First IBM Bobathon in Manila Brings Student Ideas to Life

Integrated Computer Systems, Inc. (ICS), in collaboration with IBM, held the two-day IBM Bobathon at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Manila on October 15–16, 2026.

Under the theme Future Builders: From Ideas to Impact, participating student teams explored how AI-assisted development can turn ideas into practical applications. Working on real-world university challenges, they used agentic AI to plan, build, and develop solutions through hands-on application development.

The event marked the first IBM Bobathon in Manila, bringing together PUP students to explore how AI can support software development and problem-solving.

The hackathon featured IBM Bob, IBM's AI-powered development partner, as the primary tool for application development. Through prompt-led interactions, participants used IBM Bob to plan, build, test, and refine their applications.

Four teams, each composed of five currently enrolled PUP Manila students, were selected to participate. Throughout the event, they explored how AI-powered development tools can support the software development process and help transform concepts into working applications.

The second day brought together members of the PUP Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) and faculty for a technology update on the growing role of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity in today's organizations.

Titled AI in Focus: Innovation, Trust, and Security, the session explored how organizations can integrate AI into their operations while addressing concerns around data protection, cybersecurity, and responsible technology use.

The session also discussed IBM's AI and security solutions, highlighting how these technologies can support organizational AI adoption and address data protection, access management, and operational requirements

Through initiatives such as the IBM Bobathon and technology update sessions, ICS and IBM continue to strengthen collaboration with academic communities.

By connecting students and educators with industry expertise and emerging technologies, these initiatives support technical skills development and encourage a deeper understanding of AI in software development and organizational operations.

ICS and IBM extend their congratulations to all participating teams for their ideas, teamwork, and contributions to making the first IBM Bobathon in Manila a success.

Check the official ICS Facebook page for more event photos: IBM Bobathon & Technology Update.

Integrated Computer Systems, Inc. (ICS) is a systems integrator and technology solutions provider in the Philippines, connecting every part of an organization through Edge, Core, Cloud, and Services. As an IBM Gold Partner, ICS supports organizations in evaluating, implementing, and managing IBM solutions aligned with their business goals.