BATANGAS, Philippine — Once again proving its mettle on the national stage, the outstanding team of BatStateU Industrial Engineering students secured first place in the PITCH PH 2025 competition during the 10th International Conference on Engineering Education – Philippines (ICEE-Phil 2025) and 70th PAES General Assembly, held on September 13 in the University of Sto. Tomas, Manila.

The winning team, Team SABANAYAN, composed of Ria Gale M. Asilo, Cleo Graciana R. Aya, Chastine Lyka Antoinette Jade H. Dorado, Alexis M. Granados, and Irish Lyn D. Lardizabal, triumphed over 19 participating universities across the country. With guidance from their coach, Engr. Ladyllyn M. Culla, the team delivered a powerful pitch that showcased technical brilliance, societal relevance, and entrepreneurial viability—all aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Their innovation, SABANAYAN, is a breathable textile, addressing both agricultural waste and the erosion of Filipino textile heritage. The project earned high praise for its financial feasibility, with a projected ₱19M investment and an expected return on investment within 4 years, strong validation from tailoring businesses, and support of five key SDGs: SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13 Climate Action, SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being.

From one hectare of banana plantation, 140,000 yards of SABANAYAN fabric can be produced, demonstrating both environmental and economic viability. With a net profit margin of 17–27% and an FIRR of 21%, the project redefines what it means to “engineer the future.”

PAES Innovation & Technopreneurship Challenge Hub Philippines (P.I.T.C.H. PH) 2025 is a premier platform for showcasing innovative ideas and creative solutions toward a better, sustainable future. It aims to empower young engineers to become catalysts of change through innovation and technopreneurship.

𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨, 𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙎𝘼𝘽𝘼𝙉𝘼𝙔𝘼𝙉! 𝙇𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩.