At Geeks on a Beach, we don’t just gather under palm trees to talk about the future, we build it together and get stuff done. And this year’s GOAB Masterclass Day on October 1 delivered exactly that: actionable learning, authentic collaboration, and meaningful community.

Set against the stunning backdrop of JPark Island Resort in Mactan, Cebu, the GOAB Masterclass sessions weren’t your typical lecture-style events. They were live, hands-on, and high-energy sprints led by some of the sharpest minds in tech, business, and innovation.

Two Tracks, One Goal: Level Up Your Team

This year, attendees could choose between two powerful tracks:

• Track 1: AI & Tech

• Track 2: Startup & Business Teams

Both tracks were designed with one goal in mind: helping teams walk away with frameworks, tools, and strategies they can apply right after the session.

What Went Down in the AI & Tech Track

Cleo Credo, CTO of Full Scale, kicked off the AI Track with “GenAI for Startups & Tech Enthusiasts.” This wasn’t just theory—it was hands-on application using Gemini and Google Cloud. Participants built real-time solutions and walked away with new skills in AI prompt design and solution prototyping.

Next up was Carl Angelo Orale, founder of Ticket Nation, who brought the heat with “AI for Tech Teams: A Practical Playbook.” Carl broke down the hype and laid out a step-by-step guide on using AI for real business impact, especially in product development and internal ops.

Then came Raven Duran, CTO of Symph, who showed us how to “Use AI to Rapidly Build Products.” His session was a live demo of how engineering teams can safely and efficiently build with AI, using smart scaffolding techniques that prioritize security and sustainability.

By lunch, everyone had notebooks (and online threads) full of deployable strategies.

What Went Down in the Startup & Business Track

The Startup & Biz Track was a crash course in startup growth, culture building, and brand strategy—delivered by leaders who’ve been there and done that.

Mohan Belani, CEO of e27, opened with a bang in his session on “Building Thought Leadership in the Age of AI.” Participants explored how to own the narrative, get media attention, and use content as a growth lever—not a vanity metric.

Eli Harrell and Gladys Paralca of EmergePH brought a deeply human angle with “Building & Leading Teams That Thrive.” Their session was raw and real—full of lessons on culture design, people development, and how to build companies that don’t burn people out.

Then Robert Cristobal, founder of NxtStory Studios, wrapped the track with “The Minimum Viable Story.” It was part storytelling bootcamp, part pitch deck makeover, and part therapeutic branding session. Teams walked away with a clear, repeatable way to turn their product into a compelling narrative that investors and customers will remember.

More Than a Masterclass

What made GOAB’s Masterclass Day unique wasn’t just the speakers or the setting—it was the energy in the room. People weren’t just listening—they were building, questioning, challenging, and sharing.

There were tech leads mapping out AI workflows next to solo founders sketching out pitch stories. Business devs sat beside brand designers, debating what makes a “loveable” MVP. It wasn’t about titles—it was about traction.

And by the end of the day, one thing was clear: GOAB isn’t just about inspiration. It’s about execution.

What’s Next?

The momentum from the Masterclass carried straight into the main conference days on October 2 and 3, where keynotes, panels, beach meetups, and office hours kept the GOAB vibe alive.

But if you were part of the Masterclass Day, you already had a head start. You walked in with curiosity, and walked out with clarity—and maybe even a few new friends, mentors, and collaborators.

And that’s the GOAB way: come for the beach, stay for the breakthroughs.

🌴💡 Missed the Masterclass this year? Join the GOAB Beach Club to stay in the loop: https://www.geeksonabeach.com/beachclub 

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