WHO will be this year's champions in the much awaited Battle of the Brains-Negros (BOTB) grand finals?
After a series of grueling elimination rounds, 10 schools will finally face off in the BOTB grand finals on October 3 at the Foundation University in Dumaguete City.
The regional inter-high school quiz bee is organized annually by geothermal leader Energy Development Corporation (EDC).
The 10 grand finalists all won in the five semi-final round that EDC held in various locations across Negros Island: Cambagahan National High School and Guihulngan National High School from the Bais City, Negros Oriental leg; Balugo National High School and Foundation Preparatory Academy from the Valencia,Negros Oriental leg; STI West Negros University and Dr. Vicente F. Gustilo Memorial National High School from the Bacolod City, Negros Occidental leg; Technological Foundation Institute and Ramon Torres National High School from the Bago City, Negros Occidental leg; and Mabinay Science High School and Southland College of Kabankalan City, Inc. from the Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental leg.
With the theme "Renewable Energy for a Brighter Future," the regional science quiz bee for junior and senior high schools aims to continue spreading awareness on the importance of renewable energy as one of the solutions to fighting climate change.
"This year's competition will be the most challenging and we hope, also the most fun," said Norreen G. Bautista, head of EDC's Corporate Social Responsibility teams in Negros Island and Mt. Apo.
"Most of all, may all participants -- from the grand finalists to the audiences -- also learn the most about their own role in preserving our planet for their bright future," she added.
Now on its fourth year, a total of 77 schools participated in the semi-finals held in five key areas in Negros Island. The number of participating schools has more than quintupled over the years. When the quiz bee first started in 2016, only 14 schools participated. This number grew to 45 schools in 2017, and then to 69 schools in 2018.
All the information and questions used throughout the competition have been verified by a panel of expert judges composed of Ludwig O. Federigan, the Executive Director of Young Environmental Forum; Dr. Paciencia Milan, former President of the Visayas State University (VSU); and Engr. Keelvin Ed Dajao, Senior Science Research Specialist at the Department of Energy (DOE).
This year, EDC continued its four-year partnership with creative agency Drink Sustainability Communications to mount the regional quiz bee. For more information on the contest mechanics and a complete list of participants, visit www.facebook.com/PositiveEnergyNegros.
EDC is the country's premier renewable energy company and one of the world's largest geothermal producers. Its geothermal facilities in Valencia, Negros Oriental has been providing clean, renewable, reliable power 24/7 to Negros Island and other parts of the Visayas region for over 36 years. (PR)