University News

Student Innovators Clinch Two Awards at ASEAN AI Hackathon 2026

Gicel Roger Salvilla, News, Communication Management Office

SDG 3 SDG 4 SDG 9 SDG 11 SDG 17

Sintang Paaralan secured two awards at the ASEAN AI Hackathon 2026 Grand Finale held on August 21, 2026, at Duy Tan University in Da Nang, Vietnam, as PUPQ-Hackbigans from PUP Quezon City Campus earned Second Runner-Up and PUP-ATLAN from the PUP Sta. Mesa Campus College of Engineering received the Most Innovative AI Award.

Both teams advanced to the Top 16 Grand Finalists from more than 200 participants representing universities across ASEAN member countries, showcasing PUP’s growing strength in artificial intelligence and student-led innovation.

Composed of Carl Sebastian Echevarria Barcelona, Marjoy M. Caranto, Jef Romo Lecias, Mary Ruth Pesidas Relator, and Jared Dean Reyes Tiu, with Dr. Cherry Casuat as mentor, PUPQ-Hackbigans earned its Second Runner-Up distinction in the Public Health category for NADI (Offline-First AI Maternal Care Platform).

NADI provides AI-assisted clinical decision support to frontline health workers in remote communities, particularly in areas with limited internet connectivity. The platform can process health information offline, identify critical maternal health warning signs, and securely synchronize data once connectivity becomes available.

Meanwhile, PUP-ATLAN, composed of Carlos Jerico Dela Torre, Yushin Bjorn Matsuda, Rica Mae Mago, Ma. Kristina Espina, and Russell Jay Fajardo, all third-year Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering students, earned the Most Innovative AI Award for MATRIX (Multi-Agent Twin for Routing and Infrastructure eXchange).

MATRIX uses artificial intelligence and digital twin technology to simulate infrastructure scenarios before implementation, enabling stakeholders to assess potential behavioral, ecological, economic, and societal impacts and make more informed decisions for urban planning.

For PUP-ATLAN, preparation began with understanding the problem before developing the technology.

“Our preparation began with the problem, not the solution, and we loved the problem enough to understand it from every angle,” the team shared.

The team strengthened its technical and problem-solving capabilities through continuous research, rapid prototyping, and validation, while PUP supported its participation through the Technology Business Incubation and Development Office (TBIDO). The office provided a co-working space, alongside administrative, communications, and mentorship support from various University offices and units.

PUP-ATLAN also demonstrated resilience when its travel permission was declined only 16 hours before its scheduled flight to Da Nang. Despite being unable to travel with the team, the members continued participating remotely and ultimately secured the Most Innovative AI Award.

“We cannot control every circumstance, but we can control how we respond to it,” the team said.

Representing PUP and the Philippines further strengthened the team’s sense of purpose, particularly as three of its five members had never participated in a hackathon before.

“I was competing for the growth and experience of every member of ATLAN, for the potential of every PUPian, and for the Filipino students who dream of competing on a stage like this,” the team shared.

The twin victories of PUPQ-Hackbigans and PUP-ATLAN affirm the University’s commitment to cultivating students who transform knowledge, creativity, and technology into solutions for real-world challenges. Their achievements also demonstrate how experiential learning and innovation opportunities can equip PUPians with the skills and confidence to compete on the regional stage.

The accomplishments contribute to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-Being, through NADI’s focus on maternal health; SDG 4: Quality Education, through student-centered learning, skills development, and innovation; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, through the development of AI-driven technologies; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, through MATRIX’s application to sustainable urban planning; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through regional participation and collaboration.

The achievements likewise embody PUP’s core values of Integrity, Excellence, and Sense of Service by promoting responsible innovation, demonstrating excellence in a competitive regional arena, and applying technological expertise to address pressing community needs.

Through these achievements, Sintang Paaralan continues to empower its students to innovate with purpose, learn through experience, compete with excellence, and bring Filipino ingenuity to the international stage.