via GRAPHIC PLUS | Manila, Philippines (March 16, 2026) — The Taipan Youth Summit 2026 returned on March 14 at The Podium Hall, SM Podium, gathering around 600 students, young professionals, and emerging entrepreneurs for an afternoon of learning, dialogue, and inspiration. Organized by CHiNOY TV and the Rotaract Club of Chinatown-Manila, the summit featured keynote addresses and interactive forums with top business and creative leaders.
Under the theme “Where Young Minds Take Shape: Guiding the Next Generation of Taokes,” delegates explored career choices, entrepreneurship, and leadership through real-life stories and practical advice, engaging directly with leaders across industries.
Leadership in an Uncertain World
The Taipan Youth Summit 2026 opened with a keynote address by Kevin L. Tan, President and CEO of Alliance Global Group, who spoke on resilience and optimism in leadership. He said that crises often reveal new opportunities, adding that young entrepreneurs should always look at the bright side. “Crisis does not only bring challenges, sometimes it reveals opportunities. The insight for entrepreneurs is simple: always look at the bright side,” he said, setting the tone for the day.
Kevin shared concrete lessons from his leadership journey. He highlighted Emperador Inc.’s transformation into a global spirit company through innovation and strategic acquisitions, including Whyte & Mackay and Fundador, demonstrating that Filipino companies can compete on the world stage. He also cited Travellers International Hotel Group, which continued to invest in Resorts World Manila even during the pandemic, growing to 27 hotels with 10,000 rooms. Tan emphasized that true leadership lies in seeing opportunity in adversity, making bold decisions, and building legacies that inspire others.
Family Business: Legacy and Choice
The first forum addressed a dilemma many young entrepreneurs face: whether to join the family business and how to make a meaningful impact. Eduardo Luy (President & COO, Macroasia Corporation) stressed the importance of clear communication and trust when industries face sudden challenges, reminding delegates that leadership is tested in times of uncertainty.
Bryan T. Liu (VP for Sales & Marketing, GOLDEN ABC Inc.) shared how hands-on experience across different company functions, from e-commerce to operations, builds the perspective needed to connect current realities with future goals. Meanwhile, Mark Tiu Lim (Chief Spiritual & People Officer, Mega Prime Foods Inc.) highlighted the role of faith and stewardship, emphasizing that values must guide decisions at every level. Delegates learned that joining a family business is not just about following tradition. It is about understanding the business deeply, contributing strategically, and leading with purpose and values.
Start-Ups: Building from the Ground Up
Entrepreneurship is never easy, but the second forum showed how challenges can become opportunities for growth. Steve Sy (Founder and CEO, Great Deals E-Commerce Corporation) explained how technology and artificial intelligence can help entrepreneurs optimize resources and explore new ventures. Happee Sy (CEO, PULP Live World) shared that learning from failure is key, recalling how she had to personally convince sponsors despite early success.
Frank Gaw (Founder, Kangkong King) emphasized the power of networking, encouraging participation in events and exhibitions to expand connections and strengthen a brand. The discussion highlighted that success in business comes from embracing innovation, learning from experience, and building meaningful relationships that open doors to new possibilities.
Creative Industries: Innovation and Storytelling
The final forum explored opportunities in creative industries, where branding, storytelling, and collaboration are essential. Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez (Co-Founder and CEO, Happy Skin Cosmetics and BLK Cosmetics) emphasized giving teams clear objectives to foster creativity. Robyn See (CEO, Five Story Ventures) noted that AI can generate content but cannot replicate taste or style. Thunderson Tan (Co-Founder, Lannang Language Cultural Center) highlighted that strong storytelling ensures ideas capture attention. The discussion showed that creativity thrives when vision, clarity, and communication work together to inspire and engage.
Taipan Youth Summit 2026 inspired young leaders to embrace creativity, innovation, and values-driven leadership. Delegates gained practical insights from top entrepreneurs and left motivated to pursue their own ventures in family businesses, start-ups, or creative industries, confident that the future of Filipino entrepreneurship is bright.
