In a “rally towards a technology-driven future,” Naga College Foundation, Inc. (NCF)—through its TIGRE Technology Business Incubator (TIGRE TBI) and in partnership with the Start-up Founders Association (SFA) and the Naga City Government—conducted the ‘Nexus Hackathon x Idea2Startup Bootcamp NCF Leg’ on August 25–26, 2026, at the NCF Main Campus.
Serving as the third edition—dubbed ‘Nexus Multiverse’—the two-day event engaged young innovators to gain firsthand insights from the Naga City Digital Innovation Hub (DIH), offering perspectives and resources to the student participants from the Colleges of Accountancy and Finance (CAF), Business and Management (CBM), Computer Studies (CCS), Engineering (COE), and Health Sciences (CHS).
Mr. Paul John C. Legaspi, Investment Operations Officer of the Naga City Government, shared invaluable recommendations and technical expertise on the priority development goals of the local government unit (LGU) through the DIH’s Idea2Startup Bootcamp.
Mr. Legaspi noted the strategic outlook of the LGU to digitalize public services and policy frameworks in alignment with Vision 6 of the city’s 2028 Finish Lines: ‘An Open, Digital, and Participatory Naga.’
With inputs from the DIH and TIGRE TBI, student participants engaged in formative workshops encompassing pitch decking, design thinking, and the Business Model Canvas (BMC)—the essential bedrocks for initializing sustainable solutions and viable prototypes in the forthcoming stages of the startup accelerator program.
Delivering the vision of establishing “TBI as a culture for every NCean,” Mr. Harvin G. Ong, Director of TIGRE TBI, highlighted the core thematic agenda for this year’s hackathon, dubbed ‘HEAT’—standing for Health, Environment, Agriculture, and Tourism.
Under these four categories, student teams pitched their innovative concepts during the second day of the event, challenging NCeans to address real-world dilemmas, generate meaningful societal impact, and cultivate collaborative learning, guided by a distinguished panel of experts from industry, education, and entrepreneurship.
The panel comprised Ms. Jonalyn Periña, TBI Director of Partido State University (PSU); Ms. Rachelle Ann Hernandez, TBI Manager of Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC); alongside NCF cross-college coordinator-panelists Ms. Fatima Dasal, Ms. Rachel Agualada, Mr. John Roy Galvez, Mr. Seven Gadian, and Engr. John Kirk Navarette.
Observing the two-day innovation sprint were representatives from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Camarines Sur, including Engr. Zycar G. Ong, Provincial Officer; Ms. Michelle S. Comprado, Administrative Assistant II; and Ms. Rose Dela Trinidad, Senior Trade Specialist.
Also in support were key NCF officials, led by Dr. Nora Elizabeth F. Maniquiz, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Nico A. Ogarte, Assistant Vice President for Research, Innovation, Extension, and Sustainability; Dr. Anna Loretta C. Romulo, CCS Dean; Dr. Monsito G. Ilarde, COE Dean; and Ms. Lorence Aster B. Pellejera, CAF Dean.
Through this collaborative initiative between NCF and the Naga City Government, the institution strengthens its position as a premier breeding ground for young entrepreneurs and tech-driven NaguenYouth—equipping them with the grit, research capability, and academic rigor necessary to solve real-world and global challenges.