National Super Quiz Bee
National Super Quiz Bee, originally known as the Quiz Bee and later, as the National Quiz Bee, was a Philippine television quiz show broadcast by IBC, Studio 23, and TFC. Hosted by Rowena Zulueta, Eddie Lacsi, Bingbing Josue, Pettizou Tayag, Atom Araullo, Lea Salonga, Spanky Enriquez, Anthony Suntay, and Danny Fajardo; the program began as a national spelling bee in 1977, and has grown into an annual nationwide contest awarding champions in Philippine history and culture, mathematics, science and technology, and general information and international affairs.
The show currently holds the record for the longest-running national academic contest for students and the longest-running televised quiz show in the Philippines.
The National Quiz Bee was organized by the Quiz Bee Foundation. The program received support from the private sector, which mostly provided for the prizes and TV coverage. The National Quiz Bee was also endorsed and assisted by various agencies of the Philippine government, including the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Senate of the Philippines, and the Office of the President.
History
In 1976, Rasty Tayag and the Philippine Department of Education, launched a nationwide elementary spelling contest dubbed the "1976 Spelling Bee Contest". It was known as the Quiz Bee the following year.Since 1977, the Quiz Bee has been an annual event. In that same year, Rasty M. Tayag registered the term "quiz bee" as a copyright and trademark with the Philippine Patent Office.
During the ASEAN Super Quiz Bees in 1979 and 1996, the category of Philippine history and culture was expanded to include ASEAN history and culture.
In 1983, Rasty and Gay Tayag, together with eminent people in the field of education, established the Quiz Bee Foundation, with Carlos P. Romulo as Founding Chairman and Rasty M. Tayag as president. Apart from the organizers, the Founding Trustees were composed of: then University of the Philippines President Edgardo Angara, Dr. Helena Benitez, Dr. Estefania Aldaba - Lim, Atty. Efrenilo Cayanga, and then Metro Manila Governor Mel Mathay.
With the passing of Carlos P. Romulo in 1990, Rasty Tayag assumed the position of Chairman of the Quiz Bee Foundation.
In 1993, in consonance with the Philippines 2000 program of President Fidel V. Ramos, the competition now included high school and college students, and the name was changed to the National Super Quiz Bee.
In 2005, the Philippine Daily Inquirer awarded life-sized masterpiece Guyito fiberglass statues, sculpted by artist Juan Sajid Imao and decorated by the country's foremost painters, to 20 public high schools that ranked highest in the 26th National Super Quiz Bee.
Each artist was free to interpret that year's theme, "The Power of Knowing". The awarded schools and the painters who designed their Guyito were:
| School | Artist |
| School | Malang |
| School | Ben Cabrera |
| School | Soler |
| School | Kidlat Tahimik |
| School | Rex Tatlonghari |
| School | Steve Santos |
| School | Jack Salud |
| School | Ernesto Patricio |
| School | Lydia Velasco |
| Philippine Science High School - Diliman | Fernando Sena |
| School | Salvador Convocar |
| School | Caa |
| School | Bing Siochi |
| School | Roel Obemio |
| School | Tres Roman |
| School | Wilfredo Offemaria |
| School | Bin Samonte |
| School | Jef Samonte |
| School | Romeo Forbes |
| School | Anton Balao |
At the Ayala Museum, the student awardees, their teacher-coaches, school officials and parents also mingled with the country's top industry leaders and had front row seats to a concert with Lea Salonga and the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra.
From January to May 2006, Inquirer representatives visited the 20 selected schools/cities to turn over the sculptures. In addition, a one-day Inquirer Campus Journalism Workshop was held at each school.
Hosts
Throughout its existence, the National Quiz Bee has been hosted by numerous people, including the following. It is common for them to share a single episode, with one acting as quizmaster, while the other recapped scores and made other announcements:| Name Of Host | Role | Years Active |
| Rowena Zulueta | Quizmaster | ?-? |
| Eddie Lacsi | Quizmaster | ?-? |
| Bingbing Josue | Quizmaster | ?-? |
| Pettizou Tayag | Quizmaster | ?-? |
| Atom Araullo | Quizmaster | ?-? |
| Lea Salonga | Quizmaster | ?-? |
| Spanky Enriquez | Quizmaster | 2001?-? |
| Anthony Suntay | Quizmaster | ?-2002-? |
| Danny Fajardo | Quizmaster | ?-2013? |
Subject Categories
- Unlike other quiz competitions, the Quiz Bee assigned particular subject categories for each educational level:
- For the ASEAN and World Super Quiz Bees, the "Makabayan" category was expanded to include ASEAN and world culture, respectively.
| Educational Level | Grade Level | Approximate Age of Competitor | Category/ies |
| Elementary | 4-7 | 10-13 | "Makabayan" |
| Elementary | 4-7 | 10-13 | Mathematics |
| Secondary | 1-4 | 14-17 | Science and Technology |
| Tertiary | 1-5 | 18-22 | General Information and International Affairs |
Eligibility Rules
- Any school recognized by DepEd was eligible to compete. It must field students who were enrolled at the school at the designated level at the time the season starts. Any student enrolled in the present school year from any private or public school, college or university in the Philippines. Thus, Philippine schools abroad which are recognized by DepEd are technically ineligible.
- As is common in televised academic quiz formats in the Philippines, which promote the 'give-chance-to-others' concept, a student could become National Champion only once. For example, if a student wins the elementary mathematics National Championship, they are not allowed to participate in any future Super Quiz Bee round anymore. This restriction also applies to teacher-coaches, even if they change students.
Summit of the Super Quiz Bee
Summit of the Super Quiz Bee was a multi-day camp composed with tours, seminars, and fellowships for regional champions and respective teacher-coaches competing in the National Finals.The National Finals competition was the highlight of the summit, wherein the various contestants and their teacher-coaches dressed in traditional regional attire during the stage competition. A special prize is given to the Best in National Costume. The National Finals was open to the public.
Venues
For non-NCR regions, Division and Regional Eliminations are usually in schools and DepEd offices within their region.NCR District, Division, and Regional Eliminations are usually held in major shopping malls around Metro Manila and are televised.
The National Finals and the Summit of the Super Quiz Bees, plus the Special Edition Super Quiz Bees, have been held at the following locations:
| Season Number | Years Covered | Theme | Finals Venue |
| 1 | 1977-1978 | ? | - |
| 2 | 1978-1979 | ? | ? |
| ASEAN Super Quiz Bee | 1979 | ? | ? |
| 3 | 1979-1980 | ? | ? |
| 4 | 1980-1981 | ? | PNB Auditorium, Iloilo City |
| 5 | 1981-1982 | ? | ? |
| 6 | 1982-1983 | ? | ? |
| 7 | 1983-1984 | ? | ? |
| 8 | 1984-1985 | ? | ? |
| 9 | 1985-1986 | ? | ? |
| 10 | 1986-1987 | ? | ? |
| 11 | 1987-1988 | ? | ? |
| Quiz Bee for the Handicapped | 1988 | ? | Philamlife Auditorium, Manila |
| 12 | 1988-1989 | ? | ? |
| 13 | 1989-1990 | ? | ? |
| World Super Quiz Bee | 1990 | ? | ? |
| 14 | 1990-1991 | ? | ? |
| 15 | 1991-1992 | ? | ? |
| 16 | 1992-1993 | ? | ? |
| 17 | 1993-1994? | ? | ? |
| ASEAN Super Quiz Bee | 1996 | ? | ? |
| 18 | 1997-1998 | ? | ?, Muntinlupa |
| 19 | 1998-1999 | ? | Expo Pilipino, Pampanga |
| 20 | 1999 | Buzzing Towards the New Millennium | Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo, Zambales |
| 21 | 2000 | ? | Development Academy of the Philippines, Tagaytay, Cavite |
| 22 | 2001 | ? | Development Academy of the Philippines, Tagaytay, Cavite |
| 23 | 2002-2003 | ? | Development Academy of the Philippines, Tagaytay, Cavite |
| 24 | 2003 | ? | Development Academy of the Philippines, Tagaytay, Cavite |
| 25 | 2004 | ? | Development Academy of the Philippines, Tagaytay, Cavite |
| 26 | 2005 | ? | Development Academy of the Philippines, Tagaytay, Cavite |
| 27 | 2006 | ? | ? |
| 28 | 2007 | ? | ? |
| 29 | 2008-2009 | ? | Development Academy of the Philippines, Tagaytay, Cavite |
| 30 | 2009-2010 | ? | Development Academy of the Philippines, Tagaytay, Cavite |
| 31 | 2010-2011 | ? | Development Academy of the Philippines, Tagaytay, Cavite |
| 32 | 2011-2012 | ? | Development Academy of the Philippines, Tagaytay, Cavite |
| 33 | 2012-2013 | ? | Development Academy of the Philippines, Tagaytay, Cavite |
| 34 | 2013 | ? | ? |
| 35 | 2015-2016 | ? | ? |
Prizes
Prizes for Regional Champions have been given at some point, although this is not consistent every year.Prizes for National Champions have slightly varied from year to year. Example below is from the 28th National Quiz Bee :
- Presidential trophy
- Gold medal
- PHP 100,000 worth of insurance
- PHP 70,000 worth of educational plan
- 32-volume encyclopedia set
- Multimedia computer system
- Mobile phone
- Gift packages
Special Quiz Bees
In addition to the annual National Quiz Bee, the Quiz Bee has also organized ASEAN and World Quiz Bees. National Champions of the immediately previous National Quiz Bee represented the country against competitors from ASEAN-member countries and worldwide, respectively.There has also been a Quiz Bee for the Handicapped in 1988?.
List of National and Special Super Quiz Bee Champions
| Season Number | Years Covered | History Champion | Mathematics Champion | Science and Technology Champion | General Information and International Affairs Champion | Best in Costume | Most Friendly Bee |
| 1 | 1977 | Jonas Lardizabal Malate Catholic School, Manila NCR | Mary Ann Vicentina San Fernando West Elementary School, Pampanga Region III | Jesus Clin Jr. Naga Parochial School, Naga City Region V | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 2 | 1978 | Amor Marie Reyes St. Theresa's College, Cebu City Region VII | Edanili Lacar Silliman University, Dumaguete City Region VII | Michelle Jover Light Bringer School, Davao City Region XI | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| ASEAN Super Quiz Bee | 1979 | Amor Marie Reyes Hanziel Rebancos Philippines | Carina Go Philippines | Michelle Jover Philippines | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 3 | 1979 | Hanziel Rebancos Moises Salvador Elementary School, Manila NCR | Carina Go Dipolog Pilot Demonstration School, Dipolog City Region XI | Maribel Alberto Abano Pilot School, Daet Region V | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 4 | 1980 | Solomon Rosario Ballesteros Central Elementary School, Cagayan Region II | Honorio Allado III Ateneo University, Davao City Region XI | Melflor Atienza St. Mary's College, Quezon City NCR | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 5 | 1981 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 6 | 1982 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 7 | 1983 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 8 | 1984 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 9 | 1985 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 10 | 1986 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 11 | 1987 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| Quiz Bee for the Handicapped | 1988 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 12 | 1988 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 13 | 1989 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| World Super Quiz Bee | 1990 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 14 | 1990 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 15 | 1991 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 16 | 1992 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 17 | 1993 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| ASEAN Super Quiz Bee | 1996 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 18 | 1997 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 19 | 1998 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 20 | 1999 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 21 | 2000 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 22 | 2001 | ? | ? | Anderson Pedroso Muntinlupa Science High School NCR | Neil Tristan Yabut University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City NCR | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 23 | 2002-2003 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 24 | 2003 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 25 | 2004 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 26 | 2005 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 27 | 2006 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 28 | 2007 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 29 | 2008-2009 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 30 | 2009-2010 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 31 | 2010-2011 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 32 | 2011-2012 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 33 | 2012-2013 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 34 | 2013 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |
| 35 | 2015-2016 | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? | ? ? School, ? Region ? |