PH team bags silver, bronze medals at Int’l Math Olympiad in UK

The Philippines’ representatives at the 60 th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) held last July 11-22 in the United Kingdom all brought home medals. (Front, L-R) Vincent Dela Cruz (Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science), Sean Anderson Ty (Zamboanga Chong Hua High School), Immanuel Josiah Balete (St. Stephen’s High School), Deputy Leader Dr. Christian Paul Chan Shio, Trainer Mr. Russelle Guadalupe and Team Leader Dr. Richard Eden. (Back, L-R) Dion Stephan Ong (Ateneo de Manila Senior High School), Andres Rico Gonzales III (De La Salle University Integrated School) and Bryce Ainsley Sanchez (Grace Christian College). Photo courtesy of the Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP).

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino math wizards once again brought pride to the country when each of the six members of the Philippine team won a medal at the 60th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in the United Kingdom.

The Philippine team brought home six medals — one silver and five bronze — at the IMO held last July 11 to 22.

The IMO is considered as the “oldest and most prestigious of the international scientific olympiads” competed in by more than 600 contestants from around the globe.

Sean Anderson Ty of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School won the silver medal for the country, his second medal from the IMO following the bronze medal he bagged in 2017.

Five members of the team secured bronze medals — Immanuel Josiah Balete St. Stephen’s High School, Bryce Ainsley Sanchez of Grace Christian College, Vincent Dela Cruz of Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science, Dion Stephan Ong of Ateneo de Manila Senior High School, and Andres Rico Gonzales III of De La Salle University Integrated School.

Of these five, Gonzales is the only second-timer in the olympiad while the rest competed for the first time.

The team also placed 31st out of 112 countries who joined the competition, improving the country’s placement in 2018 at 38th out of 107 countries.

In the competition, contestants attempt to individually solve six challenging and original problems for a total of 9 hours which is divided between the two official days of competition.

Each country can send at most only 6 contestants. Medals are then awarded to students based on the individual scores they earned from their written solutions. A non-medalist who completely solves one problem is awarded an Honorable Mention.

The team was accompanied by its leader Dr. Richard Eden and Deputy Leader Dr. Christian Paul Chan Shio who both hailed from the Ateneo de Manila University.

Trainer Russelle Guadalupe of the University of the Philippines – Diliman also joined the team.

“This is a huge victory for the country, knowing how difficult it is to get a medal in the IMO. But we are more awed by the fact that most of the participants are first-timers and still managed to seize this incredible achievement,” Department of Science and Technology —Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) Director, Dr. Josette Biyo said. /je