CHRO HR Leaders Summit Philippines 2025

Main Conference

Registration and Refreshments

Welcome Address by Fortinus Events

Opening Remarks from The Chairperson

Dr. Fabi Cariño, Country Human Resources Director, MedRisk and Adjunct Faculty Instructor, Asian Institute of Management

The CHRO as a Strategic Partner and Board Influencer

• Explore how CHROs can align HR initiatives with business objectives and effectively communicate their impact to the board, emphasizing HR metrics, culture initiatives, and talent strategies in a language that resonates with board members.
• Discover strategies to build credibility as a board influencer by demonstrating HR’s role in driving growth, innovation, and organizational resilience, and advocating for investments and initiatives that contribute to long-term business sustainability.
• Gain insights into navigating boardroom dynamics, building effective relationships with board members, and exploring CHROs’ unique perspectives on talent management, succession planning, and organizational culture within board discussions.

Gigs Patanao, Chief Human Resources Officer, Hijo Resources Corporation

The Future of HR: Redesigning Work to Incorporate AI 

• Learn how to differentiate between myths and realities about AI in HR, understanding its true potential and capabilities beyond common misconceptions.
• Discover how to align AI use cases with organizational goals to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and alleviate functional pains within HR operations.
• Evaluate AI solutions based on governance, workforce readiness, risks, ethics, and the vendor landscape to determine the feasibility and impact of AI adoption in HR.

Jonathan Tam, Head APAC People Services, Foodpanda

“Synergies of AI and Human Resources” 

Sujay Bhat, Sr. Director HR Strategy Advisory, SAP Success Factor, SAP South East Asia 

Networking and Tea Break

Panel Discussion: Successfully Choosing and Onboarding New Technologies: A CHRO’s Guide 

• Learn how to define precise requirements for new technologies and ensure they meet organizational needs.
• Discuss strategies for engaging employees and creating task forces to customize and implement new technologies effectively 
• Explore methods for achieving organizational buy-in, including consistent messaging, training programs, and creating technology ambassadors to drive adoption.

Moderator:

Joey Briones, Chief Human Resources Officer, Angkas

Panelist: 

Marco Angelo Padernal, Director of Human Resources, Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc.

Patrick Jess Dimayuga, Country Talent Acquisition and Employer Branding Lead, Cargill 

Jakeson Quiatchon,  Senior HR and Stakeholder Engagement, Power 4 All

Neulfred Paul Torres, Country HR Head – Philippines, Jebsen & Jessen Group

Enhancing HR’s Approach to Mental Wellbeing

• Understand key HR challenges in mental wellbeing and data reliability.
• Learn to apply evidence-based insights for decision-making.
• Explore technology-driven yet human-centered mental health strategies.
• Discover how licensed care and coaching enhance workforce wellbeing.
• Identify cost-effective, scalable wellbeing solutions.
• Access tools, case studies, and a white paper for practical application.

Yuri Marshall, CEO, Mind You Mental Health Systems

Jackie Cañiza, COO, Mind You Mental Health Systems 

CHRO’s Playbook in Running a Successful Hybrid Work Model

• Understand the diverse needs and challenges of remote and onsite employees. Learn how to solicit and utilize employee feedback to create a supportive culture where both groups can thrive.
• Embrace the flexibility of hybrid work to broaden your talent pool geographically. Discover strategies to tap into new talent markets and attract diverse candidates through remote work opportunities.
• Master the art of clear and proactive communication with executives and employees. Discuss how to establish well-defined hybrid work policies that set expectations and foster understanding across the organization.

Fabi Cariño, Country Human Resources Head, Medrisk and Adjunct Faculty Instructor, Asian Institute of Management 

Crafting a Magnetic Employee Experience and Value Proposition

• Explore how to create a compelling Employee Experience (EX) and Employee Value Proposition (EVP) that differentiates your organization in the talent market
• Techniques to enhance the overall Employee Experience (EX)
• Best practices for aligning EVP and EX with company culture and goals

Ken Bajar, Senior Assistant Vice President – Talent Management,  SM Retail (SM Fashion)

Networking Lunch Break

Elevating Leadership: Developing Exceptional People Managers

• Explore what essential skills are needed for effective people management in the modern workplace
• Discuss how training and development programs can enhance leadership capabilities
• Strategies for fostering a culture of continuous improvement among managers.

Eric Del Castillo, SGM/Vice President, Human Resources, Philippines & ASEAN (special project), Nissan Motor Corporation

Mental Health Matters – Normalizing Mental Health Awareness for a Healthier Workforce

• Explore effective strategies and programs to foster open conversations about mental health among employees and leaders
• Why training leaders and managers is crucial in recognizing and addressing mental health challenges within their teams
• Understand methods to evaluate the effectiveness of mental health programs on employee wellbeing and organizational performance
• Demonstrating the return on investment (ROI) through improved employee engagement, productivity, and reduced absenteeism.

Maggie Tan, Chief Human Resources Officer, Primeline Products Philippines Inc. 

Interactive Round Table

With 3 interactive roundtable topics on pressing issues, delegates will rotate at each session and be able to participate and deep dive into problems and solutions on every roundtable spread throughout the two days. You will walk away with thought leadership from the subject matter experts at each table

Table 1: Skill-Centric Talent Management: Designing Processes for the Future

• Understanding the shift towards skill-based hiring and development
• Explore what frameworks are effective for identifying and prioritizing critical skills within the organization
• Discuss how to align talent management processes with skill development
  Learn what tools and technologies can support skill-based talent management

Neulfred Paul Torres, Country HR Head – Philippines, Jebsen & Jessen Group

Table 2: The role of HR will play in the larger AI related Transformation within the organization 

• How will Organization AI Strategy Impact HR
• How can/will the HR function lead the AI wave within the organization by adoption AI as a first mover

Jakeson Quiatchon,  Senior HR and Stakeholder Engagement, Power 4 All

Sujay Bhat, Sr. Director HR Strategy Advisory, SAP Success Factor, SAP South East Asia 

Table 3: Managing Side hustles in Remote Work

• Explore how you can offer remote work flexibility while ensuring that employees maintain focus on their primary responsibilities and avoid conflicts of interest
• Discuss the tools and techniques for monitoring productivity and engagement in a remote setup without overstepping privacy boundaries, ensuring transparency and preventing issues with side jobs affecting performance
• Learn the importance of creating and enforcing clear guidelines on side hustles and moonlighting, ensuring employees understand what is permissible and what isn’t while working remotely

Jesus Gregorio Noriega III, Former HR Head of PLDT Global Inc and Former Head of PLDT Employee Development, PLDT Inc.

Networking Tea Break

Unlocking the Power of HR Analytics for Strategic Insights

• Understanding the fundamentals of HR analytics and how it can leverage data to refine hiring strategies, expedite candidate selection, and assess cultural fit and long-term potential
• Explore what predictive modeling, machine learning, and data visualization tools are essential for effective HR analytics capabilities and strategic decision-making
• Discuss how real-time employee engagement monitoring through HR analytics can improve retention and productivity by providing actionable insights from surveys and feedback

Angelo Ronquillo, Human Resources Director – Global Service, Kuehne+Nagel

From Digital Natives to Cultural Innovators: Gen Z’s Workplace Impact

• Explore the unique values and expectations of Gen Z employees, focusing on their emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and mental health
• Discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by Gen Z’s digital nativity, including their adaptation to workplace technologies and social media engagement
• Learn strategies for creating flexible, inclusive, and communicative work environments that resonate with Gen Z and foster cross-generational collaboration

Emman Salazar, Vice President – Human Resources, S&R Membership Shopping

Embedding Sustainability into HR Practices

• Understanding sustainability into the context of HR
• Discuss methods for measuring and reporting sustainability metrics and strategies for enhancing accountability within the organization
• The increasing importance of sustainability in employer branding and the challenges in aligning sustainability goals with business objectives

Ma Theresa S. Llamas, Chief Human Resources Officer, Newport World Resorts

Closing Remarks from the Chairperson

Dr. Fabi Cariño, Country Human Resources Director, MedRisk and Adjunct Faculty Instructor, Asian Institute of Management

Closing Remarks from Fortinus Events

End of Summit