19/10/2026
infocus l Normalistars Student Edition
From Pinakbet to PinakBite: LNU Student Entrepreneurs Turn Local Flavors into Innovation
What if a familiar Filipino vegetable dish could become a convenient meal for busy students?
For three fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship students of Leyte Normal University (LNU), that idea inspired PinakBite, a proposed instant vegetable meal based on pinakbet, paired with rice to offer a convenient alternative for people with limited time to prepare food.
Developed by Sean Ezekiel L. Comendo, Chrichelle B. Balais, and John Loyd B. Lusande, PinakBite aims to make nutritious meals more accessible while highlighting local ingredients and supporting local farmers.
Turning the idea into a business concept, however, meant navigating costing, financial projections, market potential, and product development while balancing academic responsibilities.
With the guidance of their coach and mentor, Mr. Marvin Montilla, the team refined their business plan and prepared to present their idea during the Innov8Leyte Business Pitching Competition at Handa Pilipinas–LeyBizCon 2026.
For Comendo, the experience tested not only their business skills but also their confidence in their idea.
“There were times na nakaka-overwhelm,” he shared, recalling the pressure of developing their business model and preparing for the pitch. Through their mentor's guidance, the support of family and friends, and God's help, he found the strength to keep going.
“We don't need to have everything figured out right away. We just need to be willing to learn, improve, and trust the process,” he reflected.
For Balais, presenting their idea before the judges brought both excitement and nervousness. Yet the experience strengthened her belief that aspiring entrepreneurs must be willing to take risks.
“One important lesson I learned is to take the first step even when we're uncertain about what lies ahead,” she said.
Their efforts earned PinakBite a place among the Top 10 finalists of the competition, a milestone that brought pride to the team as representatives of LNU's College of Management and Entrepreneurship.
For Lusande, the challenge was not simply to come up with a business idea, but to make it practical and meaningful. The team had to consider how PinakBite could stand out as more than an ordinary instant meal while offering a healthier alternative.
“We wanted to make sure na hindi lang siya basta instant meal, but also a healthier alternative,” he shared, reflecting on the challenge of turning their concept into something realistic and presentable.
The experience reinforced the team's understanding that an idea is only the beginning; developing its potential requires research, collaboration, and openness to feedback.
PinakBite remains at the business concept stage, with prototyping and laboratory testing among the team's next planned steps. They also hope to join more competitions as they continue developing the product.
For fellow Normalistas who have ideas of their own, Comendo offers this encouragement: “You don't need to have everything figured out before you start.”
“Just believe in your ideas, work hard, surround yourself with the right people, and most importantly, trust God's timing. You never know how far your idea can go,” he added.
For these young entrepreneurs, PinakBite is still a work in progress. But their journey shows that meaningful innovation can begin with something familiar—and grow through teamwork, courage, and the willingness to take the first step.
Congratulations to Sean Ezekiel L. Comendo, Chrichelle B. Balais, and John Loyd B. Lusande on bringing pride to the LNU community! May their journey with PinakBite continue to reflect the university's core values of Service, Integrity, and Excellence as they turn their idea into a meaningful innovation for the community. Their achievement reminds fellow Normalistas that with creativity, perseverance, and a commitment to serving others, even the simplest ideas can grow into something meaningful.
We Rise With LNU!
