With the pandemic affecting all sorts of gatherings and travels, the toughest mathematics competition in the world will be held online.
The 61st International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), originally set to be held last July in St. Petersburg, Russia, will push through but via the first-ever online competition from September 19 to 28.
The Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP) announced the roster of the national team including:
Immanuel Josiah Balete
St. Stephen’s High School
Sarji Elijah Bona
De La Salle University Integrated School Manila/Palawan Hope Christian School
Raphael Dylan Dalida
Philippine Science High School Main Campus
Vincent de la Cruz
Valenzuela School of Mathematics and Science
Andres Rico Gonzales III
De La Salle University Integrated School Manila
Bryce Ainsley Sanchez
Grace Christian College
Team Leader Christian Paul Chan Shio
Ateneo de Manila University, and Deputy
Team Leader Carlo Francisco Adajar
University of the Philippines Diliman will mentor the bets.
The national team members were determined during the Mathematical Olympiad Summer Camp (MOSC), which was also held 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).
In January, Sanchez, Balete and Dalida topped the PMO as champion, first runner-up, and second runner-up, respectively.
They were joined by fellow math veterans, Gonzales III, Dela Cruz and Bona.
On July 13 and 14, all of the six won in the first Cyberspace Mathematical Competition (CMC).
Organized by the American Mathematics Competitions in partnership with Art of Problem Solving, the CMC also served as preparatory test for the team.
Dalida, de la Cruz, Gonzales III and Sanchez bagged the bronze medals in CMC, while Balete received an honorable mention.
Meanwhile, Sanchez, Balete and Gonzales III each won bronze medals in last year’s IMO where the Philippines ranked 31st out of 112 countries.
The three are now looking to lead the team to an improved showing this year.
Director Josette Biyo of the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) 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 are 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,” Biyo said.
The country’s participation in the IMO is a project of MSP and DOST-SEI, with support from major sponsors: Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. Foundation, Manulife Business Processing Services, Foundation for Upgrading the Standard of Education Inc., Sharp Philippines Corp. and C&E Publishing.
S&T Media Service
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