TUPV ranks 4th in Regional Philippine Statistics Quiz

Fernandez, Ken Dominic Alberione M. Ledesma, Franz Edward D. Mercado, and Neil Joseph P. Ursal, under the guidance of their coach, Engr. Ramnyl John A. Abeto, who was also a quizzer in 2016.

“It was the trust [in] each other and acknowledging our weaknesses,” Fernandez shared in an interview with The Philippine Artisan Visayas (TPAV) when asked the reason behind their success. “The most important thing is that we had a goal—to give our best— and we held on to that goal until the end.”

A total of 24 collegiate teams from all over the country participated in the event, and after a three-way tie between TUPV, De La Salle University–Manila (DLSU-M), and Mindanao State University (MSU) in the second to the last question of the quiz bee, DLSU eventually seized the gold, MSU settled for silver, and TUPV landed on the podium, which was a feat last achieved in 2015.

“The win was not expected, only that I believed in them and in their capabilities,” Engr. Abeto stated in an interview with the TPAV staff when asked about the quizzers’ performance. “Seeing them [sit] in front and [answer] questions was enough for me to be fulfilled in my task as their coach.”

Apart from the quiz show, TUPV also placed 9th in the first-ever IECEP Math Olympiad, one of the five academic competitions in the summit, which was held last Nov. 15 at the same venue.

Technological University of the Philippines Visayas’ (TUPV) representative, Rafael Gabrielle Arcolas of the first-year mechanical engineering program, secured the fourth place in the 26th Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ) Regional Championships last Nov. 14, held at the Regional Development Council (RDC) Hall, National Economic Development Authority VI Office, Iloilo City.

After placing third in the PSQ Provincial Eliminations with Jacob Rebuyas and Jan Michael Ortaliz, Arcolas, one of the three highest pointers in the said elimination round, battled against 15 quizzers from the six provinces of Western Visayas, under the guidance of their coach, Engr. Joenilo Duran.

“I tried my best to make time for the preparations and focus on myself,” Arcolas said. “I had less time for review because it was also our midterm exams so I prioritized studying and finishing backlogs.”

Arcolas also expressed in an interview that he preferred studying in places with few distractions but liked to play music while reading. He took breaks whenever he felt exhausted, and there were times that he consulted the internet whenever he did not understand a concept or a word.

Participants in the said event were Mary Vernice B. Tembrevilla, a secondyear ECE student; and Emmanuel E. Bedayo and Harley John B. Gelvoleo, who were both first-year ECE students, under the supervision of their coach, Engr. May Ricciel R. Benitez.

A total of 19 competing teams from various provinces in the country joined the olympiad, where the Technological University of the Philippines Manila emerged as champions, while Cavite State University–Indang and St. Louis University finished 1st and 2nd runner–up, respectively.

With the theme, “Electronics Engineers in the Forefront of Nation Building,” both academic competitions covered the ECE board exam subjects with Mathematics and General Engineering and Applied Sciences (GEAS) for the Math Olympiad, and for the quiz show, in addition to the two mentioned, it also covered Electronics and Electronics Systems and Technologies (EST).

Furthermore, Ortaliz and Rebuyas applauded their teammate’s performance, expressing that he kept his composure and aced the contest with his innate intelligence.

“From what I can remember about our competition, I can attest that Rafael [was] indeed composed and [didn’t] feel any pressure,” Ortaliz shared.

Rebuyas also added that Arcolas, despite the lack of review and preparations, nailed the competition and became part of the regional participants.

Finishing first, second, and third places in the regional championships were the University of Saint La Salle (USLS), Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U), and Aklan State University (ASU), respectively.