SU’s Merge Conflict breaks into PSC X Top 5 with AI safety pitch
The Silliman University team, Merge Conflict of the College of Computer Studies (CCS), secured a Top 5 finish at the Philippine Startup Challenge (PSC) X – Central Visayas Regional Pitching Competition, held on November 22, 2025, at Mezzo Hotel, Cebu City.
Composed of John Stanley Altonaga (BSCS-IV), Gianne Guenter Gaudan (BSIT-IV), and Jon Patric Garganian (BSIT-IV), with Asst. Prof. Joy Dy as mentor, Merge Conflict was among the Top 25 finalists selected from 158 entries submitted across Cebu, Bohol, and Negros Oriental.
The team presented bant.AI, an AI-powered digital safety assistant designed to analyze screenshots and online interactions to detect harmful content and emotional patterns that may affect a child’s well-being.
Using OCR, natural language processing, and sentiment analysis, the solution identifies indicators such as bullying, isolation, or anxiety. It provides parents with insights and guidance to support their child’s mental and emotional health.
SU’s Merge Conflict team pitches bantay.AI, a digital safety assistant powered by AI.
The PSC X Regional Pitching Competition required each finalist to deliver a live five-minute pitch followed by a five-minute Q&A with judges. It concluded with Team Culay (Baggo) from the University of the Philippines Cebu emerging as champion, followed by Team Simon Says (PixCell) from Cebu Institute of Technology–University as first runner-up and Team Kits-Eye from the Philippine Science High School–Central Visayas Campus as second runner-up.
Completing the roster were RIDEPAY of Southwestern University PHINMA in fourth place, and sharing the Top 5 spot were ODYSSEY of Southwestern University PHINMA and Silliman University’s MERGE CONFLICT, followed by TAGBAHA (Top 7) and MENTARA (Top 8) from Cebu Institute of Technology–University, LIFELINE of the University of San Jose–Recoletos in ninth place, and ALALA of the same university rounding up the Top 10.
The champion will represent Central Visayas in the PSC National Pitching Competition.
The Philippine Startup Challenge, organized annually by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), aims to inspire young Filipinos to develop innovative ICT solutions with the potential to become viable business ventures while addressing pressing social issues.
