Theme: MOONSHOT

In the spirit of staying true to our theme, it is our great pleasure to share that TEDxUPV is going to be the biggest, most ambitious TEDx university event. Ever.

What we're doing here at TEDxUPV has never been done before. No TEDx university event has ever done a ten-hour program, featured 20 speakers all at once, and gathered speakers from all over the world. But TEDxUPV will.

Because TEDxUPV is more than an event. It is a movement. We've curated a stellar lineup composed of incredible change makers who are shaking the industries they're in. They are individuals who inspire us, ground us, and propel us to make things possible. To go for our own #moonshots.

We're super pumped to be part of an amazing team that's making this happen. Check our website to be updated about all things TEDxUPV Moonshot!

University of the Philippines Visayas
Iloilo City
Iloilo, Western Visayas (Region VI), 5000
Philippines

Arvin Martin Santos

Tech Ecosystem Builder

Arvin Martin Santos is a young, dynamic, and forward-thinking ecosystem builder who is determined to make a significant impact at the intersection of business, technology, and social good. While in university, he founded a startup to accelerate fundraising for student and non-profit organizations. Now, he works with the next generation of high-impact changemakers that aim to transform both economies and lives through venture building, strategy consulting, and impact investing.

Arvin Martin Santos

Arvin Martin Santos is a dynamic and forward-thinking young entrepreneur who is poised to make a significant impact at the intersection of business, technology, and social good. He is a recent graduate of the prestigious Information Technology Entrepreneurship program at the Ateneo de Manila University, and his journey is a testament to his unwavering commitment to driving positive change in society. During his time at the university, he demonstrated an exceptional ability to leverage technology as a catalyst for meaningful change. He embarked on a remarkable journey that included founding a startup aimed at accelerating fundraising for non-profit organizations. This initiative not only showcased his entrepreneurial spirit but also his dedication to making a tangible difference, leaving a mark on the world of business, technology and social impact.

Charity Delmo

Entrepreneur

Ms. Charity Delmo, CEO and Founder of Ideal Visa Consultancy & Ideal Visa Global, one of the leading migration consultancies in the country, whose message to her employees became a viral phenomenon. Other than being featured by hundreds of media outlets worldwide for her powerful post online about giving her employees flexibility, she has been speaking about GRIT & how women can reach the top without apology & compromise.

Dev Albao

Executive Director, Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation

Dev Albao is an environmental communicator. They previously worked as Island Manager of Danjugan Sanctuary, and as Executive Director of the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation. They weave stories to move people for nature conservation. Dev currently serves on the board of the Association of Young Environmental Journalists.

Early Sol Arcolas Gadong

Four-time Palanca Award winner

Early Sol Gadong is an average writer-mathematician who has big dreams for the average Filipino learner. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Mathematics Education and hopes to someday decolonize the Philippine mathematics curriculum and run a full marathon.

Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan

Politician, Public Figure, and Former Senator of the Republic of the Philippines

A highly accomplished lawyer, dedicated politician, and a successful farm owner, Former Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan has been a vital figure in shaping the political and agricultural landscape of the Philippines. Educated at the prestigious University of the Philippines College of Law and the Harvard Kennedy School, he brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to his endeavors. In addition to his roles in the Senate, he also served as the Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization to President Benigno Aquino III from 2014 to 2015, demonstrating his deep commitment to improving food security and advancing agricultural modernization in the Philippines.

John Ray Hontanar

Assistant Professor, University of the Philippines Visayas

John Ray A. Hontanar is a literary scholar, visual artist, and LGBTQIA+ advocate. Born and raised on the magical island of Panay, he holds a Master’s Degree in Comparative Literature and specializes in babaylanic studies, indigenous Panayanon culture, and queer writing. He teaches Literary Theory and Art Criticism as an Assistant Professor at the Division of Humanities in UP Visayas.

John Rey Reyes

Fisheries Professional, Development Worker and Climate Activist

John Rey V. Reyes, is a registered fisheries professional, a development worker, and a climate activist, working towards sustainable coastal resource management practices and meaningful civic spaces for fisherfolks and young people. He founded a program called Tuloy Pa Rin that is aimed at empowering women and LGBTQ+ in the coastal areas of Negros Occidental, with knowledge and skills about post harvest fisheries, social enterprising, civic engagement and paralegal empowerment. He is also the President of the Negrosanon Young Leaders Alumni Association, where he is the Project Lead of the Young Leaders Fellowship, a summit that hones the role of Negrosanon Young Leaders in effectuating change and sustainable development for a sustainable Negros.

Kate Hancock

Experience the unparalleled insights of Kate Hancock: Business Advisor, Keynote Speaker, and Visionary. Born on a tiny island in the Philippines and moved to the US after college. Kate is not just a self-made female serial entrepreneur but a force to be reckoned with in the business world. In a remarkable journey spanning just over a decade, Kate has demonstrated her prowess by building and scaling multiple businesses from the ground up, all without external funding. Witness the success story of her inaugural venture, an eCommerce platform, starting with only $20 and soaring to over a million dollars in revenue within its first year and burgeoning into an 8-figure sales powerhouse. As the award-winning creator of a beauty company, Kate's innovative approach has secured consecutive awards on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies. Stepping beyond borders, she has spearheaded the construction of hotel properties from 7,000 miles away, leveraging influencer marketing and AI for content and SOPs. The result? A TripAdvisor-acclaimed establishment ranking in the top 10% of hotels worldwide. Not stopping there, Kate has made strategic investments in real estate, showcasing her knack for property flipping. Her latest project is the global initiative Global AI Council with mantra aiforgood #freeducationforall.

Krishna Ariola

Environmental Advocate

Krishna Ariola is a 26-year old environmental advocate from Negros Occidental whose work revolves around renewable energy, conservation, & youth empowerment through organizing communities and storytelling. She is one of the founding convenors of Youth for Climate Hope, a Bacolod-based environmental youth coalition that led the successful Coal-Free Negros movement. She is an awardee of the Negros Occidental Conservationist Award in 2021 & a TEDx Talk speaker for UP Manila. She was also present at COP27 in Egypt, where the Loss & Damage funding facility was established, a landmark victory for the global community calling for climate justice. She is currently a campaigner at the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED), a think-do institution that provides independent, scientific research and people-oriented analysis of issues pertaining to energy, integrity of ecosystems and the general development path pursued by the country.

Lei Fernandez

Marine Engineer and Community Organizer

Mr. Fernandez is a marine engineer aboard international offshore vessels. He is a dad-jokes enthusiast and the founder of Balanghay Learning Community, a safe and inclusive space that promotes holistic development and accountability. He has experienced countless up and downs in his life, but none of that really prepared him for what happened two years ago. Although it incapacitated him for some time, he is now open to sharing his insights from that unfortunate experience in the hopes that it might help others.

Majid Fotuhi

Top Neurologist, and Medical Director at NeuroGrow Brain Fitness Center

Dr. Fotuhi’s initial clinical research at Johns Hopkins focused on the basic brain neurochemistry and on finding effective ways to prevent dementia. More specifically, he worked on longitudinal studies to determine the beneficial role of a combination of vitamins and natural supplements along with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and omega-3 fatty acids in maintaining cognitive function and brain vitality. His current research has focused on issues related to intensive treatment of patients with memory loss and/or post-concussive syndrome. He has published his research findings in Brain Research, Journal of Neuroscience, The Lancet, Nature, Neurology, Neuron, and Proceedings of National Academy of Science. He has developed a multi-disciplinary treatment protocol for helping patients boost their cognitive function, called: “Brain Fitness Program,” and the results of this work have been published in the Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Maria Isabel Lim Layson

Researcher, Performer and Athlete

ZsaZsa is a driven and ambitious individual currently in the third year of her undergraduate journey. Her diverse interests encompass scientific research, the performing arts, and a fervent dedication to sports. Coming from the small town of Iloilo, ZsaZsa is a true embodiment of versatility. Her passion for scientific research has been a guiding force throughout her academic pursuits. In the laboratory and through rigorous experimentation, she explores the frontiers of knowledge in her chosen field, Chemistry. Her dedication to scientific inquiry not only reflects her intellectual curiosity but also her commitment to making a meaningful impact on the world through discovery and innovation. Beyond the realm of academia, she is a captivating performer in the world of arts since she has a love for art and expression.

Maya Fotuhi

Published Author

Maya Fotuhi is a budding talent who, at just a young age, has already authored a book that seeks to shatter the misconceptions and stereotypes that revolve Africa and its people, enlightening its readers on a side that people often overlook.

Natalya Patolot

Student Entrepreneur, Published Writer

Natalya Patolot is a passionate and ambitious graduating BS Communication Technology Management student at the Ateneo de Manila University and the CEO of The Indiependent Collective, a media production startup that creates the spaces and resources needed to uplift the work of Filipino artists (writers, filmmakers, and creatives) working outside of the confines of genre. She is the author of the ebook, “Hiding Her Blush”, a contributor to multiple anthologies, namely, “Warm Tea on a Rainy Day”, “Silakbo: Real Stories of Love and Heartbreak”, and “Silent Nights: Finding Hope in the Horrible”, and one of the editors of “In The Shadows Where They Lie.” She also works as a Brand Ambassador for Lazada, a Content Writer for CHiNOY TV, and a Marketing Analyst for Qmarketz.

Raphael Nicolai Gamboa

Businessman, and Heritage Advocate

Nico Uytiepo Gamboa is a fifth-generation member of a family business and heritage advocate. Born and raised in Bacolod City but with deep Ilonggo roots. Nico considers himself just your average old-fashioned Ilonggo guy.

RB Jann Jamindang

Academic

Passion-driven through the entirety of his student life, RB believes that you cannot be too scared to learn. His perspective on Mathematics has always been that Mathematics is neither daunting nor fruitless - as long as there is an appreciation for its beauty. This outlook enabled RB to acquire inspiration from his teachers, empowering him to graduate as the third summa cum laude with a degree in Applied Mathematics at the University of the Philippines Visayas. Now as an educator himself, he strives to instill the same mindset in his students.

Renecio "Luke" Espiritu Jr.

Lawyer, Labor Organizer and Human Rights Activist

Atty. Luke Espiritu is a prominent Filipino lawyer, labor organizer, and human rights activist known for his dedication to public interest cases and social justice causes. With a background in representing clients from various sectors, including laborers and urban poor communities, Espiritu has made significant strides in the legal arena. As a climate justice advocate, his vision encompasses the ambitious CoalFree2030 initiative, which pushes for the phased-out transition from fossil fuels to 100% renewable energy sources.

Sha Nacino

Author and Motivational Speaker

Sha Nacino, known as The Possibility Igniter, is a powerhouse of achievement: an author of 15 books, a global keynote speaker, and the founder of multiple successful summits like the HR Summit Global, Global Authors Summit, and World Gratitude Summit. It's hard to believe that this successful woman was once shy, introverted, not a writer, and tone deaf. Yet, she has managed to write 15 books and has helped over 150 first-time authors and non-writers through her signature online course. For fun, Sha has performed in, directed, and produced 30 music videos in a span of 18 months! She is on a mission to ignite fearless possibilities by helping leaders and organizations build a culture where everyone feels safe, seen, and appreciated.

Sucheta Rawal

Founder & Executive Director, Go Eat Give

Sucheta Rawal is an award-winning South Asian food and travel writer contributing to over two dozen publications including TIME Magazine, CNN, Travel+Leisure, HuffPost and AAA. Sucheta is a five time author of 'Beato Goes To' series of children's books that educate kids about the diversity of the world. She has personally traveled to over 100 countries across seven continents and writes about her experiences from her firsthand perspective. She also founded the non-profit, Go Eat Give, to raise awareness of different cultures through travel, food and community service. Sucheta’s mission is to promote meaningful and sustainable travel for the betterment of the global community. Read more at https://suchetarawal.com"

Val Amiel Vestil

Co-Founder & Executive Director, Association of Young Environmental Journalists

Val is a professional in the communications for development (C4D) sector with over 6 years of work and volunteer experience in climate and environmental journalism, program management, grant-writing & fundraising, youth empowerment & capacity building, and multimedia production in Film, TV, and Radio. He founded AYEJ, an ecological literacy non-profit focused on capacity-building projects and knowledge product development on climate and environmental issues. Aside from this, Val is also a professional events host, public speaking coach, content creator, and educator.