CFO holds Rizal Quiz Bee among PSO elementary students

Pasay City — The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) just concluded the elementary category of its annual literary contest for Philippine Schools Overseas (PSOs) to showcase Philippine history, culture, arts, and heritage; with this year’s theme focusing on the life, works, and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal, in the form of a quiz bee.

A total of nine (9) PSOs participated in the quiz bee’s elementary category, namely: Philippine School Bahrain (Kingdom of Bahrain); the Philippine International School of Phnom Penh (Kingdom of Cambodia); Philippine School Oman (Sultanate of Oman); Philippine School Doha (State of Qatar); The New Filipino Private School (United Arab Emirates); Elite International School, International Philippine School in Al-Khobar, International Philippine School in Jeddah, and Al Taj International School (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). Dr. Jimmuel Naval, Dean of the UP Diliman College of Arts and Letters, represented the quiz bee’s corps of judges; the latter being the body who provided the quiz bee’s questions.

Atty. Jan Karlo Magracia delivered the opening remarks on behalf of CFO Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II, wherein he commended delegates’ dedication, and asserted Rizal’s belief that “the youth is the hope of our nation”, especially that PSO students continue to be connected to their culture despite being overseas.

Philippine School Bahrain emerged as the champion for the elementary category, represented by Mr. Liam Y. Dela Vega and Mr. Bryan Jerry H. Holgado; followed by the International Philippine School in Jeddah, represented by Ms. Darlene Athena Vendivil and Ms. Audrei Erickhan Manlapas; and the Philippine School Doha, represented by Ms. Marleena Trixie B. Disierto and Mr. Vanric Christfyrd D. Zarate.

The aforementioned won exclusive portraits of Dr. Jose Rizal by Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO) Awardee, Mr. Virgilio Cuizon. In her closing remarks, Ms. Marita Del Rosario-Apattad, CFO Project Management Division Chief, congratulated the victors, and briefly shared how Philippine heritage continues to live among overseas Filipinos, as reflected in Mr. Cuizon’s paintings. Ms. Apattad concluded her message by encouraging participants to be inspired in being civic-minded students, and good Filipino citizens, through the study of the life and works of Dr. Jose Rizal.

The high school category of the quiz bee is scheduled on 15 December 2025.