"Looking Ahead: Philippines 2025" was the theme of this Forum held at the New World Hotel in Makati on 7 March 2025 where PAGASA's STC was invited as a panelist tackling the issue geopolitics & its effect on Phil. e-Commerce and Retail.

Moderator for this Session was Enderrun College's Dr. Jun Salipsip, PhD. STC discussed about Inflation, though recently tamed, is still considered top-of-mind among consumers; that it has slowly developed into "ventiflation." Hoping it doesn't turn into "hyper ventiflation." Also discussed was supply disruption as a result of geopoltical conflicts, pandemic (COVID-19 & ASF), weather disturbance & political "whether2!" STC also dealt with threats from hard discounters & the potential for retail tourism; also, the downside of online retail due to digital scams & technological glitches. Program went smoothly until during the open forum, veteran journalist Antonio Lopez (also an invited panelist), CITEM Founder Jose Luis U. Yulo, Pres.-Chamber of Commerce of the Phil. Islands & another guy who were diplomatic in past forums, started firing at the government & released their frustration & angst against the current and previous administrations with mounting tirades & tons of sarcasm (even attacking DTI's representative at this event)!