Filipino-made robots - Toward environment preservation

Credits to Cate Trotter

Yokohama, Japan -

One more feat for Filipinos. This time, it’s in the field of robotics.

Aptly named Gracean Whizkids, the team of Joseph Aldrin Chua, Edrich Hans Chua and Dominique Hannah Sy bagged the silver medal at the recently concluded World Robot Olympiad 2008 held in Yokohama, Japan. Coached by Melanie Tizon, the team from Grace Christian Elementary School beat 21 other schools in the Open Category for the Primary Level.

Their project called “The G-Tech Robot Engineering a Better World” was composed of 12 robots doing different processes to help preserve the environment.

It was a stunning follow-up to the gold medal finish at last year’s competition by Grace Christian High School (Open Category for the Junior Level) and the first gold medal by the Philippines in the annual robotics competition by First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities in 2006.

Other Filipino awardees were the following:
ISM Bearcats (International School of Manila) composed of Cristian Ayala and Aleksi Christopher Oksanen coached by Roxan Ruchillo Cosico - OPEN CATEGORY, Primary Level, 6th Place
Benigno Knights (Benigno Aquino High School) composed of Mark Christopher Melo, Mark Daniel Ching, and Monard Bien Mendoza coached by Edwin Engana - OPEN CATEGORY, Junior Level, 6th Place
Dr.Ruby R. Cristobal - Best Judge

For a complete list of winners you may check out WRO2008.

Sources:
GMANews.TV
INQUIRER.net
Pinoy Records

• My apologies as I am unable to find a picture of the winners just yet