Mariano Marcos
State University

MMSU innovators clinch top spots at RAISE Ilocos Region Technology Pitch Fest

By Jareason Fabre 

Two innovators of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) won major awards at the Region 1 Technology Pitch Fest 2026 held August 5–6 at Pangasinan State University in Lingayen, Pangasinan, showcasing homegrown technologies with strong potential for commercialization.
 

Prof. Johnmel Valerozo won first place in the Food Category for his Probiotic Vanilla Ice Cream, while Mr. Jayson Cariaga placed second in the Non-Food Category for the NBERIC Nipahol Stove.
 

In the Food Category, Valerozo topped the competition, followed by Rossana P. Abat of DMMMSU for Nutri-Squash Bread and Alvin S. Aguilan of PSU for Binagoongang Bangus in Pouch.
 

In the Non-Food Category, Rex Basuel of PSU took first place for Integrated Filtration and Electrodialysis of Seawater for Cooked Salt Production, followed by Cariaga of MMSU. Jay Ron Masonic of DMMMSU placed third for Spore Trap for Mulberry Leaf Rust.
 

The Technology Pitch Fest was organized by the Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement (RAISE) Ilocos Region, led by the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University–Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator (DMMMSU-ATBI), in collaboration with the MMSU Intellectual Property Technology Business Management (IPTBM), MMSU Agribusiness Hub (MMSU-ABH), DMMMSU IPTBM, and PSU IPTBM.
 

Technology pitchers from state universities and colleges across Region 1 presented innovations in the Food and Non-Food categories before a panel of judges. The activity allowed researchers and innovators to present their technologies, receive feedback on commercialization, and connect with potential partners.
 

For Dr. Dionisio Bucao, RAISE Program Leader in Region 1 and MMSU Director for Research, Innovation, and Technology, the competition provides researchers with a venue to move their work closer to actual use.
 

“We want our researchers to see that a good research output should not end with a publication. It should have a clear path toward use, adoption, and eventually commercialization. Activities like the Technology Pitch Fest allow our innovators to sharpen their ideas, understand the market, and build partnerships that can help bring their technologies to the people,” Bucao said.
 

The activity also provided technical guidance and commercialization insights to participating researchers and innovators while promoting knowledge sharing and partnerships among Consortium Member Institutions.
 

The RAISE Ilocos Region Technology Pitch Fest is part of efforts to strengthen the regional innovation ecosystem and help research institutions turn technologies into viable products, services, and enterprises.