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On November 30, 2024, the Accenture Uptown BGC became a vibrant hub of collaboration and innovation as developers, tech enthusiasts, and leaders gathered for DevFest Manila 2024. Hosted by Google Developer Groups Manila and Women Techmakers Manila and powered by Google, the event delivered a full day of thought-provoking discussions, technical deep dives, and insightful conversations. Themes of AI innovation, inclusion, and responsible technology resonated throughout the event, inspiring attendees to create meaningful and impactful solutions.

The day began with an engaging opening keynote by Ralph Regalado, Google Developer Expert for Machine Learning. In his session, “Embracing AI: Thriving in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, Ralph explored how AI can transform productivity for developers and engineers alike. He emphasized that AI is more than just a tool—it’s a capability that, when integrated responsibly, can accelerate workflows and improve outcomes.

Following this, Weiyuan Liu, Google Cloud Expert, shared his insights on professional growth in his talk, “Growing Beyond the Frame of a Senior Engineer”. Weiyuan focused on the importance of building trust, maintaining consistency, and pushing beyond the limits of job titles. His thought-provoking session challenged attendees to grow both technically and personally by embodying the engineering manifesto.

Arian Yambao, Director of AI at The Attic AI, brought attention to the ethical aspects of AI development with his session, “How to Get Started in AI Engineering on LLMs”. Arian not only provided a roadmap for entering AI engineering but also stressed the importance of considering ethical implications in AI tools. He reminded attendees that responsible innovation is key to ensuring positive societal impact.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) took center stage with a powerful fishbowl discussion titled “Bridging the Gap: Connecting Underrepresented Groups with Opportunities in Tech”. Panelists Rhea Althea Guntalilib, Ryan Gersava, Leigh Lapura, and Caryl Santiago shared personal stories and actionable strategies to address gaps in opportunity. The discussion sparked meaningful conversations about creating spaces where underrepresented voices are heard and supported, reinforcing the importance of inclusion in building a thriving tech community.

The session was followed by Jastine Dela Paz, a Community Lead and WTM Ambassador at GDG Manila, who delivered an inspiring talk titled ”#IamRemarkable”. Jastine encouraged attendees, especially women and underrepresented groups, to celebrate their achievements and share their success stories with confidence. Her session was a call to action for attendees to embrace their value and advocate for themselves in the workplace and beyond.

The afternoon breakout sessions featured a wide variety of technical deep dives designed to equip attendees with practical tools and insights. In the first breakout room, Suesi Tran presented “Multiple Ways to Use Gemini in Flutter”. Suesi showcased how developers can integrate Gemini models into Flutter applications to deliver AI-driven features efficiently. Her session offered concrete examples of how Flutter developers can unlock new possibilities using Google’s advanced AI tools. Meanwhile, Budi Oktaviyan led an engaging session titled “Passwordless Improvement with Passkeys”. Budi explained how Passkeys are paving the way for a more secure, password-free future. By eliminating traditional password vulnerabilities, Passkeys simplify authentication while enhancing security—an essential improvement for developers looking to protect their users.

In another session, Mark Sarmiento delivered “Google Cloud Certifications: Unlocking Your Value”. Mark’s talk emphasized the value of certifications in validating technical skills and opening doors to career opportunities. He encouraged attendees to view certifications not just as credentials but as a reflection of their hard work and expertise in the competitive tech industry. In the second breakout room, Ralph Regalado returned with “Document Processing Using Gemini API”. This session provided a practical look at how developers can leverage AI to streamline document workflows. Ralph demonstrated how the Gemini API simplifies automation and boosts productivity for businesses handling large amounts of data. Following Ralph, Toni-Jan Keith Monserrat presented “Analyze Your Codebase with Gemini 1.5”. Toni-Jan explored how developers can use Gemini models to analyze and optimize their code, offering valuable insights into improving performance and maintainability. His session was particularly useful for those seeking smarter, AI-powered approaches to code review and management.

The event concluded with a reflective closing keynote by Ria Ysabelle Flora titled “Creating Responsible AI Ecosystems in the Modern Workplace”. Ria highlighted the ethical considerations developers must prioritize when building AI solutions. She urged attendees to think beyond technical implementation and assess the broader implications of their code on users, teams, and organizations. Her session left the audience with a profound reminder that responsible technology must remain at the heart of innovation.

Throughout the day, a recurring theme emerged: technology must balance innovation with responsibility, inclusion, and empowerment. Whether exploring AI solutions, discussing inclusion, or unlocking career growth, every session emphasized the role of developers in creating technology that benefits society as a whole.

DevFest Manila 2024 wasn’t just about technical knowledge; it was about building a stronger, more connected community. Attendees left with new insights, renewed inspiration, and a deeper commitment to using technology as a force for good.

As the event wrapped up with photo opportunities and a raffle draw, one thing became clear: the future of technology in the Philippines is bright. Powered by a passionate and collaborative community, DevFest Manila 2024 showcased what’s possible when people come together to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andresito de Guzman is an Engineering Lead at The Outsource People and the Community Lead for PWA Pilipinas. With a degree in Human Biology from De La Salle University - Dasmari?as, Andresito is passionate about creating great web experiences and fostering tech communities. Recognized as one of the PH100 2024 by StellarPH, he is also a co-host of the KaKaComputer podcast, where he discusses the latest in IT. Andresito's innovative projects, like Siyasat and Project Tren, showcase his commitment to solving real-world problems and promoting digital inclusion.

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