Philippine Students – Entrepreneurs will participate in the 2025 FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge Asia Pacific
Six Philippine high school students have been selected to represent the Philippines in the 2025 FedEx/Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge (ITC) Asia-Pacific Final, which will be held in Singapore in August this year.
Students earn their own positions after advancing in competing national competition, which puts participants in the development of innovative business ideas and global trade strategies. The program aims to organize entrepreneurial thinking and develop global business visibility between FedEx (FedEx) and JA Philippines through implemented workshops and team-based challenges.
This year’s competition challenges students to develop a Market Entry Strategic Plan (MESP) to achieve sustainable fashion solutions designed to minimize waste in Chinese products. Their ideas demonstrate critical thinking, creativity and a deep understanding of sustainable business solutions related to today’s global landscape.
Six Filipino students were selected to represent the Filipino hail, which represented three different schools. The Discarte team is represented by Santo Tomas-Legazpi University and is composed of students Jarelle A. Macabe and Felize Chloe B. Gimenez. Their product, Beanstock, is a sustainable plant-based textile made from rice bean fiber grown in Yunnan, China. The fabric is hygroscopic, biodegradable, and is perfect for environmentally friendly and stylish. By utilizing a crop grown in poor soil conditions that require minimal chemical input, the team hopes to reduce environmental impact while supporting local farmers in China.
The Haraya team set out from the University of San Jose – Recoletos to provide specialists for students Huela Marie Genova and Leana Francine E. Cutanda. Their entry, Appearance is a mobile app that promotes circular fashion by allowing users to buy, sell and rent used clothing. The app also provides personalized style suggestions that encourage users to express their personality while minimizing textile waste.
The Idiyanale team is composed of Michel Shana Sy and Janelle Anika Tan of the Philippine Institute of Culture (XiǎoYīTóng), a customized platform tailored to Chinese Gen Z and Millennial consumers. The service allows users to exchange second-hand clothes, access local tailoring and upgrade services, and support environmental programs. The platform integrates with digital payment systems like Ablepay and Wechat Pay and provides environmentally friendly delivery through Cainiao, which also donates a portion of its revenue through Shanghai’s Root & Shoots for reforestation efforts.
They will join fellow finalists from the region, including Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, for dynamic ideas and entrepreneurial vision. The event will serve as a platform for cross-cultural collaboration, teamwork, and future employment business leaders.
This format promotes cultural collaboration, encourages different perspectives, and allows students to apply basic business skills in an international environment in the real world. Finalists will also have the opportunity to connect with FedEx leaders and industry experts to further enhance their global learning experience.
“FedEx/JA ITC is an outstanding platform for young Filipinos to develop their entrepreneurial mindsets, improve their business skills and expand their understanding of global markets,” said Maribeth Espinosa, managing director of FedEx Philippines. “Year after year, we have witnessed innovative ideas that have the potential to transform into influential real-world solutions. We are extremely proud to uphold the commitments that empower the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of our nation.”
Since 2009, the FedEx/JA ITC program has reached over 10,670 Filipino students, fostering a generation of forward-looking youth and driving innovation and leadership. Philippine participants have achieved success on the regional stage over the years, including three students joining the winning team in 2021 and 2024, and a champion who stood out in the 2021 regional finals. These achievements reflect the strong, ongoing collaboration between FedEx and the Philippine JA in promoting innovation and preparing for tomorrow’s leaders.
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