Participation in the 62nd PMAP Annual Conference, Cebu 2025

2025年11月7日

With PMAP Presidents, NuStar Convention Center, Cebu

Theme: UNLEASH — Empowerment for the Greater Good

I had the honor of attending the 62nd PMAP Annual Conference (People Management Association of the Philippines) held from October 21 to 24, 2025, in Cebu, Philippines.
PMAP, founded in 1956, is the largest HR organization in the Philippines, promoting leadership development and human capital management across corporate, academic, and public sectors. With over 1,800 members, it stands as one of the most influential HR associations in Asia.
▶ Official Website: https://www.pmap.org.ph

🇵🇭 Redefining HR Leadership in Asia

Over three days, more than a thousand leaders—including CEOs, CHROs, and HR professionals from across Asia—gathered under the theme “UNLEASH – Empowerment for the Greater Good.”
The discussions revolved around three central ideas —Purpose, Empowerment, and AI × Humanity —exploring how organizations can foster human potential in an age of rapid transformation.

The Power of Empowerment: Believing in Human Potential

In his opening keynote, Lito Villanueva of RCBC highlighted that empowerment is “not mere delegation, but an act of faith—an investment in human potential.”
This concept—trusting people to grow and lead—resonates deeply with the evolving role of HR in the AI era, where human judgment and technology must coexist harmoniously.

People × AI: Is HR Ready for Its AI Moment?

In the session “Is HR Ready for Its AI Moment?”, technology leaders from India, Singapore, and the Philippines showcased how AI is transforming recruitment, learning, and coaching.
They emphasized that AI should not replace people, but instead reveal their potential and support their growth.
This human-centered approach strongly aligns with HRAI’s philosophy of People First, and Human Centric × Data Driven HR strategies and practices.

After keynote, with CEO, HRTX and CEO,ASEAMETRICS

“DEI but Make it DIY” — Toward Action-Driven Inclusion

The keynote “DEI but Make it DIY” encouraged participants to view diversity, equity, and inclusion not as large-scale corporate initiatives but as daily practices embedded in everyday interactions.
This “do-it-yourself” perspective offers valuable insight for Japan as it transitions from system-based DEI to culture-driven DEI.

Discovering “Ikigai” in the Philippines

As the first participant from Japan, I was warmly welcomed by more than twenty past PMAP Presidents, each embodying humility, kindness, and a deep passion for people.
Many spoke affectionately about Japan, saying it is their “dream destination for holidays”, and several maintain close business ties with Japanese companies—showing how profoundly Japan is loved in the Philippines.

One particularly moving discovery was that the Japanese word “Ikigai” (生きがい) is widely used in the Philippines, especially in discussions on HR and well-being.
The phrase “Finding your Ikigai” appeared in presentations, reflecting how a uniquely Japanese philosophy has become part of Filipino life and work values.

With Filipino HR leaders who embrace the spirit of “Ikigai” and share a strong affinity for Japan

“Co-Creation of HR in Asia” Realized in Cebu

Throughout the conference, HR across Asia has entered an era not of competition but of co-creation.
Centered on the values of Purpose, Trust, and Inclusivity, HR leaders from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds are learning and growing together.
For HRAI, this reaffirmed the importance of building connections with such global HR networks and sharing Japan’s human capital management and HR education with the world.

It was an honor to personally greet the Mayor of Cebu.

In Conclusion

Empowerment is the courage to trust others—it is a form of leadership that entrusts the future to people.
Through this conference, I reaffirmed that HRAI’s principle of “People First”, combined with a human-centric, data-driven approach, stands as a powerful force in the evolving HR landscape of Asia.
This experience will be carried forward to the 3rd Global HR Conference (25GHR Tokyo), further strengthening the bridge between Japan and the rest of Asia.
It also renewed our mission to promote world-class Global HR education and certification, and to share Japan’s unique model of Global Human Capital Management with the world.