A student from the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman emerged as the champion for the third consecutive year at the 50th Annual Nationwide Search for the Math Wizard held on Saturday, March 9.
Immanuel Josiah Balete, a BS Computer Science student at UP-Diliman, was crowned the 50th Math Wizard in the contest organized by the UP Mathematics Club.
"I praise God for granting me this achievement, all glory belongs to Him!" Balete told Manila Bulletin.
The winners at the 50th Annual Nationwide Search for the Math Wizard (Photos from UP Mathematics Club Facebook page)
Balete also won the title in 2022 and 2023 in the tilt which has been conducted “every February since 1974, in accordance with the celebration of the anniversary of the UP Math Club.”
He was also named the top male elimination (round) scorer while Maria Mariella Dumaya of the De La Salle University-Manila won top female elimination scorer.
“It is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious collegiate mathematics competitions in the country. As such, hundreds of top mathematics and engineering students from various universities and colleges around the country are tested for their advanced mathematical skills and complex logic,” according to the UP Math Club website.
Other winners are Jose Maria S. Bernardo II of Ateneo de Manila University who emerged as Math Sorcerer (first runner-up).
Winning the Math Apprentice award (second runner-up) is Justin Teng Soon Khoo of Mapua University.
In fourth place is Jan Joshua Cruz of De La Salle University-Manila while winning fifth place are Marksen Viktor Lizarondo of the Lyceum of the Philippines University-Cavite and Charles Dwight Pelaez of UP-Los Baños.
The 50th Annual Nationwide Search for the Math Wizard was endorsed by the UP Diliman Institute of Mathematics, Mathematical Society of the Philippines and UP Diliman College of Science.