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| NIGQC 2017. Contestants, judges, quiz masters, and GeneSoc members gather on the center stage for a final photo marking the conclusion of the National Intercollegiate Genetics Quiz Contest 2017 |
LOS BANOS, LAGUNA – With the theme “Mapping Molecular Traces: Decoding Forensic Mysteries through Modern Genetic Breakthroughs”, the 8th National Intercollegiate Genetics Quiz Contest (NIGQC) finally kicked off last November 4 at the Umali Auditorium of SEARCA in the University of the Philippines-Los Banos (UPLB).
This year, the
NIGQC tackled the science of Forensic Genetics and its application in solving crimes
and carrying out investigations.
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| NIGQC 2017 Champion: Bulacan State University |
The contestants
from the Bulacan State University were Adrian Renz R. Pineda, Roxanne C. Sevilla,
and Joseph E. Jamon. They were accompanied by their coach, Ms. Ernalin P. Bastante.
Together, they were given the Certificate of Recognition for winning the “8th
NIGQC Champion” title for their school.
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| NIGQC Top Scorer: Bianca Mae Pangilinan |
The program
of the 8th NIGQC opened up with a doxology and the singing of the
Philippine National Anthem by Ms. Rodee Anne Kate O. Magpantay, a 4th
year BS Biology student.
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| Prof. Mark F. Rabena during his Opening Remarks |
Next to this
came the Lecture Seminar. With her talk entitled, “Forensic Science in
Challenging Environments: The Philippine Experience”, Dr. Maria Corazon De
Ungria, Head of the DNA Analysis Laboratory of the NSRI-UPD spoke about the
challenges of applying forensics in our country.
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| Dr. Maria Corazon De Ungria during her talk on forensics |
At noon time,
The UPLB Street Jazz Dance Company performed an intermission number where they
dazzled the crowd through their excellent hip-hop dance performance.
Next to this
was the much awaited Dogma Round – the contest proper of the NIGQC.
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| DOGMA ROUND. Contestants are on a fiery competition during the 3 rounds of the contest. |
During this
two-hour long round, the contestants battled it out and tried to get a high
score before the last round commences.
After this
came the Genetic Drift Round where contestants used multipliers that have
either drastically increased or decreased their scores depending on whether or
not they got the correct answer. (This round exemplifies the phenomenon of genetic
drift wherein the number of genes in a very small population fluctuate
drastically over generations).
The quiz
masters for this event were: Prof. Jickerson P. Lado and Prof. Riaflor M.
Alcabedos of the Genetics and Molecular Biology Division of IBS in UPLB.
The judges of
the 8th NIGQC were: Dr. Hayde F. Galvez, a Professor in the
Institute of Plant Breeding in UPLB, Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, the Crop Breeding
Manager of the East-West Seed Company, and Ms. Jazelyn M. Salvador, a University
Research Associate and Senior DNA Analyst.
In this
year’s competition, questions in the Dogma and Genetic Drift Round were taken
from various fields of genetics (i.e. Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics,
Biotechnology, Human Genetics, etc.) that relate to forensic science.
This is in relation to the theme of the 8th NIGQC which delves into Forensic Genetics –
the field of genetics that uses modern DNA technology to solve crimes and
provide aid for investigations.
After the
brain-draining Dogma round, the UP Silakbo performed three serenades that
soothed the minds of the participants.
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| GeneSoc President Ms. Rozel B. Razal during her Closing Remarks |
The
13 participating schools of this year’s NIGQC were the following: Ateneo De Manila University,
Ateneo De Zamboanga University, Bulacan State University, De La Salle-Lipa, Far
Eastern University-Manila, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Polytechnic University of
the Philippines-Sta. Mesa, Southern Luzon State University, University of San
Agustin, University of the Philippines-Baguio, University of the Philippines-Manila, University of the Philippines Cebu, Xavier University- Ateneo De
Cagayan, and Miriam College.
Leann F. Suiton, the NIGQC Steering Committee Head, hopes that the
contestants “were able to see
genetics in a different way – that its applications in various fields- such as
in forensic science are endless and that...our knowledge on
this field can be an advantage for us to take another leap in criminal
investigation...”
“May this be an inspiration for them to appreciate genetics more and to
pursue forensic genetics in the future so that they can be an instrument in
giving light to unsolved crimes of our country”, she adds.
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The 8th
NIGQC would like to thank the following sponsors: Bonito’s Restaurant, Eatsumo
Teri Haus, Newborn Screening Reference Center, Signeffex, The Plumber’s
Kitchen; its media partner, When In Manila; and it co-presenters, DOST-PCAARRD
and DOST-PCIEERD.
For more
information about NIGQC, you can visit the following websites:
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