The Philippine delegation during the competition in Hong Kong.
A group of Filipino math aces dominated the recently concluded 25th Po Leung Kuk Primary Mathematics World Contest (PMWC), held from July 16 to 19 in the New Territories, Hong Kong, the team's mentors from the Mathematics Trainers' Guild Phils. (MTG) announced.
According to MTG head Dr. Simon Chua, the eight-man contingent, composed of students from various private schools in Luzon, clinched three silver and three bronze medals in the individual competition, along with a merit prize trophy in the team contest.
Chua named the country's silver medalists: Erin Leighton Go of St. Jude Catholic School, Wilzent Brian Bonamy Lim of Pangasinan Universal Institute, and Steve Jacob Yu of Xavier School.
The bronze medalists were Elizur Daniel Anabieza of Divine Light Academy-Bacoor, Leonard Vash Cay of Xavier School-Nuvali, and Alistair Ivan Siahingco of St. Jude Catholic School.
The merit prize-winning team included Anabieza, Cay, Yu, and Liam Reign of the Singapore School Manila.
Completing the MTG team is Ezikiel Anton Tan of Pangasinan Universal Institute.
Math specialists Renard Eric Chua and Arvie Ubarro led the delegation.
This year's PMWC drew nearly 200 participants from nearly a dozen countries and territories, including China, Macau, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, South Africa, India, Bulgaria, the Philippines, and host Hong Kong. Teams from Vietnam, Bulgaria, and China topped the team event.
In last year's edition, the Philippine team took home two silver and three bronze medals.
Participants were given 90 minutes to answer 15 math problems in the individual round, and 60 minutes to solve 10 questions in the team event. Each team consisted for four members.
Hong Kong has hosted the annual PMWC since 1995.
Backed by the Home Affairs Department, the PMWC aims to raise the standard of mathematics, cultivate enthusiasm, and instill great passion for the subject.
The Po Leung Kuk organization was founded in 1878 when Hong Kong was dealing with crimes of human trafficking.
In 1880, it was formally established as the Society for the Protection of Women and Children.
Today, PLK remains one of Hong Kong's top charitable and social service institutions.
The Cantonese term "po leung kuk" means protection of the young and innocent.