The National Finals of the 24th Philippine National Chemistry Olympiad (PNCO) was held last March 22, 2025 in the College of Arts and Sciences by the Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies, Inc. (PFCS), in collaboration with the Chemistry and Biochemistry Unit of the Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics (DPSM), the UP Biochemistry Society, and PLM The Chemical Society. PNCO is the most competitive competition attended by the country’s brightest young minds in the field of chemistry. UP Manila had the wonderful opportunity of hosting the much-awaited culmination of the nationwide PNCO 2025 events. PNCO 2025 marked the first time the prestigious competition’s national finals was hosted in a UP constituent university.
PNCO 2025 was made possible under the leadership of this year’s PNCO Technical Committee Head and DPSM-CAS Associate Professor Dr. Christopher Jay T. Robidillo. Gracing the event with opening keynotes were Associate Professor Dr. Jasper John A. Obico, the CAS Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Glenn V. Alea, the president of PFCS and Professor at De La Salle University’s (DLSU) Department of Chemistry.
The National Finals had three stages: Written Examination, Laboratory Practical Examination, and Chemistry Quiz Bee. The written examination and the quiz bee were held at the UPM Theatre while the laboratory practical examination was held at the chemistry laboratories of DPSM.
Four students from the Philippine Science High School System emerged victorious, bringing home the Gold Medals, namely: Kyush Cian Cabilino, Ogden Michael Javier, Rex Alphonse Reventar, and Mohammad Nur Casib. They have the honour of representing Team Philippines in the upcoming 57th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on July 2025. UP Manila joins the entire country in wishing the four champions the best in IChO 2025. May they bring home the gold!