16/05/2026
REPOST | ๐๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ง ๐๐ฑ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ก๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ง๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐บ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐๐ ๐ช๐ถ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ
Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) emerged as the Regional Winner in the Tourism Start-Up Challenge 2025 through its proposal, โThe Aurora Green Helix Project: Leveraging ASCOTโs R&D and Cultural Assets to Establish the Basal Agri-Innovation Living Tourism Laboratory (LTL).โ
The recognition was formally announced by the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office III through a congratulatory letter addressed to ASCOT President Dr. Renato G. Reyes.
Competing against universities and colleges across Central Luzon, ASCOTโs proposal stood out for its innovative and future-ready concept that integrates research, agriculture, culture, innovation, and tourism into a sustainable and community-driven initiative.
According to CHEDRO III, the project excelled among a highly competitive pool of entries for its creativity, originality, and strong understanding of emerging opportunities in the education tourism sector.
The regional victory also earned ASCOT the opportunity to represent Region III during the National Vetting and Awarding Ceremony held on May 11โ12, 2026 in Metro Manila, where regional champions from across the country showcased their winning projects.
The ASCOT team is composed of Project Adviser Ms. Jawnel O. Baldonade together with project proponents Mr. Vince Nickolai M. Alcantara, Mr. Ron Allen C. Angara, Mr. Ericson B. Aril, Ms. Ellaene Rose C. Cajucom, Ms. Cathleen Veer A. Gonzales, and Mr. John Cholo C. Dumamay.
The recognition also comes with a โฑ250,000 grant prize intended to support project enhancement, prototype development, and presentation-related expenses.
The achievement further highlights ASCOTโs growing impact in research, innovation, and tourism-driven development โ proving that a state college from Aurora can proudly compete and lead on the regional stage.
Photos by Jawnel O. Baldonade