Inspiring growth: 29th CBM launched

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) has officially launched the 29th edition of Cebu Business Month (CBM 2025), a three-month initiative poised to stimulate innovation, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth across the province.

With a renewed emphasis on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), this year’s CBM signals a strategic pivot toward grassroots empowerment amid intensifying global economic headwinds.

Adopting the theme “Padayon Cebu: Inspire. Promote. Grow.”, the event draws from the Cebuano word “Padayon”, meaning “to move forward.” The theme encapsulates the resilience and adaptive spirit of the local business community in the face of economic uncertainty and emerging international trade challenges.

“CBM is not merely a celebration—it is an enabler of growth,” said Anton Mari Perdices, CBM 2025 Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Aboitiz Power’s Distribution Business Group.

“This year, we are intentionally expanding the reach to support MSMEs and position Cebu as a globally competitive business hub,” Perdices said.

Now entering its 29th year, CBM has evolved from a showcase of Cebu’s corporate strength to a catalyst for inclusive development.

The 2025 edition aims to dismantle long-standing perceptions that the festival primarily benefits larger enterprises. Instead, under Perdices' leadership, CBM is directing resources and attention toward micro-entrepreneurs throughout the province—delivering programs that foster entrepreneurship, innovation, and upskilling.

“The business environment is changing rapidly,” said CCCI President Jay Yuvallos. “In response, we must go back to fundamentals—building world-class enterprises and cultivating resilience at every level of the economy.”

Yuvallos' remarks come at a time of heightened geopolitical and trade tensions, notably following the implementation of steep U.S. import tariffs on Philippine products under the Trump administration’s “Liberation Day” policy. The tariffs, set at 17 percent for Philippine goods, have raised concerns over competitiveness and regional trade dynamics, particularly as other ASEAN nations face even steeper rates.

In this context, CBM 2025 is viewed by CCCI as a critical vehicle to help local businesses navigate volatility, deepen market adaptability, and accelerate global integration through innovation and strategic collaboration.

A Comprehensive Business Agenda

CBM 2025 features an ambitious calendar of events designed to provide actionable insights, foster partnerships, and promote Cebu’s economic strengths. Among the key highlights:

* May 30 – Opening Ceremony at Ayala Center Cebu, launching the festival with stakeholders from across the business community.

* June 5 – Good Design, Good Business Summit at Oakridge Studio, examining the intersection of aesthetics, strategy, and real estate dynamics—particularly addressing Manila’s condominium oversupply.

* June 20 – Technology and Innovation Forum at Marco Polo Plaza, convening innovators and technologists to develop scalable, collaborative tech solutions.

* June 26 – Tourism Forum & Experiential Tour at SM Seaside SkyHall and Mactan Newtown Beach, reinforcing Cebu’s ambition to be a leading MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) destination.

* July 8 – Business Investment Forum at Fili Hotel, Nustar Resort, promoting the island’s investment value proposition under the banner “Invest in Cebu, Prosper in Paradise.”

* July 11 – MSME Educational Tour, offering first-hand exposure to industry best practices and operational innovations.

* July 17–19 – BaiCon Fest, the country’s largest gathering of digital influencers, running alongside the “Cebu in a Bite” food festival, showcasing the city’s vibrant street food scene and its entrepreneurial food vendors.

* August (To-be-announced) – Hackathon at Mactan-Cebu International Airport, a tech sprint aimed at enhancing digital transformation and operational efficiency in aviation.

* August 28–30 – Creative Entertainment Business Forum at Fili Hotel – Nustar, highlighting emerging business opportunities in digital media and entertainment.

Cebu as a Regional Economic Beacon

With its expansive program and diversified themes, CBM 2025 is more than a local event—it is a regional blueprint for building resilient economies from the ground up.

From digital transformation to creative industry development, CCCI envisions Cebu as a future-forward economic hub with the capacity to attract investment, export innovation, and cultivate sustainable livelihoods.

“By investing in the capabilities of our MSMEs and reinforcing the spirit of collaboration,” Yuvallos noted, “we can pave the way for a more resilient, future-ready Cebu—one that is prepared not only to survive global disruptions, but to thrive in spite of them.