Carl Ian John Hallazgo, Biology Department
One hundred ninety-two (192) junior and senior high school students from Regions X, XI, and XII participated in the elimination round of the Philippine Biology Olympiad (PBO) 2024 with the theme “SULONG”, which was overseen by the XU Biology Department and the Biophilic Society last 3 February 2024 at the XU Engineering Building.
The participating schools were Corpus Christi School, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology – Integrated Developmental School Senior High School, Mindanao State University – Marawi Senior High School, Misamis Occidental National High School, Oro Christian Grace School, Ozamiz City National High School, and Xavier University Junior High School, representing Northern Mindanao; Ateneo de Davao University Senior High School, Calinan National High School, Daniel R Aguinaldo National High School, and Philippine Science High School Southern Mindanao Campus, representing Davao Region; and Kidapawan City National High School representing SOCCSKSARGEN region.
THE PARTICIPANTS OF PBO 2024: SULONG. The junior and senior high school participants pose for a group photo. Photo by Francheska Villareal.
Apart from Xavier Ateneo, 973 participants took the elimination round examinations at the various testing centers all over the nation including Ateneo de Manila University, Ateneo de Naga University, Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu, Ateneo de Zamboanga, Philippine Science High School – Ilocos Region Campus, and Philippine Science High School – Caraga Region Campus.
Those who will pass the elimination round will proceed to the semifinal round on 15 to 16 March, while the final round will be held on 17 March at Ateneo de Manila University.
The top four participants based on the combined Theoretical Exams and Practical Exams scores will be delegated to represent the Philippine Team in the International Biology Olympiad 2024 in Astan, Kazakhstan this year from 7 to 14 July.
The competition aims to raise the standards of learning and education in biology through sufficiently difficult exams that thoroughly test participants’ ability to think critically and perform evidence-based analyses of biological concepts and data; fairly screen the best students among the participants, and be able to successfully select students with the greatest potential and ability to perform well in the International Biology Olympiad; and finally, give students experience in practical applications of biology and train their ability to read and comprehend readings on laboratory methods.
THE BIOPHILIC OFFICERS IN ACTION. Officers of the Biophilic Society, the student body of the university’s biology program, pose for a group photo for a job well done organizing and managing the event. Photo by Francheska Villareal.