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MANILA, Philippines?Blame it on the Nov. 23 Maguindanao massacre.
Worried about their safety here, math aces from at least four countries?Russia, Vietnam, Bhutan and Sri Lanka?have backed out of the 2009 Philippine International Mathematics Competitions (PIMC), scheduled to start on Monday in Iloilo City.
Young math wizards from these countries have sent word they were no longer taking part in the 27-nation PIMC, said Robert Degolacion, executive director of the Mathematics Trainers' Guild-Philippines (MTG), which is conducting the PIMC along with the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Education.
"Apparently because of the shocking Maguindanao massacre, as well as visa problems," Degolacion said by way of explaining the withdrawals.
But Dr. Simon Chua, MTG president and co-founder, said math teams from 21 countries "have started arriving here in Iloilo to participate in the PIMC."
Chua was referring to delegations from China, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Bangladesh, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Romania, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the Netherlands.
"We are ready to welcome the contestants and their coaches to the contest," which the Philippines last hosted in 2005, said Chua.
Close to 180 contestants will participate in the PIMC's Asia Inter-cities Teenagers Math Olympiad while over 200 others will compete in the Philippine Elementary Mathematics International Contest.
On Monday, three all-Filipino contests will also be held simultaneously: the National Mathematics Competition, MTG-Sharp Math Trail Competition and the MTG-Sharp Whiz Kid Challenge.
About 220 elementary and high school students will represent the country in the five contests.
They are all wards of the MTG, established in 1995 to "develop and promote excellence in math education and training in the country."
In a statement, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said it was "always appropriate to hold an undertaking that shows the importance we put in mathematics."
The PIMC "will not only stimulate a high degree of skills development but will also promote academic excellence and outstanding performance especially among young students."
"Through this event, we can also pay tribute to students with exceptional intelligence, talents and skills in math," Lapus added.
Ayala Foundation, one of the PIMC sponsors, said it considered the PIMC "consistent and in line with our vision to nurture the Filipino mind, body and spirit through education-related projects."
Other contest backers include Shell Phils., Phoenix Publishing, Sharp calculators, SM, Coca-Cola, Pilot pens, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Iloilo city government, and St. Jude Catholic School in Manila.
