RC Makati’s AI Academy Celebrates Cohort 2 Graduation and Pitch Day
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RC Makati celebrated another milestone for its AI Academy as 78 students completed the program’s second cohort, culminating in its Graduation and Final Pitch Day on August 8.
This year’s cohort was unique. Due to time constraints, the original 16-week program was compressed into 11 weeks, challenging both students and mentors to cover the intensive curriculum within a shorter period while maintaining the program’s focus on practical and relevant AI skills.
The second cohort also expanded the reach of the Academy beyond its original beneficiaries. While the majority of the students came from the Sisters of Mary, the program welcomed nine students from a Caloocan community supported by their local parish, opening the opportunity for more underserved young people to gain access to emerging technologies.
Final Pitch Presentation
The 78 learners were divided into 20 groups, with each team assigned a real-world business challenge from the AI Academy’s partners—RC Makati, Delca through Mike del Carmen, and project partner YMCA. Each group was given 15 minutes to present its AI-assisted solution, followed by a 15-minute open forum with the panel.
For RC Makati, students were challenged to develop solutions for a membership campaign. The panel of judges included PP Fred Pascual, Dir. Patrick Parungao, Neil Makasiar, Chris Edwards, and Ms. Marivic Espano, former CEO of P&A Grant Thornton.
For YMCA, teams developed solutions for the YMCA Hotel. Judges were PE Leo de Leon, VP/Dir. Philip Soliven, Tom Banguis, President of Makati YMCA, and Laurent Lamasuta, former President & CEO of Ayala Property Management Corporation.
For Delca, the challenge focused on developing solutions to improve its sales funnel. The panel included Pres. Chris Ferareza, Mike del Carmen, Notsky Lou, and Mac Esmilla, CISO of SM Investments Corporation.
The pitches and judging ran throughout the day, with the panelists impressed by the quality of the students’ presentations and their ability to develop practical solutions despite completing only an 11-week program. One judge even remarked that the students presented their ideas better than some newly hired staff they had encountered—a strong testament to the confidence and skills developed through the Academy.
At the end of the competition, one winning team was selected for each business challenge: Group 4 Boystown – ADLAS for RC Makati, Group 2 Girlstown for YMCA, and Delca BT Group 2 for Delca. Each member of the winning teams received ₱4,000 worth of gift certificates.
Be Brave
When the second cohort was welcomed to the AI Academy in May 2026, President Chris Ferareza gave the learners a simple challenge: Be brave.
At graduation, President Chris congratulated the students for rising to that challenge. Over the course of the program, they demonstrated not only courage but also creativity, perseverance, and the willingness to step outside their comfort zones as they learned new technologies and developed solutions to real-world problems.
He congratulated the graduates for being brave, for being creative, and most importantly, for making the Rotary Club of Makati proud.
Three‑E Learning Journey
Dir. Roger Collantes—founder and visionary behind the AI Academy—shared the transformative story of an intense 11‑week journey. He described how learners moved from mastering AI fundamentals to creating and presenting solutions for real business problems, emerging with both technical skill and real‑world experience.
He underscored the Academy’s guiding principle: the Three‑E Initiative—Educate, Empower, Employ. More than a curriculum, the program is a deliberate pathway that lifts underserved young people by giving them hands‑on expertise, strengthening their confidence, and opening doors to meaningful opportunities in the world beyond the classroom.
From Education to Opportunity
In his closing remarks, IPP Eddie Galvez reminded the graduates that their graduation was not a finish line but a launching point. He highlighted the Academy’s Triple E Initiative—Educate, Empower, and Employ—which seeks to provide young people not only with technical knowledge, but also the confidence, professionalism, and resilience needed to pursue meaningful careers.
He also paid tribute to the first cohort for “lighting the flame” and challenged the second cohort to carry it forward as “Torchbearers of Transformation.” He encouraged the graduates to continue learning and, one day, return as mentors, innovators, entrepreneurs, employers, and leaders who can create opportunities for others.
With the completion of its second cohort, the AI Academy has now reached 139 graduates, demonstrating RC Makati’s continuing commitment to making AI education and opportunities accessible to underserved youth.
More than teaching students how to use technology, the AI Academy is creating a pathway from education to empowerment and, ultimately, employability—equipping young people to solve real-world problems and shape a better future for themselves and their communities.
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