4 Pinoy math wizards top Aussie contest

MANILA, Philippines—With identical scores of 99.7 percent, four young Filipino numbers aces were among 65 students worldwide who topped the 2010 Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC), which drew about 400,000 contestants from at least 40 countries when it was held in August.

The good news came from the Australian Mathematics Trust (AMT), the University of Canberra-based group which has been conducting the AMC since 1976.

No less than Professor Peter Taylor, AMT executive director, awarded the medals to the following top-performing Filipino students on Friday during simple rites at the Summit Ridge hotel in Tagaytay City: Nathaniel Ryan Ang from Xavier School in San Juan, Metro Manila; and Seanne Daphne Ang, Mikaela Angelina Uy and Carmela Antoinette Lao, all from St. Jude Catholic School in Manila.

The other medalists came from the following countries: Australia, 23; Singapore, 7; Taiwan, 5; Hong Kong and New Zealand, 4 each; Malaysia, Indonesia, Bulgaria, and South Africa, 3 each; Thailand and India, both with 2; and China and South Korea, 1 each.

Winners’ roster

Seven other Filipino students won Prize Awards, which are given to contestants at the top 1 percent of the AMC: Adrian Reginald Sy from St. Jude Catholic School; Lorems Yrol Pedeglorio from the Butuan City SPED Center; Philip Christian Gelera from UP Integrated School; Miguel Lorenzo Ildesa from PAREF-Westbridge School; Farell Eldrian Wu from MGC New Life Christian Academy; Kaye Janelle Yao from Grace Christian College; and Samuel Christian Ong from UNO High School.

Fifty other Filipinos got certificates of high distinction for being at the top 2 percent of the AMC.

They were Andrew Lawrence Sy, Keefe Collin Tan, Janssen Lawrence Chan, Jinger Chong, Matthew Angelo Isidro, Andrea Jaba, Austin Eldrich Chua, and Vince Benedict Say, all from St. Jude Catholic School; Jan Joshua Cruz from Pasig Catholic College; John Thomas Chuatak, Gabriel Pua, Shamina Sharlyne Liao, Hans Markson Tan and Thomas Spencer Balete, all from St. Stephen’s High School; Bonn Leif Amalia and Lord Danly Mafe, both from Colegio San Agustin-Biñan; Lance Christopher Lelis from Blessed Lights International Christian Academy; Shaquille Wyan Que, Jeremy Vance Yap and Deany Hendrick Cheng, all from Grace Christian College; Clyde Wesley Ang from Chiang Kai Shek College; Xavier Jefferson Go from Zamboanga Chong Hua High School; Christopher Joseph Magno from Falcon Learning Center; Errol John Suarez from Bicol University-Integrated Laboratory School; Mark Christopher Uy, Mario Antonio Ongkiko and Ethan Zachary Chua, all from Xavier School; Jason Joseph Fernandez, Niel Benjamin Kho, Amiel Sy, Dale Wilson Garcia II, Ma. Moper Donaleigh Nuñez; and Reina Jiana Reynoso, all from Philippine Science High School; Frederick Matthew Corpuz from Colegio San Agustin-Makati; Gabriel Angelo Estampador from San Beda College-Alabang; Andrew Brandon Ong, Henry Jefferson Morco, Geovin Dexter Uy, all from Chiang Kai Shek College; Edward Joseph Ofilada from Ateneo de Manila University.

John Angel Aranas from Makati Science High School; Raymart Caasi from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila; Kevin Clyde Chu from Sacred Heart School of Jesuits; Francis Daelo from Malayan Colleges-Laguna; Kevin Christopher Catbagan and Steven Matthew Cheng, both from UP-Diliman; Jasper John Segismundo from Pasig Catholic College; Patrick Allen Tanada from Pembo Elementary School; Francis Concepcion from Philippine Cultural College-Main; and Christopher Rabi from Cebu Eastern College.

Extremely well

Andrew Byrne, minister and deputy head of mission of the Australian Embassy in Makati City, cited Filipino math students for continuously performing “extremely well” in the AMC.

Taylor pointed out that “the number of AMC contestants from the Philippines continues to grow each year.”

This year, some 2,300 primary and high school students nationwide took the AMC, about 300 more than those who competed in 2009. –Jerry E. Esplanada, Philippine Daily Inquirer