A group of students from Silliman University just delivered a powerful reminder at the 17th International IT-BPM Summit (IIS) held on September 23 and 24, 2025, at the Okada Grand Ballroom: the future of tech in the Philippines is already here, and it’s led by the youth.
Team Merge Conflict, winners of the July 2025 Can You HackIT? competition, presented their digital safety solution to a captivated audience of nearly 1,000 leaders from the IT-BPM sector. Their innovation helps parents monitor their children’s screens and detect exposure to inappropriate content, addressing a growing concern in today’s hyper-digital world.
The winning team, composed of Gianne Guenter S. Gaudan, Jon Patric A. Garganian, Jhana P. Trinidad, Karl Joseph M. Gaitera, and John Stanley T. Altonaga, was coached by Prof. Joy M. Dy. Their segment was introduced by Ambe Tierro of Accenture Philippines and Sanjiv Gupta of IBM Philippines, IBPAP Trustees and Co-Leads of its Tech and AI Council, who set the tone for a showcase that left the plenary inspired.
“This is what happens when we give young Filipinos the privilege and responsibility of shaping a future they’ll live in,” said Jack Madrid, President and CEO of the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), who organizes the annual IIS. “Silliman University’s Team Merge Conflict didn’t just win a competition; it sparked serious momentum towards building the country’s startup ecosystem. IBPAP is proud to be part of this movement!”
Carole Gaffud, IBPAP Director of Research and Innovation, shared: “They’re not pitching ideas. They’re solving real-world problems. Our role is to harness, support, and scale that brilliance.”
Jill Quiniquini Peduca, IBPAP Head of Branding and PR, added: “This goes beyond brands, PR, or events. It reflects the IT-BPM community’s authentic and growing commitment to nurturing future tech talent and empowering startup ideas from the ground up. Our ecosystem thrives when we invest not only in skills, but in bold, early-stage solutions that can scale.”
From Dumaguete to Cebu, to the center stage at the country’s premier tech summit, Silliman University’s Team Merge Conflict has proven that innovation is beyond just the capital, but all over the Philippines.
