SM Super Spelling Bee 2025 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. What is the SM Super Spelling Bee 2025? 

2. Who can join the competition? 

To join, participants must: 

• Be 10 to 12 years old on their chosen elimination date 
• Be currently enrolled for the 2025–2026 school year in a school located in the Philippines
• Be proficient in English spelling 

3. Who is NOT eligible to join? 

You may NOT join if: 

• You were among the Top 10 winners of the SM Super Spelling Bee 2024 
• You placed in similar contests (2024–2025) sponsored by companies that may conflict with SM  Supermalls and its affiliates 
• You are a child or relative (up to the third degree) of any employee, supplier, organizer, or judge  of the contest 

Any participant found ineligible will be disqualified, and all titles and prizes will be forfeited. 

4. How do we register? 

A parent or legal guardian must register the student through one of these channels:

• Online via the [SM Malls Online (SMO) App]
• Website: www.smsupermalls.com/superspellingbee
• In person: Mall Administration Office (Marketing Department) of any participating SM Supermalls 

5. What documents are required for registration? 

• Completed and signed application form 
• Original and photocopy of the participant’s valid school ID or certificate of enrollment (Note: Original documents will be returned after verification.) 

6. When does registration start and end? 

Pre-registration opens on August 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM via: 

• SM Malls Online app 
• Mall Administration Offices (10:00 AM–6:00 PM daily) 

On-the-day registration is allowed from 10:00 AM to 12:00 NN at select SM Supermalls on:

• August 23, 30 
• September 6, 13, 20 

**Eliminations start at 2:00 PM on those days. 

**Check the SM Super Spelling Bee website for full venue schedules and cutoffs. 

7. Where will eliminations take place? 

Each participating SM Supermalls will host elimination rounds. The mall where you submit your  application (either during pre-registration or on-the-day registration) will be your designated  elimination venue.

You may view the list of participating malls at: www.smsupermalls.com/superspellingbee/ 

8. Can a student join more than one elimination round? 

Yes — but only if the student did not win in a previous elimination. 

A new application and set of documents must be submitted at the next preferred mall. 

9. What is the contest format? 

The competition has two major stages: 

Elimination Stage 

• Phase 1: Written Spelling Test 
• Phase 2: Oral Spelling Test 

Grand Finals Stage (Top 40 qualifiers) 

• Phase 1: Written Round 
• Phase 2: Oral Round (Top 10) 
• Phase 3: Buzzer Round (Top 3) 

10. What dictionary will be used for the contest? 

The official reference is the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary: 

- unabridged.merriam-webster.com 

Only words from this source will be used (excluding archaic/obsolete terms). 

11. How will finalists be chosen and announced? 

• The Top 1 from each elimination will advance to the Grand Finals. • Finalist names will be posted on the Facebook page of the respective SM branch within 5–10  days of the event. 
• Winners will also be contacted via phone and/or email. 

12. When and where is the Grand Finals? 

• Venue: Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City 
• Date: October 4, 2025 
• Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM 

13. Will travel and accommodation be provided for the Grand Finals? 

Yes, for provincial finalists: 

• Airfare for the finalist and one parent/guardian will be covered 
• Hotel accommodations provided if the travel time exceeds 5 hours 

All other expenses (food, land transport, personal costs) are shouldered by the finalist. 

14. What are the prizes? 

Elimination Winners 

• ₱10,000 worth of SM GCs 
• ₱10,000 worth of National Bookstore gift cards

Grand Finals Prizes: 

** Gift certificates are transferable but not convertible to cash. 

15. How are winners announced and validated? 

All decisions from the judges, with concurrence from DepEd and DTI, are final. 

Winners will be announced live and contacted afterward. 

16. What are the contestant and guardian responsibilities? 

• Contestants must be accompanied by a parent or authorized guardian 
• Guardians must present an authorization letter and valid IDs 
• Contestants must adhere to contest rules and behave respectfully 
• SM Supermalls is not liable for lost items, injuries, or violations of rules 

17. Where can I ask additional questions or request help? 

For inquiries, you may: 

• Visit your local SM Mall Marketing Department 
• Go to www.smsupermalls.com/superspellingbee 
• Or contact us through the SM Supermalls Official Facebook Page