The College of Computer Studies (CCS) of Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU)–Pampanga Campus marked another academic milestone after one of its students achieved notable distinctions in both regional and national information technology competitions, reinforcing the institution’s growing presence in the field of computing and digital innovation.
Fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology student Judea Mae Manalastas delivered strong performances in two recently held competitions, earning recognition for her technical expertise, programming skills, and academic excellence.
Manalastas first secured a 1st Runner-Up finish during the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Excel Associate competition at the International Research Conference in Information Technology Education (IRCITE) 2026 held on 19 March 2026 at the main campus of Bulacan State University. Organized by the Philippine Society of Information Technology Education, the conference gathered students and academic institutions from across Central Luzon under the theme, “Ideation, Utilization, and Adoption: Strengthening the Research-to-Practice Cycle in IT Education.”
The conference highlighted the significance of transforming research concepts into practical applications and emphasized innovation as a bridge between academic work and real-world technological solutions.
Competing in the Microsoft Office Specialist Excel Associate category, Manalastas earned an exceptional score of 981 out of a possible 1,000 points, significantly surpassing the required passing mark of 700. The performance secured her the 1st Runner-Up distinction and led to her official recognition as a Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate—a globally recognized certification granted by Microsoft.
Beyond the regional stage, Manalastas also represented OLFU–Pampanga in the CS&IT Skills Competition of SIKAPTala 2026, a nationwide programming contest organized by the student government of the College of Information and Computer Studies of De La Salle University–Dasmariñas.
Held on 14 May 2026, the competition brought together participants from universities and colleges across the country in a showcase of programming and technical skills. SIKAPTala served as a national platform for student innovators, programmers, researchers, designers, and future technology leaders, aiming to highlight excellence across computing disciplines through structured technical challenges.
Among 43 contestants from higher education institutions and representatives from 106 participating schools and universities nationwide, Manalastas secured a Top 10 placement after successfully completing 30 programming challenges across four levels of difficulty during the contest proper.
Her achievements across both competitions underscored a broad skill set that spans certification-based technical assessment and competitive programming. The recognitions also highlighted OLFU–Pampanga’s continued commitment to developing future-ready professionals equipped with advanced technical competencies and problem-solving abilities.
Apart from Manalastas’ success at IRCITE 2026, OLFU–Pampanga also fielded student representatives across several categories. Jorem Andrei Punesto participated in Paper Presentation, Simon Brian Pamintuan competed in Poster Presentation, Christian Dael San Diego joined the T-Shirt Design category, while Althea Tapnayon represented the university in Technical Writing.
The participation of OLFU students across multiple disciplines reflected the breadth of talent within the College of Computer Studies and underscored the institution’s efforts to encourage academic engagement beyond classroom instruction.
Regional and national competitions such as IRCITE and SIKAPTala continue to provide opportunities for students to apply theoretical knowledge in competitive and collaborative settings while fostering research, innovation, and professional development. These platforms also play an important role in preparing aspiring information technology professionals to address evolving industry challenges and contribute to the broader technology landscape.
Report by Lailanie M. Calma and rewritten by Raymond Lumagsao
