My Experience in TEDx

From Dreaming to Doing: My Journey with TEDx and the Anchored in Tech Event

Let me start with a confession: I've always been that person—the one who dreams of stepping onto a TEDx stage, delivering a talk that inspires, educates, and ignites conversations. Like many Gen Zs, my obsession with TEDx started in high school. I’d binge-watch TED Talks, practicing for school presentations as if I were one of the speakers, mimicking their confident delivery and thoughtful pauses. Each talk was a masterclass in curiosity, creativity, and connection, and it fueled my passion for technology, design, and storytelling.

Fast forward to now, and the universe has this wild way of connecting dots. My journey took an unexpected but rewarding turn when my friend and founder, David Genesis Pedeglorio , casually dropped a bomb in our group chat, contexed: he’d been invited to the Anchored in Tech event happening on November 15, 2024, at Solaire Resort .

At first, I was like, "Cool, might spot my girlfriend there on Solaire casino." (Because honestly, who doesn’t romanticize these moments a little? since my girl is also working there?) But then, as I scrolled through Facebook, I stumbled upon a shared post from a colleague about a “Call for Volunteers” for the event. And just like that, something clicked. I took the leap, submitted my application, and before I knew it, an email landed in my inbox: "Congratulations! You’ve been selected as a volunteer!" Cue the mixed emotions—excitement, disbelief, anxiety—it was all there.

The Journey: From Partnership Struggles to Powering Through

Initially, I was assigned as Partnership Head, which, let me tell you, was no small task. My role involved reaching out to community partners—basically a crash course in navigating different personalities and environments. Just as I was finding my groove, life threw a curveball: Bagyong Kristine.

Picture this: five days of blackouts, spotty signals, and the stress of balancing volunteer responsibilities with my ongoing research study (might finish in a few days from now). My brain felt like it was in overdrive. But somehow, through sheer grit and teamwork, we managed to pull it all together. That phase was rough, but it taught me resilience, adaptability, and the magic of collective effort.

D-Day Minus One Week: A Plot Twist

Originally, my plan was to simply attend the event as part of the audience. But life had other plans. A week before the big day, Darryl John Cainday tagged me together with Andrea Faith Alimorong in our volunteer group chat, announcing that I’d been selected as a floor volunteer. My immediate reaction? Second-guessing myself. But then I thought, why not? Opportunities like this don’t come often, especially for someone from the province chasing big-city dreams.

So, I jumped in. My new role as Production Coordinator meant being in the thick of things—helping with last-minute tasks, coordinating from the backstage, and making sure everything ran like clockwork. The backstage energy was electrifying: controlled chaos fueled by passion and purpose.

The Event: Inspired and Awestruck

The event day was a whirlwind. From inspiring talks to networking with executives, founders, lifestyle coaches, and tech innovators, every moment felt surreal. Hearing speakers like Rana Gujral talk about AI research and human behavior or being captivated by Sofia Adrienne Tajanlangit ’s empowering words was the highlight of my experience.

And then there was Sir Sam Sammane , the CEO of TheoSym, whose AI talk left me rethinking possibilities in tech. These weren’t just talks; they were sparks that reignited the same passion I felt during my high school TED binge days.

Gratitude and Takeaways

To my incredible leads, Leah Angela Cioco and Franchezka Zapanta , thank you for believing in me. To my fellow volunteers, speakers, and sponsors, you all brought this event to life. Every handshake, every shared laugh, and every moment of hustle contributed to making it a success.

The journey wasn’t without its challenges, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: The magic happens when you step out of your comfort zone, embrace the chaos, and keep moving forward.

To everyone reading this: Chase those dreams, whether it’s delivering a TEDx Talk or just volunteering for something that sets your soul on fire. Who knows? You might just surprise yourself with where it takes you.

See you at the next one.

Note: Got Featured by GMA Network, Inc.

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