Visayan Electric Powers a Future-Ready Cebu: Innovators Crowned at Innovate Cebu Grand Awarding Ceremony
- May 14
- 2 min read
Committed to driving regional resilience and sustainable growth, Visayan Electric, in partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. and InnovationForce, officially concluded its landmark community-centered innovation competition, Innovate Cebu: Ideas That Empower. The awarding ceremony celebrated groundbreaking solutions designed to address the province’s most critical challenges in power stability, disaster response, and food security.
Launched on October 16, 2025, the program served as a provincial "R&D engine," bridging the gap between academic brilliance and industry implementation. By providing a "sandbox" environment, Visayan Electric allowed local talent to test prototypes directly within utility and agricultural grids, ensuring that the winning ideas are not just conceptual, but deployable in the real world.
Empowering the Next Generation: Student Category Winners
The University of Cebu - Banilad took the top spot in the Student Category with InterPhase - AgriSagot. Their AI-driven platform empowers local farmers by using image recognition to detect plant diseases and pests early, potentially saving entire harvests and securing the local food supply.
Champion: InterPhase - AgriSagot (University of Cebu - Banilad)
1st Runner-Up: Calvary Solutions - AidVocate (University of Cebu Main Campus), a real-time relief coordination app for disaster response.
2nd Runner-Up: The Innovators (University of Cebu Banilad), an AI-powered system specifically for papaya disease identification.
Driving Industry Excellence: Professional Category Winners
In the Professional Category, Cubeworks emerged as the champion for their enterprise-grade IoT Energy Management & Automated Transformer Outage Monitoring system. This sophisticated solution utilizes real-time sensors to improve utility reliability—a core mission of Visayan Electric.
Champion: Cubeworks (Cubeworks Technology Consulting & Solutions Inc.)
1st Runner-Up: CCS R&D - The DOVE (Cebu Institute of Technology - University), utilizing high-altitude drones to restore communication in disaster zones.
2nd Runner-Up: mastAIRs - InterviewAI (Cebu Institute of Technology - University), an AI-powered recruitment and coaching tool.
A Collaborative Vision for Cebu
"Innovate Cebu is more than a competition; it is a launchpad for a more resilient and future-ready province," said Mark Kindica, President and General Manager of Visayan Electric.
The initiative saw an unprecedented level of collaboration, featuring mentors from top-tier organizations like Cebu Pacific Air, Globe Telecom, and Philippine Airlines.
The final pitch days, held on April 7-8, 2026, were evaluated by a prestigious panel of judges, including regional directors from the DICT and DTI, as well as leaders from the Mandaue and Talisay Chambers of Commerce.
Through Innovate Cebu, Visayan Electric continues to distribute more than just electricity; it is distributing the "positive energy" of innovation and community empowerment.
About Visayan Electric Co., Inc.
Visayan Electric Co., Inc. is the second-largest electric utility in the Philippines, serving the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay, and Naga, as well as the municipalities of Consolacion, Liloan, Minglanilla, and San Fernando. It is dedicated to providing reliable power and fostering community development through sustainable and innovative initiatives.
