Biz confab by MMSU-CBEA draws Ilocos Norte students for pitching tilt
By Christian Rick Asuncion
The MMSU - College of Business, Economics, and Accountancy (CBEA) conducted its 2nd Provincial Youth Business Conference (PYBC), drawing college and senior high students from Ilocos Norte, to SM City Laoag for a day of innovation exchange on February 11.
Serving as keynote speaker, Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta - Marcos, represented by Board Member Atty. Saul Lazo, said that the conference “ignites purpose, cooperation, and empowers our young leaders to become partners of government in driving progress and prosperity in the province of Ilocos Norte.”
Atty. Lazo assured the participants that the provincial government will support youth initiatives by providing opportunities for young entrepreneurs to share their ideas.
MMSU Vice President for Administration and Finance Fides Bernardo Bitanga expressed the administration’s full support for this endeavor, which aligns with the university’s core values, particularly innovation.
CBEA OIC-Dean Emil James Tanagon challenged the student council to “institutionalize PYBC as a flagship annual event,” as it supports one of the goals of MMSU to become an entrepreneurial university.
The talk sessions, titled “Taripnong Series,” featured two presentations of Ms. Elma Gabriel, Head of the Ilocos Norte Government – Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME), and Engr. Gian Carlo Quiaoit, Assistant Mall Manager of SM City Laoag.
Ms. Gabriel discussed financial literacy and modern business modelling. She shared the value of adaptive business models in sustaining and scaling local enterprises.
Meanwhile, Engr. Quiaoit presented a framework for ethical entrepreneurship and the need for principled leadership in business and the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into entrepreneurial strategies.
Featuring business proposals from participating schools and college organizations, the Impact Pitch: Business Pitching Competition showcased innovative ideas across three categories.
In the Food Category, General Artemio Ricarte Senior High School emerged as champion, followed by Bacarra National Comprehensive High School as first runner-up. For the Wardrobe Category, Luzong National High School secured the top spot, with Pinili National High School as first runner-up and Dingras National High School as second runner-up. In the Technology Category, Paoay National High School won the competition, while Piddig National High School and Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades placed first and second runners-up, respectively.
Student organizations of MMSU also competed in the pitching contest. The Sinag Tala Team of the Junior Marketing Advocates claimed the championship title, followed by Econ System Builders of the Economics Society as first runner-up, and Ecobites of the Junior Association of Hospitality Practitioners as second runner-up.
CBEA Student Council President Danniel James Corales said the event aims to develop students’ interest in business and strengthen their leadership skills. He also invited the participating senior high school students to pursue their undergraduate studies at MMSU’s College of Business, Economics, and Accountancy.
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