The delegates from the Bulacan State University College of Information and Communications Technology (BulSU – CICT) were hailed as the champions at the recently held Samsung Create – Ideate to Elevate Pitching Competition on August 24, 2023, at the Melchor Theater in the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.
Team Open Soars, composed of Ryka Gene Austria, Mary Queen Casaclang, Richard James Bagay, Jeaysmie Digo, and Janniel Andrei De Jesus, presented an application targeting health and wellness designed exclusively for infants. Their app integrates cutting-edge machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies. Engr. Lester Phil Cruz and Mr. Gabriel Galang backed them with their expertise and knowledge as the team’s coaches.
โChallenging sya samin kasi puro big schools kalaban namin like UP. Total of 50 teams sa buong Philippines yung nag-compete, and to think na kami yung nag-champion, it’s really a big achievement for us and for BulSU,โ said Ryka Austria when asked for their experience in the competition.
“Take the chance lang talaga palagi. Wag kayong matakot to get out of your comfort zones. Wag kayong panghinaan ng loob pag feeling nyo di nyo kaya, manifestation works lang din talaga. Yung group namin binabalance lang yung capstone, org life, and mga competitions. Believe it lang na you’ll make it, kasi you will once you set your eye on it,” were the words of encouragement of Ryka for the students willing to also take chances.
Their team bested 50 other teams, some hailing from UP and Mapua University, raising the flag of BulSU in the competitive scene. The team members were given a Samsung Galaxy Fold 4 as their prize. – Janella Christine Carrillo
