What people are searching for
The SM Super Spelling Bee is an exciting and competitive spelling contest designed to test students’ spelling and language comprehension skills. The competition will consist of two main stages: the Elimination Stage and the Grand Finals Stage, each with various phases to keep the competition fast paced and engaging.
The following are not eligible to join the SM Super Spelling Bee 2025:
Any contestant found ineligible will be disqualified at any stage, and all prizes and titles will be forfeited.
4.1. Parents or legal guardians of the students must complete the registration through one of the following channels:
4.2. Submission requirements:
4.3. Registration Schedule:
o August 23, 2025
o August 30, 2025
o September 6, 2025
o September 13, 2025
o September 20, 2025
Note: Eliminations will begin at 2:00 PM, and the cut-off time for on-the-spot registration is 12:00 noon.
4.4. Schedule and Venue for Submission of Application Forms
The SM Super Spelling Bee contest will consist of two main stages:
o Phase 1: Written Spelling Test
o Phase 2: Oral Spelling Test
o Phase 1: Written Spelling Round (for the 40 finalists)
o Phase 2: Oral Spelling Round (for the top 10)
o Phase 3: Final Oral Spelling Round (for the top 3 using buzzer/signages)
Prohibited behavior: Cheating, the use of electronic devices, or receiving outside assistance will result in immediate disqualification.
8.1. ELIMINATION STAGE: PHASE 1 – WRITTEN SPELLING TEST
Objective: To assess the contestants' ability to spell words correctly. The top 10 contestants from this phase will move on to the Oral Spelling Test.
o Contestants will be divided into batches of up to 20 participants each,
depending on the total number of registrations.
o Each contestant will receive a spelling sheet and a marker.
Word Pronunciation & Time Limit: The pronouncer will announce the word, pronouncing it twice, followed by the definition and usage in a sentence.
Writing Time: Contestants will be given 10 seconds to write the word on their sheet. d. Countdown Timer: A countdown timer will be displayed on a screen for all contestants to see, indicating the remaining time.
Signal to Start: Contestants must wait for the pronouncer's signal (e.g., “You may now begin spelling”) before starting to write the word. This ensures fairness and allows all participants to start at the same time.
Disqualification Rule:
o Contestants are strictly prohibited from spelling the word before the countdown timer begins or before the emcee gives the official signal (e.g., “You may begin spelling”).
o Contestants must be able to write the correct spelling of the word within 10 seconds.
o Violation of this rule will result in immediate disqualification, regardless of whether the answer is correct or not.
o The timer will be clearly displayed on a screen, and the pronouncer will provide the clear verbal cue to begin.
o Contestants who correctly spelled their word in the first round will be re organized into new groups with other correct spellers from their respective batches.
o New words will be provided to these new groups in the subsequent round. o The same rules will apply in the subsequent rounds.
Example:
➢ First Round (Batch 1): Out of the 20 contestants, 8 contestants spelled the word correctly. These 8 will be joined by other contestants who spelled their words correctly in their respective batches (Batch 2, Batch 3, etc.).
➢ These contestants will now form a new group for the next round of words. ➢ Repeat: This process will continue until we have 10 contestants remaining who have correctly spelled the word in each round.
o If fewer than 10 contestants spell correctly in the first round, additional rounds will take place, introducing new words to give more contestants the chance to advance.
o As each round progresses, the group will shrink as more contestants are eliminated due to incorrect spelling. Contestants who continue to spell correctly will advance to the next round until we have exactly 10 contestants.
o In each new round, the remaining contestants will be grouped together based on their previous correct spelling performance.
After the final round, only 10 contestants who have correctly spelled the word in the most rounds will proceed to Phase 2: Oral Spelling Test.
8.2. ELIMINATION STAGE: PHASE 2 – ORAL SPELLING TEST
o The emcee will announce each contestant's word, and the contestant may choose only one of the following options:
➢ The definition of the word.
➢ The part of speech of the word.
➢ A sentence using the word.
o Contestants must pronounce the word before spelling it, spell the word aloud, and then pronounce the word again after spelling it.
o Contestants are strictly prohibited from spelling the word before the countdown timer begins or before the pronouncer gives the official signal (e.g., “You may begin spelling”).
o Contestants must be able to pronounce the word before and after spelling the word within 20 seconds.
o Violation of this rule will result in immediate disqualification, regardless of whether the answer is correct or not.
o The timer will be clearly displayed on a screen, and the pronouncer will provide the clear verbal cue to begin.
9.1. PHASE 1: WRITTEN SPELLING ROUND
o Pronouncer: The pronouncer will announce the word, pronouncing it twice, followed by the definition and usage in a sentence.
o Writing Time: Contestants will be given 10 seconds to write the word on their sheet.
o Countdown Timer: A countdown timer will be displayed on a screen for all contestants to see, indicating the remaining time.
o Signal to Start: Contestants must wait for the pronouncer's signal (e.g., “You may now begin spelling”) before starting to write the word. This ensures fairness and allows all participants to start at the same time.
o Contestants are strictly prohibited from writing or spelling before the countdown timer begins or before the pronouncer gives the official signal (e.g., “You may
begin spelling”).
o Contestants must be able to write the word within 10 seconds.
o Violation of this rule will result in immediate disqualification, regardless of whether the answer is correct or not.
o The timer will be clearly displayed on a screen, and the pronouncer will provide the clear verbal cue to begin.
o Contestants will raise their spelling sheets, and the judges will review them for accuracy.
o Finalists will earn a point for every word spelled correctly.
o The first 10 contestants who correctly spell 10 words (or accumulate 10 points) during the written rounds will advance to Phase 2: Oral Spelling Test.
o Contestants will continue to participate in successive rounds of written spelling until 10 participants reach the 10-word milestone.
o Once 10 contestants have achieved this, they will move on to the next phase.
9.2. PHASE 2: ORAL SPELLING ROUND (TOP 10 CONTESTANTS)
o The pronouncer will announce each contestant's word, and the contestant may choose only one of the following options:
➢ The definition of the word.
➢ The part of speech of the word.
➢ A sentence using the word.
o The pronouncer will pronounce the word twice for the contestant and give them a signal (e.g., “You may begin”) to start spelling.
o Countdown Timer: A countdown timer will be displayed, giving the contestant 20 seconds to spell the word aloud.
o Contestants must pronounce the word before spelling it, spell the word aloud, and then pronounce the word again after spelling it.
o Contestants are strictly prohibited from spelling the word before the countdown timer begins or before the pronouncer gives the official signal (e.g., “You may
begin spelling”).
o Contestants must be able to pronounce the word before and after spelling the word within 20 seconds.
o Violation of this rule will result in immediate disqualification, regardless of
whether the answer is correct or not.
o The timer will be clearly displayed on a screen, and the pronouncer will provide the clear verbal cue to begin.
9.3. PHASE 3: FINAL ORAL SPELLING ROUND (TOP 3 CONTESTANTS)
o The pronouncer will announce the word, pronouncing it twice, followed by the definition and usage in a sentence.
o Signal to Begin: In the buzzer/sign round, contestants may press the buzzer or
raise their handheld sign at any point during the round — even before the emcee
finishes the sentence or definition — if they are confident they know the correct
spelling. The first contestant to signal will be acknowledged by the emcee and
given the chance to spell the word.
o Countdown Timer: A countdown timer will be displayed, giving the contestant 20 seconds to spell the word aloud.
o Contestants must pronounce the word before spelling it, spell the word aloud, and then pronounce the word again after spelling it within 20 seconds.
o Contestants are strictly prohibited from spelling the word before the countdown timer begins or before the pronouncer gives the official signal (e.g., “You may
begin spelling”).
o Contestants must be able to pronounce the word before and after spelling the
word within 20 seconds.
o Violation of this rule will result in immediate disqualification, regardless of
whether the answer is correct or not.
o The timer will be clearly displayed on a screen, and the pronouncer will provide the clear verbal cue to begin.
o Elimination for Incorrect Spelling: Contestants who misspell the word or fail to complete the spelling within the time limit will be immediately eliminated from
Phase 3.
o The contest will continue until one contestant remains who spells all words
correctly.
o This contestant will be declared the Champion of the SM Super Spelling Bee and will win the Grand Prize.
notification from SM Supermalls. Winners are notified on the day of the Grand Finals. After the redemption period, unclaimed prizes will be forfeited in accordance with Section 21. • Please see Section 20 for the guidelines on claiming of prizes.
o Time: Approximately 5-10 minutes per batch of up to 20 contestants
o The top 10 contestants will advance to Phase 2
o Time: Approximately 30 minutes for the top 10 finalists
o This phase will determine who advances to the Grand Finals
o Time: Approximately 30 minutes
o Time: Approximately 30-45 minutes for the top 10 contestants
o Time: Approximately 15-30 minutes for the top 3 contestants
Contestants who qualify for the Grand Finals will be announced on the Facebook page of the SM Supermalls branch where they won, within 5 to 10 days after each elimination round. A representative of SM Supermalls – Marketing will also contact winners via phone and/or email.
The announcement of the winner by representatives from DepEd and DTI, with DTI's concurrence, is final. Any disqualification decisions made by the DepEd and DTI representatives, including violations of contest rules, will be final.
The top 40 contestants from the eliminations will qualify for the Grand Finals.
Date: October 4, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Venue: Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay, 1300 Metro Manila
SM Supermalls will cover the airfare for the grand finalists and one accompanying parent or guardian to and from Metro Manila. This applies only to finalists requiring air travel.
o A signed authorization letter from the parent(s)
o A copy of the parent’s and guardian’s valid IDs
The parent or guardian is responsible for the contestant’s behavior, safety, welfare, and any costs incurred during the contest.
o Follow all instructions from SM Super Spelling Bee representatives and event organizers.
o Abide by the contest's rules and regulations.
To claim these prizes, please proceed to Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia after the Grand Finals program and provide the following requirements:
Payee Name: Parent’s or Guardian’s Name
Requirements:
Requirements for the claiming of cash prize:
o Failure to respond to the official notification of winning within sixty (60) days from date of notice;
o Failure to present valid identification and/or required documentation necessary to claim the prize;
o Non-compliance with the contest eligibility requirements;
o Violation of any of the official contest mechanics, terms, or conditions.
PER DTI FAIR TRADE PERMIT NO. FTEB-233276, SERIES OF 2025