Ascendion and Philtech Inc. Launch a GCC in Cebu to Redefine Digital Operations

GCC in Cebu: Philtech Inc. together with Ascendion launch a Global Capability Center in Cebu to expand support and management functions for 285,000+ employees across 2,200+ Albertsons Companies locations.

Ascendion's AI-first platform drives smarter customer service, faster engineering, and seamless HR operations.

Ascendion's AVA+ accelerates software delivery; METal connects top talent to high-impact innovation programs

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. and MANILA, Philippines, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascendion, a leader in AI-powered software engineering, today announced a groundbreaking milestone in its decade-long partnership with Philtech, Inc.

The Ascendion and Philtech Inc. team during the inauguration at the Cebu GCC

Together, the companies are launching a next-generation Global Capability Center (GCC) equipped with GenAI capabilities. This GCC aligns with Philtech in continuously evolving enterprise operations and enhancing enablement, service delivery and solutions for more than 285,000 employees across 2,200+ Albertsons Companies locations.

This launch also signifies a landmark initiative for the Philippines, introducing new frontiers in AI-powered software engineering, customer experience, and digital transformation. This partnership can contribute in elevating Cebu as a next-gen AI and experience hub in the Philippines.

This expansion underscores Philtech's commitment and action to strategically integrating modern technologies and GenAI to achieve higher efficiencies into relevant operations. On the other hand, Ascendion's proprietary GCCAI (Global Capability Center to the Power of AI) solution can be utilized by the Cebu-based hub to drive intelligent productivity, accelerate delivery velocity, and real-time transparency across core business functions—including customer service, application development, quality engineering, operations, and HR systems.

"Our vision is clear: GCCs must evolve into Generative Global Capability Centers—AI-native, value-generating hubs that drive real business impact," said Manan Mehta, Senior Vice President, Global Growth Markets at Ascendion. "With GCCAI, we're not just scaling operations, we're reinventing how AI, engineering, and talent intersect to unlock next-level innovation and operational excellence. This center will be a model for the future of global delivery and innovation. Together with Philtech Inc., we've laid the foundation for a next-gen AI-powered hub—redefining digital operations from the heart of Cebu."

As part of this expansion, Ascendion prepares to operate their proprietary AI tools and technologies in relevant operations for its many partners such as:

• Ascendion AVA+ – An AI-first software engineering platform enhancing productivity, risk management, and time-to-market.
  

• METal – A talent orchestration platform connecting Filipino professionals to select projects in Philtech Inc.

"The launch of the Cebu GCC marks a major milestone in our long-standing partnership with Ascendion," said Trung Nguyen, Philtech General Manager and Vice President, Information Technology in Albertsons Companies, "As one of our largest technology & hiring partners, Ascendion looks forward to help identify and enable relevant AI tech for operational excellence and efficiencies—delivering a seamless blend of automation and human expertise to create unparalleled business value. This is about more than just growth; it's about defining the future of AI-driven retail innovation."

Traditional GCCs have long operated as cost-effective delivery hubs. But in today's AI-driven era, that model is evolving. Generative Global Capability Centers represent a new paradigm—where AI and engineering talent continuously create value, proactively solve problems, and drive enterprise innovation at scale. Ascendion and Philtech Inc. are at the forefront of this transformation, setting a new global standard for the role of GCCs in the AI age. This is a bold leap into this future—spotlighting Cebu and the Philippines as emerging global leaders in AI-driven innovation and enterprise transformation.

About Ascendion
Ascendion is a leading provider of AI-powered software engineering solutions that help businesses innovate faster, smarter, and with greater impact. We partner with over 400 Global 2000 clients across North America, APAC, and Europe to tackle complex challenges in applied AI, cloud, data, experience design, and workforce transformation. Powered by +11,000 experts and over 2,000 AI agents, a bold culture, and our proprietary Engineering to the Power of AI (EngineeringAI) approach, we deliver outcomes that build trust, unlock value, and accelerate growth. Headquartered in New Jersey, with 40+ global offices, Ascendion combines scale, agility, and ingenuity to engineer what's next. Learn more at ascendion.com.

About Philtech Inc
Philtech Inc., established on April 1, 2003, is a fully owned Global Capability Center of Albertsons Companies Inc. As a premier technology center based in BGC, Philippines, Philtech delivers exceptional IT services, including application and infrastructure support, as well as software development and extensive retail operations. By managing mission-critical information and providing secure, innovative solutions, Philtech plays a pivotal role in enhancing operational efficiency and customer experiences across over 2,200 Albertsons stores in 33 U.S. states. Committed to excellence, Philtech is recognized as a great workplace with 83% (yearly average) of its employees affirming it as a great place to work.

Manan Mehta, Senior Vice President, Global Growth Markets, Ascendion, at the launch.

Trung Nguyen, Country General Manager and Vice President, Information Technology, Philtech Inc. at the launch.