Filipino entrepreneurs, executives, and industry leaders gathered at Dubai Chambers for the Philippine Business Council Dubai and Northern Emirates’ (PBC-DNE) Resilience Summit 2026, a forum aimed at fostering meaningful discussions on leadership, adaptability, and navigating today’s business landscape.
Opening the summit, PBC-DNE Chairwoman Asiyah Monjardin underscored the importance of making difficult decisions and confronting challenges head-on, particularly during periods of uncertainty.
“The businesses that come through difficult periods aren’t always the ones with the most resources. They’re the ones where the owner was honest with themselves early enough. Where they made the hard call before they had to, not after. Where they asked for help before the situation became critical,” Monjardin said.
She also acknowledged the UAE’s continued support for the business community, highlighting initiatives and programs that have enabled entrepreneurs and companies to adapt, grow, and remain competitive.
Delivering a special message, Fatma Al Madani, Senior Manager of Business Relations at Dubai Chambers, highlighted the growing economic relationship between Dubai and the Philippines. She cited the recent opening of Dubai Chambers’ representative office in Manila, which aims to strengthen trade and investment opportunities between the two markets.
Al Madani said the Manila office serves as a bridge for Philippine businesses looking to expand into Dubai while supporting Dubai-based companies seeking opportunities in the Philippines. She also shared that around 300 new Filipino-owned businesses had been registered in recent months, reflecting the continued confidence of Filipino entrepreneurs in Dubai’s business environment.
The summit also featured presentations from Dr. Ben Lebig Jr., who discussed financial intelligence and business resilience, and Rayhan Aleem, who shared practical insights on building, scaling, and pivoting businesses amid changing market conditions.
A highlight of the event was the panel discussion, “Real Talk: Resilience in Practice,” moderated by Rain Dimalanta, Regional Director of New Perspective Group and Publisher of The Filipino Times.
Joining the discussion were Randolph Molinos, Officer for Travel, Tourism and Hospitality of PBC-DNE; Irish Perez, President of the League of Food and Beverage Entrepreneurs; and Rumelyn Aribon, President of the League of Freight Forwarders, representing key industry subcommittees of the council.
The panelists shared firsthand experiences on navigating challenges, adapting strategies, and leading organizations through periods of change. The conversation explored lessons learned from real-world business situations, industry-specific challenges, and the importance of remaining agile in an increasingly competitive business environment.
Participants later engaged with speakers and panelists during an open forum, exchanging ideas on entrepreneurship, leadership, and opportunities within the UAE market.
According to organizers, the summit was designed to create a space for founders, CEOs, and senior executives to learn from one another’s experiences, strengthen professional connections, and gain practical insights that can be applied within their respective organizations.
The event concluded with a networking session attended by business leaders, professionals, and members of the Filipino business community from across the UAE.
