Fil-Chinese schools still lead in math excellence

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino-Chinese schools St. Jude Catholic School and Grace Christian College have emerged as the top schools producing math and science standouts in national, as well as international math and science competitions.

The two Manila-based schools each had the highest number of students that were recognized and honored by the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute with Youth Excellence in Science (YES) Awards recently for exemplary achievement in the fields of science and mathematics, particularly for winning gold, silver and bronze medals, in international competitions.

YES Awardees for St Jude Catholic School were Adrian Reginald Sy, Audrey Sy, Ma. Czarina Angela Lao, Jinger Chong, Laila Denise Dy, Matthew Angelo Isidro, Andrea Jaba, Vanessa Ryanne Julio, Naomi Anne King, Lance Heinrich Lim, Hans Leighton Liu, Joaquin Luis Mayo, Genrish Wendell Ng, Stefan Marcus Ong, Steven Reyes, Isabella Mae Tan, Matthew Ryan Tan, Gregory Charles Tiong, and Mikaela Angeline Uy.

The YES Awardees for Grace Christian College were Jason Carlo Carranceja, Alfonso Miguel Abella, Lesley Clarice Balete, Ira Louise Cayanan, Adam Christopher Chan, Deany Hendrick Cheng, Anjelo Jorel Chua, Patricia Mae Go, Min Chan Jeong, Kaye Janelle Yao, Kelsey Lim Tiong Soon, Jana Charlise Niu, Patricia Ong, Shaquille Wyan Que, Bryce Ainsley Sancgez, Shaina Santiago, Sean Marcus So, Selena Marie So, Hector Tinchin Tan, and Christian Daniel Tiu. 

The DOST SEI had earlier trumpeted 2013 as a bumper harvest year of medals for Filipino math and science students that joined international olympiads, with a record high number being won from previous years.

It noted that the number of its honorees under their Youth Excellence in Science (YES) Award had ballooned to 447 elementary and high school students in 2013, from 2012’s 308.

YES Awardees are conferred a medal of distinction by the DOST Secretary or the DOST Regional Director in a fitting ceremony toward the end of each year.

DOST Secretary Mario Montejo lauded the YES Awardees of 2013 for setting a whole new record of excellence in the international scene.

Montejo noted that 2013 was the the first time in the recognition program’s history that the number of YES Awardees reached over 400.

In his message, Montejo lauded the awardees and encouraged them to continue in pursuing excellence in the field of S&T.

“Our people definitely need your gifts in the creation of S&T-based solutions to address the pressing issues of this time. You are all capable to work on breakthroughs through research and development, and your creative minds will surely produce innovative technologies that can help boost our industries and the economy,” said Montejo.

“Join us in the Philippine science community and help propel the Philippines towards a better future,” he added.

“Let us prove to the world that we are achievers beyond competitions,” dela Peña remarked.