RIYADH, 6 March — The International Philippine School in Riyadh (IPSR) grabbed the coveted Order of the Knights of Rizal (OKOR) “Perpetual Cup” in the first ever Inter-School Kingdomwide Academic, Skills and Talents Competition held recently at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh.
The official results of the two-day event were released to Arab News by Gani Manalo, OKOR’s chapter commander in Riyadh. IPSR garnered a total of 24 points, just a hairline over the 23 points registered by the Al-Maarefa International School (AMIS) also in Riyadh. The third overall went to Philippine School in Dammam with 20 earned points.
Under the rules, a school must win two consecutive overall championships to keep the Perpetual Cup. IPSR will pass on the Cup to the next overall winner should it fail to grab the championships in next year’s event, Manalo said.
The competition has drawn huge participation from eight Filipino schools coming from Jeddah, Dammam, Alkhobar and Riyadh.
The participating schools, which were led by its respective principals were IPSR led by Sinab Mabaning; Second Philippine International School (SPIS) with Efie Bagalawais; Riyadh International School (RIS) with Elsie Tonerro; AMIS with Mrs. Teresita Aguila; Millenium International School (MIS) with Fina Lilia Pascual; all in Riyadh.
Lita Rolluda led the Philippine School in Dammam (PSD); Dr. Ed Malagapo led the Philippine Community School in Alkhobar (Philcosa); and Jennifer Cheng led the Al-Hekma International School (AHIS) from Jeddah.
The competition includes the Search for the Young Jose Rizal and Maria Clara 2002 and the Battle of the Brains. Ramon Jeriel Sawit of PSD won first place in the Young Jose Rizal contest garnering 14 points for his school. He was followed by Peter Grutas of IPSR at second place with 10 points while Christian Valor Sorisantos of AMIS was third with 6 points. Karen Senedrin gave IPSR a boosting 14 points when she notched the Young Maria Clara title. On second place was Ivy Jane Rodil of MIS and at third was Kristina Mae Manalaotao of PSD.
The third event, Tagisan Ng Talino (Battle of the Brains) was hotly contested, with AMIS and Philcosa tied for first place at the end of three rounds, both recording 19 points each. In the tie-breaker, AMIS stood tall to win the championships when its bets Reina Tejano and Mary Margaret Bernus outsmarted Lailanie Latonero and Marijon Angela Tuazon of Philcosa, who landed on second place. Third place went to Jenelle Razo and Sarah Jane Catigan from AHIS Jeddah.
SPIS bagged two first places in Choral Rendition Competition and the Pep-Squad Cheering Competition. However, these were non-major events which is not part of the overall Perpetual Cup award. AMIS gathered two-second place honors for the same events. MIS collected third place in the Pep-Squad Cheering contest.
During the awarding ceremony, OKOR Chapter Commander Gani B. Manalo distributed Certificates of Achievement Awards to all senior students who passed recently the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT).
“This award will now be given to all future UPCAT achievers as a way of motivating the our students to strive more and aim high in their studies,” Manalo said.
OKOR also handed out special awards to outstanding Knights for their exemplary performances for the Year 2001. They were: Oscar Domingo, gallant knight; Albert Bauzon, achiever knight; and Dr. Mohd. Ali Astillero, noble knight.
Deputy chapter commander Rene Layug said the successful event was made possible by the contributions of PowerHorse Energy Drink, Philippine Airlines, Jarir Bookstore, Al Marai Drink, McDonalds, East-West Placement Centre, Al Thaneyan Insurance, Al Johi Group, Al Ansery Cargo, Pinoy Supermarket, Samama Group of Companies and the Dr. AbdulRahman Al Mishari Hospital.
