by Ferry Bayu | Sep 14, 2026 | Business
The Indonesian Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) held a Coordination Meeting for the Preparation and Presentation of the Work Plan of the Monitoring Team for the Acceleration of Regional Economic Growth from September 4 to 6, 2026, at the Mercure Convention Center Ancol, North Jakarta.
This strategic agenda was conducted to monitor, safeguard, and accelerate regional economic growth in support of achieving the national economic growth target of 8%, as mandated in Presidential Regulation Number 12 of 2025 concerning the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025–2029.
This cross-ministerial and agency work meeting opened with direct directions from the Secretary General of Kemendagri, Police Commissioner General Drs. Tomsi Tohir, M.Si., and featured key speakers and presenters:
– Police Commissioner General Drs. Tomsi Tohir, M.Si. – Secretary General of the Ministry of Home Affairs
– Teni Widuriyanti – Secretary of the Ministry of National Development Planning / Principal Secretary of Bappenas
– Moh Edy Mahmud – Deputy for Balance Sheet and Statistical Analysis, Statistics Indonesia (BPS)
– Ir. Medrilzam, M.Prof.Rcon., Ph.D. – Deputy for Regional Development, Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas
Problem-Solving Approach and Regional Work Plan Formulation
The Secretary General of Kemendagri emphasized the importance of shifting from mere administrative monitoring (compliance-oriented) to a concrete problem-solving approach (problem-solving oriented). During the technical session, the Head of the Center for Regional Policy Strategy, Population, and Public Services of Kemendagri, Dr. T.R Fahsul Falah, S.Sos., M.Si., together with the Head of the Data and Information Systems Center, presented a technical explanation of activities and the division of work regions for the monitoring team. This forum thoroughly analyzed economic growth figures at the regency/city level and formulated concrete actions for local governments.
To ensure effective supervision across Indonesia, the work meeting divided discussions into provincial regional groups per island. All Echelon I Officials of Kemendagri were assigned as officials-in-charge to coordinate the formulation and presentation of the Work Plan for Each Province.
Concrete Actions and Strengthening Early Warning Indicators
During the panel discussion, Kemendagri together with Bappenas, BPS, and the Ministry of Investment/BKPM aligned evaluation indicators for regional economic growth:
– Use of Early Warning Indicators: Implementing a monthly early warning system from BPS to read regional economic dynamic signals in real time.
– Acceleration of Investment and Licensing: Resolving licensing bottlenecks in regions and optimizing investment potential to encourage ease of doing business.
– Nine Strategic Steps for Local Governments: Encouraging regions to accelerate regional budget (APBD) realization, infrastructure projects, staple food price control, job creation, and boosting industrial output as well as primary sectors.
The three-day series of activities concluded with a consolidation of meeting results and closing remarks by the Secretary General of Kemendagri on Sunday, September 6, 2026, ensuring that all provinces have measurable, timely, and result-oriented action plans (no issue without owner, no owner without deadline)
by Ferry Bayu | Sep 14, 2026 | Business
When the World of Consumer Electronics Expo opened its doors at the SMX Convention Center Manila last August 5, Keepital Philippines wasn’t just attending. It had built something of its own.
At the World of Consumer Electronics Expo (WOCEE) 2026, Keepital once again demonstrated its commitment to empowering SMEs and innovators by organizing a vibrant Start‑Up Pavilion. This initiative brought together six promising start‑ups and a powerhouse IP institution, offering them a platform to showcase their ideas, engage with industry leaders, and connect with potential partners.
By curating this collaborative space, Keepital amplified the visibility of emerging ventures and provided them with the credibility needed to stand out in a competitive marketplace. The presence of the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) further underscored the importance of intellectual property in fostering innovation, as the office engaged directly with the industry to highlight its role in supporting start‑ups and entrepreneurs.
The result was the Keepital Startup Pavilion: a curated cluster of booths within the WOCEE floor, anchored by a dedicated stage programme on Day 2, August 6, designed to give each participant not just a booth but a genuine launchpad.
The Exhibitors
Keepital opened applications to startups across the consumer technology ecosystem and selected seven participants for the pavilion:
Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) anchored the pavilion as the institutional partner, bringing IP commercialization expertise and presenting the opening panel discussion.
a11y media, formerly known as Wika and the only Philippine startup selected from 800+ applicants for the Real Madrid Next Accelerator, brought its accessible media platform to WOCEE, serving the Filipino Deaf and hard of hearing community through sign language video content and captions.
KLARO brought AI-powered sales and inventory management designed for Philippine cooperatives and agri-businesses still running on handwritten logbooks, one of the most grounded applications of AI to reach the expo floor.
Domantay Consulting (DC Digital), founded in 2018, represented the communications and brand side of the ecosystem. A reminder that every technology company eventually needs to be heard, not just built.
Vaura entered as an AI-powered content engine, offering businesses a smarter, faster pipeline for producing brand-consistent content at scale.
BetterClinic demonstrated its AI ambient scribe that listens during medical consultations and auto-generates clinical notes, prescriptions, and PhilHealth claims, built specifically for the Philippine healthcare context and compliant with the Data Privacy Act.
SOFI AI, a member of the NVIDIA Inception Program and a Google for Startups alumnus, showcased its customer engagement automation platform that is a 24/7 chat, multilingual, and deployable across Facebook, Instagram, Shopify, and more.
Throughout the event, Keepital’s team actively engaged with visitors, facilitating conversations that bridged start‑ups with investors, collaborators, and customers. The pavilion was not only a showcase of innovation but also a hub of meaningful exchange where ideas were shared, partnerships were formed, and opportunities for growth were unlocked.
Beyond supporting the exhibitors, Keepital also contributed to the success of WOCEE itself, ensuring that the Start‑Up Pavilion added value to the overall program. This dual role, both as exhibitor and organizer, reflected Keepital’s mission to strengthen ecosystems, empower SMEs, and create platforms where businesses can thrive.
WOCEE 2026 was more than just an exhibition; it was a celebration of ingenuity, collaboration, and forward‑thinking. By championing start‑ups and partnering with institutions like AIPO, Keepital reaffirmed its position as a trusted ally in driving innovation across Southeast Asia. The success of the pavilion highlights Keepital’s dedication to building bridges between emerging businesses and the wider industry, paving the way for sustainable growth and global visibility.
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About KEEP Pte Ltd.
Keepital was established in 2013 and has now grown into Southeast Asia’s Leading Industrial B2B marketplace that facilitates connections between suppliers and buyers worldwide through our online platform. They stand out with their highly competitive pricing and offer a comprehensive range of services beyond just product listings. Their advertising options are designed for affordability and simplicity, featuring a one-time payment and low renewal fees for product and service suppliers on our online portal.
by Ferry Bayu | Sep 14, 2026 | Business
Cebu’s growing BPO, customer service and digital services market is creating fresh opportunities for jobseekers as hiring activity expands outside the Philippine capital
CEBU, Philippines — Cebu is strengthening its position as one of the Philippines’ most important employment centers outside Metro Manila, as business process outsourcing, customer service and digital services hiring continue to create opportunities across the province.
For years, Metro Manila has dominated large-scale corporate and BPO recruitment in the Philippines. But the country’s hiring landscape is becoming increasingly distributed, with Cebu emerging as one of the most visible beneficiaries of that shift.
The trend is reflected not only in continued activity across Cebu’s IT-BPM sector, but also in the volume and variety of job opportunities now being marketed to candidates in the region.
According to current platform data from MyGlit, a Philippines-focused jobs and recruitment technology platform, 950+ active jobs are associated with Cebu and Central Visayas, compared with 5,210 in Manila. The platform currently lists more than 12000 jobs nationwide.
While Metro Manila remains significantly larger in absolute job volume, Cebu’s growing hiring activity points to a broader shift: Filipino jobseekers increasingly have access to substantial career opportunities without necessarily relocating to the capital.
Cebu’s hiring market is becoming broader
Customer service remains a major source of employment, but Cebu’s job market is no longer limited to one type of call-center role.
Recent Cebu opportunities listed on MyGlit include customer service, financial accounts, healthcare, travel, retail, technical support, sales, back-office and non-voice roles. Some positions are open to fresh graduates and career shifters, while others require previous BPO experience or specialist skills.
Compensation also varies depending on experience, role type and specialization. Current Cebu listings on MyGlit include customer service opportunities in the ₱15,000 to ₱30,000 monthly range, while some multi-location BPO campaigns advertise packages of up to ₱45,000 for qualified applicants.
This diversification matters for Cebu jobseekers because it creates more possible career paths within the same employment ecosystem.
Candidate activity shows strong interest in Cebu opportunities
The demand is not only coming from employers. Candidate activity also suggests strong interest in Cebu-based opportunities.
One Cebu Customer Service Associate vacancy on MyGlit recently recorded more than 2,500 views and 126 applications, showing the level of attention that individual Cebu job opportunities can generate online.
Other Cebu vacancies are also generating hundreds of views, although application levels vary depending on the role, qualifications, compensation, work setup and hiring requirements.
This creates a new challenge for recruitment platforms and employers. As the number of available opportunities increases, simply generating more applications may not be enough. Candidates also need to be connected to vacancies that better match their skills, experience and preferences.
Technology is changing how Cebu candidates can be matched to jobs
Traditional online recruitment has often followed a one-job, one-application model: a candidate finds a vacancy, applies, and either progresses or gets rejected.
Newer recruitment technology is beginning to challenge that model.
MyGlit has been developing AI-assisted candidate matching and rerouting technology that can help evaluate whether a candidate who is not an ideal match for one vacancy may be more suitable for another available opportunity.
That approach can be particularly relevant in a large and varied hiring market such as Cebu, where employers may recruit for multiple accounts requiring different combinations of communication skills, work experience, education, location preference and industry knowledge.
Rather than treating an unsuccessful application as the end of the candidate journey, recruitment platforms can help jobseekers discover another opening for which they may be better suited.
Cebu is becoming increasingly important to the Philippine hiring map
The growth of employment outside Metro Manila is part of a larger evolution in the Philippine outsourcing and digital services market.
Cebu already has an established technology and BPO ecosystem, a strong pool of English-speaking talent and a long history of serving international businesses. What is changing is the scale and diversity of opportunities available outside the capital.
For candidates, this can mean more opportunities to build careers closer to home. For employers, it means access to another deep Philippine talent market. For recruitment platforms, it increases the importance of making regional opportunities easier to discover, compare and match.
“The Philippine employment market is becoming much more distributed, and Cebu is one of the places where we can clearly see that change,” said Akhil Ahluwalia, Founder of MyGlit. “For a long time, candidates naturally associated the largest volume of BPO opportunities with Metro Manila. Cebu is increasingly developing its own depth of opportunities. The next challenge is not simply posting more jobs, but using technology to help candidates identify which of those opportunities actually fits them best.”
From more jobs to better matches
Cebu’s evolution highlights a broader change taking place in online recruitment.
The next generation of job platforms may be judged not only by how many vacancies they publish, but also by how effectively they connect candidates with relevant opportunities.
For a jobseeker searching for BPO jobs in Cebu, call center jobs in Cebu, customer service jobs in Cebu, IT support jobs in Cebu or other Cebu job vacancies, the ability to discover multiple suitable opportunities from a single profile could become increasingly valuable.
As hiring continues to expand beyond Metro Manila, Cebu appears well positioned to remain one of the most important employment markets in the Philippines.
And as the number of available jobs grows, technology may increasingly determine how efficiently Cebu’s candidates find the right ones.
About Gratitude Jobs Ahead Hr inc
MyGlit is a jobs and recruitment technology platform by Gratitude Inc operating in the Philippines. The platform allows jobseekers to discover and apply for employment opportunities while providing recruiters and employers with tools for candidate management, screening, communication and AI-assisted matching.
MyGlit currently lists more than 12,000 jobs across the Philippines, including more than 950 active opportunities associated with Cebu and Central Visayas.
Explore jobs on MyGlit Philippines: https://www.myglit.com
by Ferry Bayu | Sep 14, 2026 | Business
The autonomous mobility company is replacing its traditional Sunday-wide maintenance pause with vehicle-specific service schedules designed to keep ride-hailing and delivery fleets available throughout the week.
AUSTIN, Texas — Carziqo is expanding its autonomous mobility operations in Austin with the introduction of its ER-SX autonomous ride-hailing series, as the company prepares for a broader operational shift toward 24/7 fleet availability from Monday through Sunday.
The deployment represents more than the arrival of another vehicle series in Carziqo’s growing autonomous mobility network. It also coincides with a significant change in how the company intends to manage vehicle maintenance, fleet availability and day-to-day operations.
Carziqo has traditionally used Sunday as a centralized fleet maintenance day, temporarily removing vehicles from normal operations so technical and operations teams could conduct inspections, servicing and other routine work.
Under the new model, that system is being replaced by a more flexible approach in which individual vehicles will be assigned maintenance windows according to their actual operating condition rather than being taken offline as part of a fleet-wide weekly shutdown.
The ER-SX series in Austin is among the vehicle programs being introduced under the company’s “24/7 Operations, Monday to Sunday” framework.
From Weekly Shutdowns to Vehicle-Specific Maintenance
According to Carziqo, autonomous ride-hailing and delivery vehicles will remain available for deployment on Sundays instead of being automatically withdrawn from service.
Each vehicle will instead receive an individual maintenance schedule based on factors including mileage, operating history, technical condition, service requirements and fleet deployment plans.
The company said its fleet management platform will coordinate when vehicles should be directed to designated service locations for inspections, cleaning, preventive maintenance, software diagnostics and other routine servicing.
The objective is to move maintenance from a fixed calendar-based system toward a more dynamic operational model.
Rather than treating every vehicle as though it requires maintenance at the same time, the new system is designed to determine when each unit actually requires attention while allowing other available vehicles to remain in service.
For autonomous fleets, where vehicle utilization, software status, battery condition and accumulated mileage can vary considerably from one unit to another, such an approach could allow maintenance resources to be allocated more precisely.
ER-SX Begins Operations in Austin
Austin has become one of the markets where Carziqo is continuing to develop its autonomous ride-hailing operations.
The introduction of the ER-SX adds another vehicle platform to the company’s mobility network, with the series designed for continuous urban service and integration with Carziqo’s centralized fleet management infrastructure.
Instead of functioning simply as standalone vehicles, ER-SX units are intended to operate as part of a connected system that coordinates vehicle availability, dispatching, diagnostics, operational monitoring and maintenance scheduling.
That system becomes increasingly important as Carziqo moves toward seven-day operations.
Keeping vehicles available throughout the week requires more than eliminating a scheduled maintenance day. It requires the fleet operator to identify when individual vehicles should remain in service, when they should be rotated out and when preventive intervention is necessary before technical issues affect operations.
Carziqo’s new maintenance model is intended to address that challenge.
A Broader Shift in Fleet Management
The move marks an important operational transition for the company.
Traditional fleet maintenance often relies on predictable servicing intervals or scheduled downtime because such systems are straightforward to manage across large numbers of vehicles.
Autonomous fleets, however, generate substantially more operational and technical data.
Mileage, route intensity, sensor status, software performance, charging cycles and vehicle utilization can all contribute to determining when a particular vehicle needs servicing.
Carziqo said its fleet management platform will increasingly use this vehicle-level information to coordinate maintenance without requiring the entire fleet to stop operating simultaneously.
The result could resemble a continuous rotation model: some vehicles remain available to passengers and logistics customers while others temporarily leave service for inspection or maintenance before returning to operation.
Such an approach is commonly important for mobility networks seeking to increase fleet availability without reducing maintenance standards.
More Available Hours for Ride-Hailing and Delivery
For passengers and logistics customers, the most visible effect of the change may simply be greater vehicle availability.
Under the previous model, Sunday maintenance reduced the number of hours during which vehicles could be deployed. With fixed weekly downtime being phased out, eligible vehicles may continue accepting operational assignments throughout the weekend.
That gives Carziqo additional flexibility to respond to fluctuations in passenger demand and delivery requirements.
Weekend transportation patterns can differ substantially from weekday activity, particularly in large urban markets where entertainment, airport travel, shopping, dining and other activities create demand outside conventional commuting hours.
A seven-day operating model gives the company the ability to allocate vehicles according to those patterns rather than automatically removing an entire portion of the fleet from service on a predetermined day.
Operational Implications for Vehicle Programs
The change may also be relevant to participants in Carziqo vehicle operation programs.
Where operational performance is influenced by the number of days and hours a vehicle is available for service, reducing scheduled fleet-wide downtime can create additional opportunities for vehicles to complete passenger or delivery assignments.
That does not mean every vehicle will operate continuously.
Individual units may still be unavailable because of maintenance, charging, diagnostics, route allocation, demand conditions or other operational requirements.
Instead, the principal difference is that downtime will increasingly be determined at the individual vehicle level rather than being automatically applied to the entire fleet every Sunday.
In practical terms, Carziqo is shifting from a “stop the fleet to maintain the fleet” model toward a “maintain each vehicle when required” model.
Autonomous Mobility Moves Toward Continuous Operations
As autonomous ride-hailing companies move from demonstration programs toward larger-scale commercial operations, fleet availability is becoming an increasingly important part of the technology equation.
Autonomous driving capability alone does not determine whether a mobility service can operate efficiently.
Companies must also coordinate cleaning, charging, preventive maintenance, software updates, sensor calibration, diagnostics and vehicle repositioning while keeping sufficient numbers of vehicles available for customers.
Carziqo’s latest operational change suggests the company is placing greater emphasis on that fleet-management layer.
The ER-SX deployment in Austin therefore represents both a vehicle launch and a test of a broader operating philosophy: autonomous vehicles that are managed continuously rather than according to a single weekly shutdown schedule.
For Carziqo, the transition toward Monday-to-Sunday operations reflects the next stage of building an autonomous mobility network in which vehicles, maintenance systems and fleet software operate as part of a continuously coordinated platform.
As the ER-SX begins service in Austin, the company’s focus is increasingly shifting from simply putting autonomous vehicles on the road to keeping those vehicles available, maintained and operational throughout the week.
by Ferry Bayu | Sep 14, 2026 | Business
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Hospitality Asia Event Series has successfully concluded the 9th Hospitality Philippines Conference (#HPC2026), held on September 9–10, 2026, at the Marriott Manila. As the region’s premier two-day leadership assembly, the landmark event brought together the nation’s foremost asset owners, operators, developers, investors, and tech visionaries to address a pivotal country theme: “What Comes After Growth: Hospitality’s Next Test in the Philippines.”
Aligned with the overarching 2026 Hospitality Asia regional mandate, “Leading Hospitality Forward: Investing in Design, Driving Results,” HPC2026 delivered unparalleled insights, high-level networking, and actionable strategies aimed at navigating the evolving market landscape beyond rapid growth.
Unprecedented Engagement and High-Impact Attendance
The 2026 edition saw exceptional engagement across both days, cementing its position as the ultimate gathering for decision-makers in the Philippine hospitality ecosystem. The event convened 125 expert speakers and 54 leading event sponsors and partners showcasing cutting-edge solutions. Over the course of the two-day assembly, the conference welcomed 484 actual unique event attendees, comprising top-tier C-level executives, developers, hotel general managers, and government representatives. Daily participation remained consistently strong, with 306 attendees on Day 1 and 378 attendees on Day 2, reflecting sustained momentum throughout the conference.
Summit Highlights: Navigating Investment, Design, Revenue, and Travel
DAY 1: Investment & Design
The Hotel Investment Summit featured industry leaders engaging in robust discussions on capital deployment, asset optimization, emerging destination markets across the archipelago, and sustainable long-term yields. Panelists highlighted the transition from rapid expansion to value creation and risk mitigation in a competitive landscape.
“This is a testament of the growth of the industry that we have in the Philippines. It’s no longer just Manila that’s discussed, but also in other parts of the Philippines who want to know how the hotel industry will be in the next five years. So this is a great learning platform for all different aspects of the hospitality industry, as well as how we can help each other in the growth.”
— Christine Angela Sevilla, Senior Director, Development, South East Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group
Simultaneously, the Hotel Design Summit brought design pioneers and architects together to showcase master planning strategies that seamlessly blend modern luxury with authentic Filipino cultural heritage, emphasizing climate-resilient architecture, wellness-centric hospitality environments, and space optimization to drive operational efficiency.
“My session is on tropical intelligence and smart design in the most valuable areas in the Philippines. I want people to see that despite the presence of developments, development is not always bad as long as you’re not just tapping into the environment, but you’re improving the environment. A good development is able to enhance unique benefits, allowing people to experience things that they have never experienced before and through dialogues like here at HPC 2026, allows us to care more for tropical intelligence and the beautiful islands of the Philippines.”
— German Paulo de Mesa, Partner, Director for Design and Innovations, Palafox
DAY 2: Revenue & Technology
The second day opened with an inspiring Cultural Performance sponsored by the Tourism Promotions Board, celebrating the rich heritage and warmth of Filipino hospitality. Following the opening, the Hotel Revenue Summit brought together revenue strategists and commercial leaders to delve into advanced dynamic pricing models, direct booking strategies, customer acquisition economics, and total revenue management to maximize profitability.
“My takeaway from the summit is how to build a strong brand, being able to offer experiences, things that make your brand and OTA reliance. It’s time to take control of your guests and be able to bring back that human connection, that curated experience, and the perfect stay in the hospitality industry.”
— Nicolas Jason Cotterman, Sales Development Representative, Profitroom
Concurrently, the Travel Byte Summit explored the intersection of artificial intelligence, guest personalization platforms, smart hotel technology, and digital transformation, linking technological adoption directly to operational excellence and inclusive tourism growth.
“This is a good opportunity to bring together people from diverse backgrounds and different types of operations. I wish that we can learn from each other, see how we can use the learnings in our operations and make sure that we consider that tourism is not just for me. It’s really for everyone else, making sure that we are able to share the rewards or incentives of tourism.”
— Asec. Ma. Christina Aquino, Assistant Secretary, Tourism Regulation and Coordination (TRC), Department of Tourism
Exhibition, Networking, and Strategic Partnerships
Beyond the stage discussions, the bustling exhibition floor served as a focal point for collaboration. Attendees interacted with elite partners and sponsors showcasing state-of-the-art products, green tech solutions, and service innovations. Structured networking sessions and informal exchanges fostered critical business connections, paving the way for upcoming hotel developments and strategic alliances across the country.
“Well, I think many people don’t really know about the Philippines. It’s always nice to do this kind of event to bring awareness about the culture and about the people. I’m sure that with all those islands and all those places, the Philippines will be able to bring much more tourism. What is important in the hospitality industry is not only about selling a product; there are people behind it. So we have to know who the people behind it are because we are not only using a product, but the products operate with people as well. So it’s a dynamic between the people who are creating the product and the technology.”
— Philippe Raunet, VP Overseas Partnership, Tripla
Looking Ahead: Celebrating 10 Years in 2027
The event concluded on a high note of excitement as organizers officially announced the upcoming milestone 10th Anniversary of the Hospitality Philippines Conference in 2027 (#HPC2027). As the conference prepares to celebrate a decade of shaping the national hospitality landscape, organizers express their deepest gratitude to all speakers, sponsors, attendees, and partners for making HPC2026 a monumental success.
For detailed summit takeaways and early registration details for HPC2027, please visit Hospitality Asia Event Series
About Hospitality Asia
The Hospitality Asia Event Series is a leading platform for senior leaders across the region’s hospitality and tourism sectors. It is known for bringing together key decision-makers and industry innovators while creating strong opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and strategic collaboration.
The series features seven flagship events across Asia, including the Hospitality Indonesia Conference (HIC), the Hospitality Vietnam Conference (HVC), the Hospitality Thailand Conference (HTC), the Hospitality South Korea Conference (HSKC), the Hospitality Malaysia Conference (HMC), the Hospitality Philippines Conference (HPC) and the Hospitality Japan Conference (HJC). These events attract a high-level and diverse audience from across the region. Hospitality Asia is distinguished by its balanced engagement of both C-level executives and senior professionals such as Vice Presidents, General Managers and Directors who manage contracts, negotiations and daily operations.
Supported by regional advisors who provide real-time market insights, the content focuses on practical strategies that enable participants to drive business growth. The series is guided by four summits that represent the main drivers of industry success. These include the Hotel Investment Summit Asia #HISA, the Hotel Design Summit Asia #HDSA, the Hotel Revenue Summit Asia #HRSA and the Travel Byte Summit Asia #TBSA. Each summit is delivered with a localized approach to ensure relevance and meaningful engagement with the region’s most important opportunities.
To learn more about Hospitality Asia, please visit our website at www.hospitality-asia.com.
by Ferry Bayu | Sep 11, 2026 | Business
Through her practice at D’Sculpt Face & Body Center in Cebu City, Dr. Donna is encouraging patients to approach cosmetic surgery as a medical process rather than a single appointment. Her patient-education efforts focus on consultation before procedure selection, appropriate surgical timing, pre-operative preparation, realistic recovery expectations, and continued post-operative care.
For Dr. Donna Borres Eramis, founder of D’Sculpt Face & Body Center, cosmetic surgery should begin with understanding the process—not simply choosing a procedure.
As cosmetic surgery information becomes increasingly accessible online, patients can arrive at consultations already familiar with procedure names, before-and-after photos, and aesthetic trends. But Dr. Donna emphasizes that knowing about a procedure is different from knowing whether it is appropriate for an individual patient.
The Consultation Comes First
A consultation allows the surgeon to assess a patient’s goals, anatomy, medical history, expectations, and suitability before recommending a treatment plan.
“Patients should understand why a procedure is being recommended, what it can realistically achieve, and what the entire process will require from them,” says Dr. Donna.
In some cases, the procedure a patient initially requests may not be the most appropriate option. Another approach may better suit the patient’s anatomy or goals, while some patients may be advised to wait or not undergo surgery.
Surgery Has to Fit Into Real Life
Patient education also extends to timing.
Dr. Donna encourages patients to consider work schedules, travel, major events, physical activity, and the support they may need during recovery before selecting a surgery date.
Recovery requirements vary by procedure and patient. A convenient weekend does not necessarily provide sufficient time to heal.
Preparation may also include following pre-operative instructions, arranging assistance, preparing a recovery space, and understanding post-operative restrictions specific to the procedure.
Healing Is Part of the Procedure
One misconception Dr. Donna wants to address is the expectation of seeing a final result immediately after surgery.
Depending on the procedure and individual patient, early recovery may involve swelling, bruising, tightness, or other expected post-operative changes. Results can continue to evolve as healing progresses.
This makes follow-up care an important part of the surgical journey.
“Patients naturally look forward to the result, but surgery is only one part of the process. Preparation, recovery, follow-up, and patience with healing all matter,” says Dr. Donna.
Building a More Informed Patient Community in Cebu
Through her practice in Cebu City, Dr. Donna aims to encourage more informed conversations around elective cosmetic surgery.
Her message to patients considering a procedure is simple: ask questions before committing. Understand the benefits, limitations, risks, recovery, alternatives, and expected outcome.
For Dr. Donna, better-informed patients are better equipped to make decisions about whether cosmetic surgery is right for them.
About Dr. Donna Borres Eramis
Dr. Donna Borres Eramis is a Cebu-based cosmetic surgeon and the founder and head surgeon of D’Sculpt Face & Body Center. She completed cosmetic surgery training with the Philippine Academy of Aesthetic Surgery (PAAS) and successfully passed the board examination of Philippine Federation of Cosmetic Surgeons (PFCS).
About D’Sculpt Face & Body Center
D’Sculpt Face & Body Center is an aesthetic medicine and cosmetic surgery clinic in Cebu City founded by board-certified cosmetic surgeon Dr. Donna Borres-Eramis. The clinic offers surgical and non-surgical aesthetic treatments through personalized, medically guided treatment programs with an emphasis on patient safety, appropriate treatment planning, and natural-looking results.
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