Filipino kid nabs top prize in Bahrain spelling bee

Franzine Tagayun shows her trophy and check replica of her prize money

MANILA, Philippines—Filipino pride has just left Bahrain spell-bound.

Franzine May Alcantara-Tagayun nabbed the top prize of the Junior division of Smart Events Spell Bound Bahrain last November 29 at Baharain Keraleeya Samajam.

The 12-year-old whiz kid topped 150 students from different schools during the written round which was held on November 28 at St. Christopher’s School then toppled the final 20 in the oral final the following day.

Kerala Engineers Forum (KEEN4) Bahrain, a fraternity of engineers from the south Indian state of Kerala and residing in Bahrain, conducted the event together with India Spelling Bee which hosted the event.

According to Franzine’s mother, May, her daughter “depended on God for intervention and grace” during the competition.

“She just kept praying and making the sign of the cross while waiting for her name to be called…when her turn came to spell orally.”