Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Red Bull Basement
Filipino ingenuity shines on the global stage as Aldrin Sojourner “Soj” Gamayon, a BS Communications Technology Management student from Ateneo de Manila University, emerged as the world champion at the Red Bull Basement World Final. Representing the Philippines among participants from 40 countries, Gamayon earned the top prize for his groundbreaking innovation, “AgriConnect”—an AI-powered agricultural monitoring app designed to help farmers, especially in remote areas, track crops, improve resilience, and boost yields.
Inspired by his rice-farming roots and experiences studying abroad, Gamayon dedicated his win to Filipino farmers, emphasizing that his app goes beyond competition. “This means so much because I’m doing it beyond myself. I’m doing this for Filipino farmers,” he said. His victory also secures him an all-expenses-paid trip to Silicon Valley, where he’ll gain mentorship and networking opportunities with global technology leaders.
Gamayon hopes his success inspires others to pursue their ideas and encourages aspiring innovators to take action rather than overthink. “It’s always been my mantra to build something greater than myself,” he shared. With plans to expand “AgriConnect” through partnerships and collaborations in the Philippines, Gamayon remains committed to making a lasting impact for farmers nationwide.
