PNPh Students Win First Place at WakuWork Social Innovation Contest
Last September 17, 2026, four students from Passerelles Numériques Philippines (PNPh) Class of 2027 won first place at the Waku Work Social Innovation Contest with their proposed solution, BALIK (Bridging Assistance, Livelihood, Intervention, and Knowledge).
The winning team, composed of Rodel Tan, Cryslet Raganas, Rhealyn Cabarloc, and Ashley de Borja, presented BALIK, a system designed to connect people experiencing homelessness with social welfare services.
The initiative aims to make support and assistance more accessible by helping bridge the gap between individuals in need and the services available to them.
Through BALIK, the students demonstrated how digital solutions can be applied to address social challenges and help improve access to essential services.
Their proposal reflects the potential of technology and innovation to respond to community needs.
As first-place winners, the team will receive ₱50,000, along with mentorship and networking opportunities to further develop their solution.
This achievement highlights the ability of PNPh students to apply their technical knowledge and problem-solving skills beyond the classroom.
By exploring solutions to real-world challenges, they demonstrate how digital education can equip young people to contribute to their communities and create meaningful change.
PNPh congratulates Rodel, Cryslet, Rhealyn, and Ashley on this achievement and looks forward to seeing how BALIK develops in the future.
