Young Filipino math wizards won 19 medals including two gold medals to place third overall in the 7th International Mathematics and Science Olympiad (IMSO) for Primary Schools held in Bali, Indonesia, from October 10-15.

Dr. Simon Chua, president of the Mathematics Trainers Guild-Philippines (MTG) and delegation head, said the two gold medals for the Philippines were won by Farrell Eldrian Wu of MGC New Life Christian Academy in Taguig City and Clyde Wesley Ang of Chiang Kai Shek College in Manila. Wu won a bronze medal in last year’s IMSO.

“Our students fared better this year by winning 19 medals. I’m very proud of them,” Chua said.

Prof. Rechilda Villame, MTG executive vice president and one of the team leaders, said the Filipino kids also won two silvers and 15 bronze medals in the math division, which was participated in by nine countries: Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Brunei and Iran.

The Filipino silver medalists are Andrew Brandon Ong of Chiang Kai Shek College and Miguel Lorenzo Ildesa of Westbridge School in Iloilo City.

The bronze medalists are Andrea Jessica Jaba of St. Jude Catholic School, Errol John Suarez of Bicol University Integrated Laboratory, Jasper John Segismundo of Pasig Catholic College, Magin Benedict Ferrer of St. Joseph School-Iloilo City, John Aries Ceazar Hingan of San Beda College-Alabang, Raymond Joseph Fadri of San Beda College-Alabang, Emman Joshua Busto of Juan Sumulong Elem. School, Samantha Amante of Colegio San Agustin-Binan, Gene Go Jr. of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School, Mark Christopher Uy of Xavier School, Johannes Matthew Taniola of De La Salle Lipa, Gen Mark Tanno of Southville International School, Mark Anthony Quintos of Aniban Central School in Cavite. Gabriel Angelo Estampador of San Beda College-Alabang and Ezekiel Young of Jubillee Christian Academy.

In the overall ranking in the math division, Thailand was first with 5 golds, 5 silvers and 1 bronze followed by Indonesia with 2 golds, 8 silvers and 6 bronzes. The Philippines was third (2 golds, 2 silvers and 15 bronzes) followed by Singapore with 2 golds, 2 silvers and 2 bronzes.

Malaysia came in fifth with 1 gold, 3 silvers and 2 bronzes followed by Taiwan (4 silvers and 4 bronzes), Sri Lanka (4 bronzes).

Brunei and Iran didn’t win any medal.

Besides Chua and Villame, the other team leaders of the Philippines in the contest are Cesar Mojica, DepEd math supervisor in Region 4, and Ruthela Payawal of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).

Filipino students trained by the MTG have won medals in various international math competitions in the past months. The entire  Philippine delegation will arrive in the country this Sunday.

In Science Division, there were Six Filipino students won in the 7th International Mathematics and Science Olympiad (IMSO) for Primary Schools held in Bali, Indonesia.

Xavier Jefferson Go of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School was the country’s lone silver medalist in the Science Division of the international contest.

Students who won bronze medals in Science in IMSO are Coleen Angel Rose Esteban of Muntinlupa Elementary School, Juancho Raymundo of Morning Star Montessori-Los Baños, Reich Michael Tiamson of Colegio San Agustin Makati, Ameer Carlo Lubang of Golden Sunbeams Christian School, and Amina Kunting of Juan Sumulong Elementary School.

In total, the Philippines won 25 medals in both science and math divisions in the contest. Earlier, 19 Filipino math wizards bagged medals in IMSO. (Jonathan Hicap)