Ateneo tops Nat’l Genetics Quiz

REPOST
Written by Crispin Mahrion Abacan
Originally Published Online LBTimes

Members of The UPLB Genetics Society (GeneSoc) wore blue shirts. Indeed, blue was the color of the day as the team from Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) topped the 4th National Intercollegiate Genetics Quiz Contest (NIGQC) of the UPLB GeneSoc held at Drilon Hall-SEARCA, University of the Philippines-Los Baños, Sept. 14.

Ateneo de Manila University Team with the judges and organizers of NIGQC 2013 (Photo: GeneSoc)

Hadeza P. Cabaddu, Wrench Chester S. Canicosa and Antoni Andreu M. Martija of ADMU bested 9 other teams. They were the leading team during the group category in the average and difficult rounds.

“We’re really happy! The reviews we had done for three weeks were all worth it,” said Canicosa. ADMU received a cash prize of 15,000, a trophy, certificates of recognition, and team members each received medals.

“The questions were pretty-well balanced and very challenging. Practically, they are the best from each school. And I believe, all of them were challenged appropriately with the sets of question,” said Ronald Cruz, the moderator of the Ateneo Biological Organization who accompanied the students.

Kenji Rowel Q. Lim, Dominic S. Albao, and Liezel U. Tamon of UP-Diliman finished second place. Adrian L. Santos, Federico Cristobal C. de Jesus, and May Nadine Alessandra R. Uy of UP-Manila, the defending champion, were in third place. They received certificates of participation, medals, and a cash prize of 7000 and 5000 respectively.

Furthermore, Santos and de Jesus of UP-Manila, were recognized as top scorers for the individual easy round.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect to top the first part. Before the quizcon, we don’t know how we compare to other schools since we have different genetics curriculum. I guess we showed them that the curriculum we have is really competent despite having few genetics majors to teach us,” said Santos.

With the organization’s 30th year anniversary, the GeneSoc, through this event, aims to reach out and encourage the creative appreciation of the genetics field among college students.

“One of the UPLB’s GeneSoc’s objectives is to promote and create awareness about the science of Genetics in the Philippines. This year, since we will be celebrating our 30th anniversary, we thought of extending this awareness to college students in the country , hence , the comeback of the NIGQC,” said Gelina Rose A. Bambalan, NIGQC 2013 committee head.

Other participating schools were: Central Mindanao University, University of the East, University of the Philippines in the Visayas-Tacloban, University of Santo Tomas, St. Louis University, St. Scholastica’s College, and West Visayas State University.

On celebrating DNA discovery

Themed “DNA Goes Diamond: 60 years of Progressive Research and Development,” the quiz contest is in line with the celebration of the discovery of the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) structure by James Watson and Francis Crick. This year, 2013 marked the Diamond Jubilee of the elucidation of the structure of life’s blueprint –the DNA.

According to the website of the GeneSoc, sixty years ago, scientists Watson and Crick worked together in the University of Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory which led to the discovery of a certain body of knowledge behind the concept of inheritance and biological information later called Genetics. Since 1953, “the elucidation of the DNA structure has also led to the development of other sciences like molecular biology and biotechnology.”

Meanwhile, Prof. Samuel Go, UP Manila coach and an alumnus of the GeneSoc said that the event is good because it allows schools to have an awareness on genetics, though must go beyond competition purposes.

“We have the linkages already, and the people too. We could use that linkages to get those people who participated the competition to spread the science of genetics, make it more popular,” he added.

Students on the study of Genetics

“It’s interesting because genetics for me plays a major role in unlocking the mysteries of the living world. Its application is almost limitless had not for the ethical issues it raises. The current trends and developments in science are inkling nonetheless to the field of genetics. Thus, in order to be at par with the changing scientific world, students must be more knowledgeable, not just aware, of this subject,” said Uy from UP-Manila.

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For more photos, visit GeneSoc's Official Facebook Page 

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