Out of all participating groups, two participating teams from the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) emerged victorious for the Sustainability, Innovation, Leadership, Linkages, Access and Growth (SILLAG) in Region 1 Startup Summit and Hackathon at the Tadena Hall, University of Northern Philippines, Vigan City, on August 22, 2024.

SILLAG is a flagship program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as part of the government’s efforts to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs to start their own startups that answers various issues and concerns in society. This year, DOST partnered with UNP and the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur.

Teams battled it out at the hackathon, incorporating ideas, innovation and technology as they formulated their plans, realigned their goals, and created their direction towards the startup they wished to build up.

Students consisting of Julienne Marie Boac, Mark Kingsley Rabino, Arvey Bryan Flores, and Christine Daet from the College of Architecture, with their mentors, Ar. Ludivina Lozano, Ar. Precious Beulah Gascon, Ar. Guisseppe Noe Alonzo, and Ar. Mon-Cres A. Toje, nabbed the top spot with their “Eco Clay Block” startup pitch, garnering 84.4% of the total points for the student level.

Another team consisting of UNP faculty members, Mr. Aristotle Piamonte, Ms. Illah Diva Faypon, Dr. Princess Neptalia Quebral, and Dr. Arpee Arruejo emerged as victors for the professional level, garnering 84% of the total points with their “iBike Kon” startup pitch.

Due to the success of SILLAG in Ilocos Sur, the organizers prompted to have two winners for each category. The winning teams from UNP were joined by representatives from Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC) for the professional level and Systems Technology Institute (STI) for the student level.

The said teams will be representing the province in the regional startup hackathon, where they will be pitching their winning startup against their fellow victors from the different provinces in Region I in October 2024.

Article by Jedaiah Asuncion. Photo by Joel Tipon.