Robotics Students Take Enactus 1st Runner-Up, Reach Khan Academy Finals
A team of Robotics Engineering students from Ateneo de Davao University was named 1st Runner-Up at the Enactus Philippines National Competition and Innovations Summit 2026 at De La Salle University in Manila on 9-10 October, making it the highest-placing Mindanao university, the team said.
The team, from the University’s School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA), is composed of John Cholen Makigod, Moises Clint Balbuena, and Ayla Marie Smith. They were mentored by Engr. John Kyl Cortez, Engr. Denise Cecille Armamento, and Engr. Ottoman Montani Jr., chairperson of the Robotics Engineering Department.
Competition rundown
According to Enactus Philippines, this year’s national competition featured an Early-Stage Project track, in which teams present entrepreneurial concepts still in ideation or early implementation. The Top 60 teams were selected from more than 200 submissions nationwide, the team said.
The competition ran in four rounds. All accepted teams pitched in an opening round, the field narrowed to 30 teams before a new judging panel, and a semi-final round led to a final contested by four teams. Each team had 10 minutes, including a 5-minute presentation and 4 minutes for a question-and-answer portion from the judges. Projects were scored on needs assessment, business principles and financials, innovation, potential to scale, potential positive impact, pitch, and the quality of answers.
Nine Mindanao teams advanced at the end of the first day, the team said, joining qualifiers from Luzon and the Visayas. Only two Mindanao teams reached the Top 12 on the second day: ADDU and Holy Trinity College of General Santos. ADDU then advanced to the Top 4 and finished as 1st Runner-Up.
A special Khan Academy track ran within the same competition. Robotics Engineering students John Marion Albano, Allyza Capistrano, and Gene Anne Sayson were among the Top 30 finalists in the Khan Academy Education Impact Challenge 2026. The challenge seeks creative, student-led projects that demonstrate measurable gains in the use and effectiveness of Khan Academy, a nonprofit organization that offers free online learning resources.
Team’s reflection and next steps
After the competition, the team said it was grateful for the experience despite not reaching the World Cup. “We are taking home valuable lessons, meaningful experiences, and an achievement we will always be proud of,” Engr. Ottoman said.
The students expressed how they hope to bring Fermalink technology to two cacao farms in the Davao Region as a simple way of sharing their victory with local cacao farmers.
About Enactus
Enactus is an international nonprofit organization that encourages university students to create community development projects through entrepreneurial action. At its national competitions, teams present their projects to business leaders serving as judges, and one team from each country goes on to the Enactus World Cup.
