Volunteer Rallies Atlanta-based Filipino Community to Help Team from Manila

Photos courtesy of Team FRC Team 3105 and Fred Talaue

Emmanuel “Willie” Llarena knew little about FIRST when he decided he needed to get involved. After learning about the upcoming FIRST Championship and doing some online research about FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 3105 “Ice Cubed” from Manila, Philippines, Willie was inspired to help the team get to Atlanta to compete.

A robot enthusiast and native of the Philippines, Willie was excited to learn that this was the first time a team from his home country had made it this far in the FIRST Robotics Competition. The win at the FRC Hawaii Regional was unexpected; the team was not prepared to make the trip to Atlanta. At the time, they had only enough funding for half of their team. Money for travel and other support would be needed in order to get the entire team to the Championship.

Willie offered the team his own home for lodging and his vehicle for transportation, and reached out to Filipino-American community leaders for their support. “The response was overwhelming,” Willie said. “E-mails began pouring in with pledges of support and assistance not only for monetary help but for food, drivers, and housing. It made me very proud of my fellow Filipino Americans.” 

With help from Sonny DeHitta, Eleanor Mae Pascual, Willie Blanco, and Didi O’Connor, the fundraising and planning efforts for the team’s six-day stay were underway. The group quickly outlined a plan for meals, lunch deliveries to the Georgia Dome, daily transportation, and the team’s arrival at the airport. They organized visits to local attractions including the Georgia Aquarium and Six Flags, in addition to a visit to the Georgia Tech Robotics Engineering department. Because of the efforts of these individuals, and support from the Filipino community in Atlanta, all members of the team would be present at the Championship.   

Amazingly, Willie’s first contact via e-mail with the team’s mentor was on April 4. In a matter of days, Willie had rallied the local Filipino community to help Team 3105. The team from Manila was overwhelmed to learn that a person they did not know, so far away from their home, would be the solution to their problem and make such a difference in their lives.