Catalyst to receive more entries, extends submission deadline

With quite a number of submissions it has currently been receiving, Cat@lyst, the social transformation initiative promoting positive change through new technologies powered by Tattoo, has announced the extension of the contest to accommodate more entries from young Filipinos pushing for innovative solutions on social concerns via IT.

 “With the influx of submissions we are receiving, we are pleased to announce that we will extend the contest until June 7, 2013, so as to give more opportunities to potential entries, and those who already have ideas to strengthen their proposals,” said Dong Ronquillo, Head of Tattoo Nomadic Broadband Business.

“That being said, we highly encourage more of our socially-conscious and IT-savvy youth to take full advantage of their skills and knowledge, put them to fore for the benefit society at large,” he urged, adding that they should check out the Cat@lyst website, www.catalyst.com.ph, to take inspiration, know more about the campaign and sign-up for it on or before the extended deadline.

Ronquillo pointed out that selected projects will be bestowed P200,000 cash grants for program development, mentorship, and ICT support and will be instituted as part of the regular activities of Globe Bridging Communities (BridgeCom), the corporate social responsibility arm of Globe Telecom. Along with the Global Shapers Manila Hub, ICT experts, development professionals and Globe BridgeCom will assist in implementing five chosen solutions for three months.

Launched in early May, Cat@lyst seeks to harness creativity, energy and technology to create change and empower the youth to make a difference in society. In collaboration with Globe BridgeCom and the Global Shapers Manila, this initiative will also provide mentorship and ICT support to see through the ideation, distillation and incubation of technology-based innovations useful to spur change in local communities.

Cat@lyst entries from the youth ages 18 to 30 years old should revolve around the premise, “What do you want to see in the Philippines in the next five years?” “Through practicality and the use of mobile or web-based technologies, the proposed solutions should address pressing social issues such as pollution, traffic enforcement, crime prevention and health care, among many others,” Ronquillo said.

As a guide, the criteria for selection will revolve around three “I’s:” Innovation, demonstrating creativity and originality; Implementation feasibility, that the project is doable in the given timeline and capable to mobilize stakeholders; and Impact, that it should provide a long-lasting solution to the existing problem. Some sample ICT projects where submissions may take inspiration from may be viewed in the Cat@lyst website, www.catalyst.com.ph.

 “True to our challenge to ‘be the start’ and ‘lead the change,’ we encourage yet again our ICT-proficient young people to partner with us and be a real catalyst toward social change. Through this campaign of Tattoo together with a host of other stakeholders, we affirm our commitment to harness their capabilities to generate real solutions to real problems of the community,” told Bianca Gonzalez, Tattoo ambassador and an active member of Global Shapers. “We encourage them to take advantage of the extended submission date and be one of us in our advocacy as a Tattoo Catalyst.”

Entrants can still download the application form via the Cat@lyst website and learn more about the contest. Completely-filled forms should be sent via e-mail to globalshapersmanila@gmail.com, along with a one-minute video to pitch their solution for an existing community problem using an .mp4 or .3gp format with a maximum file size of 20 Mb. Winning entries will be announced during the annual Tatt Awards this June. Complete information is available at the Cat@lyst website,