THEY clicked. They conquered.
A new batch of champions emerges from the recently-concluded Visayas and Mindanao leg of the country's first and only traveling high-tech quiz show called "Pasiklaban sa Paaralan."
They are Arianwen Rollan of University of San Carlos, Cedric Fritz Biso of Central Philippine University, Janley Molina of Aklan Catholic College, Ma. Criztianne Joy Dieta of Filamer Christian University, Henilyn Chu of Catherina Cittadini (St. Louis) School, Maedy Tepacia of Andres Bonifacio College, Xavier Jefferson Ray Go of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School, Khalil Milanes of Holy Child High School, Khiezia Keren Uganap of Kidapawan Southern Baptist Elementary School, Syra Leen Yabes of King's College of Marbel, Inc., Patricia Mae Lim of Shalom Crest Wizard Academy, Rhodalyn Hernandez of Do¤a Pilar Learning Center, Herbert Patrick Lobres of Holy Cross of Mintal, Maria Isabel Cafe of Bohol Wisdom School and Rodolfo Mito Rodriguez of Samar College for the grade school category.
These young geniuses are, by themselves, testimonies of what a superior learning classroom set-up can achieve for the young learners.
The organizer, Diwa Learning Systems, sees the competition as a way of promoting ICT usage in the classroom to produce what they call "future-proofed students".
In the high school division, the new batch of high tech whiz kid champs are Christabelle Escudero of University of Lapu-Lapu & Mandaue, Mary Clecette Abordo of Colegio de San Jose, Kristine Astorga of Infant Jesus School, Byoung Chie Seo of Filamer Christian University, Jamil Publico of Diaz College, Shiela Marie Dadula of Saint Estanislao Kostka College, Julshabar Halil of Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology, Elidesa Mae Cajeles of Jimenez Bethel Institute, Yahairah Guiamla of Notre Dame of Cotabato, Joezryl Von Baluran of Notre Dame - Siena College of Polomolok, Shawn Elijah Gulay of The Heritage Academy of the Philippines, Justine John Sale of Panabo Christian School, Ma. Jeulina Alexi Damalerio of St. Augustine International School and Reil Abucay of Bohol Island State University.
"At best, our schools, where we mold our future human resources, should come close to the 21st century workplace environment. Social networking, gaming and other web-based interactions have already gained much ground in the lives of our young learners and so our classrooms should not be left behind," says Diwa Learning Systems Vice President Jose Maria T. Policarpio.
With ICT as their partners, the Visayas and Mindanao whiz kids are preparing as they up for more competitions. The "Pasiklaban sa Paaralan" continues to travel to the rest of the country with its custom-built van equipped with 10 laptops, which are used as playing consoles; a server that is the "brain" of the competition; a mobile sound system; and LCD projectors.