AS WE traverse the digital age, technology’s significance in influencing students’ academic, personal, and professional life grows rapidly, making it a need rather than a luxury for the majority.
In an era where digital change is altering industries and society, RepublicAsia and iACADEMY’s collaboration stands out as an example of innovation and forward-thinking education.
Photo Courtesy: RepublicAsia Media
Their partnership, as shown by prior programs such as “Lead Like a Pro” and “NextUp,” demonstrates a shared commitment to developing the next generation of digital media leaders in the Philippines.
While prior partnerships have had a significant positive impact on the lives of the younger generation, “Pay It Forward: A Digital Transformation Advocacy” takes it to a new level.
A Shared Vision
Despite the benefits offered by technology, not all students have access to the resources they require. The digital gap remains a major issue, particularly in impoverished communities where resources are sparse.
Many students continue to lack dependable internet access, personal devices, and the digital competence required to fully benefit from online learning.
This disparity not only impedes academic achievement, but it also reinforces cycles of inequality and restricts long-term opportunities.
Photo Courtesy: RepublicAsia Media
This is where initiatives like Pay It Forward may have a significant impact. A project that is more than just a technological donation; it is part of a larger purpose to make a long-term difference in the lives of future generations.
Brought to Life
RepublicAsia, a trailblazer in digital journalism, and iACADEMY, a premier institution for digital arts and technology education, have formalized and launched their new partnership in April 2025.
First, RepublicAsia’s Founder and CEO Bran Reluao and Raquel Perez-Wong, President and COO of iACADEMY, led the historic memorandum of agreement signing for the advocacy-driven project on April 3.
They were joined by the newly appointed secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Hon. Henry Aguda and Aurelio Paulo Bartolome, assistant secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd).
This project sought to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry demands by offering students practical insights, skills, and equipment required to thrive in the fast changing digital economy.
Paying It Forward
On April 11, RepublicAsia’s team flew and was able to distribute the promised 100 tablets and three Starlink devices to students and teachers from eight schools chosen by DepEd from various remote areas of Cebu.
Photo Courtesy: RepublicAsia Media
In an exclusive interview, Reluao expressed his enthusiasm and delight at seeing the children and the schools receiving the much-needed assistance in overcoming digital challenges in academics.
“I’m very happy to see these kids receive the tablets and Starlink devices. It’s us wanting them to embrace the new world, the new age. For the last two years we’re in the social media age, now we’re in the AI age,” Reluao shared after the event.
“I hope na whatever we’re giving right now, they’ll use it to learn more and allow them to have more access. I think that’s one thing that we really want to push in RepublicAsia, to give them more connectivity and access to technology,” he went on to say.
What’s Next?
Meanwhile, iACADEMY’s Perez-Wong hopes that this collaboration between two private institutions, with the assistance of the public sector, will continue to grow and impact more lives in the next generations.
“This really is just the first step of the digital transformation movement. Apart from sharing equipment, we will provide free training, especially for the school administrators, and free workshops for students,” she said.
Photo Courtesy: RepublicAsia Media
“We plan to make it more sustainable by allowing students and teachers to be able to understand how to utilize what they have, so that they can use these equipment in an optimal scale,” she added.
Technology is no longer the future; it is the present. In this digital age, kids need access to technology and the ability to use it effectively just as much as they need textbooks and teachers.
RepublicAsia’s support goes beyond simply donating gadgets; it empowers dreams, unlocks potential, and paves the road for future generations to flourish and lead in a digital world.
As we look ahead, we hope that more private institutions and individuals will be encouraged to “pay it forward” in their own unique ways, resulting in a future where technology empowers, includes, and transforms.
