At UNLEASH Philippines, lived experiences turned challenges into practical, people-centered ideas for change.
via Graphic Plus | MANILA, Philippines — As 2026 begins, many Filipinos are entering the new year still navigating familiar challenges. Healthcare gaps persist, flooding continues to threaten communities, and economic and political uncertainties linger. Yet across the country, people are refusing to slow down—continuing to build solutions, support neighbors, and take action where they can.
Looking back at the close of 2025, UNLEASH Philippines helped shine a light on these ongoing efforts. The program brought together individuals driving change in different sectors, giving them space to exchange insights and strengthen solutions already taking root in their communities.
Held at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), the week-long Innovation Lab gathered 150 participants from across the Philippines. Through workshops, field visits, and co-creation sessions, teams refined solutions across three thematic tracks: Health Equity & Biomedical Innovation, Resilient Agriculture & Food Systems, and Sustainable Cities & Communities through Engineering Innovation.
The program is part of the global UNLEASH initiative and was developed in partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Leaders in Innovation Fellowships (LIF).
Innovation rooted in real community needs
For many participants, joining the program was about engaging with issues they saw as relevant.
Erica Urquiaga, part of the Resilient Agriculture & Food Systems track, grew up in Zamboanga del Norte in Mindanao. Her team’s project, however, was influenced by the hometown of her teammate, Mariero Gawat, in the Caraga region — known as the country’s soybean capital.
“My groupmate in Caraga encouraged us to speak directly with a soybean farmer to better understand the challenges they face,” Urquiaga said. “That conversation helped us identify areas where improvements in soybean harvesting could make the process more efficient for farmers.”
She also added that meaningful innovation doesn’t always have to be large-scale or complex. “Sometimes impact comes from addressing everyday problems, the kinds of issues people deal with regularly, and finding practical ways to make things better.”
Designing cities with people in mind
For RVJ Gatchalian, the program reinforced the need to balance technical frameworks with lived realities.
“We often design cities from policy documents and data models. UNLEASH reminded us to sit down with actual communities,” he said.
His team’s project focuses on helping essential workers navigate mobility disruptions during flooding — an issue he observed firsthand while working with labor groups.
Technology rooted in healing
For Robert Anlocotan, innovation turned personal after losing an uncle to a preventable heart condition in 2022. His team’s wearable device, Art Sense, detects early signs of cardiovascular irregularities.
“The idea started as a technical solution. But after working with health workers in Navotas and hearing stories just like ours, it stopped being a project and became a responsibility,” he said.
Following the program, teams advance to the UNLEASH Prototyping Program, gaining mentorship, technical guidance, and support as they move toward implementation.
As 2026 unfolds, the challenges facing communities remain complex. But efforts like UNLEASH Philippines continue to show that collaborative, people-centered problem-solving is happening at many levels. More than a year-end milestone, it serves as a reminder that change is already in motion — and it is being built by the people who experience these challenges every day.
