Samsung Philippines named a solar-powered buoy system that tracks mangrove water quality as the top project in its third Solve for Tomorrow competition in the country.
The winning project, “Mangrove Health Monitor (MaHeMo): A Solar-Powered, Water-Quality Sensing Buoy for Monitoring Mangrove Ecosystem Health,” was developed by students from Cavite Science Integrated School: Elisha Lhane Althea Ramos, Harly P. Bautista, Jhacis Miguel Causapin, Eileen Cassandra S. Datu, and their adviser, Jeremae V. Varias.
The system uses sensors to measure salinity, turbidity, pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen, allowing continuous monitoring of mangrove ecosystems and marking key areas with floating buoys.
“At Samsung, we believe our success is inseparable from the progress of the communities we serve,” said Roman Han, president of Samsung Philippines. “Solve for Tomorrow embodies this belief by empowering the next generation of heroes in our own local communities nationwide and equipping our young innovators with the education, tools, and opportunities they need to create their proposals for a better future.”
Samsung Philippines’ Solve for Tomorrow program aims to give students hands-on experience in designing practical projects while promoting technology access and community problem solving. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the global competition.
The team will receive ₱500,000 worth of Samsung devices for their school, ₱250,000 worth of devices for the students and their teacher, ₱100,000 in cash for the team members, and ₱30,000 in cash for their adviser.
Second prize also went to a team from Cavite Science Integrated School. Their project, “EGGNovation: Egg Quality Control Segregator,” uses a conveyor system and image processing program to automatically scan and sort eggs based on yolk freshness. The team members are Adam Uriel Berganos, Jared Y. Cabillan, Niel Jullian M. Caringal, Cedrick A. Del Mundo, and their adviser Mharlotte O. Ilagan.
They will receive ₱300,000 worth of Samsung devices for their school, ₱250,000 in devices for the team and adviser, ₱70,000 in cash for the team, and ₱25,000 in cash for the adviser.
The third prize went to students from Tuguegarao City Science High School for their “BANTALAY” project, a solar-powered UV light trap with humidity-based intensity adjustment. It provides a low-cost, sustainable method for pest control aimed at reducing chemical use and supporting farming resilience. The team includes Zeke Rinzen Maggay, Princess F. Cue, Rhiane Leigh E. Espanto, Julius James A. Palattao, and their adviser Raissa Jennifer C. Pulido.
They will receive ₱200,000 worth of Samsung devices for their school, ₱250,000 in devices for the team and adviser, ₱50,000 in cash for the team, and ₱15,000 for the adviser.
Other top 10 finalists received ₱15,000 in cash for their team and ₱5,000 for their teacher. These included projects on disaster mapping, sustainable solar and construction materials, fisheries monitoring, and wearable health and disaster tools.
Solve for Tomorrow began in 2010 as an essay competition and has evolved into a platform where students create technology-based solutions for real-world problems. This year’s edition focused on environmental sustainability, social change through technology and sports, and solving community challenges with AI. Supported by the Department of Education, the 2025 competition received over 300 entries from Grades 8-10 students in public science high schools.