A freshman Electronics and Communications Engineering student from the Ateneo de Zamboanga University bested 16 other regional champions to give Zamboanga Peninsula its second national championship trophy in the Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ). The 20th PSQ was held last December 6, 2011 at the Assembly Hall of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in Malate, Manila.
Sixteen-year old Efren A. Medallo scored a total of 33 points in three rounds of questions and answers on statistical concepts, theories and problems to ensure his one-point lead over Raoul Danniel A. Manuel of Region VI and Zamina C. Sabenecio of Region X. No tie-breaking question was administered to break the tie for second place between Manuel and Sabenecio after applying the contest rule which states that in the event of a tie in the cumulative scores after the last round, the ranking of the contestants will be determined by their scores in the first round. Manuel, who was declared the second placer, got eight points in the first round while Sabenecio, who ranked third, obtained only seven points.
Meanwhile, Neil Jordan L. Chua Goy of the National Capital Region (NCR) placed fourth. A tie was recorded for the fifth place between Robert Allan E. Buendia of CALABARZON and Jay Lorenz L. Dungog of Region VII but after determining their scores in the first round, Buendia was declared the fifth placer.
Other regional champions who joined the contest were Brylle Domerson M. Turalba of the Cordillera Administrative Region; Eidan Cesar D. Rivera of Region I; Mark Anjo D. Luyun of Region II; Mark Anthony A. Ros of Region III; Franz Gio M. Mangi of MIMAROPA; Joshua N. Belchez of Region V; Norvim A. Hombre of Region VIII; Jessa Lynne S. Cañazares of Region XI; Felipe B. Santillan, Jr. of Region XII; Fredierick S. Remonde of Caraga; and Michelle T. Panganduyon of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Cash prizes for the top five placers ranged from P10,000 for the fifth-placer to P30,000 for the PSQ champion. Likewise, respective winning coaches received a cash prize equivalent to half of their ward's prize aside from a special recognition from the PSQ organizers. Medallo, being this year's champion, was awarded PhP30,000, a PSQ medal, and a specially designed trophy. His coach, Daisy M. Quisel, was likewise given a special recognition and a cash prize of PhP15,000. All national finalists were awarded plaque of recognition and PSQ medals. The colleges/universities where they are currently enrolled as well as the high schools where they graduated were also given certificates of appreciation.
Secretary-General Romulo A. Virola of the National Statistical Coordination Board chaired the Board of Judges. Director Romeo S. Recide of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics and Dr. Mercedes B. Concepcion of the National Academy of Science and Technology served as members. Dr. Jose Ramon G. Albert, Senior Research Fellow of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies served as the quizmaster.
The PSQ is a nationwide search for young statistics whizzes that began in 1992 spearheaded by the National Statistics Office and the Philippine Statistical Association.
Major sponsors for this year's PSQ include Unisys Corporation, APO Production Unit, Inc., SM Business Services, Pilipinas Teleserv, Inc., Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Department of Labor and Employment - Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics, Census Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Census Provident Fund, Inc., Union of Statistics Employees, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, UP Statistical Research Foundation, Inc., National Statistical Coordination Board, Statistical Research and Training Center, Banco de Oro, Adriano Laquindanum (JACALA), and Ms. Anna Sy.