Daily TribuneBuilding the Future of Energy Through Education and Innovation
MERALCO Power Academy (MPA) has formalized its academic collaborations with University of San Carlos (USC) and Cebu Institute of Technology University, enabling the implementation of programs that will equip engineering students with technical expertise and skills needed to thrive in the evolving energy industry. In photo are officials of MPA and USC namely, (from left) USC president Fr. Francisco Antonio T. Estepa, SVD, Ph. D; MPA executive director Ian Chester V. Colorina, MPA Director for Advocacy and Communication Kathleen Kristy D. Dorico, and USC dean of School of Engineering Dr. Rosana J. Ferolin.
Photographs courtesy of MERALCO Power Academy
Meralco Power Academy (MPA), the energy education arm of Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco), is cultivating the country’s next generation of engineers and scientists. Through strategic academic partnerships and youth-focused initiatives, MPA is broadening its footprint in Visayas and Mindanao — empowering the island regions to play a bigger role in helping achieve secure and sustainable energy future.
Strengthening engineering education
In October 2025, MPA formalized new collaborations with two of Cebu’s most respected engineering institutions: the University of San Carlos (USC) and Cebu Institute of Technology University (CIT University).
The partnership with USC, signed on 27 October 2025, entails training programs, research initiatives aligned with sustainability goals, and industry immersion opportunities. USC President Fr. Francisco Antonio T. Estepa, SVD emphasized that the joint undertaking is a shared investment in innovation, energy security, and sustainable development.
Meanwhile, the agreement with CIT University, signed on 24 October 2025, focuses on empowering engineering students through workshops, knowledge-sharing activities, and practical exposure to the energy industry.
“These partnerships underscore our commitment to building a strong pipeline of industry-ready professionals in the Visayas region,” said MPA executive director Ian Chester V. Colorina. By combining academic rigor with industry expertise, MPA ensures that engineering graduates are not only job-ready but future-ready and equipped to meet the evolving demands of the energy sector.
Inspiring young innovators
MPA is also investing in the early development of future scientists and engineers. This vision came to life during the Visayas leg of the Young Engineers and Scientists Summit (YESS) held at the Meralco PowerGen Corporation’s (MGEN) Innovation Center in Iloilo on October 8, 2025.
The activity gathered 90 outstanding students from Philippine Science High School, Angelicum School Iloilo, and Leganes National High School.
MGEN president and chief executive officer Emmanuel V. Rubio, in his welcome remarks during the Young Engineers and Scientists Summit (YESS) in Iloilo emphasized the importance of honing future innovators in the power industry.
A highlight of the summit was the keynote address of Filipino inventor Mark Kennedy Bantugon, who shared his pioneering journey with the sustainable aircraft sealant Pili Seal, demonstrating how purpose-driven innovation can create lasting impact.
The Iloilo leg of YESS is a milestone under MPA’s new collaboration with MGEN to establish the Center for Innovation in the Visayas.
MPA also brought YESS 2025 to Iligan City in collaboration with Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT).
On 7 November 2025, the MSU-IIT Gymnasium was filled with nearly a thousand junior and senior high school students from Abuno National High School, Acelo C. Badelles Sr. Memorial High School, Iligan City East National High School, Iligan City National High School, Integrated Developmental School, Philippine Science High School, and St. Michael’s College of Iligan, Inc.
Chancellor Alizedney M. Ditucalan, in his welcome remarks, urged the participants to fuel their passion as they build a bright future for themselves and the nation. The summit featured inspiring talks that challenged students to anchor innovation in meaning and resilience. One of the speakers Jun Cabalhug, an MSU-IIT alumnus and now a Meralco employee, shared his journey from being an ambitions college student to professional in the power industry. He emphasized the importance of adaptability and lifelong learning.
The lively panel brought knowledge exchange to life, as students engaged directly with speakers to explore future possibilities. The half-day summit stood as a testament to the power of purpose-driven initiative — empowering the next generation of scientists and engineers to create impact, drive change, and shape a brighter future.
MPA’s initiatives reflect a unified vision: to build a strong, innovative, and sustainable energy workforce for the Philippines.
By bridging academia, industry, and youth engagement, MPA is not only expanding its footprint in the Visayas and Mindanao but also laying the foundation for a future where Filipino engineers and scientists lead the charge in energy innovation and sustainability.
