MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines bagged two awards in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) recently held in Honolulu, Hawaii, the Science Education Institute (SEI) reported yesterday.
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a US-based organization founded by inventor Dean Kamen in 1989, aimed at inspiring young people to engage in science and technology.
Philippine team 3105 or “Lagablab,” the sole participant from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, received the “Highest Rookie Seed Award” and the “Rookie All-Star Award” in the FRC, besting six other high school teams from the United States.
Team Lagablab, composed of 20 junior high school students from the Philippine Science High School Quezon City Campus, with its robot “Larry Labuyo” ranked 17th out of 33 competing teams with a record of five wins, five losses and one draw.
Team Lagablab will compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition Championship to be held in Atlanta, Georgia from April 16 to 18.
Lagablab is the Filipino term for flame, burning strong and bright.
The Highest Rookie Seed Award is given to the neophyte team that gets the highest seed at the conclusion of the qualifying rounds, the SEI said.
On the other hand, the Rookie All-Star Award is given to a new team exemplifying a young but strong partnership effort, as well as implementing the mission of FIRST to inspire students to learn more about science and technology, the agency said.
The award was given at the closing ceremony of the FRC Hawaii Regional held from March 26 to 28 at the Stan Sheriff Center at the University of Hawaii in Manoa.
The event was attended by Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle and Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona.
Team Lagablab defeated teams from Prospect High School, Mililani High School, Damien Memorial High School, Farrington High School, Mid-Pacific Institute and Kalani High School, all from the US.
Aside from the US, other countries participating in the FRC are Great Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, Mexico, Turkey, Israel, Brazil and Chile.
SEI director Dr. Ester Ogena said the contest showed the immense potential the Philippines has in terms of human resources for robotics.
“We have found in Hawaii a treasure trove of talent and I am sure that there is more to tap in the Philippines,” Ogena said.
“We have truly shown to the world that we can do it and we can make it big in international competitions, especially in robotics,” she said.–Helen Flores, Philippine Star
It’s women’s month!
“Support women every day of the year!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and Made-in-the-Philippines
Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
Mar 4— Employee Appreciation Day
Mar 15 — World Consumer Rights Day
Mar 18 — Global Recycling Day
Mar 21 — International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Mar 23 — International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims
Mar 25 — International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Mar 27 — Earth Hour
