STI West Negros Cube Fest 2024

Inside the bustling halls of STI West Negros University, the atmosphere on April 21, 2024, carried the focused energy that defines high-level speedcubing. Solvers stood behind the timers with eyes closed in brief moments of mental visualization, tracing puzzle rotations in their thoughts before making their opening moves. That intense discipline set the tone across the entire cubing competition in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines, where split-second recognition and muscle memory dictated the flow of every single turn.

A total of 57 competitors gathered for the STI West Negros Cube Fest 2024, taking on 10 rounds across seven distinct disciplines. While standard solves require rapid visual processing, the deep concentration demanded in multi-layered events and rapid-fire categories tested mental endurance throughout the day. Competitors from across the region pushed through high-pressure scenarios, translating preparation into sharp performances under the watchful eyes of official judges at this sanctioned WCA competition.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube contest stood at the center of the schedule, drawing 55 competitors across two rounds of intense action. Ace Djun T. Aguirre Jr. delivered commanding 3x3 results, capturing the championship with an 8.56 average in the final round and logging a best single of 7.90 seconds. Miguel Gonzaga took second place on the podium with a 9.15 average, while Ace Christian C. Wong secured third place with a mark of 9.24 seconds in a fiercely contested showdown on the classic Rubik's Cube.

Ace Djun T. Aguirre Jr. maintained his winning momentum across multiple puzzle sizes and formats, earning first place in three separate events. In the 4x4x4 Cube, he took the gold with an average of 33.75 seconds, backed by a tournament-best single of 28.62, finishing ahead of Miguel Gonzaga at 34.83 and Kirby Jay Caragan at 40.33. Aguirre also conquered the 3x3x3 One-Handed event, securing victory with a 14.15 average to narrowly edge Gonzaga at 14.26 and Ace Christian C. Wong at 14.85.

Beneath the top steps of the podium, several competitors achieved striking personal milestones that defined the depth of the tournament. Joesef E. Amar took on five events, improving his 2x2x2 Cube personal best by 55.2 percent to 1.60 seconds, slicing his Pyraminx best by 51.5 percent to 4.60 seconds, and taking his 3x3x3 Cube best down by 21.3 percent to 9.60 seconds. Aluel Paolo H. Gonzaga registered a 49 percent drop in his 2x2x2 Cube mark to 7.23 seconds while attempting both Skewb with a 15.06 and Megaminx with a 3:17.59 for the first time. Asher Jess B. Baluya trimmed 43.4 percent off his 3x3x3 One-Handed mark to reach 28.87 seconds, dropped his 3x3x3 Cube best by 38.2 percent to 14.64 seconds, and posted his first Skewb solve at 20.34.

The progress continued throughout the roster with substantial time cuts and event debuts. Prince Stefan Robes entered five events, cutting his 2x2x2 Cube personal record by 44.6 percent down to 6.67 seconds, improving his 4x4x4 Cube mark by 11.7 percent to 2:13.84, and bettering his 3x3x3 Cube record to 22.10 seconds. Mikael Lagon took on four events, completing his first attempts at 4x4x4 Cube in 58.30 and Megaminx in 2:00.79 while cutting his 3x3x3 One-Handed best by 25.5 percent to 30.13 seconds. Kurt Zian Ledesma recorded his first 2x2x2 Cube effort at 6.03 seconds and first One-Handed mark at 1:15.77, alongside a 16.2 percent improvement in 3x3x3 Cube to 21.18. Theodore Benedict M. Corcino notched his first One-Handed attempt at 1:51.95 and dropped his 3x3x3 Cube best by 26.1 percent to 26.88 seconds, while Christian Laurence F. Naya tackled first-time efforts in Skewb at 11.69 and 2x2x2 Cube at 4.45 seconds.

The shorter formats delivered electric sequences on the timing pads, led by Ace Christian C. Wong claiming top honors in the 2x2x2 Cube. Wong posted a winning average of 2.49 seconds, backed by a tournament-best single of 1.38, while Aguirre took second at 2.84 and Gonzaga placed third at 3.01. In the Pyraminx event, Mars Daniel Kudemus captured first place with a 3.38 average, followed by Gonzaga in second at 3.99 and Aguirre in third with 4.51.

Kirby Jay Caragan earned the title in Skewb, posting a winning average of 3.98 seconds ahead of Gonzaga at 4.42 and Aguirre at 4.88. In the 12-sided Megaminx contest, Andrew Thomas Salazar Pacilan prevailed over two rounds with a 46.01 average and a fast single of 42.03, outpacing Aguirre at 51.17 and Julian Miguel Bata at 53.58. The STI West Negros Cube Fest 2024 showcased the incredible versatility and technical focus across the Philippine speed cubing community as competitors look ahead to their next season on the circuit.

Niyanig ni Ace Djun T. Aguirre Jr. ang entablado matapos magtala ng kahanga-hangang 8.56 winning average sa 3x3x3 Cube upang pangunahan ang listahan ng mga kampeon sa STI West Negros Cube Fest 2024. Ang naturang tagumpay sa pinakatampok na Rubik's Cube division ay nagpatunay sa bilis at galing ng mga manlalaro sa buong bansa. Naganap ang mainit na paligsahan noong April 21, 2024 sa STI West Negros University sa Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines kung saan nagtipon ang 57 kalahok para sa 7 events at 10 rounds ng matinding bakbakan sa speedcubing.

Hindi nagpahuli ang iba pang mga kalahok sa tradisyunal na 3x3x3 Cube dahil naging dikit ang labanan para sa podium. Sumunod kay Aguirre si Miguel Gonzaga na nagrehistro ng 9.15 average para sa ikalawang pwesto. Nakuha naman ni Ace Christian C. Wong ang ikatlong pwesto tangan ang 9.24 average. Ang 55 kalahok sa kategoryang ito ay nagpamalas ng husay sa bawat galaw kung saan naitala rin ni Aguirre ang pinakamabilis na winning single na 7.90.

Bumida rin nang husto si Ace Christian C. Wong sa mas mabilis na 2x2x2 Cube event kung saan siya ang nag-uwi ng kampeonato matapos magtala ng 2.49 winning average at napakabilis na 1.38 best single. Pumangalawa sa kanya si Ace Djun T. Aguirre Jr. na may 2.84 average habang pumangatlo si Miguel Gonzaga na nagtala ng 3.01 average. Umabot sa 43 competitors ang naglaban sa dalawang rounds ng kategoryang ito na nagpakita ng mataas na antas ng kumpetisyon.

Patuloy na nangibabaw si Ace Djun T. Aguirre Jr. sa iba pang mga laro sa STI West Negros Cube Fest 2024 matapos dominahin ang 4x4x4 Cube at 3x3x3 One-Handed. Sa 4x4x4 Cube, nasungkit niya ang unang pwesto sa bilis na 33.75 average at 28.62 single laban kina Miguel Gonzaga na may 34.83 at Kirby Jay Caragan na may 40.33. Sa 3x3x3 One-Handed, nagwagi muli si Aguirre sa pamamagitan ng 14.15 average at 13.69 single laban kay Gonzaga na nagtala ng 14.26 at Wong na may 14.85.

Sa mas komplikadong mga puzzle, nagningning si Andrew Thomas Salazar Pacilan sa Megaminx nang masungkit ang ginto gamit ang 46.01 winning average at 42.03 single matapos daigin si Aguirre na may 51.17 at Julian Miguel Bata na may 53.58. Samantala, nagwagi si Mars Daniel Kudemus sa Pyraminx tangan ang 3.38 average at 2.30 single laban kina Gonzaga na may 3.99 at Aguirre na may 4.51. Sa Skewb, nanguna si Kirby Jay Caragan na nagtala ng 3.98 average at 2.55 single kontra kina Gonzaga na may 4.42 at Aguirre na may 4.88.

Sa likod ng mga panalo sa podium, labis na kapansin-pansin ang ipinamalas na sigasig ng mga baguhang kalahok sa buong cubing competition. Malaking pagsulong ang ipinakita ni Generoso L. Secreto III sa 7 events na kanyang sinalihan kabilang ang 40.8 porsyentong bilis sa Megaminx personal best na 2:24.54 mula 4:04.26, 1:29.11 sa 4x4x4 Cube, 18.10 sa 3x3x3 Cube, at ika-14 na pwesto sa Skewb. Pinatunayan din ni Jan Dru F. Abanilla ang kanyang pag-unlad sa pamamagitan ng 38.6 porsyentong bilis sa 2x2x2 Cube personal best na 6.08 mula 9.90, 28.67 sa 3x3x3 Cube, 8.15 sa Pyraminx, at ika-17 pwesto sa naturang puzzle. Malaking hakbang din ang naitala ni Ashton Daniel M. Deroca sa kanyang unang subok sa 2x2x2 Cube na may 15.20 kasabay ng 50.55 personal best sa 3x3x3 Cube. Hindi rin nagpahuli si Nathan Garrido na sumabak sa 6 events kung saan nagtala siya ng unang subok sa Skewb na 20.25 para sa ika-19 na pwesto, 44.66 sa 3x3x3 One-Handed, at 4.55 sa 2x2x2 Cube.

Nagpakitang-gilas din ang mga bagong mukha na sumabak sa kanilang pinakaunang WCA competition ngayong taon. Buong tapang na sumabak si Jon Uriel Inigo Tungul sa 3 events at nagtala ng unang subok na 17.75 sa Pyraminx para sa ika-23 na pwesto, 7.51 sa 2x2x2 Cube, at 27.48 sa 3x3x3 Cube. Nagtala naman si Ken Erick A. Caceres ng unang subok na 16.95 sa 3x3x3 Cube, 32.36 sa 3x3x3 One-Handed para sa ika-22 na pwesto, at 5.61 sa 2x2x2 Cube. Ipinamalas din nina Zachary Y. Beleño ang bilis sa 3x3x3 Cube na may 16.83 at 2x2x2 Cube na may 5.81, habang si Miguel Salde ay nagtala ng 26.24 sa 3x3x3 Cube at 6.32 sa 2x2x2 Cube sa kanilang mga unang opisyal na subok.

Naging ganap ang tagumpay ng buong delegasyon kung saan ang lahat ng 21 podium places sa torneo ay nasungkit ng mga kinatawan mula sa Pilipinas. Ang kahanga-hangang resulta at mabilis na pag-angat ng mga kabataan sa STI West Negros Cube Fest 2024 sa Bacolod City ngayong 2024 ay nag-iwan ng matibay na pundasyon para sa hinaharap ng larangan sa darating na panahon.