What began as a childhood dream in the Philippines is now taking 12-year-old Seth Warren Bacongallo from the UAE to the United States.
The Grade 7 student from Homeschool Global Middle East is set to represent the Emirates at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington after winning a spelling championship in Dubai last February.
Bacongallo described the experience as surreal,
“It feels incredibly exciting because this has been my dream since I was in Grade 2 back in the Philippines. I still remember watching the competition on YouTube and standing on our sofa as if it were a stage, boldly proclaiming that one day, I would be there too. Winning in the UAE was already such a meaningful milestone, and now having the opportunity to go to the US to represent the Emirates makes me even more thrilled and grateful.”
Early Morning Training and Dedication
Preparing for the international competition has required discipline, sacrifice and long hours of study.
One of the biggest challenges for Bacongallo has been managing the time difference with his mentor, who is based in the United States. Some training sessions begin as early as 4am UAE time, while orientation sessions for the competition can start at 3am.
Despite the demanding schedule, Bacongallo said his parents have been his strongest supporters.
“I am truly grateful to my parents for supporting me through this journey, especially for waking up with me and encouraging me every step of the way,” exclaimed Bacongallo.
Reward System Helps Maintain Focus
Like many students, Bacongallo admitted he sometimes struggles with distractions while studying.
To help him remain focused, his mother introduced a reward-based study system.
“She encourages me to finish one list first before taking a short 15-minute gadget break, then continue with the next set of drills afterwards.”
The method has helped him stay disciplined while balancing intensive preparation with short breaks.
Hundreds of Words Studied Every Day
Bacongallo follows a strict study routine involving hundreds of spelling and vocabulary words daily.
For spelling practice, he studies lists of 100 words at a time before taking short breaks and moving on to the next set.
Vocabulary preparation has proven even more demanding because he considers it one of his weaker areas. To improve, he studies around 100 to 175 vocabulary words during each session and reviews every list twice to strengthen retention and mastery. Bacongallo shared,
“My daily goal is usually to complete five spelling lists and around three vocabulary lists.”
Inspiring Students Across the UAE
As he prepares to compete on the global stage, Bacongallo hopes his journey will inspire students across the UAE to pursue their ambitions. Bacongallo advised,
“Just keep going. There may be moments when your dream feels impossible, but continue to trust in God and work hard. Dreams do come true, though not always immediately.”
He added that achieving goals requires patience, perseverance and faith.
“What matters most is that you never give up on what God has placed in your heart.”
Representing the UAE on the Global Stage
For Bacongallo, representing the UAE at the prestigious competition already feels like a major achievement.
“Seeing my dreams slowly come true keeps me motivated and grateful. That is why, when I get there, I simply want to enjoy the experience, cherish every moment, and give my best,” said Bacongallo.
The Scripps Cup preliminaries will take place on May 26, followed by the quarterfinals and semi-finals on May 27, with the finals scheduled for May 28.
A total of 247 spellers from around the world will compete for the championship title.
For more information about the contest, please visit
Further Reading:
- The Tutoring Center Dubai Opens Fourth Centre at Dubai Hills Mall
- Turn Your Next Brunch into a Family Getaway with Viya