UA&P alumni make it to Esquire's Startup Trailblazers List for 2024
UA&P alumni Martin Jose Gonzalez, Yroen Guaya Melgar, and David Dela Paz are among the 60+ movers and shakers in the startup industry identified by the online magazine Esquire Philippines.
Gonzalez graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Major in Humanities degree with a Professional Certificate in Communication in 2005. Melgar acquired her Master of Science in Industrial Economics degree in 2013, the same year Dela Paz graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree.
Esquire wrote:
Martin Gonzalez plays a key role at Google, leading the development of AI research within the tech giant. Focused on the tech industry and AI, he collaborates across sectors—from startups to global leaders, helping “maverick innovators solve the people problems that are oftentimes the hardest issues they face.” With a decade at Google and a previous stint at Boston Consulting Group, Gonzalez discreetly tackles high-stakes issues, describing his work as the organizational equivalent of the CIA.
Martin Gonzalez
Mochi is essentially an automated invoicing solution for businesses. The platform simplifies billing and collections, helping reduce accounting errors so business owners can focus on the important stuff. Founders Yroen Guaya Melgar and Adrian Peterson Co both have solid backgrounds in finance and tech; Melgar co-founded insurance platform Vesl, spent time as a finance sector specialist with the World Bank, and was involved in new business development with Kaya Founders. Co, meanwhile, is an experienced software engineer, working with Logitech and other startups. Together, they built Mochi (which is derived from the Japanese word for “on hand”), which they envision to become an indispensable tool for Filipino businesses.
Guaya Melgar (right) with Adrian Peterson Co of Mochi
Gus Poston and David Dela Paz, the co-founders of NetBank, provide full banking services and infrastructure to fintech companies, which, in turn, allow them to serve Filipinos by granting access to things like payments and opening accounts. Founded in 2021, Netbank is a banking-as-a-service platform that provides a toolkit for fintech companies (as well as non-bank networks like pawnshops, microfinance institutions, employers, etc) so they can offer complete banking services to their clients. Earlier this year, Netbank announced a partnership with Sprout Solutions to introduce salary advance services to clients. Netbank was also chosen by online installment shopping platform Akulaku Philippines to expand its loan offerings in the country.
David Dela Paz (left) and Gus Poston, co-founders of NetBank
See the complete list of Esquire's startup trailblazers here.
Images from Esquire PH.
2024 UNITAS Games
All students and employees (full-time and part-time faculty, staff and service personnel) are invited to the 2024 UNITAS Games at the Parking and Sports Building (PSB) tomorrow (April 3). The games will be preceded by the assembly at the PSB at 7:30 AM. Classes and work will be called off for the whole day as everyone is encouraged to participate in the event.
All members of the UA&P community have been divided into seven teams, composed of students, faculty, staff and service personnel. The teams may be viewed here. You may also view the program and the mechanics here.
Everyone is requested to dress in appropriate sports attire in accordance with the University Attire Guide, i.e., team color shirts and sports shorts or jogging pants for men, and team color shirts and leggings, jazz pants or jogging pants for women. While drinking fountains and water dispensers will be available at PSB, everyone is encouraged to bring their own water bottles or containers tomorrow.
The organizing committee will be giving the following prizes to the winning teams:
UNITAS Games Champion - Php10,000 + Trophy
1st Runner-up - Php8,000
2nd Runner-up - Php6,000
3rd Runner-up - Php4,000
4th Runner-up - Php3,000
5th Runner-up - Php2,000
6th Runner-up - Php1,000
Book on food security issues features UA&P CFA report
The UA&P Center for Food and Agri Business (CFA) is honored to be part of Food Security Issues in Asia, a book exploring the diverse aspects of food security in the region. Released on March 27 in Singapore, the comprehensive book with over 800 pages featuring chapters authored by various experts was edited by Professor Paul Teng of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Chapter 17 of Food Security Issues in Asia, entitled "The Dynamics of Food Production and Trade to Achieve Food Security," is written by the late Dr. Rolando T. Dy, former executive director of CFA, together with the current CFA Executive Director Senen U. Reyes and CFA specialists Marie Annette G. Dacul, Ditas R. Macabasco, and Joy Kristel L. Orzales. The chapter offers a profound analysis of the intricate relationships between food production, trade, and food security in Asia.
Published by World Scientific Publishing Company, renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, Food Security Issues in Asia promises to be an indispensable resource for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners striving to address the pressing challenges of food security in Asia and beyond.
Unitas Games (UG) Merchandise
All students and employees (full-time and part-time faculty and staff) are invited to the UNITAS Games 2024 on April 3 (Wednesday) which will be held on the 4th floor of the Parking and Sports Building.
Employees may also show support for the activity by availing UG merchandise (stickers and dri-fit team shirt). Interested employees may place their sticker orders here and shirt orders here.
For inquiries, you may email Ms. Zoila Pilola at [email protected] or the CSA Office of Sports Development at [email protected].
“EASTERrific Week” Online Activity for Employees
The Human Resource Management invites all employees to join this year’s online activity for Easter titled “EASTERrific Week”.
Please see the poster below for the mechanics. Employees have until 5:00 pm on April 8 (Monday) to submit their online entries. Winners will be announced through Dragons’ Lair on April 15 (Monday).
