After a year of hiatus, the UP Organization of Business Economics Majors (UP OBEM) held its annual economic convention Econ No-Mix on May 15 to 16, 2021 via virtual platforms.
The convention brought together high school students nationwide to promote economics by introducing different economic concepts in various fields through talks and competitions, primarily through Zoom.
With the theme "Rescue: Reviving the Philippine Economy through Strengthening the Healthcare System," Econ No-Mix 2021 focused on public health, with a special focus on the government's role in developing and implementing policies to strengthen the health care system and how responses to public health issues can improve economic outcomes.
The talks and competitions served as an avenue for the participants to learn about the state of the country's health care system and its relationship to the economy, as well as possible means to meet its long-term objectives, all the while being linked to basic economic concepts and applications that are evident in everyday lives.
The students' convention exposed high school students to industry leaders and movers of society to show how economics provides a solution to modern-day public health challenges.
Meanwhile, the teachers' convention tackled how prioritizing health, especially its mental aspect, can help teachers maximize their students' potential.
The debate, essay writing, idea generation and quiz bee competitions also challenged the participating students to think critically on the issues currently faced by Philippine society; instill a deeper understanding of economics and its applications to real-life situations; come up with concrete and feasible solutions in response to real-world dilemmas; and widen their knowledge on a variety of economic fields: macroeconomics, microeconomics, history of economics and current economic events.
First Place winners in the Debate Category were Neil Dominic de Jesus, Hugh Ruzle Mejos and David Dylan Mencias, with Mencias emerging as Best Speaker.
In the Essay Writing Category, winners were Cathleen Bettina Baroy, first place; Angelina Magallano, second place; and Anne Sophia Magsipoc, third place.
Winners in the Idea Generation Category were Samantha Nicole Carpio and Christina Andrea Ibarra, first place; Julia Mendiola, Faith Ylizabelle Rodriguez and Jovito San Luis 3rd, second place; and Raffy Mae Alidon, Heart Methody Castañares and Micah Emmanuelle Ceniza, third place.
In the Quiz Bee, Rexian Irlandez emerged as champion, with Mary Rose Esguerra in second place and Diana Mae de la Cruz in third place.
Econ No-Mix 2021 is officially endorsed by UP Office of the Student Regent, Securities and Exchange Commission, Public-Private Partnership Center, Philippine Competition Commission, Philippine Institute for Development Studies, National Economic and Development Authority, Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs, Commission on Human Rights, Department of Trade and Industry, Federation of Philippine Industries, Junior Philippine Economics Society, UP School of Economics Dean, Tariff Commission, Sen. Ana Theresia "Risa" Hontiveros and Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan.
The Manila Times was one of the event media partners.
UP OBEM is the only business organization in the UP School of Economics, committed to fostering academic excellence and providing exposure to business and economics environments among its members and the student community.
UP OBEM tackles how health care systems revive PH economy
