PEKWA: An Annual Artificial Intelligence Competition

This year’s battle focused on a card game called Pekwa. It is a common card game among Filipinos, a game of chance, a game of cards. This is a battle of strategies, tactics and algorithms. October 16, 2015 Friday was the day AI students, handled by Mrs. Ria A. Sagum, have been waiting for. Sections BSCS 3-1, 3-1N and 3-3 have been busy for weeks in preparing their agents for this battle. Algorithms will be the key for winning. Whose agent will it be? What algorithm will stand against the other?

Professor Ria A. Sagum appointed two representatives per section namely, Mr. Rostum Joseph Selga and Mr. Marc David Camungol from BSCS 3-1, Mr. Wreigh Christian Santos and Mr. Kim Clarence Peñaflor from BSCS 3-1N and Mr. Owen Ulysses Enguito and Mr. Ezekiel Joshua Cajano from BSCS 3-3. These representatives made the competition possible by making the UI and reassuring that all the agents were working. Officers of the three sections became the organizers of the event who helped each other and had also been busy for the preparation of the whole event, the programme proper, the type of tournament, who will battle who, foods, tarpaulin etc., and was led by the overall coordinator, Ms. Veinn Geomai Aquino.

Everything was set. Everyone was excited. The thirty four agents were ready for battle. Three computers were set for the competition and three LCD screens were set for the audience. An opening remark from the overall coordinator signified the start of the competition and let the battle begin. Nine agents battled first and so on. Each members of the team cheered for their agents, crossing their fingers and hoping that their agents would win their every battle. Every win were replaced by screams of the winning group signifying their joy and excitement. Agents tried their best to win the game but only three remain tough and clever and only one had defeated all the other thirty four agents. Winning second place MinimaxMan Agent having a Minimax algorithm (by Mr. Cedie Justine Baquing, Mr. Justine Dela Cruz, Mr. Ace Javier and Ms. Patricia Anne Napalit) from BSCS 3-3. WeAreFive Agent (by Mr. Joeyboy Robles, Mr. Marc Simon Rancio, Mr. Edward Joseph Villa, Mr. Erwell Rabino and Ms. Coleen Cayetano) having Greedy Algorithm from BSCS 3-1N won the first place. Finally the champion of this year’s competition, Pekwaman Agent from BSCS 3-3 having an Alphabeta Pruning algorithm (by Mr. Rad Renzo Reveche, Mr. Mark Angelo Montesa, Mr. Carl Ian Jonathan Angeles and Mr. Jonathan Elli Vergara). Certificates and recognitions and closing remark were given by Mrs. Ria Sagum to end the programme. Ms. Mariz Genelyn Jose and Ms. Jemma Regina Ogbinar were the masters of the programme. Battle between agents and algorithm has been settled. See you until the next battle.