ustThe students of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) rejoice after being adjudged the champions in the recently concluded “Hackathon” organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as part of its #StopChildPornPh project.

Held in Bayview Park Hotel, the contest aimed to come up with accessible and user-friendly computer and mobile applications to make reporting of child cyber pornography incidents easier.

It was participated in by information technology students from UST, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Far Eastern University (FEU), ABE International Business College, Cosmopoint International Institute of Technology (CIIT), and Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP).

Department of Justice (DOJ) Assistant Secretary Monica Pagunsan (4th from left) and DSWD’s Social Technology Bureau (STB) Director Thelsa Biolena (5th from left) present the prize amounting to P50,000 and trophy to the winning team led by John Lim (3rd from right).

Also in photo is Alberto Salvador (left) of the Department of Science and Technology-Information Communication and Technology Office (DOST-ICTO), the head of the panel of judges.

The team conceptualized an original cartoon character they called “Katzu” to make their website appealing to children and encourage them to report incidents of child abuse and child cyber pornography.

Other winners were:

Component 1: Mobile and Web App Development

  • 2nd Place- FEU Makati
  • 3rd Place- PUP
  • Best in Concept Idea: PUP

Component 2: Info Graphics

1st Place- PUP
2nd Place- TIP
3rd Place- CIIT
Best in Concept Idea: CIIT