The Basic Education Robotics Team from Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. (HCCCI) has achieved a major milestone, successfully qualifying for the highly anticipated VEX Robotics Competition National Finals scheduled for January 2026. This hard-won success was secured during the rigorous qualifying round held on November 7, 2025, at Xavier School in San Juan City, Manila, where they competed to earn a limited spot among the nation's top young innovators. This qualification is a testament to the students’ dedication and HCCCI’s targeted investment in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) training, underscoring the vital role private institutions play in developing a competitive, future-ready workforce in the Philippines.

While celebratory, the qualification marks the successful completion of the initial phase. The team now faces the intensified challenge of the National Finals, where the complexity of the robotic tasks and the competitive field significantly escalate. "Qualifying is a huge hurdle cleared, but it's only the start of the final sprint," stated coach Harold Casiro. "The team must now refine their autonomous programming and engineering design to meet the higher standards of the national stage. We are currently facing the practical reality of needing more advanced equipment and dedicated simulation time to genuinely compete for the championship title." The team—Ramchel Angelo D. Rabaca, Jhune Rhee D. Villaruel, Charmie M. Montero, Axel Rain S. Catalunes, and Jemimah M. Mandario—spent extensive hours testing under the guidance of coaches Casiro and Genson Teves, and technical consultant Engr. Edicio M. Faller. Their success demonstrates that institutional support, coupled with student perseverance, can bridge the resource gap often found in regional STEM programs.

HCCCI's robotics initiative is a functional model for advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The program directly contributes to SDG 4: Quality Education by ensuring equal access to quality technical education, moving away from theoretical teaching to applied robotics and problem-solving. This approach is crucial for graduating students who are equipped with the digital literacy and critical thinking skills necessary for sustainable national growth. Furthermore, the team’s efforts are a direct contribution to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

The program directly fosters a pipeline of talent skilled in design, fabrication, and automation. These are the core competencies required to propel technological innovation and build the resilient industrial infrastructure envisioned under SDG 9, proving that basic education can be a serious source of future industry leaders. This qualification positions HCCCI as one of the pioneering institutions in Region XII when it comes to practical STEM education. The team's achievement serves as verifiable evidence of the program's ability to identify and accelerate high-potential engineering talent.

This success is directly channeled through the Center for Innovation and Robotics Initiative (CIRI), HCCCI’s dedicated hub for future-forward technical training. CIRI acts as the operational engine that translates the institutional commitment to STEM into tangible, results-driven programs. It oversees the specialized curriculum validation, external mentorship, and resource allocation required to push students beyond basic academics. By centralizing robotics and innovation under CIRI, HCCCI ensures sustained, high-quality exposure to industrial-grade tools and methodologies, significantly accelerating the development of highly specialized talent essential for regional and national competitiveness.

The HCCCI Robotics Team has proven its mettle by clearing the national qualification hurdle. To transition from a qualifying contender to a serious national finalist, the team is immediately implementing a high-intensity training protocol focused on Advanced Coding Optimization, Iterative Mechanical Refinement, and weekly Full-Field Simulation Drills. Their pursuit of the VEX National Championship is now the country's collective opportunity—a chance to invest directly in tomorrow's engineers and secure the Philippines' competitive edge in the technological frontier.

HCCCI's commitment to the robotics program extends far beyond competition. The institution views the VEX Robotics success as a proof of concept for scalable STEM education. Moving forward, HCCCI is dedicated to sharing the best practices and curriculum models developed within the CIRI framework with educational partners in the region, fostering a collective rise in technical competency across Southern Mindanao. Ultimately, the institution harbors aspirations for the program to expand its reach internationally, positioning Filipino students as global leaders in innovation and robotics.

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