Pinoys reap medals in international math tilt

MANILA, Philippines – Young Filipino math wizards won their share of medals, including a gold and several silvers and bronzes, in the 14th Po Leung Kok Primary Mathematics World Contest (PMWC) held in Hong Kong last week.

Winning a gold medal for Team Philippines and leading the medal winners was Farrell Eldrian Wu, a Grade 5 student of MGC New Life Christian Academy in Taguig City.

“I really love math!” a triumphant and overwhelmed Wu, 11, exclaimed after being awarded the gold medal in ceremonies held last Saturday.

This year’s Po Leung Kuk contest drew 44 teams from 15 countries and territories, namely the United States, Russia, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, India, South Africa, Bulgaria, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Dr. Simon Chua, head of the Philippine delegation and president of the Mathematics Trainers Guild-Philippines (MTG), said the performance of the MTG math whiz kids was a nice start for their 2011 campaign to get the Philippines recognized for math excellence in the international stage.

Andrew Lawrence Sy of St. Jude Catholic School, Clyde Wesley Ang of Chiang Kai Shek College, Jasper John Segismundo of Pasig Catholic College, and Gen Mark Tanno of Southville International School and Colleges won silver medals in the PWMC.

Meantime, winning bronze medals were Andrea Jaba of St. Jude Catholic School, Juan Mario Luis Esplana of Elizabeth Seton School-South, and Jimuel Lara of the UP Integrated School.

In the team competition, the Philippines’ Team A composed of Frederick Matthew Corpuz of Colegio San Agustin Makati, Sedrick Scott Keh of Xavier School, Jaba and Andrew Brandon Ong of Chiang Kai Shek College placed second runner-up.

The Philippines’ Team D bagged two merit awards in the overall performance and team competition. The team was composed of Wu, Ang, Andrew Lawrence Sy, and Ethan Zachary Chua of Xavier School.

The other members of the Philippine delegation were Ramon Galvan III, Iloilo Central Commercial High School; Xavier Jefferson Ray Go, Zamboanga Chong Hua High School; Patrick Allen Tañada, Pembo Elementary School (Makati); and Raphael Villaluz, San Beda College-Alabang in Muntinlupa.

The other team leaders and deputies of the Philippine delegation were professor Rechilda Villame, MTG executive vice president; Dr. Leticia Catris, director III of the Department of Science and Technology’s Science Education Institute; Ma. Luisa Villano, admissions officer for higher education of Miriam College; Dr. Eduardo de la Cruz, dean of the School of Education of Arellano University; Eugenia Guerra, MTG secretary; Manuel Kotah, MTG coordinator; and Jay Sacay. –Rainier Allan Ronda (The Philippine Star)