MANILA—On the morning of November 27, 2024, Rockbird Media hosted its first-ever Finance Tech Community Coffee Chat at the Grand Hyatt Manila. The event brought together key stakeholders from the financial technology sector for engaging discussions over a thoughtfully curated coffee breakfast. This innovative platform facilitated the exchange of insights, tackled pressing challenges, and explored emerging opportunities in an intimate and collaborative setting.
As the Community Partner, Oradian played a pivotal role in the event, reinforcing the collaborative spirit and commitment to advancing the fintech industry.
The event’s keynote speaker, Spark Perreras, CEO of PearlPay, set the tone for the morning with a compelling discussion on the transformative potential of digital financial services. Perreras highlighted how PearlPay is driving financial inclusion by equipping Community-Based Financial Institutions (CBFIs) with digital tools to modernize their operations. These tools improve efficiency and empower CBFIs to offer accessible financial services to underserved communities. “Our mission is to bridge the gap between traditional banking systems and the demands of a rapidly evolving digital landscape,” Perreras stated.
The agenda further delved into groundbreaking advancements in the fintech ecosystem. Glen from PDAX underscored the significance of the recent partnership between Bitcoin and GCash, a move that accelerates the integration of cryptocurrency into mainstream financial systems. By leveraging this collaboration, the industry takes a step closer to making digital assets more accessible to everyday users—a key milestone in fostering widespread cryptocurrency adoption.
Operational efficiency and strategic alignment were also prominent topics. A representative from Metrobank shared insights into aligning strategic value with day-to-day operations to enhance service delivery and customer satisfaction. These discussions highlighted the critical need for agile strategies in today’s competitive financial landscape.
Another focal point was the exploration of project management workflows within the fintech sector. Attendees discussed creating high-level project strategies—referred to as “epics”—and breaking them down into actionable user stories and detailed design documents. These methodologies ensure that projects remain grounded in user needs while achieving organizational objectives.
The conversation also extended into technology implementation. Speakers emphasized the importance of trunk-based development for managing version control and ensuring seamless integration during the software development lifecycle. Discussions on rigorous testing protocols, including unit tests and staging deployments, highlighted their role as vital steps before live implementation.
One of the event’s highlights was the exploration of QR-based transactions, a rapidly growing segment in digital payments. Perreras shared PearlPay’s systematic approach to deploying these technologies, ensuring compliance with global standards like ISO 20022 and mitigating risks associated with ambiguous transaction responses. These advancements aim to establish greater trust and reliability in digital payment systems.
Additionally, backlog management and cross-functional collaboration were emphasized. Attendees discussed how product and business teams can work together to refine backlogs and align them with broader product goals, ensuring that every development effort contributes to a cohesive and effective user experience.
By blending the relaxed atmosphere of a coffee breakfast with focused, high-level discussions, Rockbird Media created a space where industry leaders could connect meaningfully. The Finance Tech Community Coffee Chat demonstrated the value of combining thought leadership with informal engagement, fostering both innovation and collaboration.
This inaugural event marks a pivotal step for Rockbird Media in its mission to build dynamic industry communities. With the success of this coffee chat and the invaluable support of Oradian as the Community Partner, the organization has set the stage for future initiatives aimed at driving innovation and growth in the fintech sector.
