Filipino students haul in 4 silver, 2 bronze medals at International Math Olympiad

Young Filipino students have won 6 medals at the 62nd International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), the Ministry of Science and Technology announced on Monday. 4,444 The country's national team was ranked 23rd out of 107 countries, surpassing its 43rd place last year, the agency said.

Immanuel Josiah Balete from St. Stephen`s High School, Raphael Dylan Dalida from the main campus of Philippine Science High School, Steven Reyes from Saint Jude Catholic School and Bryce Ainsley Sanchez from Grace Christian College each won a silver medal in the Competition math of the Olympics.

Meanwhile, Sarji Elijah Bona from De La Salle University Upper Secondary School and Vincent Dela Cruz from Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science won bronze medals.

The 62nd IMO was held in July 1424 in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and was held online due to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic.

"This is a very good year to wave the Philippine flag in the international arena," said Dr. Josette T. Biyo, director of the DOST Scientific Education Institute (DOSTSEI), in a statement.

"These students show the world that Filipinos are very successful in everything they imagine, be it sports or intellectual pursuits."

The team was led by Dr. Christian Paul Chan Shio and Raymond Joseph Fadri led on behalf of the Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP). The participants were trained by professors from the University of the Philippines Diliman and the Ateneo de Manila University, which was also attended by former team leaders.

"These medals have been hard earned and well deserved," Shio said in a statement. "They don't know how tough the competition is and their commitment has really paid off. They made us and the country proud."

For the president of MSP, Dr. José Ernie C. Lope made the Philippine team even better than historically strong teams like Japan, France and Romania. "The Philippines has shown once again that it is not lagging behind the world leaders in math competitions," he stated.

Davinci Maru, ABS-CBN News

Aug 02 2021