THE MMSU Students in Free Enterprise Team emerged second runner-up in the National SIFE Exposition held at the Hotel Dusit Thani in Makati City, July 23.

The team was composed of: Reindel Owen Salvador (BS Sociology IV) who served as the team leader, Krisdionne Jureya Cabading (BS Accountancy IV), Ruben Mateo Jr. (BS Accountancy III), Emil James Tanagon (BS Accountancy III), and James Ceasar Ventura (BSE II). They were guided by Dr. Marivic Alimbuyuguen who acted as executive adviser, and Ms. Bella Gervacio and Dr. Leah Ballesteros who stood as co-advisers.

The team presented its program on “Empowering the Ilocanos through Sustainable Community  Enterprise” which featured the project titled “Giving Hope to Gawad Kalinga Dwellers through Sustainable Projects”.  The project involved 28 households of the Gawad Kalinga area in Namnama Village, Barangay Talingaan, Laoag City. The three component activities were: 1) organic vegetable gardening; 2) livelihood opportunities for households; and 3) Summer Program for the Youth.
  
The University of Luzon in Dagupan City, Pangasinan  emerged as this year’s  national champion.  Sultan Kudarat - Isulan Campus was first runner-up and University of Antique, third runner-up. The national champion will represent the Philippines in the SIFE World Cup in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia this Oct. 1-7.  As incentives the runner-up teams will join the Philippine delegation to the World Cup with all their expenses to be paid by Pilipinas SIFE.

MMSU started joining  the  SIFE competition in 2005.  In 2006, it bagged the national championship and represented the Philippines in the SIFE World Cup in Paris, France.  The team made it to the semi-final round participated  by 48 countries around the world. This  was the highest award received by a Philippine Team since it started to participate in the SIFE World Cup in 1997. 

The MMSU-SIFE Team also emerged national champion in 2009 and 2010 and represented the Philippines in the SIFE World Cup in Berlin, Germany and in California, USA, respectively.

SIFE is an international non-profit organization of businessmen committed to promote the positive power of business to improve the  quality of life of the people.