The Quantum Decade: Philippines Urged to Become Consumers, Participants and Builders in the Next Computing Revolution

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has an opportunity to take an active role in the next generation of computing—not simply as a consumer of technologies developed elsewhere, but as an active participant in the emerging technology ecosystem and, ultimately, as a builder of new technologies and capabilities.

This was the central message of Nardo Manaloto, Managing Partner of Qubits Ventures, during "The Quantum Decade: Why the Philippines Must Act Now to Win the Next Computing Revolution," held on September 10 as part of Kickstart Ventures' Raid the Fridge series.

Manaloto was the event's main speaker. He was later joined in a panel discussion by Nic Arguelles, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer of Quantum Chain, and Earl Lacida, IP Development Business Group Supervisor at Xinyx Semiconductor Design Services.

Quantum—and Beyond

Manaloto's presentation went beyond the usual discussion of quantum computers. He introduced the audience to the broader landscape of quantum technologies, including quantum computing and quantum sensing, and discussed how these technologies could eventually find applications across different industries.

He also touched on post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and placed quantum computing within a much wider transformation taking place in computing itself.

Among the emerging computing paradigms he discussed were blind computing, biological computing and thermodynamic computing, illustrating how the future of computation may involve several radically different approaches rather than a single successor to today's conventional computers.

Manaloto also shared examples of companies in which he has invested, providing a glimpse into technologies that investors and entrepreneurs are already exploring as part of this emerging frontier.

His presentation underscored an important point: while many of these technologies are still developing, countries that want to participate meaningfully in the industries they create need to begin developing their capabilities now.

Consumers, Participants and Builders

One of Manaloto's central messages was that the Philippines should participate in the emerging technology landscape in three ways: as consumers, participants and builders.

As consumers, Filipinos should be willing to make use of frontier technologies and benefit from solutions being developed around the world.

As participants, the Philippines should become actively involved in the emerging ecosystem—developing talent, adopting technologies, collaborating with researchers and companies, and finding applications for these technologies in local industries and institutions.

And as builders, Filipinos should help create the technologies themselves, contributing research, intellectual property, products, companies and technological capabilities to the global ecosystem.

Manaloto's point was that these roles are not mutually exclusive. The Philippines should be all three: consumers, participants and builders.

PQC and Crypto-Agility

Following Manaloto's presentation, the discussion expanded during the panel session.

Panelist Nic Arguelles brought attention to the cybersecurity implications of quantum computing, particularly post-quantum cryptography.

Arguelles said that PQC migration can take a long time and pointed out that there are already solutions built with PQC from the ground up, demonstrating that preparing for the post-quantum era is not something organizations necessarily have to postpone until powerful quantum computers arrive.

She also discussed the importance of crypto-agility—the ability of an organization to change or upgrade cryptographic algorithms as standards, technologies and security threats evolve.

The discussion highlighted the practical side of quantum readiness. Even while fault-tolerant quantum computers remain under development, governments and industries can already begin examining their cryptographic infrastructure and preparing their systems for future transitions.

Filipino Engineers Are Already Part of the Global Technology Chain

Panelist Earl Lacida brought another dimension to the conversation: the existing capabilities of Filipino engineers in integrated-circuit and semiconductor design.

During the panel, Lacida highlighted the depth of Filipino expertise in circuit design and said that more than 90 percent of mobile phones contain components that have been designed, at least in part, by a Filipino engineer.

The statement provided a powerful example of how Filipino engineers are already contributing to technologies used by people around the world.

It also reinforced Manaloto's call for the Philippines to become a contributor to the global technology ecosystem. The country does not have to imagine from scratch what participation in a global high-technology industry might look like. Filipino engineers already have experience contributing to the international semiconductor value chain.

The challenge is to extend and build upon that capability as new industries emerge around quantum technologies and other advanced computing paradigms.

Mar Roxas Among the Audience

Among those in attendance was former Trade and Industry Secretary and Senator Mar Roxas.

Roxas has held several senior government positions, including Secretary of Trade and Industry, Senator, Secretary of Transportation and Communications, and Secretary of the Interior and Local Government. His previous role as Trade and Industry Secretary was particularly relevant to an event centered on developing new industries and strengthening the country's participation in emerging technologies.

His presence also reflected the wider significance of the discussion. Building a Philippine frontier-technology ecosystem is not solely a scientific or technical challenge. It involves industry, investment, education, entrepreneurship and public policy.

Quantum Frontier Philippines

Manaloto also shared his intention to establish an organization called Quantum Frontier Philippines, an initiative aimed at helping develop the country's community and ecosystem around quantum and other frontier technologies.

Such an organization could provide another avenue for connecting researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, investors, companies and other stakeholders interested in the technologies that may define the next era of computing.

The initiative comes as interest in quantum technologies continues to grow in the Philippines, alongside efforts by universities, industry groups, government agencies and organizations such as the Quantum Computing Society of the Philippines (QCSP) to expand awareness, education and skills in the field.

Preparing for the Quantum Decade

The evening's discussion ultimately went beyond the question of when quantum computers will become commercially useful. It raised a more immediate question: What role does the Philippines want to play as computing itself undergoes another major transformation?

The country already has important ingredients—engineering talent, a semiconductor industry, a growing technology workforce, universities, entrepreneurs and an emerging community interested in quantum and frontier technologies. Developing these strengths into a competitive ecosystem, however, will require sustained investment in people, research, industry and collaboration.

Manaloto offered a straightforward framework for how the Philippines can engage with this emerging landscape: as consumers, participants and builders.

As consumers, Filipinos can benefit from frontier technologies and solutions developed around the world. As participants, they can become actively involved in the growing ecosystem and apply these technologies to Philippine needs and opportunities. And as builders, they can help create technologies, products and companies of their own.

For Manaloto, the Philippines should embrace all three roles—consumers, participants and builders—as it prepares to take its place in the Quantum Decade.