AUP MLS Team Honors Sabbath Faith Above Victory at the 43rd PAMET-PASMETH Quiz Show
by Yanna Yvonne C. Macayan
Competing among 67 participating schools—a record-breaking number for the event—AUP’s team not only demonstrated their academic prowness but also their unwavering faith. The quiz show, a grueling test of academic knowledge, featured 30 questions across three rounds. Before the first round, the AUP team began with a prayer, asking that God be glorified through their performance.
Competing against renowned schools like the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) and Far Eastern University (FEU), the AUP-MLS team, faced formidable opposition. Despite a technical issue that cost them 4 points in the first round due to a glitch in the Quizziz app, they remained focused and scored 8/10. In the second round, they improved with a 9/10 score, and in the final round, they achieved a perfect 10/10, finishing with a total score of 28/30—one of the highest of the day.
As the sun began to set, signaling the start of the Sabbath, the team faced a crucial decision. Despite being in a strong position for the championship, they chose to forgo the tie-breaker round, adhering to their commitment to honor the Sabbath. “Our prayer was for God to be glorified, and we believe we fulfilled that by honoring His day,” Palaad shared. Sullano echoed this sentiment: “God is the source of our answers, and He deserves to be praised on His day.”
“While our team did not bring home the trophy, they brought home something far greater: faith and honor,” Yanna Yvonne Macayan, the MLS Department chair, reflected. “We could have stayed and competed but chose to honor the Sabbath. Three schools were poised for the top spots, but by putting God first, we affirmed that the day belongs to Him. In spirit and faith, our AUP-MLS team are true champions.”
Karen Faith Fumera, one of the MLS Department faculty and the team’s coaches, shared her admiration for the students’ faith. “Working at AUP, I never expected to have to stand for the Sabbath. Given the circumstances, the contestants’ faith made it easier for me to hold on to mine. Had they insisted on staying to finish the championship, it would have been much harder for me. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego–, Zynth, Allen, and Sherwin’s faith are reminders to stand for God, though the heavens fall. It is always God over worldly glory; with that, we proudly say, ‘To God be the glory!”
Nico Cordial, a reserved group member, served as a coach member for the team by creating practice quizzes. “God finds ways for you to share your talents in His service,” he reflected. Indeed, God finds ways for us to share Him and glorify Him.
The AUP MLS team’s decision to forfeit the tie-breaking round in observance of the Sabbath set them apart as champions of faith, even without a trophy. Their experience in the competition is a testament to their belief that accolades do not measure success but their commitment to faith and honoring God in all they do. As they continue their academic and spiritual journey, the team is confident that the same God who brought them through the quiz show will guide them through the challenges ahead.
