Haribons at the Helm: Pioneering a Greener Tomorrow

A Green Future in the Hands of Young Innovators

At Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), innovation isn’t confined to textbooks. It finds its way into the real world, tackling problems that matter. From cleaner water to smarter farming, these student-led inventions prove that sustainability isn’t a distant ambition but a reality we can build, one breakthrough at a time.

With groundbreaking ideas come well-earned accolades, celebrating ingenuity, impact, and the courage to challenge the norm. These innovations have won awards, sparked conversations, and set the stage for a more sustainable future.

1️⃣ Turning a Simple Camera into a Pollution Detector

By Sandra Mei M. Branzuela (BS Chemistry)

Imagine if testing water pollution was as effortless as snapping a photo. That’s exactly what this Chemistry alumna’s research set out to achieve, offering a cost-effective and accessible way to measure iron levels in water through digital imaging.

Detecting iron pollution typically requires expensive lab equipment, limiting accessibility. But Sandra’s approach combines flame emission spectrometry with a camera, making water testing faster, more affordable, and within reach for more communities. Her research earned 1st place in the Sibol Award for College at the 2018 National Invention Contest and Exhibit (NICE), triumphing over 77 other presenters.

Beyond recognition, this innovation brings a tangible step toward cleaner rivers, safer drinking water, and smarter industrial waste monitoring—proving that real change can start with a single image.

2️⃣ A Robot That Disinfects—No Hands Needed

By Argen Mary Arceño, Rollison Joshua Tabuyan, Ronn Joaquin Cuenco, Mave Rick Credo, and Michael Buenviaje (BS Electronics Engineering)

At the height of the pandemic, disinfection was essential, yet manual cleaning was slow, inefficient, and risky. To address this, a team of engineering students developed the Voice-Controlled Ultraviolet Sterilization Robot, a hands-free solution for keeping spaces germ-free.

With a simple voice command, the robot activates, using UV light to eliminate harmful pathogens—no chemicals required. This innovation earned them the Spotlight Award at the 2021 Maxim Integrated Philippines’ Design Innovation Contest, a testament to its ingenuity. As hospitals, schools, and businesses continue to prioritize sanitation, this invention proves how automation and sustainability can work together to create safer environments.

3️⃣ Printing at Your Fingertips—Powered by the Sun

By Camille Orduña, Joshua Dumalag, Noah James Mendoza, Louie Joves, and Mark Anthony Rosete (BS Computer Engineering)

Every student knows the struggle: it’s late, you need to print an important document, and all the shops are closed. That’s exactly the problem these engineering graduates set out to solve.

Their answer? The School Document Printing Vending Machine (SDPVM), a solar-powered, self-service printing kiosk. With a USB or Bluetooth connection, students can print files on demand, no long lines or store hours to worry about.

Beyond convenience, it’s an eco-friendly alternative. With 17 hours of battery life and a commitment to reducing energy waste, the SDPVM proves that technology can make everyday life greener. Even PLM University President Atty. Domingo “Sir Sonny” Reyes, Jr. has expressed interest in bringing these machines to campus—a testament that this isn’t just an idea; it’s a real-world solution.

4️⃣ Locking Down Cybersecurity in a Post-Quantum World 

By John Trixie Ocampo (BS Mathematics)

The rise of quantum computing threatens to make traditional encryption methods like RSA and ECC obsolete, leaving sensitive data vulnerable. This is where John Trixie Ocampo’s research takes center stage.

His study explores NTRUEncrypt, a next-generation encryption method built to withstand quantum attacks. By integrating it into the PhilSys national ID system, this innovation aims to protect millions of Filipinos’ personal data in an increasingly digital world.

His research also swept the competition at Pa-Sciencia-Han 2025, winning 1st place, Best Abstract, Best Presenter, and Best Visual Aid. With data breaches becoming more frequent, this work could be the key to securing digital identities for years to come.

5️⃣ Smarter Farming with AI 

By Kayne Uriel Rodrigo and Jerriane Hillary Heart S. Marcial (BS Computer Science)

For farmers, spotting crop diseases early can mean the difference between a thriving harvest and total loss. But diagnosing plant diseases isn’t always easy, until now.

This research introduces a smarter way to detect rice leaf diseases using AI-powered image recognition. Their enhanced CNN algorithm (MobileViTV2_050) improves accuracy by 15.66%, reaching an impressive 99.6% test accuracy while cutting computational power use by 92.50%—making it light enough to run on mobile phones.

Why does this matter? It allows farmers to diagnose crop diseases instantly using a smartphone—no costly lab tests, no expert consultation. A simple photo is all it takes for the AI to provide an accurate diagnosis. By making disease detection accessible, this research helps farmers reduce pesticide waste, protect their crops, and move toward a more sustainable agricultural system. This groundbreaking innovation was also pitched at the World Conference on Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (WCASET) 2024 and PyCon APAC 2025, earning recognition for its real-world impact and technological ingenuity.

Haribons Leading the Way to a Greener Future 

These innovations go beyond research, they’re solutions built for real-world challenges. Whether it’s ensuring cleaner water, revolutionizing sanitation, making services more accessible, strengthening cybersecurity, or helping farmers work smarter, these Haribons are proving that sustainability thrives through innovation.

Their work is a testament to the power of young minds, showing that meaningful change doesn’t have to start with corporations or government initiatives. It can begin in classrooms, in laboratories, and in the hands of students determined to make a difference. With each breakthrough, they aren’t simply shaping the future—they’re building it. And somewhere, right now, the next big idea might already be taking shape.