A delegation of just four Senior Division teams turned the World Scholar’s Cup Global Round Dubai 2026 into a showcase of collective strength. The Philippine School – Dubai (TPS) finished as 2nd Overall Champion Team, gathering 117 medals and 11 trophies against far larger schools from across the globe during the September 5–8 competition themed “Are We There Yet?”
The organization’s founder, known within the competition as its Alpaca in Chief, Daniel Berdichevsky, drew attention to the school during the awards, saying TPS “embodies the World Scholar’s Cup spirit” and citing its collaborative drive and outward-looking leadership.
Team 195 — 2nd Overall Champion Team
Team 195 anchored the delegation’s trophy haul, topping the Scholar’s Bowl and finishing 2nd for Champion Team.
- Jillian Denise Pilapil (Grade 11) — Champion Team (2nd); Scholar’s Bowl (1st); Team Challenge (2nd); Team Writing (2nd); Team Debate (Gold); Individual Challenge (Silver); Individual Writing (Silver); Individual Debate (Silver); Special Area (2nd Gold); Science (6th Gold); Literature (10th Silver)
- Sean Ezekiel Cosmiano (Grade 10) — Overall Scholar (4th Gold); Scholar’s Bowl (1st); Individual Challenge (2nd Trophy); Individual Writing (2nd Trophy); Team Challenge (2nd Trophy); Team Writing (2nd Trophy); Team Debate (Gold); Individual Debate (Silver); Art & Music (2nd Gold); Social Studies (2nd Gold); History (2nd Gold); Literature (3rd Gold); Science (5th Gold); Special Area (7th Gold)
- Ocean Thomas Tayo (Grade 12) — Champion Scholar (3rd Trophy); Scholar’s Bowl (1st); Team Challenge (2nd Trophy); Team Writing (2nd Trophy); Individual Challenge (4th Gold); Individual Writing (7th Gold); Individual Debate (11th Gold); Team Debate (Gold); Art & Music Winner; Special Area (4th Gold); Literature (4th Gold); Social Studies (7th Gold)
Reflecting on the run, Tayo pointed to how far the group had traveled from a shaky start. “The WSC is all about preparation. Back in the Dubai May Round, my team barely made it through Regionals and qualified only through the Additional Qualifiers category. However, during the Global Round, we came back stronger and earned seven team trophies, along with numerous individual awards. We even became the Top Team in the Scholar’s Bowl, while I was named the Top Scholar in Arts and Music, achievements that once felt far beyond what we could have imagined during Regionals.” He credited teammates Cosmiano and Pilapil for the turnaround.
Team 196 — Top 4 Overall
- Nathan Ged De Torres (Grade 10) — Overall Team (4th Gold); Scholar’s Bowl (3rd Trophy); Team Debate (3rd Gold); Individual Debate (Gold)
- Ceana Nadin Gonzales (Grade 11) — Overall Team (4th Gold); Scholar’s Bowl (3rd Trophy); Special Area (13th Silver); Team Debate (3rd Gold); Individual Debate (Gold)
- Alexandria Athena Urbano (Grade 11) — Champion Scholar (2nd Trophy); Overall Team (4th Gold); Individual Debate (2nd Trophy); Scholar’s Bowl (3rd Trophy); Science Winner; Art & Music (5th Gold); Social Studies (7th Gold); Team Debate (3rd Gold); Individual Challenge (5th Gold); Individual Writing (Gold); Special Area (5th Gold); History (7th Gold); plus a Debate Showcase selection, the segment reserved for the competition’s most persuasive speakers
Urbano framed her showcase turn as a shared achievement rather than a solo one. “However, being a part of the Debate Showcase was more than just an individual moment of pride. As I faced the stage, I was met with the most welcoming and proud smiles from my delegation—the Philippine School Scholars. Those who raised our flag with pride, and whose spirit I attempted to capture in each word I spoke.”
Team 197 — Top 7 Overall
- Bianca Jaz Buenaobra (Grade 10) — Team Debate (Gold); Scholar’s Bowl (Gold); Individual Writing (18th Gold); Team Challenge (Silver); Team Writing (Silver); Overall Team (Silver); Overall Scholar (Silver); Individual Debate (Silver); Literature (11th Silver)
- Samantha Clarice Tivi (Grade 11) — Team Debate (Gold); Scholar’s Bowl (Gold); Team Challenge (Silver); Team Writing (Silver); Overall Team (Silver); Individual Debate (Silver); Art & Music (5th Gold)
- Danielle Wilhelm Ablang (Grade 12) — Overall Scholar (9th Gold); Individual Writing (10th Gold); Team Debate (Gold); Scholar’s Bowl (Gold); Individual Debate (14th Gold); Team Challenge (Silver); Team Writing (Silver); Overall Team (Silver); Individual Challenge (Silver); Literature (4th Gold); Science (11th Silver)
Team 198 — Top 8 Overall
- Lawrence Jed Genova (Grade 12) — Team Debate (Gold); Individual Debate (18th Gold); Overall Team (Silver); Team Challenge (Silver); Special Area (7th Gold); Scholar’s Bowl (Silver); Overall Scholar (Silver); Individual Writing (Silver)
- Samantha Nicole Surabia (Grade 11) — Team Debate (Gold); Individual Debate (17th Gold); Overall Team (Silver); Team Challenge (Silver); Special Area (6th Gold); History (9th Silver); Scholar’s Bowl (Silver); Overall Scholar (Silver); Individual Challenge (Silver); Art & Music (13th Silver)
- Angeles Marthena Aggabao (Grade 11) — Overall Scholar (13th Gold); Team Debate (Gold); Individual Debate (Gold); Overall Team (Silver); Science (8th Gold); Team Challenge (Silver); Scholar’s Bowl (Silver); Individual Challenge (Silver); Individual Writing (Silver); History (9th Silver)
The results land as TPS marks a period of growth on campus, having recently opened a new Annex Building to accommodate expanding programs and a larger student body. Principal Dr. Rommel E. Pelayo tied the two milestones together: “Our scholars’ success at the World Scholar’s Cup — earning 117 medals, 11 trophies, and securing 2nd Overall Champion Team — reflects the strength of Filipino excellence in Dubai. With the opening of our new Annex Building, TPS is even more prepared to nurture globally competitive learners and celebrate achievements like these.”
Guiding the delegation throughout was WSC TPS Moderator and Head of Communications & Media, Miss Carol Cureg, who coordinated the group across the four days. “This year’s Global Round proved what TPS has always stood for — grit, teamwork, and the courage to rise from humble beginnings. Our scholars showed that excellence isn’t about size; it’s about spirit. And TPS will continue to carry that spirit wherever the journey leads next.”
Next on the calendar is the Tournament of Champions at Yale University, where the delegation intends to test itself against the competition’s international field.
