In the heart of the bustling halls of the university where footsteps and chatter echo, an event unfolds over four extraordinary days. Amidst the busy rooms and corridors, a challenge emerged for one particular group of students. One that tested the camaraderie, wit, and physique of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) BS Statistics students.
In a weeklong journey, “Borderland Wager: A Week of High Stakes,” was organized by the PUP Statistics Students’ Clique to celebrate the statistics week that was held from April 15th to April 18th. Students from BS STATS were all invited to participate and exhibit their talents, showcase their fierce competency, and compete as gamers, athletes, and intellectuals in a series of exhilarating challenges inspired by the Netflix Series, Alice in Borderland. Several students coming from all years showed up to demonstrate their commitment to taking the title of the champion but one year stood out from the rest, coming out with just a one-point lead, the overall champions of the event!
The Club Team, in the first years, demonstrated prowess in various domains, from dominating virtual battlefields in Mobile Legends and CODM to showcasing strategic brilliance in AnalyChess and intellectual agility in the Quant Quiz Quandary. Meanwhile, the Diamond Team, the second years, showcased a blend of traditional and modern challenges, securing wins in activities ranging from the artistic Banner Battle Royale to the nostalgic Chinese Garter and Relay Race. Lastly, the Heart Team, the third year, displayed versatility with triumphs in the Master of All Trades competition, emphasizing data science storyboarding, alongside engaging in a diverse array of challenges as they won the Ace of Hearts in the Ace of all suits challenge. Through these victories, each team not only celebrated their achievements but also embodied the essence of teamwork and determination in the spirit of “Alice in Borderland.”
SUITS
The games were divided into 4 categories, specifically, the Diamonds, Spades, and Clubs suit. The face cards of each suit are assigned to games as well as clues about the hidden joker card.
The Diamonds Suit was composed of two games: the Queen of Diamonds: Quant Quiz Quandry, a quiz bee covering basic statistics, and the King of Diamonds: AnalyChess, a chess tournament.
The Spades Suit consists of Jack of Spades: Relay Race, a relay race with a touch of the old and classic games we all love like the limbo rock, kadang kadang, and sack race, the Queen of Spades: Chinese Garter, and the King of Spades: Dodgeball.
The Hearts Suit with the Jack of Hearts: Banner Battle Royale, the banner-making contest, the Queen of Hearts: The Monarchs of the Battleground, the Call of Duty Mobile games, and the King of Hearts: Conquering the Land of Dawn, or the Mobile Legends Bang Bang tournament.
The Clubs Suit is composed of the Ace of Clubs: Cheer Off Champions, where teams were tasked to make a 1-minute cheer, the Queen of Clubs: Volleyball Showdown, the women’s volleyball match, and the King of Clubs: Volleyball Showdown, the men’s volleyball match.
Another game included is the Ace of Suits where students from all years are given the number cards from their respective suits to use as betting pieces to challenge other teams in any game they could think of—aside from violent games, of course! The team that gets the most cards from each suit gets the Ace card of that suit. Finally, the hidden Joker card where teams could get an advantage later on if they manage to find it.
Day 1 and 2
Events during these days were held online and can be seen on the Facebook Page of StatSClique. Day 1 was assigned to the Jack of Hearts. Banners made by the teams are posted on the Facebook page and the one who garners the most likes wins the card. Congratulations to our Sophomores whose banner accumulated more than a thousand reactions!
The following day was filled with excitement as the online games were streamed to the public. This provided a platform for audiences to actively engage in the event using the live chat. Several students who watched the livestream expressed their support, and encouragement, and even engaged in friendly banters with the other years, creating an electric atmosphere of excitement.
Day 3
Day 3 is one of the two offline events. This took place at the PUP NDC Court, setting the stage for a day filled with physical and mental challenges. However, the day wasn’t without its hurdles. Technical issues concerning the speaker caused a few hiccups, threatening to disrupt the flow of the event. Despite these challenges, the officers rallied together, demonstrating resilience and determination. With quick thinking and effective problem-solving, the technical issues were addressed, allowing the event to proceed smoothly. Despite the initial setbacks, the day concluded successfully, with all activities completed within the scheduled time frame.
Day 4
The following day, Day 4, brought a renewed sense of optimism and determination. Building upon the lessons learned from the previous day, the team was better equipped to handle any challenges that arose. Fortunately, problems regarding the sound system, which had plagued previous events, were swiftly resolved. With the obstacles overcome, Day 4 proceeded smoothly, allowing everyone to fully immerse themselves in supporting their teams and winning the games.
Until Next Time
As we bid adieu to this whirlwind of an adventure, let us carry with us the memories of our trials and triumphs, our laughter and camaraderie.
A big thank you to all participants, organizers, and sponsors for their invaluable contributions to the success of our event. Your dedication, hard work, and support have made this experience truly memorable. We couldn’t have done it without you!
So, until we reconvene for our next escapade, remember: In the game of life, make sure you’re not the piece being played.
“Face reality and rack your brains, that is if you don’t want to die.” -Shibuki