2012 Metrobank Math Challenge winners awarded

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s finest Math enthusiasts competed during the national finals of the 2012 Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC) held last April 21, at the Metrobank Plaza Auditorium in Makati City.

This year’s national finalists came from 34 schools, composed of 23 public and 11 private schools. Out of the 34 schools, 21 were first time qualifiers such as the Teodoro Hernaez Elementary School (Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur); Baguio Village Elementary School (Diffun, Quirino); Potter’s Place School (El Nido, Palawan); Bicol University College of Education Integrated Laboratory School (Daraga Albay); Tabunan National High School (Almeria, Biliran); General Santos City High School; and Dansalan College Foundation, Inc. (Marawi City).

Winners were awarded by Education Undersecretary for Programs and Projects Yolanda Aquino, who also delivered an inspirational message before the young audience, Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña, vice chairman Dr. Placido Mapa Jr., executive vice president Elvira Ong-Chan, and Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines (MTAP) Sr. Iluminada Coronel, FMM.

Farrell Eldrian Wu of MGC New Life Christian Academy (Taguig City) landed first in Grade 6 Individual Competition, while Dann Lawrence Llabore of General Santos City (SPED) Integrated School and Errol John Suarez of Bicol University College of Education Integrated Laboratory School were second and third, respectively.

For the Grade 6 Team Competition, Nathan Joseph Oranga and Andrea Jessica Jaba of St. Jude Catholic School Manila were the 1st placers; Errol John Suarez and Charlotte Advincula of Bicol University College of Education Integrated Laboratory School (Daraga, Albay) were 2nd placers; and Vince Walter Domasig and Cynthia Marie Avecilla of Pasong Tamo Elementary School (Quezon City) were 3rd placers.

For the 4th Year Individual Competition, Russelle Guadalupe of Valenzuela City Science High School bagged the gold medal. Mark Joseph Abang of BHC Educational Institution, Inc. (San Fernando City, La Union); and Marcia Butastas of Tabunan National High School (Almeria, Biliran) bagged silver and bronze medals, respectively.

In the 4th Year Team Competition, Sean Timothy Cheng and Carl Lester Tan of Grace Christian College (Quezon City) were 1st placers, Brandon Chan and Julius Christopher Doolittle of Philippine Cultural College – Caloocan were 2nd placers; and Dave Didal and Jude Matthew Bernal of Potter’s Place School (El Nido, Palawan) were the 3rd placers.

National winners received trophies, medals and cash - P25,000 for the 1st placer, P20,000 for the 2nd placer and P15,000 for the 3rd placer for the elementary level while P50,000 for the 1st placer, P40,000 for the 2nd placer and P30,000 for the 3rd placer for the fourth year level amounting to a total of P540,000 worth of cash prize. Half of the cash prize received by the winners has allowed them to open an account through the Metrobank Fun Savers Club — a special savings account designed for kids 17 years and below. Fun activities and gift items being offered by the product encourage young members to save.

The annual Math Challenge produces national winners who get to compete and eventually win in international competitions. Among them is Carmela Lao, first placer in the Individual Category for 4th Year of the 2011 Metrobank Math Challenge, who reaped a silver medal in the 51st International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), the first Filipina to do so and the country’s second silver medal after 20 years. Recently, the Metrobank Math Challenge was awarded with the Anvil Award of Excellence in the 47th Anvil Awards by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP).