MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine team won third place at the International Regions Mathematics League (IRML) in Las Vegas in early June.

The Philippine team, composed of 22 students from different high schools across the country, competed in the event held from June 1 to 2 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

China and Macau ranked first and second place, respectively. The Philippines’ final score was one point higher than South Korea, which placed 4th.

Seven members of the Philippine team received gold medals in the individual round of the competition.

• Kirk Patrick Bamba (Mataas na Paaralang Neptali A. Gonzales)
• John Joshua Cruz (Pasig Catholic College)
• Bikram Chohan Singh (Notre Dame School of Greater Manila)
• Lance Adrian Ko (St Stephen’s High School)
• Hans Mackenzie Uy (St Joseph School in Naga City)
• William Joshua King (Bethany Christian School in Cebu City)
• Arthur Caleb Co (Philippine Science High School – Central Luzon Campus)

Gold medalist Hans Mackenzie Uy of St Joseph School in Naga City, Camarines Sur, said while the training was both “mentally and emotionally draining,” bonding with his teammates and his supportive coaches helped him withstand the challenges he faced.

“Winning the award was an accomplishment for me because it shows that my efforts have paid off, but the real reward here is the unforgettable memories and the great friends you gain in the event. To me, this victory was a team victory, and whatever I accomplished in this event, it was for my team. Mathletes don’t collect medals, they collect memories,” Uy said.

IRML is an international contest where students solve several math problems in different formats. It is an extension of the American Regions Mathematics League, where student teams from various states of the United States compete with one another.

Students are given the chance to compete individually and in teams in different parts of the competition. Teams go through 4 rounds in the IRML: Team Round, Power Round, Individual Round, and Relay Round. Scores from each round are tallied for the teams’ final ranking.

Here are other members of the Philippine team:

• Ravi Bahukhandi (The British School Manila)
• Evgeny Cruz (Manila Science High School)
• Lawrence Gabriel Dy (CCF Life Academy Foundation Inc)
• Alyssa Guevara (Philippine Science High School – Main Campus)
• Lance Adrian Ko (St. Stephen’s High School)
• Crizanne Chanelle Mejica (City of Mandaluyong Science High School)
• Erika Emmanuelle Pantaleon (Philippine Science High School – Main Campus)
• Ralph Silva (Don Bosco Technical College)
• Alison Chloe Tan (Ateneo de Manila Senior High School)
• Audrey Gabrielle Tan (Malayan High School of Science)
• Erin Nicole Blanche (Philippine Science High School – Main Campus)
• Kaye Pauline Larroder (University of the Philippines Visayas High School in Iloilo)
• Mi Jung Pak (Philippine Science High School – Main Campus)
• John Patrick Santelices (Philippine Science High School – Main Campus)
• Shoshannah Tiu (Makati Hope Christian School)
• Dominic Villegas (Naga City Montessori School)
• Daniel Maranello Wong (Westfield Science Oriented School)

The participation of the Philippine team was made possible by training from the Asian MathSci League, Incorporated, under its president, Rechilda P. Villame. The students were coached by team leaders Ezra Templonuevo and Charles Kyle Mupas. (READ: 7-year-old Filipino math whiz shows amazing skills in ‘Little Big Shots’) – Rappler.com 

Gaby N. Baizas is a Community intern at Rappler, and is an incoming senior at the Ateneo de Manila University. She is an AB Communication major under the journalism track.