PCLEDO spearheads the 2022 Cavite Entrepreneurship Students Conference

Fostering the vital role of technology in the advancement and enhancement of concepts and opportunities for young entrepreneurs, the Provincial Cooperative, Livelihood, and Entrepreneurial Development Office (PCLEDO) – Entrepreneurial Division collaborated with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Cavite, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Cavite, and Cavite Young Leaders for Entrepreneurship Inc. (CYLE) for the remote conduct of the 2022 Cavite Entrepreneurship Students Conference, with the theme “Tech-Talk: Youth Empowerment Through Innovation and Technopreneurship.”

Ms. Sheeba D. Ikan of PCLEDO led the invocation which was followed by an opening remark from Atty. Khervy B. Reyes, OIC of PCLEDO, encouraging all students from the participating colleges and universities to take part in the event’s advocacy.

In his special video message, Mr. Alvin S. Mojica, Provincial Administrator for Community Affairs, expressed the provincial government’s unwavering support in the programs and projects of PCLEDO. He also added that the program served as an eye-opener for students on the importance of technology in enhancing and developing their entrepreneurial skills and creativity, which will help them become successful entrepreneurs.

Meanwhile, Hon. Crispin Diego “Ping” Remulla, 7th District Board Member and Committee on Education Chairperson, with his short but substantial message, emphasized that students and entrepreneurs alike should not only showcase their abilities and skills, but also share and give ideas for the improvement of everyone.

DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr., commended the initiatives of the conference and assured that the Department of Science and Technology fully supports these kinds of activities.

Fr. Arturo Joseph M. Balagat, Cavite Provincial Development Council Chairperson, noted the development of potentials and creativity in initiating and innovating things that are useful in the community and in the country.

Subsequently, Ms. Liza Gabatan, PCLEDO – Entrepreneurial Division Head, presented an overview of the event. She underlined the program’s objective of engaging students in order to unleash their innovative ideas and empower their creativity in the use of modern technology.

The resource speakers provided insightful talks on technopreneurship. Dr. Francis Aldrine Uy, Founder and CEO of USHER Technologies Inc., gave a lecture on the topic Total Leadership in Innovation, while Mr. Jefferson Geronimo, Content Creation Executive, spoke on Innovation and Digitalization: Video Content Creation is the Future, and shared some tips on how to create quality video content. It was followed by the discussion of Engr. Wilfredo Calguan, OIC – Division Chief of IP Business Services and Development Division on Intellectual Property Management and Commercialization.

The successful Cavite technopreneurial stories of Dr. Roland Hortaleza, Chairperson of Hortaleza Corporation, and Ms. Gwen V. Bagadiong, Owner of Choboyaki Takoyaki, were featured in the event. They shared their journey and struggles on how they have gone through the roof before reaching their current state.

Entries of eight participating colleges in the Search for Most Innovative Technology Ideas were showcased in an audio-visual-presentation, followed by the announcement and awarding of winners. With their Skin It Real concept, Cavite State University – Imus City Campus brought home the bacon. Far Eastern University – Cavite came in second with their Project CATE v1.0 idea, and Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Maragondon came in third with their Chaesoyaki Cheese Balls entry.

In closing, DTI-Cavite Provincial Dir. Revelyn Cortez expressed her hope that the students’ ideas would not remain ideas, and that they would be translated it into real products, making them real entrepreneurs. She also advised the students “to always carry the learning not only from today, but all the learning their mentors throw at them.”

Despite a technical glitch, the program was able to accomplish its goal share knowledge with the participants, making the event a success.