Pinoy-made robot bags awards in Hawaii

MANILA, Philippines - A robot named after a wild rooster and created by a group of Filipino high school students and teachers reaped several awards at the regional level of the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) in Hawaii. The Philippine-made robot “Larry Labuyo" – created by Team Lagablab (Team Flame) – was bestowed the “Rookie All Star Award" and the Highest Rookie Seed Award," besting 33 high schools from the United States and Mexico, according to the official FRC website and the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Team 3105 or Team Lagablab – the 32-member group that jazzed up the circuits of “Larry Labuyo" – was the only participant from Southeast Asia to compete in the robotics competition. A press statement by the DOST’s Science Education Institute (SEI) said Team Lagablab ranked 17 of the 33 competing teams with a standing of five wins, five losses, and one tie. The six other teams ranked lower than the Philippines. The Filipino team was composed of 20 junior high school students from the Philippine Science High School Main Campus (PSHS), and mentors from the SEI, the De La Salle University and the University of the Philippines. The FIRST – which stands for 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’s interest and participation in science and technology. The Hawaii regional event – held from March 26 to 28 – is one of the 42 regional competitions participated in by high schools students from Brazil, the US, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Mexico and Turkey. Winners for each regional event would advance to the final round to be held in Atlanta, Georgia from April 16 to 18. In the Hawaii event, Team Lagablab faced off with 32 US high schools and one Mexican high school in a competition wherein robots were engaged in a game called “Lunacy." The game simulated conditions in the moon, wherein participating robots used a special kind of wheel rolling over regolith, a material which is almost frictionless. The objective of the game was to place as many “moon rocks" into the trailer of the opponent in 2 minutes and 15 seconds. Optimism Before leaving for Hawaii, the students’ mentor Elmer Dadios explained during the launching of “Labuyo" at the PSHS campus in Quezon City in February that his team had shelled out P2 million to construct the robot. Standing at exactly four-feet, Labuyo was programmed and designed by a group of third year PSHS students from materials available in hardware stores. Dr. Ester B. Ogena, SEI director and head of the Philippine delegation, said the contest truly showed the immense potential the Philippines has in terms of human resources for robotics. “We have found in Hawaii a treasure trove of talents and I am sure that there is more to tap in the Philippines," she said in a press statement. “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 added. Ogena said the team is now preparing to go to the southeastern US city of Atlanta in Georgia to compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition Championship. - GMANews.TV