Filipino math wizards place 3rd in tilt

A group of young Filipino numbers aces—mostly elementary and high school students from Metro Manila—did the country proud when they won a total of 82 medals and placed third overall in the just-concluded 2011 Singapore International Mathematics Competition (SIMC).

The 123-member Philippine team bagged 13 golds, 25 silvers and 44 bronzes in the 10-nation contest, which was topped by China whose participants collected 369 medals, including 44 golds, and followed by South Korea with 146 medals, including 22 golds.

The good news was relayed to the Inquirer Sunday by Dr. Simon Chua, president and co-founder of the nongovernment Mathematics Trainers Guild-Philippines which trained the young math wizards.

The SIMC award rites were held Sunday at the Downtown East D’Marquee tent in the Lion City.

The contest was held Saturday at the Global Indian International School on Mei Chin Road.

In an e-mail, Chua said the Philippines’ gold medals came courtesy of Vince Benedict Say and Matthew Angelo Isidro, both of St. Jude Catholic School; Jaymi Mae Ching and Shawn Gabriel Sy, both of Jubilee Christian Academy; Jose Ignacio Locsin and Natalia Beatrice Dy, both of St. John’s Institute; Samantha Louise Wong and Anna Kaila Recio, both of Philippine Institute of Quezon City; Terence Brian Tsai of Chiang Kai Shek College; Sterling Alvin Tiu of St. Stephen’s High School; Eldine James Aragon of Statesfield School; Azriel Baluyut of Davao Christian High School; and Rachel Rojo of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School.

The silver medals were won by, among others, Jinger Chong of St. Jude Catholic School; Matthew Eric Tan and Nathaniel Joshua Balete, both of St. Stephen’s High School and Alyana Zoie Chua of MGC New Life Christian Academy.