This 06 May 2023, UP Diliman ROTC Unit made history by being the champion of the first-ever Philippine Military History Challenge hosted by the Philippine Veteran Affairs Office (PVAO). In this NCR-wide competition, selected five-man teams from different ROTC units went head-to-head, quiz bee style, fighting for the right to claim the youth’s mastery of our country’s struggles and triumphs in World War II.
Going up against two Navy ROTC units: De La Salle University (DLSU) and Adamson University, two Air Force ROTC units: Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) and Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PHILSCA), and one other Army ROTC unit: Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), UP Diliman ROTC’s delegation came out on top of the elimination round, followed by DLSU ROTC and PHILSCA ROTC. UP ROTC and these two teams then moved on to the final round.
The best of Army, Navy, and Air Force then faced off in the finals where all their points were leveled back to zero. UP ROTC Unit persevered, nabbing the top spot overall with a whopping 22-point lead. Additionally, C2Lt Victor Edwin E Reyes 3Cl was awarded the top individual scorer, having garnered 204 points for his unit.
The team, coached by CCol Fergie John O Frange 1Cl, consists of the aforementioned C2Lt Reyes, C2Lt Zarah Nicolle F Torrijos 3Cl, CPvt Adrienne Vi Marie R Siquete 3Cl, CPvt Jonathan F Garzo Jr. 3Cl, and CPvt Sean Heinrich I Flores 3Cl.
The event was held at the Veteran’s Center of Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, spearheaded by the Project Proponent and Game Master, Mr. Mariano C Banaag, LPT. It was attended by the Deputy Administrator of PVAO, Assistant Secretary Restituto L Aguilar, and the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs, J9, BGEN DOROTEO JOSE M JALANDONI PN (M).