Author: Dawn Solano

A mission-critical tech firm offers affordable packages, available either as a one-time perpetual license or a subscription-based service, to help LGUs improve disaster readiness and response in the Philippines. At a recent presentation, AGN Networks Solutions Inc., led by president and CEO Carlo Grant Yu, said its mission-critical systems are now within reach of LGUs, including those in remote provinces that often face the brunt of typhoons and storms.“If they cannot afford a perpetual license, we can also provide our system as a service,” Yu told PhilSTAR Tech during the sidelines of their AI solutions launch event held August 13…

De La Salle University (DLSU) won top place in a 24-hour hackathon with a speech-enabled business app, emerging as champion in the Metro Manila leg of the Byte Forward Hackathon. The app delivers sales and inventory insights, offers smart pricing and bundling suggestions, integrates AI-powered Q&A, and features an auto-ordering system. Moreover, the event was organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Converge SME Solutions, and Rev21 Labs during the Metro Manila Business Conference (MMBC), held at Seda Vertis North in Quezon City from August 7 to 8, 2025. The…

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is broadening its artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives to create practical solutions that address everyday Filipino needs, from government services to energy efficiency. The new projects were introduced at the 2025 AI Fest, held from August 11 to 13 at the Iloilo Convention Center. “By 2028, we envision AI driving inclusive innovation, stronger governance, empowered communities, and globally competitive industries for a sustainable, tech-enabled future,” said DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. in his keynote speech.Earlier in June, the department announced plans to allocate more than 2.6 billion for AI programs by 2028. Since 2017,…

Chinese ICT solutions provider H3C is targeting the Philippine government and banking sectors with its newly launched AI Box, a secure on-premises AI platform designed for industries that handle sensitive data. In an exclusive interview, H3C Philippines Country Manager Jensen Liu said both industries face strict data security regulations that make public cloud-based AI tools unsuitable. The AI Box offers an alternative by allowing organizations to process and store data entirely within their own infrastructure. “They need to keep the security for their data. So, I think the AI Box is the best choice for them in the AI era,…

Before the algorithms, before the regional finals, there was a curious kid peeking over his siblings’ shoulders at a dusty computer in an internet café. Years later, that same curiosity and grit would lead to a win that put the Philippines on Southeast Asia’s AI map.Blix Foryasen, a fourth-year computer science student from National University, was named champion of the AWS AI League, a regional competition hosted by Amazon Web Services that drew over 1,300 student participants across Southeast Asia.Representing the Philippines, he rose through weeks of eliminations to claim the top spot in a field dominated by highly skilled…

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has unveiled new, locally developed technologies designed to detect and contain African Swine Fever (ASF) early, in a renewed effort to protect the country’s struggling hog industry. The launch was led by DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), in partnership with the DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) and BioAssets Corporation.The new tools focus on early detection, rapid response, and long-term disease management. “Napaka-importante na ipakita natin na kayang gawin ng mga Pilipino ang mga teknolohiya na makakatulong sa pag-address sa ating problema sa pagkain,” said DOST Secretary…

Silliman University emerged as the top winner of the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines’ (IBPAP) first-ever Can You HackIT hackathon in Cebu City, kicking off a bold new chapter for regional tech innovation. Held earlier this month, the weeklong program culminated in a high-stakes, one-day hackathon that brought together 28 student teams from 14 schools across the Visayas region. The program’s first-ever champion is Merge Conflict, a student team from Silliman University in Dumaguete City, who presented their project: Bant AI, an application designed to detect harmful online content in real time.“We wanted to build something that…

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has officially activated contactless fare payments at MRT-3 stations, allowing commuters to tap their Mastercard credit, debit, or prepaid cards directly at the gates to pay for their rides.At the moment, the contactless payment option is currently available at four key stations: North Avenue, Cubao, Ayala, and Taft.The upgrade, which went live on Thursday, July 25,  marks the first full implementation of an open-loop payment system in Metro Manila’s rail network. Moreover, commuters can skip ticket queues by directly tapping their Mastercard on upgraded gates, with fares automatically deducted, just like using a beep card. Here’s…

For a long time, having stable internet was considered a benchmark of digital readiness. But today, it’s the bare minimum. More businesses in the Philippines are discovering that internet access alone can no longer keep up with how fast the world is changing.As industries shift toward automation, digital payments, remote operations, and hybrid customer service, the real question becomes: what else do you need beyond connectivity? In an exclusive interview with PhilSTAR Tech, Eastern Communications Chief Revenue and Innovation Officer Edsel Paglinawan described connectivity as the essential backbone of modern business operations.“But nowadays, with the transformation that’s happening around, and…

Every July 21, my Instagram memories remind me of the first time my nephew Gavin and I truly bonded. Our Gavin, a pandemic baby, was a shy little boy, the kind who needed time and gentle patience. To this day, he takes a little longer to warm up to anyone. But during this one short family trip, I finally got him to sit next to me for a couple of funny pictures. I remember thinking I had to move quickly, he might run off any second. I didn’t expect him to stay, but he did. That was four years ago.…