The TEDxManila Experience

Last Saturday, Lorra and I attended TEDxManila, an independently organized TED event held in the UP College of Law Auditorium. There were interesting talks from Atty. Tony Oposa (on the urgent need to respond to earth’s dwindling resources), Mark Ruiz (on social entrepreneurship), Graham Glass (on his vision of the future of education), Illac Diaz (on his own social entrep efforts), Mel Tan (on eSkwela), though some technical problems and personal peeves kept me from giving myself completely over to the experience.

What I enjoyed most about TEDxManila:

YES. The venue was big enough to fit in around 200 participants, but I like that it still retained an intimate atmosphere. Or maybe it’s because they turned down the lights.

NO. Oh, the lights. The hosts and speakers kept stepping away from the spotlight. Why won’t you let us see you? I might as well have been listening to the radio. And what’s up with the sound system.

YES. Atty Tony Oposa and Graham Glass’ talks were exceptionally eye-opening, and triggered a lot of ideas in my head as well. I wish there were people as passionate and visionary as the speakers in TEDxManila.

NO. The hosts could have been much, much better, though. And I wish there were more technology and design topics.

YES. Free food is always appreciated.

NO. The organizers could have created an environment more conducive to networking; perhaps listing one’s interests or fields on the name tags, instead of surnames, so that people at least have a common interest other than TED.

Despite my reservations though, it was a good event, and I’m glad there are plans to organize more such events. In fact, I’m hearing buzz about a TEDxUP, TEDxMiriam, and oh!

This Friday, there will be a TEDxAdMU in Ateneo de Manila University, organized by the Ateneo Innovation Center. They’ll be showing selected TEDTalks as well as demonstrating gadgets, prototypes, and student projects.