Science and technology, it has often been lamented by experts, have taken a step back in the Philippines, especially when it comes to education.
In a country where students are more apt to choose a career based on income, not on passion or expertise, fewer and fewer students have chosen a career path in science and technology due to the perceived lack of viable jobs in that sector.
However, there IS a future for those who have chosen STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), as a group of students in San Pedro City, Laguna recently proved.
Last January 15 to 20, six students from various schools in the city participated in the 25th International Robot Olympiad held in Athens, Greece.
The international event, which started in 1999, aims to provide a global platform for students from all over the world to nurture their scientific thinking and curiosity through robotics.
Four of them – Samantha Luisa Umali and Mycah Brent Amandi from the Pacita Complex National High School, and Ma. Angeline Lara Sta. Rita and Curt Lopez from the Pacita Complex Senior High School – received bronze medals in the Creative Robot category and Robot in Movie category, respectively.
And it’s no surprise that this quartet of students from San Pedro City will prove their worth in this competition in which 1,400 students from around the world participated – for most of them, science is in their blood, so to speak.
Early interest
In an interview with OpinYon Laguna during a recent visit to the San Pedro City Hall, where they were feted by local officials led by Mayor Art Mercado, all four participants revealed that none of them actually excelled in school at the beginning or aimed at a career in robotics.
Only after they entered the Special Program in Science, Technology, and Engineering (STEM) curriculum did their journey of becoming world-class caliber tech and robotics students start.
“Even noong nasa elementary school pa po ako, may interes na po talaga ako don pero from private school po ako so wala naman masyadong opportunity,” said Umali. “Once nakapasok po ko sa STE na curriculum nila dito po ko mas nag-excel and nakitaan ko rin po sa sarili ko na may interes po ako sa curriculum.”
“Nung private school po ako wala pong STE. Since senior high school po kailangan pumili ng strand, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) ako then along the way din po nag-join ako ng iba’t ibang club so napasok po ko sa robotics and napansin ko din na medyo interested ako sa field na yon,” SHS student Sta. Rita also related.
“Naging factor (din) po talaga yung pandemic since nasa bahay lang po so nag-explore din po ako sa coding and programming, and napickup ko din po yung web designing and nagdecide na din po ako na magcontinue sa STEM. Dahil din po sa organization, sa club nastrengthen yung interest ko po,” she added.
Sacrifices
Since competing on an international stage while still studying, balancing the two was a challenge for the students especially during the past two weeks before the competition when they had their thorough training.
“Dapat po talaga pag may papasukin kayong competition magde-dedicate po talaga kayo ng time doon and dapat iwe-weigh niyo rin kasi in order to gain something you have to lose something,” Umali said.
Asked what she lost in the process, Umali said that she is now behind on lessons but aims to catch up now that the competition is over.
“Medyo difficult po kasi itong opportunity po na to di to nabibigay sa iba basta basta so that’s why inisip ko rin po na mag-go na dito and imanage yung ibang commitment ko.”
“Siguro isang factor din po yung time management, kailangan i-balance yung work sa robotics and keeping up sa requirements ko sa academics,” Sta. Rita added.
Future plans
According to Umali, she was initially considering pursuing a career in the medical field but after the competition, she is torn between medicine and engineering.
For Amandi, his father and brother’s influence on him made him interested in technology and leans on a career in the field.
Igniting her passion for technology was the effect of the competition for Sta. Rita, saying that it helped her be firm in her decision to pursue computer engineering.
And as for Lopez, to be an engineer has always been the dream.
PHOTO CAPTION: (From left) Students Samantha Luisa Umali and Mycah Brent Amandi from the Pacita Complex National High School, and Curt Lopez and Ma. Angeline Lara Sta. Rita from the Pacita Complex Senior High School, present the medals they have received during the recent 25th International Robot Olympiad held in Athens, Greece. The four students, who were part of a six-student delegation from San Pedro City, Laguna who participated in the international competition, were recently feted by the local government for their achievements. (Photo by Catherine Go)