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Sunday, February 15, 2026 Vol. 21 No. 126
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THE mist-shrouded ridges of Haba Snow Mountain are visible against the dawn sky in Yunnan.
AI CAN’T REPLACE Wheels of time in Yunnan Text and Photos by Joel C. Paredes
A SPEAKERSCON 2026 SPOTLIGHT Onstage insights and inspiration from thought leaders shaping business, marketing, and communication in the AI era. From Alan Reyes’s cybersecurity strategies to Ida Tiongson’s AI-powered business visions, Mark Schaefer on human-centric marketing, Francis Kong on authentic leadership, Inka Magnaye on commanding online presence, Eri Neeman on storytelling that sells, and Kia Abrera on brainbased marketing. PHOTOS BY MIKE POLICARPIO
“B
By John Eiron R. Francisco
E more human.” As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly reshapes how people work, communicate, create, and make decisions, experts say “human connection, emotional depth, and responsible authenticity” are becoming more critical than ever.
While AI accelerates efficiency, they argue that it cannot replace trust, meaning, and genuine relationships, qualities that increasingly set brands and organizations apart. Speaking at SpeakersCon 2026, which drew nearly a thousand participants on Wednesday in Makati City, globally acclaimed author Mark Schaefer said that as AI becomes ubiquitous, “humanity becomes a luxury.” As more companies automate processes and interactions, Schaefer noted that maintaining human presence and judgment can become a key differentiator. “The most human company wins,” he said, stressing that being human does not mean rejecting technology altogether. Instead, he explained that companies can use AI for tasks it does best, freeing people to focus on compassion, empathy, and meaningful customer relationships, the very elements machines cannot replicate. Schaefer illustrated this by recounting a conversation with technology analyst Shelly Palmer, who has been blogging daily for 15 years, following the release of ChatGPT. Palmer, he said, was initially alarmed after the tool generated a blog post in his voice in seconds, making him feel “80 percent replaced.” Yet, Schaefer pointed out, the remaining 20 percent—Palmer’s personal brand, built through years of consistent work, credibility, and trust—remains beyond AI’s reach. “We still need human beings. To help us navigate the truth. And if you have the presence, the authority, and the reputation in your industry, they’ll turn to you,” he said. He emphasized, “In the world of AI, this is the last defense we have left that AI can’t touch . . . personal brand.” Schaefer explained that a personal brand is shaped by how others perceive an individual through everyday interactions. Qualities such as reliability, competence, and generosity, he said, accumulate over time, amplifying a person’s credibility, authority, and professional presence.
TRIP to China’s Yunnan Province is like stepping into a living timeline. As the gateway to the Ancient Tea Horse Road—a key route of the Silk Road—Yunnan has played a major role in shaping Chinese history. But for me, this landlocked province in southwest China was a “bucket list” destination, inspired in my youth by stories of Chairman Mao Zedong and the Red Army’s legendary Long March. The memory of their braving the jagged peaks of the Cangshan Mountains is now part of history, with few traces remaining, replaced by the lively atmosphere of Dali’s Old Town. Dali has also served as a commercial crossroads for centuries. Today, tourism has revived the town, keeping its legacy as a center of culture and trade, and hardly about the epic journey of the Red Army which eventually took over China in 1949. Where they once struggled, modern engineering now prevails. Mountain drives that were once arduous are now effortless, thanks to high-speed trains.
TIGER Leaping Gorge, situated between the Jade Dragon and Haba Snow Mountains, is recognized as one of the deepest canyons in the world.
The modern pivot
YUNNAN’S transformation extends beyond tourism. For business travelers and investors, the province maintains its old standing of being a strategic hub for economic integration, bordering Myanmar, Continued on A2
A LOCAL resident is seen playing a modern flute, reflecting the region’s blend of tradition and contemporary culture.
THE Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist site in Yunnan, overlooks Lamuyangcuo Lake in Shangri-La.
GLACIAL meltwater flows over the calcified terraces of the White Water River, located near Blue Moon Valley.
THE ridges of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain offer a panoramic view of Yunnan’s dramatic alpine landscape.
Selling through trust
BEYOND personal branding, Schaefer said trust is also reshaping marketing itself, as personal recommendations increasingly Continued on A2
BLACK Dragon Pool, located near the Old Town of Lijiang, has been officially listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1977.
PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 58.1800 n JAPAN 0.3810 n UK 79.2819 n HK 7.4437 n CHINA 8.4278 n SINGAPORE 46.1088 n AUSTRALIA 41.2380 n EU 69.0713 n KOREA 0.0404 n SAUDI ARABIA 15.5138 Source: BSP (February 13, 2026)