The search for the country's young statistics geniuses is on as the National Statistics Office (NSO) and the Philippine Statistical Association (PSA) announce the schedule of activities for the 20th Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ). The quiz is open to Filipino first-time freshmen students currently enrolled in colleges and universities all over the country.

The PSQ is an annual competition which aims to promote, enhance, and instill appreciation on the value of the statistics among Filipino youth. It likewise hopes to measure the contenders' knowledge of statistics as acquired from the secondary education curriculum. It also seeks to generate greater public awareness on the importance of statistics in development planning and gain better cooperation in government statistical activities.

This year, regional championships will be held simultaneously on November 17. The regional champions shall then compete in the National Finals set in Manila on December 6.

At stake for the top five winners in the PSQ National Finals are cash and trophies, among others. All regional champions will also be awarded during the National Finals with a PSQ medal and a certificate of recognition. Their respective coaches, the college or university where they are currently enrolled, as well as the high school where they graduated from, will likewise be given certificates of recognition.

Last year, Gabrielle Paul S. Pascual, a Medical Laboratory Science student from the St. Louis University in Baguio City, brought home the 19th PSQ National Championship trophy. He was awarded a cash prize of PhP25,000, a PSQ medal, and a specially designed trophy, among others. His coach, Nora U. De Vera, was also given a special recognition and PhP12,500 cash reward.

Interested students and coaches should register with the PSQ Regional Steering Committee through the NSO Regional Office for the regional championships. Participants, supporters, and all those interested to know more about the 2011 Philippine Statistics Quiz may contact the PSQ Secretariat either by phone at 716-0734 and 713-7074 or via e-mail at PSQ20-Secretariat@census.gov.ph