JUANDERCON 2025: Strengthening Philippine Tourism Through Education, Innovation, and Collaboration

 

The Philippine tourism and hospitality industry will be the spotlight as JUANDERCON 2025 is held on October 23–24, 2025, at Valle Verde Country Club, Pasig City — a two-day national convention to empower the nation's tourism industry through education, innovation, and cooperation.

Organized by Exlink Management and Marketing Services (Exlinkevents) and in partnership with the Junior Tourism and Hospitality Management Association of the Philippines (JTHMAP), JUANDERCON 2025 is a dynamic forum that connects tourism professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, and future leaders. The forum aims to promote and upgrade tourism marketers and professionals.

The convention will feature world-class speakers and thought leaders who will deliver concepts regarding tourism marketing, destination branding, leadership, and digital transformation.

Day 1 – Tourism Marketing

• Asec. Sharlene Batin, Department of Tourism – Keynote Address: "The Future of Tourism: Marketing in a Competitive World"

• Bobby Horrigan, CEO, Horrigan Hospitality – "From Boracay to the World: Crafting Global Destination Brands"

• Art Boncato, Group GM, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts – "The Psychology of Travel: Selling Dreams, Not Just Destinations"

• Panel Discussion: "What Employers Want: The Skills & Mindset Needed in Tourism Careers" with Arlene Alipio (DOT), Christina Aquino (Taylor University), and Arjun Shroff (PHILTOA), moderated by Dean Kathlene Apillado (JRU)

• Bertch Ian Namuag-Ranis, Managing Director, Fil-Global Immigration Services Corporation – "Growing Your Career Beyond the Philippines"

• Dean Henry S. Tenedero, St. Clare College – Closing Keynote: "NeuroWanderlust: Inspiring the Mind to Travel and the Heart to Serve"
  

Day 2 – Tourism, Hospitality & Leadership

• Mayor Vico Sotto, Pasig City – Keynote Address: "Transformational Leadership: Building Trust, Transparency, and Innovation"

• Ivannovich Dmitriv Agote, OIC-ARD, DOT-NCR – "Global Trends Shaping the Future of Travel and Hospitality"

• Eylla Gutierrez, OIC-Executive Director, Asian Institute of Management – "Smart Destinations: How AI is Rewriting the Future of Tourism Marketing"

• Philip Tiongson, GM for Data Science and Analytics, Havas Ortega – "Prosumer Report: The Rise of Mindful Traveling in the Philippines"

• Arch. Joey Rivas, Director, ROKID Philippines – "Enhancing Travel Experience Through Technology"

• Panel Discussion: "Leadership: From Island Hopper to Industry Leader

— Why Tourism Needs You Now!" with Liani Lou Miranda (JTHMAP National President 2019–2021) and Pio Sanchez (Director of Sales, El Nido Resorts), led by Jojo Villamin, JTHMAP Founder

• Malu Galang, FBSE Master Trainer – "Hospitality with a Heart: Servant Leadership in Tourism"

The convention shall also feature the JTHMAP Awards Ceremony, recognizing distinguished students, organizations, regions, advisers, and the coronation of the new JTHMAP Ambassadors.

"JUANDERCON 2025 is not merely a convention—it's a movement that will elevate Philippine tourism by shaping leaders who can inspire innovation, service excellence, and national pride," said Orly Ballesteros, Project Head. "We envision a new generation of tourism practitioners who are going to lead the Philippines to world recognition."

As the country's best convention of the tourism marketers and leaders of tomorrow, JUANDERCON 2025 places particular importance on the role of education, leadership, and cooperation in ensuring the competitiveness and dynamism of Philippine tourism.

For further details, log on to www.juandercon.com

Asia Stage: Amplifying Asia’s Voice at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025

 

Books have the power to cross borders, carrying the voices, experiences, and cultures of those who create them. This capacity to bring people together takes center stage at the Asia Stage of the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025. From October 15 to 19, illustrators, writers, publishers, and thought leaders from across Asia will gather to share their stories, celebrate their craft, and showcase the richness and diversity of Asian literature to the world.

The Asia Stage is the vision of Rex Education, brought to life in partnership with Frankfurt Buchmesse and supported by the National Book Development Board. Its journey began in 2018 as the ASEAN Forum, evolved into the ASEAN Stage in 2019, and in 2024, it embraced its current identity: the Asia Stage. What began as a noble idea to highlight regional publishing has grown into a recognized platform, a stage where the depth of Asia’s literary voices can shine on the global scene.

At the heart of this initiative is Atty. Dominador D. Buhain, Chairman and President of Rex Education. His lifelong passion for literature and publishing has guided this vision from the start. As a co-founder of the Asia Pacific Publishers Association and the ASEAN Book Publishers Association, he has long believed that the stories of Asia deserve a wider audience. Through this initiative, he has sought to open doors for publishers to share works that mirror their nations’ creativity, hopes, struggles, and resilience.

For REX, the Asia Stage has grown beyond a program. It has become a brand, a symbol of years of dedication to supporting Asian publishers and content creators at one of the world’s most important book fairs.

This year, with the Philippines as Guest of Honor, the Asia Stage brings a deeper dimension to the country’s participation. It reminds us that Filipino literature is part of a much larger story—one that connects with the voices and visions of Asia. For 5 days, the Asia Stage will host conversations, panels, and presentations that explore the education landscape, the evolving world of publishing, and the many ways culture continues to shape and inspire the region’s literature. Through this collaboration, REX and Frankfurt Buchmesse renew their shared commitment to uplifting Asian stories and ensuring that these voices continue to be heard, seen, championed, and remembered.

As the Frankfurt Book Fair opens its doors, the Asia Stage will stand with much gratitude and pride, inviting the world to witness and listen. It is a reminder that stories carry power. They connect us, inspire us, and transform us. For 5 days, Asia will speak, and the world will listen.

The best of Taiwan’s medical services and innovations showcased at Taiwan Expo 2025 in the Philippines

Filipinos visiting the Taiwan Healthcare Pavilion in Taiwan Expo 2025 held last September 17 to 19 at the SMX Convention Center.

It was a fruitful three-day showcase promoting Taiwanese products and innovations across neighboring countries at the Taiwan Expo 2025 where top brands and services were brought to the Philippines at the SMX Convention Center last September 17 to 19. The event featured an extensive array of offerings spanning lifestyle, technology, AgriTech and healthcare. A key highlight of the expo was the Taiwan Healthcare Pavilion, displaying Taiwan’s best healthcare services.

The Taiwan Healthcare Pavilion featured 21 leading Taiwanese medical companies spanning hospitals & clinics, smart healthcare, medical devices, and biotech & wellness. The showcase highlighted Taiwan’s commitment to advancing healthcare through cutting-edge systems and patient-centered approaches, offering a glimpse into the future of medical care and wellness management.

Several exhibitors stood out for their strong potential to make a meaningful impact in the Philippines. From providing patients with access to advanced treatments, to equipping healthcare professionals with innovative tools, and supporting hospitals and clinics in delivering more efficient, technology-driven services. These advanced solutions highlighted how Taiwan’s healthcare expertise can address the evolving needs of Filipinos.

Delegates from Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Shin Kong Hospital, and Taoyuan General Hospital introducing their services to Filipinos at the Taiwan Healthcare Pavilion.

In an interview with a clinic director from Metro Manila, an obstetrician-gynecologist

stated her interest in the products and services that were exhibited at the pavilion.

“Attending this expo and visiting the Taiwan Healthcare Pavilion has

definitely empowered Filipino clinic owners like me by giving us the opportunity to

visualize, and even start to pursue, an improvement in our healthcare system here in the

Philippines, with the help of Taiwan’s medical innovations and

advanced healthcare services.”

The Taiwan Healthcare Pavilion also showcased a sector of services from hospitals

and clinics—such as NUWA Biomedical’s reproductive medicine solutions, Hualien

Tzu Chi Hospital’s specialty care, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital’s cutting-edge

proton therapy, Taoyuan General Hospital and their premiere services on surgeries and

smart healthcare, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital’s Arthroscopic Cartilage Regeneration

Facilitating Procedure (ACRFP), and Wanfang Hospital’s quality and comprehensive care.

The biotech & wellness sector in the Taiwan Healthcare Pavilion showcased essential oils

sourced from ingredients native to Taiwan, nutritional supplements, holistic skincare

products from Morita Biotech, and collagen dressings manufactured by ACRO Biomedical.

Products improving quality and convenience of everyday care were highlighted under leading

Taiwan brands, including Flowers Biological, Leader Biotech, and OmQi Biotechnology.

The smart healthcare section in the pavilion featured telehealth platforms from Far East Medical and

Biosensetek, the dementia cognitive system by Brainmate, and Acer Medical’s retinal imaging

technology.

The pavilion also exhibited pioneering medical devices from Taiwan such as cardiovascular

therapy equipment manufactured by Ambersan, electro-acupuncture devices, and aesthetic

lasers. These innovative devices were in exhibition under leading brands such as Smedtrum

Medical and INNO Health.

Delegates from Taiwan’s leading healthcare brands and institutions sharing their products and services to Filipino visitors at the Taiwan Healthcare Pavilion at Taiwan Expo 2025.

The Taiwan Healthcare Pavilion at Taiwan Expo 2025 served as a vital bridge for collaboration

between the Philippines and Taiwan’s health sectors, fostering stronger connections and opportunities

for growth. Filipino clinic owners, doctors, and medical professionals visited the pavilion to explore

innovative medical technologies, advanced clinical services, and wellness solutions from Taiwan’s

leading healthcare brands—while also building valuable partnerships with the

delegates of the Taiwan brands and companies present at the pavilion.

For more information on Taiwan’s leading companies, services, and products in the healthcare sector,

please contact Taiwan Trade Center Manila through the email: manila@taitra.org.tw.