ILOILO City – Twenty-four Ilonggo math wizards composed of students from Kindergarten to Grade 9 collected trophies in the Hong Kong International Mathematical Olympiad (HKIMO) from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2.
The Ilonggos collected a “World Star” trophy, two champion trophies, 22 medals, and two certificates.
According to Dr. Stephen Jinon, team leader and coordinator of HKIMO-Iloilo, the Ilonggo contestants emerged from Ling To Primary Catholic School in Ho Man Tin, Hong Kong with eight gold medals, eight silver medals, six bronze medals, and two merit awards.
“Among the highlights of the team’s victory are special individual awards given to students who showed exemplary performance. Our young Ilonggo contestants really excelled,” said Jinon.
Matthew Defensor, a Grade 5 pupil from Solomon Integrated School de Iloilo, received a “World Star” trophy for being the best performer from the Philippines, and a champion trophy for being the world champion in his grade level.
Defensor is a son of Iloilo City police director, Police Colonel Martin Defensor.
James Martin Young, a Grade 9 student from Philippine Science High School – Western Visayas Campus, received a champion trophy for being the world champion in his grade level.
“I feel proud and honored to be one of the team leaders of Team Iloilo. We survived Hong Kong and we went home with awards. We thank our supportive parents and mentor,” said Jinon.
Other countries that participated in
the math tournament were Australia, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Hong
Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Ukraine.
The Ilonggos gold medalists were:
* Matthew Defensor – Primary 4, Solomon Integrated School de Iloilo (World Star, Champion)
* Jacques Simon Timtiman – Secondary 2, Philippine Science High School
* Julia Alessandra – Primary 6, Philippine Science High School
* Atila Vinculado – Primary 5
* Rezh Bernice Loretizo – Ateneo
* James Martin Young – Secondary 2, Philippine Science High School (Champion)
*Angeli Eona Marie C. Orlina – Primary 5, Passi 1 Central School
The silver medalists were:
* Frank Tyrese Casco – Primary 1, Iloilo Scholastic Academy
* Paul Montalban – Secondary 2, PAREF Westbridge
* Athena Dorothy Dagnalan – Primary 2, Hua Siong College of Iloilo
* Joana Nicole Balopenos – Primary 4, SPED-ISEC
* Joachim Santino Timtiman – Primary 6, Philippine Science High School
* Sophia Kirsten Tunguia – Primary 5, SPED-ISEC
* Dashell Sean Villanueva – Primary 6, Philippine Science High School
* Ziron John Valaquio – Secondary 1, Philippine Science High School
The bronze medalists were:
* Naomi Defensor – Kindergarten, Solomon Integrated School de Iloilo
* Matthew Limsiaco – Primary 2, PAREF Westbridge
* Gihun Yoo – Primary 4, St. Joseph School (Iloilo) Inc.
* Ma. Zoephia Valaquio – Primary 4, SPED-ISEC
* John Benedict Castro – Primary 4, St Joseph School (Iloilo) Inc.
* Jerick Edd Casem – Primary 5, Dao Central School, Tobias Fornier, Antique
The merit awardees were:
* Ramiex Brylle Estudillo – Secondary 3, PAREF Westbridge
* Marcus Pranga – Secondary 3, PAREF Westbridge/PN
