Bataraza National High School emerged victorious once again in the Henyong Palaweño Provincial Quiz Bee held Tuesday, June 17, at the NCCC Convention Hall, as part of the Baragatan Festival 2025.
The academic team, composed of Mel Jansen M. Unarce, Mudzmar D. Sahiyal, and Brendan Daen R. Roque, defended their school’s standing with sharp recall and teamwork, earning the top prize of ₱25,000 and the distinction of being this year’s Henyo ng Palawan.
Competing against 11 other finalists from across the province, the Bataraza trio outpaced a strong field, including the team from Tagusao National High School of Quezon, which secured first runner-up and took home ₱20,000. Vito Pechangco Memorial National High School from Brooke’s Point rounded out the top three, receiving ₱15,000.
Twenty-four schools participated in the initial elimination rounds, but only twelve advanced to the final stage, where participants faced increasingly difficult questions categorized as easy, average, and difficult — a format designed to challenge not only memory but critical thinking under pressure.
The quiz covered a wide array of subjects that hit close to home: Palawan’s history, geography, economy, local governance, culture, and current provincial developments. This year’s quiz leaned heavily on contextual knowledge, spotlighting issues and achievements unique to the province — an intentional move, organizers said, to deepen civic awareness among young Palaweños.
In an interview after the awarding, provincial officials emphasized that academic competitions like the Henyong Palaweño Quiz Bee are more than ceremonial — they are essential platforms for strengthening youth engagement in local affairs and encouraging academic excellence in far-flung communities.
Each of the non-winning teams received a ₱5,000 consolation prize, highlightiny the inclusive nature of the event. Among the participating schools were representatives from Quezon, Brooke’s Point, Roxas, San Vicente, Aborlan, and Narra — forming a wide cross-section of Palawan’s youth talent.