A CEBU science excessive school has amplified requires institutional help to advance science, know-how, and arithmetic, following a commendable national robotics stint.
The Medellin National Science and Technology School (MNSTS) Robotics staff secured high honors on the twenty fifth World Robot Olympiad Philippines 2026, held in Pasay City from June 22 to 25, 2026.
Fueled by the Provincial Government’s funding in newly procured robotics kits, the general public school staff received third place within the Master AI Robot Cup and eighth place within the Global Artificial Intelligence Robot division.
Emphasizing their imaginative and prescient for long-term growth, staff member Jose Bartolome IV highlighted the necessity for sustained state-level help.
“What the government can do is that they can support the education system so that the youth can contribute and be the problem-solvers of the future,” Bartolome mentioned.
Competing for the primary time within the World Olympiad Philippines 2026, Jewel Mae Mingo, Jose Bartolome IV, and Jairus Evan Mendez fashioned the staff for the Master AI Robot Cup High School Category, whereas the duo of Jairus Evan Mendez and Kelvin Ray Dumat-ol competed within the Global Artificial Intelligence Robot – Senior High School division.
The MNSTS bested personal and public colleges throughout the nation simply two weeks after the preliminary distribution of the robotics kits and specialised coaching on June 2, 2026.
Under the mentorship of their coaches, Raymart Gabutan and Anita Batandolo, the staff was outfitted with intensive preparation methods.
“Since our time was limited, we focused on the fundamentals first; we created a daily training schedule, hands-on training with the robots, and simulations to maximize the training session,” Batandolo shared.
Gabutan amplified the decision for continued help.
“My call is to continue to support and make robotics education more accessible by investing in teachers and student training,” he mentioned.
Zechariah Mangubat and his companion, Arnold II Barabat, additionally represented the MNSTS within the Lego Spike Prime Junior High School Category, whereas Mitch Andrea Pradilla and Tsidkenu Sarucam competed in the identical class for the Senior High School division.
Provincial help
In an interview with SunStar Cebu on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, Provincial School Board Focal Person Christopher Baricuatro shared that the distributed robotics kits, which price P109,000 per set, amounting to P5.9 million in whole provincial help, embrace superior elements for programming and constructing the models.
The kits got to seven science excessive colleges throughout the province, situated in Badian, Balamban, Compostela, Medellin, Minglanilla, San Remegio, and Bantayan.
“The Province of Cebu has the funds, so we will pour it into the schools; case in point, for robotics, the upgrading of speech labs, and upcoming smart classrooms,” Baricuatro mentioned in Cebuano.
Praise
Meanwhile, the Department of Education Cebu Province Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Senen Priscilo Paulin credited the dedication and preparation of the learners alongside their teachers-coaches and school principal for the feat.
Paulin highlighted the collaborative effort of the native authorities, the province, and the schooling sector, which offered the Special Education Fund to the completely different science excessive colleges within the province.
“This shows that we are not lagging behind. We are not only focusing on robotics, but we are prioritizing the science high schools in the province,” Paulin mentioned in a telephone interview with SunStar Cebu on June 30.
The MNSTS Robotics Team was formally acknowledged for his or her national achievement in the course of the State of the Municipality Address delivered by Medellin Mayor Edwin Salimbangon on June 30.
The World Robot Olympiad is a worldwide competition devoted to fostering creativity and problem-solving expertise amongst youth worldwide via varied robotics classes. The national qualifier brings collectively lots of of private and non-private colleges vying to signify the nation within the worldwide robotics competition. / Veejay Catadman, UP Cebu Intern