BusinessWorld B-Side

The year 2026 was projected to be the year of the “Agentic Enterprise,” where autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) would no longer be limited to simple chatbots but become more ingrained in the core infrastructure of businesses to increase productivity and drive growth, according to US-based cloud software company Salesforce.

Now that we are heading into the last quarter of 2026, this begs the question: Has this projection actually come to fruition?

To help us navigate the recent developments in the AI revolution in business, we are joined by Gavin Barfield, chief technology officer (CTO) and vice-president for solutions at Salesforce, in today’s B-Side podcast.

As digital transformation accelerates across the country, cybersecurity is emerging as a critical enabler of national development, not just a technical safeguard.

In this episode of “Where the Digital World Converges: Conversations on Cloud,” a collaboration of BusinessWorld B-Side with Converge Global Business, Mr. Eric Andrew Malijan (Senior Vice President & Head of Corporate Information Security Office, Converge) and Mr. Jeffrey Ian Dy (Former DICT Undersecretary for Infrastructure Management, Cybersecurity, and Upskilling) break down the country’s cybersecurity posture, from national readiness to private sector innovation.

Interview by Beatriz Cruz

Audio editing by Jayson John Marinas

Digital transformation without security is a risk we can’t afford. As we build our "Digital Republic," the focus must shift from simple IT fixes to high-level national resilience. What does it take to protect a nation in the cloud?

In this episode of “Where the Digital World Converges: Conversations on Cloud,” a collaboration of BusinessWorld B-Side with Converge Global Business, Mr. Eric Andrew Malijan (Senior Vice President & Head of Corporate Information Security Office, Converge) and Mr. Jeffrey Ian Dy (Former DICT Undersecretary for Infrastructure Management, Cybersecurity, and Upskilling) break down the country’s cybersecurity posture, from national readiness to private sector innovation.

Interview by Beatriz Cruz

Audio editing by Jayson John Marinas

Digital infrastructure powers everything in today’s economy: connecting people, businesses, and services through networks of fiber-optic cables, satellites, data centers, and cloud platforms. For the Philippines, building this infrastructure has become a national priority.

In this episode of “Where the Digital World Converges: Conversations on Cloud,” a collaboration between BusinessWorld B-Side and Converge Global Business, Converge ICT Solutions Inc. Vice-President and Head of Data Center Infrastructure Noriel Ong and Department of Information and Communications Technology Assistant Secretary Christian Guingcangco shared their insights on building resilient networks and unlocking the economic potential through digitalization.

Interview by Beatriz Cruz

Audio editing by Jayson John Marinas

A fear of investing among many Filipinos has carried over to the insurance industry, where many are hesitant about variable unit-linked (VUL) insurance, since some advisors position it primarily as an investment vehicle.

In this episode of BusinessWorld B-Side, Sun Life Head of Insurance Investments Ivan Corcuera talks about the true value of VUL insurance, how it functions, and when it is best utilized.

Interview by Beatriz Cruz

Audio editing by Jayson John Marinas

Does leadership come from position, or from the ability to earn trust?

In this B-Side episode, BusinessWorld talks together with President & Chief Executive Officer, Pauline Fermin, and Program Director & Senior Strategist, Jocelyn Labrador of Acumen Strategy Consultants, examines how Filipino leaders from different generations view leadership, and how these perspectives build today’s workplaces.

Interview by Beatriz Cruz

Audio editing by Jayson John Marinas

Data has the ability to power a nation, especially when it can store data within its shores.

In the first episode of "Where the Digital World Converges: Conversations on Cloud," a collaboration of BusinessWorld B-Side with Converge Global Business, Converge Studios CEO James Mendoza and National Privacy Commission Deputy Commissioner Atty. Jose Belarmino II share insights on how crucial an in-country cloud is for the Philippines and what stakeholders here should do to secure this cloud.

Interview by Beatriz Cruz

Audio editing by Jayson John Marinas

Are parents supposed to be disciplinarians? Are they supposed to coddle us? Or are they supposed to be our friends?

In this B-Side episode, BusinessWorld talks together with VP for Corporate & Commercial Strategy, Barbara Young and Program Director & Strategist, Kristine Joyce Erni Santos of Acumen Strategy Consultants, uncovers insights parents of current generations need to better raise children in a way that bridges values across time.

Interview by Beatriz Cruz

Audio editing by Jayson John Marinas

In this B-Side episode, BusinessWorld explores the evolving Filipino workforce through the lens of executive coaching.

Tina Sioson, President of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Philippines, breaks down skills-based hiring, common recruitment pitfalls, and strategies for Filipino professionals to thrive in 2026 and beyond.

Interview by Erika Sinaking

Audio editing by Jayson John Marinas

In this B-Side episode, BusinessWorld explores the evolving Filipino workforce through the lens of executive coaching. Tina Sioson, President of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Philippines, breaks down skills-based hiring, common recruitment pitfalls, and strategies for Filipino professionals to thrive in 2026 and beyond.

Interview by Erika Sinaking

Audio editing by Jayson John Marinas