Now on its third year, the Mindanao Youth Marketing Summit (MYMarkS) returns on April 14–15, 2026 at the Limketkai Atrium Center in Cagayan de Oro City.
Organized by Brandev Insights and Consulting and the Xavier University – Junior Marketing Association, with advocacy partners Mansmith and Fielders, Inc. and GIGIL, MYMarkS 2026 gathers the biggest names in Philippine marketing to inspire, equip, and connect the next generation of Mindanaoan business leaders under this year’s theme: Excellence Lives Here.
This year’s theme is a direct challenge to the long-held belief that opportunity, exposure, and success are things Mindanaoan students must seek elsewhere. MYMarkS 2026 asserts that the potential for greatness already exists within the region — and that when talent meets the right support, inspiration, and community, excellence does not have to be imported. It can be built right here.
“MYMarkS is a vital milestone in our Mindanao business students’ journey toward excellence and realizing their full potential. It means a lot that the nation’s most iconic brands and respected marketing leaders are choosing to stand alongside them along the way,” said Raymund Acedera, Co-Convenor of MYMarkS and Co-Founder of Brandev Insights and Consulting.
Take a look at the confirmed speaker lineup and program:
Day 1 — April 14, 2026
- Fredy Ong, Chairman and CEO of Unilever Philippines and recipient of recognition at the 2025 Mansmith Sales and Marketing Masters Awards, will deliver the opening keynote talk on purpose-driven brands.
- Raymund Acedera, Co-Founder of Brandev Insights and Consulting, will speak on the topic of designing brands for excellence.
- Edie Acedera, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Brandev Insights and Consulting, will present on insight-inspired brand strategy.
- Donald Lim, President and COO of DITO CME and President of the Management Association of the Philippines, will discuss leveraging AI for winning brands.
- Elpidio Paras, President and CEO of Parasat Cable TV, Inc. and Dahilayan Adventure Park, will share insights on entrepreneurial excellence.
- Jake Yrastorza and Badong Abesamis, Managing Partner and CCO of GIGIL respectively, will explore creative excellence that moves brands.
- Gem-Gem Tero II, Owner and Director of Power House Studios and former XU Central Student Government President, will talk about turning passion into action.
Day 2 — April 15, 2026
- Agnes Adviento, AVP Senior Brand Manager for NESCAFÉ and Starbucks at Nestlé Philippines, will discuss the journey from Mindanao to global brands.
- Jerome Dela Fuente, General Manager of Limketkai Luxe Hotel and President of COHARA, will speak about preparing opportunities in the regions.
- Dorothy Go, Owner of Panagatan Seafood Restaurant, will participate as a panelist sharing stories of Mindanao brands.
- Harold Laborte, Founder and CEO of Capilli Trading Inc., will join the panel discussion on excellence built in Mindanao.
- Golda Lim, Proprietor of Cakeboom Cakes and Party Flavors, will serve as a panelist discussing the growth of local brands.
- Josiah Go, Chairman and Chief Innovation Strategist of Mansmith and Fielders, Inc., will deliver the closing keynote talk on enduring marketing principles that build brand trust.
MYMarkS is a not-for-profit, capability-building conference — the first, only, and biggest of its kind in Mindanao. Through keynote sessions, panel discussions, and a hands-on marketing competition, MYMarkS gives delegates more than knowledge — it gives them the confidence to believe that their dreams do not have to be built elsewhere other than right here in Mindanao.
Since its inaugural run in 2024 at SM CDO Downtown — where 558 business students from 9 universities gathered for a one-day summit mentored by 6 industry thought leaders — MYMarkS has grown rapidly. Its 2025 edition expanded to a two-day event at the Limketkai Center Atrium, drawing 780 marketing students from 14 universities and 12 industry thought leaders, cementing its place as the defining marketing education platform for Mindanaoan youth.
MYMarkS 2026 is supported by the Brands the youth look up to. These include Unilever, Jollibee, Chowking, McDonalds, Gardenia, Coke, Nestle, URC, Selecta, San Miguel Foods, Del Monte, Ecossential Foods, The LimKetKai Atrium and Luxe Hotel among many others.
MYMarkS 2026 will run April 14–15, 2026, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM both days, at the Limketkai Atrium Center, Brgy. Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City.
