IN 1976, amid the perilous early years of martial law in the Philippines that brought many student-led activities to a halt, the Varsitarian launched a quiz competition that would later become a cherished tradition in UST.
President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. had placed the entire Philippines under military rule in 1972, resulting in the dissolution of student-led organizations, including UST’s Supreme Student Council (now the Central Student Council).
Four years into the military rule, UST opted not to reinstate the student council. Instead, it formed the Student Organization Coordinating Council (SOCC), a decision initially met with skepticism among students.
It was the SOCC, eager to add more activities to the University Week celebrations in January 1976, that tapped the Varsitarian to organize an intercollegiate quiz competition.
The proposal was not met with enthusiasm by the “V” staffers.
“We were already busy publishing three issues a month. I even argued with the Assistant to the Rector for Student Affairs, saying, ‘It’s not our job to run a quiz contest,’” recalled Jesselynn Garcia-de la Cruz, then editor in chief. “He just laughed and said, ‘Kaya niyo ‘yan. The Varsitarian is the best group to handle this!’”
Despite the initial reluctance, the staff embraced the challenge and, unknowingly, laid the groundwork for what would eventually be known as Pautakan, the longest-running intercollegiate quiz contest in the Philippines.
“Our greatest asset was the willingness of the team to take on the challenge,” De la Cruz said. “And the colleges and faculties were eager to join. That said a lot about how the ‘V’ was seen at the time.”
“No one thought it would become something historic,” she said. “We were just students trying to meet deadlines and finish our degrees.”
The Varsitarian’s first quiz competition featured categories like general information, current events, science, math, Philippine history, and UST History — many of which remain part of the Pautakan today.
Two years after its debut, the competition was officially named Pautakan to distinguish it from other quiz bees in the University.
The title evolved further over time, from “Annual Intercollegiate Quiz Contest” in 1980 to “Brainstorm” in 1981.
In 1982, the publication formally adopted the name “Pautakan,” which has remained unchanged since.
However, UST was not immune to the political turbulence of the era. In 1986, amid growing unrest, Rector Fr. Norberto Castillo, O.P. suspended all extracurricular activities, including Pautakan, during the final months of the academic year.
The competition resumed the following year, after Marcos Sr. stepped down from power.
Nearly five decades later, Pautakan remains a highlight of the academic calendar. Its 45th edition, set for April 28 at the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, O.P. Auditorium, is part of UST’s official 414th anniversary activities.
For Garcia-de la Cruz, who later became assistant publications adviser of the Varsitarian and editor of the CBCP Monitor, the enduring relevance of Pautakan is a testament to Thomasians’ competitive spirit.
But she also reminded students that the contest is about more than just winning.
“Competition inspires aspiration and achievement,” she said. “You just want to do a good job, and maybe improve next time. That’s what keeps it going — it builds something in you.”
“No one could’ve predicted how far it would go, or how technology would change everything,” she said. “Being the longest-running intercollegiate quiz competition is quite the accolade, but we should aim for more than just longevity.”
