The aroma of aged Manchego and Jamon Iberico still lingers in my mind as I reflect on Spain Fusion: The Premium Experience, which took place at The Westin Manila on April 20, 2026.  Organized by Vocento Gastronomía and sponsored by Foods and Wines from Spain, this wasn’t just another food festival; it was a sensory ...

The spirit of Women’s Month soared to new heights on March 26, 2026, as the Institute of Corporate Directors‘ Board Diversity Committee and the NextGen Organization of Women Corporate Directors (NOWCD) co-hosted a powerful event: “How Women Leaders Influence and Effect Change in Our Country.” Conceived just a month prior—a true passion project hatched by ...

What’s next? This powerful question was posed at the end of the roundtable discussion on board-level climate governance that I was delighted to attend this morning, organized by the Chapter Zero Alliance. The Chapter Zero Alliance is an established global network spanning 70 countries and reaching over 100,000 directors. Its mission is to foster a ...

Last Friday, May 16, I attended the 16th Innotech International Conference of SEAMEO at the Manila Hotel. Its theme, “AI in Education: Unlocking Potential Through Accessible and Equitable Learning,” struck a particularly resonant chord. This is a subject of vital interest to us at the Government Academe Industry Network (GAIN), as we consistently explore how ...

Early Tuesday morning, March 11, I went to the Technical and Educational Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to attend the first quarter meeting of the Center Advisory Council of its National Language Skills Center (NLSC). That day, we were joined by Deputy Director for Special Concerns General Felizardo Colambo, and later by Director General Secretary Jose ...

It was a sad, sad day. While attending the Women’s Business Council Philippines Inc.’s Climate Change Committee Meeting, I received a call from my daughter Cara Lim that my friend Margarita “Gaita” Forés had died. She learned this from her friend, Gaita’s son. Margarita Araneta Forés was a celebrated Filipino chef and restaurateur. In 2016, ...

“I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:36) Last May 21, my best friend Kata Bellosillo invited me to join her at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong. Every year, Kata celebrates her birthday by ...

Last Tuesday’s IBPAP C-Suite Forum, titled “Drivers of Holistic Health: Extending Value-Based Care to the Organization and Clients,” and hosted by Carelon Global Solutions was refreshingly unique and content-rich. First, the forum kicked off with a live study led by Carelon Global Solution Philippines’ VP and Chief Country Executive Nicki Agcaoili. The audience was asked ...

Over the years, I’ve developed many close friendships with Indian nationalities, including classmates from the Asian Institute of Management and colleagues from the publishing, tourism, and IT-BPM industries, who have regaled me with stories of home. Both my daughters have visited India separately, Cara with her best friend Amanda to attend the Holi Festival, and ...

Last May, I was invited by BAYO to join a photoshoot for their upcoming campaign. Little did I know that I was in for such a lovely time and that I would meet some truly amazing and inspirational people too, starting with my fellow models’ architect Rebecca Plaza-Ti and NGO founder Kara Rosas.    Rica, short ...