3 Pinoy math wizards to compete in international olympiad

MANILA, Philippines – The medalists in last year’s International Mathematical Olympiad emerged as the Top 3 winners in this year’s Philippine Mathematical Olympiad (PMO).

Farrell Eldrian Wu of MGC New Life Christian Academy, who finished 1st runner-up in the previous PMO, topped the national tilt this time. He was also bronze medalist in the 56th IMO held in Chiang Mai, Thailand in July last year.

With the victory, Wu took home P20,000 cash prize, a trophy and gifts from Sharp Calculators.

Joining Wu in the Top 3 are national team co-members Kyle Patrick Dulay of Philippine Science High School- Main Campus and Albert John Patupat of Holy Rosary College, who placed 1st and 2nd runners-up, respectively. Dulay received P15,000 cash prize while Patupat got P10,000 as well as trophies and gifts from Sharp Calculators.

Dulay won an honorable mention in last year’s IMO while Patupat, then a rookie in the competition, brought home a bronze medal.

The winners were awarded in a ceremony held at the University of Santo Tomas recently.

Josette Biyo, Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) director, congratulated the winners and finalists, and expressed belief that the country is “getting closer and closer towards winning (its)first gold at the IMO.”

“I’m sure that our team in the IMO always has a fighting chance that would increase each year that we join the IMO. And this PMO is one of our bases in having that feeling,” Biyo said as she lauded the Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP) for another successful PMO.

“Our time to win gold at the IMO is coming very soon,” she reiterated. 

The winners, together with the 17 other PMO finalists, will undergo training in April to May to determine who will comprise the national team set to compete in the 57th IMO in Hong Kong on July 6-16.

This year’s IMO Philippines’ team leader, Louie John Vallejo, will spearhead the summer training along with professors from UP and Ateneo de Manila University.

Biyo said DOST-SEI will continue to support the PMO and the country’s participation in IMO and other international competitions as these platforms “clearly bring the best of our best students” who are eyed to become science professionals in the future.

“More than anything, we encourage you all to not just accept the challenge of pursuing excellence through competitions, but to build your character founded on honesty, integrity and nationalism. Be the leaders that we all desire to have,” Biyo said.