Strategic Alliances Drive Victory in Girls and Gears 2025

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“Malaking factor sa isang alliance ay ‘yung pare-pareho kayo ng goals. Ano bang gusto namin? And it’s not just to win the competition, but to champion girls. Ito talaga ‘yung nagpatibay ng foundation namin.”

These were the words of Michaela Louise Bagtas, a Grade 10 student from Rizal National Science High School, after being named among the winners in the 2025 Tagisang Robotics: Girls and Gears competition.

With teammates Beatrice Mae Goto, Arabella Cailin Ablaza, Lilabeth Cruz, and coach Marlon Sta. Catalina, her team ended the seed rounds with the best win-loss record, earning them the Best Team award.

Forming a strategic alliance with Maronquillo National High School and Pasig City Science High School, Bagtas and her team also won the Best Alliance award in the finals.

This made the three schools co-champions of the country’s only all-female robotics tournament.

Maronquillo National High School was represented by Khyllie Norynn Ortega, Jinrikisha Tansico, Paola Joise Villanueva, Sabinah Dela Cruz, and coach Angelica Libunao.

Pasig City Science High School fielded Khrystal Reine Caranguian, Mikaela Valasote, Aimee Noelle Delfino, Angeline Vivero, and coach Angelo Silva.

Pinoy Fiesta Games

Held April 1 and 2 at The Space in One Ayala, Makati City, the competition featured a “Pinoy Fiesta” themed playing field.

Eighteen teams developed mobots that tackled local-inspired challenges such as Pukpok Palayok, Pabitin, Palosebo, and Basketball.

The tournament was composed of three stages: the seed round, double eliminations, and the championship.

Ranking in the top six in the seed round was critical, as it allowed teams to become alliance leaders and select two other teams to form their alliance.

It was during this round that Rizal National Science High School chose Maronquillo and Pasig to complete their championship-winning trio.

In addition to gameplay, the event recognized teams for excellence in design and collaboration.

C&E Publishing Inc. awarded Taguig Science High School the C&E ALS Innovation in Control Award for their unique mobot design and precise control.

Caloocan National Science and Technology High School received the C&E ALS Creators Alliance Award for outstanding teamwork and sportsmanship.

Rewriting History

“It’s not just to win the competition, but to champion girls.”

Bagtas’ words captured the essence of the competition’s advocacy—celebrating women and empowering them in science, technology, and robotics.

While most contests focus on winning, Tagisang Robotics: Girls and Gears serves as a platform to shift the male-dominated narrative in robotics and highlight the achievements of young women.

As DOST-SEI Director Dr. Jayeel Cornelio said in his speech, “You are writing your own history. Robotics and engineering are widely dominated by men, and the fact that you are here, you are rewriting history.”

Dr. Cornelio emphasized that a supportive community is key to sustaining this female-led momentum.

“You are competitive. You want to win. I want you to win,” he said.

“But I also want you to support and learn from other groups, because only then can you make your experience here in this competition truly worthwhile.”

The event concluded with remarks from DOST Assistant Secretary for Administrative and Legal Affairs and DOST-wide Gender and Development focal person Dr. Diana L. Ignacio.

She commended the participants and their coaches for their dedication and expressed hope that the experience would inspire their passion for science and technology, and their curiosity to uncover its potential for the country.