Saturday, July 11, 2009

RP bags silver in world math tilt in South Africa

A photo released Saturday, July 11, 2009 by the Mathematics Trainers Guild Philippines shows the proud Filipino students and their medals after the awarding ceremonies at the Durban City Hall in South Africa. (Seated from left) John Russell Virata, Geraldine Baniqued, Arielle Elise Chua, Sarah Jane Cua, and Zheng Rong Wu. (Standing from left to right) Matthew Chris Chan, Adrian Raphael Co, Ostin John Ong, Vance Eldric Go, Janssen Kotah, Hanz Vladimir Cabanes, Paolo Manuel Iyulores and Elvis Ayroso.
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines won a team silver medal while each of the 13 Filipino high school students bagged at least one bronze medal in the 10th Invitational World Youth Mathematics Inter-cities Competition held in Durban, South Africa from July 5 to 10.

The contest was participated by 228 high school students from 19 countries, including Canada, China, Australia, Bulgaria, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, South Korea, Netherlands, Nigeria, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and the Philippines.

Filipino math wizards who bagged individual bronze medals are Geraldine Baniqued of Saint Paul College-Pasig; John Russell Virata of Gideon Academy; Zheng Rong Wu of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School; Matthew Chris Chan of Saint Stephen's High School; Vance Eldric Go of Saint Jude Catholic School-Manila; and Elvis Jeremy Ayroso of Philippine Science High School-Manila.

“The training of these students paid off. Accomplishment is easy when we work the hardest,” said Dr Simon Chua, head of the Philippine delegation and president of the Mathematics Trainers’ Guild, which trained the Filipino students for the competition.

Dr Chua emphasized that focus and concentration during trainings are the essential ingredients to reaching the goal in any math contest.

Four Filipino students who got individual merit awards are Adrian Raphael Co of Xavier School, Ostin John Ong of Bacolod Trinity Christian School, Arielle Elise Chua of Saint Jude Catholic School, and Paolo Manuel Iyulores of Ateneo de Manila High School.

The Philippine Team A composed of Geraldine Banigued, Arielle Elise Chua, Russell Virata and Zheng Rong Wu was awarded first runner-up while Philippine Team B whose members were Matthew Chris Chan, Adrian Raphael Co, Vance Eldric Go, and Ostin John Ong got second runner-up.

Philippine Team C composed of Elvis Jeremy Ayroso, Paolo Manuel Iyulores , Janssen Kotah and Hanz Vladimir Cabanes received Merit Award.

Another Filipino math whiz who participated in the competition, Sarah Jane Cua of the Pangasinan Universal Institute, won a bronze medal in the individual contest and second runner-up in the team category as a borrowed member of the Canada International Team.
Overall, the Philippines got a first runner-up award equivalent to a silver medal.

Besides Dr Chua, the other leaders of the group were Dr Eduardo Dela Cruz, dean of the School of Education and Normal of Arellano University; Dr Isidro Aguilar, supervisor of the Division of City Schools of Taguig and Pateros; and Sheryl Lejos from the Science Education Institute of the Department of Science and Technology.

The Philippine delegation arrived in Manila on Saturday. (Robert Degolacion)

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