A 15-year old student from Dagupan City has blown the competition away by besting the 21 other contestants, making herself  as the country’s uncontested Sudoku Grandmaster for two consecutive years.

Sarah Jane Cua, a third year high school student of Pangasinan Universal Institute, emerged as the champion of the 4th Philippine Sudoku Super Challenge national finals held last January 30 at SM City North EDSA Annex.  She completed the Mixed Sudoku, a puzzle in the championship round, in less than 15 minutes, making her to earn a staggering 1,601 points, enough for her to win the title again with P60,000 cash prize, a trophy and some gift items. 

Other winners of the grandmaster division were Matthew Chris Chan of St. Stephen’s High School, bagging the first runner-up and bringing home the P40,000, a trophy and some gift items while Mariel Alexis Dee of Ateneo de Manila University, winning second runner-up and catching the P30,000 cash prize, a trophy and gift items.  Making it in the top five and taking the third runner-up was Jayhan Regner of Xavier University High School, Cagayan de Oro City while Frederick Ong from Bacolod City, was slated fourth runner-up.

In the Sudoku Wizard category, Timothy James Tan of Trinity Christian School, Bacolod City bested the 74 others by winning the championship round and taking with him the P50,000 plus trophy and gift items. Standing next to him was the first runner-up, Sed Anderson Holaysan of Bethany Christian School, Cebu City, who received P30,000. The calm yet very prepared Ma. Czarina Angela Lao of St. Jude Catholic School managed to stand as second runner-up with her P20,000, a tropy and some gift items. Ericson Ong of St. Joseph College Inc.-Olongapo City, and Kimberly Christine Decear of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School were slated 3rd and 4th runners-up respectively.

Ethan Riley Chan of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School finished the championship round earlier than his fellow challengers.  Big smile was seen on his face when he was declared champion in the Sudoku Whiz Kid where he won a solid P20,000 cash prize, a trophy and some gift items. Other winners had been the first runner-up, Magin Benedict Ferrer of St. Joseph School, Iloilo City, bringing home P10,000 and second runner-up, Lorenzo Jose Baquiran of JARO I Elementary SchooI, Iloilo City, winning P5,000. Kate Ann Adlaon of International School for Better Beginnings,  Lucena City, was placed third runner-up and Candice Renee Beatriz Solidarios of Integrated Montessori Center, Calamba City  was slated fourth runner-up.

The major winners of the 4th Philippine Sudoku Super Challenge will represent the Philippines in the World Sudoku Championship on April 29 to May 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, USA.

Professor Maria Luisa Villano of the Miriam College played a significant role by sitting as the chair of board of jurors where the former MTG kids who are now professionals, working mostly in multi international companies, sat as members.

The awarding ceremonies were graced by no other than Ms. Millie Dizon, Vice President for Marketing and Communications of SM Supermalls. She inspired the Sudoku national finalists with her short yet meaty message.  All winners were congratulated and awarded by Ms. Millie Dizon, Prof. Ma. Luisa Villano, Lucero Ong- vice president for marketing of SHARP Calculators and Dr. Simon Chua.

Business Mirror top officials such as Ms. Lourdes M. Fernandez, Editor-in-Chief; Mr. Benjamin V. Ramos, President,  Mr. Frederick M. Alegre, Vice President for Corporate Affairs, Mr. Vladimir Bunoan, VP for  Business Development and Mr. Albert Delos Santos, VP for Marketing were there as well to show their strong support.

The 4th Philippine Sudoku Super Challenge was organized by the MTG and Business Mirror in cooperation with SM Supermalls, SMNE Annex, SHARP Calculators, SM Bowling, Phoenix Publishing House, National Bookstore, DDB, Europa PR, and Ogilvy Philippines.