Written by Kyla Shayn R. Ochabillo and Researched by Zander Laurence Jason | May 28, 2026
Innov8: Designed with Care, Creativity, and Compassion
DRAWN by creativity, curiosity, and ambition, the Manny Reyes Hall glimmered as the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the first-ever Innov8 Grand Product Launch 2026 unfolded last April 20, 2026, as part of the Product Management, Sales Management, and Retail Management courses led by Dr. Angelo Defensor and Professor Aimee Mina. Moving from one display to another, Bedan aspiring entrepreneurs gathered to showcase more than just their products but a reflection of how young marketistas transform ideas into solutions with the purpose of answering real-world demands.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Andres Ignacio C. San Mateo, Jr., Dean of the School of Business, Accountancy, and Management, described the event as a “celebration of ideas brought to life, of creativity that needs purpose, and innovation shaping the future.” He emphasized the essence of the launch that goes beyond an academic requirement, but is an experience where students are expected to think beyond the classroom and into the realities of the market.
Where Ideas Create Impact
The first Innov8 launch gathered eight participating groups from first to fourth-year level marketing students: Click A Cuddle, Aroma Pin, Serenique, Recaf, Cuddle Pal, Focus Frame, Hexpand Box, and SmartSip. Each product reflected a different understanding of convenience, sustainability, and consumer behavior. To evaluate which among the modern student entrepreneurs best showcased functionality, creativity, and social responsibility, the panel of judges was composed of Dr. Emmanuel Evangelista, specializing in Business Research and Human Resource; Dr. Caroline Mediodia, specializing in Business Research, Statistics, and Management; and Dean San Mateo Jr., whose expertise centers on Marketing, Research, and Strategic Management.
Emerging as the crowd favorite, Click A Cuddle earned the Most Innovative and Sustainable Product award, with its blind-box plushie keychain integrated with a heat pack intended to provide relief. The product blended comfort, surprise, and practicality into one concept, allowing consumers to experience both relief and convenience.
Hexpand Box also secured the Best Product Sales Presenter award through its creative hexagon-shaped packaging designed as an eco-friendly alternative to bubble wrap, proving that sustainability and practicality can go hand in hand. Recaf, on the other hand, took home the Best Visual Merchandise Display award with its barako coffee-inspired air freshener, blending functionality with Filipino identity and culture.
Furthermore, other booths also attracted audiences with equally creative concepts: Aroma Pin’s wearable aromatherapy accessory designed for fast-paced lifestyles, Serenique’s stress-relief product, and SmartSip’s portable filtration tumbler for daily use.
The Whimsical Vision Behind Click A Cuddle
Inspired by the idea of “being whims,” Click A Cuddle was created through a creative and purposeful approach toward solving overlooked inconveniences. According to Joana Velina (II-BSBA-MM), their group wanted to reimagine traditional dysmenorrhea relief tools into something comforting, exciting, and emotionally engaging that blends convenience with creativity.
Moreover, despite the recognition Click A Cuddle eventually received, the journey toward completing the product was not easy. Joana shared that one of the greatest challenges was having to start from scratch while balancing multiple academic responsibilities. “One of the few things that Mr. Angelo Defensor has taught our class this semester is that creativity or ideas alone are not sufficient for an innovation — there has to be an action, desire, and determination to create and bring it to life,” she added.
Ultimately, Joana believes that “starting from scratch does not mean that all should be right and perfect in every step, but it is a reminder that everything we do teaches us a lesson at the end of the day.”
Creativity That Comes From The Heart
More than innovation itself, Click A Cuddle carried a message centered on empathy and convenience. “Women who experience dysmenorrhea do not have to stop mid-way through their day whenever menstrual cramps attack. The solution can also be something to look forward to rather than something to dread,” Joana said, on behalf of the group, expressing their hope that consumers would remember that women experiencing dysmenorrhea deserve solutions that do not disrupt their daily lives.
The blind-box feature also added an emotional and exciting element to the experience. Beyond receiving a functional heat pack, consumers are given the anticipation of discovering which plushie character they will get inside the box. Through this concept, the group aimed to transform discomfort into something comforting and even enjoyable, an experience that balances practicality with emotional connection.
A Greater Lesson Beyond The Launch
One of the defining aspects of this year’s launch was the collaboration among product management, retail management, and sales management students. According to Dr. Angelo Defensor, professor for Product Management, the event marked the first time these disciplines worked together in one large-scale product launch, allowing students to experience the realities of conceptualizing, branding, promoting, and presenting products in a setting that mirrors real-world marketing practices.
Dr. Defensor further emphasized the importance of unique selling points and innovative ideas. Beyond creativity alone, the judges looked into how students transformed their concepts into products capable of addressing genuine consumer needs. Supporting this perspective, Prof. Aimee Mina, professor of Sales and Retail Management, explained that the event encouraged participants to align their products with sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that innovation remained socially responsible and community-oriented.
As the program came to a close, Atty. Juan Ruffo D. Chong, Director of Tertiary and Graduate Education, reminded everyone that marketing extends far beyond selling. He emphasized that much of a marketer’s role lies in research, product development, and understanding the target market, principles clearly reflected throughout the Innov8 Grand Product Launch 2026. More than a showcase of student outputs, the event became a reflection of how future marketers are learning to combine innovation with purpose, creativity with empathy, and business with social responsibility.
Volume 31 | Issue 11
