PH Teams’ greatestand grandest win, takes home 5 silvers,14 bronzes, 3 honorable mentions in prestigious STEM Olympiads

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The Philippine teams continue to break records for their performance in the different prestigious international scienceand mathematics competitions. For this year, the outstanding Filipino students corralled a total of five (5) silver medals, fourteen (14) bronze medals, and three (3) honorable mentions, with all teamssecuring top standingsin each of the competitions

- making this season, by far, the country’s greatest and grandest win in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Olympiads.

With this, the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST- SEI), as the agency dedicated to promoting STEM education and accelerating the development of STEM human resourcesof the country - recognized and celebrated the efforts and achievements of the formidable young Filipino talents in a media conference presenting the 2023 Philippine teams held on October 10 at the Novotel Manila, Quezon City.

Present in this media conference are the student awardees and team leaders, as well as the DOST officials, parents and guardians of the awardees, and representatives of the national organizersfor the Philippine participation in the following internationally-recognized science and mathematics olympiads:

64thInternational Mathematical Olympiad(IMO) - held in Chiba, Japan on July 02-13, 2023;
34th International BiologyOlympiad (IBO) - held in Al Ain, United Arab Emirateson July 03-12, 2023;
53rd International PhysicsOlympiad (IPhO) - held in Tokyo, Japan on July 10-17, 2023;
55thInternational Chemistry Olympiad(IChO) - held inZurich, Switzerland on July 16- 25, 2023;
35th International Olympiadin Informatics (IOI) -held in Szeged, Hungary on August 24-September 04, 2023;
19th International GeographyOlympiad (iGeo) - held in Bandung, Indonesia on August 08-14, 2023; and
16th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) -held in Chorzow, Poland on August 10-20, 2023.
A look back on an incredible journey

After the strenuous yet victorious preparations to compete on the international stage, the Philippine teams returned with increased confidence in their abilities ready to share their success stories of competing and winning medals in their respective delegations.

Ms. Hazel Joy Shi, the team leader to the 64th IMO, recounted the Philippine Team’s journey in preparation for the competition - including the selection process through the Mathematical Olympiad Summer Camp (MOSC) and the different extensive and rigorous training. She also took pride in the team’s achievement detailing that this year’s performance garnered the highest cumulative team score since 1988 (at 145 points), advancing the country’s ranking from 55th in 2022 to 26th this year.

Similarly, Dr. Ronald Cruz, Dr. Faith Marie Lagua, Ms. Niña Angelica Zambales and Dr. Alexander De Los Reyes, and Mr. Russel Glenn Odi - team leaders to the 34th IBO, 55th IChO, 19th iGeo, and 53rd IPhO, respectively, narrated their arduousbut worthwhile journey in quest of victory giving glimpses of how the competitions were conducted. Furthermore, they expressed their gratitude to the DOST-SEIand highlighted the support it has providedto the national teams over the years; thereby,helping them expandtheir reach in a sharedvision of increasing the quality and accessibility of STEM education in the country.

Mr. Bernard Llaguno, team leader to the 16th IOAA, emphasized the importance and advantages of discovering more young talents outside of the usual school lineups - thus, broadening the access, diversity, and high probability of success in STEM competitions. On the other hand, Mr. Kevin Charles Atienza, team leader to the 35th IOI, expressed his hope for the continuous and stronger support of the government to the national teams for many years to come.

The team leaders are hopeful that as the Philippine teams participate in the international Olympiads in the succeeding years, the medals and honor that they may bring to the country will also provide pathways to engaging more young Filipinos in STEM education.

DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr. shares the same sentiment as he honored and congratulated the outstanding young awardees, througha video message.He encouraged them to keep pushing the frontiers of excellence as they continue to be role models to everyone in engaging in and pursuing excellence in STEM and invigorating a passion for knowledge and discovery.

“The medals you have won are fruits of your perseverance and excellence - wear it proud. And while it is a reminder of your immense potential and the even greater heights you can still achieve, may you also be reminded that the real essence of excellence must be used to uplift the lives of the Filipino people. The country needs minds like yours, now more than ever, to take the helm of research and development and becomebearers of hope to accelerate science and technology development.“

Dr. Solidum, likewise, expressed his sincerest thanks and recognized the dedication and tireless work of the following national organizers in their ceaseless efforts to bring together and develop a rich and outstanding pool of STEM talents.

Mathematical Societyof the Philippines (MSP)
Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies, Inc. (PFCS)
Kapisanang Kimikang Pilipinas, Inc. (KKP)
Philippine Association of Chemistry Teachers,Inc. (PACT)
Integrated Chemistsof the Philippines (ICP)
Samahang Pisikang Pilipinas (SPP)
Samahang Pisikang Visayas and Mindanao (SPVM)
Philippine PhysicsOlympiad (PPO)
Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) - Department of Biology, School of Scienceand Engineering
Ateneo Biological Organization (BOx)
National Olympiad in Informatics Philippines (NOI.PH)
Geographic Societyof the University of the Philippines (GeogSoc)
Youth Excellence in Science Awards

On the same occasion, the Youth Excellence in Science (YES) award was bestowed upon the members of the national teamswho have won gold, silver,and bronze medalin the said STEM Olympiads. The awarding of YES medals and certificates was led by DOST-SEI Director Josette T. Biyo and Deputy Director Engr. Albert G. Mariño.

The YES medal symbolizes the DOST’s recognition of the exemplary achievement of the youth in the fields of STEM and signifies the Institute’s high regard in its quest for excellence to advance STEM diversity, persistence, and success, harness a critical mass of STEM professionals, and develop a strong culture of science in the country. These medals of distinction are annually awardedto young Filipinos who attained significant achievements in international science and math competitions at the primary and secondary education levels.
YES Awardees LEMUEL ACOSTA - Philippine Science High School-Central Luzon Campus
ANDRE GERARD AW -MGC New Life Christian Academy
MOHAMMAD NUR CASIB - Philippine ScienceH

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