Envergan students’ startups, TuTok and Siklo, became fruits of success and labor as they played a big part of Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation’s commitment to address societal issues through technological innovation.
Recently, MS Team’s TuTok and TREEPLANG’s Siklo proved their Envergan supremacy as they recently bested ways among 102 entries in the Philippine Startup Challenge 9 (PSC9) – Regional Pitching Competition (CALABARZON). Entering the Top 15 qualifying teams, both teams proudly showcased their innovative startups at the live pitching competition in the Cultural Center of Lipa on Oct. 21.
Now, they finally came back with more creative ideas. The TREEPLANG is consisted of three members, namely Lycamae Penarejo (CCJC), Jasper Tabernilla (CBA), and Jhon-Jhon Ortiz (CCMS). At the same time, MS Teams is also comprised of three members: Joshua Perez (CAS), Johann Sebastian Catalla, and John Leo Echavaria (CCMS).
Moreover, these two startups have their own inspiring stories. Most students experience social media addiction and the MS Team came up with a creative solution to transform this kind of addiction into an optimal learning solution—that is by making a platform for them to learn even with their short attention span. Joshua Perez, a co-founder of TuTok, explained that the idea began from two dreams: to help students find a platform where they can study without the worries of external distractions and to give incentives to freelance teachers in Quezon province.
TuTok features various choices such as watching educational videos with various topic choices, engaging in a competitive leaderboard among students, buying and selling of modules, and more. The MS Team addresses an alarming educational problem with creative solutions that can resolve a lot of teachers and students.
For long-term impact and sustainability, TuTok strives for a reduction in mindless scrolling and unproductive screen time among students. Since the Philippines ranked 6th lowest country in creative thinking assessment in the Programme for International Student Assessment in 2022, Tutok focuses on shifting this trend. “I think this is our call, to be in service for the learning of the Filipino children,” Perez said.
At present, some environmental advocates are still struggling on how to expand their reach on raising environmental issues knowing that proper waste management is not strictly implemented, leaving hundreds of masses of garbage in the bodies of water. As a result, Team TREEPLANG came up with a creative application called Siklo. It is an application that serves as a marketplace that connects businesses and consumers showcasing a variety of recycled products and allowing consumers to buy and sell sustainable items.
Team TREEPLANG collaborates with local artisans and small businesses to conduct workshops on teaching to upcycle and promote sustainable living and helping our economy grow. Not only it reduces waste but also carbon emissions by reusing materials and products.
As the years go by, Siklo can bring movement toward sustainable consumer behavior, enhance business resilience, and support job creation in green industries. “Here in SIKLO, we turn wastes into opportunity,” Jasper Tabernilla said.
These startup pitches created by college students have challenged themselves by creating platforms for addressing nationwide problems on health, education, the environment, and others efficiently and innovatively. Although they are young, they still have the potential to make a change in people’s lives.
Let the students have the voice to influence others, grow, and be heard as they have the key knowledge to solve difficult problems more than ever. Like Jose Rizal said, “The youth is the hope of the motherland.”
