Brief History of the National Population Quiz in the Philippines!

Brief History

The Population Quiz (POPQUIZ) was conceived in the late 70's by POPCOM Region 3. It started as a barangay-based activity in support of the radio program "Gintong Butil", where residents were invited to listen to lectures on population and family planning and answer questions related thereat.

In 1978, the first Regional POPQuiz was held in Barangay Dolores, Tarlac, Tarlac. Representative from the Commission on Population (POPCOM) Central Office and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) witnessed the emergence of Cabanatuan City as the first Regional POPQUIZ champion.

It was a one-hour variety show hosted by POPCOM Region and National Media Production Center of Region 3.

POPQUIZ was opened to all fourth year high school students of both public and private schools only in 1981 and was national in scope. The contest was undertaken by the Commission on Population in coordination with the Provincial and City Population Offices, Department of Education with support from USAID, and later from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

In the early 90’s, POPQUIZ was institutionalized under the Population Education program (POPED) of the Department of Education Culture and Sports supported by the Commission on Population.

Objectives


POPQUIZ is an advocacy tool primarily aimed to increase awareness and interest of the youth on population issues and concerns that affects their lives. It also helps them to rationally decide and become responsible and productive members of the community. POPQUIZ also seeks to generate wider support and participation for the Philippine Population Management Program..


The Content


Thru POPQUIZ, the youth and the public in general are informed of the importance and how the following affect their lives: Family Planning and Reproductive Health, Family Life and Responsible Parenthood, Resources and Environment Sustainable Development, Gender Equity and Equality and Responsible Sexuality.


Content Levels


The contest has four (4) levels: Divisional, Provincial, Regional and National Winners at the lower contest level advances to the next higher level. Regional winners then, vie for the National POPQUIZ Champion.


The Prize


POPCOM institutional Trophies, cash prizes and Certificate of Appreciation are presented and awarded to regional and national winners.

1982	Araceli Alterado Noel	Region 9
1983	Lilian Suan	Region 12
1984	Emmanuel Barrios	Region 2
1993	Bon Bandoquillo	Region 6
1994	Viberson Cale	Region 5
1995	Mary Grace Teofilo	Region 3
1996	Vernie Jay Ramos	Region 9
1997	Roberto Entoma	Region 5
1998	Milette Tappa	Region 2
1999	Alvin Gaspar	Region 3
2000	Sylvia Mae Ailanga	Region 11
2001	John Byron Jake T. Lasam	Region 2
2002	Olive dela Victoria	Region 12
2003	January Faith Santiago	Region 12
2004	April Louigie M. Meorom	Region 4-A
2005	Rojae Marie Braga	Region 12
2006	Ivanna R. Ungajan	Region 2
2007	Krizza Rae Jabonillo	Region 7
2008	Mark Joshua Tan	CAR
2009	Imee Rose B. Estrada	Region 3
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017	Jose Mari G. Agustin Allin Joy M. Camile Janella T. Dayrit Dheniel V. Pontiga Abigail D. Semodio TBA	Region 3 Region 11 Region 3 NCR NCR TBA