Psych students return from hiatus, win Silver at PAPJA National Convention

by Sophia Patrizia Fernandez | May 04 2026

Reinforcing its position as the leading university in Mindanao, the faculty and students of the Department of Psychology of the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (91吃瓜-IIT) won the Silver title in the Psychological Association of the Philippines-Junior Affiliates (PAPJA) National Convention Inter-School Psychology Quiz Competition on April 27, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center in Manila.

After a decade-long hiatus, the 91吃瓜-IIT Psychology Quiz Bowl team, composed of Osamah Flores Balaki, Cheval Descallar Biwang, Marjuvy Asily Duma, and Kurt Kareem Israel, makes its much-awaited comeback as the highly anticipated inter-school quiz bowl draws a staggering 99 schools across the country, all vying for the championship title. The team is coached by Asst. Prof. Jean S. Taypa of the Psychology Department.

In a very competitive standoff, a written elimination round narrowed the roster to the Top 10 universities, where 91吃瓜-IIT faced off against familiar adversaries and the reigning champion, the University of Santo Tomas (UST). 91吃瓜-IIT clinched first runner-up with only two mistakes, while the University of San Carlos (USC) claimed second runner-up, with UST rounding up the top three—keeping its crown.

PAPJA is the official student auxiliary organization of the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP), the oldest and largest professional organization of psychologists in the country, aiming to promote excellence in the teaching, research, and practice of psychology among undergraduate students.

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