Join us at TCS Reception Philippines 2025
The Next Leap: Reimagining Strategy and Purpose with Emerging Technologies at Scale
TCS Reception Philippines 2025 is an exclusive, invite-only event that brings together the Philippines’ most distinguished C-suite executives, business leaders, and thought leaders to discuss how visionary strategies intersect with generative AI-led innovation and purposeful leadership. This event aims to gain insights into TCS’ vision for the future and establish relationships between our leadership team and esteemed guests and partners.
Date: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 | 3:00PM - 8:00PM PHT
Venue: Manila Polo Club, Makati City
Agenda
03:00 – 04:00 PM: Registration
04:00 – 04:05 PM: Introduction
04:05 – 04:10 PM: Welcome address by Girish Ramachandran, President of Growth Markets - TCS
04:10 – 04:30 PM: Keynote address by Gonzalo Varela, Lead Economist, and Program Leader, Prosperity Practice Group – World Bank
4:30 – 4:50 PM: Keynote address by Leandro Angelo Y. Aguirre, Deputy Privacy Commissioner - National Privacy Commission
4:50 – 5:25 PM: Panel: Reinventing business for the digital era
5:25 – 5:35 PM: Business strategy in an AI environment by Francis Kong, Director - Primer Holdings, Incorporated and Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation
5:35 – 6:00 PM: Speaking engagement by Raghavendra “Raghu” Vishnumurthy, Head of Strategy, Growth Markets – TCS
6:00 – 6:35 PM: Panel: From vision to value: Realizing transformative outcomes with technology
6:35 – 6:40 PM: Closing remarks - Shiju Varghese, Country Head – TCS Philippines
6:40 PM onwards: Dinner and cocktails
Invitation for the TCS Reception Philippines 2025
Connect directly with business and thought leaders in the Philippines market.
Speaker Line Up
Girish Ramachandran
President of Growth Markets, TCS
As President of Growth Markets - Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA), Latin America (LATAM), India Enterprise, Public Services (Global) & Corporate Affairs, Girish manages an extensive and thriving business portfolio with tremendous growth valued at USD ~5.6 billion across 35+ countries, empowering a diverse workforce of 75,000+ professionals in TCS – one of the world’s most admired companies in 2023 by Fortune Magazine and second most valuable IT services brand in the 2024 Global 500 IT Services Ranking by Brand Finance. An accomplished and seasoned IT executive driving transformative strategies and leading clients to unprecedented success while optimizing operations and fostering a collaborative culture, Girish is a firm believer in harnessing the power of technology and innovation to catalyze change and drive sustainable business outcomes to elevate customer engagement. A visionary leader adept at navigating dynamic technological landscapes, ensuring sustained growth, and committed to building high-performing teams that deliver stellar results. Under his stewardship, TCS has ventured into new growth markets and expanded its footprint in sustainability and community outreach, leaving an indelible mark on the organization's legacy of impact and progress.
Leandro Angelo Y. Aguirre
Deputy Privacy Commissioner, NPC, Philippines
Leandro Angelo Y. Aguirre has been serving as the Deputy Privacy Commissioner of the National Privacy Commission since February 2018. He steered the commission’s policy direction by initiating and developing issuances and projects integral to the growth of data privacy in the Philippines. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law and his Master of Laws from Harvard Law School and is a member of the Philippine and New York State Bar. Leandro Angelo Y. Aguirre is also a member of the academe, having taught various subjects at the University of the Philippines College of Law since 2013. He co-authored the book “Privacy and Data Protection Law in the Philippines,” which examines the right to informational privacy in the Philippine privacy regulatory framework. He also served as an advisor on the bill that eventually became the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
Francis Kong
Director - Primer Holdings, Incorporated
Francis J. Kong is one of the most respected business speakers in the Philippines. In 2014, he received the Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Award. With a strong entrepreneurial background in manufacturing and retail, he is an independent director for Primer Holdings, Incorporated, and Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation. He has made significant contributions to media as a radio broadcaster for the “Business Matters” program on DZFE-FM 98.7 and as a columnist for the Philippine Star, earning the “Best Business Column” award four times and a Hall of Fame recognition from the Catholic Mass Media Awards. As an author with over 24 published books, many of his titles have achieved bestseller status in the Philippines. Francis has received the following recognition: • Two Anvil Awards for Excellence: for the John Maxwell Seminar and the book “Famealy Matters” • Gold Quill Award for Best Public Speech category from the International Association of Business Communicators • Dr. Jose Rizal Award for Excellence in Journalism • Communication and Leadership Award by Toastmasters International • Makatao Award from the Philippine People Management Communicators Association •Ranked #1 on LinkedIn’s list of Top Filipino Professionals to follow for learning and inspiration for three consecutive years • Inducted into the LinkedIn Hall of Fame in 2021 • Ranked #1 on LinkedIn’s Philippines' Top 30 Leaders in 2022 • Outstanding Stakeholder Award from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in 2024 Francis Kong earned a Magna Cum Laude degree in business. He holds a Master of Arts from Trinity College and Bible Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana, USA. His academic pursuits include the summer course in apologetics and philosophy at Oxford University and the "Managing Yourself and Leading Others" seminar at Harvard University's continuous education program
Eugene S. Acevedo
President & CEO, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.
Eugene Acevedo is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation. Under his leadership, RCBC accelerated its business and digital transformation, making it one of the fastest-growing universal banks in assets, loans, and deposits. The bank also won multiple awards in innovation including best digital bank and best in customer service. A banking veteran with over 30 years’ experience in the industry, Mr. Acevedo began his career at Citibank, where he later became managing director and country treasurer for the Philippines and then Hong Kong. He later led the rapid business and financial growth of three other commercial and thrift banks, including the Philippine National Bank, where he was president and CEO. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physics, magna cum laude, from the University of San Carlos, where he now serves as a member of the Board of Trustees. He received his MBA from the Asian Institute of Management, where he now serves as vice chairman of the Board of Trustees. He also completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School. An avid learner, he has certifications in data science, artificial intelligence, blockchain, customer experience, user experience, and digital marketing.
Tina Alvarez
Chief Digital & Info. Officer, JG Summit Holdings
Tina Alvarez serves as the Chief Digital and Information Officer at JG Summit Holdings, Inc. In her role, she oversees Digital Transformation, IT Governance and Service Delivery, Procurement Governance, and the transformation of Aspen into the Gokongwei Group Business Services. Tina is also a member of the Advisory Board for The ASEAN Innovation Business Platform (AIBP) Philippines, which aims to foster sustainable innovation and digital transformation across Southeast Asia. Additionally, she holds the position of Corporate Secretary at KaUSAP, a non-stock, non-profit organization in the Philippines that serves as a hub for SAP practitioners and IT thought leaders. Before joining JG Summit, Tina began her career as a Category Supply Planner at Procter & Gamble Philippines. She has held leadership roles in IT, Supply Chain, and HR, working in both the Philippines and China. Tina holds a BS in Industrial Engineering from the University of the Philippines, Diliman.
Gonzalo Varela
Lead Economist and Program Leader – World Bank
Gonzalo is the Lead Economist and Program Leader of the Prosperity Practice Group for Brunei, Malaysia and Philippines, based in Manila. He is a macroeconomist by training with a PhD in Economics from the University of Sussex and more than 20 years of experience in policy advisory, policymaking, operations, and research. He has worked in a vast number of countries on issues related to economic performance, trade and investment policy and macro-trade linkages, and impact evaluations of public policies. Before working for the World Bank, he worked for academia and the public and private sectors.
Maria Carolina Dominguez
President and CEO - John Clements Consultants, Inc.
Carol Dominguez is the President and CEO of John Clements Consultants, Inc. (JCCI), the Philippines’ premier provider of human resources and leadership development services. Under her visionary leadership, JCCI has established groundbreaking partnerships with global organizations such as Harvard Business Publishing, Zenger Folkman, Persol Holdings, and CrossKnowledge, solidifying its position as a leader in talent and leadership solutions across the region. Before joining JCCI, Carol enjoyed a distinguished career at Citibank, where she served as Vice President from 1985 to 2002. Her tenure spanned pivotal roles in New York City, London, and Milan, where she gained invaluable international experience in trade finance and banking. Carol is an alumna of the University of the Philippines and Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, and she further honed her expertise by completing the prestigious Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. Beyond her corporate leadership, Carol is deeply committed to advancing education, wellness, and community development. She serves as an independent board member for Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation, iCare, and MedGrocer, and actively supports nonprofit organizations, including Khan Academy Philippines and FTW (For the Women Foundation). Carol is a founding member of the Filipina CEO Circle (FCC) and a former Governor of the Management Association of the Philippines. She is also a lecturer at the UP Virata School of Business, a member of the UP College of Business Administration and Accountancy Alumni Board, and the recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business. As Co-President of the Harvard Club of the Philippines Global, she was honored with the 2024 Harvard Alumni Association Outstanding Volunteer Leadership Award for her exceptional service. Outside her professional and philanthropic pursuits, Carol is passionate about wellness and adventure. She is a dedicated Iyengar yoga practitioner and instructor, a keen golfer, and an enthusiastic skier, often exploring the slopes of Japan, Europe, and North America. Her vibrant lifestyle reflects her unwavering commitment to personal well-being and her zest for life.
Sankaranarayanan Viswanathan
Vice President, Corporate Technology Office, TCS
Shanky Viswanathan is a business leader, industry advisor, and technologist in the CTO Group at TCS. As Head of Business Innovation, Shanky works with CXOs to help shape their strategic business initiatives and unlock new business opportunities by harnessing the transformative, and sometimes disruptive, potential of technology. He is currently focused on helping customers prepare and build for the future by harnessing the full might of generative AI, next-generation operational technologies like Robotics, 5G and Edge, a new intelligent, open, and sustainable energy ecosystem, and a reimagined toolset for NetZero acceleration. Within TCS, Shanky is leading the incubation of next generation business capabilities and big bets that will power the future growth of TCS. Prior to this role, Shanky has performed various business and technology leadership roles across markets and industries. He has led industry units for TCS, incubated and scaled large account relationships, spearheaded multiple large-scale business transformation and system integration initiatives for customers and has headed architecture boards and functions in various customer organizations. He has been part of industry advisory boards and holds multiple patents in real-world business solutions exploiting digital technologies. A native of Chennai, India, Shanky holds a master's degree in computer science and engineering. He is a passionate barefoot runner, a trained percussionist of Carnatic music, and a movie buff.
Raghavendra Vishnumurthy
Head of Strategy, Growth Markets, TCS
A seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience, Raghu is the Head of Strategy for Growth Markets at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). He is a trusted advisor to CXOs on digital and transformation agendas, specializing in developing and executing growth strategies, conducting market analysis, identifying new business opportunities, and driving strategic programs. Raghu's expertise spans a wide range of areas, including: • Digital transformation • Innovation management • Cloud strategy • Enterprise architecture • Information architecture and data management • Data warehousing and business intelligence • Big data and advanced analytics • IT strategy and roadmap formulation Raghu has a proven track record of success in starting new business units and growing them to a significant scale. He has been instrumental in establishing and expanding several practices within TCS, including the Consulting & Service Integration practice in APAC and the Global Information Management consulting practice. His leadership has also been key in securing major deals, which has helped him to achieve a remarkable CAGR of over 25% over 10 years. Throughout his career, Raghu has worked on global assignments across Asia, Europe, and the United States, serving a diverse clientele in both the private and government sectors. He has also led the strategy and development of digital transformation programs for various multinational organizations. Raghu is passionate about driving innovation and helping businesses achieve breakthrough results through digital transformation. His insights and expertise make him a sought-after speaker and thought leader.
Ronald Rex A. Evangelista
IT Head, IT Division - Eastern Communications
Rex is a seasoned professional with 28 years of expertise in Telecommunications and Information Technology, having worked with both multinational and local industry leaders. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a remarkable ability to lead, innovate, and deliver exceptional results in various capacities. Rex spent over a decade with Nokia Networks, where he held more than ten pivotal roles. Starting as an expert in OSS, he supported telecommunications companies in the Philippines and across the region. His leadership acumen saw him rise to country and regional roles, where he championed customer excellence, driving customer satisfaction and consistently surpassing project and support targets. A pioneer in San Miguel Corporation's Telecommunications venture, Rex played an instrumental role in designing, building, and implementing the IT system's infrastructure and applications, including BSS, OSS, VAS, Enterprise, and Customer Channels. At IBM Philippines, Rex initially contributed to the PLDT/Smart project during the bidding and pre-engagement phases before transitioning to a Business Area Management role for ABS-CBN. In this capacity, he managed account responsibilities, drove deployment, and achieved account growth for both the Access Group and the ABS-CBN Corporate Tower. Currently, Rex serves as the IT Head of Eastern Communications, where he leads the company’s Digital Transformation initiatives. His focus spans business support, business intelligence, customer experience, service management, and the utilization of emerging technologies. Enhancing the organization's information security posture is also a significant focus of his efforts. As his role continues to evolve, Rex remains committed to contributing to the organization’s goal of achieving customer success. With his extensive experience, strategic mindset, and commitment to excellence, Rex continues to make a significant impact in the ever-evolving IT and Telecommunications landscape.
Pradeep Bhanotha
CEO, AXA Asian Markets Philippines
Pradeep Bhanotha is a senior international business leader with a demonstrated history of banking and insurance sector achievements and over three decades of experience across global markets. He is skilled in global IT delivery, strategic transformation, vendor management, and financial risk. He is also a strong information technology professional specializing in application delivery and developing and executing strategic vision with sustained change. An agile leader with strong influencing skills, Bhanotha drives change from front-line team to senior management. Before joining AXA Asian Markets Services Philippines Inc., he started his career at Citibank, Barclays, and AIG.
