Six Filipino Students Head to Singapore for FedEx Trade Challenge

Six Filipino students will represent the Philippines at the 2025 FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge (ITC) Asia Pacific finals this August in Singapore.

The students emerged as the top contenders in the local leg of the FedEx/JA ITC, an annual entrepreneurship competition that aims to build global business acumen among secondary school students.

Now in its 16th year in the Philippines, the program is a collaboration between Federal Express Corp. and JA Philippines, a nonprofit focused on preparing youth for success in a global economy.

This year’s challenge tasked students with developing a Market Entry Strategy Plan for a sustainable fashion solution that reduces product return waste in China.

The six students who will represent the Philippines at the 2025 regional finals are:

1. Team Discarte

Students: Jarelle A. Macabe and Felize Chloe B. Gimenez

School: University of Santo Tomas- Legazpi

Product: Beanstock, a sustainable, plant-based textile made from rice bean fibers grown in Yunnan, China. It offers strong, moisture-wicking fibers ideal for eco-friendly fashion, that is biodegradable and locally sourced. The rice bean thrives in diverse climates and poor soils, reducing the need for chemicals and water. Beanstock provides a clean, local alternative to imported materials, supporting Chinese farmers and promoting greener fashion practices.

2. Team Haraya

Students: Huela Marie Genova and Leana Francine E. Cutanda

School: University of San Jose-Recoletos

Product: LOOK 书 is a mobile app that makes fashion more sustainable and stylish. Users can buy and sell second-hand clothes, rent outfits, and get personalized styling tips — all in one place. By promoting reuse and individuality, LOOK 书 helps reduce textile waste and supports a circular, eco-friendly approach to fashion.

3. Team Idiyanale

Students: Michel Shana Sy and Janelle Anika Tan

School: Philippine Cultural College

Product: 小衣同 (Xiǎo Yī Tóng) is a web-based platform that helps Gen Z and young millennials in China engage with sustainable fashion. Users can swap secondhand clothes, access local tailoring and upcycling services, and support environmental causes. With secure payment options like Alipay and WeChat Pay, and eco-friendly delivery via Cainiao, the platform makes conscious fashion easy and impactful — even donating a portion of its revenue to tree-planting efforts through Shanghai Roots & Shoots.

They will join fellow finalists from across the region – including Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – for a dynamic exchange of ideas and entrepreneurial vision. The event will serve as a platform for cross-cultural collaboration, teamwork, and the development of future-ready business leaders.

This format promotes cultural collaboration, encourages different perspectives, and allows students to apply essential business skills in a real-world international setting. Finalists will also have the chance to connect with FedEx leaders, and industry experts, further enhancing their global learning experience.

“The FedEx/JA ITC is an exceptional platform for young Filipinos to cultivate their entrepreneurial mindset, sharpen their practical business skills, and broaden their understanding of global markets,” said Maribeth Espinosa, managing director of FedEx Philippines. “Year after year, we witness innovative ideas with the potential to transform into impactful, real-world solutions. We are immensely proud to uphold our commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders, who will shape the future of our country.”

Since 2009, the FedEx/JA ITC program has reached over 10,670 Filipino students, nurturing a generation of forward-thinking youth with the drive to innovate, and lead. Over the years, Filipino participants have made their mark on the regional stage — including three students being part of the winning teams in 2021 and 2024, and a standout first-place win at the 2021 regional finals. These achievements reflect the strong, ongoing collaboration between FedEx and JA Philippines in fostering innovation and preparing tomorrow’s leaders.

More information about the 2025 FedEx /JA ITC can be found on the JA Philippines website: https://www.japhilippines.org/