Colegio San Agustin Makati’s team “The Golden Agila” was the overall champion (Secondary School category) in the recently-concluded Southeast Asian Science Olympiad (SEASO) that was held from March 6 to 9 in Penang, Malaysia.
Among the countries that vied for the title this year were Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam. There were more than 20 groups, with only two groups coming from the Philippines: St. Louis University, Baguio City, and CSA Makati. Representing CSA Makati were Grade 10 students Rafael Gozon Viterbo (grandson of GMA CEO Felipe L. Gozon), and Eunyou Park, together with Grade 12 students, Jodi Mariano and Lakan Fuentez. They were accompanied by Nico Caunca (student activity coordinator), Darwin Closa (Math coach), and Jocelyn Siyang (Chemistry coach).
Their coaches were Albert Gutierrez (Physical Science), Alexander Medrano (Physics), and Sharin Albacete (Biology). The students were chosen by the STEM and Science coordinators and they underwent a rigorous training schedule in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics that began in October 2022.
The SEASO competition was composed of four levels. The first and second were individual Science and Math written exams. The third was a STEM Challenge, a group practical exam, the topic of which was introduced only on the day itself. On that particular day, all groups were given the task to create a tower that could hold a soda can.
The groups were judged with parameters of cost, stability, mobility, time of completion, and height. The final level was an oral presentation of the finished product, wherein each group had to market/sell their work to a panel of judges.
The proclamation of overall champion in the secondary school category was held on March 9. The winning Golden Agila team members were given medals and a cash prize. They were also given the honor of displaying the Philippine flag during the awarding ceremony.
SEAMEO (Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization) has 11 member countries, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, East Timor, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The SEAMEO Science Olympiad is one of the most anticipated academic competitions in Southeast Asia (www.recsam.edu.my).