Four selected students from the USC School of Business and Economics made their mark in this year’s American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Business Leadership Program held from May 26 to June 7, 2025 in Makati City, Philippines.

AmCham’s rigorous selection process allows only the top 30 students nationwide to participate. This ensures that the “best meets the best,” and firmly rooted in this mission is USC’s longstanding legacy of producing competent and socially responsible professionals—as evidenced by strides made by this year’s Carolinian delegates. 

In addition, delegates participated in a business plan competition where they were grouped into teams of five to develop AI-driven solutions tackling one or more social issues in the Philippines, with a focus on scalability, sustainability, and profitability.

Aiming to be an avenue where the best meets the best, AmCham selected 30 students nationwide for a two-week-long program, allowing participants the opportunity to network with C-Suite executives and participate in insightful discussions of top industry leaders from multinational corporations.

This year, USC proudly fielded one of the largest contingents among all participating universities and colleges nationwide. Making their marks as emerging business leaders, the Carolinian contingent was composed of Jade del Rosario, Mary Abegail Panares, Martin Francia III of the Department of Accountancy, and Juliana Marie Mabugat of the Department of Business Administration (see photo above).

Del Rosario and his group emerged as the champion in the Business Plan Competition while Mabugat’s team secured third place. In individual achievements, del Rosario placed 3rd in the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) examination. Furthermore, Pañares and Francia were nominated as Best Female and Male Presenters, respectively.

Reported by Juliana Marie Mabugat and Mary Abegail Panares