Meralco Power Academy (MPA) has formalized its academic collaborations with University of San Carlos (USC) and Cebu Institute of Technology University, enabling the implementation of programs that will equip engineering students with technical expertise and skills needed to thrive in the evolving energy industry. In photo are officials of MPA and USC namely, (L-R) USC President Fr. Francisco Antonio T. Estepa, SVD, Ph. D; MPA Executive Director Ian Chester V. Colorina, MPA Director for Advocacy and Communication Kathleen Kristy D. Dorico, and USC Dean of School of Engineering Dr. Rosana J. Ferolin.
The push for a secure and sustainable energy future is increasingly being shaped in classrooms, laboratories, and innovation hubs beyond Metro Manila. Through its education arm, Meralco Power Academy (MPA), Manila Electric Company is steadily cultivating the next generation of Filipino engineers and scientists, with a growing focus on the Visayas and Mindanao.
By forging strong academic partnerships and investing in youth-centered initiatives, MPA is widening its footprint in the regions and positioning local talent to play a more decisive role in the country’s long-term energy transformation.
Meralco Power Academy (MPA) and Cebu Institute of Technology University (CIT University) signed a memorandum of understanding to boost the latter’s engineering education through specialized programs and industry immersion opportunities for engineering students. In photo are (L-R) CIT University Dean of College of Engineering and Architecture Dr. Evangeline Evangelista, CIT University Vice President for Academic Affairs Atty. Corazon Evangelista-Valencia, MPA Executive Director Ian Chester V. Colorina, MPA Director for Advocacy and Communication Kathleen Kristy D. Dorico, and Meralco PowerGen Human Resources and Admin Head Sherie Madonna Diaz.
This commitment took a concrete step forward in October 2025, when MPA formalized collaborations with two of Cebu’s leading engineering institutions: University of San Carlos and Cebu Institute of Technology University. The agreement with the University of San Carlos, signed on October 27, centers on specialized training programs, research initiatives aligned with sustainability goals, and industry immersion opportunities that bridge theory and real-world application.
USC President Fr. Francisco Antonio T. Estepa, SVD described the partnership as a shared investment in innovation, energy security, and sustainable development.
MGEN President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel V. Rubio, in his welcome remarks during the Young Engineers and Scientists Summit (YESS) in Iloilo emphasized the importance of honing future innovators in the power industry.
Days earlier, on October 24, MPA sealed a similar partnership with Cebu Institute of Technology University, focusing on workshops, knowledge-sharing activities, and hands-on exposure to the energy industry. For students, the collaboration opens a clearer pathway from the classroom to professional practice, anchored on current industry needs and future energy challenges.
According to MPA Executive Director Ian Chester V. Colorina, these initiatives reflect a deliberate strategy to build a strong pipeline of industry-ready professionals in the Visayas.
Ninety of the most promising students attended the YESS leg in Iloilo, organized by the Meralco Power Academy in collaboration with MGEN.
By pairing academic rigor with industry expertise, he said, MPA aims to produce graduates who are not only job-ready but future-ready—equipped to navigate the rapid evolution of the power sector.
Beyond universities, MPA is also investing early in young minds who may one day shape the country’s energy landscape. This vision was on full display during the Visayas leg of the Young Engineers and Scientists Summit (YESS), held on October 8, 2025 at the Meralco PowerGen Corporation Innovation Center in Iloilo.
The event brought together 90 high-achieving students from Philippine Science High School, Angelicum School Iloilo, and Leganes National High School for a day of learning, dialogue, and inspiration.
Nearly a thousand students attended the YESS leg held at the MSU-IIT Gymnasium in Iligan.
Meralco PowerGen Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel V. Rubio opened the summit by underscoring the importance of nurturing future innovators who can respond to the country’s growing energy demands. Students took part in panel discussions and talks on purpose-driven careers, innovation frameworks, and emerging opportunities in the power industry.
A standout moment was the keynote address by Mark Kennedy Bantugon, who shared his journey in developing Pili Seal, a sustainable aircraft sealant, illustrating how innovation rooted in purpose can deliver lasting impact.
The Iloilo summit also marked a milestone under MPA’s new collaboration with MGEN to establish a Center for Innovation in the Visayas, reinforcing the region’s role as a growing hub for energy research and talent development.
MPA carried the momentum to Mindanao a month later, bringing YESS 2025 to Iligan City in partnership with Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology. On November 7, nearly a thousand junior and senior high school students filled the MSU-IIT Gymnasium, representing schools across Iligan City, including Philippine Science High School and several public and private institutions.
In his welcome remarks, MSU-IIT Chancellor Alizedney M. Ditucalan urged students to fuel their passion as they build a future not only for themselves but for the nation. The half-day summit featured talks that challenged participants to anchor innovation in meaning, resilience, and lifelong learning.
One of the speakers, Jun Cabalhug, an MSU-IIT alumnus now working with Meralco, shared his journey from an ambitious college student to a professional in the power industry, highlighting adaptability as a critical skill in a fast-changing sector.
The interactive panel sessions brought the event to life, allowing students to engage directly with speakers and explore possible career paths in science, engineering, and energy. For many participants, the summit offered a first glimpse of how their interests could translate into real-world impact.
Taken together, these initiatives reflect a unified vision within MPA: to help build a strong, innovative, and sustainable energy workforce for the Philippines.
By bridging academia, industry, and youth engagement, the academy is not only expanding its reach in the Visayas and Mindanao but also laying the groundwork for a future where Filipino engineers and scientists help lead the charge in energy innovation and sustainability nationwide.