Six months after winning a $20,000 grand prize in Taiwan Excellence’s “Go Green with Taiwan” competition, Filipino students Dignity Lagunay and John Edison Tubil are pursuing opportunities to bring their eco-friendly proposal to life.

Lagunay and Tubil’s concept, “Sweet Solutions to the Plastic Crisis: Compostable Sugarcane-Based Alternatives,” was selected as one of three global champions from hundreds of entries worldwide. The contest sought innovative environmental solutions linked to Taiwan’s industries, products, and practices.

The students, both business majors from the Silliman University Junior Marketing Organization (SUJMO), proposed connecting the sustainable sugarcane-based packaging technology of JuTien Cleantech Co., Ltd., a Taiwanese company, with the abundant sugarcane bagasse in Negros Island, Philippines.

Since their victory, Lagunay has graduated from Silliman University and completed an internship at a sustainable enterprise, gaining practical experience in environmentally conscious consumerism. Tubil has served as president of a humanitarian organization at the university, expanding his network to guide other students with sustainable ideas.

“This generation and the market is shifting towards green consumerism,” Lagunay and Tubil said. “We’ll definitely carry these learnings and experiences with us as we implement our project.”

The pair plan to communicate with JuTien Cleantech Co., Ltd., and seek partnerships with other investors to make their proposal a reality. They aim to contribute to a business landscape that prioritizes sustainability.

Looking ahead, Taiwan Excellence has launched its 2025 global competition, “Go Healthy with Taiwan,” which invites innovative ideas for physical, mental, and lifestyle wellness using smart solutions from Taiwanese industries.

“Taiwan Trade Center Manila is proud to invite entries from around the country for the Go Healthy with Taiwan initiative,” said Alex Lai, director of the center. “We look forward to seeing innovative solutions that will encourage more partnerships with the industries of Taiwan. With the previous win by Edison and Dignity, much is expected from the Philippines.”

Lagunay and Tubil offered advice for those interested in participating in future Taiwan Excellence contests.

“If you’re really interested in joining, you have to know your reason why. Focus on your purpose,” Tubil said. “You have to commit to actualizing your goal beyond just winning. If you have that big reason, you have actually already won.”

Lagunay added, “For those who are interested in joining… I strongly recommend you join it. Oftentimes, the solution may just be at your doorstep. Or it’s in a friendly country called Taiwan.”

The “Go Green with Taiwan” contest, organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and the Taiwan International Trade Administration (TITA), received over 350 entries from 45 countries in 2024. More information about “Go Healthy with Taiwan” is available on Taiwan Excellence’s social media platforms.