins)

Convention Synthesis and Closing Remarks
Recap of the major convention insights, commitments, and next steps.

4:15 PM – 4:35 PM
(20 mins)

Post-Conference Networking and Sponsor Engagement
Continued interaction among delegates, speakers, partners, and sponsors.

4:35 PM – 5:00 PM
(25 mins)

GAIN BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. Peter P. Laurel

Chairman of GAIN

President of Lyceum of the Philippines University - Batangas and Laguna

Ms. Maria Montserrat Iturralde-Hamlin

President of GAIN

President and Founder of TeamAsia

Dr. Raymundo Arcega

Vice President for Government Linkages of GAIN

President and Executive Director of Association of Local Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation

Dr. Conrado Iñigo, Jr.

Vice President for Academe Linkages of GAIN

Chairman of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation

Ms. Grace Abella-Zata

Vice President for Industry Linkages of GAIN

President of Corporate Executive Search Inc.

Mr. Rex Wallen Tan

Vice President for Technology and Special Projects of GAIN

General Manager of Princeton Assessments and Training, Inc.

Mr. Gerard Sanvictores

Treasurer

Chairman and President of Quantum Group Philippines

Dr. Joceyln P. Tizon

Corporate Secretary

President, Southville International School and Colleges, Southville Global Network Schools
Executive Director, AASHPI - Association of School HRMD Practitioners, Inc.