10 students to represent RP in Intel fair

Ten exceptional students have earned the right to represent the Philippines in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Atlanta, Georgia, in May this year. They were selected during the Intel Philippine Science Fair in Tagaytay City.

Chosen as the Philippine representatives to Atlanta were Jed Sidney Oliva of Ballesteros National High School in Cagayan for his project "MORH: Jedoque Process of increasing the compressive strength and lessening the water absorbency of hollow blocks;" Andrew Diamante, Visayas State University Laboratory High School, "Prediction of total soluble solids in ripe mangoes based on their electrical resistance;" Steven Tan, The Quantum Academy Inc. of General Santos City, "Pharmaceutical compounds (antibacterial immunobooster) from Barringtonia Asiatica and Garcinia Mangostana;" Louie Lugto, Don Alejandro Roces Sr. Science and Technology High School of Quezon City, "Isolation and characterization of the most cytotoxic fraction of select Philippine poisonous crabs;" Michelle Borbon, Rachel Bernadas and Mary Cris Corpuz of Gingoog City Comprehensive National High School, "A comparative study on mangrove species diversity at different locations in Pangasihon Forest;" and Marvin Ambrosio, Rachel Cahilig and Adrian Patacsil of Philippine Science High School of Quezon City, "Construction of a mechanical prototype of a micro tremor recorder."

"Just as Intel is continually innovating and evolving, through young geniuses like the Intel Philippine Science Fair participants, the [science fair] continues to be a venue that keeps alive the spirit of unlimited possibilities and the excitement of the next scientific discovery," said Arlita Narag, Intel corporate affairs manager.

The Intel Philippine Science Fair is an annual science-project competition that draws participants from all over the country.

The first prize winners in the Life Science category were: Cluster 1- Individual, Steven Tan of The Quantum Academy Inc.; Cluster 1-Team, John Vincent Gabiano and Mae Ann Tabasin of Maasin National Comprehensive High School, Maasin, Iloilo; Cluster 2-Individual, Louie Lugto of Don Alejandro Roces Sr. Science and Technology High School in Quezon City; and Cluster 2-Team, Erwin Angelo Amago, John Isaac Merin and Lawreanne Sanico of Philippine Science High School in Eastern Visayas.

In the Physical Science category, the first prize winners were: Cluster 1-Individual, Jessel Fatima Cane of Bayugan Comprehensive National High School; Cluster 1-Team, Marc Amando Marquez, Anna Rose Malapad and Rachel Aurora Chi of Marinduque National High School; Cluster 2-Individual, Andrew Diamante of Visayas State University Laboratory High School; and Cluster 2-Team, Marvin Paolo Ambrosio, Rachel Ruth Cahilig, and Adrian Patacsil of Philippine Science High School in Quezon City.