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What is PBO?
The Philippine Biology Olympiad 2026: SINAG is a national biology convention for students in grades 7-12 that aims to enhance the participants’ interest, passion, and awareness of issues in biology. It shall select the four (4) student representatives of the country for the International Biology Olympiad (IBO).
The Philippine Biology Olympiad (PBO) 2026 presents the theme SINAG, a Filipino word that signifies “to enlighten” or “to shine light”. It embodies the act of illuminating knowledge, clarifying understanding, and guiding progress in the biological sciences. Through SINAG, the Philippine Biology Olympiad celebrates the bright and curious minds of students, who carry with them the promise of a brighter future for biology in the Philippines.
Theme Overview
What is IBO?
The International Biology Olympiad (IBO) is a worldwide Biology competition for high school students bringing together the most gifted biology talents around the world. Through worldwide competition, the IBO aims to identify, inspire, empower, and support the next generation of leaders in the life sciences and to develop their international network. Currently, there are 78 member nations, including the Philippines, with over one million participants worldwide.
Year-by-Year Results
In 2018, our delegates won one silver medal and one bronze medal in the IBO held in Tehran, Iran.
2018
In 2019, the delegates took home a bronze medal, two honorable mentions, and a video competition winner in the IBO held in Szeged, Hungary.
2019
In the IBO Online Challenge 2020, Team Philippines was able to take home one bronze medal.
2020
In 2021, Philippine delegates bagged two bronze medals and two merit citations.
2021
In 2022, three participants garnered bronze medals each, and one received a Merit Citation.
2022
In 2023, three participants took home bronze in the IBO held in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
2023
In 2024, the Philippine delegates bagged one bronze medal and three merit citations.
2024
In 2025, the Philippines team won two (2) bronze medals and one (1) merit citation in the IBO held in Quezon City, Philippines.
2025
This year, we strive to maintain or even surpass this level of success in future IBOs.
2026
IMPORTANT DATES
January 17, 2026
Pre-Event Orientation Seminar
March 21, 2026
Semi-Finals
January 24, 2026
Eliminations
March 25, 2026*
Top 20 Announcement
January 31, 2026*
Top 55 Announcement
March 28, 2026
Finals
* Tentative Dates
![[PBO 2025] RESULTS + POSTERS.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7ae083_7026a72ecfab41809663f18b04acbf41~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_768,h_1024,al_c,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/7ae083_7026a72ecfab41809663f18b04acbf41~mv2.png)
ACTIVITIES
This year’s competition will consist of three phases: the eliminations, which will be held in satellite testing centers around the country, and a combined semi-finals and finals which will be held in the Ateneo de Manila University.
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There will be two examination types, the theoretical exams and the practical exams. Each exam comes with its own phases.
Theoretical Exam
The Theoretical Examination aims to test the participants’ knowledge and understanding of the concepts of Biology through a three-round competition that promotes integrity and academic intelligence. This category will challenge participants' mastery of the topics, not only through questions that will ask specific facts and concepts but also through theoretical tasks that will require them to apply their understanding of the topics.​
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The Theoretical Exams will cover three (3) major divisions – Cellular, Organismal, and Population Biology. These divisions include, but are not limited to, the following subtopics:
Cellular Biology
Cellular and Molecular Biology
Genetics
Microbiology
Biochemistry
Organismal Biology
Animal and Human Biology
Plant Anatomy and Physiology
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Population Biology
Ecology and Ethology
Evolution
Biosystematics
Practical Exam
The Practical Examination aims to test the laboratory knowledge and skills of the contestants. The competition will require the contestants to comprehend, apply, and analyze methodologies and research on biology, and evaluate biological problems using the necessary laboratory skills in related fields. This category will also test the participants’ familiarity with concepts related to the scientific method, and apply them in situations where multiple biological fields intersect.
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This examination type will feature topics in:
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Plant Computational Biology
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Animal Physiology
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Molecular Biology
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Animal Anatomy and Systematics
Masterclasses and Workshops
The top 55 semi-finalists will participate in an 8-week training program, combining theoreticals and practicals. This training is divided into two phases: a 4-week online theoretical phase followed by a 4-week hybrid practical training sessions, ending with onsite sessions at Ateneo de Manila University.
Phase 1: Online Theoretical Training
Theoretical sessions will run online, tentatively every Saturday, from February 7 to 28 featuring advanced lectures led by accomplished professors specializing in various fields of biology.
Phase 2: Practical Training
Online practical training occurs from March 7 to March 14, 2026. The final week, March 16-20 will be held at Ateneo de Manila University with the semi-finals on March 21. Quizzes may be conducted throughout the training and will contribute to the semi-finals exam scores, rewarding engagement and reinforcing key concepts.
Last, but not the least is the Amazing Race! This activity aims to evaluate the participants’ grasp of general science, trivia, and current issues in biodiversity while being able to enjoy it through various forms of games and challenges. In addition, this competition will require teamwork, time management, and critical thinking. The Amazing Race will be awarded separately and will not affect the teams’ standing in the overall competition.
The Amazing Race
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TESTIMONIALS
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