A group of student innovators from the Philippines earned international recognition at the 2025 APAC Solution Challenge, winning the People’s Choice Award for their AI-driven waste management tracking system. The competition was a key feature of the 2025 APAC Digital Transformation Forum, held this June in Manila.
Representing Holy Angel University in Angeles, Pampanga, students Josh Gorospe, Joaquin Galang, Eisha Janel Tablante Alva, and Angelica Mae Tadique stood out among Asia-Pacific’s brightest minds. Their project demonstrated how artificial intelligence can be applied to solve real-world environmental issues. Along with the award, the team also received a cash prize of US$1,000.
The APAC Solution Challenge brought together student-led teams from across the region, all using Google AI tools to tackle pressing global concerns—from sustainability and healthcare to education and disaster response. The Filipino team’s practical and purpose-driven solution resonated strongly with both the judges and the audience.
“It’s one thing to talk about the potential of AI. It’s another thing entirely to witness it in the hands of brilliant, passionate students who are using it not to chase trends, but to heal our planet, strengthen our communities, and even save lives,” said Sapna Chadha, Vice President for Google Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier, in a LinkedIn post celebrating the finalists.
“To all the finalists: you are not the ‘next generation’ waiting in the wings—you are leading right now. The heart of innovation isn’t just code; it’s courage and compassion.”
Antonio García Zaballos, Director of the Digital Sector Office at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), also praised the initiative. “The Google Solution Challenge was a cornerstone of the Asia Pacific Digital Transformation Forum 2025. We saw student-led innovation tackle real-world challenges in sustainability, healthcare, trade, and tourism. It was truly inspiring—a clear glimpse into the future of digital transformation in the region.”
Other awardees included GeoGemma, which won Best AI Use Case; (N + 1)-th Time’s the Charm from Pakistan; and Atempo from South Korea’s Konkuk University, which took home the Most Societal Impact Award for their AI-powered emergency room matching platform. Teams from Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea also earned recognition for their standout ideas.
The forum served as a powerful reminder that when innovation is guided by empathy and purpose, even student-led projects can shape the future of the region—and the world.