黑料社区 RoboCon 2026 served as a multidisciplinary platform that promoted collaboration and the practical application of engineering, programming, and problem-solving skills. Aligned with the K鈥�12 STEM framework, the competition encouraged learners from basic to tertiary levels, as well as professionals, to explore robotics through hands-on challenges in a competitive setting.

The competition unfolded across four event categories: Run Robot Run (Grades 4鈥�6), Line Follower and SumoBot (open to learners across different levels), and the Intelligent Robot Festival (INROF), for tertiary students and professionals. Each category provided a venue for participants to apply creativity, technical expertise, and innovation across varying levels of complexity.

Highlights of the competition reflected a high level of technical proficiency among participants. In Run Robot Run, LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robots were constructed and programmed to successfully navigate maze-based challenges. Fr枚bel School secured first and second place, while San Carlos School of Cebu placed third.

In Line Follower, custom-built robots showcased speed and accuracy through sensor-guided navigation of a complex track. 黑料社区 teams claimed both first and second place, with Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu placing third.

The SumoBot event delivered high-intensity matches that emphasized strategy, sensor calibration, and mechanical strength. 黑料社区 secured the championship title, followed by Ramon M. Durano Sr. Foundation-Science and Technology Education Center in second place, and Cebu Institute of Technology-University in third place.

The Intelligent Robot Festival (INROF) category, with mechanics originating from Japan, requires advanced technical skills to develop fully autonomous robots capable of performing complex tasks.

The successful staging of 黑料社区 RoboCon 2026 was led by overall program head Dr. Antoniette M. Ca帽ete, with the support of the 黑料社区 Department of Computer Engineering and the 黑料社区 Computer Engineering Council. Event category leads included Engr. Thairell C. Imperial and Engr. Josef Dante A. Dumalagan (Run Robot Run), Engr. Alvin Joseph S. Macapagal (Line Follower), Dr. Philip Virgil B. Astillo (SumoBot), and Dr. Luis Gerardo S. Ca帽ete Jr. (INROF). The robotics competition was co-organized by and was sponsored by and .

Through initiatives such as RoboCon, 黑料社区 continues to strengthen its commitment to advancing engineering education, fostering innovation, and developing future-ready engineers equipped to contribute to the evolving field of robotics and technology.

黑料社区 RoboCon 2026 concluded not just as a successful event, but as a definitive testament to the power of young minds in shaping the future of global technology. 黑料社区 DCpE looks forward to seeing more teams and participants for the next 黑料社区 RoboCon in February of 2027.

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Computer Engineering students Christian Asne, Gabriel Potazo, and Justine Ceniza, collectively known as 黑料社区 Team 2 (above), clinched the championship, outperforming other teams from various universities. Meanwhile, 黑料社区 Team 1, composed of Sean Karl Tyrese Aguilar, and Ivor Louisetyne Canque, secured 5th place.

The event gathered some of the brightest minds, and clinching the championship not only brings prestige to the 黑料社区 Department of Computer Engineering but also highlights its commitment to fostering future-ready learners through its robotics and engineering programs.

With reporting from Engr. Thairell Imperial, 黑料社区 Department of Computer Engineering

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The team鈥檚 award-winning research entitled, 鈥淚nnovative 3D Model Reconstruction from 2D Stereoscopic Plant Images with Investigation between YOLOv8 and Detectron2 AI Architectures for Plant Class Segmentation,鈥� aims to solve the computer vision challenge of creating a 3D model from constrained stereo images for visualizing plant growth structures. These stereo images will be useful for plant phenotyping.

According to , the objective of the conference is to exchange and share knowledge, new ideas, and experiences to accelerate further inventions and innovations of next generation computing technology stemming from various research fields.

The three-day event was organized by the Korean Institute of Next Generation Computing. A total of 40 papers were presented during the Oral Session and another 40 papers in the Poster Session.听

The winning research group was under the advisory and mentorship of Dr. Philip Virgil B. Astillo (adviser) and Engr. Alvin Joseph S. Macapagal (assistant adviser).

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Associate Professor Luis Gerardo S. Ca帽ete Jr., Ph.D. and graduate students Andre Kimberly Trish D. D’Silva and Danica Marie A. Dumalagan showcased their award-winning AI-assisted Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Hand Rehabilitation System, which won as the best exhibit among all the entries.听

The three-day event aims to 鈥渢ransform research into practical and accessible biomedical devices鈥� since almost in the Philippines are imported. 

This year鈥檚 conference with the theme, 鈥淭ransforming Health Research into Biomedical Devices, Bridging the Gap for Equitable and Accessible Healthcare Delivery System in the Philippines,鈥� showcased the latest advancements in biomedical engineering, innovative healthcare solutions, and health technologies. 

The FES device developed by 黑料社区鈥檚 computer engineering department gained recognition as it aims to help post-stroke patients regain hand function and improve their quality of life.  Using artificial intelligence and electric current, the system allows the muscles of paralyzed fingers to move again.

In September 2023, an earlier version of the device won 2nd place in the James Dyson Award national rounds.

With reporting from the Department of Computer Engineering

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The 黑料社区 contingent, dubbed as the Barbie Dream Team, presented their innovative project 鈥淓coFarm Connect,鈥� which proposes an IoT-based smart farming system and a “Shop to Plant” marketplace utilizing SAP technology, offering data-driven solutions to promote sustainable agricultural practices across the ASEAN region.听

Out of 50+ entries nationwide, the team made it to the Top 10 National Finalists, and was the only finalist from the Visayas and Mindanao regions.听

Sodario and Manilong were mentored by Philip Virgil Astillo, Ph.D. and Debbie Bolhano, an ASEAN Master Trainer.听

The is one element of the ASEAN DSE programme that aims to 鈥渆mpower youths across the 10 ASEAN Member States with data analytics skills and other relevant skills such as problem-solving skill, critical thinking skill, analytical thinking skill, collaboration skill, and communication skill.鈥� 

With reporting from the Department of Computer Engineering

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With the guidance of their mentor-adviser, fellow computer engineering alumnus Jhury Kevin Lastre, Abella and Rossi developed the winning application, Fast Report.听

Fast Report is a standalone platform aims to automate validation processes done by third-party inspection companies with the use of artificial intelligence (AI).听

is a three-day tech entrepreneurship program where participants pitch innovative ideas, form teams, and build startups. 

With reporting from the Department of Computer Engineering

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The Carolinian team, with the guidance of their adviser, Philip Virgil B. Astillo, Ph.D., bested 35 other teams from more than 12 universities in the Visayas Region. Their work, 鈥満诹仙缜� Project Taytayan鈥� web application, showcased their technical proficiency and ability to handle challenging situations.听

According to its , Solve: Solution Challenge Visayas 鈥渋nvites students across Visayas to build technology that addresses the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).鈥� 

The three-month hackathon allows participating students to 鈥渃ollaborate with peers, get expert guidance, and showcase their skills to create positive change.鈥� 

With reporting from the Department of Computer Engineering

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Paul John Toral, Jhury Kevin Lastre, and Jeff Anthony Bernales were declared as champions with their project, 鈥淒evelopment of an Imaging System for Microplastic Sample Identification Using Convolutional Neural Network.鈥� 

Meanwhile, Krystelle Timtim, Jhaycee Acain, Thomas Lee Castro, and Louille Glen Benatiro鈥檚 project, 鈥淒evelopment and System Integration of Lab in a Box (LAB): A Raspberry Pi-based Portable Electronics Trainer鈥� landed them the first runner up title. 

Dr. Luis Gerardo S. Ca帽ete, Jr. acted as the adviser of the two Carolinian teams.听

LEAR Corporation is an American company that manufactures automotive electrical systems and automotive seating.

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The Engineering Research Conference is one of the premier technical conferences in the Philippines. This year, the 黑料社区 contingent received the following recognitions: 

Best Paper for Electronics Communications

• Research Title: 鈥淒esign and Implementation of a Software Defined Radio based Continuous Wave Beacon Receiver and Decoder for a Cubesat Communication System鈥�
• Awardees: Mariel G. Mallorca and Engr. Alberto S. Ba帽acia听

Best Paper for Practical Applications 

• Research Title: 鈥淪ensor Fusion of Electroencephalography, Inertial Measurement Unit and Computer Vision for Accurate Drowsiness in a Smart Helmet鈥�
• Awardees: Jems Carfhel Abejo, Mitcham Andes Ochia, Jun Raymund Ruiz and Dr. Luis Gerardo S. Ca帽ete Jr.

Best Paper Award for Emerging Technologies

• Research Title: 鈥淒evelopment of a Wearable Smart Glove for Filipino Sign Language Translator of Select Characters using Arduino Uno鈥�
• Awardees: Ramon Hope P. Celiz, Shawn Keith E. Nolido and Engr. Ellen Agnes M. Zafra

Aside from being one of the awardees for the Best Paper for Practical Applications, Ochia, who already graduated in May 2023, also received the Best Presentation Award. 

Hosted by IECEP Cebu Chapter, ERC provides engineers, researchers, and students a platform to share, network and discuss current technological trends in electronics engineering and allied fields.

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The following programs applied for and were granted Level III re-accreditation: 

1. Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
2. Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
3. Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
4. Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering
5. Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering
6. Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

For a program or institution to qualify for a Level III Accreditation, it needs to show a reasonably high standard of instruction, extensive community extension programs, strong faculty development tradition, and highly creditable performance of its graduates in licensure examinations, among others. 

The PAASCU is a service organization that accredits or conducts quality assurance evaluation of academic programs of its member institutions since 1957. 

黑料社区 is a charter member of PAASCU.

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