A CORDILLERAN will lead the Philippine delegates to the 8th Asean International Quiz Bee competition in Bali, Indonesia in November this year.
Jericho Villarico, an incoming Grade 11 student of Baguio City High School is the overall winner in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Quiz Bee held recently in Manila which was participated by all regions in the country.
Villarico who received a trophy and P20, 000 cash prize will lead the Philippine team composed of Wynkqui Anne Cruz of Rizal High School Pasig representing the National Capital Region (NCR) who finished second and Davao region's Kim Eric Delicano of Davao del Sur School of Fisheries who was third.
The three students also won full college scholarships from Gardner College while their coaches and their respective schools received Plaques of Recognition.
On Tuesday, May 15, the Department of Education (DepEd) Baguio Division Office presented Villarico and his coach Eva Lagayan during the flag raising ceremony at the Baguio City Hall together with the other outstanding and accomplished students of the city.
In his message, Villarico thanked the city government for the support and commendation it has extended.
He said that the chance of representing Baguio City, the Cordillera region and the Philippines in an international event is an overwhelming task that they will really have to prepare.
He shared the he did not expect to win and become the champion in the Asean competition since he and his coach had a very short time to prepare but by the support of the various individuals and by the grace of God, he made it.
“This competition made me realize that anything is possible through God,” he said.
A very promising teenager, Villarico, among the several young Filipinos who were recognized for their outstanding science projects during the grand finals of the Search for the Wyeth Nutrition Kid Innovators in 2015.
Villarico developed the Auto-Call Doorknob to reduce the incidence of burglary by giving a more efficient alternative to home alarms.
The Auto-Call Doorknob is programmed to directly contact the homeowner when an intruder attempts to open the door.
It also takes a picture of the intruder, which may serve as an evidence for investigation.
Meanwhile, Mayor Mauricio Domogan commended Villarico and his coach for the accomplishment they have garnered which gave historical recognition to the city of Baguio and the Cordillera region.
He called on the DepEd and the teachers to continue to nurture the knowledge and develop the talents of students to become productive professionals and good citizens of the community in the future.
Spearheaded by the People’s Television Network, as the implementing agency, the national tilt was conducted with the support of the government partner agencies such as the Department of Foreign Affairs, DepEd, Presidential Communications Operations Office, Philippine Information Agency and the Philippine Broadcasting Service. (Redjie Melvic Cawis/PIA-CAR)