SJCBI high school team took home the championship in the Cagayan Valley Qualifiers of the 10th St. Paul National Bible Quiz Bee (SPNBQ) with the theme “Live the Word. Build a Better World.” at the SM Center Tuguegaro Downtown last Sept. 29, 2019
Xyleen Zamantha Paragas, Mark Gaspar, and Ashley Feye Lim, mentored by Mrs. Mercy Pascual, garnered 59 points to rule the high school quiz bee category and advance to the nationals.
The team finished third runner up in the national rounds against 13 participating schools including Cittadini School, Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, Diocese of Borongan Nativity of Our Lady Parish Cathedral, Fatima College of Camiguin, Maryknoll College of Panabo, Inc., Naga Parochial School, Sisters of Mary of Banneux, Inc., Sisters of Mary – Boystown, In., and Sacred Heart School Paranaque at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall last Nov. 17, 2019.
This event opened new doors of learning and created new bonds of friendship for the team.
“[I] realized maybe this is not about winning or losing. This is about winning friends. During the Bible quiz and in the days leading to it, I met new acquaintances from all around the Philippines. I experienced things I haven’t thought possible and felt sensations I never felt before. I learned to be HUMBLE, to have a firm FAITH and HOPE that can move mountains, and learned to LOVE not just the Bible and God but also the people I met. This is not just a quiz bee anymore. It is no longer a competition but I HAVE BECOME PART OF AN EXTRAORDINARY FAMILY FATHERED BY GOD,” said Xyleen Zamantha.
The St. Paul National Bible Quiz Bee, established by the Society of St. Paul Phil-Macau Province, aims to encourage students to discover and appreciate the richness of the Bible by meeting other youths from different schools and test their knowledge about the Bible.
By Reagan Q. De Leon
