Filipino Gen Zs wins US$20,000 from Taiwan’s Global ENVI Contest calls for Eco-Entrepreneurs

Silliman University Junior Marketing Organizations representatives, Dignity Lagunay (left) and John Edison Tubil (right), give their speech after being awarded Top Proposal in the Go Green with Taiwan contest.

Pinoy pride is felt again with another big win in an international competition!

Six months after securing the grand prize of USD20,000 and being awarded as one of the three global champions of Taiwan Excellence’s “Go Green with Taiwan” contest, Filipino Gen Zs Dignity Lagunay and John Edison Tubil seize this opportunity to explore future possibilities to set their entry in action.

From all over the globe, proposals of innovative, eco-friendly solutions connected to industries, products, and practices from Taiwan were reviewed one by one. Dignity and Edison’s proposal, titled “Sweet Solutions to the Plastic Crisis: Compostable Sugarcane-Based Alternatives,” made its mark among the hundreds of entries. Both studying business and hailing from the Silliman University Junior Marketing Organization (SUJMO), they proposed bridging the sustainable, sugarcane-based packaging technology of JuTien Cleantech Co., Ltd. with the abundant resource of sugarcane bagasse in Negros Island.

Dignity Lagunay (left) and John Edison Tubil (right) in Silliman University, posed 

together after proposing their concept through video presentation.

Where are they now?

The two have kept busy post-win, with Lagunay having graduated at Silliman University and Tubil acting as president in their university’s humanitarian organization. Lagunay has also completed an internship in a sustainable enterprise, where he was able to witness “green consumerism” beyond just statistics on a page and further solidifying his vision for an eco-friendly economy. As for Tubil, his term as president of a humanitarian organization in Silliman University has broadened his network with other schools and institutions, where he is able to guide other advocates regarding their ideas of sustainable solutions.

Lagunay and Tubil shared their thoughts as they move forward with their own paths. “This generation and the market is shifting towards green consumerism. We’ll definitely carry these learnings and experiences with us as we implement our project.”

Dignity Lagunay (left) and John Edison Tubil (right) in front of a sugarcane bagasse mill

as they research for their proposal.

What’s next for the proposal?

The young Filipino winners remain dedicated to bringing their proposal out from its pages and into reality. They plan to be in correspondence with JuTien Cleantech Co., Ltd as well as other investors for potential partnerships. Beyond that, the two have observed the lack of businesses and businessmen that prioritize sustainability over profit. They intend to be part of the generation that finally fills that gap.

What’s next for Taiwan Excellence?

After the successful run of Go Green with Taiwan in 2024, Taiwan Excellence will once again bring yet an exciting inspiration to the world, promoting overall wellness, through this year’s global contest. “Go Healthy with Taiwan,” now inviting innovative ideas in achieving physical, mental and lifestyle wellness, through smart solutions from industries, products, and practices in Taiwan.

Mr. Alex Lai, Director of Taiwan Trade Center, Manila, shares his thoughts about the initiative. “Taiwan Trade Center Manila is proud to invite entries from around the country for the Go Healthy with Taiwan initiative. We look forward to seeing innovative solutions that will encourage more partnerships with the industries of Taiwan. With the previous win by Edison and Dignity, much is expected from the Philippines.”

Dignity Lagunay and Edison Tubil share their advice for a winning proposal.

Tubil says, “If you’re really interested in joining, you have to know your reason why. Focus on your purpose. You have to commit to actualizing your goal beyond just winning. If you have that big reason, you have actually already won.”

Additionally, Lagunay shared, “For those who are interested in joining… I strongly recommend you join it. Oftentimes, the solution may just be at your doorstep. Or it’s in a friendly country called Taiwan.”

Go Green with Taiwan, an international project led by Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and Taiwan International Trade Administration (TITA), received over 350 entries from 45 countries around the globe. To know more about Go Healthy with Taiwan, follow Taiwan Excellence on Facebook and Instagram. Taiwan Excellence, the joint project by TAITRA and TITA, eagerly invites everyone to join the initiative of innovative, healthy solutions for the world.