For the last time as one team, we came out as CHAMPIONS! Well they're in the Land of the Morning Calm, while I'm one of those staying behind.

Last Saturday February 16, for the very last time as one team, we competed on our final competition on a hot morning at the DENR Social Hall in Quezon City as we competed in the Domestikwhiz 2013 organized by the UP Club for Environment and Tourism.

We competed against eight schools from all over the Metro in this quiz bee. Like in the other contests, we came out swinging and got off to a great start as we got a good lead early, however in the final round the questions grew tougher and we failed to answer some questions, at the same time there were questions where no one got the right answer. At the end of the competition, we thought we haven't done good enough. The emotion of defeat and the feeling of Baguio all over again was in us. However, faith had other plans for our team, as we came out as the CHAMPIONS in the Domestikwhiz 2013! It was indeed a heavy feeling being lifted away from us after the winners were announced.

Photo ©Kriskyn Cabrera

So we took home medals for each of us, a trophy, Moonleaf planners, and a cash prize which we got to share later on. It was a great feeling that we got to end our journey together on a high note. After the contest, we returned to UST where in CTHM it was interview season all over again as prospective high school students took their chance to get into UST-CTHM where we showed up with the admin. Also we got to enjoy one final lunch as one team at Yellow Cab.

So yes, our journey has come to an end as both of my senior teammates will now focus on the final months of their España journeys. So, I will take this moment to once again thank my teammates Ate Kriskyn Cabrera and Ate Marian Buenaventura. I would have not made it this far without you fellas and I'm going to miss you both as teammates. I couldn't ask more of you as being great teammates. It was indeed a great honor and privilege to meet you both. Don't worry I'll be fine from here on out. as I prep up for my last competition which will be the UFTE at the end of the month.

Also, we would like to once again thank our mentors, Ma'am Tin and Ma'am Jane. As well as our families, our classmates, our friends, our batchmates and the entire CTHM and Thomasian community for all the support and prayers. This would have never been possible without all the love and support you have given us.

As always, we Thank God for the opportunity and all the blessings you have given us throughout this process, and for the last time as one team we came out as CHAMPIONS!

Meanwhile, well most of my blockmates as well as some of my batchmates are right now in the Land of the Morning Calm South Korea as part of the international tour. However, I'm still right here in the Philippines since I wasn't able to afford the tour because of the high cost to get there as well as the winter clothing needed to survive the very cold weather there.

Well, it will be still an interesting week though, since only 12 of us in the class are left behind here in the Philippines. I can't wait to see how this week will play out as well as the short schedule as some of our mentors are with the group in Korea.

IN OUR LAST HURRAH, WE CAME OUT ON TOP! But the job is not done!

K-Smoove