Flash mob dance, bands add thrill to SWEEP Awards

The 6th SWEEP Innovation and Excellence Awards, a two-day affair held at the A. Venue Hall in Makati, combined the excitement of competition with fun and entertainment to give student-participants yet another memorable event.

Engineering and computer majors, as well as public high school students from school partners of Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) were treated to performances of bands Akafellas and Itchyworms. The young audience sang along and danced to the groups’ popularized hits.

Participants of the 6th SWEEP Innovation and Excellence Awards turn entertainers as they join the flash mob dance to the tune of “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas.

The students, joined by their professors, turned entertainers too as they wowed the guests with a flash mob dance to the tune of “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas.

Raffle draws of prizes including a Red Fox netbook provided something to look forward to during program breaks.

All these added thrill to the main competition in which Holy Name University emerged as grand winner for coming up with the best wireless application that empowers a community. First runner-up is Ateneo De Davao University (ADDU); while Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) rounded off this year’s top three.

Holy Name University designed a water monitoring system for Calape, Bohol.  ADDU developed a Fish Density Detection System to help fishermen of Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur.  ADMU created “SMART Bantay Barangay” for residents of Loyola Heights.

A student-participant joins Itchyworms vocalist Jugs Jugueta onstage.

The winning teams received cash prizes, with a grant of the same amount going to their respective schools – 1st prize at P500,000; 2nd prize, P300,000; and 3rd prize, P150,000.

Awarding ceremonies were hosted by radio duo Chico and Delmar.

Organized by Smart Communications, Inc., the annual SWEEP Awards is part of the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program, an education initiative under Kabalikat, SMART’s corporate social responsibility program.

(Published 22 February 2010, Smart Communications Inc.)