CAVITE – A group of students from Cavite Science Integrated School in Maragondon bagged multiple awards and emerged as the Overall Champion, besting 42 participating teams from other countries, at RoboRAVE Australia 2023, an international robotics competition, held recently at the University of Sunshine Coast in Australia.

Photo courtesy of Cavite Science Integrated School - Regional Science High School for Region 4A – CALABARZON (MANILA BULLETIN)

The Philippine robotics team called the RoboReapers won the following awards, competing against 42 teams from Australia, Bangladesh, China, Ecuador, India, and Vietnam:

Champion - Line Following University/Professional Category

• Diana Alyssa A. Paredes
• Keira Adrianne G. Gutierrez
• Yelena Beatriz V. Ledesma
• Arvie Mielle B. Angon

Champion - Sumobot Open High School Category

• Ihra Venice B. Angon
• Zaria Agatha V. Ledesma

Champion - Sumobot Open University/Professional Category

• Michael Julius G. Hayag
• Diana Alyssa A. Paredes

3rd place - Sumobot Open High School Category

• Keira Adrianne G. Gutierrez
• Janniah E. Pastores

9th place - Sumobot Open High School Category

• Arvie Mielle B. Angon
• Yelena Beatriz V. Ledesma

RoboReapers' coaches, Michael Julius G. Hayag and Pia E. Abad, expressed their pride over the win.

Hayag said the team worked hard and trained in robot building, programming, and testing during weekends and, sometimes, even during lunch breaks.

“Factors that contributed to our team’s achievements were preparedness and teamwork,” Hayag told the Manila Bulletin on Monday, July 24.

“Sa school pa lang ay nag-identify na kami ng mga possible na maging problema or concern during the game and we also identified 'yung possible solutions. Gumawa kami ng mga game plan at strategies na magbibigay sa amin ng edge (In school, we already identified possible problems or concerns we might face during the game, as well as possible solutions. We came up with game plans and strategies that gave us some kind of edge).”

Hayag admitted that access and resources remained a challenge in the field of robotics education in the Philippines. He said robotics competitions require multiple robots with different specifications. As a result, not a lot of schools could offer a strong robotics program.

Despite the challenges, the team was able to execute their game plan by supporting one another throughout the competition. But more than the medals and trophies they took home, Hayag said the students gained an invaluable opportunity to represent the Philippines in the international arena.

He also witnessed how the team members formed new friendships while introducing Philippine culture to other nationalities.

“Namigay kami nang candies na galing dito sa Pilipinas at mga keychain tulad ng jeep, tricycle, at other items na nagre-represent sa Philippines (We gave away candies from the Philippines and keychains like jeeps, tricycles, and other items that represent the Philippines),” Hayag shared.

“Kahit magkalalaban sa event, kahit magkakaiba ng lahi ay mas nangingibabaw pa din 'yung friendship at unity (Even if they were opponents at the event, even if they were of different races, friendship and unity prevailed).”