By Mikee Natinga Norico
Congratulations to Team InclusiFi for securing a spot in the Top 10 of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas – Youth Financial Inclusion (YFI) Hackathon, proudly representing CPU on the national stage. Photo credit to CPU Junior Chamber of Finance Facebook Page.
Five talented innovators from Central Philippine University (CPU) have secured a spot in the Top 10 of the prestigious Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas – Youth Financial Inclusion (YFI) Hackathon. Competing against top universities nationwide, Team InclusiFi—composed of Tim Andrew Magaling (Team Leader, BSBA Financial Management), Janine Domile (BSBA Financial Management), Rafael III Prudente (BS Software Engineering), Andrew Yanza (BS Computer Science), and Anthony Josh Lego (BS Computer Science)—impressed the judges with their groundbreaking digital solution addressing financial exclusion among working students.
Their project, Diskarte, is a digital platform designed to empower working students, bridging the gap between education and employment. Focused on economic struggles faced by students in Iloilo City, particularly at CPU, the platform connects users to job opportunities, scholarships, and skills training while integrating interactive financial literacy courses. It also establishes strategic partnerships for microloans and student discounts. With a mobile-first, Taglish-accessible interface and AI-driven assistance, Diskarte ensures inclusivity and accessibility, allowing students to balance work and studies effectively.
Reflecting on the experience, Team Leader Tim Magaling shared, “Being part of the Youth Financial Inclusion Initiative (YFI) was a transformative experience. The capacity-building sessions exposed us to important insights into economic development initiatives of leading government institutions, particularly BSP’s mission of expanding youth financial inclusion. Our team ‘InclusiFi’ tackled the unemployment and underemployment issues of CPU working students by proposing a centralized resource hub that facilitates job readiness, financial literacy, and economic empowerment. I am honored and grateful for the meaningful relationships built with my team and the impactful project we developed.”
Team member Janine Domile echoed this sentiment, stating, “Being part of Youth Financial Inclusion was a rewarding experience as a financial literacy advocate. It was a journey of discovery and fulfillment, identifying gaps and finding ways to bridge them in pursuit of a more inclusive financial future.”
Andrew Yanza also highlighted the significance of their journey, saying, “Being part of the Youth Financial Inclusion (YFI) Initiative and the YFI Hackathon has been an exciting experience. We attended insightful capacity-building sessions led by esteemed speakers, equipping us to support BSP’s mission of financial inclusion for the youth. Our team tackled the financial struggles of working students at CPU, addressing real challenges in our community. We’re honored to be among the top 10 finalists, giving us the opportunity to create meaningful solutions that empower working students in their financial journey.”
The YFI Hackathon, organized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, serves as a platform for higher education institutions to engage students in designing innovative projects that promote financial inclusion and financial health for the youth. Through a series of virtual activities and capacity-building sessions, participating teams developed their proposals, culminating in a final presentation at the YFI Congress at BSP’s Head Office in Manila. CPU’s Team InclusiFi now stands among the nation’s best young financial innovators, committed to shaping a more financially inclusive future for Filipino students.
CPU extends its heartfelt congratulations to Team InclusiFi for their outstanding achievement and their commitment to making a meaningful impact in the lives of working students. As they move forward in the competition, their efforts in driving financial inclusion and empowerment continue to inspire the CPU community and beyond.
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