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Reference Number :
2008-090

A freshman Medical Laboratory Science student from the Saint Louis University (SLU)-Baguio City won first place in the 2008 Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ) National Finals held at the Ramon Magsaysay Hall, Social Security System (SSS), East Avenue, Quezon City on December 4, 2008. This is the second time that the regional champion representing the Cordillera Administrative Region bagged the PSQ national finals trophy.

Sixteen-year-old Roy Christopher K. Ang answered correctly all the 10 questions in the third and final round to ensure his lead over the 15 other national finalists. It is like history repeating itself as way back in 1999, Daryl Abiog, a 17-year old BS Mathematics freshman also from SLU-Baguio likewise scored perfect in the final round besting 14 other regional representatives all over the country and was declared national champion of the 9th PSQ.

Being the 17th PSQ National Champion, Ang was awarded a cash prize of PhP25,000, a PSQ medal, and a specially designed trophy, among others. His coach, Nora S. Umalla was also given a special recognition and PhP12,500 cash reward.

Second placer of the Quiz was Rimson E. Junio from Mapua Institute of Technology (National Capital Region). Tie breaking questions had to be administered using the sudden death rule among the regional champions from Regions 4-B, 6, and 9 to determine the third, fourth, and fifth placers. After two questions, Eric James A. Magay, Palawan State University (MIMAROPA), settled for the fifth place after giving an incorrect answer.

Ten questions had not been enough to break the tie for the third and fourth places between the national finalists from Western Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula. The Board of Judges then decided to divide equally the combined cash prizes for the third and fourth places between the two contestants and to administer the tossing of coin just to determine as to who would bring home the bigger trophy. After the tossing of the coin, Ralph Anthony A. Espos, Ateneo de Zamboanga University got the third place trophy while Rosa Lea S. Baldevarona, University of the Philippines-Visayas was handed the fourth place trophy.

Administrator Carmelita N. Ericta of the National Statistics Office (NSO) together with Philippine Statistical Association (PSA) President Nieves L. Osorio and Pilipinas Telserv, Inc. (PTI) Director for Marketing and Quality Assurance Raffy S. David, awarded the top five national winners and their coaches with their respective cash prizes and other goodies.

The announcement of the national winners was made by Director Romeo S. Recide of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) and a member of the Board of Judges. This year's Board of Judges was chaired by Dr. Romulo A. Virola, Secretary-General of the National Statistical Coordination Board. The other judge was Dr. Mercedes B. Concepcion, a noted demographer and academician from the National Academy of Science and Technology.

Earlier, on November 13, regional championships were simultaneously held nationwide. The first placers from each region, who must be Filipino citizens and first-time freshmen enrolled in any public or private college or university and, who have met the required cut-off cumulative score set forth in the contest mechanics became the official representatives to the 17th PSQ National Finals.

For this year, only 16 regional champions qualified for the national finals and they were all recognized and awarded with certificate of recognition and medals during the pre-finals night. The colleges/universities where they are currently enrolled as well as the high schools where they graduated from were also given certificates of recognition.

The other regional champions who joined the national finals were: Margie Lyn E. Gacayan (Ilocos Region); Ma. Angelica Goldamier C. Cannu (Cagayan Valley), Christian D. Calonzo (Central Luzon), Heinrich Sean F. Fabregas (CALABARZON); Khristine C. Villaraza (Bicol Region); Lucky B. Bajalla (Central Visayas), Ruel Ryan A. Rosal (Eastern Visayas), Melvin P. Lacia (Northern Mindanao); Anjelica Izabelle F. Napala (Davao Region), Mark Anthony S. Matampac (SOCCSKSARGEN); and, Arthur M. Amora (Caraga).

This year's contest is a collaborative effort of sponsors and partners from the government and the private sector. Sponsors from the government are SSS, Home Development Mutual Fund, National Power Corporation, National Transmission Corporation, Government Service Insurance System, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management, Department of Labor and Employment-Office of the Secretary, Statistical Research and Training Center; UP School of Statistics, Philippine Institute for Development Studies, BAS; Department of Science and Technology; and, National Food Authority.

Major partners from the private sector are Unisys Philippines; PTI; APO Production Unit, Inc.; Census Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative; JACALA Metal works; Shell Philippines; Census Provident Fund, Inc.; Achievers Security Agency, Philippines, Inc.; EPSON Philippines Corporation; Advance Solutions, Inc.; China Banking Corporation; HMR Philippines, Inc.; Philippine Nikkeijin Mutual Foundation, Inc.; Magneto Enterprises and, Nestle Philippines.

Individuals who also extended their support to the PSQ include Senators Mar Roxas, Panfilo Lacson and Rodolfo Biazon; Raquel S. Manuel; Erlinda L/Randell T. Carman; Anna Sy; Josephine German, Ramon R. Navea III; Jaime Dimacali, Col. A. Abogado, Karen Galfo; and, E.Gaite/A. Policena. NSO Deputy Administrator Paula Monina G. Collado served as the quizmaster for the 2008 PSQ National Finals while Clemente S. Manaog, Chairperson, PSQ Secretariat, was the master of ceremonies.

The PSQ aims to assess the competency and skills of college freshmen in statistics as acquired from high school. The NSO and the PSA have been conducting the yearly undertaking since 1992 to promote public awareness and appreciation of statistics. In 1994, the Commission on Higher Education began endorsing the annual competition.

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