A team of students from Holy Angel University in Angeles, Pampanga, won the People’s Choice Award at the 2025 Google-ADB APAC Solution Challenge for their AI-powered waste management tracking system.
The group, including Josh Gorospe, Joaquin Galang, Eisha Janel Tablante Alva, and Angelica Mae Tadique, presented their project during the APAC Digital Transformation Forum in Manila in June. The award came with a $1,000 cash prize.
“The Google Solution Challenge was a cornerstone of the Asia Pacific Digital Transformation Forum 2025,” said Antonio García Zaballos, director of the Digital Sector Office at ADB. “We saw the power of student-led innovation to address real-world challenges in healthcare, sustainability, trade, and tourism through technology and AI. The energy and creativity of the students were truly inspiring. We are seeing the future of sustainable digital transformation in the Asia Pacific region.”
The APAC Solution Challenge featured student projects from across the region, all using Google AI tools to tackle pressing global issues. The People’s Choice Award highlighted a project that effectively applied AI to benefit communities.
“It’s one thing to talk about the potential of AI. It’s another thing entirely to witness it in the hands of brilliant, passionate students who are using it not to chase trends, but to heal our planet, strengthen our communities, and even save lives,” said Sapna Chadha, VP for Google Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier, in a LinkedIn post congratulating the finalists.
Other awardees included GeoGemma for Best AI Use Case and Atempo from South Korea for Most Societal Impact, along with teams from Pakistan, Singapore, Indonesia, and Japan.
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