A STUDENT from Ateneo de Manila University has won the national title at the inaugural Red Bull Basement Philippines competition for his technological innovation.

Soj Gamayon, a fourth-year BS Communications Technology Management major, was recognized for his pioneering project, AgriConnect. The project stood out from over 3,600 entries in the competition.

AgriConnect aims to improve the Filipino rice farming industry by addressing challenges such as pests, diseases, and weather-related risks with greater accuracy.

Inspired by his upbringing in a rice-producing province and his internship in Singapore’s startup ecosystem, Gamayon’s innovation targets the unique problems faced by local farmers.

“Winning this is surreal. I initially joined to learn, and now I feel an even greater responsibility to bring home the title,” Gamayon shared. “It’s about creating solutions that empower our farmers and enhance the agricultural sector for the long term.”

With his national victory, Gamayon will represent the Philippines at the Red Bull Basement World Finals in Tokyo, Japan, from December 2 to 5, 2024.

He will join top young innovators from over 40 countries, presenting his project on a global stage to showcase Filipino ingenuity and the important role technology-driven solutions can play in addressing urgent agricultural challenges.

This year’s Red Bull Basement Philippines also recognized six finalists from Ateneo de Manila University’s Marketing Varsity, including Arista Illenberger, Joshua Mateo, Bianca Lipana, Stanley Cenon, and Cody Sespeñe.

In Tokyo, Gamayon will participate in workshops, mentorship sessions, and networking opportunities with industry leaders, with a chance to win a three-week immersion in Silicon Valley in 2025 to scale AgriConnect.

Red Bull Basement is an annual competition that empowers young innovators to leverage technology, particularly AI, to create impactful solutions in fields like sustainability, public health, and agriculture.