Three Lapu-Lapu City Science and Technology Education Center (STEC) teams—composed of three students and one coach per team—bested 57 schools nationwide after winning the 12th Philippine Robotics Olympiad held at SM City North Edsa in Quezon City last September 2 to 4.

The three STEC Robotics Teams won 1st place in the high school level regular category (Making Robots to Preserve the Cultural Heritage) and 3rd and 4th place in the elementary level regular category (Making Robots to Complete a Racetrack with Obstacles), respectively. The victory qualified all three to represent the Philippines along with 17 other teams in the World Robotics Olympics in Jakarta, Indonesia on November 13 to 18.

The high school teams are composed of SyrumQuinto, Kent Tiu, and KeenuManayon, while the elementary team is composed of Joshua Obierez, Natasha Cabanillas, Jose Manuel Gaquit, Aaron Antonio, Brian Ciriaco and Carla Castillo. The teams are coached by Mr. Donald B. Dungog and Engr. Jonathan J. Cartilla.

STEC first joined the 1st Cebu Robotics Cup in 2008 where the school bagged the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in an open category with the theme “Saving Mother Earth from Global Warming,” and in the 2nd Cebu Robotics Cup in 2009 where STEC won 1st and 2nd place in the Robo Match. Since then, STEC has represented the country in the World Robotics Olympics held in Korea and Malaysia in 2009 and 2012.

STEC has been able to get support from the Aboitiz Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Aboitiz Group. The Aboitiz Foundation donated P180,000 to fund four robotics kits. The financial assistance was given last August 27 in a turnover ceremony graced by Mr. RomyRonquillo, Aboitiz Foundation trustee.

“Part of our new directive is the development of Science Elementary Schools to create a bigger impact in our host communities. These science schools will complement existing secondary science schools in the different areas where our projects will be implemented,” said Aboitiz Foundation Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sonny Carpio.

“One of our visions – to help develop STEC produce individuals who possess knowledge and skills which are competitive in the world market—is now a reality,” he added.

STEC is known as one of Cebu’s best public schools with a special orientation toward science and technology. The Aboitiz Foundation started supporting the school in 2003 upon being invited to sponsor students who topped their class. To date, 225 STEC scholars have been assisted by the Aboitiz Foundation.

Aside from education, the Aboitiz Foundation also supports initiatives in enterprise development and environmental sustainability. The Foundation celebrates this year its 25th anniversary, marking 25 years of helping people help themselves.