Danao Technologian shares journey to being champion of National Computer Engineering Challenge

Marc Vincent Bentoy (3rd from left) receives his award on Jan. 20, 2023, for winning the Java Programming category of the National Computer Engineering Challenge in Fort Ilocandia, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

CONSOLACION, CEBU – A 20-year-old student from Cebu Technological University-Danao City Campus was named champion during the National Computer Engineering Challenge held on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.

Marc Vincent Bentoy, a third year ‘technologian’ and Danaonon, routed nine other regions in the Java Programming category that was organized by the Institute of Computer Engineers in the Philippines (ICpEP) after winning and representing Central Visayas in the ICpEP regional level on Dec. 11, 2022.

The challenge that was organized by ICpEP was held during the first International Research Conference on Computer Engineering and Technology Education (IRCCETE) held at the at Fort Ilocandia, Laoag City, Ilocos. 

How he ended in CpE

Bentoy is the sixth son of Eleonor and Marciano Bentoy and is currently a third-year student taking Bachelor in Science Major in Computer Engineering (CpE).

Although being contented in CpE, Bentoy said that his heart was originally set to taking Computer Science.

“Com Sci gyud unta akong ganahan, miss, pero wala ko nakatake sa UPCAT… naa sa uban schools pero dili pud sulod sa budget,” he said.

(I wanted to take Com Sci, miss, but I failed to take UPCAT…the course is available in other schools but it is not within our budget.)

Bentoy proceeded with taking Computer Engineering in CTU because it was one of the courses that was offered for the DOST-SEI scholarship.

Dream

Since he was a child, Bentoy dreams of creating something out of nothing that is useful for the people around him. 

“Dream nako sa una gamay pa kay ganahan lang ko naay macreate na something useful sa mga tao,” he said.

(My dream before when I was still small is to create something useful for the people.)

He carries the dream up to this day by adding the integration of technology around him, and thus, started his journey getting into programming in Senior High School.

“Ang akong Senior High na instructor sa programming namo nga subject, miss, grabe kaversatile bisan asa nga platform (web, mobile, desktop) ug bisan asa na field of study nimo plano gamiton kay possible gyud siya gamit ang Java,” Bentoy shared.

(My senior high instructor in our programming subject, miss, (showed us) how really it is versatile in any platform (web, mobile, desktop), and in any field of study that you plan to use it because it is possible to really use Java.)

He didn’t want to join

In an interview with CDN, Bentoy said that he originally didn’t plan in participating for the ICpEP competition for this year and would rather teach the younger students that took a liking for the event, but things didn’t go as planned.

Bentoy claimed that his school even held an event to distinguish representatives for each category but still no one joined for Java Programming.

“Ganahan ra unta ko magguide sa mga bag-ong nisulod…wala may niapil sa Java ug sa Python unya sayangan ko naay slot,” he said

(I just wanted to be the guide to those new ones who joined…there was no one who joined in Java and in Pythong and I saw that as a wasted opportunity since there is a slot for it.)

Challenges in going to the nationals

Upon winning the regional title for Java, Bentoy had faced monetary challenges during his preparations for the event that left him being weak-minded and even deciding not to continue.

“Nagsugod nag (pangutana) ang organizers namo sa Region 7 if mudayun ba daw mi kay ang nagsecond nako, andam na mularga,” he said.

(The organizers have started asking us from Region 7 if we will push through because I am ready to go.)

Faced with challenges, Bentoy reassured himself that he got what he wanted from the regional championship and that was to test his limits in programming.

“Ang ako ra jud main goal kay ganahan ko mascale nako akong skills sa programming ug asa mabutang akong skills diri sa Cebu or sa Region 7,” he said.

(My goal is I wanted to scale my skills in programming and where I can place my skills here in Cebu or in Region 7.)

Thanks to them

Bentoy sends his thanks to the people who helped in resolving these challenges which led him to attend the national competition, and thus, winning the title.

“Mapasalamaton kayo ko; Instead na mugive- up, mangita og paagi nga I grab ang nindot na opportunity. If kato nawad-an kog paglaum, wala ta karon nakagrab sa achievement,” Bentoy said.

(I am so grateful; that instead of giving up, we choose to look for a way to grab the great opportunity. If at that time I lost hope, then we could not have grabbed this achievement.) | Jessa Ngojo

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