Four years on: Dominicans continue to shine at UP-ACES' National Bridge-Building Competition

Four years into the competition, Dominicans remains visioned.

St. Dominic Academy of Pulilan, Inc., in its fourth year of participaton, secured ranks 5 and 10 following the rigid competition as it aims to remain on track in the 2026 National Bridge-Building Competition.

Team A composed of Limuel Tayao, Mark Denver Sta. Maria, and Antionio Dela Cruz and Team B composed of Angeline Moyo, Vince Del Rosario, and Leona Georgette Santos were SDA's participants and secured ranks compared to other participants from other schools.

There were 60 teams who participated this year from 31 schools across the country.

SDA's fleet considers the good standings as an achievement since the UP-Association of Civil Engineering Students' (UP-ACES) competition is participated in by several schools nationwide.

"Masaya po kami sa naging standing ng school ngayong taon dahil sa naipakita naman ng ating mga mag-aaral 'yung husay nila sa bridge-building at nakahanay nila sa competition 'yung mga students sa manila-based schools," Mr. Marvin L. Magnabihon, teacher chaperone, said during an interview with OD.

Dominican participants in the contest trained under different circumstances because of the new school calendar.

Despite this, the two teams managed their time well for training and resulted to the place they attained during the competition.

"Mahirap lampasan 'yung performance namin last year, na 'yun po sana ang goal pero dahil sa maraming pagsubok nag-iba yung training routine namin pero nakapagdeliver pa rin kami ng magandang resulta dahil nakapasok naman kami sa top 10," Limuel Tayao said in an OD interview.

Team B's representatives, since this was their first time, were also happy with the results of the competition. "Salamat po kay Lord at sa SDA at sa lahat ng nagdasal para sa amin for us to achieve this milestone," Vince Del Rosario, Team B member said.

For its part, SDA top admin were also very happy with the results of the recent competition.

"Congratulations Sir Marvin and students! We are so proud of your performance," Sr. Mailyn P. Bolivar, OP., School Director said in a message.

Some school participants include OB Montesorri schools, La Salle Greenhills, Far Eastern University High School, SDA's sister school St. James Academy, among others.

(Sta. Maria, Tayao, Moyo, and Santos are members of this publication while Mr. Magnabihon is the school paper adviser)#

via Arrianne Fernando, Editor-in-Chief

Rein Carlo Ventura, Axel E. Miranda, Junior Staffers

and Ava Uriel Guangco, Head Photojournalist

Watch #ODLiveinAction's report here