Search for best in sports, arts, academics launched

Close to 50 of the country’s top schools, all leaders in sports and academics, gather this year to vie for the coveted Presidential Cup when the Quest for Excellence competitions in sports, academics and the arts fires off in October.

The inaugural Q Games, a tri-level competition that runs up to February next year, will be handled by competent groups under the Quest for Excellence Inc., which tapped able leaders in sports, arts and academics for what could be the biggest gathering yet of schools and universities under one umbrella.

The Q Games’ production team also involves some of the most respected groups in sports, including Nic Jorge of Milo Best, Ramon Tuason of the Metropolitan Basketball Association, organizers of the Checkmate chess series and Bong Barrameda, best known as quiz show consultant who also handled many sports competitions including the now defunct Marlboro Tour.

Forty-seven schools and universities, including members of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), have attended the first Q Games assembly last August and have expressed interest in joining the project.

Competitions in basketball, volleyball, soccer, chess and billiards make up the initial roster of the Q Games’ sports events. A cheerleading competition is also lined up.

Quest for Excellence officials also gave equal weight to academic excellence and have lined up competitions in math, science, social studies, history, humanities, spelling competition, declamation, extemporaneous speech and debate.

Antonio Valdez, vice chairman of the company, also said his group would like to see a future renaissance in Philippine arts and will begin with competitions in children’s chorale, solo singing, dance, band, and art and creativity.

"The Q Games are our contribution to all our efforts in showing the Filipino’s excellence to the world. While most competitions are focused mainly on sports, we also would like to encourage friendly competitions in the arts and academics," Valdez said.

Corresponding points will be given to each category winner with the champion school receiving a commemorative trophy.