Philippine math team bags 14 medals in India tilt

MANILA, Philippines—A group of young Filipino numbers aces, mostly elementary and high school students from Metro Manila, took home a total of 14 medals, including six golds, in the just-concluded 2011 Wizards at Mathematics International Competition (Wizmic) in Lucknow, India.

The Philippine math team also bagged four silvers and four bronzes in the nine-nation contest, which was topped by Thailand with seven gold, seven silver and two bronze medals.

Indonesia took third place during Wizmic finals held on Monday, with two golds and five silvers, according to Dr. Simon Chua, president of the Mathematics Trainers Guild-Philippines and head of the Philippine delegation.

Other countries which took part in the Wizmic included China, Bangladesh, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and host India.

In an e-mail to the Inquirer, Chua said the team’s gold medals came courtesy of the following students: Raphael Villaluz of San Beda College-Alabang; Cary Albert Chan of St. Jude Catholic School; Jasper John Segismundo of Pasig Catholic School; Miko Johnson Ong Co of St. Stephen’s High School; and Gene Go Jr. and Xavier Jefferson Ray Go, both from the Zamboanga Chong Hua High School.

The silver medalists were Terence Brian Tsai of Chiang Kai Shek College; Mikhaela Marie Diaz of Special Education Center for the Gifted; Cristiana Marie Calderon of Falcon Learning Center; and Ezekiel Young of the Jubilee Christian Academy.

The bronze medal winners were Lou Irish Gonzales of the Pasig Catholic School; Anica Clarice Antonella Galano of St. Paul College-Pasig; Angelika Joie Tagupa of Colegio San Agustin-Makati; and Andrew Vince Lee of Xavier School.

In the Wizmic’s team rankings, Philippines Team B placed second to Indonesia Team D.

Philippine Team B is composed of Xavier Jefferson Ray Go, Miko Johnson Ong Co, Jasper John Segismundo and Cristiana Marie Calderon.

The Filipino math wizards are scheduled to return to Manila Tuesday.

The Wizmic, which is held every other year, is organized by the City Montessori School in Lucknow, which is in northeast India.