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Talaga namang “power” bicycle ang na-develop ng ilang high school students from Bulacan. Ilang padyak lang — kaya nang magproduce ng kuryente. Pwede pang mag-recyle ng papel at lapis? Tara, let’s change the game sa project cycle!
Source: GMA News
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Alagad ng Sining sa Larangan ng Pagpipinta
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Dr. Reynaldo Salamat
Doctor of Education, Major in Industrial Education Management
Professor VI
Bulacan State University
Dr. Reynaldo Salamat is currently teaching at the College of Industrial Technology of Bulacan State University (Main Campus), Malolos City, Bulacan. He is the Founding Chairman and President of Lumina Art Group from 2015 to the present and at the same time, the Vice President of Paombong History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Council.
He hails from the town of Paombong, province of Bulacan where his town is known as the “Vinegar Capital of the Philippines” and is most popular for “Sukang Paombong”, with the vinegar extracted from the sap or juice of sasa (nipa fruit).
As a Paombongeño, Dr. Rey highlighted the trademark of his town in his artwork, the Sukang Paombong in “Tukil”.
Tukil is a bamboo tube-like container used by the farmers in fermenting the sasa juice to produce vinegar. “Tukil” by Dr. Rey, as one of his best paintings shows the ingenuity of Paombongeños.
“Tukil” of Paombong, is made from bamboo hard hollow stem. This simple traditional container is used to collect the sap of Nipa palm that may convert into vinegar which is used in sweets and desserts, but also in curries and sauces.
Tukil of Paombong Vinegar is well-known for its distinct manufacturing method and deep flavor. Originating in the Philippines, Paombong vinegar is a mainstay in Filipino cooking and is renowned for its acidic flavor. As a brand, Tukil probably denotes a high bar for authenticity and quality in the Paombong vinegar-making heritage.
In Paombong, vinegar is traditionally made by fermenting sasa (fruit of nipa), which produces an acidic vinegar with a hint of sweetness. It is a versatile component in Filipino recipes like adobo, sinigang, and kinilaw because of its unique flavor character.
In addition to its flavor, Tukil’s vinegar may be treasured for its cultural value, which connects it to the culinary legacy of the Philippines.
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Meet Chelsea Manalo, Miss Universe Philippines 2024
Advocacy: Education for Indigenous Youth
"Championing Indigenous Youth Education"
Chelsea makes history as the first black Filipino-American representative of the Philippines for Miss Universe.
by Frances Karmel S. Bravo
May 23, 2024
Besting 52 of her fellow titleholders from across the country, Chelsea Anne Manalo of Bulacan was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2024 on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Bay City, Pasay.
The fifth edition of the titular pageant began with a series of preliminary events, where winners of various challenges secured their spots in the Top 20.
From there, the pool was trimmed down to Top 10, with contenders participating in a casual round of questioning hosted by Gabbi Garcia and Jeannie Mai.
After one final cut, five contestants were left to drop the mic with their remarkable answers for the classic Q&A portion.
Following the theme of “Love For All,” delegates shared their thoughts on the kind of love that makes a woman both inspiring and transformational.
Chelsea shone throughout the competition, ultimately claiming victory ahead of these four runners-up: Stacey Gabriel of Cainta, Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon Province, Tarah Valencia of Baguio, and Christi McGarry of Taguig.
Here are fun and quick facts about the newly crowned queen who will carry the legacy forward:
EARLY LIFE
NAME, AGE, BIRTHDAY
Chelsea Anne Manalo — born on October 14, 1999 under the astrological sign Libra — is turning 25 years old before the year ends.
NATIONALITY, HOMETOWN
She is a proud Filipino-American Bulakenya who was raised in Meycauayan City, Bulacan.
FAMILY
Chelsea was born in the Philippines to a black American father and a Filipino mother, who separated in 2000.
Following the divorce, her mother remarried a Filipino man.
In 2004, Chelsea reconnected with her biological father in the United States, where she completed her grade school education.
EDUCATIONAL PURSUITS
Before graduating from a tourism college, Chelsea expressed deep passion for music and dancing in her Empire Philippines profile.
She also related how her journey into the world of beauty pageants began during her high school years.
CAREER
It’s been known that Chelsea is a professional model who has been gracing the cover of magazines, and starring in commercials and print ads since 2013 at the age of 14.
Fast forward to eight years later, she became a Bench endorser.
From August 12-13, 2017, she was also featured as a model in a bridal exhibit and fashion show in Malolos, Bulacan.
PAGEANTRY
Outside of high school, Chelsea’s major debut into the pageant scene was through Miss World Philippines 2017.
On September 3, 2017, she competed against 34 other Miss World Philippines 2017 candidates at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
She finished in the Top 15, with Laura Victoria Lehmann taking the win for the batch.
On February 17, 2024, she was officially appointed Miss Universe Bulacan 2024. She also earned the title “Bulacan Barbie” upon joining the competition.
CHELSEA WINS THE MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES 2024 CROWN
- Advocacy
Based on the official website of Miss Universe Philippines, Chelsea’s advocacy reads: “Championing Indigenous Youth Education”
The movement describes Chelsea as a dedicated advocate for youth empowerment, focusing on children’s education, especially among indigenous communities.
Her advocacy aims to provide opportunities for indigenous youth to access quality education and unlock their full potential.
In August 2019, she began to volunteer for Kids for Kids, a youth-led organization that aims to create a safe space for children.
- Q&A answer
During the Q&A portion, she was asked: “You are beautiful and confident. How have you used these qualities to empower others?”
Standing proud and holding her head high, Chelsea looked back on the hurdles she had to overcome due to the color of her skin.
She answered: “As a woman of color, I’ve always faced challenges in my life. I was told that beauty has standards actually.
“But for me, I have listened to always believe in my mother, to always believe in yourself, uphold the vows that you have in yourself.
“Because of these, I am already influencing a lot of women who are facing me right now as a transformational woman.
“I have here 52 other delegates with me who helped me to become the woman I am today.”
MISS UNIVERSE 2024
As the triumphant contender, Chelsea is expected to represent the Philippines this coming September, at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico.
Source: PEP
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Galing Pook: Here are the most lauded towns and provinces in the Philippines
Apr 24, 2024
By: James Patrick Cruz
Which city, municipality, and province has the most Galing Pook awards?
Local governments, despite their scale and resource limitations compared to their national counterparts, wield significant influence within their communities.
From fixing roads, ensuring clean streets, and maintaining peace and order, they are the frontline responders to the needs of their residents.
The impact of local governments, however, stretches far beyond these basic responsibilities, with many innovating to deliver better services to their constituents.
To recognize the best practices of local governments, the Galing Pook Awards was launched on October 21, 1993.
Since then, the Galing Pook Foundation has recognized 357 programs from 230 local government units.
Rappler looked at which cities, municipalities, and towns have the most number of Galing Pook awards, exemplifying best practices in local governance.
Provinces
Bulacan stands out with 11 Galing Pook awards, making it the most recognized province as of 2023.
One of the province’s programs awarded by Galing Pook is the Lakas ng Kabataan sa Bulacan through the Provincial Youth Development Council. This initiative fosters capacity-building for unemployed adults, out-of-school youth, and high school graduates, enhancing their competitiveness and employability.
Galing Pook Executive Director Georgina Ann Hernandez Yang linked the province’s multiple awards to the exceptional leadership of its local chief executives former Governor Obet Pagdanganan and Governor Josie Dela Cruz.
She said they empowered the bureaucracy, overseen by Ma. Gladys Cruz-Sta. Rita, former provincial administrator of the Provincial Government of Bulacan, whose 17-year tenure ensured the sustainability of the programs.
Yang said that having a long-term “provincial administrator gives that continuity and stability and also that culture of excellence in local governance.”
“Local chief executives cycle in and out after each election year but it’s good to have that stability of a local government manager, like a COO,” Yang said.
“It gives us an insight into professionalizing the local government bureaucracy,” she added.
Based on the Local Government Code, the term of a provincial administrator is coterminous with that of his appointing authority, the governor.
Following Bulacan, Bohol claims seven awards, while Nueva Vizcaya holds six. Davao del Norte and Negros Occidental both boast of five awards, and Negros Oriental has four.
Several other provinces, including Albay, Bataan, Cotabato, Iloilo, Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Zamboanga del Norte, have been recognized with three awards. Guimaras, Misamis Oriental, and Quezon Province have earned two.
Cities
Naga leads among Philippine cities with 11 Galing Pook awards.
Under then-mayor Jessie Robredo’s tenure, the city earned 10 awards, including recognition for the People Empowerment Program in 2002.
This initiative enables public participation in local governance across various areas such as procurement, budgeting, and policy deliberation through the Naga City People’s Council. This was institutionalized through a city ordinance.
Representatives of the council gained authority to propose legislation and participate in committee-level voting within the Sangguniang Panlungsod or city council.
Marikina City trails Naga with nine Galing Pook recognitions, mostly under the late Mayor Bayani Fernando. One of its outstanding initiatives is the “bicycle-friendly city” program.
Its bike-friendly initiatives date back to 1999, “building a network of dedicated bike lanes within its boundaries.” In 2005, Marikina’s biking program received recognition from Galing Pook.
Quezon City, another top awardee, holds eight recognitions. One of its latest programs to be recognized is the Intelligent, Resilient, and Integrated Systems for the Urban Population or iRISE UP.
This system provides real-time monitoring of weather, gives rain forecasts, updates on the level of flooding, heat index, and temperature per barangay, and detects earthquakes.
Among the most lauded cities, Yang noticed a pattern of the mayors of these cities mostly coming from the same family like the Gathchalian brothers of Valenzuela (Rex and Win) and the Fernando couple of Marikina (Bayani and Marides).
She also cited former Quezon City mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and his daughter and incumbent local chief executive Joy Belmonte as another example.
“Perhaps we could say that the continuity of that excellence (in the city) was in the sense because they came from the same family so somehow the program continues,” Yang said.
She noted, however, that beyond family ties, shared values concerning excellent service delivery, positive impact, and people empowerment are ultimately crucial in maintaining good local governance.
Municipalities
Among the 1,486 municipalities in the country, the Municipality of Malalag in Davao del Sur boasts of four Galing Pook awards.
It first secured recognition from the foundation in 1995 for the town’s development program to transform Malalag into a “provincial agri-industrial center.”
Following Malalag, several towns, including Alimodian in Iloilo, Goa in Camarines Sur, Guagua in Pampanga, Irosin in Sorsogon, and Magsaysay in Davao del Sur have each earned three Galing Pook awards.
Most awarded programs based on category
Since its inception, most of the programs recognized by the Galing Pook Awards are environment-related, totaling 66.
This trend, according to Yang, stems from the different environmental concerns of different communities across the country.
How programs are assessed
The winners of the Galing Pook Awards are pulled from applicants across the country.
Each program undergoes “rigorous screening” by the foundation’s secretariat and the National Selection Committee. Those with high potential are chosen.
The final step involves the presentation of programs by local chief executives and/or program officers before the Final Board of Judges.
After the first screening, the program is validated and deliberated on by the Galing Pook panel.
To qualify for the Galing Pook Awards, a program must:
- Have involved or engaged processes within a local government unit (barangay, municipality, city, or province) even if the program might have been initiated (either independently or jointly) by an NGO, CSO and/or an LGU.
- Have been in operation for at least two (2) years before the deadline of submission.
- Have verifiable and significant results
Qualified programs are evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Positive results and impact – 25%
- Promotion of people’s participation and empowerment – 20%
- Innovation and adaptation – 25%
- Resilience – 10%
- Sustainability – 10%
- Efficiency of Program service delivery and transferability – 10%
Why local government matters
Yang underscored the crucial role of local governments in addressing community issues and serving as models for national leadership.
“The local governments have the most direct impact on people in the communities, especially on addressing issues on poverty inequality, and promoting economic development, addressing issues on climate and disaster risk reduction,” the Galing Pook executive director said.
Aside from the leadership and governance of the local chief executives, Yang also highlighted the importance of empowering the local government workers and the citizens.
“We have so much to learn and so much to benefit from when we give more spotlight and when we learn more from our local chief executives and their teams and their communities,” Yang said. – Rappler.com
Source: Rappler.com
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Bulacan gov’t honors exceptional Bulakenyas in Gawad Medalyang Ginto 2024
The provincial government of Bulacan honored exceptional Bulakenyas during the Gawad Medalyang Ginto 2024 at The Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in Malolos Bulacan on Tuesday, March 12.
Dr. Eva Fajardo, chairperson of the Panlalawigang Komisyon para sa Kababaihan ng Bulacan ( PKKB); Governor Daniel Fernando and Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro led the awarding ceremony.
With the theme “Matatag na Pamilyang Bulakenyo, Katuwang sa Pagpapaunlad ng Lalawigan Ko”, the Bulakenyas were honored for their invaluable contributions to the development of the province and the nation.
The Outstanding Woman of the Year 2023, Ma. Gladys C. Sta Rita, turned over her title to Natatanging Babae 2024 Jonnah Garcia, owner of Punique Handicrafts in the City of Malolos, for her visionary entrepreneurial leadership which revitalized and preserved the art of Puni Weaving, through community collaboration, training, and employment.
Aside from Garcia, other awardees were Meysulao Lady Warriors (MEYDYWA) headed by its president Jenneelyn Grace Flores of Calumpit hailed as “Natatanging Samahang Pangkababaihan”; Matagumpay na Konsehong Pambayan para sa Kababaihan (KPK)-Malolos headed by President Maria Cristina S. Dionisio as “Matagumpay na KPK”; Maria Lourdes C. Marquez of Obando as “Matagumpay na Babaeng Mangangalakal”; Palmarina B. Tejuco of the City of Malolos as “Matagumpay na Babaeng Makakalikasan”; and Jasmin P. Lucas of Norzagaray as “Matagumpay na Babae sa Makabagong Pagnenegosyo”.
Awardees for Natatanging Babae and Natatanging Samahang Pangkababaihan received a statuette trophy, gold medal, sash, winners’ tarpaulin, and P30,000 and P40,000 cash prize, respectively.
Meanwhile, all sectoral category winners were given a bust trophy, sash, winners’ tarpaulin, and cash prizes of P30,000 for Matagumpay na Konsehong Pambayan/Panlunsod para sa Kababaihan (KPK), and P15,000 each for Matagumpay na Babaeng Mangangalakal, Matagumpay na Babaeng Makakalikasan, Huwarang Kabataang Babae sa Pamumuno, and Matagumpay na Babae sa Makabagong Pagnenegosyo.
Also present during the awarding ceremony were Bocaue Mayor Eduardo J. Villanueva and Vice Mayor Atty. Sherwin Tugna who received the award on behalf of his wife, former Mayor Joni; Matagumpay na Babaeng Mangangalakal 2020 Cristina C. Tuzon, the guest of honor; and one of PKKB commissioners.
The Women’s Month celebration and Gawad Medalyang Ginto in Bulacan started in 1996 through Executive Order No. 96-07.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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Mang Danny’s Organic and Natural Farm
“Mga Bulakenyo, Kayo ba ay may interest sa organic farming? Dito sa ating lalawigan, Marami tayong mga farms ang gumagamit na ngayon ng mga natural na pamamaraan sa pagtatanim ng mga halaman at gulay. At pati na po rin sa pagpapalago ng mga palaisdaan at pagpapalaki ng mga livestock animals. Kaya’t sa isa sa ating pagdayo do’n po sa bayan ng Paombong ay makikilala natin si Mang Danny Dionisio. Isang dating OFW na ginamit ang kanyang kaalaman sa organic farming na syang naging daan po para maging isa sa mga accredited Learning Sites in Agriculture or LSA ng agricultural learning institute ang kanyang farm kaya’t atin pong pasyalan ang Mang Danny’s Organic and Natural Farm and experience the organic way of life.”
– Gov. Daniel R. Fernando
“Kaisa po ako sa adhikain ng ating pamahalaan para mapaunlad and sektor ng ating agrikultura at pangisdaan, magkaroon ng sapat, mura at ligtas na pagkain sa hapag-kainan ng bawat Pilipino.”
– Mang Danny
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Bulacan’s Project Feet: PH robotics team garners top honors at Olympiad
PH robotics team garners top honors at Olympiad
BY Dhel Nazario
Nov 25, 2020 09:18 PM
Amid pandemic, destructive typhoons, and other challenges, a Philippine team made up of young scientists from various schools has emerged victorious in the prestigious World Robot Olympiad Canada 2020-X.
Dr. Yanga’s Colleges, Inc. DYCI NOVUS Team bagged first place in the Open Category for Senior High School with their entry “Project Feet,” a three-part project composed of plastic recycling, power generation and provision of footwear.
The Project Feet robot manufactures footwear from plastic trash and is embedded with piezo discs that generate power for mobile phones and other gadgets.
The all-female team of Naiah Nicole Mendoza, Denise Carpio, and Abigail Silva with their coach, Beryl Cruz, also won the “Girl Power Award” conferred during the 19th Philippine Robotics Olympiad.
Dr. Yanga’s Colleges, Inc. DYCI Primes Team, meanwhile, bagged second place in the Open Category for Junior High School with their entry “Project Cycle,” a bicycle that can convert trash paper mixed with water lilies to make recycled paper.
Rice husk called “ipa” was used to make recycled pencils. Also, the Project Cycle bike was used to generate power for mobile phones and other gadgets.
The team consists of Annette Nicole Ambi, Aaron James Amar, and Daniella Angela de Guzman with their coach, Anne Jazpher Raz.
Lastly, the Candijay Municipal High School under the Department of Education, Division of Bohol won third place in the Open Category for Junior High School for their entry called BASAK.
BASAK stands for Bohol Action to Solidify Agrikultura.
It is composed of wind turbines, water pumps and biomass generators with many applications for the agriculture industry in Bohol.
The members of the team are Mary Haidee Makinano, Trisha Belle Olaivar, and Juno Ceasar Escatron with their coach, Thata Celeres. Due to the pandemic, the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) Canada 2020-X has made innovations in delivering the event to over 750 participants from over 40 countries.
WRO Canada 2020-X conducted the event fully online using digital floor plans, live streaming of activities, virtual meetings, social media platforms, and real-time digital scoreboard. The theme this year was titled “Climate Change/Climate Squad.” “The biggest challenge was to synchronize everything as the countries were from different time zones.
WRO Canada 2020-X set pre-scheduled calls and connected the participants resulting in the same excitement and success as a physical event.
The Philippine Robotics National Team has overcome adversity of slow internet access, remote meetings, school closure, series of typhoons and online presentations to the WRO Canada judges,” said Mylene Abiva of FELTA Multi-Media Inc. and national organizer of the Philippine Robotics Olympiad and World Robot Olympiad Ambassador (representing 72 countries).
Incidentally, FELTA, a pioneer and leader in the introduction of instructional materials such as electronic devices and audiovisual materials for Philippine schools, is one of the institutional partners of the Science and Technology Information Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-STII) and has long been collaborating with the DOST-Science Education Institute in various learning programs that promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM education in the country.
The Department of Education lauded the Philippine National Robotics teams for securing global recognition.
“I am aware that we have been facing adversities and challenges recently but seeing these learners triumph in the international stage motivates us to prepare and enhance basic education more for their future,” said DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones. (With a report from Merlina Hernando-Malipot)
Source: Manila Bulletin
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Bulacan’s Dr. Yanga Colleges Inc.: World Robot Olympiad Champion
Bulacan’s Dr. Yanga’s Colleges wins Gold at World Robot Olympiad in Denmark
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By Angie Quadra-Balibay, August 22, 2019
Dr. Yanga’s Colleges Inc. (DYCI) from Bocaue, Bulacan won Gold at the World Robot Olympiad Friendship Invitational (WROFIT) 2019 held in Aarhus, Denmark.
Team DYCI NOVUS, a member of the Philippine Robotics National Team, won Gold in the Senior – Open (Creative) Category with the project SMART Governance or ALAB (Anti-Adversity Link for Aid and Benefit).
The ALAB is an efficient, innovative and organized way of providing aid in addressing natural and man-made calamities all over the world through smart governance Technology.
The winning Robotics Team include Naiah Mendoza, Jaren Perez, and Doneth Dela Rama, with head Coach Beryl Jhan Cruz and Assistant coach Anne Raz. DYCI President, Dr. Michael Yanga, accompanied the team.
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The Philippine Robotics National Team delegation, composed of students from DYCI, San Beda College of Alabang, JJAL Learning Center in Olongapo, and De La Salle Santiago Zobel (DLSZ), competed among 150 teams from 33 countries which participated in the WROFIT 2019 held from August 1-4, 2019 in Aarhus University.
Mylene Abiva, President/ CEO of FELTA Multi-Media Inc. which led the Philippine delegation spoke about the value of the competition saying, “The complexity, technology has evolved. Even at the at an early age, the concepts of Artificial intelligence and machine learning with technology will be adapted in our everyday life.”
The Philippine Robotics National Team will next compete in the World Robot Olympiad Finals in Gyor, Hungary on November 8-10, 2019.
Dr. Yanga’s Colleges Inc. of the Philippine Robotics National Team has won several medals in various international tournaments including a Gold in Turkey and Special Awards in Houston.
Source: Good News Pilipinas
Philippine Robotics NATIONAL Team won SILVER at World Robot Olympiad 2018
The World Robot Olympiad Finals 2018 was held in Chiang Mai, Thailand with 63 countries or 486 teams participated and with over 26,000 teams participated in their respective country nationals. The most prestigious and largest Robotics competition in the world.The theme for 2018 is Food Matters.
Philippine Robotics NATIONAL Team had the largest delegation in 18 years ! World class performance as 17th place in Robot Soccer by CLARET School of Quezon City and Dr. Yanga’s Colleges Inc. won the SILVER Medal for Open/ Creative Category Elementary Level for their PROJECT FEED . As part of the cultural and heritage tour, the Philippine Robotics National Team visited Wat Sadouk temple and other places of interest in Chiang Mai.
World Robot Advisory Committee presented a Certificate of Appreciation to FELTA Multi Media Inc. and City of Lapu Lapu during the National Organizer VIP Dinner for the successful and momentous organization of the World Robot Olympiad Friendship Invitational 2018 in Lapu Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines.
The Vice President of the Philippines , VP LENI ROBREDO, joined the Philippine Robotics National Team at Suvarnabhumi Airport from Bangkok to Manila via our official carrier Philippine Airlines.
FELTA Multi Media Inc. continues to bring out the BEST in every student! Robotics Excellence and World Class!
Source: FELTA
Robot created by PH students to detect unsafe meat wins 3rd prize in US expo
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MANILA, Philippines — An “anti-botcha” robot invented by a team of Bulacan high school students got the nod of international judges and won a prize at the recently concluded For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Lego League (FLL) World Festival in Missouri.
The team from Dr. Yanga’s Colleges Inc. (DYCI) won 3rd Best Presentation for introducing their robot MAGIS Version 2 (Meat’s Anti-Germs and Infection Solution) at the FLL tournament held in St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States from April 25 to 28.
Team DYCI includes Team Captain Gladys Leigh Malana and members Tricia Carmela Santos, Ramikert del Prado, Michelle Arcanar, Kate dela Cruz, Lady Alein Goleng, Jules Martin Agsaoay, Jonathan Alejandro, Dave Adrian Bien, and Tim Jhalmar Fabillon.
The robot, made of stainless steel, aluminum and acrylic plastic, has color and temperature sensors that could detect unsafe meat.
Cuts the robot finds to have higher-than-normal temperature and unhealthy color would be tagged unsafe, according to the Department of Science and Technology’s Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI).
“We congratulate our Philippine Robotics team for again bringing honor in the bigger stage and we hope that this victory will inspire more young students to develop their skills in robotics and hopefully start
a trend in making it big in the FLL in the coming years,” she said.
The DYCI team’s participation in FLL was the first time a Philippine team participated in the robotics tilt.
More than 70 student teams from around the world took part in the competition, which challenged students to invent robots around the theme “Food Factor,” or technology that could help keep food safe for human consumption.
“I’m very proud. It’s the country’s first time to join the contest and we placed 3rd in Best Presentation. They did a good job. Not all first-timers win in an international competition,” said Beryl Jhan Cruz, one of the team’s coaches, said in a statement.
The team hopes the National Meat Inspection Service would adopt their technology for use in detecting “botcha,” (also called double dead), which is meat taken from the carcass of animals that died of diseases.
FLL handed out awards in 15 categories, among them the best teams in research, innovation, mechanical design, robot performance and presentation, where DYCI was declared one of three winners. The Philippine took home a trophy as their prize.
Overall FLL team winners are Falcons Japan (1st prize), Blue Gear Ticks of the US (2nd prize) and NXTremers from India (3rd place).
SEI Director Filma Brawner said Team DYCI’s win showed that Filipino students have the skills and talent to go head to head with students from other countries in robot design.
“With this victory, we will continue to support endeavours that will develop a pool of local robotics experts who will soon lead the country in providing solutions to problems related to science and technology,” Brawner said in a statement on Thursday.
FIRST is a US-based organization that aims to bring science, engineering and technology to students from around the world through competitions and mentoring. The group was founded in 1989 by American inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen, who invented the automated transporter Segway.