Fil-Am teen recognized for award-winning robots

Jordan Wong. Screenshot from ABS-CBN News.

MANILA – Filipino-American teenager Jordan Wong is gaining reputation for his ability to build robots at a tender age of nine.

However, these robots are not toys. Rather, they are droids that are meant to contend in state and national robotics competitions.

“Ever since I was a kid I wanted to be a doctor or something like that. But since I’m getting into like engineering and everything, so this is, I think this is really fun. So all these things would factor for what I do in the future,” shared Wong.

Last year, his team bagged the 2nd place in the State Championship, and even made it to the World Championship when he was in 6th grade.

Wong is currently on his 9th grade at the Ransom Everglades Upper School in Coconut Grove. Based in the 2015 Niche Rankings, Ransom is recognized as the second best private school in America.

Aside from being an “A-student,” Wong is also part of the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY) and Duke University’s Talent Identification Program (TIP). As a matter of fact, he is one of the top-scoring participants in both programs that are exclusive for academically talented and gifted youth.

His mom, Miriam, admitted that she is a “Tiger Mom,” when it comes to her son.

“”I’m always trying to push and encourage them. Everybody knows me to be a Tiger Mom. So I’m guilty. I will continue to be a Tiger Mom and help them become successful in life,” she revealed.

Aside from his love for robotics, he is also a giver. He is a team leader at Joshua’s Heart, a charity group formed by kids to help other kids.

According to the group’s founder Joshua Williams, he is working closely with Wong to create a charity event that aim to give back to their fellow kids who are unfortunately, not as privileged as they are.

“Whenever you help people it’s a great feeling, and it’s really what humanity is kind of about — helping each other and bringing each other up when each other go up,” Williams said.

“We were privileged so much. I was lucky to be one of the few Filipinos my age that go to a really good school, who does all these robotics, who has a nice home so I think I should be able to give back to the people who are more in need,” Wong said.

Next up, Wong’s team will be up against other competitors in the State Vex Robotics competition to be held in February in Tampa, Florida. If they succeed, they will go straight to the World Championship in Kentucky in April.