Ateneo JHS places 2nd in UP Diliman's Water Rocket Launch Competition

Representing Ateneo de Manila Junior High School (AJHS), the tandem of Rocco de Leon (10-Regis/ Advanced Science) & Miguel Dulalia (10-Pongracz/ Advanced Science) earned 1st Runner-Up honors in the accuracy category of the 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲-𝗢𝗳𝗳!: 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 held on 22 February 2025 at the UP Diliman Campus. They were coached by Mr. Radigan Ap-Apid and Mr. Jason Arias, who described the race as “excruciatingly close,” given that the Ateneans’ launch landed 3.02 m (see accompanying video) from the target while the launch of eventual champion St Joseph School of Gagalangin landed 2.04 m from the target. Behind Ateneo in 3^rd place was Philippine Science High School.

Rocco & Miguel were chosen to represent AJHS at “Take-Off!” because theirs was the most accurate rocket in the Grade 10 launch activity held last December. Their group was actually led by Kaku Chua (10-Pongracz/Advanced Science), who trained with them for the UP competition but was unable to attend the event.  

Organized by the UP Astronomical Society, “Take-Off!” was one of two events that were held to commemorate 2025 National Astronomy Week. The aim of the celebration was to “champion astronomy with pride and light, setting the scene for a future where curiosity knows no bounds.”