The UP Association of Chemistry Majors and Enthusiasts (UP ACME), a student organization based in the Institute of Chemistry in UP Diliman, held their annual Hanep sa Science at Math (HSM) 2025 last March 29, 2025 at the Institute of Biology Auditorium, UP Diliman. HSM, the organization’s flagship event, is a science and math quiz bee for non-science high school students in Grades 9 to 10 across Regions III, IV-A, and NCR.
Patricia Ong, the 28th chairperson of UP ACME formally opened the event. ”HSM started as a small initiative of UP ACME almost a decade ago, and its purpose is to promote appreciation of the natural sciences through an exciting competition that boosts camaraderie and sportsmanship. And now, 11 years later, our purpose remains the same. We want to spark a passion for discovery and encourage the next generation of scientists to continue exploring the universe around them.”
In the 11th installment of the competition, 51 teams from 30 different schools joined the launch mission and vied for the championship. The elimination round was an individual written examination competition, with the team members’ total score determining their fate in the finals. Twenty-five teams advanced to the finals with Rizal High School, General Emilio Aguinaldo National High School, and University of the Philippines Rural High School emerging as the top performing teams.
The top scorers for each of the five subtests were named Hanep sa Chemistry, Hanep sa Biology, Hanep sa Physics, Hanep sa Earth Science, and Hanep sa Mathematics. Alexander Levon Schulze of Reedley International School bagged two medals as the Hanep sa Chemistry and Hanep sa Biology awardee. Wynshanelle Gianeah Ng (Grace Christian College), Clavet Luna (Cayetano Arellano High School) were awarded Hanep sa Mathematics and Hanep sa Physics, respectively. Aiesha Von Ashaunte Ang Schulze (Chiang Kai Shiek College) secured the Hanep sa Earth Science award by the inaugural do-or-die clincher round.
The final round was a team quiz bee of 25 questions, but made more challenging with a point bidding system – the points the team bid were granted if they got the correct answer, while half of it was deducted from their total score if wrong.
Grace Christian College reigned victorious as the Hanep sa Science at Math 2025 Champion. Cayetano Arellano High School and Reedley International School bagged first runner-up and second runner-up, respectively.
The event ended with the overall heads, Andrew Mercado and Jhoana Aguilar expressing their gratitude to the participants and organizers for the success of the competition. “I can see how our junior high school students never falter to showcase their enthusiasm in the natural sciences. After all, the goal of this event is to promote natural sciences and encourage brilliant young minds like you to join more competitions and continue challenging yourselves to pursue excellence, but above all, honor,” said Mercado.
This event was made possible by UP ACME.
