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MCIA awards AI Innovation Champions at CEB-i Hacks Demo Day, Transforming the Future of Cebu Tourism and Travel

by Contributor
written by Contributor

Cebu, Philippines — Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) successfully concluded its CEB-i Hacks innovation challenge with a high-stakes Demo Day held last January 24, 2025. The event marked the culmination of the 24-week journey where the brightest young minds in Cebu harnessed the power of Artificial Intelligence to reimagine the province’s travel and tourism landscape.

CEB-i Hacks demonstrated the immense talent within Cebu, drawing 87 teams of 448 students from 11 different schools and universities across Cebu. From this diverse group of applicants, a select Top 25 comprising 113 students from five (5) universities were chosen to undergo intensive mentorship, ultimately paving the way for the Top 10 finalists.

Out of a competitive pool of applicants, the Top 10 teams 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 distinguished panel of industry leaders.

 The Winning Innovations

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. The winners of the CEB-i Hacks challenge are:

  • CHAMPION: Team SRP Lines for their concept proposal Nofy
  • 1st RUNNER-UP: Team A.I.Con for their project CeVIEW
  • 2nd RUNNER-UP: Team CeSAVY for their project SaBAI

The judging panel featured 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.

 A Gateway to Innovation

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 to 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,” said Christine Villanueva, Head of Strategy and Communications of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC). “This program reflects our commitment to making MCIA not just a gateway to Cebu, but a gateway to innovation.”

 Empowering the Next Generation

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 the 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-sectoral effort to build a sustainable and tech-savvy tourism ecosystem in the Visayas. As these young innovators move forward, MCIA continues to solidify its position as a regional leader in smart tourism, proving that the future of travel is not just about the destination, but the digital intelligence that powers the journey.

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Business

AI skills now considered in hiring, more firms expand compensation and benefits — Jobstreet by SEEK report

by Contributor
written by Contributor

WITH THE rapid emergence of artificial intelligence in recent years, 72% of businesses in the Philippines now consider AI knowledge in candidates when hiring talent, according to Jobstreet by SEEK’s Hiring, Compensation & Benefits Report 2025. 

Of these, 36% consider AI knowledge as crucial in hiring, considering it either a primary consideration or as important as other qualifications. These businesses primarily assess AI knowledge by asking technical questions, reviewing projects, or work samples in the candidate’s portfolio.

Similarly, some companies shared that they have been adopting AI tools to assist with recruitment and find the most suitable candidates through automated screening and assessment.

Conducted by the leading online job portal late last year, the survey was participated in by more than 2,000 hiring respondents in the country, across varying business sizes and sectors.

“Through this signature report, we delved into the outlook of the hiring market, compensation and benefits provided by hirers, with a focus on AI and workplace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). We aim to guide our hirers and talent to stay ahead of these changes to better thrive in their business and careers,” said Dannah Majarocon, Managing Director of Jobstreet by SEEK in the Philippines.

When it comes to compensation, the report revealed that 78% of businesses provided salary increases, mostly within the 1-5% range. Notably, small businesses have made significant strides in benefits benchmarking and developing or revising pay structures, narrowing the gap with medium and large businesses. 

The majority of companies shared that they provided bonuses in various forms to retain or attract talent, with 53% awarding performance bonuses. The size of the average bonus payout increased to approximately 4 months’ salary, higher than in the previous year. Additionally, hirers have been including medical insurance, health checks, and mental health support as their employee benefits. 

Jobstreet by SEEK, in a previous statement, revealed that the Philippines is leading Southeast Asia in adopting workplace DEI, with 63% of Filipino companies having DEI initiatives in place.To access the full Hiring, Compensation & Benefits Report 2025, click HERE.

Photo by Patrick Amoy on Unsplash

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