The Philippine tech industry is rapidly evolving into a dynamic hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation. Beyond its established enterprises, it boasts a thriving ecosystem of startups. It also has a world-class workforce increasingly skilled in emerging technologies. Given this, the country is well-positioned to become a leader in Southeast Asia’s tech landscape. Among recent developments are the surge in cloud adoption, the proliferation of AI and data-driven solutions, and a strong focus on digital infrastructure.

At the heart of this growth is a vibrant community of tech professionals, from software engineers and data scientists to CTOs and tech entrepreneurs, who are driving transformation across industries. Against this backdrop, OceanBase, a leading distributed database provider, launched OceanBase Tech Social on  21 November 2024. Dubbed the Christmas Special, this significant step in fostering a local technical community focused on cloud and database innovation. It brought together 60 technical professionals and industry leaders in Manila for a night of learning and networking, and collaboration.

“Cooperation, collaboration, and co-creation” in serving Filipinos

OceanBase Tech Social is a community-focused event series aimed at knowledge-sharing and engagement among professionals. As such, the event combines expert-led keynotes, hands-on workshops, live demonstrations, and interactive sessions such as AMAs (Ask Me Anything). It provides participants with a platform to explore innovations in database and cloud technology. It also lets them learn from real-world case studies and success stories of OceanBase clients and network with industry peers.

Lito Villanueva, EVP & Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer of RCBC opened the event with a message to the Philippine tech community.  “While we are supposedly competitors in the market, we are all here to collaborate with each other because of our one main purpose—serving our customers. And that would be the Filipino people,”Villanueva said. He further explained that what binds the community together is three Cs: cooperation, collaboration, and co-creation. “The reason why we are here tonight is really because of those three Cs,” he added.

Then, Charlie Yang, CTO & Co-Founder of OceanBase, talked about its robust, scalable, and cost-effective solution for businesses handling complex, high-volume data needs. He shared that OceanBase is the underlying database technology powering systems like Starpay, GCash and others. Significantly, it stands out for larger datasets, offering a much better performance when data exceeds one terabyte. Further, it is cloud-agnostic and can be deployed on-premise, on various public clouds, or in hybrid setups.

Spotlight on Starpay’s journey and growth in fintech

The fireside chat offered a glimpse into the transformative journey of Starpay, a key player in the Philippine fintech space. Adrienne “Jen” Cajayon, Starpay’s first female CTO, sat down with Vanetta Wong, Director of Sales for International Business of Oceanbase, for the session. Cajayon recounted Starpay’s humble beginnings, launching in 2018 with only 3,000 users, half of whom were employees. During the pandemic, they partnered with local governments to support the social amelioration program. This catapulted Starpay’s user base from 3,000 to over six million. “The most critical part was the database,” she said. “We had to ensure concurrency and scalability.”

Cajayon also discussed Starpay’s focus on empowering SMEs and MSMEs. The company shifted from a consumer acquisition model to a B2B approach in 2022, providing tailored solutions for Filipino entrepreneurs. “We prioritised education and transparency,” Cajayon shared. “Merchants needed to understand how our interoperable QR code system works. We also gave them tools to monitor their data and implemented dynamic pricing to reduce costs.”

Data analytics remains a cornerstone of Starpay’s innovation. Cajayon noted its role in studying user behaviour, particularly among underserved segments like farmers. This insight has allowed Starpay to tailor products and pricing to meet unique needs. Looking ahead, she envisions more collaboration with AI and analytics providers to further refine offerings. As Cajayon put it, “We’re not just catching up—we’re positioning ourselves to get ahead of the trend.”

Expert insights at Oceanbase Tech Social

The event also brought together four influential leaders to discuss leadership, innovation, and industry trends. Dustin Nguyen, Head of Cloud Engineering & Automation of BDO Unibank, emphasized the importance of multi-cloud platforms in enabling secure and scalable banking solutions. Next, Don Pansacola, CEO & Co-Founder of NextPay, highlighted his company’s role in simplifying disbursements for SMEs. Then, Lawrence Ferrer, President & CEO of CIS Bayad Center, described the company’s successful transition to digital payments. He shared that 68% of transactions are now online, enhancing customer convenience and avoiding service interruptions. Finally, Marlon Sorongon, CISO of Maybank, shared insights on launching a localized app in the Philippines. They focused on user-centric design and compliance while drawing from regional experience.

The discussion underscored the importance of adapting to industry trends and meeting the rising demand for real-time digital solutions. Ferrer highlighted Bayad’s collaboration with partners like Meralco to create real-time bill payment systems. This prevents disconnections and elevates customer experience. Sorongon explained how learnings from Malaysia informed his team’s product refinements for the Philippines. He emphasised the value of tailoring solutions to local markets. The panel also explored the growing recognition of cryptocurrencies. Pansacola predicted Bitcoin’s resurgence as a store of value by 2025, spurred by regulatory shifts and libertarian policies.

The panelists then provided practical advice on staying relevant in a rapidly digitalizing world.  They stressed the need for agility, stakeholder collaboration, and customer focus. They emphasized that investment in digital transformation and compliance is essential despite the challenges. Personal anecdotes added a relatable touch, from Nguyen’s passion for gaming to Pansacola’s use of AI for personal growth. The discussion concluded with a shared message: innovation, adaptability, and a deep understanding of customer needs are vital for navigating today’s dynamic business landscape.

Towards a vibrant tech community in the Philippines

The OceanBase Tech Social highlighted the immense potential of the Philippine tech community to drive transformation in the region. From StarPay’s journey of scalability and empowerment to expert panels on emerging trends, the event showcased the value of shared knowledge and collective problem-solving in addressing complex challenges.

As the Philippine tech ecosystem continues to grow, events like OceanBase Tech Social play a critical role in uniting diverse stakeholders and advancing technological progress. They serve as platforms for exchanging ideas, exploring new opportunities, and strengthening professional networks.

With the success of this first gathering, OceanBase has set a strong foundation for a vibrant and inclusive tech community in the Philippines. By prioritizing cooperation, collaboration, and co-creation, the initiative paves the way for future advancements and reinforces the country’s position as a rising hub of technology and innovation in Southeast Asia. 

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This article is produced by the e27 team, sponsored by OceanBase

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Image credit: OceanBase

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