European Union diplomats led by Ambassadors Jaroslav Ludva of the Embassy of the Czech Republic and Alistair MacDonald of the Delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines congratulated the students from the University of the Philippines Mindanao that won the EU Whiz 2009 inter-collegiate quiz held on June 18 at SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. Marlon John Danlay, Aaron James Jalalon and Kelly Marie Conlon with Prof. John Bengan (coach) from the University of the Phils. Mindanao (Davao) emerged as grand champions beating contenders Justin Herrera, James Ryan Artiaga, Dawn One Hagan with Prof. Elmer Soriano (coach) from the Polytechnic University of the Phils. (Manila); and Frecy Catadman, Rechelle Ann Sow and Jennierose Serad with Prof. Jomar Rubio (coach) from the University of the Visayas (Cebu). The PUP team from Manila placed second while the University of the Visayas from Cebu was third.

As the grand winners, the UP Mindanao team will fly to the Czech Republic, France and Spain in September, courtesy of the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the Knights of Rizal and the European Community in Manila. All the participating teams received trophies, certificates and other gift items from the organizers and supporters of the EU Whiz. Ambassador MacDonald commended the winners and participants of the EU Whiz and expressed his admiration for the students who have exhibited tremendous knowledge about the European Union and its institutions and policies and about Jose Rizal and his connections to the EU. "1 hope that you enjoyed the experience, and that in researching on Europe and on Rizal, you had a lot of fun as well as reflecting on the values that helped shape the Philippines, and can help to build it into what it can become," Ambassador MacDonald said.

The UP Mindanao team will be joined by the essay writing contest grand prize winner Joaquin Carlos de Jesus from Ateneo de Manila University. Other winners in the essay contest were: second place - Dave Aljie Manandeg - Pangasinan State University; third place - Emmeline Carrillo - Rizal Technological University Mandaluyong City; fourth place- Manuel Buensuceso Jr. - San Beda College, Manila; fifth place - Joseph Mirra Macatangay - University of Batangas, Batangas City. Other finalists were: Charmy June AImoquer - West Visayas State University, Main University; Ron Richard Ramirez - Balinag University; Corene Joi Geroso - Centro Escolar University; Lester Hao - Chang Kai Shek College; Aguia Barbara Luneta - University of the Philippines, Diliman. The EU Whiz and the essay contest were organized by the European Union in Manila, led by the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the Delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines with support from the Knights of Rizal, the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France, SM Mall of Asia, Manila Bulletin and Channel 7, the EU Member States' embassies and EU cultural institutes. The events were also supported by JobsDB.com, Jam 88.3, Magic 89.9, Hershey's and Max and were coordinated by 3Vents. The EU Whiz is an inter-collegiate quiz about the European Union and its policies and institutions. It started in 2006 in Manila, was brought to Cebu in 2007 and was held last year in Davao. Previous winners from Manila, Cebu and Davao vied for this year's ultimate EU Whiz championship, wherein the winners together with the grand prize winner of the essay contest will travel to some European Union countries (Czech Republic, France, and Spain) like Jose Rizal did. This year's special focus on Jose Rizal is in line with Europe Month's "Rizal Na, Europa Pa" theme. Jose Rizal, the country's national hero, was the unanimous choice of the European community in Manila when itdecided to adopt "Rizal Na, Europa Pa" as a special theme for the Europe Month's celebrations this year in line with the 2009 European Year of Creativity and Innovation. Overall, Rizal is documented to have traveled extensively in nine European countries Austria, Belgium, Italy, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and United Kingdom.