Keynote Speakers

Caroline Pang is the University Librarian at Nanyang Technological University. She has over 25 years of experience in the library field. She has had the opportunities to set-up new libraries including the Tanoto Library, INSEAD, Asia Campus and the Medical Library, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, NTU Singapore.

Caroline was awarded the Professional Service Award (2017) from Library Association of Singapore and the Nanyang Awards (Teamwork) from NTU in 2016. Recently, she led her teams to win 5 awards at the NTU Administration Excellence Awards since 2024. She was conferred the Public Administration Medal (Silver) National Day Award in 2023. Caroline is on the Executive Board of Directors, International Association of University Libraries, representing the Asia Pacific region and several advisory boards including Elsevier, EBSCO and Wiley.

Lourdes T. David is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Food Technology and Master of Library Science from the University of the Philippines. Her specialization is in computer applications in library operations obtained through training programs in IBM Philippines, USA, Canada, UK, and Australia. In 1994, she led a team of librarians in computerizing the library operations of eight academic libraries in the Philippines, namely, Ateneo de Manila, De La Salle University, MSU IIT, University of Santo Tomas, and four libraries of the University of the Philippines. 

Her library work experience is in academic Libraries. She was a staff and then librarian at U.P. Diliman from 1973 to 2001 and Director of the Rizal Library from 2001 to 2013, Ateneo de Manila University. She spearheaded the Rizal Library International Conference (RLIC), establishing a key international forum for librarians and information professionals. From 1979 to 1981, she was seconded by the Philippine Government to SEAMEO-RECSAM in Penang, Malaysia as its Assistant Director for Information.

Her teaching experience includes teaching Library and Information Science subjects at the University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, University of the East, in Manila and at the University of San Carlos in Cebu. Prior to becoming a librarian, she taught Chemistry subjects at the University of the Philippines in Los Banos, Laguna. 

She was a consultant of WHO, UNESCO, Ford Foundation, PIDS, DOST, and Save the Children, UK among others. She developed training modules on Library and Information Science for UNESCO and conducted training programs in more than ten SEAMEO member states and other Asia-Pacific countries. She conducts research and publishes papers in peer-reviewed international journals. She also presents papers in local and international seminars and conferences.

In recognition of her work in the field of librarianship, she has received awards and recognition from local and international organizations. Among these are: The Library Technology Award given by the University Microfilms International in New York City, USA, the Hall of Fame Award given by the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc., the Outstanding Professional Award for Information Technology given by the University of the Philippines, Diliman; Distinguish Alumna Award given by the UPLSAA; Hall of Fame Award given by the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc.; Academic Librarian of the Year Award given by PAARL; Outstanding Professional Award for Librarianship given by the Professional Regulations Commission and the Award for Distinction (Library and Information Science) Given by the Philippine Federation of Professional Associations. She has also been featured in local and international magazines and newspapers.

She became a librarian by choice and is passionate about her work as a librarian. She believes in serving the people, in practicing diversity, equality and inclusivity in providing service. At present, she is a member of the Board for Librarians of the Professional Regulation Commission, Chair of the CPD Council of the Board and Program Manager of CPD-PMC.

Ambeth R. Ocampo is the premiere Public Historian of the Philippines. His research covers the colonial Philippines: its art, culture, and the people who figure in the birth of the nation.

Senator Gil J. Puyat Professor of History, Ateneo de Manila University and Distinguished Professorial Lecturer, De La Salle University, he writes, Looking Back, the longest running editorial page column on history for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and has published over 35 books the most recent being: History in Lockdown (2024)and Cabinet of Curiosities: History from Philippine Artifacts (2023)that has recently been published in German and Malay translations.

He previously served as: Chairman, National Historical Commission of the Philippines and Chairman, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, President Philippine Historical Association and Co-chair, with Carmen Guerrero Nakpil, of the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission.

In another life, he was a Benedictine monk known as Dom. Ignacio Maria, OSB. In his lucid moments, he currently moderates growing FB, IG, and YT channels.

Horacio "Howie" Severino has been a journalist for 42 years, and has produced nearly 300 TV documentaries, over a dozen of which have won domestic and international awards.

He anchored the morning news at GMA News Tv for eight years. From 2009 to 2014, he was editor-in-chief of GMA News Online and headed GMA News' social media operations. In other stages of his career, he was a newspaper reporter, book author, and magazine editor.

He is a co-founder of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, and a former chair of its Board of Editors. He retired in 2021 as a Vice President of GMA Network, responsible for the training and development of its journalists, as well as policies related to journalists’ safety.

As a reporter, he’s covered fires, crimes and disasters, the drug war, the Marawi siege and many other conflicts in the Philippines, interviewed four future presidents of the country in addition to international luminaries such as Hillary Clinton and Al Gore, and traveled to nearly all the provinces of the Philippines.

He’s known for his history documentaries, many of which are shown in classrooms across the country, particularly those about José Rizal.

He studied at Ateneo de Manila High School; Tufts University in Massachusetts in the US where he earned a history degree, magna cum laude; and at Sussex University in the UK where he received his Master’s degree in environmental policy as a Chevening scholar. He was named after the Jesuit historian, Horacio de la Costa.

In the last 15 years, he and his wife Ipat Luna have developed a nature retreat on the Taal Lake shore that’s been recognized for its innovation and dedication to sustainability.

Howie has a keen interest in natural and cultural heritage, and teaches the ancient Filipino script, Baybayin.

He’s an avid biker, rock climber, gardener, reader, and father.