Started just in 1999, the concept of the Aesculapius' Challenge came into being in 1997 when the fraternity was thinking of an alternative activity to generate funds and promote the group in the UERM community. The Aesculapius' Challenge became a perfect choice as it was not only in line with the Alpha Sigma Phi's thrust of academic excellence, it also became a venue to promote UERM beyond its four walls.

     The initial stages of the project were already in place as early as 1997, including the list of target schools, rules and regulations, and some of the questions, but logistical and financial constraints prompted postponement month after month, until it was finally in 1999.

     The Aesculapius' Challenge served as a perfect opener to the string of activities lined up by the fraternity last year. Furthermore, it is the personification of Alpha Sigma Phi's continuing commitment to the fabled institution that is the UERM.

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Details from the 3rd Aesculapius Challenge:

Held last November 21, 2001, a total of 8 teams participated in this years competitions. Leading the pack, UST came with 6 teams, representing the College of Pharmacy, Arts and Science, and Rehabilitation Science. There were also teams from the Ateneo de Manila and UE.

After a grueling elimination round, it became a battle between the UST Colleges as the top five to make it the next round all came from the oldest school in the Philippines. 

The final round was equally as exciting and eventually the College of Pharmacy reigned supreme as it captures both the first and third place, with the UST College of Rehabilitation Science winning  second place.

Acting as judges for this year's competition were Dr. Karl de Dios, Dr. Neil Carpio and Dr. Myles Santiago.

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Details from the 2nd Aesculapius Challenge:

The second Aesculapius' Challenge was held last January 17, 2001 at the UERM College
Auditorium. Despite the political turmoil prevailing in the country at the time, 6 teams from University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, and UERM were able to participate.

With quizmaster brod Harold Ortega, the contest went on smoothly and 5 top teams emerged after
the elmination round: UST Pharma Team1 with 135 pts, UST Pharma Team 2 with 120 pts, UST PT with 105 pts, UP Manila CAS Team 2 with 115 pts, and UERM PT with 100 pts. 

These five teams went on to the Final round, made more challenging with incorrect answers given 5
point deductions from the score. After 15 questions, UST Pharmacy Team 2 emerged as the
Aesculapius' Challenge champion with 40 points, UST Pharmcay Team 1 was first runner up
with 25 points, and UST College of Physical Therapy came in third with 20 points. 

Judging for the event was done by our sis Myles Santiago from the Department of Pediatrics.

                                 Complete roster of the participants for the 2nd Aesculapius' Challenge

UERM College of PT: (finalist)      Czarevich Parra - team captain      Jerilyn Balonan       Sochielle Atienza UST Physical Therapy (2nd runner-up)      Allan Fruelda - team captain      Dominador Ayeras      Joel Reyes      John Hubert C. Pua      Sir Avilin R. Yu      Coach: Joven Christopher T. Cerdenia

UP Manila College of Arts and Science:   Team 1      Jefferson Pagsisihan - team captain      Jamielyn dela Cruz      Katrina Marajas    Team 2 - (finalist)      Omar John Mejia - team captain      Ma. Concepcion Bernal      Nathaniel Carl Tan      Coach: Rico delos Reyes

UST College of Pharmacy:   Team 1 - (1st runner up)      Jhonas Aguinaldo - team captain      Michelle Andrea Uy      Edgar Wilson Timbol      John Paul Gloria      Rommel Romano   Team 2 - (Champion)      Earl Louis Sempio -team captain      Luis Blanco, Jr.      Edison So      Guilvic Tirso Aspiras      Lorenzo Tan     Coaches: Lancelot Villaluz                   Janet Tan                   Miriam Cheng

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Details from the first Aesculapius Challenge:

The first ever Aesculapius' Challenge was held last September 15, 1999 at the UERM College Auditorium at 4 p.m. Participants came from the Ateneo de Manila University which sent two teams, De La Salle University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila with two teams, University of the East - Ramon Magsaysay College of Physical Therapy, University of the East Recto, University of the Philippines BS Psychology, University of Santo Tomas College of Pharmacy represented by three teams, the UST College of Physical Therapy, and the UST College of Science.

With quizmaster brod Anacleto Baizas Diaz, the contest went on smoothly with questions flashed on the wall via an LCD projector. The elimination round was composed of easy and difficult categories and after 25 questions in this round, the top five teams emerged: Ateneo de Manila Team A with 115 points, UST CS with 115 points, PLM Team A with 110 points, UST Pharma Team A with 140 points, and UST PT with 125 pts.

These five teams went on to the Final round, made more challenging with incorrect answers given 5 point deductions from the score. After 15 questions, UST PT emerged as the Aesculapius' Challenge champion with 75 points, UST CS was first runner up with 70 points, and Ateneo Team A came in third with 65 points. The contestants representing UST PT were given a plaque, medals, gift products from sponsors plus P5,000. UST CS and Ateneo also received plaques, medals, gift products plus P2000 and P1000, respectively. The other two finalists were given certificates of recognition.

Able judges for the event included brods Dr. Robert Buhain from the Dept. of Anatomy, Dr. Jason Penaranda, and also Dr. Minerva Galang from the Dept. of Pharmacology. In special attendance were our brods Dr. Romeo Encanto of the Dept. of Surgery and Dr. Benjamin Policarpio, Head of the Dept. of Medicine.

click here to see pictures from Aesculapius' Challenge 1999!

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Complete roster of the participants for the First Aesculapius' Challenge