Day 1 of the Joint PICPA-MM GAO – ACPACI C&I Summit and GAO Conference 2025 officially kicked off on February 6, 2025, bringing together over 120 industry leaders, experts, and CPAs to explore the future of commerce and industry through discussions and presentations.
Focused on the theme, The Future and You: Disrupt, Design, and Deliver, the summit served as a platform for addressing the challenges confronting businesses and professional accountants in the dynamic business landscape. This year's event, hosted by the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Metro Manila Geographical Area Office (MM GAO) and the Association of Certified Public Accountants in Commerce and Industry (ACPACI), aimed to equip attendees with the necessary knowledge to drive transformation and enhance organizational value and relevance.
In his opening spiel as the overall emcee for the day, Lujer Danao, ACPACI's Vice President for Membership Development, emphasized the summit's relevance in shaping the future by focusing on the key areas of disruption, innovation and competitiveness.
The day started with an invocation, followed by the singing of the national anthem and the recitation of the Oath of CPA, led by VP Marnee Rosales of ACPACI. Welcome messages were then delivered by Connie Cadelina, overall chair of the event and ACPACI Past National President, and Sonia Segovia, Chair of PICPA MM GAO. ACPACI Past President Anna Lissa Dycaico read the message from PICPA National President Roland Pondoc, while ACPACI EVP Marvin Madrigalejo shared the message from President Aristeo Cruz.
The first speaker, Angelo Madrid, President of Maya Bank, captivated the audience with an insightful discussion on the summit's theme, urging individuals and organizations to embrace change and pursue innovative solutions. Following his presentation, the summit delved into a range of crucial topics. One of the highlight sessions, Transforming Accounts Receivable Operations: Leveraging AI and RPA for Automation, was presented by Roberto Bassig. Introduced by Marie Fe Dangiwan, VP for Capacity Building of ACPACI, Bassig discussed how automation and artificial intelligence can revolutionize financial operations, enhancing efficiency and accuracy.
The event then proceeded with a session on the topic Fast-Track Your Cloud Transformation, competently led by Glibert Trinchera, ACPACI Chairperson for Digital Transformation and Partner at KPMG Phils. He was introduced by ACPACI's Vice President for Operations, Cecille Carandang.
The afternoon featured equally engaging sessions on Thriving in a Toxic Culture: Keys to Success, led by Maria Lavinia Peñaverde, and HR Buy-in: Unlocking the PQF Advantage, with insights from industry experts BOA Member Hon. Maria Teresita Dimaculangan, PMAP President Michael Godinez, and ACPACI Past Director Rey Berja. They were introduced by Past President of the Western MM Chapter Dina Tiu, ACPACI VP Ofelia Oroceo, and Chona Cruz, a member of the organizing committee.
The day concluded with a session on Disruption Cost to the CFO by John Nai Peng Ong, CFO of SM Prime, which explored the financial implications of disruption and the role CFOs play in navigating these challenges. He was introduced by Jubal Ayo, also a member of the organizing committee. The session concluded with an open forum, facilitated by ACPACI Past President and Past MMR Chair Aphat Martinez. Throughout the day, the summit provided invaluable networking opportunities for participants, allowing them to exchange ideas and strengthen professional connections.