Thank you for waving the country’s banner at the 62nd International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) held from July 14 to 24.
This was the word of thanks expressed by the Department of Science and Technology- Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) to IMO Filipino medalists Immanuel Josiah Balete of St. Stephen’s High School, Sarji Elijah Bona of De La Salle University Senior High School, Raphael Dylan Dalida of Philippine Science High School-Main, Bryce Ainsley Sanchez of Grace Christian College, Steven Reyes of Saint Jude Catholic School and Vincent Dela Cruz of Valenzuela School of Mathematics and Science.
“Every one of the six-member Philippine team to the recently concluded 62nd International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) made the country proud by each winning a medal at one of the most difficult and most prestigious mathematics competitions in the world,” the DOST-SEI said in a statement on Monday, August 2.
Balete, Dalida, Reyes, and Sanchez each won a silver medal at the IMO, while Bona and Dela Cruz received bronze medals.
The DOST-SEI cited that the country’s six-man team ranked 23rd out of 107 countries, “a monumental jump from 2020, when the Philippines ended the competition in 43rd place.”
The team was led by Dr. Christian Paul Chan Shio (Leader) and Raymond Joseph Fadri (Deputy Leader), on behalf of the Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP).
“This is a very good year for waving the Philippine banner in the international arena," DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo said in a statement.
“These students are showing the world that Filipinos are achievers in anything they put their minds to, be it sports or intellectual pursuits.”
The 62nd IMO is the second competition in a row held online due to the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. It was hosted by St. Petersburg, Russia.
“These medals are hard-earned and well deserved,” Dr. Chan Shio said. “They’re no strangers to the rigors of competition, and their commitment and dedication really paid off. They made us and the country very proud.”
The contestants were trained by professors from the University of the Philippines Diliman and the Ateneo de Manila University, and included past team officials such as Dr. Richard Eden (Team Leader, 2016-2019) and Dr. Louie John Vallejo (Deputy Leader, 2015-2017), the DOST-SEI noted.
“The Philippine Team did particularly well this year, even doing better than historically strong teams like Japan, France and Romania,” said MSP President Dr. Jose Ernie C. Lope.
“Once again, the Philippines has shown that it is not far behind the world leaders in mathematics competitions.”