RECAP: Albay ICT Forum 2023 showcases local startups in Legazpi City
The City Government of Legazpi, in celebration of National ICT Month, spearheaded a forum to showcase local startups.
As part of National ICT Month, the local government of Legazpi invited 320 senior high school students from Albay specializing in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) for the Albay ICT Forum 2023 with the theme, “Data and Tech Fest: Exploring Data, ICT, and Emerging Technologies.” The event happened last June 17, 2023, at LCC Superama, LCC Malls, Legazpi City. Its objective was to foster innovative ideas, promote collaboration, and equip participants with entrepreneurial skills.
The forum brought together industry leaders from both the public and private sectors to emphasize the importance of providing students with technological advancements for building startups that can address real-world challenges.
With an incredible lineup of speakers, participants were encouraged to engage in research, develop innovative solutions, and continue building their startups. The morning program began with inspiring messages from Hon. Carmen Geraldine Rosal, the City Mayor of Legazpi and Chairperson of the Legazpi City IT and Electronic Commerce Council (LCITECC), along with Hon. Noel Rosal, the Governor-Elect of Albay, and Mr. Dindo Nabol, the Director of DTI-Albay, who also shared their valuable insights.
Ms. Rosemarie Quinto-Rey, the President of the Albay ICT Association, Co-Chairperson of the Legazpi City IT and Electronic Commerce Council (LCITECC), and a passionate advocate for the startup ecosystem, delivered invaluable insights to the participants. Her wisdom was followed by Mrs. Ruth Dayawen, the Provincial Director of TESDA Albay, both of whom showcased their remarkable strength and leadership in the region of Albay.
Opportunities within the Gig Economy
Startups begin with an idea, and ideas create opportunities! Mr. Jhonny Paul Lagura, a Countryside ICT Advocate and former Trustee of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), kicked off the morning session by discussing the emergence of the gig economy, highlighting the rise of freelancing and remote work since the pandemic.
With the transition to online and modular learning for students, Lagura encouraged them to embark on their own entrepreneurial journeys by starting small and persistently moving forward.
Engr. Paulo R. Honrado, the chairman of JMH IT Solutions, Inc., discussed several opportunities in the ICT landscape and highlighted the potential for individuals to upskill and engage in various possibilities to thrive in the industry.
Understanding Startups and the Legazpi Startup Ecosystem
During his talk, Mr. John Marion Grefaldo, the Chief Technology Officer and Director of Upward Solutions, shared his journey spearheading a startup company. He emphasized the significance of continuous learning throughout his presentation. He conducted an interactive game providing a practical understanding of the startup experience and allowing the students to actively participate and gain insights into the challenges and rewards of running a startup. Their enthusiastic participation demonstrated their strong motivation to learn and excel in the entrepreneurial world.
The Legazpi Startup Showcase served as the afternoon segment of the forum. Mr. Jhonny Lagura initiated the session by explaining the fundamental concepts of startups and highlighting their distinctions from traditional businesses. He showcased renowned companies like Facebook, Airbnb, Canva, and Grab, emphasizing that these giants began their journeys as startups.
Ms. Melissa Mesias, the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of SparkLearn EdTech, provided a comprehensive overview of the Legazpi City Startup Ecosystem. She introduced key players in the local startup community, including BicolIT, SparkPoint, Ownly, and MetaGaming Guild. By sharing the challenges faced and success stories achieved by the community, she offered the Albayano students valuable insights into what they can anticipate when building within the startup ecosystem.
Technology and Capstone Projects
During the showcase, Mr. John Paul Batusan of SparkLearn, together with ICP Manila, delved further into the discussion on the role of technology in startups. He emphasized how technology can drive disruptive innovation, providing a competitive edge to startups. He stressed the importance of staying updated with the latest technology and understanding its applications. As an example, he highlighted the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP).
The Internet Computer, also known as IC, is a general-purpose blockchain that enables decentralized apps to operate at web speed. It paves the way for a new generation of web3 applications and services on the blockchain. To learn more about the Internet Computer blockchain, explore further information here.
Capstone projects serve as stepping stones in developing solutions, and proper guidance and support from mentors and educators can transform your final assignment for technological research into a thriving business. Mr. Jhobert Baquisal, Co-founder and Business Development Lead of Andale, discussed turning capstone projects into personal startups, providing valuable insights and expectations for newcomers in the field. Startup projects can encompass various industries, including agriculture, healthcare, education, and sustainable development.
Mr. John Anthony Balbin, Quality Assurance Officer and Marketing Specialist of MetaSaga Warriors shared his journey in managing an Indie Game Startup to give participants a glimpse into the startup life. He emphasized the significance of innovation and creativity, offering valuable perspectives for aspiring game entrepreneurs. His team also set up a booth at the venue to let students experience the game and win fun prizes.
The forum concluded with a panel discussion focusing on Legazpi startup stories, highlighting successes, failures, and lessons learned. The panel consisted of representatives from SparkLearn, Andale, MetaSaga Warriors, SparkPoint Technologies (represented by Ms. Duchesne Sarza), and DTI Albay (represented by Ms. Fatima Gonzales). During the discussion, students actively raised questions, gaining valuable insights that ignited their potential and fueled their aspirations for a thriving and dynamic future in Albay. You may witness the captured moments during the event on this album here.
With the increasing number of startups in the local scene, the Philippine Startup Challenge 8 provides an excellent opportunity for students to pitch ideas and present solutions that have the potential to evolve into viable businesses. The submission of entries for the regional level is open until September 2023 and is exclusively for student startup teams. Learn more about the application process here.
The City Government of Legazpi organized the Albay ICT Forum 2023 in collaboration with the Legazpi City Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Council (LCITECC), Albay Information Communications Technology Association Inc. (AICTA), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Trade and Industry Albay (DTI — Albay), SparkLearn EdTech, and the Southern Luzon Technological College Foundation Inc. (SLTCFI).
Learn more about SparkLearn EdTech from the following links:
MOOC: lrn.ac
Twitter: lrn.ac/twitter
Facebook: lrn.ac/facebook
GitHub: lrn.ac/github
Instagram: lrn.ac/instagram
LinkedIn: lrn.ac/linkedin
YouTube: lrn.ac/youtube
