15/02/2025
PSB dominates WSC; wins multiple medals and trophies
Philippine School Bahrain (PSB) brought home medals and trophies from the World Scholar’s Cup (WSC) Bahrain Regional round on January 31 to February 2, held at the American School of Bahrain (ASB) and University of Bahrain (UOB), all under the unified theme “2025: Reigniting the Future”.
PSB joined with 23 teams in the senior division and 7 teams from the junior division, totalling to 89 students from the PSB delegation. This competition was in participation alongside different schools in Bahrain which amounted to 1046 students, giving scholars a chance to showcase their knowledge and skills in different ways.
The events were separated into four competitions namely: Scholar’s Challenge, Team Debate, Collaborative Writing, and Scholars’ Bowl. Participants engaged in the first three events on day one, while the Scholar’s Bowl, talent show, and awarding ceremony took place on day two.
In the Senior Division, PSB teams excelled in multiple categories. The Team Challenge saw outstanding performances, with Hermione Nicole Chiong, Leinard Juriz Mascarenas, and Raphaela Beatrice Soon placing in the Top 10. Bahron Villarojo, Katrina Belle De Guzman, and McBryan II Mikesell secured the Top 9 spot, while Brienne Nicole Arante, Keira Solon, and Samantha Airelle Sta. Isabel reached the Top 7. Marie Aaliyah Ante, Kyle Edrian Perez, and Layla Algillidary ranked in the Top 5, and Yousif Abdulla Hasan Yousuf, Mikaella Denyse Valencia, and Steeve Curl Almoguera finished in the Top 3.
In the Debate Champions category, Don Charlez Gabrielle Chavez placed in the Top 20, followed by Rholand Anthony Puig at Top 18, Marie Aaliyah Ante at Top 17, McBryan II Mikesell at Top 15, and Nheil Andrei Lalog at Top 11. Aisha Baksh reached Top 8, Samuel Aguilar secured Top 7, Samantha Airelle Sta. Isabel placed Top 4, Layla Algillidary achieved Top 2, and Brienne Nicole Arante claimed the Top 1 spot.
In the Team Bowl event, Shaila San Buenaventura, Lovely Farha Shaikh, and Hannah Gian Escano placed Top 14, while Nicole Flores, Mariam Alsaffar, and Judy Banat ranked in the Top 10.
In the individual category, Writing Champions included Desiree Guevarra at Top 19, Brienne Arante at Top 16, Lovely Farha Shaikh at Top 13, and Lee-Ann Manalo at Top 10. Ewrixon John Culala achieved Top 7, Sofia Nathasha Fiel placed in the Top 5, and Rain Jalova secured the Top 1 position.
Individually, McBryan II Mikesell and Zharra Mae Barruga placed in the Top 19 for the Individual Challenge, with Marie Aaliyah Ante reaching the Top 13 and Yousif Abdulla Hasan Yousuf securing a Top 10 spot.
PSB students also dominated the Team Debate, with Samuel Aguilar, Eriel Chriz Culala, and Quino Antonio Santos securing Top 18. Marie Aliyah Ante, Kyle Edrian Perez, and Layla Algilidary reached the Top 6, followed by Aisha Baksh, Marlea Nicole Medios, and Rain Jalova in the Top 5. Nheil Andrei Lalog, Don Charlez Gabrielle Chavez, and Rholand Anthony Puig claimed the Top 2 spot, while Brienne Nicole Arante, Keira Solon, and Samantha Airelle St. Isabel emerged as the Top 1 winner.
In Team Writing, notable performances included Desiree Guevarra, Juan Miguel Siwa, and Sofia Venice Reyes in Top 20, with Shaila San Buenaventura, Lovely Farha Shaikh, and Hannah Gian Escaño securing Top 16. Rhiean Graciella Salvante, Kassandra Louise Paraless, and Marla Jhanelle Salvadora placed Top 15, followed by Erin Meigh Culala, Noaime Gale Tolentino, and Ma Franchezca Ellen Laudez in Top 14. Yousif Abdulaal, Mikaella Denyse Valencia, and Steeve Curl Almoguera achieved Top 13, while Anne Kirsten Brosas, Reign Yra Fernandez, and Josh Mar Michael Sy placed Top 12. Kelsy Anne Leyson, Grant Anjelo Avena, and Ewrixon John Culala secured an impressive Top 2 placement.
The ceremony concluded with the announcement of the Champion Scholars. Mikaella Denyse Valencia placed in the Top 19, Samantha Airelle Sta. Isabel ranked Top 13, and Yousif Abdulaal achieved Top 10. McBryan II Mikesell secured the Top 6 spot, Layla Algilidary placed in the Top 4, Marie Aliyah Ante achieved Top 3, and Brienne Nicole Arante earned the remarkable Top 2 position.
Several PSB students also qualified for the Global Round, including Don Cahrlez Gabrielle Chavez, Nhiel Andrei Lalog, and Rholand Anthony Puig in the Top 19, followed by Bahron Villarojo, Katrina Belle De Guzman, and McBryan II Mikesell in the Top 17. Nicole Flores, Mariam Alsaffar, and Judy Banat achieved Top 15, while Marie Aaliyah Ante, Kyle Edrian Perez, and Layla Algillidary secured Top 8. Yousif Abdulla Hasan Yousuf, Mikaella Denyse Valencia, and Steeve Curl Almoguera ranked in the Top 6, with Brienne Nicole Arante, Keira Solon, and Samantha Airelle Sta. Isabel earned the Top 2 position.
In the Junior Division, PSB’s scholars also showcased outstanding performances. In the Team Challenge, Jacob Arjann Murillo, Marcus Israel Lampero, and Joaquin Antonio Aspiras secured the Top 9 spot. For the Debate Champions, Jacob Arjann Murillo placed at Top 19, while in the Individual Challenge, he reached Top 12. The Team Writing category saw Kate Endaya, Reanna Marie Borromeo, and Lourainne Athena Mascarenas ranking in the Top 20. Finally, Jacob Arjann Murillo earned the Top 9 position in the Champion Scholar category.
One of the WSC volunteers, Martin Ludvig stated, “This is my first time volunteering overseas and truly it’s been an honor to be graced by the scholars and all of their efforts and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated.”
Unlike other traditional academic events, the WSC emphasizes the importance of fun collaboration with others other than individual achievements. Students found joy in the diverse range of subject areas including science, history, literature, art, and social studies, and special areas.
The PSB delegation was spearheaded by Ms. Melanie Cruz, with training sessions conducted by both the High School and Elementary Departments two weeks before the competition. #
📝 Sofia Nathasha Fiel and Lourainne Athena Mascarenas
🎨 Doniel Aminitziel Chavez
📷 Miss Melanie S. Cruz
The student newspaper of Philippine School Bahrain
