The Makati High School robotics team, Makatrix, wins the VEX Robotics Competition Philippine National Championship held at Xavier School in San Juan City on February 24, 2024. (Photo from the Facebook account of Schools Division Office of Makati)
MANILA, Philippines — The Makati High School robotics team, Makatrix, is set to compete at the 2024 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas, after triumphing in the VEX Robotics Competition Philippine National Championship this year.
Makatrix — composed of Grade 12 students John Ashley Alvarado, Enriquito Yamzon, Brian Bernabe, and Fritz Rivera — will compete against 11,500 teams from 40 countries in over 750 tournaments from April 25 to May 3, 2024.
They will be accompanied by their robotics coach, Zernie Pugao
In a statement on Tuesday, Makati Mayor Abby Binay commended Makatrix, noting that they would not only represent the country in the competition but reflect the city’s “outstanding support for co-curricular and extracurricular activities in technology and innovation” as well.
“Makati has financed and endorsed various robotics education programs across public elementary and secondary schools,” Binay said.
“We have dedicated funds to invest in our students’ talents and potential across various fields of interest. These include school initiatives that promote student collaboration and teamwork on projects they are deeply engaged in – projects and innovations that could transform the future of smart cities,” she added.
Binay also praised the students’ parents, guardians, and school officials for supporting the robotics team.
“We commend the parents of our Robotics champs, their coaches, and the school officials for their support. Once again, our Proud Makatizen students will demonstrate their skills and channel their passion to creating innovative technologies on a global stage,” Binay said.
Makatrix also emerged as champions in the VEX Regional Championship Over Under Scrimmage on December 9 last year.
Makati High School’s MAKhina also ranked third in the 2023 Manila VEX Robotics Competition.
Furthermore, the school’s robotics team also ranked third in the Robotics Innovative Project in the 14th Sci-Math Interschool Challenge held at De La Salle Integrated School on March 11, 2023.
The Makati High School chess team also won the bronze medal in the team category at the regional level on February 28, 2023.