29 July 2004 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert today underscored the importance of the 2nd Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Quiz in fostering stronger cross-cultural understanding and regional unity.   In congratulating the 28 winners of the regional level competitions of the 2nd ASEAN Quiz who will join the national level competition, Secretary Albert said this competition is “an effective forum among the youths in ASEAN to understand each other’s culture thereby creating an enduring bond of friendship and cooperation among the ASEAN peoples.”

The national level 2nd ASEAN Quiz will be held on July 31, 2004 and will be aired on August 12, 2004 at 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. over the National Broadcasting Network (NBN) Channel 4, with replays on RPN 9 and IBC 13.

“The ASEAN Quiz is a knowledge competition among high school students from member countries of the ASEAN which groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam,” Secretary Albert said. “It is a friendly competition held in the spirit of cross-cultural understanding and regional unity.”

“While this is a competition held in the spirit of ASEAN friendship and unity, I am still looking forward to a good showing by the young entrants from the various public and private schools of our country.” she added

The ASEAN Quiz aims to elicit and foster a spirit of healthy competition among students in the member countries on the topic concerning the region’s cultural, political, economic and social information.

The 1st ASEAN Quiz was held in Bangkok, Thailand in October 2001 where Philippine representatives prevailed both in the individual and team contests.    In the 2001 competition, Retchel Catambay of Region I won first place in the individual competition while Glorian Concepcion of Region IX got the second place in the individual category.      Concepcion was also a member of the team that won first place in the team competition, together with three students from other countries.

The ASEAN Quiz Philippine Organizing Committee includes representatives from the Office of the Press Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Education.

The 2nd ASEAN Quiz counts among its sponsors Nestle Philippines, the Journal Group of Publications, PAGCOR, PhilHealth and Outback Steakhouse

The 28 regional winners who will be joining the national competition are Ruzzel John Recel from Ilocos Sur National High School, Vigan, Ilocos Sur and Dexter Jayrald Catambay of St. Albert the Great School, Dagupan City, both for Region I; Randy Mark Padua of the Cagayan National High School, Tuguegarao City and Jeanafrille Daria of St. Joseph College, Baggao, Cagayan, for Region II.

Elmar Parpan of the Jesus Magsaysay High School, Castillejos, Zambales for Region III; Alex Ian de la Cruz of Cavite National High School and Sheryl Ramirez of University of Batangas for Region IV – A; Josua Pacto of Nabuslot National High School and Hervertson Alfaro of Colegio de San Sebastian for Region IV – B;

Earl DR. Flores of Marikina High Science High School and Lennie Lyn Chua of Philippine Cultural High School for the National Capital Region (NCR); Ma. Victoria Rafaela Zaragoza of Polangui General Comprehensive High School and Criselda Monice Razo of Aquinas University Science High School, for Region V;

Christy Joy Jocsing of Iioilo City National High School and Mariel Madlangbayan of Colegio de San Jose, for Region VI; Miguel Antonio Garcia of Cebu Normal University and Aileen Abuga-a of Sisters of Mary School, for Region VII;

Daryl John Daguman of Samar National High School and Mary Joy Batica of Samar College, for Region VIII; Ryan Roy Camarillo of Sergio Osmena, Zamboanga del Norte and Cyndi Frans Velasco of St. Vincent College, Dipolog City, for Region IX;

Rex Baluyos of Ozamis City National High School and Glenn Anayron of Fatima College of Camiguin, for Region X; Cathy Carpentero of Tagum National High School and Korina Kris Kintanar of St. Mary’s College, for Region XI;

Emmeline Pare of Lagao National High School, for Region XII; Julie Ann Canda of Baguio City National High School – Loakan Annex for Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and April Lene Butao of Agusan National High School, Butuan City for the CARAGA.

Top three winners in the national level will receive cash prizes and trophies and will represent the country in the ASEAN Regional Quiz to be held in Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei Darussalam in September this year.

The criteria for the competition include: proficiency in English (both oral and written), an above average grade in Social Studies in the first two quarters of School Year 2003 – 2004, morally and physically fit, good team player, willingness and parental consent to travel to Manila for the national level competition and Bandar Seri Begawan for the Regional Quiz, and must be computer literate. END