Reluao begins mission in Thailand for Calabarzon’s digital future

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Calamba City — Special Envoy Bran Ferrer Reluao, the youngest Gen-Z diplomat appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has officially begun his mission in Thailand, carrying with him not only the Philippine flag but the aspirations for a more digitally connected, innovative and creatively empowered nation — including the dynamic Calabarzon region.

Reluao has presented his credentials and diplomatic mandate to Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Millicent Cruz-Paredes at the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok.

Cruz-Paredes welcomed him warmly, affirming the embassy’s full support for his initiatives.

As the youngest Filipino to hold the post of Special Envoy to the Kingdom of Thailand, Reluao has made clear his commitment to people-centered and future-ready diplomacy.

His focus aligns with the Marcos administration’s digital and creative economy agenda — an area where Calabarzon, home to thriving tech hubs and growing creative industries, stands to benefit significantly.

On his first official day, Reluao engaged with two of Thailand’s premier institutions in digital transformation and creative design: the Thailand Creative and Design Center (TCDC) and the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA).

At TCDC, Reluao explored how government-backed design thinking and entrepreneurship programs help Thai creatives and startups thrive. With Calabarzon’s young talent pool in provinces like Laguna, Cavite, and Batangas, he said similar initiatives could unlock local potential in animation, gaming, fashion, and industrial design.

His next stop was DEPA, the main agency steering Thailand’s digital shift.

Among the topics discussed were smart city innovations, digital literacy programs and startup incubators, all closely relevant to cities like Sta. Rosa, Lipa and Calamba in Laguna, where ICT and innovation centers are fast emerging.

Reluao also expressed keen interest in replicating these models to help uplift micro, small and medium enterprises in the region and bridge the digital divide in Philippine provinces.

“These visits revealed exciting opportunities for collaboration,” said Reluao. “Thailand’s experiences can inspire regions like Calabarzon to strengthen their digital and creative ecosystems, ensuring that innovation truly reaches grassroots communities.”

Reluao added that his youth-driven diplomacy reflects the president’s goal of a more inclusive, competitive, and tech-empowered Philippines. “This isn’t just about foreign relations — it’s about putting people, especially our youth and local creatives, at the heart of our progress,” he said.

Beyond diplomacy, Reluao is the founder of the Pay It Forward initiative, a personal advocacy that equips public school students and teachers with digital tools and free training.

Already making waves in Cebu and Marawi, the program has drawn interest from Calabarzon-based youth groups and LGUs eager to bring digital empowerment to underserved communities.

Reluao’s mission in Thailand has only just begun, but the potential ripple effect for regions like Calabarzon is already taking shape — offering a glimpse of a digitally inclusive future, led by a new generation of Filipino leaders.