WHAT began as simple encouragement from my fellow BNI Galleon members to hold a book launch for Smarter with AI soon evolved into something bigger and more purposeful. Rather than limit it to a single-day celebration, I saw the opportunity to create an empowerment tour that would allow me to reconnect with my community and reach a wider audience eager to learn how to use AI in practical, meaningful ways.
On Oct. 17, we kicked off the first stop of the Smarter with AI Empowerment Tour at 88 Square Mall in Parañaque. Nearly 40 participants joined us, representing a mix of business owners, professionals, students, and longtime friends who had attended my previous events. Their return was both touching and inspiring. Many were not just curious about AI but also seeking ways to apply it to their work and daily lives with greater confidence.
Throughout the program, my goal was not to overwhelm or impress but to demystify. I shared live demonstrations on how AI can be used to draft email campaigns, generate social media posts, press releases, and videos, and even design marketing visuals. I showed how 3D product design could be executed with prompts and how data extraction from PDF files can power dashboards and automate logistics briefings. These weren’t hypotheticals; they were real tools applied to real scenarios, with the intent of making them doable for MSMEs and freelancers.
One of the most anticipated segments came from Pocholo Gonzales. Known as the voice master of the Philippines, he stunned the crowd with how AI is reshaping voice work and audio production. He recreated a classic Jollibee commercial by replacing the child actor with a younger version of himself using AI video tools. He then improved the melody of the commercial’s jingle and even turned his speeches into rap performances using his AI-generated avatar.
Napoleon Beltran, another trusted collaborator, walked us through his productivity workflow using AI tools such as Google Opal and Proton. His emphasis was on creating systems, not just playing with tools. He highlighted how structure and intention can make AI more effective in everyday tasks.
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While promoting and during the event, some asked the same question: “What comes next?” Some expected me to offer an advanced paid course or high-ticket mentorship program, which has become the norm at similar events. But I reminded everyone that this tour is not a sales funnel. It is an invitation to explore, test, and learn. Although I am often tapped as a tutor or coach for those seeking deeper support, my first goal is to lower the barrier to entry. I want more Filipinos to be confident enough to take the first step and explore AI in ways that matter to them.
A core insight I shared during the event is that prompting AI is not just about typing keywords into a chat box. It reflects how we perceive and approach problems. If we are vague or unsure, our results will mirror that. On the other hand, if we structure our questions clearly and define the outcomes we want, AI can amplify our thinking and accelerate execution. Using AI well requires the kind of clarity and focus that many entrepreneurs are still developing. And that is what makes these workshops so important — they are not just about learning new tools but about sharpening how we think and work.
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The good news is that interest is growing. As I write this, preparations are underway for the next tour stop on Nov. 8 at Saint Gerard Fidelis School in Batangas. I look forward to meeting more learners and showing them that AI is not a threat. It is a tool. And like any tool, its value is defined by the person who uses it.
This tour has reminded me that learning AI is not a race. It is a rediscovery journey of our creativity, our purpose, and the impact we can create when we use technology with heart.
Let us make AI human again, one empowered learner at a time.
