MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) presented yesterday “Larry Labuyo,” the Philippines’ entry to the FIRST Robotics Competition to be held in Honolulu, Hawaii from March 26 to 28.

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a US-based organization founded by inventor Dean Kamen in 1989, aimed at inspiring young people to engage in science and technology.

Science Education Institute (SEI) Director Ester Ogena said the Philippine team is composed of 32 junior students from the Philippine Science High School (PSHS), eight mentors from the University of the Philippines and De La Salle University and three coaches from PSHS.

The Philippine team was registered as Team 3105 also known as “Philippine Team Lagablab.” Lagablab is the Filipino term for flame, burning strong and bright.

Ogena said the robot Larry Labuyo is the only entry from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“We went ahead and chose a Filipino word, not only to identify us as Filipinos but to give impact to the name and purpose of our participation. We want to encourage students like us to pursue robotics and view it more than just a hard subject but something fun that can be beneficial as well. We joined this cause because we found it fun, enjoyable and a good learning experience. We hope that the flame of our team will continue to grow, as co-workers, family and friends,” the group said in its website.

Labuyo, on the other hand, means wild rooster and in some dialects it refers hot chili.

“Cooking ingredients aside, we’re here to make an impact, a lasting flavor with an aftertaste to boot. Labuyo, our robot, is a manifestation of our versatility, diversity and effort as a group,” they said.

The SEI said each year, FIRST unveils a new game for the students to solve. Using a common kit of parts, they are asked to build a robot that would perform based on the rules of the game.

For this year, the students would be engaging the robots in a game called “Lunacy,” which simulates the conditions on the moon.

Robots would be using a special kind of wheel to roll over regolith, a material which is almost frictionless, the SEI said.

The objective of the game is to place as many “moon rocks” into the trailer of the opponent in two minutes and 15 seconds, the agency said.

Ogena said the agency has already spent about P2 million for the development of the robot and payment of the mentors. They need an additional P4 million for the travel expenses of the delegates.

She said they welcome cash donations from private institutions since each student would need at least P125,000 to go to Hawaii.

“We are confident that Team Lagablab with their robot, Larry Labuyo, are at par with the students and mentors in the international community. Our ingenuity and versatility as a team will help us win,” Ogena said.

The other countries participating in the 2009 competition are Brazil, the United States, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Mexico and Turkey.

Ogena said the robot, which has the feature of a trailer truck, could be used in robotic farming.

Science Undersecretary Fortunato de la Peña said it could also be used in the manufacturing and health industries, especially in transporting hazardous materials.