Competition tests students' knowledge of classics

MANILA, Philippines - Two students from Dasmariñas, Cavite proved recently that literary classics are not beyond the grasp of young Filipinos.

Toni Maristella Braza, a fifth grader at Grace Baptist Christian School, and Neil Ryan Nuñez, a first-year student of Paliparan National High School, topped the Third Seamen’s Village Literary Pop Quiz in their respective categories. The competition was hosted by Saint Pancras Academy at the Seamen’s Village. 

Braza won a trip for 10 people to a theme park of her choice in the Metro Manila or Southern Tagalog area. Nuñez, last year’s winner in the elementary level, received a trip for two to Hong Kong Disneyland.

The contestants had been preparing for the competition since July. Reading more than two dozens of literary classics.

The winner in the high school category was chosen after two tiebreakers. The first involved five questions and the second was a sudden-death single question, which Nuñez answered correctly.

Marissa Oca, president of Gig and the Amazing Sampaguita Foundation, Inc. (GASFI) and Saint Pancras Academy (SPA), and who initiated the annual event, said the competition was meant to encourage students to read, particularly the classics, as early as possible.

Oca has introduced a special Read Aloud program and Saint Pancras Academy solicits donations of old books for its library. Books may be brought to Gig and the Amazing Sampaguita Foundation, Inc. headquarters, Suite 600, The Gregorian Bldg., 2178 Taft Ave., Malate, Manila or call 0915-3466251 for pick up.

Saint Pancras Academy is at Charles Blythe Drive, Brgy. Sampaloc II, Dasmariñas, Cavite with tel. nos. (046) 973-0370 or 0916-5476436. Enrollment is ongoing for nursery, elementary and high school.