Filipino elementary pupil wins US spelling bee

MANILA, Philippines - After correctly spelling the word “scenario," a Filipino fifth-grader bested 21 other contestants and snagged first place in a citywide spelling bee held recently in Boston, Massachusetts. J. Rexon Apurado, a student at the Alexander Hamilton Elementary School in Brighton, won the second annual citywide spelling bee hosted by the Boston Centers for Youth & Families at Faneuil Hall last March 21. This achievement will reportedly allow him to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee to be held in Washington, D.C., in May. His uncle, Kirby Gonzaga, told GMANews.TV in an e-mail that the triumph of his nephew is “yet another Filipino achievement overseas." Apurado reportedly allotted his time after school and weekends studying for the competition. He did, however, gave his teachers and tutors the credit for his win – which he simply described in a report in the Boston Globe as “delightful." - Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV