GMA NMI, MINT launch iOS app tilt

MANILA, Philippines - GMA New Media Inc. (NMI), GMA Network’s digital arm, in partnership with Meridian International (MINT) Business, Arts and Technology College, recently launched the “GMA iOS App Challenge,” a competition that will showcase the creativity and talent of Filipinos in the field of mobile application development. 

The contest is exclusive to all the students of MINT College’s iOS App Development Course. 

Participants are tasked to create a GMA Network-related app that will be made available at the Apple iTunes Store for free. They may join as an individual or as a group and can submit as many apps as they want.

“NMI has always been committed to the development of new, exciting talents, which is why we are bullish about MINT’s iOS App Development Course. We cannot wait to see what innovative ideas this crop of self-starters will be bringing to their projects. This is just the start. We intend to continue launching groundbreaking initiatives to support the growth of digital in the Philippines,” said Joan Bulauitan, senior vice president for “technocreatives” of GMA NMI.

Hendrik Kiamzon, chief marketing officer of MINT College, said the school fully supports this project. 

Kiamzon said, “We are ecstatic that our MINT students will be putting to real use what they have learned in the first ever college course for iOS app development in the Philippines.

“This pioneering program is part of an overall philosophy at MINT to bring relevant coursework and programs that are applicable in today’s global economy.

“Time and time again, we have shown that Filipinos are world-class in many respects. The contest is just one of the many ways by which MINT will encourage its students to hone their potential to the fullest.”

The iOS app must run smoothly on any iOS devices, which include the iPod touch, iPhone and iPad. Students may develop the app using the xCode Development Tool or any other Software Development Kit (SDK) or tool currently available for as long as it complies with Apple’s rules and regulations for app development.

The app entries should fall under any of the following categories: news, entertainment, books/magazines, games, lifestyle, music, productivity, social networking, sports or a new concept that can still be classified according to any of the categories in the App Store.

The app entries will be judged based on overall creativity (40 percent); user interface and usability/intuitiveness (30 percent), and efficiency of technical back-end (30 percent).

The judges will select the top three apps for submission to Apple for approval set in the first week of October. Winners will be awarded in the first week of November, with the first place winning P60,000; second place, P30,000; and third place, P10,000.

For more information, contact Abby Payuyo at [email protected].