Showing posts with label international. Show all posts

Sports: UPIS VST veterans experience international stage



Ernest Arceo, David De Layola, Ryan Dimayuga, and Drew Magbag of the University of the Philippines Integrated School Varsity Swimming Team (UPIS VST) joined the Philippine Team in the recently concluded 29th Summer Universiade last August 19-31, 2017 in Taipei, Taiwan.

The Summer Universiade also known as the World University Games is an international sporting competition held in different countries biennially. The Philippine Swimming League held an open try-outs for swimmers and the 4 senior members of the UPISVST were chosen.

“Nakita ko na malayo pa yung level ng Philippine swimming compared sa ibang bansa like Italy,” De Layola said when asked about his thoughts after the competition. “Malayo pa ako sa peak ko,” he added.

Palarong Pambansa standout Magbag performed well in the 50m and 100m Breastroke and 4x100 medley relay but did not earn a podium finish.

Arceo and Dimayuga also tried to snatch a medal in their 4x100 Freestyle Relay Event but were overpowered by their European counterparts as Dimayuga and De Layola also fell short in the 100m Backstroke and 4x200 Freestyle Relay Event, respectively.

“Syempre blessed kasi napili for international competition. Once in a lifetime to para sa [amin] na marepresent ang Philippines,” Arceo shared when asked about his experience. “Sana next time magkaroon ulit ng opportunity,” he concluded. // by Bryan Lina, Carlos Laderas


FORTIFIED. UPIS swimmers who are part of the Philippine team brace themselves before their events in Universaide 2017 at the National Taiwan Sports University Arena. Photo Credit: Drew Magbag

Bornilla takes home bronze in IESO 2017



UPIS Grade 12 student Adrian Bornilla won bronze in the International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) held last August 21-30 in Nice, France.

REPRESENT. Members and mentors of the Philippine team hold the Philippine flag with great pride just before their flight to France. (L-R) Prof. Miguel Cano, Mikhail Torio, Eugene Toribio, Janine Juachon, Adrian Bornilla, and Dr. Marietta de Leon. Photo Credit: Prof. Miguel Cano
The annual IESO tests its participants’ skills in all major areas of earth sciences such as geology, geophysics, meteorology, hydrology, and astronomy. The tests consisted of two written exams that focused on the said areas, as well as four practical exams that required them to do lab tests and field work.

Bornilla ranked among the top 30% of 120 students from the 29 participating countries, resulting in a bronze medal finish.

Three other students from Philippine Science High School, namely Mikhail Torio from the Main Campus, Eugene Toribio from the Bicol Campus, and Janine Juachon from the Central Luzon Campus were sent with Bornilla to represent the Philippines.

There were other activities prepared by the IESO such as the International Team Field Investigation (ITFI) and the Earth Science Project (ESP). Each activity required members of the Philippine team to collaborate with students from other countries, emphasizing IESO’s objective to foster camaraderie among the students.

Competing individually, they bagged multiple awards namely 2 silvers and 2 bronzes from the main event, 1 gold and 1 silver from the ITFI, and 1 gold from the ESP. Of the medals, Bornilla won the gold for his participation in the ITFI.

“Ang IESO ay isang unique and humbling experience kasi it’s been so long since the Philippines last participated in the competition,” Bornilla shared. “Sobrang competitive nung atmosphere yet sobrang fun kasi we were able to meet different students from different cultures.”

The Philippine team was trained by members of the International Geoscience Education Organization namely Prof. Miguel C. Cano and Dr. Marietta De Leon.

It has been six years since the Philippines last competed in the IESO. // by Rad Pascual, Raymund Creencia, Chesca Santiago, and Hannah Manalo

Sports: Magbag clinches gold in Australian swim meet

Student-athlete Drew Magbag won a total of six medals in the Indian Ocean All-Star Challenge held in Perth, Australia last April 1-8.

Magbag brought home four (4) gold and two (2) silver medals and was able to break two records in the 200, Individual Medley and 200m Breaststroke.

When asked how he prepared, he answered, “Una, syempre po continuous and focused sa training, minimum of 6 times a week po ang swim. Pangalawa, dapat laging kumakain, 3 main meals and 3 snacks, wala naman pong diet na sinusunod. And last, a week before dapat hindi na po nagpupuyat.”

It was Magbag's first time to represent the Philippines in this international tilt.

“Super happy ako syempre and very proud ako sa sarili ko. Na kahit papaano may nauwi ako na medals and records even though hindi ko na-medal lahat ng events ko, I’m still very proud sa sarili ko,” he said when asked about how he felt about his achievements. / by Zita Pedragosa

Sports: UPIS VST members to represent the Philippines in international competitions

Drew Benett Magbag of 9-Silver and Pricila Loren Aquino of 10-Lauan, members of the UPIS Varsity Swimming Team (UPIS VST) will be participating in international swimming competitions this year.

Magbag was timed 1:10 in the 100m breaststroke in the Philippine Swimming League. His impressive finish became his ticket to entering the Indian Ocean All Star Challenge to be held in Australia in April.

On the other hand, Aquino’s 2:32 time in the 200m Individual Medley qualified her for the July World University Games in South Korea.

Together with other Filipino representatives, they will be competing against well-known swimmers around the world.

With high hopes, Magbag promised, “I will do my best and try to bring home the bacon,” while Aquino said, “I will try my best for the Philippines. (I will give my) full effort.” / by Patricia Enriquez and Quiela Salazar

"Stop the Bull" campaign launched

Members of the Revolution Tour Group came all the way from New Zealand to bring UPIS their anti-bullying campaign entitled “Stop the Bull” last September 5, 2013.
Performers from the Revolution Tour Group of New Zealand
launched their campaign to UPIS student leaders.

With their motto, "No bull at my school", the campaign aims to make a positive change in eliminating all kinds of bullying through spreading their advocacy in schools all over the world.

Their act was filled with singing and dancing but Stop the Bull's highlight was a skit on how bullying is in New Zealand, using it as example to inform the students on why bullies harm others and how they become bullies. A speech was shared about an experience from someone bullied, and on how he discovered why their school bully became one.

The group also shared a little about New Zealand's culture by teaching the students a special dance called Haka. The event ended with a prayer and a promise not to bully or to get bullied. / by Czarina Sikat and Alissa Villareal

Feature: Jaime Mejia: A Role Model and Inspiration

The life of a student-athlete is never easy. They have to find time to study their lessons and finish their requirements. Besides these, they have to make sure their body is well-trained to do well in their sport. Moreover, they have to find the time to do the basic things like eating and sleeping healthy and maintaining good relationships.

Fast and furious. Jaime Mejia is one of UPIS' most
accomplished athletes. Photo credit: Kittina Mejia
Despite these challenges, our very own Jaime Mejia of the Track and Field team seems to rise to the occasion. He’s breaking records (UAAP 2012, 75th Season), winning school awards (Athlete of the Year, Parangal 2011-2013), joining international competitions (2013 ASEAN Youth Athletics Championships) and the list goes on.

It all started when he was in the 4th Grade. Originally, he planned to join the team once he was a high school student. But after finding out he could join at a young age he eagerly signed up for the team. Since then, he’s been giving pride to his school for winning in annual competitions like the Milo Olympics, Philippine National Games, UAAP, Palarong Pambansa and more.

Now a senior at UPIS, he is the team captain of the Track and Field Team. His team mates say that Jaime inspires them to train. “Binibigay niya lagi ang best niya at lagi siyang present sa training,” Jomike Gemora and Yzrael Dumaguing share in an interview.

Regarding Jaime’s inspiration and motivation to train, he says he wants to be internationally competitive. “Nalaman ko na marami pang mas malakas sa akin kaya kailangan ko pa mag-training ng mabuti,” he said when asked about his experience in the 2013 ASEAN Youth Athletics Championships in Vietnam, his first international competition. “Dapat never ako mag-settle,” he added.

Sometimes, you ask, “Are you even human?” and every time he laughs it off and says it’s all about sorting priorities. “Aral kung aral, train kung train,” he said.

When asked for advice for other aspiring student-athletes he said, “Humingi ka ng tulong kung kailangan mo, tapos dapat di mo kakalimutan ang studies mo at dapat mahal mo ang ginagawa mo.” / by Red Rivera

Banatao, Marquez win in Singapore math competition

Nathan Arthur Banatao and John Henry Marquez from grade 5-Arayat won gold and silver medals, respectively, in the 8th International Mathematics Contest held in Singapore last August 4.

They trained with the Mathematics Trainers Guild in preparation for the competition and competed against foreign students, all of whom are in their age group.

The medals given were based on the scores they got in the said competition. ● by Camille Babaran, Sandy de la Paz, and Bianca Pio
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