Samsung Solve for Tomorrow returns, calling on students from government-managed science high schools nationwide, with almost PHP 2 million worth of prizes awaiting the top teams.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026

Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow returns for its fourth year in the Philippines, continuing its mission of empowering young Filipino students to leverage science and technology and contribute meaningful change. With the support of the Department of Education (DepEd), Samsung invites STEM students to be the voice of their own communities and propose innovative solutions to challenges they see and experience around them.

Entering its 16th year, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a global competition that empowers young changemakers to tackle real-world challenges through STEM-based solutions. 

Open to students in Grades 8 to 10 from government-managed Science High Schools across the Philippines, Solve for Tomorrow gives students the opportunity to bring their ideas forward and turn them into meaningful solutions.

Samsung will recognize the winning teams, schools, and teacher advisers with almost PHP 2 million worth of prizes, including the Grand Prize valued at PHP 730,000, Second Prize at PHP 595,000, and Third Prize at PHP 465,000. The remaining teams shortlisted in the Top 10 will each receive PHP 20,000 in cash prizes. 

How to Join

Each team will consist of up to four students and one teacher-adviser, working together to develop a STEM-focused proposal that addresses a community, social change, or environmental sustainability challenge. Proposals may be submitted using a standardized format in Word, up to 3,000 words or seven pages, or PowerPoint, with a maximum of six slides. All entries must be submitted as PDF files not exceeding 40 MB.

Teams are encouraged to think creatively and explore how technology can help turn their ideas into practical solutions that can make a difference in their communities. Students may explore one of the following themes:

Under Environmental Sustainability through Technology, students are encouraged to use STEM to find creative ways to reuse, recycle, and transform materials into valuable products, helping reduce waste and promote more sustainable practices.

Meanwhile, under Social Change through Tech and Sport, students can harness the power of technology and sports to support education, entrepreneurship, and social inclusion, creating new opportunities and a brighter future for the youth.

Lastly, under Solving Community Problems with AI, students can explore how AI can be used to develop innovative and practical solutions to challenges in their communities, while fostering critical thinking, social responsibility, and meaningful impact.

The Deadline for Entry submissions is on 02 November, 2026 at 11:59 PM via https://www.samsung.com/ph/solve-for-tomorrow/.

Entries will be evaluated based on design innovation, relevance to the community, feasibility, STEM integration, sustainability and clarity of proposal.

The top 10 shortlisted entries will be announced on 16 November 2026, and will receive mentoring from a Samsung coach to refine their solutions. These teams will then present their final proposals to a distinguished board of judges on 07 December 2026.  The top three teams will be announced on 15 December 2026, and awarded by Samsung Philippines.

 

What’s at Stake

The Grand Prize winner will receive Php 400,000.00 worth of Samsung devices for their school, Php 200,000.00 worth of Samsung devices for the students and their teacher, Php 100,000.00 in cash for the team members, and Php 30,000.00 in cash for their teacher.

Meanwhile, the Second Prize winner will take home Php 300,000.00 worth of Samsung devices for their school, Php 200,000.00 worth of Samsung devices for the team and their teacher, Php 70,000.00 in cash for the team members, and Php 25,000.00 in cash for the teacher.

Finally, the Third Prize winner will receive Php 200,000.00 worth of Samsung devices for their school, Php 200,000.00 worth of Samsung devices for the team and their teacher, Php 50,000.00 in cash for the team, and Php 15,000.00 in cash for the teacher.

The remaining teams in the top 10 will receive Php 15,000.00 in cash for their team and Php 5,000.00 for their teacher.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 Contest Mechanics

Enabling Changemakers

Since its launch in the Philippines in 2023, Solve for Tomorrow has empowered participating schools, students, and teachers to bring innovative ideas to life and create meaningful impact in their communities. Among them is last year’s winning entry from Cavite Science Integrated School, which introduced a solar-powered, water-quality sensing buoy for monitoring mangrove ecosystem health. Other notable innovations include an egg-segregation solution and a sustainable low-cost pest control solution designed to help farmers reduce their reliance on chemicals.  

As AI advances, Solve for Tomorrow encourages young Filipinos to use technology thoughtfully and responsibly, turning new ideas into solutions for challenges in their communities. Through these themes, Samsung continues to inspire students to imagine, create, and lead the way toward a better tomorrow. 

To participate in this year’s Solve for Tomorrow, please visit  https://www.samsung.com/ph/solve-for-tomorrow/. You can also follow Samsung Philippines on social media for the latest updates: Facebook, X, Instagram.

DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-267269 Series of 2026

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Food entrepreneurs and merchants from across the Visayas recently converged in Cebu City for foodpanda’s CRAVE Partner Summit & Awards 2026, underscoring the platform’s growing role in helping regional food businesses reach more customers, streamline operations, and expand beyond their home markets. The gathering spotlighted how digital platforms are enabling local food enterprises to scale their presence and tap into opportunities across provincial borders.

Patricia Jacinto, Director for Growth and Marketing, previewed upcoming Christmas campaigns to help partner vendors capture seasonal demand and drive growth

Restaurant leaders from key hubs across Central, Eastern, and Western Visayas came together at the summit, which centered on equipping homegrown merchants with the digital tools and capabilities they need to adapt, grow, and stay competitive in an evolving market. 

Beyond delivery logistics, foodpanda is enabling regional vendors to leverage real-time customer analytics, targeted marketing solutions, and improved delivery fulfillment to capture demand both locally and from visiting tourists.

“Our mission is to actively power the growth of our merchant partners,” said Patricia Jacinto, Director for Growth and Marketing at foodpanda Philippines. “When Visayan restaurants combine their culinary expertise with foodpanda’s ecosystem and insights, they can respond faster to market shifts, drive higher order volumes, and sustainably scale their businesses beyond physical storefronts.”

Honoring the Visayas’ Top-Growing Brands

CRAVE 2026 celebrated regional partner vendors across the Visayas that leveraged foodpanda’s platform to achieve exceptional business performance and operational scale. 

Rose Pharmacy was recognized with the gold Operational Excellence in foodpanda shops Award for seamless and reliable service.

Market leadership and sales performance were recognized through the Pau-Pau’s Top of Table award, which went to Alberto’s Pizza, Sal’s Bar and Restaurant, Dimsum Break, Ribshack, and PorkHub. 

Alberto’s Pizza received the gold Pau Pau’s Top of Table Award for outstanding sales performance and market leadership.

Sisigan Sa Doctors, Ma. Lina Catering Services, The Original AA BBQ, Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries, and Tiktilaok earned the Pau-Pau’s Momentum Master award for outstanding year-on-year growth in the first half of 2026. 

Felisa’s Cafe & Restaurant earned the gold Pau Pau’s Brand Spotlight Award for innovative marketing and business growth.

Meanwhile, Felisa’s Cafe & Restaurant, Mom Rose, Cebu’s Tasty Lechon, Cribs, and Ram’s Pizza, Pasta and Milktea, and Metro Retail Supermarket were honored with the Pau-Pau’s Brand Spotlight for their innovative marketing and strong platform partnership. 

Metro Retail Supermarket claimed the gold Pau Pau’s Brand Spotlight in foodpanda shops Award for consistent growth and partnership.

Hybrid Coffee was honored with the gold Operational Excellence Award for high operational standards and reliable service.

Demonstrating seamless fulfillment and high service reliability, Hybrid Coffee, Somac Korean Restaurant, Got Tea? Crafted Milk Tea, Popcha Milktea Station, Gabby’s Bistro, and Rose Pharmacy took home the Operational Excellence award. 

Hukad Everyday Filipino took the gold People’s Palate Award for its strong customer following and ratings.

Sisigan Sa Doctors claimed the gold Pau Pau’s Momentum Master Award for strong H1 2026 performance.

Finally, the People’s Palate Award recognized crowd favorites with outstanding customer ratings and repeat orders, honoring Hukad Everyday Filipino, SAJ HUT, Mango Magic, Dapogan, and Wingers Unlimited.

Driving Continuous Merchant Scale

To support long-term restaurant growth ahead of the upcoming holiday season, foodpanda is deepening its ecosystem with enhanced AI-driven forecasting tools and automated marketing features designed to help regional vendors maximize daily capacity and attract repeat diners.

CRAVE 2026 brought together foodpanda partner vendors from across the Visayas to celebrate their shared achievements and growth-driven partnerships.

“We view ourselves as a complete growth engine for regional entrepreneurs,” added Jacinto. “We’re here to ensure local food brands across the Visayas have every technological advantage needed to thrive.”

Following its successful Cebu event, the nationwide CRAVE 2026 roadshow heads to Manila for its final leg.

Consider the daily routine of a young, aspiring digital creator: attending school during the day and dedicating their free time to gaming, watching livestreams, and producing original digital content.

It’s a familiar story nowadays as millions of Filipino youth dream of becoming a professional gamer, a podcast host, or a top-tier content creator, and inevitably, they wonder when it will be their turn. 

For those outside the capital, such big goals can feel a bit out of reach. But Converge is changing the game and pulling out all the stops to make sure the Filipino youth, no matter where they live, get the break they’ve been waiting for.

This is the beating heart of the Converge FiberX Student League Ambassador program Season 2. Following its launch in Cebu this past July, Converge made a promise: to shine a spotlight on the world-class talent emerging throughout Visayas and Mindanao.

Dreams come forward

Instead of waiting for these young hopefuls packing their bags to find their way to the capital, Converge set up the ultimate digital stage and drove it straight to their city.

Last August 10, the LimitlessXPRESS truck made its highly anticipated first stop at Southwestern University PHINMA in Cebu. The mobile stage cruised through Cebu’s most iconic streets to bring interactive gaming, experience zones, and other fun activities in the region.

Converge LimitlessXPRESS truck

The truck went on a journey from Urgello Street and Osmena Boulevard, past the Fuente Osmena Circle and Carbon Market, all the way to the modern hubs of Cebu Business Park and IT Park.  And bringing the dreams closer to the students, it also passed by the University of the Visayas, University of San Carlos, and the University of the Philippines Cebu, letting the whole city know that the digital revolution has arrived.

A stage for the youth

Inside, the students are greeted with a high-tech playground designed for the modern youth; a space where passions meet pure fiber power. 

Inside Converge LimitlessXPRESS truck

Aspiring esports gamers stepped inside for high-stakes 1v1 gaming battles, testing their competitive edge. On the other hand, future storytellers and musicians found their voice in a professional live audio setup, trying their hand at podcasting about back-to-school or simply singing their hearts out. Students also enjoyed Converge’s digital platform where they could register, earn rewards, and take their very first steps toward becoming a student ambassador.

But beyond the interactive activities and high-speed connectivity, the LimitlessXPRESS truck carries a much deeper message: it is a symbol of recognizing the regional youth's potential. By bringing this one-of-a-kind experience directly to the young dreamers of Cebu, Converge is telling them that their passions matter and that their future is worthy investing in.

"When students step inside the truck, we want them to feel that their dreams are valid and fully supported," shared Sandra Tubale-Dingal, AVP and Head of Consumer Segment Marketing of Converge. "We built this truck hoping it sparks the inspiration they need to find their X and this is our way of bringing the Converge brand closer to their hearts.”

The journey continues

The best part is that the journey is just getting started. As the LimitlessXPRESS truck continues its campus tour across Cebu, Converge is also gearing up to bring this unstoppable energy to meet the brilliant young minds of Mindanao.

LimitlessXPRESS truck

“For us, our move to Visayas and Mindanao is not just an expansion, but is our direct investment to nation-building by giving the youth the opportunity to explore and enhance their potential so they can succeed and become the digital leaders of tomorrow,” shared JP Aguilar, SVP & Consumer Business Group Head of Converge.

“The LimitlessXPRESS truck is one of the most exciting parts of our campaign to date,” added Orange Ramirez, VP and Brand & Marketing Head of Converge. “We know these students are looking for their big break, so instead of waiting for them to find us, we decided to roll up and make it accessible to them. This truck aims to give the students a memorable experience of finding their ‘X’ which is the essence of this year’s campaign.”

The wheels are turning, the stage is set, and for the students of VisMin, the possibilities are finally limitless.

Want to keep up with the journey? Follow the official Converge Facebook page for all the latest on the FiberX Student League Ambassadors Program Season 2.

ABOUT CONVERGE ICT SOLUTIONS, INC.

Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions, Inc. (PSE:CNVRG) is the fastest-growing fixed broadband service provider in the Philippines. It is the first to run an end- to-end pure fiber internet network in the country, providing Filipinos simple, fast, and reliable connectivity. Aside from broadband services, Converge also offers integrated data center and network solutions services. With over 900,000 kilometers of fiber optic assets nationwide, it has one of the most extensive fiber networks in the Philippines.

With the company’s fiber-powered network, Converge provides premium world-class digital experiences for residential, enterprise, and wholesale customers. Converge is ISO 9001 and CE2.0 Certified. 

Go to www.convergeict.com for more information.

ABOUT CCEPlay

CCEPlay, is the gamified community platform of WP/Gaming, a culture-led consulting and

marketing company. CCEPlay is dedicated to advancing education and hands-on experiences in gaming and technology. Through engaging digital content, competitive leagues and tournaments, and community-driven initiatives, CCEPlay enables brands and college students to engage meaningfully with the gaming industry: cultivating student passion, strengthening community connection, and contributing to a thriving gaming ecosystem that delivers long-term value and sustainable opportunities.

Tripartite partnership equips local entrepreneurs with digital commerce skills, connectivity, and market access

Acting Regional Director of DTI Region VII Esperanza Melgar (second from left); TikTok Shop Philippines Marketing Lead Franco Aligaen (center); and Converge ICT Solutions Inc. Senior Vice President and Head of SME Business Group Dindo Marzan (second from right) formalize their tripartite partnership to expand digital commerce opportunities for MSMEs through TikTok Shop’s Unlad Lokal program in Cebu City.

TikTok Shop, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Converge ICT Solutions Inc. are joining forces to expand access to digital commerce opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Visayas.

The partnership brings together the DTI’s expertise and network in MSME development, Converge’s connectivity capabilities, and TikTok Shop’s discovery-led commerce platform and seller education resources under its Unlad Lokal program. Launched in Cebu, which also serves as the first Visayas leg of Unlad Lokal, the program aims to help local entrepreneurs and creators build their digital capabilities, reach wider markets, and participate more actively in the digital economy. 

"Digitalization creates new opportunities for Filipino entrepreneurs to build businesses beyond the limitations of geography, but access to the right knowledge, tools, and support remains critical. Through Unlad Lokal, we are bringing these capabilities closer to communities outside Luzon, starting with Cebu. As the digital commerce ecosystem continues to grow across Visayas and Mindanao, our partnership with the DTI and Converge allows us to invest further in seller and creator empowerment, allowing more Filipinos to benefit from TikTok Shop's discovery commerce ecosystem for business growth and livelihood," said Franco Aligaen, Marketing Lead for TikTok Shop Philippines.

Bringing digital commerce closer to regional entrepreneurs

From July 2025 to July 2026, TikTok Shop orders across Visayas and Mindanao grew by 140%, while the number of sellers and creators increased by 50% and 160%, respectively, driven by on-ground acquisition, education, and partnership. LIVE gross merchandise value (GMV) also increased by 130% during the same period, reflecting the significant role of content and creators in driving commerce across the region.

The growth points to a thriving digital commerce and content ecosystem in VisMin, creating more opportunities for local businesses to connect with consumers and for creators to participate in content-driven commerce.

The partnership also comes as the City of Cebu continues to thrive, with its economy growing by 7.0% in 2024, reaching an estimated ₱334.48 billion, while the Province of Cebu recorded 7.3% growth to ₱441.14 billion during the same period, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

 

The Department of Trade and Industry, TikTok Shop, and Converge SME Solutions share insights on digitalization, connectivity, and opportunities for MSMEs during the Cebu launch of Unlad Lokal.

“This tripartite partnership reaffirms DTI commitment to capacitate our Filipino MSMEs with the tools and skills needed to participate effectively and efficiently in the digital economy,” said Acting Regional Director of DTI Region VII Esperanza Melgar. “We are not just getting entrepreneurs online, we are equipping them to thrive online.”

Through Unlad Lokal, participants received practical training on TikTok Shop's seller ecosystem, including short-form content creation, LIVE selling, affiliate marketing, campaigns, and other tools designed to strengthen product discovery and customer engagement. TikTok Shop's discovery e-commerce model enables consumers to discover products through engaging content, giving local entrepreneurs new ways to showcase their products, tell their brand stories, and reach customers beyond their immediate markets. The program also introduces ways local businesses can combine content and commerce to build visibility and grow their businesses online.

Since its launch, Unlad Lokal has trained over 35,000 MSMEs nationwide and expanded to more than 15 cities and regions, extending seller education and digital entrepreneurship initiatives to communities across the country.

Connecting businesses to the digital economy

For many entrepreneurs, access to digital platforms is closely linked to access to reliable connectivity. Through the tripartite partnership, Converge aims to complement digital commerce and MSME development efforts by supporting the infrastructure that enables entrepreneurs to create content, manage online businesses, engage customers, and participate in activities such as LIVE selling.

“If technology feels too complicated or too expensive, MSMEs will simply leave it on the shelf. Our job is to make technology simple, affordable, and useful enough to become part of their everyday business. That is how we earn their trust,” said Dindo Marzan, Senior Vice President and Head of SME Business Group of Converge SME Solutions Inc.

The partnership also reflects the growing role of cross-sector collaboration in helping MSMEs navigate digital transformation. By combining government support with private-sector technology, connectivity, and platform expertise, the initiative aims to lower practical barriers for entrepreneurs who want to establish or expand their presence online.

 

Cebuano entrepreneurs participate in TikTok Shop's Unlad Lokal training, gaining practical skills in digital commerce, content creation, and online selling.

Preparing Cebu sellers for the 9.9 Mega Campaign

The Cebu launch also gives participating sellers an opportunity to put digital commerce strategies into practice and connect their products with a broader pool of customers leading up to TikTok Shop's Mega Sale Season, across 9.9, 11.11, and 12.12. 

Ahead of major campaign moments, sellers can strengthen their storefronts and content, develop short-form videos that showcase their products, and use LIVE selling and affiliate marketing to drive discovery and engagement. Beyond content and promotions, sellers are encouraged to ramp up their operations, including product information, inventory, pricing, fulfillment, and customer service, to ensure they can respond effectively to increased customer interest and demand. TikTok Shop is also working with local warehouse and logistics partners to enable more seamless delivery across the Visayas and Mindanao. 

“Major sales moments give local sellers an opportunity to reach new customers and showcase their products to a wider audience. Through Unlad Lokal, we want Cebuano entrepreneurs to have the practical skills to make the most of these opportunities, from creating engaging content and going LIVE to preparing their businesses to meet customer demand,” added Aligaen.

As Unlad Lokal continues to expand, TikTok Shop aims to build on the program's learnings from communities across the country and provide entrepreneurs with continued access to education, mentorship, platform resources, and opportunities to connect with customers and creators.

About TikTok Shop

TikTok Shop is a one-stop e-commerce solution for driving brand growth and sales directly on TikTok. With TikTok Shop, merchants can tap into a full commerce experience with the capability to upload products and manage everything from shipping to fulfillment and point of purchase. Products are recommended to TikTok audiences through shoppable content formats such as in-feed short videos (embedded with product links), live shopping events, as well as a marketplace through the new Shop Tab.