Phlilippines team aces Math competition in Vietnam

MANILA, Philippines — The 20-member Philippine team, composed of grade school and high school students from public and private schools, bagged 22 medals at the recently-concluded Global Mathematics Competition (GMC) in Hanoi, Vietnam. The Philippine team placed second overall as the tilt was topped by host-country Vietnam while Thailand and Indonesia were tied at third. The Philippine contingent's medal haul included two gold, eight silver, eight bronze and four merit medals. This was a significant improvement from the Philippines' finish last year when it bagged one gold, four silver, one bronze and three merit medals. Held from June 29 to July 2, this year's GMC drew nearly 200 contestants from eight countries – Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Brazil and Saudi Arabia. Copping golds for the Philippines were Hannah Alexis Olaguer of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo National High School for the individual event, and the Philippine delegation's Junior High Squad with members from various schools in the team event. Bagging silver medals were Roxy Charlize Quidilla of Zamboanga Chong Hua School, Gabriel Anthony Sapinoso of Malagasang Elem. School, Carlos Balderama of Albay Central School, Lara Jane Natividad of Philippine Cultural College, Alexa Amara Dimapilis of First Asia Institute of Technology & Humanities, Jaycel Altairsipole Juan of Phil. Yu Chiau School, Rianne Pocsidio of Hope Christian High School, and the Lower Primary Squad in the team event.

The bronze medal winners included Vincent Abenoja of Elizabeth Seton School, Hezekiah Lucas Martinez of Philippine Yu Chiau School, Johann Fransz Isleta of San Nicolas Academy, Samantha Grace Gonzales of First Asia Institute of Technology & Humanities, Vivienne Zuri Abenoja of Las Pinas National High School, Arielle Francene dela Cruz of Philippine Science High School-Main, Alix Isabel Ofrin of St. Paul College Pasig, and Lheijin Dacumos of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo High School.

The merit awardees were Nadine Clarisse Martha Castillo of Colegio San Agustin Makati, Khent Lewistan Su of Phil. Institute of Quezon City, Jasmine Rosita Belen of Ateneo de Davao University High School and Jianna Brielle Go of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School. The delegation's trainer, Dr. Simon Chua, head of the non-government organization Mathematics Trainers' Guild Phils. (MTG), commended the students for their "hard work and for continuously thriving on the challenge of coming home undefeated."

MTG officers Dr. Isidro Aguilar and Robert Degolacion also led the delegation.