Byte the Challenge: InfotechnOlympics 2025 Powers Up for Innovation

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

The countdown is on for the biggest tech spectacle of the year at the University of Makati—InfotechnOlympics 2025: “The Technocentric.” Set to unfold on October 13, 2025, the event will turn the Performing Arts Theater, UMak Oval, HPSB rooms, the 11th Floor Cafeteria, and the 10th Floor Computer Laboratories into arenas of innovation, skill, and creativity. Organized by the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CCIS) Student Council, this year’s InfotechnOlympics carries the theme “Elevating Minds Centered on Digital Innovation,” a fitting call to students eager to push boundaries in the digital age. Powered by major supporters Taters Enterprises Incorporated, Mogu Mogu Juice Drink Philippines, and Motivo Philippines, with sponsorship from Almalik Shawarma and Koryana Merch PH Novelty Shop, and amplified through media partners WazzupPilipinas.com and IKOT.PH INC., the competition features 12 diverse categories designed to challenge wit, talent, and teamwork—with winners set to proudly represent UMak in the prestigious IT Skills Olympics (ITSO). More than just a contest, InfotechnOlympics 2025 is poised to be a celebration of excellence, collaboration, and the future of technology.

Moving into the highlights, InfotechnOlympics 2025 unfolds as UMak CCIS gathers the brightest minds to showcase their skills in technology, creativity, and problem-solving. This year’s event brings together a powerhouse lineup of categories where students will battle it out and prove their skills.

Participants will compete across a wide range of categories, each highlighting different areas of expertise in the tech field. Students’ academic knowledge will be tested in the Quiz Bee, while the Android Applications category branches into Game Development, Productivity Tools, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Meanwhile, programming contests in Java and .Net C# will showcase versatility in coding, while the systems side takes center stage through Computer Networking. The competition also highlights creativity and technical precision with Digital Electronics and Web Design, while the high-energy E-Sports tournament keeps the crowd on edge with Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Call of Duty: Mobile.

What makes this year even more exciting are the fresh and redefined categories. While favorites like the Quiz Bee and E-Sports continue to thrill the crowd, the upgraded challenges in Linux Administration and Python Programming now offer practical, hands-on expertise from participants. Adding even more energy is the arrival of E-Robots and Database Management categories that expand the competitive field, giving students new opportunities to showcase precision, strategy, and technical mastery.

As InfotechnOlympics 2025 approaches, the organizers underscored the importance of the event for the CCIS community. “This year’s InfotechnOlympics is vital for us because it will serve as the selection ground for our representative in the upcoming 14th Skills Olympics,” shared a CCIS Student Council representative. They added that “the primary objectives of InfotechnOlympics are to foster collaboration among students and to provide them with the opportunity to showcase their skills.” In encouraging the participants, the organizers left a message that captures the event’s spirit: “Always strive to innovate and elevate minds for greater success.”

Students are equally eager as the big day draws closer. One participant shared, “I decided to join the InfotechnOlympics because I want to discover both my strong points and my limitations.” Looking ahead to the competition, they added, “I’m joining the Web Design category so I can further enhance my frontend development skills.” While enthusiastic, they also expect to be tested: “I know the event will be challenging since there are many students who are better than me, but I see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.”

Beyond individual experiences, the theme takes center stage this year: “Elevating Minds Centered on Digital Innovation.” At its core, the theme is more than a call to showcase digital talent—it is a challenge to reimagine the future. In an age where technology evolves at lightning speed, students are called not just to keep up but to rise higher. By centering their passion on digital innovation, they become the drivers of progress and the thinkers who bridge today’s problems with tomorrow’s solutions.

The event is also expected to bring together students across IT, Computer Science, and diploma tracks, representing both baccalaureate and non-baccalaureate programs. Faculty members will serve as evaluators, giving feedback and selecting winners—ensuring participants, whether they win or not, gain valuable experience and encouragement to keep striving. Strengthened by its partners and sponsors, InfotechnOlympics 2025 stands as a showcase of unity and innovation for the CCIS community.

Looking back, the InfotechnOlympics has continuously evolved into one of the most awaited CCIS traditions. The first-ever event was held online on April 22–23, 2021, titled “InfoTechnOlympics 2021: Revamping the Pillars of Industry 4.0 in Embracing Adversity as Opportunity.” Since then, the competition has expanded in both size and impact, introducing fresh categories, improving logistics, and attracting higher student participation. Over the years, it has grown into a premier platform that represents the creativity, competitiveness, and collaborative spirit of CCIS.

In closing, InfotechnOlympics 2025 will not just be another event in the CCIS calendar—it will continue the tradition of excellence that has grown since its beginnings. As participants face competitions that test creativity, logic, and technical mastery, they will discover new strengths and unlock greater potential. Culminating in a closing program and awarding ceremony, the event will not only honor outstanding talents but also celebrate the shared journey of the CCIS community. Guided by the mantra “Lead. Elevate. Innovate.” InfotechnOlympics 2025 promises to inspire a new generation of visionaries ready to transform the future of technology.

Written by:

Isabel San Esteban

Shaun Cj Caril

Denise Mae Lucero

Alexandra Macalla

Jamie Rafaela Pagkalinawan

Michelle Ann Sahorda

John Dave Villareal

Blockchain Won’t Save Us From Corruption — Especially When Politicians Don’t Even Understand It

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

A senator has proposed using blockchain to manage budget allocations from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). On the surface, it’s being hailed as a bold leap into digital governance. But scratch that glossy surface, and you’ll find a hollow core — one that risks becoming nothing more than transparency theater at the expense of the people.

The Sales Pitch vs. The Reality

Blockchain advocates frame it as incorruptible. They tell us it’s immutable, secure, and decentralized — the perfect cure for corruption. But here’s the inconvenient truth: corruption is not a technological bug, it’s a governance disease.

You can put a rotten system on the blockchain, and all you’ll have is a highly sophisticated way of recording the rot forever.

Just ask the World Bank. In a 2023 report, the institution cautioned that while blockchain could enhance transparency in certain sectors, “technology alone cannot solve governance weaknesses.” The failures of blockchain-based land registries in Honduras and Sierra Leone prove that without political will and institutional reform, the ledger is meaningless.

Misunderstanding the Tech

What worries experts is that politicians treat blockchain like a shiny Excel upgrade. It’s not. It’s a verification system that only works if independent nodes validate every transaction.

So, key questions remain unanswered:

Who runs the nodes — government offices, private firms, or international validators?

If this is public money, will it run on a public blockchain or a tightly controlled private one?

If it’s private, where’s the transparency? If it’s public, how do we protect sensitive data from being exploited?

So far, there’s no white paper, no technical framework, and no governance model. Without these, this proposal looks dangerously close to a buzzword smokescreen.

Immutability ≠ Security

Blockchain’s biggest selling point is immutability: data, once entered, can’t be altered. But immutability doesn’t guarantee accuracy. Wrong numbers will still be wrong, only now they’re wrong permanently.

Consider this: In 2022, the city of Austin, Texas, scrapped a blockchain voting pilot after cybersecurity experts warned that immutability meant errors or hacks would be irreversible. If a world-class tech hub backed away, why would we gamble public finances on it?

The Cost Nobody Talks About

Blockchain isn’t free. Every transaction carries computational costs — known as gas fees — and the larger the network, the higher the energy demand. A single Ethereum transaction can use as much electricity as an average household in a day.

So, who’s paying for this? The taxpayer? And is this really more efficient than existing, cheaper auditing systems? Or are we being sold “expensive transparency” with no guarantees of cleaner governance?

Global Lessons We Refuse to Learn

Success Story: Estonia’s blockchain-backed governance works — but only after decades of building digital ID systems, strict data laws, and ironclad trust in public institutions.

Failure Story: In Sierra Leone, a blockchain-based election project collapsed after officials admitted the system was poorly understood and lacked safeguards.

The pattern is clear: blockchain succeeds only when governments already have a culture of accountability. Where corruption thrives, blockchain becomes nothing more than a fancy digital facade.

The Verdict

If this senator truly believes in blockchain for governance, then transparency starts with him:

Publish the white paper.

Explain the governance model.

Disclose costs, risks, and fallback mechanisms.

Identify who controls the nodes.

Until then, this isn’t innovation. It’s misdirection dressed up as modernity.

Because no matter how advanced the algorithm, no technology can replace political will. And in the fight against corruption, the strongest ledger is still public accountability — not a blockchain built on buzzwords.

Sheraton Manila Bay Celebrates Six Shining Years with Irresistible Dining Offers, Exciting Gatherings, and an interesting Coffee Discovery Moment

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Manila, Philippines — A Celebration of Gratitude. For the past six years, Sheraton Manila Bay has been more than just a gathering place—it has been a home where milestones are celebrated, flavors are savored, and friendships are nurtured through meaningful gatherings. This October, the hotel invites everyone to be part of its anniversary celebration and experience dining and beverage offerings designed with gratitude, warmth, and joy.

Manila Bay Kitchen: 4+2 and 699 Promos

The anniversary celebration shines brightest at Manila Bay Kitchen, where guests can enjoy a generous 4+2 offer on all dinner buffets—for every four paying guests, two dine free. Available from October 1 to 31, 2025, this promotion makes dining out with family and friends even more rewarding.

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, indulge in a special four-course lunch experience at a celebratory price of PHP 699 nett per person. With premium selections crafted by Sheraton Manila Bay’s culinary team, this weekday treat highlights the hotel’s commitment to making everyday dining extraordinary.

&More by Sheraton: Coffee Discovery Moment

Coffee lovers are invited to a one-of-a-kind experience on October 24, 2025 (3:00 – 6:00 PM) at &More by Sheraton. A Brilliant Brew will feature a captivating coffee cupping session with Allegro Beverage guest speaker, paired with thoughtfully curated food samplings. At only PHP 950 nett per person, this event promises an enriching journey for the senses—perfect for those who wish to savor coffee in new and exciting ways.

Unspoken Beverage Spotlight: Golden Hour at the Lobby

At Unspoken Bar, guests can toast to shining memories with the Golden Hour cocktail, specially crafted for the month of October. Available daily from 3:00 PM to 12:00 MN at just PHP 550 nett, this elegant libation is a fitting tribute to six years of heartfelt hospitality and unforgettable moments at Sheraton Manila Bay.

Reserve your seats today. Terms and conditions apply.

📞 +63 2 5318 0788

📧 reservations.manilabay@sheraton.com

📍 M. Adriatico Corner General Malvar St., Malate, Manila

For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 5318 0788, email reservations.manilabay@sheraton.com, or visit www.sheratonmanilabay.com