Driven by a passion to empower the next generation of Filipino tech innovators, the Manila leg of the Quantum Computing and Blockchain Lecture Series and Hackathon took place last May 31 in Room 1403 of the Br. Andrew Gonzalez Hall.
Launched by the Quantum Computing Society of the Philippines (QCSP) in partnership with DLSU’s Department of Computer Technology and the Department of Science and Technology-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI), the event brought together industry experts and participants across Luzon who pitched their groundbreaking projects in blockchain and quantum computing.
Blockchain and quantum visionaries
Department of Computer Technology Assistant Professor Fritz Kevin Flores and Director of DOST-ASTI Dr. Franz De Leon opened the event by underscoring the crucial need for problem-solving skills and community-based innovation. As quantum computing and blockchain technology expand both locally and globally, he posited that “[This event] brings the quantum and blockchain revolution closer to communities and across the country, and empowering a new generation of Filipino tech pioneers.”
The opening remarks was followed by a keynote message from Kristian Quirapas, chief technology officer of Sonic SVM, who shared insights in the talk Getting Started on your Professional Blockchain Career. He introduced the “5 Great Doo Doos” framework to set career strategies and goals in the field of blockchain technology. While acknowledging Filipinos’ disadvantage at the global level, he stressed that they need to make their presence known and outperform competitors.
Subsequently, Dylan Josh Lopez, Department of Computer Technology Lecturer and Director for Collaboration and Partnerships at QCSP, discussed real-world applications of quantum computing. Drawing from global research and systems engineering insights, he demonstrated how quantum optimization can significantly enhance supply chain logistics and power grid balancing, urging pioneers to explore the synergy between quantum technology and artificial intelligence to drive national development and industry innovation.
The next keynote speaker featured Roxanne Aviñante, a senior science research specialist at DOST-ASTI, who detailed the agency’s research and development efforts. She highlighted blockchain-based solutions, such as self-sovereign digital identity systems and ID verification for PWDs and senior citizens. Other initiatives included Project ASIMO & SkyAI for geospatial intelligence and disaster forecasting, decentralized data privacy projects, and collaborations with local startups, governments, and academic institutions.
DOST-ASTI Blockchain Lead Developer Marc Jerome Tulali concluded the lineup of keynote talks with a recap of the lecture series and a talk titled, Final Code Sprint: “Polish and Push.” He provided insights and advice for the hackathon participants, outlining the techniques for pitching ideas. “You need to have a good first breath. You need to get [the judges’ and audience’s] attention [in] the very first 30 seconds of your pitch,” Tulali advised the participants on capturing interest.
Cracking the code of innovation
After the lectures, participants joined the hackathon. Its panelists included Noelyn De Jesus, an associate professor from Batangas State University and QCSP Director for Marketing and Relations; Pejman Rivera, a web application and API developer from DOST-ASTI; Timothy James Dela Cruz (BSCS-ST, ‘24), blockchain developer from DOST-ASTI; and Flores.
The four participating teams were given limited time to finalize their solutions and present them in a five-minute pitch. Each team’s ideas were evaluated based on business, technology, customer, and funding readiness.
Team EchoChain nabbed the top spot, presenting a decentralized rewards application that incentivizes individuals to complete environmentally responsible activities with cryptocurrency. In second place was Team Where’s Paldo, who introduced a blockchain-powered platform for convenient tracking, tracing, and finding money.
Completing the podium is Team Trustport, the DLSU team mentored by Department of Computer Technology Assistant Professor Roger Luis Uy. The team consisted of Kyle Carlo Lasala (IV, BSMSCS), Chico Andre Olaguer (III, BSMSECE), Roi Victor Roberto (III, BSMSCS), Roan Cedric Ocampo (II, BSMSCS), and Sean Adrien Regindin (II, BSCS-CSE). They pitched “Trustport,” an e-commerce logistics platform. While somewhat similar to Lazada or Shopee, it possesses better accountability and tracking, leveraging blockchain to address logistical and e-commerce concerns in the Philippines.
Entangled and decentralized futures
The hackathon concluded on a high note with a closing remark from De Jesus, who expressed an optimistic outlook on the future of the technology. Moreover, Aviñante also emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between NGOs like QCSP, the private sector, and academia to organize similar events. “Hoping upon after this event, there will be at least an increase in interest in blockchain technology,” she stated.
In an interview with The LaSallian, QCSP President Bobby Corpus and Lopez emphasized the hackathon’s role in exposing the next generation to an emerging field. “Hopefully, [the] participants, especially those who completed the series…will continue with their curiosity, looking into what else [they can] do [with] quantum [computing],” Corpus expressed.
