Two Josenians are set to bring Filipino innovation to Singapore as Minette Cabaluna and Jim Niño Gonzales of the University of San Jose-Recoletos Senior High School (USJ-R SHS) secured a Top 3 spot in the JA Asia-Pacific (APAC) FedEx International Trade Challenge (ITC) 2026. The Grade 12 Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) Josenians, representing Team “The Visionary”, will represent the Philippines alongside ArkSight of Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School and TeamMate of Everest International Academy.
Their winning entry, Chuồn Chuồn, Vietnamese for “dragonfly,” is a drone service application designed to simplify warehouse monitoring and inventory tracking. It features Chuồn2Bot, an AI-powered chatbot that allows users to manage drones and monitor inventory through a conversational interface.
According to coach Michael Bryn Ortiz, the team faced the challenge of developing a fresh solution for the competition’s AI Inventory Management System theme. To address this, the students developed MESP Market Entry Strategy Plan, a mini business plan focused on practical solutions to identified inventory-management concerns.
After being selected among the Top 10 teams in the Philippines, the students advanced through the interview and presentation stages. One of the judges’ notable comments described their product as “very refreshing,” recognizing the team’s creative approach to AI inventory management. Now, Cabaluna and Gonzales are set to bring their innovation to Singapore, carrying the Philippine flag as they compete on the Asia-Pacific stage.
