Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. (HCCCI) brought student entrepreneurship beyond the classroom through EntrepreNook ’26: Sparking Grassroots Trade Through Student Grit, held on October 12, 2026, at the School Ground Lobby, Campus 1. Bringing together students from different academic programs, the bazaar created a space where classroom learning became practical business experience, student ideas reached potential customers, and innovation engaged with the wider community.

The activity featured second-year students taking GE 12 – The Entrepreneurial Mindset from the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECED), Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (BSHM), and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) programs, alongside third-year students of Bachelor of Technical-Vocational Teacher Education (BTVTEd). The bazaar welcomed the HCCCI community and invited visitors, as well as members of the public who walked in, giving student vendors opportunities to present their products and interact with people beyond their immediate classrooms.

The participation of students from different academic disciplines demonstrated that entrepreneurship is not limited to business-related courses. Students bring different knowledge, skills, and perspectives to developing products, presenting ideas, understanding customers, and identifying opportunities. When these perspectives meet in a shared entrepreneurial setting, they create room for new approaches, practical problem-solving, and innovation that draws on more than one field of study.

This cross-disciplinary experience is particularly valuable because real-world challenges rarely fit neatly within a single discipline. Students in hospitality management may bring insights into customer experience, those in information technology may approach challenges through digital solutions, and those in teacher education and early childhood education may contribute creativity, communication, and an understanding of people's needs. EntrepreNook ’26 provided a common space for students to explore how the knowledge they gain in their respective programs can translate into products, services, and potential business opportunities.

Throughout the bazaar, students handled product presentation, booth management, customer engagement, sales transactions, and promotional activities. They had opportunities to communicate with customers, respond to preferences, collaborate with teammates, and make decisions in a live marketplace. These experiences helped connect entrepreneurial concepts with the practical demands of selling, where creativity must be supported by planning, adaptability, and an understanding of the people a business seeks to serve.

The presence of invited visitors and public walk-ins added another dimension to the learning experience. Engaging with people outside their usual academic circles gave students opportunities to introduce their products to different audiences, observe customer responses, and appreciate the role of feedback in improving a business idea. This interaction also allowed visitors to experience the creativity and initiative of HCCCI students firsthand, strengthening the connection between campus-based learning and the surrounding community.

The activity was facilitated by Kristine Joy D. Urdelas, GE 12 Instructor, and Alvin Lakenic, TLE 6 – Entrepreneurship Instructor, with the coordination of Francis Lloyd Galanida, LPT, MST, GE 12 Coordinator. Mark Laurence J. Fano, LPT, MALT, CHRA, served as the inspirational speaker, reinforcing the event’s emphasis on entrepreneurial initiative, perseverance, and practical learning.

EntrepreNook ’26 reflects HCCCI’s commitment to an educational experience in which students do not simply learn concepts but also explore how to apply them in actual settings. By bringing students from different programs into a shared entrepreneurial activity and opening the bazaar to visitors, the institution encouraged interdisciplinary learning, practical problem-solving, customer engagement, and the confidence to turn ideas into initiatives.

The bazaar advances Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education through experiential and skills-based learning; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by developing entrepreneurial competencies and encouraging productive economic participation; and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure by promoting creativity, experimentation, and practical approaches to business challenges. It also reflects SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through the collaborative efforts of students and faculty in creating opportunities for applied learning and engagement.

Ultimately, EntrepreNook ’26 demonstrates why student entrepreneurship matters across disciplines. Innovation grows when people bring different skills together, recognize needs, and test ideas in meaningful settings. By giving students the opportunity to engage with customers, welcome feedback, and learn through experience, HCCCI helps prepare resourceful graduates who can apply their knowledge not only within their chosen fields but also in enterprise development and community growth.