Theme: Break the Box

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

This year’s conference carries the theme of “Breaking the Box”, our TED talks serving to inspire others to go beyond their limits of their comfort zones and challenge conventional thinking. In line with this goal, the TEDxBritishSchoolManila team has invited several distinguished speakers to share their thoughts and experiences on this topic, and we hope that they are able to inspire the audience of our event to be open to transformation.

British School Manila
The British School Manila, 36th Street
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, National Capital Region, 1634
Philippines

Brian Cu

President of Grab Philippines

Brian Cu’s success started as a project leader with the Boston Consulting Group and tackled projects in strategy, sales and distribution, and marketing for various industries. He graduated with a major in Finance and a minor in technopreneurship from the National University of Singapore with 1st class honors. This inspired him to co-found Zalora Philippines, handling operations as Managing Director. At Grab Philippines, Brian oversees operations for the entire country ensuring quality service is provided to both drivers and passengers alike.

Edmund Lee

President/CEO at Caylum Trading Institute

Edmund Lee has more than 8 years of experience especially in the international market, from the United States to Hong Kong and the Philippines. His interest towards creating a premiere education facility in the Philippines to develop successful traders stemmed from his time as a COL Financial research analyst, inspiring the establishment of Caylum Trading Institute. In his experience, the success in stocks must rely on more than just technical and fundamental analysis as well as a deep understanding of market sentiment and risk management.

Eric Dee

President and COO of Foodee Global Concepts

Eric Dee operates Manila’s top food and beverage company FOODEE GLOBAL CONCEPTS, even opening the first Michelin rated restaurant in the Philippines. With over 60 different restaurants nationwide has raised opportunities for the company becoming the top fnb group in the Philippines, and holding the most number of Michelin rated brands in the country, including: Tsuta, Kam’s Roast, Hawker Chan, Tim Ho Wan, FOO’D by Davide Oldani. Eric has been the center of the company’s rapid expansion to continue bringing trending and more accessible brands to the Philippines.

Lisa Macuja

Artistic Director of Ballet Manila

Lisa Macuja-Elizalde was the first Filipino ballerina to bring home a laureate prize – a silver medal – from the 1987 Asia - Pacific Ballet Competition in Tokyo. Undoubtedly the most phenomenal ballerina the country has ever produced, she has had an unparalleled career best summed up by these numbers: 28 years of dancing the lead in over 300 full - length ballets, performed in 90 cities that span five continents around the globe. A true believer not only in the immense talent of the Filipino artist but also the underlying capacity of the local audience to embrace the classical arts. Lisa has achieved a dream that is generally believed to be impossible for a classical ballerina in the Philippines – bringing ballet to the people and people to the ballet.

Minette Navarrete

President of Kickstart Ventures Inc. and Vice President at Globe Telecom

Minette Navarrete, President of Kickstart Ventures Inc. and Vice President at Globe Telecom has advised and focuses on improving new businesses. Her involvement and membership in Ayala Corporation’s Innovation Advisory Council, Globe’s Innovation Advisory Board, and Board of Directors of AdSpark; these positions have aided Minette to have valuable experience to bring Philippine start-ups and iconic global companies to improve for the better.

Mon Garilao

Film Director

Mon Garilao graduated from the University of the Philippines Film Institute, catapulting him to a internship in Myanmar and visual design scholarship in Korea. Attending the 18th Busan International Film Festival at the Asian Film Academy as well as the Philippine Korean Studies Symposium Workshop. Since then Mon’s passion for Philippine culture, korean studies, and asian cinema fueled his undergraduate thesis Fish Out of Water that was awarded UPFI’s Best Thesis, Special Jury Prize, and Best Direction.

Roderick Penalosa

Counsellor and Doctorate in East-West Psychology

Dr Rod Penalosa, former counselor at the British School Manila, completed his Master’s in Counseling Psychology at the University of San Francisco, and his Doctorate in East-West Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies, setting the foundation for an in-depth, rigorous self-examination, and fully-embodied learning trajectory that continues to this day. He founded the Circle of Hope in the Philippines, providing no-cost mental health services to teen cancer patients and their families. A clinician, educator, advocate, and storyteller, Rod aspires to be an instrument of empowerment and healing that begins with the self, and extends to human connection.