June 6-8, 2025 – Taguig City – The AWS User Group Philippines held its very first Leadership Summit, and it was more than just a gathering. It was a celebration of our vision, leadership, and growing community. For three transformative days, the summit brought together community heroes, community builders, future leaders, and passionate individuals from all over the country and beyond to learn, lead, and connect. Through inspiring keynotes, hands-on activities, and genuine personal exchanges, the summit empowered attendees not only to grow as tech professionals but also to become leaders who will shape the future of the tech community with heart.
Connect, Network, and Share: The Kickoff of the Summit
June 6, 2025 – Taguig – The first day of the summit kicked off with anticipation and was nothing short of exhilarating. A shared interest in the kind of future they could build collectively united attendees spanning all across the Philippines and beyond. Bringing together leaders, tech practitioners, and even global industry experts will empower the upcoming generation of leaders. The sessions centered on leadership journeys, highlighting personal stories, challenges, and valuable insights that inspired both attendees and organizers alike.
A unique networking experience truly made the day memorable. A speed dating session was introduced later in the event to show the energy of connection. Attendees gathered and lined up face-to-face, given just a minute to network. It was fast-paced and exciting as it forced everyone to break out of their shells. In many ways, it felt like a brain teaser with new faces and questions every few seconds.
To wrap up the first day of the summit, the community took a walking tour of the famous Bonifacio Global City led by Ms. Darla David and Mr. Iñaki Flores. The casual city walk allowed attendees to learn more about the city culture and bond beyond the formal setting, bringing everyone closer as friends and collaborators.
Leadership Starts With You
June 7, 2025 – The following morning was packed with deeper insights and hands-on leadership development as it opened with Ms. Nayoung Miller Won and Ms. Maria Encinar, who introduced the AWS Leadership Principles, helping the community explore how these values apply in real-world situations. One included integrating these principles into the STAR method used in interviews, an essential skill for both job seekers and mentors. Their keynote served as a grounding moment, reminding us that leadership is not theoretical. It is practical. It’s lived.
Following this was a powerful talk from Col. Bañaria of the Philippine Air Force, who discussed the role of cybersecurity in national security. He emphasized the importance of trust, digital infrastructure, and public-private collaboration. Not only that, he also placed a huge importance on our roles being not only leaders but technological leaders who pave the way for the future generation of learners.
Mr. Jonathan De Luzuriaga then took the stage with a reality check: a grounded overview of the Philippine tech industry’s current state, its challenges, and the pivotal role of cloud adoption in driving innovation and economic growth. He emphasizes how we can “be part of the solution, to be the leader who embraces change.”
Throughout the day, Ms. Chelle Obligacion-Gray continued exploring the dynamics of leadership in tech. A keynote that dove deeper into leading communities through empathy and shared goals.
Learning Through Collaboration: Engaging Activities and Team Dynamics
The morning of the second day ended with the Tallest Tower Challenge, a team activity that tested creativity, collaboration, and adaptability. Each team raced to build the highest structure using limited materials. The twist? Midway through, the towers were swapped between teams, encouraging teams to think outside the box and adapt to new issues and obstacles that arise. It was a fun but powerful lesson in letting go of control and leading through uncertainty.
To further mold the leaders of the future, Mr. Raphael Quisumbing shared his remarks followed by insights on building resilient communities, adapting to change, and leadership principles.
Other activities included:
Human Bingo, a fun and interactive networking activity that occurred throughout the whole summit
A Game App Showcase, where creativity and tech met community storytelling
Each activity allowed everyone to enjoy lunch while establishing connections and celebrating interests beyond tech conversations.
Voices of Experience and Practical Guidance
After a well-deserved lunch and some networking, the afternoon sessions kicked inspiration and grounded insights for the attendees, with speakers discussing personal stories and practical frameworks.
Mr. Paul Sears opened the afternoon session with “the art of inspiring and empowering a collective to strive toward a shared vision,” known as leadership. He drew a line between leadership and management while also revealing that both are still essential in any organization, to imply that true leadership is less about control and more about connection and influence.
He then walked attendees through the key traits that define effective leadership:
Visionary Vibes – Leaders see the bigger picture and move toward it with purpose.
Empathy & Next-Level EQ – A strong leader understands people and tries various perspectives, not just processes.
Communication That Connects – Transparency and tailored to its audience, to foster an open dialogue.
Adaptable & Resilient – Navigating uncertainty with calm and composure.
Empowerment & Real Trust – Building trust and giving people room to grow.
Always Be Curious (ABC) – Embrace the unknown. Staying hungry to learn, even as you lead others.
His talk left the room with one clear takeaway: leadership is about service, growth, and elevating others.
A heartfelt and relatable talk about Mr. Rem Lampa, widely known in the tech scene as Kuya Dev inspired the minds of many tech professionals. Coming from an early career in electrical engineering and facing a toxic work environment, Rem spoke candidly about the burnout, pressure, and disconnection he experienced in his early years.
His turning point came when he decided to attend a local tech event that introduced him to a supportive, passionate, and humble community. What followed was the realization that the tech community can be a place of healing, learning opportunities, and growth.
During his Q&A session, one of the most powerful moments came when someone asked how to deal with impostor syndrome. Rem’s response was clear and grounded:
“You don’t have to know everything. The industry is different now—people are more open and supportive. Just start. Don’t overthink it. Learn, ask questions, and stay passionate.”
Closing out the afternoon was Mr. Raphael “Jamby” Jambalos, who shared the story of how he started his cloud community, emphasizing that leadership does not require perfection or grandeur.
His advice to aspiring community builders was honest and practical:
“You don’t need a polished deck, a big venue, or a huge following to get started. All you need is the willingness to bring people together.”
Mr. Jambalos highlighted that many great communities begin with just a handful of people sharing the same passion. Whether a simple meetup in a coffee shop or a discussion on a group chat, the impact begins once you take the first step.
For attendees hoping to start or scale their cloud journey and build their local AWS communities, his talk was a reminder that starting small is not a weakness, it’s a foundation.
Mr. Joben Rara then gave an overview of the Community Day planning guidelines, helping leaders understand how to scale events while maintaining impact and alignment with AWS standards.
Celebrating Leadership and Looking Ahead
The day concluded with an awarding ceremony, recognizing standout leaders who exemplified the spirit of community, innovation, and service.
Finally, Mr. Isaeus Guiang delivered closing remarks that resonated with every attendee. He reminded us to lead with heart, curiosity, and purpose, to return home not just with notes and photos, but with the confidence to create a lasting impact in our circles.
From the Inside: An Event to Movement
As attendees, The AWS UGPH Leadership Summit 2025 was not just an event. We became part of something greater, a living ecosystem of tech builders and changemakers. What resonated most was never the scale of the sessions or the prestige of each speaker. It was the sincerity. A reminder that tech leadership is not about titles nor expertise, but about connection, courage, and community.
As we return to our cities, schools, and workplaces, we bring with us the spark that was ignited at the summit, ready to lead, inspire, and build the future together.
About the Author/s:
Vince Joshua Gaurano is a Computer Science student at the Technological University of the Philippines – Manila. He is passionate about continuous learning, leadership, and applying technology to solve real-world problems. With a clear vision, he aims to become a leader who not only understands technology but uses it to make a meaningful impact.
Iñaki Manuel Flores is also a Computer Science student at the Technological University of the Philippines – Manila, aspiring to become a versatile developer. An active volunteer in the tech community driven by curiosity and a creative spirit, he enjoys building solutions that bridge technology and real-world problems.
