By Philippine News Agency
A Grade 10 student from Baguio City topped the 8th National ASEAN Quiz Bee organized by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Department of Education in Quezon City last April 3-6.
Sixteen-year-old Jericho Villarico of the Baguio City National High School and a resident of Loakan Proper in this city, is now about to prepare to represent the Philippines at the quiz bee's international level, to be held in Bali, Indonesia later this year.
The knowledge competition aims to expose the youth to cultural, political, economic, and social information in the region, particularly of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In an interview on Wednesday, Villarico said he considers the ASEAN Quiz Bee the biggest among the competitions he had joined, since he would represent the country on the international stage.
He said he had been joining quiz competitions, especially if they are endorsed by his coaches, because they present him big opportunities.
The teenager also thanked his parents for their full support.
Villarico received a PHP20,000 cash prize, trophy, and a full college scholarship from Gardner College in Quezon City.
Eva Layagan, Villarico’s coach, said they would continue to review for the Bali tilt, perhaps, intensively in Manila, one to two weeks before the Bali competition.