Insight to Impact
The future is already in motion.
As intelligence accelerates and uncertainty becomes the new normal, organizations must continuously adapt how they understand people, make decisions, and create value.
Future in Motion: Insight to Impact explores how researchers, marketers, strategists, business leaders, and academics can navigate these dual realities by embracing new forms of intelligence while remaining deeply grounded in human understanding.
OCTOBER 26 – 27, 2026
CONGRESS BEGINS IN
Early Bird ends September 4, 2026
The MORES Congress is the flagship insights conference of the Marketing and Opinion Research Society of the Philippines (MORES). Every two years, it convenes researchers, marketers, business leaders, strategists, technologists, academics, and students who share one common purpose: to better understand people and transform that understanding into meaningful impact.
Today, every organization is navigating two defining realities. The first is the rapid acceleration of intelligence. Artificial intelligence, data, technology, and new research approaches are reshaping how knowledge is created and decisions are made. The second is persistent uncertainty. Businesses, consumers, and institutions continue to navigate economic volatility, shifting consumer expectations, geopolitical change, and increasingly complex markets. These dual realities demand a new generation of insights professionals. They also require stronger collaboration across disciplines and sectors.
More than a conference about market research, MORES Congress is where research, marketing, strategy, creativity, technology, and business leadership come together to explore one enduring question: How can we better understand people to make better decisions?
How we understand people is changing.
Artificial intelligence, behavioral science, creativity, data innovation, and emerging methodologies are reshaping the practice of insights. Day 1 explores these new forms of intelligence while reaffirming the uniquely human capabilities of observation, curiosity, critical thinking, and judgment.
What we do with insight matters.
The second day brings together leaders from business, strategy, marketing, innovation, and the creative industries to demonstrate how insights become better decisions, stronger brands, breakthrough products, and measurable business impact.
The Congress is designed for everyone who helps organizations better understand people and turn that understanding into impact.
Research & Insights
Business & Strategy
Creative & Communications
Academia & Public Sector
The future of the insights profession depends on strong connections between those who practice it today and those who will teach and lead it tomorrow.
As the industry evolves rapidly, educators need continued exposure to emerging practices, while students benefit from engaging directly with experienced practitioners and business leaders. MORES Congress is designed to create that exchange.
To support this commitment, MORES offers highly subsidized registration for qualified faculty members and undergraduate students, making the Congress more accessible to the academic community.
This initiative reflects a long-term investment in the profession by strengthening dialogue between industry and academe, helping educators keep pace with current practice, and giving students early exposure to the ideas, people, and conversations shaping the future of insights.
The future will not be shaped by a single discipline. It will be shaped by researchers uncovering new ways of understanding people. By marketers building meaningful brands. By strategists connecting insight with opportunity. By business leaders making critical decisions. By creative thinkers challenging convention. By technologists expanding what is possible. And by educators preparing the next generation to advance the profession.
Voices in Motion brings these perspectives together on one stage.
Expect an intentionally diverse line-up featuring award-winning researchers, client-side insights leaders, marketing executives, strategy consultants, AI practitioners, creative innovators, entrepreneurs, and respected members of academia. Each brings a unique perspective, but all share a common belief: that better understanding leads to better decisions, and better decisions create meaningful impact.
Consumer & Market Insights (CMI) Panel
The ways we generate understanding are changing rapidly. Traditional research remains critical, but new sources of intelligence, AI-powered tools, behavioral data, social listening, synthetic approaches, and passive measurement are expanding what is possible.
This conversation explores how insights teams are building a more dynamic understanding ecosystem, where speed and depth no longer need to be trade-offs. Rather than asking whether AI replaces researchers, the discussion examines how the “engines” behind insight generation are evolving and what researchers must do to remain relevant and effective.
Strategy Panel
The future feels increasingly difficult to predict. AI disruption, economic uncertainty, geopolitical shifts, changing consumer expectations, and cultural fragmentation are unfolding simultaneously.
This conversation explores how strategists navigate uncertainty and make decisions when the future is constantly moving. Rather than attempting to predict what comes next, the discussion focuses on how organizations build adaptability, resilience, and confidence amid constant change.
Marketing Leaders Panel
Business leaders are expected to make faster decisions amid economic uncertainty, technological disruption, shifting consumer expectations, and increasing pressure to deliver growth.
This conversation brings together senior marketing and business leaders to discuss what they truly need from insights teams today, how research can better support decision-making at the highest levels, and what separates research that informs from research that drives action.
Economist, Poverty & Equity, World Bank
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Sharon Faye Alariao Piza is an Economist with the Poverty & Equity Global Practice for the Philippines, based in Manila. She specializes in poverty, inequality, rural development, and statistical capacity building, with over a decade of experience in economic analysis and policy development. She has extensive experience within the World Bank, having started in 2012 as a Consultant in the East Asia & Pacific Sector Units, Social Protection Unit, and as a full-time staff member from 2016 with her current unit. Sharon holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics and a Master’s in Economics from the University of the Philippines – Diliman.
Associate Professor and Director for Undergraduate Studies
University of the Philippines School of Economics (UPSE)
SPEAKER: The Philippine Economy in 2026 – Strategies Amid Strong Headwind
Dr. JC Punongbayan is an Associate Professor at the UP School of Economics (UPSE), and a former Visiting Fellow of the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. He earned his PhD from UPSE in 2021 and previously worked at the SEC, World Bank, FEU Public Policy Center, and NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority). His research covers macroeconomics, Philippine economic history, education economics, and economic development. His first book, False Nostalgia: The Marcos “Golden Age” Myths and How to Debunk Them, was published in 2023 by Ateneo Press. On June 30, 2026, his second book, Twin Plagues, will be published by Penguin Random House Southeast Asia in Singapore. In 2024, he received The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award for Economics.
Regional Managing Director for Toluna SEA–ANZ
SPEAKER: If Your Consumers Could Talk Before You Asked…
Understanding Synthetic Personas and what they can (and can’t) do!
Gayatri Srikant is the Regional Managing Director for Toluna SEA–ANZ, where she leads commercial growth and innovation across Southeast Asia and Australia–New Zealand. With over two decades of experience in consumer insights, she has partnered with global brands across FMCG, technology, healthcare, finance, and retail to solve business challenges through research and data. A strong advocate for practical AI adoption, Gayatri has been instrumental in integrating AI into the research workflow—from synthetic personas and conversational AI to scaling AI fluency within commercial teams. She is passionate about helping insights professionals navigate the evolving role of AI while keeping human understanding at the heart of decision-making. Gayatri is an international speaker and has presented award-winning work on AI and insights at industry conferences, including ESOMAR. She believes the future of research lies in combining technological innovation with curiosity, critical thinking, and deep consumer empathy.
Qualitative Research Leader, Ipsos
SPEAKER: Get Real – Insight in an Age Obsessed with AI
Ajay Bangia is a qualitative research leader at Ipsos with more than 25 years of experience spanning consumer insight, communications, culture, and innovation. His work focuses on understanding not just what people do, but why their behaviors make sense within the context of their lives. At Ipsos, Ajay works with the Global UU Qualitative team to explore how AI can enhance human understanding, helping researchers become more perceptive rather than simply more productive. He has helped develop innovative approaches to AI-assisted qualitative research, published award-winning work, spoken at international conferences, and collaborated with researchers across diverse cultures and markets. His expertise sits at the intersection of human understanding and emerging technology, bringing together qualitative research, behavioral science, anthropology, psychology, culture, design, and AI. Ajay is particularly interested in how organizations can use deeper human insight to drive innovation, improve customer experiences, and make better decisions in an increasingly AI-enabled world.
Head of CMI & Innovations
Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore (Part of the Heineken Company)
PANEL: Insight Velocity – The New Engines of Understanding
Currently the Head of CMI & Innovations at APBS/Heineken, Migs is a highly experienced consumer researcher, with expertise in FMCG (category) and brand health & equity (technique) earned during her stints at leading client companies and global research agencies. She has presented in various conferences including ESOMAR, Qual360, MarTech Summit, among others. Migs is also an author with novels, The Rosales House, and ROOM 216 – Penguin Random House SEA, published by Penguin Random House SEA. She has also written for various publications including the Washington Post.
Global Consumer & Market Insights Director at Universal Robina Corporation
PANEL: Insight Velocity – The New Engines of Understanding
Karen P. Reyes is the Global Consumer & Market Insights Director at Universal Robina Corporation, with over 25 years of experience in market research, consumer insights, and strategy across ASEAN markets. Previously, she served as ASEAN Knowledge & Insights Director at The Coca-Cola Company, leading regional insights teams in support of business and commercial strategy. Karen is known for her expertise in innovation, design thinking, and talent development, helping organizations translate consumer understanding into growth. She holds a BS Statistics degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman.
VP- Head, Consumer Marketplace Insights and Analytics,
Marketing, Communications and Innovations
Nestle Philippines
PANEL: Insight Velocity – The New Engines of Understanding
Mea Guinhawa-Gabunada is a corporate executive who builds deep consumer connections and drives business growth. Her rich multi-industry experience spans Advertising, Pharma, Telco, and Consumer Goods across multiple markets — successfully leading brands through tough turnarounds and high-stakes launches. This proven track record is backed by prestigious recognitions including the Mansmith Young Market Masters Award (YMMA) and coveted metals won through her brands. A proud Alumna, former President, and current Board of Regents member of the MarkProf Foundation, Mea is also a coach and trusted mentor. She uses her nurturing leadership style to grow young, deserving marketers toward their own award-winning potential. Above all, she is a proud mother of four and a certified Baby Whisperer — blending sharp data with real maternal empathy to turn legacy brands into future-proof market forces.
Consumer and Shopper Insights and Portfolio Management Director, Coca‑Cola Company Philippines
PANEL: Insight Velocity – The New Engines of Understanding
Nina Salita is the Consumer and Shopper Insights and Portfolio Management Director for The Coca‑Cola Company Philippines Marketing team. With over 20 years of experience in market research across both client-side and agency environments, she brings deep expertise in consumer understanding into brand strategy. Her work spans brand consumption and equity tracking, qualitative and quantitative ad hoc methodologies, and innovation testing to help drive business and portfolio growth.
Dean of UP School of Statistics
SPEAKER: One Industry, One Socioeconomic Language – The 1SEC Framework
Prof. Francisco N. de los Reyes is the Dean of the UP School of Statistics and a leading expert in statistics, data analytics, and measurement science. He has extensive experience applying statistical research to business, government, healthcare, finance, telecommunications, and marketing, helping organizations transform complex data into strategic decisions. His consulting work includes projects with the Philippine Ports Authority, Pfizer, Globe Telecom, BPI, EastWest Bank, Maynilad, McCann Worldgroup, SM Advantage, and IMS Health Asia Pacific, among many others. An elected member of the International Statistical Institute, Prof. de los Reyes has received numerous academic and professional distinctions, including the Gawad Tsanselor sa Natatanging Guro, the UP Gawad Pangulo for Excellence in Public Service, and multiple prestigious professorial chairs. He previously served as Director of the UP System Office of Admissions and currently serves as Vice President of the Philippine Statistical Association.
Co-Chair, Research Standards Committee of MORES and 1SEC Project Leader
SPEAKER: One Industry, One Socioeconomic Language – The 1SEC Framework
Nicco de Jesus, MBA, MSc, is a statistician, data scientist, and enterprise advanced analytics leader with more than 20 years of experience across financial services, insurance, market research, media, telecommunications, energy, and the public sector. He previously served as Head of Advanced Analytics and Insights at Manulife Data Services, where he led a 45-member global analytics organization supporting markets across Asia, Canada, and the United States.
General Manager for Intelligence, Strategy, and Data Science at HAVAS Ortega
SPEAKER: Winning in the Trust Recession
Phil Tiongson is the General Manager for Intelligence, Strategy, and Data Science at HAVAS Ortega. With his leadership, he is tasked to bring to life in the Philippines the Converged.AI philosophy of HAVAS. Converged.AI seeks to converge technology, data, and artificial intelligence with human ingenuity and creativity to achieve meaningful and desirable results for brands and businesses. He leads a team of ten strategists, analysts, and data scientists within HAVAS Ortega and is part of the AI council of HAVAS globally. He also takes care of the Pinoy Prosumer Program of HAVAS Ortega – a program that seeks to unveil and understand the changing social landscape in the Philippines by studying the leading edge 15-20% of the Filipino population.
CEO of Mansmith and Fielders, Inc.
SPEAKER: Behavioral Intelligence – Seeing Beyond Our Professional Blind Spots
Chiqui Escareal-Go is the CEO of Mansmith and Fielders, Inc. (est. 1990) A respected author and co-author of 12 marketing and entrepreneurship books, she is known for her work in marketing anthropology, behavioral strategy, consumer insight, governance, and purposeful leadership. She has been recognized for advancing marketing education and women’s leadership in the Philippines. Her integrative approach brings together anthropology, behavioral science, and strategy to guide organizations toward meaningful growth. She holds degrees from De La Salle University (Accelerated Program in Communication Arts and Marketing Management), Ateneo de Manila (MA in English Language and Literature Teaching), and the University of the Philippines (MA in Anthropology), plus executive marketing and advanced management programs at IESE, Kellogg, Harvard, Columbia, and UC Berkeley.
Head of Strategy and Customer Success (Philippines) at Meridian
PANEL: Navigating the Next – Strategy for a World in Motion
VJ Francisco is a transformation executive with over 20 years of leadership across CX strategy, experience design, and business transformation. Currently Head of Strategy and Customer Success (Philippines) at Meridian, he shapes market strategy and helps enterprises translate customer and market insights into measurable business value. His career spans leadership roles and work with organizations including Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, JG Summit Holdings, Globe Telecom, Hewlett Packard, and Citi. At the core of his work is the intersection of human behavior and data—turning insights into strategies that build trust, improve experiences, and drive business outcomes.
Head of Strategy at Ogilvy Philippines
PANEL: Navigating the Next – Strategy for a World in Motion
Toni Tiu is Head of Strategy at Ogilvy Philippines, bringing over 20 years of experience in brand strategy and business growth across local and global brands. She has led strategic work across healthcare, telecommunications, QSR, beauty and personal care, beverages, food & confectionery, and baby care, partnering with businesses to uncover insights that inspire effective marketing and creative solutions.
Head of Communications Strategy at WPP Media
PANEL: Navigating the Next – Strategy for a World in Motion
Jesca Dalida-Bantayan serves as the Head of Communications Strategy at WPP Media, bringing over 18 years of deep consumer insight and brand expertise to the role. She oversees communication strategies for a portfolio of iconic brands, including Coca-Cola, Mondelēz, Monde Nissin, and JFC, to name a few. In addition to her client-facing leadership, she is responsible for driving growth for the agency by leading and supervising high-value new business pitches. Previously, she served as the Head of Strategy at both Universal McCann and EssenceMediacom PH, where she established a strong track record of developing data-driven, culturally resonant strategies that deliver business results.
Strategy Director, Omnicom Media
PANEL: Navigating the Next – Strategy for a World in Motion
Paul Atienza is a marketing and media communications leader with over 16 years of experience spanning strategy, media, integrated communications, digital, content, business growth, and agency leadership. Throughout his career, Paul has worked across a diverse range of industries including FMCG, financial services, fintech, technology and entertainment, automotive, real estate and travel. His work is grounded in translating consumer, cultural, and media intelligence into strategies that strengthen the connection between brands and audiences while driving tangible business impact. As Strategy Director with Omnicom Media, Paul leads the network’s strategic capability across UM and Initiative, overseeing strategy across both agency brands and their respective client portfolios. Prior to this, he served as Managing Partner of Initiative Philippines, where he co-led the agency through a period of significant transformation and growth.
Managing Director, Kantar
SPEAKER: Reading the Whole Human: Signals, Systems, and the Science of Growth
A transformational business leader with more than 30 years in consumer insights, brand strategy and general management, Soumya has built and scaled Kantar businesses across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He has a proven track record of turning around and growing operations in diverse markets, sharpening commercial strategy and delivering sustained, profitable growth. Soumya has repeatedly transformed organizations and their ways of working, partnering with the world’s leading brands to turn data, analytics and insight into decisions that create measurable business impact.
Antipolo-based Illustrator and Designer
FEATURED TALK: The Power of Reimagination
Lloyd Zapanta (known online as Lloydiecat) is an Antipolo-based illustrator and designer who works with startups and the entertainment industry. His style focuses on hand-drawn lettering, typography, and Baybayin, a pre-colonial Philippine script. He has created 13 free typefaces (some hosted on Canva), collaborated with Uniqlo and Nike Park Philippines, and won a Kids’ Choice Award (Picture Books Category) at the 2022 National Children’s Book Awards for illustrating Si Gino Gulay. He has also hosted the Philippines’ first-ever documented typewalks—guided tours designed to appreciate a city’s existing typographic landmarks.
Founder and Animation Director of Puppeteer Studios
KEYNOTE ADDRESS:
Puppeteer Studios – Imagination on Strings
John Aurthur Mercader is the founder and animation director of Puppeteer Studios, a Philippine-based 3D animation studio known for its team of highly skilled artists working across film, games, cinematics, and commercials. Since 2013, the studio has collaborated on projects connected to brands including Netflix, Disney, LEGO, DC, and Warner Bros, while continuing to champion original Filipino storytelling and homegrown creative talent.
Managing Partner, Gigil
SPEAKER: Insight to Impact – What Makes Brands Pop
Jake Yrastorza is the Managing Partner of GIGIL and has over 20 years of experience in advertising and marketing. He began his career at Hemisphere Leo Burnett before moving to J. Walter Thompson, where he led major accounts including Ford, Nestlé, and Red Horse. He later returned to Leo Burnett, growing Marlboro into one of the agency’s most profitable businesses, before serving as Chief Operating Officer of Cheil Philippines, leading brand building for Samsung. In 2018, he joined GIGIL as Managing Partner, helping shape award winning campaigns for brands such as Netflix, Jollibee, Grab, Unilever, Accenture, and RC Cola. Under his leadership, GIGIL has earned APAC Effie recognition for five consecutive years and was named Campaign Brief Asia’s No. 1 Agency in Asia Pacific.
Associate, Quantum
Co-author, ESOMAR APAC Best Paper Nominee and formerly of M+C Saatchi CLEAR
SPEAKER: The Researchers’ Seat at the Boardroom –
Redefining the Role of Insights Teams in the Age of Al
For Dani Ibañez, research is about helping us understand the world a little better. Now an Associate at Quantum, she has worked across both client and agency roles, including at Coca-Cola, with experience spanning diverse markets across Asia-Pacific. Her work has shaped a broad perspective on people, cultures, and the truths behind what they say—helping organizations turn understanding into better decisions.
Chief Marketing Officer for Beverages at PepsiCo Philippines
PANEL: Leading in Motion –
What Business Leaders Need from Research in an Era of Constant Pressure
Nicole Villarojo is Chief Marketing Officer for Beverages at PepsiCo Philippines, where she oversees the growth of brands including Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sting, and Gatorade. She brings more than 13 years of experience across Fortune 500 companies, including leadership roles at Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo, with expertise spanning brand building, commercial strategy, innovation, and go-to-market execution across Southeast Asia. Nicole holds an MBA and has led growth initiatives across multiple categories, markets, and business models throughout the region.
Chief Marketing Officer, GCash
PANEL: Leading in Motion –
What Business Leaders Need from Research in an Era of Constant Pressure
Neil Trinidad is the Chief Marketing Officer of GCash, the #1 Finance App & Digital Cashless Ecosystem in the Philippines. He has over 22 years of experience in marketing, general management, and sales across FMCG, tech, e-commerce and fintech. He was awarded as the APAC Tambuli Awards Chief Marketing Officer of the Year in 2021; and was recognized in Campaign Asia Pacific’s CMO Power List for four consecutive years from 2023 to 2026. Under his leadership, his GCash team was recognized as APAC Tambuli Awards Marketing Team of the Year in 2025. Neil was previously the Chief Marketing Officer of Lazada Philippines. He has also worked in Google Philippines as an Industry Partner to Telco, Travel and QSR clients; and in Unilever across local, regional and global marketing roles.
Senior Vice President
Chief Customer and Marketing Officer, BPI
PANEL: Leading in Motion –
What Business Leaders Need from Research in an Era of Constant Pressure
MARY CATHERINE ELIZABETH P. SANTAMARIA is the Chief Customer and Marketing Officer (CCMO) of the BPI since August 2021. She leads the branding reinvention, safeguards reputation and takes on the transformation for customer delight experiences. She joined BPI in 2011, starting with Customer Relationship Marketing (CRM). She had various roles in the Bank, subsequently becoming its Chief Marketing Officer in November 2018. With over 30 years of marketing experience, Ms. Santamaria began her career in the advertising industry with Adformatix. She then worked with leading companies such as Philippine Airlines, Monterey, and Wyeth-Suaco. Ms. Santamaria’s accolades throughout her career include the Rookie of the Year (Adformatix), President’s Award (Kraft Foods – Asia Pacific/Kraft Foods International), Best Innovation–TM (Globe Telecom), various Awards of Excellence in Data-Driven Marketing and Consumer Insight (Marketing Interactive), Anvil, Quill, PANA and BMAP recognitions, the Ayala Innovation Awards for 2016 and 2023, the 2025 Asia Pacific Tambuli Award for Best Chief Marketing Officer, and the 2026 Tambuli Award for Chief Marketing Officer of the Decade, conferred during the 20th Tambuli Awards in recognition of past Chief Marketing Officer of the Year recipients. Ms. Santamaria currently serves as President of the Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines (BMAP), having previously served as its Vice President in 2018. She also served as Auditor (2023), Treasurer (2024), and Vice President/President (2025) of the Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA).
Division Vice President for Regional Marketing – Asia Pacific at the Unilab Group
PANEL: Leading in Motion –
What Business Leaders Need from Research in an Era of Constant Pressure
Kathryn C. Carag is the Division Vice President for Regional Marketing – Asia Pacific at the Unilab Group, where she leads regional brand strategy for the company’s crown jewel portfolio of market-leading vitamins, OTC, and beauty & personal care brands across Southeast Asia. She is responsible for stewarding brand equity, guiding brand portfolio strategy, and driving cross-market business plans to build enduring brands at scale.
Senior Director at Human8
SPEAKER: Experience in Flux –
Reimagining Brand Experience for a World in Motion
Michelle is a Senior Director at Human8. She leads the Southeast Asia team and specializes in consumer insights and strategy. She works with organizations to translate deep human understanding into strategic decisions that shape brands, experiences, and innovation. Her work spans industries including finance, fintech, telco, FMCG, and QSR, where she helps companies uncover the motivations that drive customer behavior and turn those insights into meaningful business impact. She has 15 years of experience in the market research industry focusing on both qualitative and quantitative work. Her specialties include customer experience, branding and communication, creative development, brand performance, online communities, and data-driven storytelling to help clients shape the future of brands.
AI Strategist and Chief of Staff, Thinking Machines
SPEAKER: A Second Brain for Market Research
Bianca “Bianx” Caugma is an AI Strategist and Chief of Staff at Thinking Machines, where she leads its Generative AI enablement practice across the Philippines and Singapore, working with executive leadership and AI champions across private companies and government agencies on how to put AI to work without surrendering their judgment to it. Her focus is turning an organization’s own methods and hard-won context into AI-augmented workflows.
President, Chief Client Officer, and Head of Solutions, Kantar Philippines
SPEAKER: When Understanding Changes Everything – Stories of Insight in Action
Jose Villabroza is the Chief Client Officer and Head of Quantitative Research at Kantar Insights, and President of Kantar Philippines, Inc. He works closely with senior client teams to translate complex business challenges into clear, evidence-based decisions that drive growth. He brings deep expertise across brand equity, customer experience, shopper behaviour, innovation, and response modelling for spend optimisation. He is particularly valued for helping clients connect insight to action—shaping strategy, prioritising investments, and improving commercial outcomes. His client engagements span a wide range of sectors, including food and beverage, telecommunications, consumer health, financial services, NGOs, and political organisations. With a career that began in economic research in the mid-1990s before moving into market research in early 2000, Jose combines strong analytical rigour with practical commercial perspective. He holds a masters degree in Economics from the School of Economics at UP.
Writer. Partner at Kodawari, and Partner and Strategist at And A Half
SPEAKER: Closing the Gap Between Insight and Experience
Toni Potenciano-Abesamis is a partner at Kodawari, a Michelin-selected casual restaurant, where she leads work across brand, customer experience, operations, and creative collaborations. She is also a strategist and partner at And A Half, a worker-owned design studio in Manila. Her work focuses on turning insight into brands and experiences people can see, feel, and remember. As a writer, Toni covers art, design, food, and culture, with work published in Vogue Philippines, Rolling Stone Philippines, Eater, L’Officiel Philippines, and Out of Print.
Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Experience Officer and Chief Product Officer of UnionBank
FEATURED TALK: Intelligent Marketing
Albert Raymond C. Cuadrante holds the positions of Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Experience Officer and Chief Product Officer of UnionBank. In this position, he is responsible for Marketing, oversight for Product Development and Management, Customer Experience design and oversight, and Retail Consumer Digital Channels UI/UX design. Albert is also the current Chairman of Acumen Strategy Consultants, providing consultancy services focused on strategy, transformation and capability building to enable higher business performance. He was part of the 2023-2025 Board of Trustees of the Digital Marketing Association of the Philippines (DMAP) and is currently on the Advisory Board of the Asia Pacific Tambuli Awards. Albert is also a tenured Marketing faculty member at the Ateneo De Manila University’s JG School of Management.
Founder, QualiSoul Consulting | Futures Thinking Practitioner
Moderator: Insight Velocity – The New Engines of Understanding
Mai is the Founder of QualiSoul Consulting and a Sociologist and Futures Thinking Practitioner with 30 years of experience in research, consumer insights, and strategic foresight. She previously served as VP and Head of Customer Intelligence at Globe Telecom, and held consumer insights leadership roles at Unilab Consumer Health and San Miguel Foods. Earlier in her career, she spent a decade at ABS-CBN, where she developed the TV Viewers Values Model as a framework for content strategy. A graduate of Sociology from the University of the Philippines Diliman, Mai also holds a Certificate in Futures Thinking from the Asian Institute of Management and has spoken at IIEX APAC, Qual 360 APAC, the MORES Conference, and the Globe Insights Summit.
Vice President, Board of Directors, MORES Philippines
Faculty Member, School of Management, UA&P
Senior Lecturer, UP Manila
Moderator: Navigating the Next – Strategy for a World in Motion
Anthony B. Lumicao is Vice President of the Board of Directors of MORES Philippines, Senior Lecturer at the University of the Philippines Manila, and a faculty member at the University of Asia and the Pacific. A seasoned qualitative market research moderator and consultant with over a decade of experience, he has led consumer insight projects for Kantar Philippines, Strategic Consumer and Media Incites (SCMI), and Human8 across industries including FMCG, fintech, telecommunications, IoT, personal care, and the public sector. He has also worked with government agencies as an S&T Consultant for DOST-TAPI’s commercialization initiatives. Anthony holds a Master of Business from Queensland University of Technology and a Master of Arts in Communication from UA&P.
Director, Head of Qualitative at Kantar Philippines
Moderator: Leading in Motion –
What Business Leaders Need from Research in an Era of Constant Pressure
Wata started her human understanding work in the market research space in Kantar, then locally called TRENDS-MBL. Prior to this, she was passionately involved in research, advocacy and training work in a non-government organization tackling social issues. Wata has spent much of her research career developing and nurturing brands across different categories utilizing tools like exploratory, ideation and ethnography which enable companies to develop propositions that effectively win the hearts and minds of their market. She maintains a client portfolio of local and international companies from various business sectors like FMCG, Pharmaceutical, Government and non-government organizations. She heads the qualitative practice in Kantar Philippines and is responsible for the management of the team
ACADEME
Full-time faculty & enrolled students. Valid school/university ID required. Subject to approval by Congress Committee.
MORES is a non-profit organization and is not VAT-registered. Published rates are net amounts.
Early Bird deadline: September 4, 2026
Every session, every speaker, every conversation at MORES 2026 is anchored on two irreversible shifts transforming the industry.
Function Rooms 1 & 2, 3rd Level
SM Aura Premier, 26th St. corner McKinley Pkwy, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila
October 26 – 27, 2026 (Monday – Tuesday)
At the center of the Philippines' most dynamic business district — accessible, premium, and perfectly suited for C-suite and senior professional attendance.
SMX SM Aura, BGC, Taguig
Function Rooms 1 & 2, 3rd Level
The MORES Congress is the flagship insights and market research conference of the Marketing and Opinion Research Society of the Philippines (MORES). The Congress brings together researchers, marketers, business leaders, academics, policymakers, and decision-makers to discuss emerging trends, evolving consumer realities, and the growing role of insights in shaping business and societal outcomes.
The theme for 2026 is Future in Motion: Insight to Impact, reflecting the dual realities shaping organizations today: accelerating advances in intelligence and technology, alongside persistent economic and geopolitical uncertainty. The Congress will explore how insights can help organizations move confidently from understanding to action.
Dates: October 26-27, 2026
Venue: SMX Convention Center, SM Aura
Early Bird Registration Deadline: September 4, 2026. Registrations completed and paid on or before September 4, 2026, will qualify for Early Bird rates.
| Category | Early Bird Rate | Regular Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate MORES Member | ₱14,630 | ₱16,720 |
| Individual MORES Member | ₱16,720 | ₱18,810 |
| Non-MORES Participant | ₱17,820 | ₱20,900 |
| Academe | – | ₱2,200 |
The Group Bundle rates will be available after the Early Bird registration period ends. This ensures all registrants have an equal opportunity to avail of the Early Bird promotional rates before the group discounts take effect.
After the Early Bird promo, the following 10% Group Bundle discounts will be available:
Group of 3 Bundle (10% OFF) – Valid for registrations consisting of 2 Non-MORES Members and 1 Corporate Member, registered in a single transaction.
Group of 5 Bundle (10% OFF) – Valid for 5 Non-MORES Members or 5 Individual Members, registered in a single transaction.
Group Bundle discounts cannot be combined with the Early Bird promotion or any other promotional offer unless otherwise announced by the Congress Organizing Committee.
The Corporate Member rate is available to employees of organizations with an active Corporate MORES Membership. Individual MORES members whose membership is linked to a Corporate MORES Member organization may also avail of the Corporate Member registration rate.
If you are unsure of your eligibility, please contact the Congress Secretariat prior to registration.
The Academe Rate is reserved for members of the academic community whose primary role is in education.
You may apply if you are:
Applicants must present a valid school or university ID. The Congress Committee may request additional documents to verify eligibility. Applications under the Academe category are subject to review and approval and are not automatically accepted.
The Academe Rate is not intended for:
If you are unsure which category applies, please contact the MORES Secretariat before registering.
Professional Registration
(Corporate Members, Individual Members, and Non-MORES Participants)
Registration includes:
Academe Registration
(Subject to eligibility verification and approval)
Registration includes:
Lunch is not included in the Academe registration package. The Academe Rate is a highly subsidized registration category to make the Congress more accessible to full-time educators and undergraduate students.
Yes. Participants who attend the Congress will receive a Certificate of Participation after the event.
Yes. If a registered participant is unable to attend, the registration may be transferred to a replacement participant from the same organization, subject to approval by the Congress Secretariat. Requests for participant substitutions should be submitted prior to the Congress.
Yes. Senior Citizens may avail of the discount prescribed under applicable Philippine laws upon presentation of a valid identification. Senior Citizen discounts cannot be combined with other promotional offers.
Registration fees are generally non-refundable. If a registered participant is unable to attend, we encourage participant substitution whenever possible. Requests will be evaluated by the Congress Secretariat on a case-by-case basis.
If you are unsure whether your organization or individual membership is active, please contact the Congress Secretariat before registering to ensure that the appropriate registration rate is applied.
Individuals and organizations interested in becoming members of MORES may contact the Society for information on membership categories, benefits, eligibility requirements, and application procedures.
Business casual attire is recommended throughout the Congress. As venue temperatures may vary, participants are encouraged to bring a light jacket or sweater.
Yes. Organizations interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at MORES Congress 2026 may contact the Congress Secretariat for information on available sponsorship packages and exhibition opportunities.
For questions regarding registration, payment, eligibility, sponsorships, or participation, please contact the MORES Congress Secretariat.
We look forward to welcoming you to MORES Congress 2026: Future in Motion – Insight to Impact as we bring together the country’s insights, marketing, research, and business communities to explore how intelligence can be transformed into meaningful impact.
