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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Against 24 formidable law schools nationwide, 黑料社区 Law excelled in legal advocacy, clinching Rank No. 1 in the Preliminary Rounds and a Semifinalist finish in the Advanced Rounds.

黑料社区 Law also swept the most coveted awards, underscoring the team鈥檚 strength in both the written word and the spoken argument, namely:

• Back-to-back Best Overall Memorial
• Back-to-back Best Respondent Memorial
• 4th Best Oralist: Bri Unabia
• 5th Best Oralist: Mel Joseph Castro

This year鈥檚 黑料社区 Jessup Team is composed of Team Captain Bri Unabia (4th year), Mel Joseph Castro (4th year), Earl Max Eata (3rd year), Neil Glova Jr. (3rd year), Nichole Simblante (1st year), and Allen Dave Capa (1st year). They are set to represent the Philippines once more in the Jessup International Rounds in Washington, D.C. in April 2026.

This momentum builds on an already world-class benchmark. In the Jessup International Rounds last year, 黑料社区 Law ranked No. 2 out of 152 teams worldwide in the Preliminary Rounds and brought home major honors鈥擣irst Place in the Richard R. Baxter Award for the Best Applicant Memorial in the World, First Place in the Alona E. Evans Award for the Best Team Memorials in the International Rounds, and Second Place in the M. Cherif Bassiouni Award for the Best Team Memorials in the National and Regional Rounds.

This sustained legacy of excellence is guided by the steady hands of the team鈥檚 dedicated head coach Atty. Daryl Bretch M. Largo, Assistant Dean of the School of Law and Governance, and assistant coaches Atty. Rashid Vedra Pandi and Atty. J. Priyanka Dalagan.

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The forum titled 鈥淕rowth corridors: Pathways out of poverty,鈥� was held at the SAFAD Theater in 黑料社区 Talamban Campus. The event brought together a diverse assembly of stakeholders, including representatives from the private sector, government agencies, civil society organizations, the academe, and students from various regional institutions.

The dialogue served as a platform for 黑料社区 SBE鈥攖he only academic unit in Central Visayas holding Level III bachelor’s and Level II master鈥檚 accreditation in Economics from PAASCU鈥攖o lead critical discussions on the region鈥檚 fiscal future.

Fr. Francisco Antonio T. Estepa, SVD, Ph.D., President of the University of San Carlos, opened the proceedings by reminding attendees that while urban corridors hold immense potential as engines of commerce, they must primarily serve as 鈥減latforms for inclusion.鈥�

鈥淧otential is not destiny,鈥� Fr. Estepa said, noting that sustainable growth requires deliberate choices, trusted institutions, and planning that views people as the purpose of economic growth rather than 鈥渇ootnotes鈥� to it.

Irene Arzadon, an economist from the World Bank Group, presented 鈥淐losing the gaps: The role of urbanization and local service delivery for integrated development in the Philippines.鈥� Arzadon noted that while economic convergence is underway, significant disparities persist. She emphasized that well-managed urban corridors in the Visayas can accelerate development by transitioning workers to higher-productivity jobs. 

Arzadon urged local government units (LGUs) to leverage increased budgets from the Mandanas-Garcia ruling to prioritize health, education, and digital connectivity.

Offering a broader fiscal perspective, World Bank Senior Country Economist Jaffar Al-Rikabi discussed the 鈥淧hilippines macroeconomic update.鈥� Al-Rikabi presented a 鈥済loomy鈥� 2026 outlook following a slowdown in GDP growth to 4.4% last year, which he attributed to a collapse in public investment. 

Despite low inflation of 1.7%, Al-Rikabi warned that the Philippines trails its peers in tourism recovery and expressed concern over a fiscal shift from infrastructure to operating expenses. He projected that growth could recover by 2027 if the government restores institutional credibility and manages climate risks.

The subsequent panel discussion, facilitated by Francisco M. Largo, Director of the Office of Population Studies, delved into regional specifics.

Evelyn Nacario-Castro, Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Regional Office VII, highlighted Central Visayas鈥� 7.3% growth rate. She noted that the 鈥淪ug-Bohol鈥� coordination via Executive Order 82 is vital for reaching single-digit poverty targets.

Virgilio 鈥淣onoy鈥� Espeleta, Trustee of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, warned that Metro Cebu has reached a 鈥渂reaking point鈥� regarding water and traffic. He advocated for clustering LGUs into 鈥渟hared services鈥� hubs to eliminate administrative bloat.

Ar. Joseph Michael P. Espina of Espina, Perez-Espina and Associates, proposed a 鈥渕ultinodal鈥� dispersal of growth. He suggested a 鈥渞idge-to-reef鈥� greenbelt and electric P2P bus routes to protect watersheds while decongesting the urban core.

In his closing remarks, Julius P. Relampagos, Ph.D., Dean of the 黑料社区 School of Business and Economics, called for a 鈥渇our-point agenda鈥� to transform urban corridors. Relampagos emphasized that despite national 鈥渋nvestment headwinds,鈥� the Visayas remain the focal point for closing welfare gaps. He acknowledged the insightful flow of the day鈥檚 panel and stressed that success depends on completing backbone connectivity and modernizing local financial management.

The Philippine Economic Update is a flagship, biannual report of the World Bank. This edition underscores that while urban corridors are vital for growth, achieving true poverty reduction requires strong institutions and effective local service delivery to ensure no region is left behind.

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In early 2025, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Hon. Fritz Bryn Anthony Makasiar delos Santos as the newest Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan. At an age where men are still finding their footing in the upper echelons of the law, Justice Fritz has stepped onto the bench of the nation鈥檚 anti-graft court鈥攏ot by the weight of his name, but by the steady accumulation of merit.聽

While his middle name, Makasiar, links him to the notable former Chief Justice Felix Makasiar, and his father, Edgardo鈥� a Carolinian鈥� a retired member of the Supreme Court as well, Justice Fritz chose a path of deliberate independence. 

Years ago, in a letter to his father, he expressed a firm desire to study at 黑料社区. His reasoning was twofold: he sought the same excellence his father found there, but he wanted to achieve it on his own terms. He didn鈥檛 want a paved road; he wanted to learn how to stand without fear, away from the immediate shadow of his family鈥檚 influence. 

In the classrooms of 黑料社区, he was remembered not as a boisterous student, but as a 鈥渓ow-key鈥� worker. He was the student in the front row, meticulously absorbing lectures, proving that brilliance often speaks in a whisper rather than a shout. 

After earning his Juris Doctor degree from 黑料社区, Justice Delos Santos was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2012. He further sharpened his legal acumen at Cornell University, where he earned his Master of Law (Ll.M). 

His career is a masterclass in judicial service, characterized by a steady climb through the ranks of the government鈥檚 legal arms. 
2013 鈥� Court Attorney IV, Supreme Court of the Philippines
2014 鈥� Associate Solicitor, Office of the Solicitor General
2015 鈥� Court Attorney V, Court of Appeals
2017 鈥� Court Attorney VI, Supreme Court of the Philippines
2025 鈥� Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan 

The law is a jealous mistress, demanding total devotion, but Justice Fritz has always found his equilibrium by dividing his time in many fields of interest. As a law student in 黑料社区, he worked full time. When he became a lawyer, he continued to share his time with his music. An avid guitarist with a collection of 25 instruments, he has spent years performing with a band. For him, guitar was more than a hobby; it was a necessary sanctuary from the high-pressure environment of law school and work. 

Even his name carries a sense of grounded tradition. Named 鈥淎nthony鈥� in honor of St. Anthony de Padua鈥攖he patron saint of his father鈥檚 hometown, Palompon, Leyte鈥攈is identity remains a blend of deep-rooted faith and modern ambition.

The magnitude of this achievement was fully felt last on February 20, 2026, as the Carolinian law students, faculty, and staff gathered for a testimonial dinner at the Michael Richartz Theatre, 黑料社区 Talamban Campus.

The hall was filled with law students, faculty, and staff, all united in a single purpose: to honor a man who proved that the 黑料社区 College of Law continues to produce legacies of the highest order. It was a night of shared pride, where the university didn鈥檛 just celebrate a title, but the character of the men behind it.

Justice Fritz represents a new generation of the judiciary: young, academically formidable, and deeply experienced in the inner workings of the court system. As he takes his seat at the Sandiganbayan, he carries with him the pride of a community that watched him grow from a diligent student in the front row to a guardian of justice. 

CONGRATULATIONS, Justice Fritz! The whole Carolinian community stands tall in your honor!

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The initiative, hosted at the university’s Learning Resource Center (LRC), marks a strategic partnership between 黑料社区 and firms including FPT Software, Full Scale, KYOCERA, EY, Rococo, Skan鈥og, Lexmark, and Accenture.

The hub aims to bridge the gap between theoretical science and industrial application. 

Vice President for Academic Affairs Fr. Jesuraj Anthoniappen, SVD, Ph.D., who is also a faculty member of the 黑料社区 Department of Physics, said the QANIX Hub aims to build capacity by equipping learners with knowledge in quantum information science and artificial intelligence. The facility will serve as a foundation for advancing ethical research and fostering collaboration between the academe and government.

The school’s new facility provides students and faculty with access to quantum computing systems, which process data at speeds vastly superior to traditional computers. 黑料社区 plans to use these systems to support research and explore new applications in science, engineering, and data analysis. The hub also has three high-performance computers obtained through a grant from the Department of Science and Technology.

黑料社区 Vice President for Administration Atty. Joan Largo, Ll.M., said the initiative reflects the University鈥檚 commitment to offering transformative programs. Atty. Largo expressed that 黑料社区 aims to go beyond preparing students for employment by building strong partnerships that integrate industry directly into the institution.

The successful launch was spearheaded by the 黑料社区鈥檚 Department of Computer, Information Sciences, and Mathematics (DCISM) and Department of Physics. Led by their respective Chairs Angie Ceniza-Canillo, Ph.D. and Renante Violanda, Ph.D., both departments were instrumental in the coordination and execution of the initiative鈥檚 first phase.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region VII Regional Director Tristan L. Abando, Ph.D., defined Quantum AI as the convergence of quantum computing and artificial intelligence. This technology combines quantum processing power with AI-driven analysis to solve complex problems more efficiently than standard systems.

Dr. Abando said the hub aligns with the DOST Three-Horizon STI Economic Strategy. The Three-Horizons strategy charts the path for (Horizon 1) driving Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) efficiency; (Horizon 2) building a Filipino knowledge economy; and (Horizon 3) Developing industries of the future in AI, biotech, renewable energy, and climate resilience.

Dr. Abando noted that QANIX Hub specifically supports “Horizon 3,” which focuses on building national capabilities in the industries of the future. Dr. Abando reaffirmed DOST’s commitment to support policy development and future collaborative projects as the initiative progresses.

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Last night, January 22, 2026, Pasalamat Carolino was held at the honoring eight retirees and four service awardees, as well as six outgoing administrators.

黑料社区 President Fr. Estepa’s message

Addressing the retirees, especially those who have served the institution for decades, University President Fr. Francisco Antonio T. Estepa, SVD, Ph.D. recognized them as “pillars upon which generations of Carolinians have built their dreams.”

“Your wisdom has guided countless students, your dedication has shaped our academic culture, and your unwavering commitment has helped write the story of this institution,” Fr. Estepa added.

Fr. Estepa’s message for the service awardees highlighted their loyalty and excellence, which “remind us that institutional greatness is not achieved through grand gestures alone, but through the consistent, passionate work of individuals who believe in something greater than themselves.”

Finally, Fr. Estepa honored the outgoing administrators for their sacrifice, saying that their “stewardship… prepared us for the future while honoring our past.”

Messages from other 黑料社区 administrators

For the first time, Pasalamat Carolino was graced by the presence of two 黑料社区 trustees, namely SVD PHS Provincial Fr. Rogelio K. Bag-ao, SVD and President and General Manager Engr. Allan G. Alfon.

Engr. Alfon echoed Fr. Estepa’s message, telling the retirees and service awardees, “We see you, we value you, and you serve as our inspiration.”

Vice President for Academic Affairs Fr. Jesuraj Anthoniappen, SVD, Ph.D. also had high praise for the honorees, acknowledging their diligence and dedication. “People may forget what you said or what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel,” he opined. “We will never forget the people who made us feel at home.” he added.

Vice President for Administration Atty. Joan S. Largo, Ll.M. looked back at how the COVID-19 pandemic underscored for her the importance of people. She reflected on her own journey from her law practice to teaching full-time at 黑料社区, then serving as Dean of the College of Law, and currently as VP Administration. “In 黑料社区, people stay,” she said. “Our work in the academe… enables us to change society.”

Responses from the honorees

Several responses were also given by the honorees. 黑料社区 Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO) manager Danilo B. Largo, Ph.D., who will retire from the University after 44 years of service, represented the academic division, while NSTP and DRRMO officer Emma E. Selma represented the administrative division.

Assistant Director for Alumni Affairs, Scholarships, and Job Placement Ar. Margret D. Rosario, M.T.E. spoke for the service awardees. She expressed her gratitude for how 黑料社区 allowed her to grow as a person and as a professional. Looking back at her own journey from architectural practice to serving as Chair of the Department of Architecture, then Dean of the School of Architecture, Fine Arts, and Design, and her current position, she said, “It reminded me that 黑料社区 is really about the people who walked with us through the years.”

An impromptu round of messages was facilitated by HRMO Director Brenette L. Abrenica, M.A.P.A., M.PoSc., which culminated with a heartfelt response by Dr. Largo’s daughter, Kathryn, who acknowledged that her father’s hard work allowed her and her brothers to study at 黑料社区.

List of awardees

This year’s retirees from the academic and administrative divisions are:

1. Engr. Virgilio Y. Abellana, Ph.D. (Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering)
2. Mary Felma A. Ali帽o, Ph.D. (Fine Arts)
3. Lorylie C. Crisostomo, M. Appl. Anthro. (Anthropology, Sociology, and History)
4. Danilo B. Largo, Ph.D. (Biology)
5. Engr. Carlos C. Tan (Electrical and Electronics Engineering)
6. Riza C. Bacalla (Secretary, Accountancy Review Center)
7. Divina R. Palacio (Secretary, School of Engineering)
8. Emma E. Selma (Officer, NSTP, NSRC, DRRM Office)

There are four 25-year service awardees, all from the academic division, namely:

1. Annie G. Diola, M.S. (Biology)
2. Engr. Janice B. Jamora, D.Eng. (Civil Engineering)
3. Atty. Christopher C. Malaya, Ll.M. (Accountancy)
4. Ar. Margret D. Rosario (Architecture; Asst. Director, Alumni Affairs, Scholarships, and Job Placement)

Six outgoing administrators were also honored for their dedicated service including:

1. Rey Francis M. Erana (OIC, Nutrition and Dietetics)
2. Rolando V. Obiedo, Ph.D. (Chair, Teacher Education)
3. Julius P. Relampagos, Ph.D. (Chair, Economics)
4. Lauro Cipriano R. Silapan, Ph.D. (Dean, School of Business and Economics)
5. Ruby S. Suazo, Ph.D. (Chair, Philosophy)
6. Ar. Adrian I. Yap, M.S. (Chair, Architecture)

Three of these administrators continue to serve the University. Dr. Obiedo now serves as Dean of the School of Education, while Dr. Relampagos is now Dean of the School of Business and Economics. Dr. Suazo is the Executive Committee Chair of the 黑料社区 Research Ethics Committee.

Do you want to be part of the Carolinian family? Check out our job openings at the 黑料社区 .

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Walk-in, on-site free registration will take place on April 23 at 7:30 a.m. at the Fr. Michael Richartz Conference Center. This conference is open to the public.

The 10th University Research Conference (URC 2026) will be held on April 23-24, 2026 at the Fr. Michael Richartz Conference Center and other venues in Talamban Campus. This year’s conference will have the theme, “Creativity and knowledge: University as a catalyst of innovation.”

Keynote speakers

is a public ethnomusicologist and interdisciplinary scholar who writes at the intersections of Philippine religious traditions,  music, gender, ecology, and decolonization. She is also a singer of songs that mostly draw from Philippine oral traditions. In addition, Dr. Nono heads the Tao Foundation for Culture and Arts that promotes cultural revitalization and environmental conservation.

Dr. Ambeth Ocampo is no stranger to the URC; he was also the keynote speaker for URC 2017. Dr. Ocampo is the premiere Public Historian of the Philippines. His research covers the Spanish colonial Philippines: its art, culture, and the people who figure in the birth of the nation. He writes, Looking Back, the longest running editorial page column on history for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and has published over 35 books the most recent being: 鈥淗istory in Lockdown鈥� (2024).鈥� Cabinet of Curiosities: History from Philippine Artifacts鈥� (2023) is also available in German and Malay translations.

Ocampo’s abstract is an intriguing read: Fake news is as old a history. Long before deepfakes and algorithmic 鈥渉allucinations鈥� were created there was Jose E. Marco. His career spanned half a century and fooled seasoned scholars. Reviled in historiographical literature, Marco’s work deserves a second look as a cautionary tale on: veracity, authority, and academic one-upmanship. Whether manuscript or digital scholars and creatives require the same old skill set:  critical thinking, primary source research, and the uncompromising search for and defense of Truth.

We will also be graced by the presence of a delegation from the Hungarian embassy, including the Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Titanilla Toth, who will accompany , who will speak at the conference. Prof. Gyuricza, who will speak about “Knowledge that shapes the future,” is the rector of the (MATE).

Panel discussion

URC 2026 will also feature a roundtable discussion on the current state of the creative industry, tackling issues related to policy, practice, and pedagogy. Confirmed panelists include Butch Carungay (), (contemporary artist), (Dean, UP Diliman College of Fine Arts), and Lawrence Panganiban (Cebu Creative Entertainment Council). The panel will be moderated by (HL Designs).

Curated documentary film exhibition

A series of documentary films will also be shown at the SAFAD Theater in the afternoon of April 23. This exhibition, curated among others by organizer Kristoffer Villarino, is dubbed DocYou: Cinema, Science, and Society and features ten films created by amateur filmmakers from the 黑料社区 Cinema program.

Program

The may be viewed or downloaded by . Non-黑料社区 participants may need to request permission before viewing the program. An overview of the conference can be found below.

URC 2026 is held in collaboration with the 2026 SAFAD Design Week.

URC 2026 has free registration and is open to the public. Exhibitors will showcase their companies during the conference. Food concessionaires will also be available for refreshments and lunch.

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Dr. Largo will do a deep dive on the significant role that seaweeds play in bolstering the Philippines Blue Economy.

On-site registration for the event starts at 8:30 a.m. Participants may pre-register by scanning the QR code below. The event is open to the general public.

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Adopting the theme, “Advancing sustainable agri-life and bioresource technologies across borders,” the symposium serves as a venue for discussion of best practices in agri-life and bioresource sciences and presentation of innovative solutions to current challenges. The symposium also brings together researchers, industries, policy makers, and other stakeholders.

The conference organizers are calling for papers in six broad areas. Deadline for submission of abstracts is on January 31, 2026. For more information, email agrilifebioresource2026@usc.edu.ph.

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This year’s theme is Wavemakers: Youth Voices for Ocean Futures, which highlights the importance of maritime domain and its role in regional stability, security, and economic growth. The Blue Economy is another highlighted topic during the forum.

Aside from 黑料社区, the organizers, ASEAN-Australia Strategic Youth Partnership, also partnered with the Cebu City Government and Salacop Construction and Development Corporation.

The program includes a visit to the Archival Eco-House and a keynote address by Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival. The opening ceremony, keynote sessions, workshops, and panel discussions will be held at 黑料社区 Talamban Campus.

Marine Biology Section Head Dr. Danilo B. Largo will speak as part of a panel discussion on marine conservation.

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