By Cherry Joy Discaya-Garma
LAOAG CITY – Four grade school learners from Ilocos Norte province bagged three major awards in the World Robot Games conducted online due to the global pandemic and travel restriction.
Jalen Paolo Matias, Jesrel Gudoy Jr., Leegwen Bolibol, all grade 11 and Niño Flores, Grade 9 composed the team from Sarrat National High School (SNHS), won the People’s Choice Award, silver medal in Team Cheerleading Game Category, and bronze medal in Senior Innovative Game Category.
One of their innovations that paved the way to their success is the invention of an A.C. BOT (After-Covid Robot), a walking machine that automatically dispenses alcohol for disinfection along with a dust bin and an automatic night lamp.
With its eco-friendly and post-pandemic features, the machine was awarded with a bronze medal among the 28 competing teams from the different countries around the world.
Matias, who led the team, said that their victory is a symbol of unity in this trying time, with the strong teamwork that his team has established during the competition that brought them to winning three major awards.
“As we receive this award, we assure you that all our endeavors in the future are intended only for the good of our fellow and of humanity in general. We have to take advantage of our present technology and through robotics, we have managed to battle the after-effects of the virus efficiently in a creative way,” Matias.
Their school teacher and team coach, Czearweiyn Chigne Uddipa Caluya has commended the learners’ perseverance and hard work during the two-week competition.
“Though it was our first time to join in the competition, they were able to successfully hurdle three levels of the competition, that is the video presentation, interview, and online demonstration,” Caluya said.
Aside from these awards, the SNHS Robotics Team will also receive additional awards from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The World Robot Games 2021 with the theme “New World After Covid” aims to provide an exciting and holistic platform for all robotic enthusiasts worldwide amid the challenge of the pandemic.
Among the participating countries are Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, and Malaysia. #