MMSU gets the chance to represent the country again after they bagged the championship in the SIFE Pilipinas National Competition held July 17 at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City.

In a presentation entitled, \"Transforming the lives of the Ilocanos through sustainable entrepreneurial development,\" six members of the MMSU SIFE Team discussed their projects that led to an improved quality of life in various communities in the province. The team competed with 19 other SIFE teams from all over the country.

The MMSU SIFE program has three components: Projecting Bayanihan in the Gawad Kalinga-Namnama Village in Barangay Talingaan, Laoag City; Threading the Shells of Hope in Brgy. Saud, Pagudpud; and Shooting the Bamboo Persistence in Bangui town and at the Batac District Jail.

The competing schools were grouped into four leagues during the elimination round where MMSU beat Adamson University, Mindanao State University, STI, and Technological Institute of the Philippines for the chance to proceed to the final round along with other league winners Sultan Kudarat State Polytechnic College, Baliuag University, and San Beda College, which won the championship in 2007 and in 2008.

MMSU was the unanimous choice of all 36 members of the board of judges composed of chief executive officers of multinational corporations. MMSU SIFE’s presentation was commended by judges and tournament organizers as \"detailed, substantial, simple, and not theatrical.\" The team also earned praises for their excellent verbal communication skills.

In Berlin, the team will again present the results of their community outreach projects to panels of business leaders serving as judges. They will compete with more than 1,300 active SIFE teams from all over the world.

The MMSU SIFE Team has six members: Rafael Sandino S. Guerrero, BSBA Enterpreneurship IV; Eunesse Mari U. Retutal, BS Accountancy III; Valerie Mary Anne C. Ablan, BS Accountancy III; Ralph Emerson Ray A. Agonoy, BS Biology III; Daniel Karlo S. Guerrero, BS Computer Science IV; and Efren Jonicel D. Domingo, BS Education IV, who serves as team captain.

Bella Gervacio of the Extension Directorate serves as their adviser together with Joyce Rallojay, an instructor at the College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology. Extension Director Marivic Alimbuyuguen is executive adviser.

Due to budgetary constraints, only Retutal, Ablan, Agonoy, and RS Guerrero will travel to Berlin. They will be accompanied by Ms. Gervacio.

The team recently paid a call to Ilocos Norte Governor Michael M. Keon, who was elated with MMSU’s feat. He gave a cash incentive of Php 5,000 for each of the 6 SIFErs. \"This is really something big. The province is so proud of you,\" the governor told the group accompanied by President Miriam E. Pascua and Dir. Alimbuyuguen.

Keon, who first leaned of MMSU’s victory when his political partymates called him up to give their congratulations, said the provincial government must collaborate more closel;y with the university in development programs.

SIFE is global non-profit organization active in 48 countries and territories aimed toward the development of entrepreneurial skills. It provides an opportunity for students to become involved in their community by participating in educational projects that build teamwork, dedication and communication, management and leadership skills. The organization is funded by giant business corporations, entrepreneurs, and foundations including government agencies and individuals from all over the world. It works in partnership with the business sector and higher education institutions.