Cebu school wins World Robot Olympiad

CEBU, Philippines — A Cebu-based educational institution, Marie Ernestine School (MESch), made history after winning the grand prize at the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) Korea Nationals held from August 7 to 10 at the Osong Convention Center (OSCO) in Cheongju, South Korea.

MESch became the first Filipino team to win the prestigious award in the competition, which carried the theme “Robots Meet Culture” and brought together robotics teams from different countries.

The winning team was composed of elementary students Ian Jung, Emmanuel B. Omolon and Gabriele B. Omolon.

During a press conference yesterday, the students, school management and robotics coach Aldefonso Cujardo Sausa expressed their joy over the victory.

Sausa said 110 teams from different Asian countries competed in the event, including two teams from Cebu.

The MESch team also received the Inspire Award, a special recognition given during national and international robotics competitions to teams that demonstrate outstanding design, teamwork, determination and passion for robotics.

MESch competed in the WRO 2026 RoboMission Elementary category, “Robot Rockstar,” where participants were tasked with setting up a musical festival stage.

The robot had to transport musical equipment, sort color-coded musical notes and connect cables. Out of a possible 255 points, the MESch team scored a perfect 255 and earned an additional 30 points for successfully completing the surprise task determined by the board of judges.

MESch School Director and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Marie Ernestine Denise D. Fajatin expressed pride in the students’ achievement.

“It is a great honor for us that these three children and our coach will go down in history because they have made a mark in the history of our school,” Dr. Fajatin said during the press conference.

She added that the students embody the school’s vision of developing citizens who can adapt, grow and become major stakeholders in the local and global community.

“They are individuals who are relevant to the times and are making an impact in the world they are in,” she said.

MESch has built a strong reputation in robotics, earning awards and representing the Philippines in international competitions for more than a decade.

The Cebu-based school, which has consistently ranked among the top 10 percent in the National Achievement Test, began making its mark in robotics competitions in 2013.

That year, MESch placed first in the Elementary Division of the 12th Philippine Robotics Olympiad (PRO) and second in the Philippine competition, earning a spot as a Philippine representative to the WRO in Malaysia.

The school continued its international participation in 2014, sending a Philippine delegation to the WRO in Jakarta, Indonesia. It also expanded its robotics advocacy through exhibits and competitions, including the IT Expo at Parkmall, where it co-organized a SumoBot competition with the Cebu Robotics Society.

In 2015, MESch again represented the country at the WRO in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It also held the Marie Ernestine Robotics Expo Roadshow at SM City Cebu and strengthened its robotics outreach programs.

The school’s robotics initiatives expanded further in 2016 through partnerships with schools, government agencies and robotics organizations. Among its activities were the Robotics Expo for private schools in Mactan, the LEGO League Philippine Islands Invitational, robotics outreach programs in Lapu-Lapu City, and the organization of robotics competitions and exhibitions.

In 2017, MESch received recognition from the Department of Education, including the Regional Excellence Award for Robotics, the Harvest of Excellence Award and a Division Plaque of Recognition for its robotics competitions.

Its teams also continued to excel, winning first place in the Titans Cup Robotics Competition at PAREF Springdale School and sending delegates to the WRO in New Delhi, India. It also organized robotics training for public school teachers in cooperation with DepEd and founded the RBTX Olympiad.

In 2018, MESch teams captured several top finishes in the Philippine Robotics Olympiad, including first, second and third places in various elementary, junior high and senior high school categories. The school also represented the Philippines at the WRO in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

In 2019, the school continued its international campaign at the WRO in Hungary, placing among the Top 21 in the Elementary Division.

After the global competition circuit resumed, MESch again made its presence felt internationally. In 2022, its teams placed among the Top 30 in the Junior High School Division of the WRO in Germany.

In 2023, the school reached the Top 18 in the Senior High School Division of the WRO in Panama, followed by participation in the Elementary and Junior High School divisions of the WRO in Turkey in 2024.

In 2025, MESch teams competed in the Asia Pacific Open Championship, finishing among the Top 7 in the Junior High School Division and Top 11 in the Senior High School Division.

The school’s biggest milestone came this year.

At the 25th Philippine Robotics Olympiad under WRO Philippines, MESch teams secured first, second, third and fifth places in the Elementary RoboMission category, with another team reaching the finals. In the Junior High School category, the school earned second, fourth and eighth places.

The achievement capped more than a decade of robotics development at MESch, reflecting the school’s continuing commitment to science, technology, innovation and robotics education.

From competing locally to representing the Philippines in major international robotics events across Asia, Europe and the Americas, MESch has established itself as one of the country’s consistent performers in educational robotics. — /FPL (FREEMAN)