The Philippine tech industry just made a statement: the future of innovation isn’t just in Metro Manila. It’s everywhere if you open the right doors.
That was the driving force behind the launch of Can You HackIT a bold new initiative from the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) that was held in Cebu City this month, with 28 student teams from 14 schools participating in a week of mentorship followed by an intense one-day hackathon.
Can You HackIT is the brainchild of IBPAP President & CEO Jack Madrid, and trustees, Ambe Tierro of Accenture, and Sanjiv Gupta of IBM of IBPAP’s Tech and AI Council. Their shared vision? Build a national platform that connects students with real-world tech leaders and turns ideas into impact.
“The Cebu hackathon is a powerful reminder that innovation thrives where talent meets purpose,” said Ambe Tierro, Country Managing Director of Accenture and IBPAP Board Trustee. “This is about reshaping how we invest in talent by showing up, mentoring, and believing in young Filipino talent.”
“Can You HackIT proves that innovation is not tied to geography. It’s tied to belief,” said Sanjiv Gupta, President & Country Head of IBM Philippines. “When the industry comes together, not as brands, but as a united ecosystem, we unlock talent that’s been ready all along.”
Merge Conflict and Bant AI: From Dumaguete to the Top
The standout in Cebu? A student team from Dumaguete that crossed the island borders with grit and a big idea.
Silliman University’s Merge Conflict took home both Top 1 Award and Best Use of AI with their project, Bant AI, an application that detects harmful online content in real time and immediately alerts parents, even providing emotional analysis to help families respond appropriately.
Built to speak Filipino, Cebuano, and English, Bant AI is a digital guardian designed for local realities.
“We wanted to build something that protects kids before the damage is done and helps parents understand what their children are really experiencing online,” the team shared during their final pitch.
Collaboration Over Competition
Can You HackIT is proof of what’s possible when the tech industry starts building together.
The initiative was made possible by key industry players including Accenture, IBM, EY GDS, Lexmark, Carelon, and Philtech, with support from Cebu Institute of Technology University (CIT-U), Cebu IT-BPM Organization (CIB.O), and DITO.
“This was a full-force community effort,” said Jack Madrid. “It worked because the industry didn’t just fund it, they helped shape the future alongside our students.”
What’s Next: Built for Impact, Ready to Scale
The Cebu hackathon came together in just a matter of weeks, a fast, focused effort that combined sharp execution. Thanks in large part to the on-ground coordination of CIB.O and the cradle of Can You HackIT, CIT-U, whose full support and involvement made Cebu the perfect launchpad for this movement.
What started as a bold idea is now a proven model and Can You HackIT is gearing up to scale across the country, with other regional tech hubs next in line.
With Cebu as proof of concept, Can You HackIT is now preparing to scale across the country, with other regional tech hubs already in the pipeline.
“We’re not just opening doors,” said Madrid. “We’re building new ones and making sure no student with talent, heart, and hustle gets left standing outside.”
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