A harvest of medals for Pinoys… in math competitions

MANILA, Philippines – Unlike the medal drought that Team Philippines experienced in the London Olympic Games, young Filipino math wizards bagged more than 200 medals in three different international competitions.

In the 8th Asia Cup-Olympic Math Finals held in Hong Kong, the Philippines bagged 125 medals – 14 gold, 52 silver, 35 bronze and 24 merit awards.

Filipino students also won 41 medals, including five golds, and finished second in the overall elementary division of the Taiwan International Mathematics Competition in Taipei.

The Philippines likewise won 96 awards consisting of 16 gold, 32 silver and 48 bronze medals in the International Mathematics Contest in Singapore.

Archival Rodriguez, executive head of the Mathematics Development Academy of the Philippines, said the performance of the country’s students was impressive since the young Filipino students faced counterparts from math-conscious countries such as Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, and Singapore.

The Filipino gold medalists in the 8th Asia Cup include Justin Timothy Uygonco of Iloilo Central Commercial High School; Bryce Ainsley Sanchez of Grace Christian College; Gyla Jane Nismal of Sto. Domingo Elementary School; Allyana Coleen Reyes of Chiang Kai Shek College; Albriz Moore Bagsic of Lilyrose School in Tanauan City; Beatrice Mae Malvar and Elijamin Wolfgang Claveria of Elizabeth Seton School – South; Kristine Bernadette Nuñez of Colegio San Agustin in Biñan, Laguna; Pamela Irisari of Butuan City SPED Center; Wendell Lenard Ong of St. Stephen’s High School; Kylee Wiona Sy of Pace Academy; Fedrick Lance Lim and Gene Go Jr. of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School; and Lorenz Matthew Tech of Pasig Catholic College. –Rainier Allan Ronda (The Philippine Star)