Palace lauds math whiz kids’ feat in Singapore

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Monday, February 13, congratulated four Filipino students who won medals at the recent Raffles Invitational Mathematical Olympiad (RIMO) in Singapore, and said they serve as an “inspiration” to those seeking to strengthen science and math in the Philippine educational system.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda cited  Mikaela Angelina Uy, Camille Dee, Brandon Chan, and Ruselle Guadalupe who he said “brought pride to our country by winning in the biennial international mathematics event organized by the prestigious Raffles Institution” which drew 100 contestants from Southeast Asia, China, and Australia.

“These successful students are an inspiration for all who want to improve science and math in our educational system. This administration is committed to building a strong educational foundation,” Lacierda said.

He also credited the students coaches from the Mathematics Trainers’ Guild-Philippines, Man Fai Anthony Ang and coach Arvie Ubarro.

Lacierda noted that the Department of Education budget in 2012 increased by 15.2 percent, compared to 2011. “Undoubtedly the strengthening of these core competencies will allow more students to excel in their classrooms and show the world Filipino academic excellence,” Lacierda said.

He said the achievement echoes the success of Filipino students in the 2011 Australian Mathematics Competition wherein 11 were awarded for their high scores in the competition and 60 other Filipino students placed in the top two percent of the 300,000 participants. – Rappler.com