Celebrating two decades of fruitful existence and encouraging more business ventures throughout the region, the Cebu Business Month once again gathers stakeholders in a month-long series of activities and events in the areas of tourism ICT-BPM (Information and Communications Technology-Business Process Management), entrepreneurship, and creative industries under the theme “Digital Cebu.”
 
 
Spearheaded by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the CBM inspires local businesses to tap technology to boost their competitiveness in the global economy, promote the culture of innovation, grow business through digital strategies and business analytics, and enhance governance through digital innovation.
 
 
The Grand Opening Salvo starts off with a bang at The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu on Wednesday, June 1, 5 p.m. onwards, with lots of merriment and hoopla.
 
 
The whole day 2016 Cebu Digital Transformation Summit takes place the same day and on June 2 as well at the Radisson Blu Hotel. According to Jun Sa-a, event chair, topics will focus on the launch of the first mini-satellite on weather, social media for social transformation, and the latest updates of the business process outsourcing industry.
 
 
Talking points
 
 
“There will also be a panel discussion on nurturing and keeping talents to fight the high attrition rate in the industry, analytics on Small and Medium Industries (SMEs), benchmarking practices, and environmentally-friendly buildings,” he declared in a press conference held at Bayfront Hotel.
 
 
Other topics include the free Wi-Fi services which started in Bohol, the China crisis and low oil prices effects in the IT-BPM industry, Cebu’s seventh place ranking in the Tholons Study, bitcoins as a future currency, and the Freedom of Information Bill.
 
 
Melanie Ng, CCCI president, declared that efforts are made to link start-ups with businessmen in order to merge initiatives into a more sustainable venture.
 
 
This event aims to widen the awareness and usage of digital tools, technology, and solutions in all aspects of daily activities, develop and nurture technology based local start-ups and encourage more online freelancing, provide a venue and networking opportunity for all stakeholders—industry, academe, support group, ICT councils, LGUs and NGOs for a more collaborative and supportive ecosystem.
 
 
Calendar of events
 
 
The Phil Construct Visayas 2016 will be held from June 2 to 4 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino. Headed by Global Link, the event highlights the latest trends and technologies in the construction industry.
 
 
The Business-in-Golf Tournament takes place on Friday, June 3, 4 a.m., at the Alta Vista Golf & Country Club. This is designed to promote camaraderie and healthy competition among the participating entrepreneurs, and promotes balance, coordination and cooperation—skills necessary not only in the game but in the business as well.
 
 
A special highlight is the 4th Cebu International Film Festival due on Friday, June 10 at the Robinson’s Galleria Cebu. This curtain-raiser event serves as a platform for filmmakers, producers, artists, media practitioners, and film enthusiasts to develop and share creative talents and socially-inclined filmmaking experience through documentary films.
 
 
Archt. April Dequito of the Filmfest revealed that the actual screening and line-up of films will be held on Aug. 20 to 27 at chosen malls and schools situated all over the city to raise public awareness and consciousness.
 
 
The event has also evolved from a documentary to a full-fledged film festival that accepts narrative, animation, and documentary entries all over the world.
 
 
The Job Fair and Tourism Forum will be held on, June 15 to 16, at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel. Topics will highlight the essence of hospitality, guru marketing, and public relations.
 
 
The Job Fair will be held on the first day with the participation of Human Resources staffers from participating member hotels.
 
 
Next is the Visayan Pop Song Writing Competition to be held on Saturday, June 18, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the SM Seaside Center Stage. This VISPOP event provides a venue for the creative expression of thoughts, ideas, and sentiments through contemporary Visayan popular music using the Visayan language.
 
 
The Social Entrepreneurship Conference takes form on June 23 to 24 at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel. The Public-Private CEO Networking Night will start at 6:30 p.m. at the hotel, while Robinson’s Galleria Cebu will host the event proper.
 
 
The event serves as a platform for knowledge sharing to promote creative, non-traditional strategies and solutions to unsolved social problems and challenges, and shall also lead to rethinking for business enterprise of its usual practices and contribute to a more global sustainable business perspective.
 
 
The 4th Run for the Rivers will be held on June 25, 4 a.m. at the SM Seaside Mountain Wing in hopes of sustaining the environment via a fundraising campaign for the reforestation and rehabilitation of the riparian zones of the Mahiga Creek and the Guadalupe River.
 
 
The grand finale, the Grand Chamber Awards closes the CBM on June 30 at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel as it recognizes outstanding Cebuano entrepreneurs for their performances and applied ethical practices on different categories.
 
 
By RICHARD RAMOS