Negrense students conquer BOTB 2019 grand finals
To better educate the youth about the positive impact of developing renewable energy to fight climate change, the best and brightest students in Negros Island duked it out in a duel of wits during the grand finals of Positive Energy Battle of the Brains (BOTB) 2019 at the Sofia Soller Sinco Hall of Foundation University in Dumaguete City.
Tackling the climate crisis
Ten pairs managed to reach the grand final round after qualifying in their respective legs, namely; Cambagahan National High School and Guihulngan National High School from Bais City, Balugo National High School and Foundation Preparatory Academy from Valencia, STI West Negros University and Dr. Vicente F. Gustilo Memorial National High School from Bacolod City, Technological Foundation Institute and Ramon Torres National High School from Bago City, and Mabinay Science High School and Southland College Kabankalan City Inc. from Kabankalan City.
After the three rounds of questions, Jandale Samillano and Paul Peralta from Southland College Kabankalan City Inc. emerged as BOTB 2019 champions. The duo took home the P30,000 prize, trophy and medals, as well as a guided tour of Energy Development Corp. (EDC) Southern Negros Geothermal Project (SNGP) site located in Valencia, Negros Oriental.
Balugo National High School was declared first runner-up while Guihulngan National High School was second runner-up. Dr. Vicente F. Gustilo Memorial National High School secured the third runner-up spot, and Technological Foundation Institute was named fourth runner-up.
“Negros continues to be at the forefront of environmental preservation, and we, at EDC, are just glad to be a part of it. We need to act now if we want to win the battle against this climate crisis. Let’s all do our share in protecting our planet, beginning with education and awareness,” shares EDC integrated planning head Joel Jay Soriano, the chief architect of this year’s quiz bee.
Sustainability experts unite
Organized by EDC in partnership with Drink Sustainability Communications, the regional science quiz bee is open to junior and senior high school students in Negros. This year’s theme – “renewable energy for a brighter future” – puts the spotlight on shifting to clean, renewable energy sources to decarbonize the planet and make it livable for the next generations.
Celebrity and sustainability advocate Robi Domingo also graced the event as special guest, urging the youth to be part of the solution.
Information and questions used in the quiz bee have been verified by a panel of expert judges composed of CSR team head Norreen Bautista and Engineer Ferdinand Lantaca from EDC, Young Environmental Forum executive director Ludwig Federigan, former Visayas State University (VSU) president Dr. Paciencia Milan and Department of Energy (DOE) Visayas field office OIC-director Rey Maleza.
Now on its fourth year, the BOTB gathered student participants all across Negros in the most-awaited science-based quiz bee of the region. A total of 77 schools participated in this year ’s search, four times higher than the 14 teams who took part during the inaugural event back in 2016.