Filipino Students Win Silver and Bronze Medals at 64th International Mathematical Olympiad

The Philippines continues to achieve remarkable success in the international math arena, with six young Filipino students winning three silver and three bronze medals at the 64th International Mathematical Olympiad in Chiba, Japan from July 2 to 13, 2023.

Leading the way for the Philippines were Raphael Dylan Dalida, an experienced participant who has won medals three times before at the Philippine Science High School (PSHS)-Main Campus, and Jerome Austin Te, a first-time competitor from Jubilee Christian Academy. Both secured silver medals by scoring 29 points each. Filbert Ephraim Wu from Victory Christian International School, who received an honorable mention last year, also earned a silver medal this time by scoring 28 points.

The Philippine Team to the 64th IMO are all smiles as they don their medals during the awarding ceremony of the competition. L-R: Dr. Randolf Sasota, Dr. Josette Biyo, Mohammad Nur Casib, Alvann Walter Paredes Dy, Filbert Ephraim Wu, Raphael Dylan Dalida, Jerome Austin Te, Rickson Caleb Tan. 

Rickson Caleb Tan of MGC New Life Christian Academy, who received an honorable mention last year, scored 22 points this year and won a bronze medal. Joining him with a bronze medal is Mohammad Nur Casib of PSHS-Central Mindanao Campus, who scored 19 points. Alvann Walter Paredes Dy from Saint Jude Catholic School, also a first-time competitor like Te, secured a bronze medal with a score of 18.

In this year's IMO, a total of 618 participants took part, and a total of 54 gold medals, 90 silver medals, 170 bronze medals, and 192 honorable mentions were awarded. With a total of six medals, the Philippines ranked 26th out of 112 participating countries.

The participants answered six questions over two days, solving three questions per day within a time limit of four and a half hours.

Since joining the IMO in 1988, the Philippines has won a total of four gold medals, 19 silver medals, 40 bronze medals, and 30 honorable mentions.

Dr. Josette T. Biyo, Director of the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), expressed pride in working with the Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP) to help students develop their mathematical abilities through the Philippine Mathematical Olympiad (PMO) and Mathematical Olympiad Summer Camp (MOSC).

"I am honored to have the opportunity to support our students as they compete against other gifted students in the world's most challenging mathematics competition. All six participants returned with medals, showcasing that the brilliance of Filipinos in mathematics is a result of excellent coaching, leadership, and unwavering support from their parents," said Dr. Biyo.

The Philippine Team for the 64th IMO was led by Ms. Hazel Joy Shi from MSP, with Mr. Kerish Villegas as the deputy team leader and Mr. Russelle Guadalupe as the trainer. Dr. Biyo and Dr. Randolf S. Sasota, a Supervising Science Research Specialist at DOST-SEI, were also part of the team.