Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation (SEPCO) has announced the winners of its first ever Solve for Tomorrow competition, a global program that aims to empower young innovators with opportunities to come up with ideas to solve societal challenges and be the drivers of positive change in their local communities.
Over 200 entries were received from Grades 8-10 students of government-managed Science High Schools from all over the country, which were narrowed down to 10 finalists.
After a round of mentoring from Samsung Philippines representatives, the top 10 teams were asked to present their proposal to an esteemed panel of judges, composed of Monchito Ibrahim, Vice President of the Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines and Member of the National Innovation Council; Jaton Zulueta, Founder and Executive Director of AHA Learning Center; Shumate Royo, Growth and Strategy Consultant, Community and Startup Enabler, Program Director and Non Profit Advisor; Dr. Ria C. Canlas, Founder of Po Lite Technology, Director of Center of Innovation, National University, and Executive Member of the National Innovation Council; and Yna Quimson, Head of Corporate Marketing, Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation.
From the judging, three of the most innovative solutions were selected to be this year’s winners.
Sustainable Solutions to Community Challenges
This year’s Grand Prize winner hailed from Philippine Science High School – Cagayan Valley Campus, with members Ethan Marc L. Bautista Resha Amora I. Gaspar Zion Mhar Kaezer P. Corpuz Enzo Miguel E. Abad and adviser, Bryle C. Eusebio.
Their entry “Intellimeter – Smart Electric Management System with App Interface” focused on the energy problem and proposed a smart electric management system operated via an app. The solution aims to improve energy efficiency, help the sector manage energy deficits, and help to mitigate climate change.
They will receive PHP650,00 worth of tablets and a TV for the school; PHP100,000 for the team members; PHP20,000 for the teacher; and Samsung phones and tablets for team members and their teacher.
The second prize winners were from Bansud NHS – Regional Science High School in Oriental Mindoro, with members Ezekiel M. Agarap. Carmelo Gian B. Domingon, Zayra Bhea L. Caguioa. and their adviser, Karen Clyde M. Obo, and their adviser, Karen Clyde M. Obo.
Their entry “Project O.A.S.I.S.: Oil and solid waste Agricultural absorption System with Integrated Solar-power via Filtration Bin Technology” focused on creating a filtration system to remove oil and microplastics from the ocean, thus helping communities “sea” a bluer future.
They will receive PHP350,000 worth of Samsung devices for the school; PHP75,000 for team members; PHP15,000 for the teacher; and Samsung phones and tablets for team members and their teacher.
The third prize winner is also from Philippine Science High School – Cagayan Valley Campus, with members Aliyah Kaye P. Alejandro, Princess Alyssa D. Cudal Tyrone B. Liquigan Cedrick Alexis M. Rivera and their adviser, Jerickson S. Chua.
Their entry “TomPost: Agricultural Waste Compost Processor” focused on the serious problem of waste in the agricultural sector, helping them to manage waste by repurposing tomatoes and other agricultural waste into compost and other products. This not only provides a sustainable solution to waste but also helps farmers to minimize their losses and increase their profits.
They will receive PHP150,000 worth of Samsung devices for the school; PHP50,000 for team members; PHP8,000 for the teacher; and Samsung phones and tablets for team members and their teacher.
The other seven teams to make it to the final round included:
| School | Project |
| Philippine Science High School – Cordillera Administrative Region Campus | Machine Learning-Integrated GIS-Based Technology for Soil Analysis and Landslide Hazard Assessment |
| Philippine Science High School – Eastern Visayas | Red Alert: Detecting Red Tides in Cancabato Bay |
| Philippine Science High School -Cagayan Valley Campus | ECOPOP: POPPING BUBBLES, NOT THE PLANET! |
| Biñan City Science and Technology High School | Improving the Decomposition Rate of Food Waste in Modified Composting Setups |
| Calamba City Science Integrated School | ArMeCoFuse: Mechanical Waste Collector Utilized in Sewage Lines for Water Filtration and Solid Waste Extraction Equipped with an Arduino-Based Flood Warning and SMS Notification System |
| Calamba City Science Integrated School | H2O-CLEANER: Harnessing Okra, Tamarind, and Rice-Husks for Oil and Microplastic Filtration |
| Calamba City Science Integrated School | ACWA PURA: Automatic Garbage Collector and Wastewater Phytoremediation Utilizing Water hyacinth with Capacity Notification, Water Level and Quality Monitoring, and Flood Detection System Operated in Canals |
The top 10 finalists also received PHP15,000 for their team and PHP5,000 for their teacher.
Meaningful innovations for a better tomorrow
Since its global launch in 2010, Solve for Tomorrow aims to provide opportunities for top students to transform emerging ideas into actions and unlock their full potential as future leaders for a better future. Solve for Tomorrow has successfully helped over 2 million people and has reached beyond the boundaries of 50 other countries, including the Philippines, as the latest addition this 2023.
Launched with the support of the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Solve for Tomorrow is part of Samsung’s CSR vision of Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People. Its mission is simple: to empower and support the next generation to achieve their full potential and pioneer positive social changes.
Min Su Chu, president of SEPCO Philippines said: “At Samsung, it is our long-held belief that our company thrives when our employees, partners, and communities thrive. We are committed to empowering communities – now, and for the future. Solve for Tomorrow is a testament to this, which manifests our global CSR vision of ‘Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People.’ It is our goal to always find opportunities to support providing education for future generations, and we want to empower future innovators to achieve their full potential.”
For more information on Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow program in the Philippines, you can visit https://www.samsung.com/ph/solve-for-tomorrow/. To explore more on Samsung’s technology, please visit https://www.samsung.com/ph/.