SANTIAGO CITY, Philippines — The Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya has successfully completed its intensive three day prototyping program under Project L.I.G.H.T. or the Livelihood Integration and Growth through Holistic Training Initiative. The activity took place from November 26 to 28, 2025 at FABLAB Santiago City and was organized by the Provincial Cooperative and Enterprise Development Office or PROCEDE. The program highlighted the region’s growing commitment to youth innovation, digital fabrication, and hands-on skills development.

The event became one of the most engaging student innovation activities in the Cagayan Valley region as PROCEDE partnered with the Local Government of Santiago City. The agency expressed its gratitude to Mayor Atty. Sheena Tan for allowing the use of FABLAB Santiago, a well-recognized facility in the region that supports prototype development, digital creativity, and community-driven innovation.

Digital Fabrication Takes Center Stage in Santiago City

On the first day, students from various institutions were introduced to the world of digital fabrication. This included a clear explanation of additive and subtractive manufacturing along with machine demonstrations and visual presentations that showed how these technologies work in real production environments. Facilitators Mr. Jomarcristopher B. Landingin and Mr. Moises O. Quijano guided students with a clear, patient, and approachable style that made even complicated concepts easier to understand.

This orientation inspired students to begin sketching their design concepts. The ACI team quickly proceeded with machine based prototyping in the afternoon, while other teams continued refining ideas through consultations and brainstorming. The atmosphere inside FABLAB Santiago was filled with energy as students realized they were building more than just a school project. They were creating tangible solutions with real potential.

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From Sketches to Digital Designs: The Learning Curve of Day 2

The second day marked a major turning point in the program as participants moved from hand drawn sketches to digital design using CorelDraw. This shift allowed students to transform their ideas into precise layouts that could be fed directly into the fabrication machines. It also emphasized the importance of mixing creativity with technical accuracy, a skill that young innovators in Nueva Vizcaya and Cagayan Valley are now beginning to master.

A machine issue caused delays that affected the SMU team. Despite this challenge, the participants refused to lose momentum. They adjusted to the situation quickly and focused on strengthening their designs and preparing what they could for assembly. This flexibility revealed their growing maturity and their genuine desire to complete their prototypes.

Turning Ideas Into Reality: Prototypes Finally Take Shape

The final day brought the excitement that everyone had been waiting for. Students began finishing and assembling their prototypes. They worked on cutting, sanding, gluing, painting, and refining their creations until the last detail felt right. What began as a simple sketch on Day 1 had now become a physical object that could be held, examined, and improved.

For many of the participants, this was the moment when they realized that creating something with their own hands teaches lessons that classroom lectures alone cannot provide. They discovered the real world complexities of materials, design limits, assembly techniques, and the need to adjust when things do not go according to plan. These insights gave the students a deeper understanding of what true innovation requires.

Coaches Highlight Growth, Learning, and Newfound Confidence

During the closing session, the coaches shared heartfelt messages that reflected how meaningful the training had been.

Mr. El Pray Guillermo of PLT Team 2 thanked PROCEDE and LGU Santiago for bringing students an experience they never expected. He shared that they thought they would only be generating ideas but instead ended up printing and assembling actual products. This challenge, he said, pushed the team to grow and eventually enjoy the process.

Mr. Jhake T. Agcaoili of PLT Team 1 explained how much the students enjoyed the activity and how it strengthened their skills. He said that other college courses are now hoping to join similar training sessions because of how interactive and beneficial the program was. He also praised the facilitators for guiding the students patiently.

Ms. Maricris B. Romero of the ACI Team thanked her students for overcoming difficulties and setting aside differences in order to bring their prototype to life. She expressed her appreciation to the FABLAB facilitators for helping turn student ideas into working models.

Meanwhile, Mr. Michael Magaway of the SMU Team reminded students that building a real prototype is far more complex than relying on models inside the classroom. Even with machine issues, his team managed to create a mini version of their concept, giving them a strong sense of accomplishment.

Project L.I.G.H.T. Builds Momentum for the Upcoming Business Pitching Competition

As the three day program ended, participants shifted their focus to the upcoming Business Pitching Competition featuring the theme “Knock Down Furniture.” This next stage will challenge students to turn their prototypes into viable business concepts. It also gives them a chance to showcase how innovative design can lead to meaningful livelihood opportunities for communities.

Project L.I.G.H.T., supported by PROCEDE, FABLAB Santiago City, and partner schools, continues to strengthen the region’s ecosystem for creativity, innovation, and youth development. By offering students an environment where ideas can become physical products, the initiative contributes to long term economic growth and the cultivation of future Filipino inventors, designers, and entrepreneurs.

A New Generation of Innovators Rising in Nueva Vizcaya and Cagayan Valley

The success of Project L.I.G.H.T. at FABLAB Santiago City highlights an inspiring new chapter for youth innovation in Nueva Vizcaya. The program shows that when local governments, academic institutions, and technology hubs work together, young Filipinos can create powerful solutions to real world problems.

As students prepare for the Business Pitching Competition, one message becomes clear. With guidance, tools, and opportunities, the youth of Nueva Vizcaya are ready to become creators, innovators, and leaders in a world driven by technology and design. Project L.I.G.H.T. is not just a program. It is a movement that continues to inspire the next generation of thinkers, builders, and entrepreneurs across the region.

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