Student Innovations with the Highest IP Potential Take Center Stage at the 2026 SOSE-SVBB Competition

Innovative student technologies addressing real-world challenges in terrain mapping, smart retail systems, energy intelligence, and water safety took center stage during the 2026 SOSE-SVBB Competition for Student Research with the Highest IP Potential held on May 7, 2026, at the PLDT-CTC Room 413 of Ateneo de Manila University.

Organized by the Ateneo de Manila University School of Science and Engineering (SOSE) in partnership with the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) and Sapalo Velez Bundang and Bulilan (SVBB) Law Offices, the competition formed part of the SOSE Week 2026 celebration. The event aimed to recognize student research projects with strong potential for intellectual property, commercialization, and societal impact.

The competition invited students from the School of Science and Engineering to submit their pitch decks and invention summaries for evaluation. The winning project will receive a ₱50,000 grant from the SVBB Endowment Fund to support patent application and possible further incubation, along with a ₱10,000 cash prize. AIPO will also provide assistance in preparing and processing patent requirements, as well as guidance on commercialization.

Image: Group photo of the presenters with the panel of judges from AIPO, joined by Dr Raphael Guerrero, SOSE Dean.

During the pitching event, participating teams presented their technologies before a distinguished panel of judges comprising experts in intellectual property, commercialization, business development, and sustainability. The presentations were evaluated based on patentability (50%), commercial readiness (20%), market potential (20%), and promotion of resilience and sustainability (10%).

The panel of judges included Ms Mariela Alcaparas, MSc, Mr Bryan James Erfe, Ms Vanessa Malapit, MSc, and Proceso Fernandez, PhD for patentability; Engr Benjamin Mirasol, MBA for commercial readiness and market potential; and Mr Lorenzo Tiongson, MSc for sustainability.

Image: Panel of judges from the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO).  (left to right): Mr Lorenzo Tiongson, MSc,  Mr Bryan Erfe, Business Development Officer; Engr Benjamin Mirasol, Head of the Commercialization and Business Incubation Group; Ms Vanessa Malapit, MSc, Head of the Protection and Education Group; Ms Mariela Alcaparas, MSc, Project Development Officer; Dr Proceso Fernandez, AIPO Director.

Among the technologies presented was Fabrication of a Portable Sensor for Detecting “Forever Chemicals” in Water, which explored innovative approaches for monitoring harmful contaminants in water systems. Another finalist, Aisle Assist: Semi-Autonomous Smart Shopping Cart with Automatic Price Calculation, Multi-Goal Path Planning, and Inter-Cart Communication, demonstrated how intelligent retail systems can improve customer convenience and shopping efficiency.

Also featured was Enerlytics: Maximizing Building Data Through Energy Intelligence, a project focused on optimizing building management and energy consumption through data-driven insights. Completing the roster of finalists was TerraSync: Real-Time Terrain Mapping Using Smart Sensors, a technology designed to enhance terrain mapping and environmental monitoring through real-time sensor integration.

Image: Finalists showcasing their innovative technologies during the presentation.

Emerging as the overall winners of this year’s competition were Mr Niccolo L Coronel, Ms Jamie Anne O Evora, and Mr Joshua Miguel A Pangilinan from the BS Electronics Engineering program for their project TerraSync: Real-Time Terrain Mapping Using Smart Sensors, under the supervision of Engr Jose Claro N Monje.

Their winning technology impressed the judges with its strong patentability potential, practical application, and promising contribution to technological innovation and environmental monitoring.

Image: The winners of this year’s SOSE-SVBB Competition, together with their adviser, Engr Jose Claro Monje, awarded by Ms Vanessa Malapit from AIPO,  Dr Raphael Guerrero, SOSE Dean, Atty Ditto Sapalo, Partner from SVBB Law Offices, and Dr Patricia P. Lambino, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Vice President for Higher Education and Dean of the School of Humanities.

All finalists and awardees were formally recognized during the awarding ceremony led by Dr Raphael A Guerrero, Dean of the School of Science and Engineering, together with Atty Ditto Sapalo, Partner from SVBB Law Offices and Dr Patricia P. Lambino, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Vice President for Higher Education and Dean of the School of Humanities.

Through initiatives such as the SOSE-SVBB Competition, the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office, and the School of Science and Engineering, the Ateneo community continues to foster a culture of innovation, research, commercialization, and intellectual property awareness among students. The event also highlights the growing role of interdisciplinary research in developing technologies that address present-day challenges while creating opportunities for future impact.

The organizers commend all participating students for their dedication, creativity, and passion for developing research with strong intellectual property potential and meaningful societal value.

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