The National Statistics Office and the Philippine Statistical Association invite college freshmen to join the19th Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ). This year's battle for the nation's young statistics whizzes is open to Filipino first-time freshmen students currently enrolled in colleges and universities all over the country.

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

NSO Administrator Carmelita Ericta, chairperson of National Steering Committee, announced that this year’s simultaneous regional championships will be held on November 23 while the National Finals is set in Manila on December 8. Interested students and coaches should register with the PSQ Regional Steering Committee through the NSO Regional Office for the regional championships.

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, Abdel Aziz Alfad emerged as the 18th PSQ National Champion beating 16 other contestants. Alfad came from the Ateneo de Zamboanga University where he is taking up BS Mathematical Sciences. He was awarded a cash prize of PhP25,000, a PSQ medal and a specially designed trophy, among others. His coach, Abner Alvarez, was also given a special recognition and PhP12,500 cash reward.

Participants, supporters, and all those interested to know more about the 2010 Philippine Statistics Quiz may contact the PSQ Secretariat either by phone at 716-0734 and 713-7074 or via e-mail at PSQ19-Secretariat@census.gov.ph