Historic Malolos City, Bulacan was recently the host of the Malolos Investment Conference and the first leg of the Global Tech Roadshow of GeiserMaclang Communications, Inc. (GMCI) in collaboration with Digital Pilipinas (DP) and International Digital Economies Association (iDEA). Now, “The Cradle of Philippine Republic,” Malolos, is ground zero for yet another historical upheaval, the digital transformation of the Philippines, beyond the confines of the country’s massive urban centers.
The investment conference in Malolos, Bulacan, primes the city for technological advancement. The event highlighted the city’s rich cultural heritage and its potential as a premier investment destination.
Malolos boasts a wealth of historical and cultural attractions. At the heart of the city stands the iconic Barasoain Church, a functional monument to the country’s revolutionary past. This church of neoclassical architecture was the site of the Malolos Congress, where the Philippine Constitution was drafted and ratified in 1899. This was also where the Philippine Republic, the first republic in Asia, was founded.
Beyond the Barasoain Church, Malolos offers a tapestry of historical landmarks. The Malolos Cathedral, once a convent, is another architectural gem. The city also houses the Malolos Museum and Library, preserving the region’s heritage through artifacts and documents. These sites, imbued with the spirit of Filipino nationalism, offer visitors a glimpse into the country’s rich history.
Malolos is not just about history; it’s also a haven for those seeking unique experiences. The city is renowned for its artisanal crafts, particularly Pabalat Pastilas wrappers, intricately folded paper used as decorative packaging for traditional sweets. Mercy’s Empanada de Kaliskis, a crispy and savory fish-filled pastry, is a local favorite.
With so many great local Malolos products to boast, it was apt that Brad Geiser co-founder of GMCI, and GMCI Consultant Ria de Borja gave a thought-provoking talk. Entitled “Premiumizing Local Brands,” it shared eye-opening tips on how to make products desirable to consumers at premium prices. Geiser and de Borja demonstrated how history is full of examples of valorization, which is what happens when a brand is elevated culturally and socially. They shared how digital transformation has not changed these principles, and emphasized that valorized brands can begin as local products. Some examples they gave included the Brazilian brand Havaianas, a premium product in the Philippines–but really just a take on tsinelas. Anything, said Geiser and de Borja, can be premiumized, including the Philippine fish called hito. The Japanese have certainly done it for unagi, or freshwater eel, which remains costly at Japanese restaurants the world over.
Some of the digital tools launched at the event included marktech leaders VRITIMES, Shopback and Libra. Marktech, or marketing technology, refers to technology used to optimize marketing efforts. Participants gained insights and new ideas for their businesses on how these tools can help achieve better company performance.
The Malolos Investment Conference was held with partner brands Dragonpay, BPI VYBE, CIS Bayad Center, Smart, Overseas Filipino Bank, Cyber Q Group and Proxtera.
Bulacan State University, BARAS Technology Business Incubator (TBI), SULONG Central Luzon Start-Up Consortium and DOST PSTO Bulacan also collaborated with GMCI.
Global Tech Roadshow
Join GMCI, DP and iDEA at the launch of the Global Tech Roadshow on August 30 at SM Megamall with a concert with a media briefing, panel speakers from IOT and AI, a workshop on how to start a startup, marktech tools and many more!
The Global Tech Roadshow will include panels, workshops and discussions on digital SMEs, marktech, Philippine fintech, innovating government, igaming, digital health, youth digital leadership, proptech and smart cities and the National Brainstorm.
The National Brainstorm is a pioneering initiative that is designed to bring together diverse professional associations, industry experts and thought leaders to bring solutions to pressing challenges in certain ecosystems, including e-commerce and retail, trustech, creative digital economies, sustainability, healthtech, insuretech and AI, blockchain and other frontier technology.
Roadshow dates:
Sept 23 and 23 – SMX Aura
Sept 30 – SkyHall Cebu
Oct 15 – SMX Clark
Oct 25 – SMX Davao
Nov 11 to 14 – SMX Manila
Contact GeiserMaclang Communications, Inc. at our LinkedIn page or Facebook page.