3 NCotabato students to represent Phl in int'l math tilts

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines - Three children from North Cotabato will represent the province to separate international mathematics competitions in Singapore and in Taiwan next month.

The three elementary pupils, Sophia Helen Gador, Phillaeus Mathew Ostique and Jerson Claude Austria, all from the Midsayap Pilot Central Elementary School in Midsayap town, paid North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza a courtesy visit on Thursday at the provincial capitol to say goodbye.

Gador, Ostique, and Austria will compete in the August 1-4 International Mathematics Guild, and the August 9-13 World Mathematics Invitational Competition in Singapore and in Taiwan, respectively.

Mendoza said the participation of the three grade school pupils to the contests was a tacit proof that the quality of education being provided for by public schools to North Cotabato residents is remarkable.

The three children all promised the governor to do their best to win in the two competitions.

Mendoza said the children's participation alone to the two contests was already enough fame and honor for the province, which covers 17 towns and 40 barangays in Kidapawan City, the provincial capital.

Residents of North Cotabato have not even reeled off yet  from the euphoria brought by the crowning last March of Tulunan town’s Mary Jean “MJ” Lastimosa as Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2014 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Lastimosa, who was born and raised in Barangay Sibsib in Tulunan, North Cotabato, will represent the Philippines in the forthcoming 2014 Miss Universe pageant.