Lapu-Lapu hosts int’l robotics competition

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City has been chosen to host the First Lego League (FLL) Philippine Islands Invitational 2016 starting today until Saturday, June 4.

With the theme “Trash TRECK,” 19 teams from 13 different countries are joining the international robotics competition.

The countries include the Philippines, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Pakistan, South Korea, Singapore and Spain.

More or less 256 delegates composed of students with ages 9 to 18 years old, teachers, school administrators and parents from different countries are expected to arrive in the city to join the event.

Today, there will be a dry-run of the event flow at the Hoops Dome in Barangay Gun-ob.

In the afternoon, the delegates will have a Global Beach Challenge (optional per country) or practice sessions at the Plantation Bay. At night, a welcome dinner will be held for all delegates, followed by a cultural show still at the Plantation Bay.

The robotics competition will be officially opened on June 2 and the closing and awarding ceremony will be held the following day.

On the last day of the event, June 4, delegates will have their free time and beach activities.

In this robotics competition, participants will be using legos.

"Judging is not just about the robots, it's also about core values which is very important," highlighted by Joan Caissa Dizon, one of the event organizers.

Lapu-Lapu City schools have been actively participating in the international robotics competition.

In fact, this will be their sixth time to participate with the representation of CCL CentrEx Inc., according to DepEd Schools Division Superintendent Marilyn Andales.

Another three schools will represent the Philippines in the event – a team from Dr. Yangca College Inc., of Bulacan, another team from Grace Christian College in Quezon City and one from Cavite.

Andales said they invited students, teachers and parents in other divisions in the region to witness this rare event. They are expecting some 2,900 visitors from different schools on June 2 and more or less 3,000 audiences on June 3.

When asked about the impact of the event to the city and the students, Andales said, "Tourism. Second, it could be an eye opener to everyone, because not everyone knows about robotics, and also a tool, where students can really learn and appreciate Science. Because in Robotics man gud, there's DBP-design, build and program. It develops the critical thinking of our students," she said.

This international event is organized by Felta Multi-media Inc., together with the Lapu-Lapu City Government, DepEd and Marie Ernestine School, which assured every detail of the preparation to be successful. — (FREEMAN)