PhilCham Cambodia Charts Path from “Incubation to Activation” at 2025 Year-End Review: Looking Back and Heading Forward

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Business Association in Cambodia (PhilCham) recently concluded its 2025 Year-End Review: Looking Back and Heading Forward, marking a pivotal transition for the organisation as it prepares for a year of regional influence. 

The event, held on February 21, 2026, at the TRIBE Phnom Penh Post Office Square, brought together members, partners, and diplomats from the Philippine Embassy in Cambodia to celebrate a year of foundational groundwork and to unveil the strategic “Activation” pathway for 2026.

The evening commenced with an hour of fellowship and informal networking, followed by the playing of the Cambodian and Philippine National Anthems. Executive Director, Shiandy Puyao-Katoch, officially opened the proceedings by acknowledging the distinguished members and special guests who have supported the Chamber’s mission.

A significant highlight of the evening was a message of support from the Philippine Embassy. H.E. Ambassador Flerida Ann Camille Mayo underscored PhilCham’s critical role as the Philippines prepares to host the 2026 ASEAN Summit. The Ambassador noted that the Chamber will serve as a primary gateway for trade and investment following this historic chairmanship, positioning PhilCham at the centre of regional economic dialogue.

PhilCham President, Tim Montero, delivered a cornerstone presentation titled “The Strategic Incubation: Building a Strong Foundation”. He addressed the challenges progress faced during the Chamber’s early years, citing a “Perfect Storm” of pandemic-related lockdowns and “business survival mode” that limited the “bandwidth” of volunteer leadership.

“We didn’t just weather the storm—we built during it,” Montero stated, explaining that the incubation period forged a stabilised and committed core group and a clearer vision forged in adversity.

Secretary, Edman Flores, provided a comprehensive chronicle of the past year’s milestones in his report, “A Year of Groundwork”. Key achievements highlighted included:

• Leadership Transition: The seamless “passing of the torch” from President Emeritus Benilda Fernando to the current leadership.
• Rebranding: The April 2025 launch of the Maya Bird logo, a symbol of resilience and the promise that the PhilCham community “never flies alone".
• State Engagement: The Chamber’s central role in the State Visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in September 2025, specifically co-organising the CEO B2B Networking Roundtable which targeted high-impact sectors like healthcare, infrastructure, and logistics.
• Four Pillars in Action: Successful execution of initiatives under the pillars of Kinaadman (knowledge), Mabuhay (networking), Maharlika (culture), and Bayanihan (collaboration), including the Inter-Chamber Networking Night that gathered over 400 leaders.

Treasurer, Michelle Cielo, reported on the Chamber’s fiscal fitness, highlighting a focus on internal governance and strengthening documentation to ensure transparency. She noted that the Chamber is pivoting its funds toward high-benefit member services as it transitions out of its incubation phase.

Closing the formal presentations, President Tim Montero returned to unveil “The 2026 Pathway: From Incubation to Activation”, outlining a diverse calendar of activities designed to provide maximum value to members:

• Kinaadman Series (Knowledge Sharing): The Chamber will host breakfast talks to provide members with business intelligence and industry trends. Potential themes for 2026 include “Digital Transformation for SMEs” and “The Future of Agri-Business in the Mekong Region”.
• Kamustahan (Social Networking): Monthly evening mixers will rotate among member-owned restaurants and rooftop bars to foster a tight-knit community and nurture the bayanihan spirit in Cambodia.
• Mabuhay Nights (Special Events): High-profile gala nights and cultural celebrations will continue, with Philippine Independence Day in June serving as one of the flagship events of the year.
• Pagdayo (Member Visits): To move beyond the boardroom, PhilCham will conduct on-site company visits to understand members’ businesses firsthand and identify tangible collaboration points.
• Sector-Specific Initiatives: Following mandates from the 2025 State Visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Chamber will prioritise events in high-impact sectors, including healthcare, infrastructure, logistics, and agro-processing. This includes a planned collaboration with Unilab for Women’s Month in March 2026 and knowledge-sharing events with Intercare Hospital and UNICEF.

The event concluded with a fellowship dinner and social networking session, where members strengthened bonds and discussed the “Activation” of the Chamber’s collective vision for a thriving, interconnected business community in Cambodia.

This press release was supplied.