Mariano Marcos
State University

A dual milestone in its drive toward digital governance and entrepreneurial support was marked by MMSU through the ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing between the university and five Technology Business Incubator (TBI) Incubatees. The event simultaneously served as the official inauguration of the e-signature functionality within the new MMSU All-in-One System (MAiOS) held on October 28 at the Center for Flexible Learning.

The five ventures whose partnerships were formalized included LocoBites, founded by BS Entrepreneurship student Mr. Renz Villar, which introduces a unique culinary fusion by creating bite-sized 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘥𝘢 inspired by the Indian street food classic 𝘗𝘢𝘯𝘪-𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘪; Earthy Treats by BS Entrepreneurship student Ms. Reigha Janneia Paet, which focuses on offering healthy and tasty cookies that creatively incorporate local vegetables such as squash and 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘨𝘢𝘺; Padalan Workshop, owned by Bannuar TBI-graduate and BS Entrepreneurship student Ms. Ederlyn Delos Santos, which continues to advance handmade fashion and lifestyle products highlighting Ilocano textiles and sustainable fashion; Jack’s Place Variety Shop and Crush Fruit Juice, co-founded by MSME partner Ms. Jocelyn Tagatac, whose new project will develop sustainable products like scented incense and essential oils from lemon peel waste; and Elamari Textile Shop, a spin-off business by Dr. Lawrence Eclarin, which engages in weaving 𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘦𝘭 textile using the IP-Protected mathematically designed patterns of Ilocandia Unli Weave Patterns.

These incubatees represent the first official cohort from the comprehensive Call for Incubatees campaign spearheaded by the MMSU TBI, renewing its commitment to identify and nurture the next generation of Ilocano technopreneurs.

Speaking on behalf of the entire cohort, MMSU TBI Incubatee Dr. Lawrence Eclarin shared her entrepreneurial story, emphasizing how the TBI program paved the way for her research to achieve enterprise creation and commercial success.

The ceremonial MOA signing between MMSU and the TBI Incubatees through the MAiOS achieves the university’s goal to develop interest in technology business incubation, establish strong linkages within the community, and mark MMSU’s status as a leading institution in digitization.

Jerson Coloma