Future Forward: Redefining Talent, Tech and Trust in the Heart of Filipino Workforces

Panelists at hrX 2025 discussing future of work in the Philippines

By: Zenia Pearl V. Nicolas

 

In the fast-evolving terrain of today’s workplace, one truth cuts across all industries: people, technology and trust are no longer separate levers. They are deeply intertwined strands of growth, resilience and legacy.

At hrX 2025, leaders from across the Philippines gathered in a shared space of clarity and courage to unpack one defining panel: “Future Forward Strategy: Building the 2026 Organization with Talent, Tech and Trust.” The discussion wasn’t just about trends—it was about transformation. It wasn’t merely about business—it was about belief. And it wasn’t just about strategy—it was about soul. 

The panelists brought more than their titles to the table. They brought lived wisdom from building, breaking and rebuilding systems. They came from places where bureaucracy meets breakthrough, where tradition meets innovation. And through every insight shared, it was clear: the future belongs to those who choose to make it human. 

The Journey Starts Within: Purpose, Pain Points and People

Alpha Omega Aquino, Executive Director of People Matter PH, took the audience on a personal transformation story—one rooted in empathy and grit. From leading a multigenerational workforce of over 16,000, she shared the discomfort that change often invites: 

“Why fix what isn’t broken?” Yet, it was precisely in that discomfort that she found the starting point for real impact.

Aquino’s entry into HR wasn’t traditional. 

“I came from BPO operations and shifted into what I call the darkest side of business—HR,” she joked, only half-kidding. 

But what followed wasn’t just adaptation—it was evolution. During the pandemic, while fear loomed and communication broke down, she saw opportunity. “We digitized. We asked, what do our people really need? What are we good at, and how do we get better?” That mindset led her team to win an HR Tech Innovation Award. But more than that trophy, it was the culture shift she celebrated: “HR is not an expense—it’s a compass.”

 

Bridging the Trust Gap in a Tech-Driven World

Vikrant Khanna, VP & Global Head of Value Management at DarwinBox, sparked a powerful question:

“When you put yourself in the shoes of an employee, what do talent, tech and trust mean to you?” This simple reframing grounded the entire panel in humanity. 

For Khanna, it’s not about flashy AI integrations. It’s about making work lives better—creating environments where change is met not with fear, but with purpose. “People will board the transformation train,” he said, “but not all from the same situation. That’s why leadership must know which stops to make—when to push, when to pause and when to listen.”

From Systems to Soul: The Human Capital Shift

Vincent Benedicto, former Head of OD and Employer Branding at SMDC, spoke about a common corporate pitfall—investing in tech, but neglecting talent. 

“Yes, tech is a tool. But it is still humans who drive the machine,” he emphasized.

In his experience, trust in digital transformation only grows when people are invited to shape it. At SMDC, digitizing paperwork wasn’t just about speed; it was about empowerment. “Provide equal training, fair recognition and consistent feedback—and you begin to see trust build naturally.”

Benedicto also warned of over-reliance on AI without purpose. “AI won’t replace people—but people using AI will.” His call was clear: let AI support decision-making, not define it. Let it serve your people, not manage them. And let it amplify human judgement—not mute it. 

 

The Call for Courage: Building Cultures That Believe

The panel didn’t just share strategies. They laid out scars, lessons and stories. They talked about resistance, about tears shed in boardrooms and about the long, uncertain road to shifting mindsets. And yet, what echoed most was hope.

Hope for Filipino talent that’s world-class when given the right tools. 

Whether it’s equipping teams with AI literacy, embracing organizational transparency or redefining rewards beyond compensation—the leaders onstage agreed on one truth:change isn’t a movement.

A Future Worth Staying For

As the lights dimmed and the crowd softened into quiet reflection, one message lingered:

Stay true to the journey.

Because every Filipino professional deserves more than just a seat at the table—they deserve a system that sees them, supports them and believes in who they can still become. Because the organizations that will thrive tomorrow are those that remember: transformation is not about perfection. It’s about people. And when you choose to build with heart, you don’t just build companies—you build legacies.

 

#HRX2025 #FutureOfWork #PeopleOverProcesses #LeadershipWithHeart #rockbirdmedia #GrowBeyond

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