CASS Finishes in Finals of Institute’s First ASEAN Quiz Bowl

By Maan Deuda

The College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) concluded their run as finalists in the institute’s first-ever ASEAN Quiz Bowl held on August 11, 2025, the first day of the new academic year at Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT).

Organized by the League of International Parliamentarians for Global Initiatives (LIPGI) in collaboration with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for International Affairs (OVCIA), the event brought together 13 teams from the university’s seven colleges to commemorate ASEAN Charter Day, highlighting the significance of ASEAN and its member states in fostering intraregional collaboration.

Vice Chancellor for International Affairs Joey Genevieve Martinez opened the event, emphasizing its significance. “With this event, we hope to foster not only academic excellence but also the presence of regional identity, collaboration, and regional respect,” he said. 

Representing CASS were two teams: Rea Jean Lomosad, Krizha Ann Marie Cortes, and Harley Christine Feb Calamian served as CASS Team 1; while Radj Jeffrey Malalis, PJ Hans Avila, and Aisha Salacop made up CASS Team 2. 

During the first round, both CASS teams scored 13 points, advancing to the second round, or the average level, where CASS Team 2 ranked 3rd with 33 points. On the other hand, CASS Team 1 faced CEBA Team 1 and COE Team 1 in a tie-breaking match after gaining a total of 30 points but fell short of securing a spot for the finals.

CASS Team 2 matched with CEBA 1, CED 1, COE 1, CHS 1, CHS 2, and CSM 1 during the final match, where CASS Team 2 gained a cumulative score of 51 points. CSM eventually clinched the championship throne with 69 points, followed by CED with 68 points, and CHS Team 1 with 60 points.

 

When asked why they joined the quiz bowl, CASS’ first team expressed that their participation was a last-minute decision. Hence, their limited preparation time. 

“Last minute kaayo siya, like mga eleven na mi nag sign-up. Wala mi saktong huna-huna like ‘sure na jud ni?’ then ang nahitabo is wala mi nag-tuon. Karong lunch nami, nag-scan scan lang gyud mi sa kung unsa among ma-research,” they shared.

CASS Team 1 also pointed out that it was their first time joining a quiz bowl and, as rookies, they did not expect to advance to the average round, noting that they relied only on their basic knowledge.

Similarly, CASS Team 2, who advanced to the finals, expressed similar thoughts, saying they joined despite little preparation time. 

“Pagkahuman namo og register ni kuya Radj, nag-sugod nami ato ug self study like alas dose jud sa buntag and then nag send si kuya Radj ug kanang document for reviewing and then mao to nag self study lang mi tulo,” Salacop said. 

Motivated by curiosity and the chance to broaden their learning, CASS Team 2 joined the event to challenge their knowledge and immerse themselves in the ASEAN environment through the competition.

“It’s a nice opportunity to join, considering that, coming from Political Science, we undergo a subject called Politics and Governance in Southeast Asia, so we wanted to try our knowledge kung aha siya ma-abot. We also want to immerse ourselves in the environment of ASEAN, at least in a quiz bowl competition,” Malalis expressed. 

Although having a program course related to ASEAN, Avila also expressed that his knowledge on the subject was not sufficient enough for the competition. “Dili siya sufficient enough, kay murag ang learnings nako ato kay surface-level lang,” he added. 

The ASEAN quiz bowl marked the beginning of what LIPGI and OVCIA hopes to be an annual tradition to deepen students’ knowledge of ASEAN and cultivate the spirit of unity and mutual respect within the university.