Muntinlupa City recently hosted this year’s International Robot Olympiad, an annual gathering of robot learners and mentors from member countries, with the theme “Save the Seas.”
The event was the first IRO competition to be held in the Philippines since it started in South Korea in 1999. Countries which previously hosted the contest were China, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, US, and Singapore.
International Robotics Olympiad Committee president Kim Jong Hwan led the opening ceremony of the four-day robotics event at the De La Salle Santiago Zobel School, Ayala Alabang.
Also attending the ceremony was Philippine Robotics Team and Data Science and Technology Corporation president Anthony Gabitan, who expressed his utmost thanks to Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi and the City Government of Muntinlupa for hosting the event and for his support in raising the flag of the Philippines in the world of robotics.
“I envision that each student in the Philippines will become a productive innovator and inventor that will put Philippines in the center of global progress,” Gabitan said.
Other officials joining the launching of IRO were Muntinlupa Deputy Administrator RJ Smith (representing Mayor Jaime Fresnedi), DLSZ President Br. Bernard S. Oca FSC, and members of IRO Technical Working Group.
Over 700 students from the countries of Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and Uzbekistan competed in the 20th International Robot Olympiad.
The contingents were divided into two groups: Junior Division for kids 12 and below; and Challenge Division for kids 13 up to 19 years old.
Out of the 20 robot game categories, the Philippine delegation garnered 76 medals topped by 3 Golds in Humanoid Archery, 3 Silver, 13 Bronze, 35 Technical Medals and 24 High Commended Awards.
The City Government of Muntinlupa lauded all the winners, especially the Filipino competitors, of the robotics competition.