Phl to compete in first ever online Int’l Math Olympiad

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With the pandemic affecting all sorts of gatherings and travels, the toughest mathematics competition in the world will soldier on via the online route.

The 61st International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), originally slated this July in St. Petersburg, Russia, will push through instead with a first-ever online competition.

With this, the Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP) announced the roster of the national team. This year’s Philippine representatives will include:

1. Immanuel Josiah Balete from St. Stephen's High School

2. Sarji Elijah Bona from De La Salle University Integrated School Manila / Palawan Hope Christian School

3. Raphael Dylan Dalida from Philippine Science High School Main Campus

4. Vincent Dela Cruz from Valenzuela School of Mathematics and Science

5. Andres Rico Gonzales III from De La Salle University Integrated School Manila

6. Bryce Ainsley Sanchez from Grace Christian College

The online IMO will be held worldwide this coming September 19-28, 2020. Team Leader, Christian Paul Chan Shio from Ateneo de Manila University, and Deputy Team Leader, Carlo Francisco Adajar from the University of the Philippines Diliman will mentor the national bets.

The national team members were determined at the end of the Mathematical Olympiad Summer Camp (MOSC), which was also done online in the past months. The MOSC is a rigorous training program that serves as selection phase among the national finalists and winners of the Philippine Mathematical Olympiad (PMO).

Earlier this January, Sanchez, Balete and Dalida emerged atop of the PMO as Champion, 1st Runner-up, and 2nd Runner-up, respectively. They were then joined by fellow math veterans, Gonzales III, Dela Cruz, and Bona.

Just recently, all six emerged victorious in the first-ever Cyberspace Mathematical Competition (CMC), held online last July 13 and 14. Organized by the American Mathematics Competitions in partnership with Art of Problem Solving, the CMC also served as preparatory test for the team. Dalida, Dela Cruz, Gonzales III, and Sanchez nabbed bronze medals while Balete received an Honorable Mention.

Meanwhile, Sanchez, Balete, and Gonzales III each won bronze medals in last year’s IMO where the Philippines also ranked 31st out of 112 countries. The three now look to lead the team to an improved showing this year.

Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) Director, Dr. Josette Biyo, congratulated the team and the MSP for “soldiering on” amid the challenges posed by the pandemic.

“We congratulate our national team for the 61st IMO. Although we’re living in very challenging times, your constant pursuit of excellence inspires us to do the same. We wish you all the best in the coming competition,” said Biyo.

The country's participation in the IMO is a project of MSP and DOST-SEI, with support from major sponsors Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI) Foundation, Manulife Business Processing Services, Foundation for Upgrading the Standard of Education, Inc. (FUSE), Sharp Philippines Corporation, and C&E Publishing.

Bringing the Philippines Safer from HIV

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The first-ever holding of the Philippine National HIV Prevention Month (NHPM) will kick-off on Friday, July 31, 2020, bringing Filipinos safer from the virus compared to previous years.

The Philippine NHPM is set every July of every year. This initiative supports the Presidential Proclamation No. 971, which was signed last June 23, declaring the second week of July as Infection Prevention and Control Week.

This year’s NHPM theme is “SaferNow,” following the new HIV combination prevention concept, which includes innovative and effective ways to prevent HIV: condoms and lubricants, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and antiretroviral treatment as prevention (TasP).

Given the availability of these preventive measures, the Department of Health reported that between January-March of this year, 2,818 Filipinos have been newly diagnosed with HIV. Age group 25-34 year-olds has the highest with 1,359 and followed by 15-24 year-olds with 834.

In addressing the country’s growing HIV challenge, the Philippine NHPM aims to intensify the health promotions of the HIV combination prevention methods.

This month-long celebration will highlight the HIV combination prevention methods through the “SaferNow” campaign and a series of online activities scheduled in August:

July 31 – Kick-off and Launch of the NHPM 2020 and the “SaferNow” Campaign

August 8 – Condoms and Lube Day

August 15 – PrEP and PEP Day

August 22 – Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) Day

August 29 – Culmination Activity

The NHPM is spearheaded by the Sustainability of HIV Services for Key Populations in Asia Program and the Champion Community Centers network and is supported by UNAIDS Philippines, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations, APCOM, and LoveYourself, Inc.

Also, community-based organizations around the country, catering to HIV-related services, will conduct parallel activities to support this national event.


For more details, follow the Philippine NHPM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @HIVPrevMonthPH.

Show Your Affection to Your Siblings With Attractive Gifts

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Siblings give us the sweetest memories of our lifetime. They are the ones who have been and being with us since childhood. Siblings are the only relatives, who are the secret carries of our life. They are our teachers, friends, role models, and so on. Every role suits them the most. Such a special person deserves special gifts. Make your siblings' birthday memorable by ordering birthday cakes and gifts from online stores.

Attractive Gifts for Your Siblings

The most significant relationship you'll ever have is the sibling's bond. They stand by our side in every worst situation of our life. Such an amazing person is to be surprised by the color of joy and happiness on your siblings’ special day. Here, I have jotted out some attractive gifts to show your affection to your siblings.

1. Birthday cakes and chocolate

You are raised by your parents, you complete your life with your better half, but siblings are one who shaped you into the real you. Honor their relationship by gifting than the best gift that they deserve on their special day. Buy a birthday cake along with a chocolate box from online stores and share the sweetness of your bond on your sibling's birthday. Birthday cakes are trending nowadays, they are even personalized with photos. You get amazing benefits of using the cake delivery services like midnight delivery, speedy taste, nominal price, etc. Hence buy a special birthday cake online since they never go out of trend is always the best surprise.

2. Birthday card and a love note

Make your sibling's special day meaningful and memorable by sending birthday cards online with a love note stating your love for them. Birthday cards are simple but your feelings for them written in it make them sweet as sugar. This surprise card will surely make your loved one's day a memorable one. You can also add sweetness to it by giving chocolates and cakes along with it. Birthday cards are now available in a wide collection in every online gift store. Get the perfect one for your siblings through online shopping.

3. Personalized Novel

Shopping for the perfect gift for your sibling? Well, a personalized novel will be a good choice for your sibling who loves to read. Personalized novels are not really meant for couples but also for siblings who have endless love for one another. A personalized novel as a gift will fit every occasion whether it a birthday, anniversary, wedding, or Christmas gifts. Express your unbound love for your siblings on the special occasion by gifting novels and books which you brought from online stores.

4. Digital Portrait

Do you have a favorite picture of your siblings which you wanted to frame? Then turn the picture into a beautiful artwork by portraying it digitally by the artist. The picture which is portrait digitally is then framed using wooden frames to make it look amazing. Most of the online gift stores provide digital portraits at affordable prices. Purchase online and make use of all the offers and discounts they provide for your shopping. You can present it to your siblings on their birthdays along with happy birthday cake.
Final Thoughts

Thanks for the internet that opened up plenty of ways to reach products in a fraction of seconds. Surprise your loved one by on their special day with unique collections of gifts, chocolates, and cakes from online stores.