Wait? Business?

At the Luxent Hotel, an hour after they met with the professors.

"Home sweet home," Leo quipped, plopping his bag onto the plush couch as they entered.

Saimon headed straight for the fridge. "You still stocked on snacks, Matt? I'm starving."

Matthew rolled his eyes but gestured toward the kitchen. "Help yourself. Just don't finish all the chips this time."

Samantha set her laptop bag on the dining table, pulling out her sleek device. "Alright, let's focus. I did some research on the engineering expo while we were on the way here. We need to be strategic if we want to make an impression."

Matthew joined her at the table, opening his notebook. "What did you find out?"

Samantha pulled up a presentation on her laptop and turned the screen to face the group. "This is the National Engineering and Technology Expo. It's one of the largest events of its kind in the country, with participants ranging from established companies like Toyota and Mitsubishi to up-and-coming startups. Universities typically have a smaller presence, but those that participate are expected to bring something cutting-edge."

"Sounds like we're already in the big leagues," Leo said, leaning forward.

Samantha nodded. "Exactly. But that also means expectations will be high. The attendees include industry leaders, investors, and even representatives from government agencies like the DOST and DOLE. They're not just there to look—they're evaluating, scouting, and sometimes even making deals."

Saimon, now munching on a bag of chips, looked intrigued. "Deals? Like… they could actually buy our prototype?"

"Unlikely," Samantha replied, her tone pragmatic. "But what they could do is offer partnerships or funding for further development. If we impress the right people, this could open doors for all of us."

Matthew tapped his pen against his notebook, thinking. "What's our competition like?"

Samantha flipped to another slide. "Last year, the winning entry was an agricultural drone developed by a tech startup. Other notable entries included a renewable energy system by a university team and a water filtration system designed for disaster relief. The common thread? Innovation with practical applications."

Leo nodded slowly. "So we need to show not just that our EV works, but that it has real-world value."

"Exactly," Samantha said. "I think we need to highlight three things in our presentation: the practicality of the EV, its environmental benefits, and its scalability for mass production. If we nail those points, we'll stand out."

Matthew scribbled in his notebook. "Practicality, environment, scalability. Got it. What else?"

"Electric vehicles in the Philippines aren't yet prevalent," Samantha continued. "But in other countries like the United States and parts of Europe, they're already a growing segment of the market."

She clicked to the next slide on her laptop, which showed a graph comparing the number of EVs in the Philippines versus other countries. The disparity was stark.

"Our EV has a big shot at winning this expo, but let's be realistic—the potential for immediate adoption in the Philippines isn't there," she said.

"Why not?" Saimon asked, leaning forward, his curiosity piqued.

"The simple reason is infrastructure," Samantha explained, pointing to the graph. "There are no widespread charging stations in the country. For fuel, you'll find a gas station every two to five kilometers, but EV charging? It's practically nonexistent outside of a few experimental setups in Metro Manila."

Leo frowned. "So even if we build the perfect EV, it'll just end up as a cool prototype that nobody can use?"

"Not necessarily," Matthew interjected. "The lack of infrastructure doesn't mean there's no potential. It just means adoption will be slow unless there's an ecosystem to support it."

"Yes, unless some big companies or the government fund the infrastructure…" Samantha paused as she sensed something odd. "Why do you say that?" 

All eyes were on Matthew, and he sighed deeply. "The reason why I created this automobile is that I want to create a business around it. You know how it is."

"Wait, wait," Leo interrupted. "You're saying you want to start an automobile company? Like… your own brand?"

Matthew nodded slowly, his expression serious. "Yes, that's the plan. Building this prototype wasn't just about passing Capstone or proving we could do it. It's about taking the first step toward something bigger."

Saimon raised an eyebrow, pausing mid-bite of his chips. "You're thinking of competing with the big boys? Toyota, Mitsubishi, all those giants?"

"Not directly," Matthew clarified. "At least not yet. The goal isn't to dethrone them—it's to fill a gap in the market. Affordable, locally-produced EVs tailored to the needs of Filipinos. Something practical, scalable, and built for the realities of our infrastructure."

Samantha crossed her arms, her sharp gaze locked on Matthew. "That's ambitious. But if you're serious about this, it's going to be difficult. I don't have to remind you that filipino-made products are often overshadowed by imports. People here tend to trust big international brands, especially for something as critical as vehicles. You'll be fighting not just to build the car, but to prove it's worth buying."

Matthew nodded, taking in her words. "I know it won't be easy, but that's why I'm doing this. If we can prove that Filipinos can design and build cars that compete with the best, it'll change perceptions. And it starts with this prototype."

Leo leaned back on the couch, rubbing his chin. "You've got a point, Matt. But Samantha also has a point either. You know the brand called Cherry Mobile? No one buys that. You know the word "local" is associated with the product made by Filipino and it is derogatory. Filipinos tends to bring its fellow Filipinos down."

Matthew let out a heavy sigh, his gaze distant as he processed Leo's words. "I know what you're saying, and it's frustrating. It's like we're our own worst critics. But that's exactly why I want to do this. If we keep thinking local products are subpar, nothing will ever change."

"The challenge isn't just about building the car or even the infrastructure—it's about changing a mindset. And that's not something you can do overnight."

"But it can be done," Saimon said, setting his bag of chips down. "Think about other industries. Filipinos support local talent in music and arts when they see quality. Why can't it happen with EVs?"

"Because the stakes are higher," Samantha replied. "It's not just about liking a song or a painting. Buying a car is a long-term investment. People need to trust it's reliable, safe, and worth every peso."

Matthew leaned forward, his elbows on the table. "That's where we come in. This prototype isn't just proof of concept—it's proof of capability. If we can show that we've put the same level of engineering, precision, and innovation as the big brands, we can start earning that trust."

Leo raised a skeptical eyebrow. "And you think one prototype will be enough to convince everyone?"

"No," Matthew admitted. "But it's a start. The expo is our stage. If we can impress the right people—investors, policymakers, industry leaders—it'll be the first step toward something bigger. They can help bridge the gaps we can't fill on our own."

Samantha nodded slowly. "It's not impossible, but it's going to take more than just a good pitch. We need to anticipate the questions they'll ask. What's our roadmap? How will we scale production? How do we address the infrastructure problem?"

"That's a good point," Matthew said. "We need to present not just the car but the bigger picture. A vision for what the future could look like if EVs became mainstream in the Philippines."

Saimon tilted his head. "So, like… paint them a picture? What would a world with more EVs look like?"

"Exactly," Samantha said. "Show them the environmental impact. Fewer emissions in congested cities. Quieter roads. And then show them the economic benefits. A new local industry means more jobs—engineers, factory workers, charging station operators."

Leo whistled. "You're making it sound like a revolution."

Matthew smirked. "That's the idea."

Samantha turned back to her laptop. "If we're going to sell this vision, we need data to back it up. I'll start gathering stats on the potential economic and environmental impacts of a local EV industry."

"I'll help," Leo offered. "I can design some visuals to make the data pop."

"I'll help Leo," Saimon chimed.

"Thank you guys," Matthew smiled warmly. "I appreciate you all doing this."