By Karren Jay G. Asgar
Al Renzo Alfonso, a BSIT graduate, clinched the 1st runner-up title at the prestigious Asia HackNow 2024 competition, held in Singapore.
Centralian alumnus Al Renzo Alfonso and his team achieved the 1st runner-up title at Asia HackNow 2024, held in Singapore on October 3, 2024. Organized by ServiceNow, this event intended for discussing possible ways of applying technology and communities to upgrade public services.
A graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology in 2019, he came from the home of the dauntless and the brave warriors, College of Computer Studies. In an online interview, he shared that his Centralian experience strengthened his interests in both programming and gaming.
Reflecting on his college years, he noted, “My competitive spirit really started when I joined the CPU esports team, where I had the opportunity to compete against teams from different regions in the Philippines.”
Alfonso’s team, which included Aliyah Toledo and Ronald Beleganio, presented a concept called “NowResponse,” an artificial intelligence-driven disaster response system. After submissions, the best 12 teams from different Asian countries were chosen and given two weeks to come up with a proof-of-concept demo. After that, only the top eight teams were selected to present their ideas in a live presentation at the ServiceNow headquarters in Singapore.
“What truly inspired me to participate was the chance to compete on a global stage, collaborate with some of the brightest minds across Asia, and experience presenting at an international level,” he added.
He was also part of another team, which included Roshiell Sionson and Chelsea Pulanco, working on their project called “NowVision.” Both concepts advanced to the finals, and he described the preparation as intense. His strategy focused on building strong proof-of-concept demos for both solutions within just two weeks.
When asked about his preparation strategy, he said, “Time management was crucial because, aside from developing two separate projects, I also had to balance my work deliverables. I made sure to prioritize the core features that could demonstrate the potential impact of both solutions during the live demo while ensuring each project was distinct and innovative.”
The biggest challenge he faced was the short development time. With only two weeks to build working proofs of concept for both projects after being shortlisted as one of the top 12 finalists, managing the development of two finalist projects while handling his job responsibilities was quite a challenge.
“To overcome this, I focused on effective time management, breaking tasks into smaller, manageable goals,” he emphasized.
Alfonso credited Central Philippine University for that recognition in equipping him with the tools and knowledge needed in the competition. CPU College of Computer Studies where he took his course, as well as his teachers, equipped him well with coding skills which he has enhanced in his career.
He remarked on his journey, stating, “Above all, I always trusted in God to guide me through the challenges, which gave me the strength to keep pushing forward.”
When asked about his advice to the Centralian community he says it is not about winning when entering such competitions, but it is about beating odds, growing, and overcoming the obstacles they will be encountering.
He added, “Stay curious, collaborate with others, and always look for ways to improve and innovate. Those qualities will help you stand out and achieve the recognition you deserve.”
Al Renzo Alfonso’s achievement at Asia HackNow 2024 is a source of great pride for CPU, highlighting his unwavering dedication and commitment to excelling in competitive environments. He stands as a testament to what every Centralian is capable of achieving, especially in their areas of expertise.