By Carl Ian John Hallazgo | Biology Department

Thirty-one (31) junior high school students from Regions IX, X, and XIII participated in the Elimination Round of the Philippine Biology Olympiad 2023 with the theme LUNDAG, which was overseen by the Biology Department and its student organization, Biophilic Society, held at the Science Center Building last February 4, 2023.

The participating schools were Arturo Eustaquio Memorial Science High School, Ateneo de Zamboanga University – Senior High School, Universidad de Zamboanga - Senior High School, and Universidad de Zamboanga Technical High School; all of which are in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur; Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology Integrated Developmental School, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Mindanao State University – Marawi Senior High School, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, Oro Christian Grace School, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Philippine Science High School – Central Mindanao Campus, Baloi, Lanao del Norte; and Philippine Science High School – Caraga Region Campus, Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte.

There were 315 participants who took the Elimination Round examinations at the various testing centers aside from Xavier Ateneo, including Ateneo de Manila University, Ateneo de Naga University, Philippine Science High School – Ilocos Region Campus, Sacred Heart School –Ateneo de Cebu, Philippine Science High School – Western Visayas Campus, and Ateneo de Davao University.

To proceed to the Semi-Finals, a contestant must be part of the Top 55 with the highest combined Theoretical and Practical exam curved scores in the Eliminations. Out of the 31 participants from the three competing regions, four of them made it to the Semi-Final Round. They were Raphael Joseph Gaane of Oro Christian Grace School, Miguel Paolo Mabunay of Philippine Science High School – Central Mindanao Campus, Alyannah Macala of Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology Integrated Developmental School, and Yi Lin Yan of Oro Christian Grace School.

To proceed to the Finals, a contestant must be part of the Top 20 with the highest combined Theoretical and Practical exam curved scores in the Semi-Finals.

The top 4 participants based on the combined Finals - Theoretical Exams and Finals - Practical Exams scores will be delegated to represent the Philippine Team in the International Biology Olympiad 2023 in the United Arab Emirates.

 

THE 16 JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PARTICIPANTS BELONGING TO GROUP 1 OF THE ELIMINATION ROUND OF PBO 2023: LUNDAG. The Group 1 participants pose for a group photo. Photo by Bryan Dulongan.

THE 15 JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PARTICIPANTS BELONGING TO GROUP 2 OF THE ELIMINATION ROUND OF PBO 2023: LUNDAG. The Group 2 participants pose for a group photo. Photo by Bryan Dulongan.