On July 18, 2025, the entire Likha-iT crew gathered for our first-ever “All Hands on Deck! Setting Sail to FY26” kick-off meeting. More than just a company event, it was a chance for everyone to align with Likha-iT’s direction, celebrate our milestones, and build genuine connection and excitement as we welcome a brand-new fiscal year together.

The event kicked off with a fun surprise: our hosts showed up dressed as cabin crew, which made everyone smile and set a cheerful tone for the rest of the day. They welcomed everyone “on board” and shared the story behind this year’s kick-off shirt design, which represented how each team member plays a part in reaching our shared goals.

To help everyone ease into the program, we started with a lighthearted icebreaker called “Port Traits.” Everyone picked a photo from their phone and shared the story behind it within their group. From there, we dove into the heart of the program, revisiting the story of Likha-iT—how it all began, how it has grown, and where it’s headed. The company’s journey is shared in three phases: our early days, “Boarding the Ship,” the stage of growth and progress, “Earning the Helm,” and finally, our current direction and aspirations, “Sailing Forward.” It was an inspiring reflection on how far we’ve come and a motivating look at the road ahead.

The Operations and Product Teams then shared their wins and milestones from FY25. Hearing about the different teams’ accomplishments reminded us of the impact of our work and the power of collaboration. It was a well-deserved moment of recognition and reflection.

Our President, Ms. Kristine, officially introduced Likha-iT’s mission and vision moving forward. Our Mission, “To contribute to freee K.K.’s mission of empowering small businesses to take center stage” and Our Vision, “To be a leading software development company in the Philippines by creating a dynamic and growth-driven environment that empowers Filipino talent” reminded us of our larger purpose and the values we want to uphold as a company.

To make these goals feel more personal, everyone joined an activity called “Charting Our Course.” Using colored “sailor logs,” team members answered these three questions: how they see themselves helping Likha-iT’s mission, what impact they hope the company makes in the next 3–5 years, and what values they think are most important as the company grows. Each answer was placed in a matching colored box, like a time capsule filled with our shared hopes for the future.

Afterward, our Engineering Head, Keii-san, shared Likha-iT’s company objective for FY2026, helping align everyone around our collective focus for the year ahead.

The day’s final activity was a collaborative and hands-on simulation called “The Captain’s Blueprint.” Teams were assigned roles, including Project Manager, QA Engineer, and Developers, and were tasked with building a blueprint that followed Likha-iT’s delivery structure. Communication, clarity, and teamwork were key. With each role focused on its specific part, the challenge illustrated the importance of alignment and process in real-world execution. It was fast-paced, chaotic in the best way, and full of laughs.

We wrapped up the day with great food and good company, sharing pasta, pizza, beers, and plenty of karaoke to celebrate. It was the perfect way to wind down and toast to the journey ahead.

As we sail into FY26, this kick-off meeting reminded us that we’re not just building products, we’re building something much bigger, together. With shared goals, a strong culture, and the passion of every team member, we’re ready to take on the year ahead. Indeed, all hands on deck to FY26!