ASEP rewarded my child with mental and emotional pain
BY ESTER E. SAUZA

SCIENCE 'FAIR'. The science research project of Nadya Sauza entitled "Biodiesel from Waste Animal Fats in A Meat Processing Plant" earned praises from Agriculture secretary Arthur Yap (EESauza)

I appreciate Dr. Bawingan’s admission that there was palabunutan in the National Science Fair that eliminated my child from competition. She was candid enough to narrate her role in the event. If I may add, Dr. Bawingan also argued that the organizers inform the concerned parties affected by the problem. She also assured us she will stand by the “drawing of lots” method.
I just wish though that she withdraws her signature as member of the panel of judges because I believe, by not doing so, she is in effect part of the charade.
Meanwhile, I have yet to hear from ASEP officials, especially from Dr. Fruit Godoy, ASEP President. I also wish the committee on palabunutan that Dr. Bawingan mentioned explain its method.
Dr. Bawingan’s letter raised more questions about ASEP and DepEd’s conduct of the event. She said she was “shocked upon learning there were more than 10 researches, although only 10 submitted to her prior to the event. The rest were given on the spot.

Question 1: How could a judge read with fair degree of understanding 36 scientific papers and makes a judgment on their merit in matter of six hours, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.?
I counted at least 36 demo boards displayed corresponding to 36 entries (not 23 as Dr. Bawingan mentioned). Four were minalas to be “picked out” – Nadya included. In other words, one research study was read, scrutinized and “pre-judged” in 10 minutes on the average!

Question 2: Why did ASEP wait for us to go to Baguio City only to be subjected to palabunutan?
On December 8, 2006, Nadya won the regional level competition. On January 8, 2007, we sent her study and other pertinent papers to DepEd Region 6 which, in turn, sent these to ASEP weeks before the National Science Fair.
When it received the studies and other documents from delegates, ASEP had known all along that DepEd Region 6 intended to send four. Why didn’t ASEP inform DepEd Region 6 at this point that it has misinterpreted the guidelines?
On February 9, after a long journey from Aklan to Baguio, we registered Nadya who was among the pre-listed delegates. ASEP accepted the registration fee of P3,600 for Nadya and her coach. Again, why didn’t ASEP inform us of the alleged misinterpretation?
On February 10, ASEP conducted the palabunutan prior to the contest proper. How it was carried out, who were present, what mechanics were used, who witnessed it, and so on, we as a concerned party didn’t know.

Question 3: Why was the prejudging of the entries shrouded in secrecy?
The prejudging was done behind closed doors. Only the student-contestants were allowed inside the crowded room for questioning by the judges. How the prejudging was done, what types of studies were entered, we did not know. Isn’t a “science fair” supposed to showcase the pupils’ scientific knowledge and discoveries to everybody especially to fellow pupils, not just to the panel of judges?
Question 4: Why was our formal protest not acted upon immediately by ASEP when it should have been resolved before the awarding ceremony at 1 p.m. of February 11?
We verbally informed the panel of judges’ right after the science congress at 6 p.m. that we were placing the result of the competition under protest.
Nadya’s coach spent the night writing a formal protest that was submitted to Dr. Fruit godoy at 10 a.m. I, too, made my open letter. Two weeks have passed; we have yet to hear from ASEP.

Question 5: Where is DepEd in this science event?
I understand, DepEd was the co-organizer of the National Science Fair. I have yet to hear a DepEd official formally taking the cudgels for Nadya.
For the alleged fault of DepEd Region 6 has punished my child hard; it has inflicted her mental and emotional pain. After the fair, she was emotionally drained. Up to now, she sheds tears whenever she recalls her “elimination”. During the National Schools Press Conference last February 19-21 in Baguio, she was struggling mentally and physically going through the motion uninspired. She almost did not join the Photojournalism competition because, aside from being unwell, she said she didn’t feel up to it. She barely completed her photo essay.
Whatever negative effects now and in the future this episode might exact in my child’s life, I hope I can find it in my heart to forgive.
Lastly, I would like to offer my humble thought on Dr. Bawingan’s question: Given the situation then, “who among the four should be chosen!”
A compassionate heart with a genuine concern and compassion for the emotion, potentials and dreams of the CHILDREN – the focus of this event – will NEVER decide the way ASEP did.

Note: Nadya’s research consultant, Dr. Mary Eden Teruel of Aklan State University informed me that my daughter’s research study will be the basis of a full-blown research project proposal that she is preparing.
The objective is to subject the technology of producing bio diesel from waste animal fats to a more rigid study. Once “matured”, the technology can proceed to actual production.
As mentioned, DOST-Aklan and Agriculture secretary Arthur Yap have expressed interest in Nadya’s research. ASEP and DepEd, meanwhile, have maintained their deafening silence on the issue.