RC Makati AI Academy Students Pitch Community Solutions

Nervous excitement filled the room as students stepped forward, laptops open and prototypes ready, to present solutions they had built themselves in just four weeks. On December 6, 2025, the Rotary Club of Makati hosted its AI Academy Empowerment Pitch Day, where students from Sisters of Mary Boystown and Girlstown demonstrated how artificial intelligence can be harnessed to address real challenges in their schools and communities.

Working in teams of three to four, the students presented AI-powered prototypes developed entirely from scratch. The event marked the culmination of the Empowerment Modules—the second phase of the Rotary Club of Makati’s AI Academy program. AI Academy Chairman Roger Collantes opened the program, while Club President Eddie Galvez closed the event.

“This program is about more than learning technology,” Collantes said. “It’s about teaching young people how to identify real problems and design solutions that can truly help their communities.”

The initiative was conducted in partnership with KadaKareer, with support from the Rotaract Club of Makati.

From Education to Empowerment

The AI Academy follows a two-phase structure designed to guide students from foundational learning to practical application. The program begins with a six-week Education Module covering AI theory, ethics, and core techniques.

“Our goal was to make AI less intimidating and more purposeful,” Galvez said. “We wanted students to see technology as a tool for service, not just innovation.”

During the Empowerment Modules, students gained hands-on experience using AI-powered research, design, and prototyping tools, alongside entrepreneurship fundamentals such as market research, MVP development, pitching, and storytelling. Design thinking principles guided students as they addressed challenges in their schools and provinces, including mental health, environmental issues, journalism access, and career development.

Innovation on Display

A panel of six judges—PP Bing Matoto, PN Chris Ferareza, Director Philip Soliven, Tony Lopez, PP Bimbo Mills, Rodrigo Segura and Dir. Paolo Turno—evaluated the projects based on problem clarity, AI integration, and delivery.

Three teams received outstanding recognition for their innovative prototypes.

Jhamilla Rey Lustado and Xeline Rose Jarabelo presented Plastic to Fantastic, an AI-assisted recycling solution that transforms plastic food wrappers into useful craft items.

“We realized waste could become something valuable for our school,” Lustado said.

Jhodie Alano and Kleo Nicolette Valencia developed LeapLine, an AI-powered platform that helps students explore career paths aligned with their interests and abilities.

“We wanted to help students feel more confident about their future,” Valencia said.

Loyd Dane Petalcorin and Ejay Agapay introduced AgriWeather PH, a low-bandwidth app providing Filipino-translated weather updates and farming guidance for local farmers.

“We designed it for communities with limited internet access,” Petalcorin said.

Empowering Future Leaders

By combining AI education with entrepreneurship and design thinking, the AI Academy reflects Rotary’s commitment to developing socially responsible innovators.

“This is Service Above Self in action,” Galvez said in his closing remarks. “When we invest in young people, we invest in stronger communities.”

Through partnerships with KadaKareer and the Rotaract Club of Makati, the Rotary Club of Makati continues to empower students with the skills, confidence, and mindset to create meaningful change.