Prelude to NETE

The days leading up to the National Engineering and Technology Expo (NETE) were a 

whirlwind of activity for Matthew and his team. At the university, the team met with Professors Calerio, Lucena, and Abad Santos to finalize the details for their participation in the NETE. The professors, visibly proud of their students, were hands-on in offering guidance.

"Remember," Calerio said, tapping a pen against the table during their meeting, "your presentation isn't just about showcasing the car—it's about selling a vision. You're not just engineers here. You're innovators. Treat the expo like your debut to the world."

Lucena nodded. "Focus on your core strengths. Highlight the engineering excellence that went into the prototype, and don't shy away from discussing the challenges you faced. Industry professionals respect transparency."

Samantha took diligent notes while Matthew asked questions about logistics. "Are we clear on how the car will be transported to the venue? We can't risk anything going wrong during the move."

Abad Santos reassured him. "The university has arranged for a tow truck. Your EV will be handled with care, and I'll personally oversee its transport to the venue."

The professors also brought in the multimedia team to help polish their presentation slides and visuals. Leo and Saimon worked closely with the team, adding dynamic animations and clean graphics to make their pitch visually compelling.

While the team focused on preparations, the university's official Facebook page posted a feature about their groundbreaking capstone project. The post included photos of the team with the EV prototype, as well as a short write-up praising their innovation and determination.

Within hours, the post went viral.

Comments poured in from alumni, students, and even strangers who were amazed by what the team had accomplished:

"Proud to see our university producing world-class innovators!"

"Filipino ingenuity at its finest. This gives me hope for our country's future."

"I can't wait to see this car on the road someday. When's the release date?"

The post reached over 100,000 likes within a day, and news outlets began to take notice. By the following morning, Matthew's phone was flooded with calls and emails from media companies eager to cover their story.

During a team meeting at Luxent Hotel, Samantha summarized the situation. "We've got offers from several media outlets," she said, scrolling through her email. "ABS-CBN, CNN Philippines, Inquirer, and GMA are all reaching out. Some are even offering money for exclusive coverage."

Saimon leaned back in his chair, eyes wide. "Wait, they're offering us money? How much?"

Samantha raised an eyebrow. "GMA offered ₱200,000 for exclusive rights to our story. ABS-CBN's offer is slightly lower at ₱150,000."

Leo whistled. "That's a lot of money for just letting them cover our project. We could use that to fund further developments."

Matthew, however, was cautious. "We need to think carefully about this. Choosing one network means excluding the others. That could create tension."

Samantha nodded. "True, but exclusivity also means more focused coverage. GMA's audience reach is massive, and their reputation for tech features is solid."

"Okay…GMA it is," Matthew decided.

Matthew composed a polite email to the other networks, thanking them for their interest but informing them of their decision.

The next day, GMA sent a crew to the university for preliminary interviews and to film the EV prototype. The crew was professional, setting up cameras and lights with efficiency.

The host, a well-known TV personality, greeted the team warmly. "We've heard so much about you. It's not every day that we get to cover something this groundbreaking."

Matthew, who had taken the lead as the team's spokesperson, explained their journey. "It started as just a capstone project, but as we worked on it, we realized it had the potential to be something much bigger."

Samantha chimed in during the interview, emphasizing the practical and environmental benefits of their EV. Leo and Saimon demonstrated the car's features, showing off the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system.

The segment ended with the host asking, "What's next for your team after the expo?"

Matthew smiled. "This is just the beginning. We want to inspire other Filipinos to dream big and believe in local innovation. And who knows? Maybe one day, you'll see our EVs on every road in the country."

As the media coverage aired, the team received an outpouring of support from the public. Comments on social media praised their vision and determination, with many expressing hope that their project would pave the way for a brighter future for the local automotive industry.

Back at Luxent Hotel, the team sat around the dining table, reviewing their final presentation.

"Everything is in place," Samantha said, scrolling through the slides. "All we need now is to deliver it flawlessly."

Matthew nodded, a determined look on his face. "We've come this far. Let's make sure we give them something they'll never forget."

Saimon raised his soda can in a toast. "To making history."

The others joined in, their cans clinking together. "To making history."

With the NETE just days away, the team felt the weight of their ambitions—but also the thrill of the opportunity ahead. They weren't just representing themselves anymore. They were representing the potential of Filipino ingenuity, and they were ready to show the world what they could do.