T HE MMSU Student in Free Enterprise (SIFE) surfaced as first runner-up among 18 higher education institutions in the country in the recently concluded 2012 Pilipinas SIFE National Finals held at the Dusit Thani  Hotel in Makati, July 6-7.

The project, “MMSU-SIFE:  Lighthouse of the Ilocanos,” was presented by  BS Accountancy IV students Emil James P. Tanagon, Ruben J. Mateo Jr., and Sheena Leigh V. Callueng; and BSE III students James Caesar A. Ventura and Ulysses S. Gaygay. It has four components: 1) “Boost Saud” which provided assistance to women shell craft makers in Saud, Pagudpud who, in turn, reinvested their earnings in the home-stay business; 2) “Project HABI” (Hyacinth Industry for the Benefit of the Ilocanos) which assisted Corocor and Cabulalaan,  Bacarra residents turn water hyacinths into handicraft products and organic fertilizers; 3) “HOuME” (Harnessing Opportunities of Untapped Manpower Economically) which trained unemployed housewives, out-of-school youth, and family members of BJMP detainees on housekeeping, culinary, child care nursing, customer relations, and values orientation for them to become skilled home service providers; and 4) “GK Dweller No More: A Dream Come True” which provided Gawad Kalinga residents of Brgy. Talingaan, Laoag City technical, financial, and marketing assistance for their business ventures and summer program for their children.

During the opening program, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, represented by his son Congressman Jack Enrile, highlighted the role of free enterprise as a driving force in the country’s economic progress and development. He encouraged the students and youth to embrace the value of free enterprise and social responsibility.   

Team MMSU joined League 4 in the elimination round where it competed with Pangasinan State University, Central Luzon State University, Sultan Kudarat State University (Isulan Campus), and Lyceum of the Philippines University.  It emerged as league winner and the lone SUC that made it to the final round and with three private HEIs in the final round. Divine Word College of Calapan which settled as third-runner-up; Lyceum Northwestern University, second runner-up; and University of Luzon, champion. Thirty-two CEOs of various companies in the Philippines served as judges in the final competition.  

In her message during the awarding ceremony, Ms. Shalani Soledad-Romulo, general secretary of the Philippine Councilors League,  challenged the students, “to further their efforts in empowering communities and developing enterprises in the Philippines.” She also emphasized the significant role of the SIFE as “a catalyst of change, bringing together universities and colleges along with their local government and local businesses to develop a generation of student leaders who understand the importance of serving their community.”  

Since 2006, the MMSU-SIFE has been a consistent finalist and three-time champion in the National SIFE Exposition, representing the Philippines in the World Cups in Paris, France; Berlin, Germany; and California, USA.   This year’s presenters were selected from 20 SIFERs who presented their respective projects in an elimination round conducted at the University Training Center before a panel of evaluators composed of Prof. Constante Salasac, Dr. Marlina Lino, Prof. Henedine Aguinaldo, and Dr. Ritha Reyes as chair.  

The MMSU SIFE is one of the recognized student organizations in the university with Dr. Marivic M. Alimbuyuguen as executive adviser; Ms. Bella C. Gervacio, adviser; and Mr. Errol John V. Valdez, faculty co-adviser.