Sixteen Secondary Schools from the different areas in Bukidnon divided into 23 teams with three students per team competed to this year’s 4th Provincial-wide Inter-High School Histolympiad held at the University Convention Center, August 23.
The activity was organized by the College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Social Sciences, and the Herodotus Society – student organization of the AB History in celebration of the History Month.
The theme for this celebration is “Kasaysayan bahagi ng ating nakaraan Gabay sa Kinabukasan.” Former President Benigno Aquino signed the proclamation No. 339 that declared August as the History month because of the Filipinos historical past.
In the welcome remarks, Dr. Leo G. Labrador, Dean of the College, commended Meshelle M. Rivera, the former chair of the Department of Social Sciences and chair of the Histolympiad Committee for spearheading the activity.
“By coming here this morning, it all signifies that you [students] are all winners because not everyone represents your school in this particular contest,” Dr. Labrador said. He also extended his gratitude to the participating schools for being one in the celebration of the History month.
According to him, knowledge of history gives us the identity as Filipinos “… and it gives meaning to what it is today and what the future lies.” He supplemented that Histolympiad is not just a competition but an opportunity to enjoy, build friendships, and have fun.
The Histolympiad is a battle of the brains in a quiz bowl contest. The quiz is categorized in 3 rounds – Easy (5 points for every correct answer), Moderate (7 points for every correct answer), and Difficult (10 points for every correct answer).
Bukidnon National High School (Team 1) – John Dave M. Manos, Zyllah Lexine M. Serona, and Janna Aisha Rebote was proclaimed as this years’ champion with their coach Griezl Donna Wayne L. Sulogan. It was followed by the Valencia National High School (Team 1) garnered as 1st runner-up and Bukidnon National High School (Team 2) as the 2nd runner-up.
John Dave M. Manos, one of the winners, revealed in an interview that they underwent extensive reading, researching, and studying. Another student shared that they have prepared the test questionnaire and reviewed by group.
According to Belinda C. Del Rosario, one of the BNHS coaches, she shared that they have prepared highly analytical questions to train the mind of their students in the difficult test. “We get different references and test… we make it through to push our students to double time in reading,” she added.
These were the following schools who joined the contest: Valencia NHS, Nuestra Senora Del Pilar HS, Kiburiao NHS, Bugcaon NHS, Saint Jude Thaddeus HS, Bukidnon NHS, Manolo Fortich NHS, Malaybalay City National Science HS, Central Bukidnon Institute, Dologon NHS, Pangantucan NHS, Bukidnon Faith Christian School Incorporated, Bangcud NHS, Roman C. Villalon Memorial Colleges Foundation Incorporated High School Department, Infant Jesus School of Bukidnon, and New Nongnongan NHS. (Maejoy L. Talisay)