An Accumulation Of Success: PSIM SLSU Student Unit’s Ascension at the 5th Visayas Regional Conference 2026 in Bacolod

The participants of the annual 5th Visayas Regional Conference: Mechanical Engineering Students’ Convention (VRC MESCON) 2026 are all set to showcase their skills at Colegio San Agustin - Bacolod, Negros Occidental, on June 25, 2026.

In the heat of various forces colliding, they meet equal yet opposing contenders in the arena—bringing forth an array of intellectual showdowns from across the Visayas region. This milestone event brings together formidable contenders from prominent institutions, including Central Philippine University, Central Philippine State University, Colegio de San Agustin - Bacolod, Iloilo Science and Technology University, and the University of Cebu - Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue Campus.

In accordance with the objectives involving Quality Education (SDG 4), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), and Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9) under the Sustainable Development Goals—the PSIM SLSU Student Unit successfully fulfills its purpose, upholding the promises provided to the beneficiaries. Consisting mainly of second-year BS Mechanical Engineering students as target participants, the delegation shows grit and resilience throughout the event, accompanied by their instructor, Engr. Khesiya Mae Manlangit. 

The event begins with a Technical Seminar featuring the MESCON Chairman, Janet P. Serisola, PME, M.Eng, for the opening remarks, followed by Kean Wood J. Ancheta, the MESCON Student Chair, for the introduction of the main event's speakers: Lorenzo P. Larion, PME, Ramon Vic A. Bueno, ME, and Joey Alvic M. Baysa, PME.

Individually, these speakers showcase and teach students that even things as simple as nursery rhymes can indicate valuable lessons. Competencies, likewise, are integral to shaping moral character, navigating social cues, and executing tasks based on skills that stem from time and experience. Moreover, concepts on the complexity of air-conditioning are discussed alongside the broader scope of the mechanical engineering industry.

A simultaneous series of events takes place thereafter across various locations within the campus. One of the most anticipated is the quiz bee portion designated in the school’s auditorium—consisting of three rounds covering essential disciplines in Power and Industrial Plant Engineering (PIPE), including air-conditioning, HVAC, refrigeration, thermodynamics, machine design, engineering materials, and shop practices, which include concepts on shafting, pressure vessels, and certain gear functions.

While foundational subjects like differential and integral calculus, differential equations, and engineering mechanics appear less frequently, they still prove to be critically relevant deciding factors in the scoring.

In each individual round, the contestants face off against fierce adversaries, battling not just the opponents themselves but also a limited time allotment. Each problem is only given a specific amount of time to be solved depending on its level of difficulty, specifically ranging from fifteen seconds to two minutes. Amidst the grueling pressure, every millisecond counts as SLSU contenders Arvhe M. Ruiz, James Jeffrey E. Palima, and Emmanuel G. Dalion persevere through every problem, setting the arena for an unforgettable conclusion together with the rest of the participants, namely Othniel P. Cani, Tomerson Y. Berador, and Jonrey L. Esma—leaving everything on the line with a narrow gap and ultimately securing the 2nd place title.

Meanwhile, in a separate corner of the venue, the clanking noise of gears shifting along pulley-based mechanisms echoes. Here, contestants Sanjie Navasa, Precious M. Apac, and Jade D. Malazarte face a challenge in the Machine Design competition with one critical condition to keep in mind—design a mechanism capable of lifting a specific load utilizing only the materials provided by the organizers. Ensuring that the lifting height does not exceed 5 inches above the testing surface, they are determined to build and design the mechanism under the pressure of time and minor constraints.

Considering that making the pulley is already a challenge in itself, let alone defending it before a panel of judges, they gather and muster every inch of courage left within their arsenal and pull through with an exemplary execution. They maximize efficiency as much as possible while managing a sliding issue that affects only a fraction of the overall mechanism, earning them a solid 4th place spot.

A different kind of battle takes place in the digital arena, as the energy shifts from high-stakes calculations to the awaited Computer-Aided Design (CAD) competition in the computer lab. In the realm of the AutoCAD software, Alberto E. Napuli IV and Ken Mark Jimeno stand forth as they navigate dimensions and control keys to model a complex mechanical part. With exactly 90 minutes on the clock, every mouse movement and click is precise, ultimately earning Alberto E. Napuli IV the title of Champion—a major milestone for the PSIM SLSU Student Unit.

Organized by the PSIM-Negros Occidental Island Chapter, the PSIM Student Unit extends its deepest gratitude to and commemorates the emerging victors of the event. It is an indispensable opportunity where relevance seamlessly bridges the participating chapters, offering acquired insights from compelling philosophies to complex, mechanically driven competitions. This ensures not only technical success but, most crucially, equips future engineers for real-world applications.

While the SLSU delegation once carried only the weight of anticipation, it is incomparable to the triumphant exit they display. With hearts filled with pride and honor, they prove themselves capable of withstanding even the mightiest of stress or strain, proving once more that consistency and rigorous preparation result in the accumulation of success.