| (Image Source: PinoyGamer.ph/DEVCON Philippines) |
DEVCON, the Philippines' leading tech and developer community, concluded its biggest CALABARZON regional campus summit, Tech Nexus, held last December 7, 2024 at the University of Batangas – Lipa City (UBLC). The event gathered over 700 students from more than 30 schools across Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon. Following successful DEVCON Summits in Visayas and Mindanao, Tech Nexus capped off a year marked by innovation and community building for DEVCON’s Summit series. The event featured various activities like emerging technology talks, panel discussions, and breakout talks designed to inspire and equip the next generation of techies.
DEVCON Founder and President Winston L. Damarillo graced the event with a welcome address, emphasizing the organization's dedication to nurturing Filipino tech talent. He also revealed two exciting initiatives:
• Climate Innovation Summit: Scheduled to be held on February 27, 2024 at De La Salle University in Malate, Manila, this event will focus on using technology to address climate change challenges.
• DEVCON+: A global platform designed to connect Filipino developers with international opportunities, providing them with a pathway to a broader professional landscape. DEVCON+ will feature vetted global job opportunities from top companies worldwide, curated resources to enhance skills and stay updated with the latest trends, and opportunities to give back to the community by volunteering and guiding aspiring developers.
Damarillo explained, "Campus DEVCON program brings technology, ideas, and experts to the campuses. The benefit for the students is that they have a head start. We can introduce them to technologies to study, careers to pursue, and potential partners early on. Having DEVCON visit campuses can help schools partner with academe and the industry ecosystem to connect and collaborate with students." Tech Nexus offered students a unique chance to delve into cutting-edge technology topics shaping the future including quantum computing, Snowflake Enterprise Data Cloud, FinTech, artificial intelligence education, blockchain smart contracts, tech leadership, cyber security, and many more featuring a stellar lineup of speakers including Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue and Ericsson “Shan” Mendoza, UBLC’s Director of the Center for Business and Innovation. Other highlights included insights from John Philip Dean, a seasoned expert in data warehousing and business intelligence, and Cedric Miraflor, a cybersecurity specialist who shed light on the evolving challenges in tech security. Youth voices also stood out with undergrad game developer Nicolei Lozano Esperida and mentor Megan Uyao inspiring participants with their accomplishments and drive. The Pesigan Trio from Xpay.Worldwide Corporation and other industry leaders rounded out the summit with real-world expertise and actionable advice.
"Our event showcased carefully selected topics presented by industry experts. Through our DEVCON Luzon Programs and Campus DEVCON Events, we're bringing inspiration and the latest tech innovations closer to students, eliminating the need for long journeys to Manila. Next year, we aim to expand our reach to MIMAROPA, North Luzon, and strengthen our South and Central Luzon chapters," said DEVCON Luzon Programs Co-Lead Mark Estopace. Beyond technical sessions, Tech Nexus also ignited a passion for technology among young minds. DEVCON Kids shared their partnership with the international non-profit organization Code.org to conduct the most significant Hour of Code celebration with multiple chapter events across the country led by the passionate DEVCON Kids Ambassador Megan Uyao. Uyso shared with the students the inspiring work they are doing at DEVCON Kids to spark their interest and showcase the potential of coding careers to underprivileged kids. Aspiring volunteers and partners can follow the Hour of Code updates at facebook.com/DEVCONKids. "When I was nine, I didn't think of coding that I could do or something accessible. I would think of coding as this scene from Mission Impossible. But that changed when I joined a robotics class," said Uyao. When asked why the DEVCON Kids program matters, Damarillo emphasized, "DEVCON Kids program is crucial for young minds to grasp AI well. Everyone thinks AI is a magic solution for everything. Still, it's important to break it down — the data, the machine learning, the recommendation system, and, more importantly, the ethics of AI. If we let it be without ethical guardrails, AI would fail. This is an important technology that the youth and students should learn about early."
"The success of the Campus DEVCON CALABARZON Summit wouldn't have been possible without the dedication of our incredible Campus DEVCON Ambassador 2024 Cohort, University of Batangas - Lipa Center for Business and Innovation, our Luzon Chapter Leaders, and our partners. The Campus DEVCON Ambassadors’ contributions, from brainstorming the theme to finalizing the event's scope, were invaluable. We're incredibly grateful for their hard work and the success of Cohort 1. Three 2024 ambassadors are now promoted and training for DEVCON Chapter Officer roles! This is a testament to the program's ability to empower the next generation of tech leaders. We're excited to welcome Cohort 2 and continue fostering a thriving developer community across the Philippines. Applications for Cohort 2 are now open at devcon.ph/campusambassador," said Campus DEVCON Programs and Campus DEVCON CALABARZON Summit 2024 Lead Rachelle Perez. DEVCON's Executive Director Dom De Leon shared, “It’s been a remarkable year for DEVCON, and we’re proud of our team’s efforts to ensure that tech communities in the countryside aren’t left behind. We have ambitious goals to solidify further the sustainability and growth of our chapter’s impact, and we owe it to our dedicated Chapter and Program Leaders for their instrumental role in DEVCON’s achievements. With the official launch of DEVCON Pampanga, our 11th Community Chapter, we’re excited to strategically expand DEVCON’s program to more regions. Beyond the existing locations, we’re now training our local chapters to serve as accessible regional hubs to reach more underserved communities and extend our programs where they matter most.”
The event’s success reflects the growing appetite for technological innovation in CALABARZON. For UBLC, hosting the summit is a testament to its commitment to fostering talent and advancing its reputation as the premier business and technology campus in the region. Participants left the summit energized, equipped with new knowledge, and inspired to pursue their ambitions in the tech world. The Campus DEVCON Summit 2024 has set a new benchmark for tech events in the region, solidifying its role in shaping the future of innovation and collaboration.
