Wordtext Systems, Inc. (WSI) successfully launched its first CIO Roundtable Series on April 22, 2026, bringing together key CIO leaders and technology decision‑makers for an executive‑level discussion entitled “Why the Middle East Conflict Matters to PH Technology Decisions.”
The exclusive roundtable examined how global geopolitical tensions, particularly the ongoing Middle East conflict, are influencing technology strategy, cybersecurity priorities, risk management, and digital resilience across Philippine enterprises. As global events continue to ripple across economies and industries, the discussion emphasized the importance of translating international uncertainty into localized, actionable technology decisions.
Setting the Context for Executive Dialogue
The event officially opened with welcome remarks from Mr. Juan Chua, President of WSI, who greeted the CIO community and underscored the relevance of holding timely, meaningful conversations that help business leaders navigate today’s evolving global environment.
The session was hosted and moderated by Mr. Jaime Garchitorena, Chief Innovation Officer of The Nexus Group, who skillfully guided the discussion, encouraged open dialogue, and ensured that conversations remained relevant, insightful, and grounded in real‑world leadership experience.
Partner Led Thought Leadership Sessions
The roundtable featured thought leadership sessions from three of WSI’s technology partners, each providing expert insights aligned with the event’s central theme:
- Sangfor
Mr. Jenson Wang, Pre‑Sales Director, delivered a session titled “The Geopolitical Pivot: From Physical Borders to Digital Resilience.” He discussed how modern conflicts are shifting from physical borders to digital frontlines, underscoring the importance of cybersecurity resilience, zero‑trust architectures, and proactive threat defense in safeguarding organizations against emerging global risks. - Citrix ASEAN
Mr. Moses Yeo, Director, presented “Securing Access in an Era of Geopolitical and Cyber Disruption.” His talk highlighted the critical role of secure access, identity‑driven security, and protected digital workspaces in maintaining business continuity amid geopolitical instability and escalating cyber threats. - Yubico
Mr. Derek Lok, Director for Southeast Asia, introduced “A Secure Passwordless Future: Yubico and the YubiKey.” He showcased how passwordless authentication and hardware‑based security form a strong foundational defense against modern cyber risks increasingly tied to global disruptions.
Keynote: Understanding Global Volatility Through a Local Lens
The event’s keynote address was delivered by Mr. Reggie Cariaso, President and CEO of RCBC, with his compelling talk titled “Navigating the Ripples: Why Global Volatility Matters to PH Tech.”
Drawing from executive‑level experience in the banking and financial sector, Mr. Cariaso shared insights on how geopolitical instability impacts financial systems, business continuity, and long‑term technology planning in the Philippines. He emphasized the importance of building resilient, future‑ready digital infrastructures capable of withstanding growing global uncertainty and systemic risk.
Roundtable and Panel Discussion: From Global Issues to Local Action
The evening concluded with an interactive roundtable and panel discussion facilitated by Mr. Jaime Garchitorena, together with panelists Mr. Reggie Cariaso and Mr. Nilo Zantua, Chief Technology Evangelist of WSI.
The discussion sparked thoughtful, engaging dialogue among CIOs, focusing on key topics such as:
- Managing geopolitical risk through technology leadership
- Strengthening cybersecurity posture amid global instability
- Aligning IT investments with resilience, continuity, and long‑term growth goals
By grounding global challenges into practical, localized strategies, the session reinforced the value of peer‑to‑peer learning, executive collaboration, and shared leadership perspectives.
Beyond food, fine wines, whiskeys, and focused discussions, the event fostered a relaxed yet purposeful environment where CIOs, technology leaders, and partners were able to connect, network, and exchange ideas openly.
Through this inaugural WSI CIO Roundtable Series, WSI successfully delivered meaningful value helping leaders better navigate an increasingly complex global and digital landscape, while reinforcing the importance of resilience‑driven technology decisions in uncertain times.