Grade 2 student bags 33 medals in Cavite
Published Mar 30, 2026 05:46 pm
At A Glance
- The medals the eight-year-old boy earned include academic awards and accolades for competitions outside the school, including regional, national, and international competitions.
CAVITE – A Grade 2 student in General Trias City is earning praise for the awards he received during his school’s recognition day.
Daniel Elijah Balino Signo bagged not one, not two, but 33 medals, making his parents, Jane and Arvin Signo, extremely proud.
Daniel Elijah Balino Signo shows off the 33 medals he received during his school's recognition day in General Trias City on March 23 (Photo courtesy of Jane Signo/MANILA BULLETIN)
“Sobrang saya po namin dahil all of our son's hard work finally paid off, and lubos kaming nagpapasalamat sa Lord sa wisdom and guidance (We are very happy because all of our son’s hard work has finally paid off, and we are deeply grateful to the Lord for the wisdom and guidance). It's all because of God,” Jane Signo, the young achiever’s mother, told the Manila Bulletin on Monday, March 30.
The medals the eight-year-old boy earned include academic awards and accolades for competitions outside the school, including regional, national, and international competitions.
Known to his family and friends as Dale, the whiz kid's success is anchored in a parenting style grounded in support, discipline, and faith.
“We just support and let him enjoy 'yung mga hobbies niya. Pero siyempre need pa din na maging strict kapag study time na, need focus muna sa study and review. And we're also giving him a reward para kahit papano ma-boost pa lalo siya (We just support him and let him enjoy his hobbies. But of course, we still need to be strict during study time, he has to focus on studying and reviewing. We also give him a reward to help boost him further),” the proud mother shared.
“And above all, we always tell him to always pray and ask God for wisdom and knowledge.”
Daniel Elijah Balino Signo, with his parents, Arvin and Jane Signo, during his school's recognition day in General Trias City on March 23 (Photo courtesy of Jane Signo/MANILA BULLETIN)
Like most kids today, Dale likes playing online games like Roblox and Geometry Dash, but under his parents' supervision. He also uses part of his screen time to learn in a fun way by watching YouTube videos on general-knowledge trivia.
Offline, the incoming Grade 3 student is interested in sports such as chess and soccer.
Despite both his parents being senior accountants, Dale does not feel pressured to follow any specific path this early.
“'Nung una gusto niya maging chef kasi nakahiligan niya dati mag-bake. Then gusto niya din maging chess grandmaster, then gusto niya din maging developer ng game (At first, he wanted to become a chef because he used to enjoy baking. Then he also wanted to be a chess grandmaster, and later, he wanted to become a game developer). But right now when I asked him, he wants to become a pilot, and travel to different countries,” his mother said.
Jane said every child grows at their own pace, and shared what seemed to work for their family.
“Just be patient with their children. I believe na iba-iba 'yung timing ng pag-bloom and pag-grow ng mga kids. Just support them sa mga gusto nila but maging strict din at the same time. Give a reward, in any form, maliit man o malaki para maramdaman ng bata na nare-recognize siya, to encourage them (Just be patient with your children. I believe that kids grow and bloom at different times. Support them in what they like, but be strict at the same time. Give them rewards, big or small, so they feel recognized and encouraged).”