NETE
On the day of the event, June 15th, 2019. The National Engineering and Technology Expo (NETE) opened with a bang at the sprawling convention center in Pasay. Massive banners bearing the logos of sponsors and exhibitors hung from the high ceilings, and the energy in the air was palpable. Innovators, engineers, students, and industry leaders had gathered to showcase their best work, and the venue was abuzz with excitement.
Matthew and his team stood at their booth, an area specially prepared by the university. Their electric vehicle (EV) prototype was the centerpiece, gleaming under strategically placed lights that accentuated its sleek, modern design. Around it, banners detailed the technical specifications and environmental benefits of the EV, along with a large screen looping a video of the vehicle in action during testing.
As the morning progressed, the convention center filled with visitors. Nearby booths featured everything from advanced agricultural drones to renewable energy systems. Across the hall, major automobile companies like Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Hyundai had set up extravagant displays. Their sections were grand, featuring their latest electric vehicle models, concept cars, and advanced driving technologies.
The Toyota booth showcased a hybrid mode while Mitsubishi unveiled a new model of SUV, while Hyundai revealed an ultra-compact city car designed for urban commuting. The big companies spared no expense, with virtual reality demos, sleek promotional videos, and impeccably dressed representatives answering questions.
"Talk about competition," Leo muttered, eyeing the nearby displays.
"Let them have their bells and whistles," Samantha said confidently. "We're here to prove that innovation doesn't need billions in funding—it just needs vision and hard work."
As they spoke, a group of executives from Mitsubishi strolled toward their booth, accompanied by several engineers. The team's uniforms bore the unmistakable tri-diamond logo, and their badges marked them as senior figures in the company.
One of the executives, a distinguished man with graying hair, stopped in front of the EV. "This is the prototype from the university that's been making waves?" he asked in polished English, addressing Matthew.
"Yes, sir," Matthew said, stepping forward with a firm handshake. "This is our electric vehicle prototype, designed and built by our team as part of our capstone project."
The Mitsubishi team began inspecting the car. Their engineers bent down to examine the undercarriage, while another executive studied the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system.
"This is impressive," one of the engineers remarked. "The craftsmanship is solid for a student project. What's the battery range?"
"About 305 kilometers on a single charge," Matthew replied confidently. "We optimized the energy management system to maximize efficiency."
The executive raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "That's comparable to some entry-level EVs in the market. What about production scalability?"
Samantha stepped in. "Our design uses locally sourced materials wherever possible, and we've simplified the assembly process to make it feasible for small-scale manufacturing. With the right funding, we believe this could be scaled for mass production at a competitive price point."
The executives exchanged glances, clearly intrigued. "We'd like to learn more about your plans after the expo," the senior executive said, handing Matthew his business card. "You may have something special here."
As they left, Leo whispered, "Did that just happen? Did Mitsubishi just show interest in our project?"
Matthew smiled. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, but yeah—it happened."
The day continued with more visitors stopping by their booth. Some were industry professionals asking technical questions, while others were curious attendees marveling at the idea of a locally made EV.
As the crowd swirled through the expo, the electric vehicle booth drew considerable attention. Being the only EV prototype on display, it attracted everyone from curious students to industry veterans.
One visitor, an engineer in his 40s wearing a badge from Petron, asked, "How do you handle battery cooling? Overheating's a big issue with EVs in tropical climates."
Matthew, ever prepared, explained, "We've designed an active cooling system using liquid-cooled plates beneath the battery modules. It ensures stable temperatures even in extreme conditions."
The visitor nodded appreciatively. "Interesting. This could work well here, considering the heat."
In the mid-afternoon, the panel of NETE judges arrived. A mix of prominent academics, industry leaders, and government representatives, the judges were tasked with evaluating projects across innovation, feasibility, and impact.
Leading the panel was Dr. Elena Torres, a renowned mechanical engineer specializing in renewable energy systems.
"This is the electric vehicle project we've heard so much about?" Dr. Torres asked, her sharp gaze sweeping over the booth.
"Yes, ma'am," Matthew said, his voice steady. "It's designed to be affordable and practical for the Philippine market, with a focus on addressing urban transportation needs."
The team walked the judges through the vehicle's key features. Saimon demonstrated the active cooling system, while Leo highlighted the infotainment setup. Samantha explained their vision for scaling production and addressing infrastructure challenges.
Dr. Torres appeared particularly interested in their focus on localized manufacturing. "Using locally sourced materials is a smart move. It not only reduces costs but also supports the local economy."
Another judge, a representative from the Department of Energy, asked about charging infrastructure.
Samantha replied confidently, "We've included a Level 2 charging system compatible with existing setups in Metro Manila. For areas without infrastructure, we're exploring portable charging stations as a short-term solution."
The judges left the booth impressed, jotting down notes and exchanging thoughtful looks.
As evening fell, the expo culminated in a grand awards ceremony. The main hall was transformed into a formal venue, with a stage, spotlights, and an air of anticipation.
Awards for specific categories were announced first:
Most Innovative Design went to the team with the urban flood mitigation system.
Best Feasibility Study was awarded to the renewable energy project.
Most Promising Start-Up Concept was given to the hydrogen fuel cell generator.
Finally, it was time for the Best Overall Project—the expo's most prestigious award.
The host stepped up to the microphone, envelope in hand. "And the winner of the 2019 National Engineering and Technology Expo's Best Overall Project is…"
The room fell silent.
"The Institute of Technology' Electric Vehicle Prototype!"
The crowd erupted into applause as Matthew and his team walked onto the stage, a mix of disbelief and pride evident on their faces.
Matthew accepted the trophy and stepped up to the microphone. "Thank you to the judges, the NETE organizers, and everyone who believed in us. This project started as a dream, but with hard work and collaboration, we turned it into something real. We hope this is just the beginning—not just for us, but for the future of local innovation in the Philippines."
Back at their booth, the team was inundated with congratulatory messages and inquiries from potential partners. Representatives from San Miguel Corporation, DOE, and even international attendees expressed interest in collaborating or supporting their venture.
As they packed up for the day, Samantha looked at Matthew and said, "You wanted to prove something today—and you did."
Matthew smiled. "This is just the start. Let's see where this takes us."
The others nodded in agreement, the weight of their achievement sinking in. They weren't just a team of students anymore—they were trailblazers.
"To the future," Saimon said, raising a water bottle.
"To the future," the others echoed.
***
Meanwhile, standing from a distance, a man called someone. He waited for the call to connect and once it did, he spoke.
"I found them."