Team SRP Lines emerged champion during the high-stakes Demo Day held on Jan. 24 for their concept proposal “Nofy.”
Team A.I. Con, on the other hand, was first runner-up for their project “CeVIEW,” while Team CeSAVY was second runner-up for their project “SaBAI.”
The winners were selected from 87 teams of 448 students from 11 different schools and universities across Cebu.
From this diverse group of applicants, the top 25 were selected, comprising 113 students from five universities, to undergo intensive mentorship—ultimately paving the way for the selection of the top 10 finalists.
The top 10 teams came from prestigious institutions including the University of the Philippines Cebu, University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), and Cebu Institute of Technology–University (CIT-U), and presented their final pitches to a panel of industry leaders, according to a statement released by MCIA on Friday, Jan. 30.
The panel was composed of experts from MCIA, Globe Business, Google Cloud, and Mata Technologies, who evaluated the entries based on innovation, feasibility, and their potential to enhance airport operations and the overall tourism experience.
The Demo Day marked the culmination of a 24-week journey in which the brightest young minds in Cebu harnessed the power of artificial intelligence to reimagine the province’s travel and tourism landscape.
The solutions showcased at Demo Day highlighted the creative potential of Cebuano youth in utilizing generative AI tools, such as Google Gemini, to solve real-world industry challenges.
Catalyst
Launched as a cornerstone of MCIA’s vision to transform Cebu into a smart, creative, and connected tourism hub, CEB-i Hacks represents the airport’s evolution from a traditional transport facility into a catalyst for digital transformation.
“Through CEB-i Hacks, we are opening the runway for young innovators to co-create solutions that will redefine travel and tourism in Cebu,” Christine Villanueva, head of strategy and communications of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC), which operates MCIA, said in a statement.
“This program reflects our commitment to making MCIA not just a gateway to Cebu, but a gateway to innovation.”
In collaboration with Google Cloud and Globe Business, the program provided students with capacity-building workshops and hands-on exposure to cutting-edge AI tools.
By bridging the gap between the academe and industry, MCIA aims to nurture a pipeline of future startup founders and changemakers.
The initiative is also supported by The Sandbox Foundation and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), reinforcing a cross-sector effort to build a sustainable and tech-savvy tourism ecosystem in the Visayas.
CEB-i Hacks also highlights how AI can be a powerful driver for inclusive and sustainable tourism growth.
The program positions Cebu as a regional leader in tourism innovation, with the potential to influence development strategies not only in the Visayas but across the country.
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