SLSU BSCE Team triumphs in Regional Seismic Design and STAAD.Pro competitions, Secures spot in National Finals
Third-year Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) students from Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) participated in two regional engineering competitions held in Davao City on February 14–15, 2026, earning placements that qualified them for the national rounds.
On February 14, 2026, an SLSU team joined the regional-level “1st National Undergraduate Seismic Design Challenge: Beat the Quake 2026,” organized by Xstructures Engineering Consultants in partnership with the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP).
The regional leg included seven participating institutions: Ateneo de Davao University, Cor Jesu College, Jose Maria College Foundation Inc., University of Mindanao, University of Southeastern Philippines, University of Southern Mindanao, and Southern Leyte State University.
Representing SLSU were Hanna Fe Gorme, Vernie Mellorin, and Carl Asriel Agapay, who placed 2nd in the competition. Their performance qualified them for the National Showdown scheduled on April 19, 2026.
The team was mentored by Engr. Jommar V. Tagalog of the Department of Civil Engineering, with assistance from student coach Karl Dexter Bahinting. They also received the Special “Epicenter Award” for obtaining the highest number of shares and reactions on their official group photo online.
The “Beat the Quake 2026” competition challenges BSCE student teams to design, build, and test earthquake-resistant model structures using prescribed materials and criteria. Entries are evaluated under simulated seismic loading conditions.
On February 15, 2026, three other SLSU BSCE students competed in the Qualifier Level (Regional Battles) of the 2026 National Undergraduate STAAD.Pro Challenge, organized by Xstructures Engineering Consultants. The competition assesses participants’ understanding of STAAD.Pro concepts and their ability to perform structural modeling and analysis.
The regional round included ten participants from University of Mindanao, University of Southern Philippines Foundation, Jose Maria College Foundation Inc., and SLSU. Leading the competition was Clint Joshua Rafalle, who secured 1st place, followed by Arjay Daramayo in 2nd place, and Franz Felix Sinahon in 5th place.
Participants completed timed Easy, Average, and Difficult rounds. The Easy and Average rounds focused on conceptual knowledge of STAAD.Pro, while the Difficult round required live structural modeling and analysis.
With these results, the qualifiers will represent SLSU in the National Clash scheduled in April 2026. The team was coached by Engr. Raymart Bulagsac, Department Head of the Civil Engineering program and Adviser of the PICE SLSU Student Chapter.
These outcomes reflect the continued participation of SLSU students in national engineering competitions and their engagement in applied structural and seismic design activities.