MECHANICAL engineering students brought home the bacon after winning first runner-up in a regional quiz contest held last July 23-25.

Conducted annually by the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME), the quiz was part of the organization’s Luzon Regional Conference hosted by the PSME La Union Chapter at the sprawling Oasis Country Resort in the City of San Fernando.

“Our students really prepared for this,” said engineer Nathaniel Ericson R. Mateo, chair of the ME department, adding that despite the formidable questions on power and industrial plants, the students were able to answer them at the start of the competition.

“In the opening bout, they were leading by substantial points. However, during the last part of the competition, they found out that some topics were not taught to them which made them nervous,” Mateo added.

“We thank God that we survived,” said Faye Marysol Arucan, one of the competitors, adding that her team worked together to attain this success. She said they are now reviewing for the national competition in October.

The other members of the group were Jessie Racuza, Peter John Pelayo, Basil Eugenio Ranjo, and Rafael Domingo. They received medals and a P5,000 cash prize. Their coaches wer engineers Romaric Ascaño, Ian Romas, Odette Alegato, and Robert Martin. (By Reynaldo E. Andres)