Taguig school holds online graduation with robots

ROBOTIC CEREMONY Toga-wearing robots receive diplomas on behalf of 179 graduates of the Senator Renato “Compañero” Cayetano Memorial Science and Technology High School. —RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — It used to happen only in television shows.

Some schools have caught the virus of online graduation amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but a science high school in Taguig City has taken a step further by trotting out robots to receive diplomas on behalf of the graduates.

Last Friday, 179 graduates at Senator Renato “Compañero” Cayetano Memorial Science and Technology High School did not have to march up the stage to claim their diplomas as three of four robots—all clad in togas—did it for them by remote control.

The robots were designed by the students, who are members of the Taguig Robotics Team that has brought home medals from international robotics competitions.

These are the brilliant members of the Taguig Robotics Team who made the cybergraduation possible: David Golenia; Piere Alan, Princess and Aaron Sean Michael Pioquid; Philip Leonard and Madelle Diez, Samuel Tabernero and Roy Garrido and coaches Sherryl and Manny Tabernero.

As names were called to claim their diplomas, live videos of the graduates were projected on the heads of the robots. The graduates themselves watched from home via Facebook Live, while footage of their families was also displayed on the LED screen.

Masked officials

The only ones present were city and school officials, as well as journalists, all wearing masks and keeping a safe distance from one another.

“Now that we are facing a pandemic of this magnitude, we can see here the resilience of a Taguigueño, a SRCCeño. For every challenge, there is an opportunity … Today we have an opportunity not just to celebrate but uniquely celebrate wherein few students get to experience an opportunity that you have,” Mayor Lino Cayetano told the graduates in a virtual address.

Programmed by the students, the robots can move forward and backward, and turn on both sides.

The prototype was pieced together from junk aluminum, old batteries, old circuits, capacitors and motor parts that the students use in their annual robotics competitions abroad, according to George Tizon, the head of the city education office.

It was subjected to a performance test by Tizon’s office before it was recommended for pilot-testing in certain schools.

‘New future’

Cayetano said similar cybergraduation rites would be held in other public elementary and high schools in the city, with the same robots performing the otherwise life-saving task in this time of COVID-19 for 17,000 other graduates.

“Everybody talks about the new normal. Let’s forget that. Let’s think about the new future. We have an opportunity to shape the future. God put us at this time of COVID-19. You are the batch that graduated at the time of COVID-19. I believe you will all do great things for the city and your country. Keep working hard. To the parents, please continue supporting the students,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano said the diplomas, as well as cash incentives, would be sent directly to the homes of the graduates.

A total of 12,931 Grade 6 graduates will receive P1,000 each and 3,276 Grade 12 graduates, P1,500 each. These are on top of the incentives for top students in elementary and senior high school, ranging from P2,500 to P15,000. INQ