01/08/2026
๐๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฉ ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐
Two seminarians from the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary (HRmS) earned top finalist spots at the Jerald Jude Spelling Bee, held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the University of Nueva Caceres (UNC) Social Hall.
The seminary sent four-seminarian delegation to compete against top representatives from various public and private schools in Naga city. The team included Sem. Bo Andrei Santillan (Grade 7), Sem. Iรฑigo Ronnel Borromeo III (Grade 8), Sem. Hans Ivram Argarin (Grade 9), and Sem. Alfonso Gabriel Genilo (Grade 10).
Sem. Genilo achieved a Top 3 finish in the grand finals. Sem. Argarin also advanced to the final round, placing in the Top 10. For their achievements, Sem. Genilo and Sem. Argarin received medals, certificates, and cash prizes. Sem. Santillan and Sem. Borromeo also delivered strong performances, proudly raising the seminary's name during the event.
The HRmS team was guided by two dedicated coaches. Mrs. Maria Leala M. Wheeler trained Sem. Genilo and Sem. Argarin, while Ms. Michelle R. Gallora coached Sem. Borromeo and Sem. Santillan.
To reach the final stage, Sem. Argarin and Sem. Genilo successfully passed the preliminary, quarter-final, and semi-final rounds. In the grand finals, Sem. Genilo competed against Chan Laurence Agor of Camarines Sur National High School (CSNHS) and Anathea San Juan of UNC. During the final round, the CSNHS representative was asked to spell first and got the word right. Sem. Genilo was then given a different, challenging word and misspelled it. The UNC representative also misspelled the given word. Despite the miss, Sem. Genilo ended the competition with a strong fight, securing his place in the Top 3.
Organized by the UNC College of Engineering and Architecture, the spelling bee began with an 8:00 a.m. assembly and an 8:50 a.m. official start. The competition was designed to promote academic excellence, confidence, and literacy.
UNC Senior High School Principal Arvin Sibulo delivered the welcome address on behalf of UNC President Dr. Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya. This was followed by a message from Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Susan S. Collano. Rev. Kristin Elliott, an advisor for the spelling bee initiative, gave an inspirational message reminding the participants that discipline and a passion for learning are keys to success.
The program ended with closing remarks from UNC Alumni Association Director Gloria Ocol Labuanan and Jerald Jude Spelling Bee Philippines Executive Director Sheila Chavez, who thanked all the participants, organizers, and coaches for a successful event.
