THE Faculty of Engineering secured its fourth consecutive championship in the 46th Pautakan, the Varsitarian’s intercollegiate quiz competition, outlasting 15 other teams at the St. Pier Giorgio Frassati Auditorium on April 8.
The Engineering team overcame a tight field in the finals, with the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery finishing second with 175 points and the Faculty of Pharmacy placing third with 145.
In the group eliminations, the Alfredo M. Velayo College of Accountancy led all 16 teams with 205 points, followed by the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (200), the Faculty of Pharmacy (185), the Faculty of Engineering (165), and the College of Commerce and Business Administration (155).
Engineering team captain Sophia Gabrielle Suarez said the team’s improved chemistry and support system fueled their title run.
“For this year, mas masaya, mas malawak, and mas memorized ‘yung alam namin,” she told the Varsitarian. “Mas masarap makipag-interact sa teammates, and mas naging participative ‘yung team namin sa practice at training, with stronger support.”
Suarez, who is set to graduate, said the win was especially meaningful as it capped her final year with the team.
Individual category
College of Nursing junior Joachim Benedict del Rosario captured the individual title after edging out Paul Topacio of Medicine in a sudden-death round, 153.5–153, following a tie in the clincher round.
Topacio, last year’s champion, settled for second place, while Engineering’s James Abris finished third with 135 points.
Del Rosario said the victory was more meaningful as a milestone for his college.
“It’s mostly for the college because we haven’t won since 2010, and it’s good to bring it back,” he said. “Of course, I’m happy for myself, but it’s really for the College of Nursing.”
He also topped the individual eliminations with 130 points, followed by Topacio (120). Sean Queja of Accountancy and Abris tied at 90 points, while Jose Dema-ala of the Faculty of Arts and Letters placed next with 75.
Competition proper
In his opening remarks, Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P., urged contestants to value truth, discipline, and wisdom over recognition.
“To our dear contestants: yes, compete. Enjoy the thrill. Trust your preparation. Answer boldly,” he said. “But do not forget that the real victory [is] a mind trained to love truth, a character formed by discipline, and a heart humble enough to know that wisdom is always greater than mere information.”
Participants answered questions across six categories: UST history, history, general information and current events, humanities, science and technology, and mathematics, divided into easy, average, and difficult rounds, with 12 questions per difficulty level.
Resource persons were Jose Victor Torres (UST history), Emmanuel Jeric Albela (history), Jose Ramon Lorenzo (general information and current events), Ralph Semino Galan (humanities), Carl Rogel Inocentes (science and technology), and Mark Dexter de Lara (mathematics).
Serving as quizmasters were former Varsitarian Circle writer Alyanna Tamaray and Tiger TV host Kody Huang for the eliminations, and events host Jessica Asprer and Education alumnus Claude Despabiladeras for the finals.
