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WE CARE Office organizes ST&I National Pitching Challenge on SDG 2025 at Iloilo City

by Anna Marie C. Bacinillo, WE CARE Office | Nov 05 2025

The Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), through the WE CARE Office under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs, successfully organized the Science, Technology, and Innovation (ST&I) National Pitching Challenge on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2025. The event took place last October 24, 2025, at the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City, Philippines.

The pitching challenge was held in conjunction with several prestigious scientific conferences: the 27th SPVM National Physics Conference, the 2025 International Conference on Advanced Functional Materials and Nanotechnology, the 2025 International Meeting on Complex Systems, the 2025 International Conference on Particles and Radiation, and the 2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Nanomaterials Addressing Environmental Challenges

The pitching competition began with an Opening Remarks delivered by Prof. Nancy Q. Echavez, Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs. This was followed by Brief Messages from two distinguished guests: Dr. Pattama Wattanapanich, Assistant to the President, BSRU, Bangkok, Thailand, and Dr. Milton B. Amayun, President of Yuchengco Center.

Renowned experts and professionals served as evaluators for the competition: Konstantinos Balis, Deputy Head, Division for Sustainable Development, BSRU, Bangkok, Thailand; Dr. Milton Amayun, President, Yuchengco Center; Prof. Mariquit Obrero, University of Northern Philippines; and Prof. Jelly Grace Nonesa, Astrophysicist, University of Southern Philippines.

The competition brought together researchers and students internationally and across the country, showcasing their science and technology-driven solutions that align with the United Nations SDGs.  The competition was divided into Professional and Student Categories, providing a platform for advancing sustainable innovations. 

The winners in the Professional Category were as follows: The 1st Place and 2nd Place in the Professional Category were clinched by teams coming from the University of the Philippines – Visayas (UPV): “UPV SpiN Tilapia YY Male Technology” by Ande Bryle N. Genciana, Lynj Giovy D. Cainglet, Czar Ian Angel B. Esquivel, bagging the winning title, and “Seafood-on-the-Spot (SOS): Sea-liciously Quick and Healthy!” by Prof. Encarnacion Emilia S. Yap, Asst. Prof. Lhumen A. Tejano, Asst. Prof. Rhea J. Subong-Espina, Raymund B. Parcon, Karie Mae D. Tolones, and Wilnie Joy A. Pahilanga placed second. The 3rd Place was awarded to John Paolo R. Maulion, an independent researcher from Quezon City, whose brainchild is called “Developing a Scalable Machine Learning and Symptom Network-Based Diagnostic Tool for Tuberculosis in Resource-Limited Settings.” 

On the other hand, the Student Category had the following winners: 1st Place was awarded to “Assessing the Efficacy of Thansanolaena Latifolia (Tiger Grass) Panicle as an Oil Sorbent Material” by Sumelia Louise A. Jebulan, Rhyannah Gwynne B. Nievez, and Kalila Joyce G. Pagalan from the Philippine Science High School – SOCCSKSARGEN Region Campus; 2nd Place was given to  “Saccharum Officinarum Bagasse and Zea Mays Husk as Potential Biodegradable, Eco-Friendly Food Packaging Material” by Mary Gale B. Lachica of the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City; and 3rd Place to BioSilX: A Sustainable Remedy for Agro-Industrial Waste and the Reinvention of Rice Husk Ash into Micro/Mesoporous Silica Powders by Glenn Ruel Maujon, Maria Elisa Refugio, Harvey Melendez, Maria Elisa Refugio, Mavel T. De Gracia, Sean Kenneth Manlupig, Edison Limbaga, Liezel M. Jabile, Ivyleen B. Arugay, Masayoshi Fuji, Gauthier Rydzek, Raymond V. Rivera-Virtudazo frrom MSU-IIT, Nagoya Institute of Technology (Japan), and Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier (France).

The successful implementation of the event was made possible through the support and collaboration of its partners–SPVM, Yuchengco Center, University of San Agustin, Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University, and the MSU-IIT National Multi-Purpose Cooperative.

The ST&I National Pitching Challenge, in line with SDG 2025, highlighted the growing connection between innovation and sustainability advancement. The initiative of MSU-IIT through the WE CARE Office reaffirmed its commitment to fostering research excellence to contribute to the sustainable development of the nation and the global community.

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