They are so young, and they are so intelligent!

Seventy-three students who won in recent international mathematics competitions were recognized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) by awarding them medals of excellence in the aptly named Youth Excellence in Science (YES) Awards held at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in Quezon City.

Science Secretary Estrella Alabastro commended the brilliant high-school students for their performance in their respective competitions and for making their respective schools and the country proud.

At the same time, she reminded them of the responsibilities and challenges that awaits them.

“[You] know that with great abilities come great responsibilities. The award which you received today should not be the only proof of your outstanding performance, but should also serve to remind you of expectations on you. We expect you to exert efforts to reach your full potential, so that you can be of better service to your countrymen,” said Alabastro in her message to this year’s 73 awardees.

Even at their young age, Alabastro said the students could use their talents for the benefit of the people. She cited that they could conduct peer-tutoring projects to help their classmates, schoolmates or the students of a nearby school.

Furthermore, Alabastro said they could use their achievements to inspire other students who are facing difficulties and setbacks.

“In short, the challenge [to you] is to go beyond being an individual with extraordinary abilities. Be a catalyst for others to aim for excellence, as well. Expand your horizon and serve others with humility and passion,” she said.

She said the government has given a high priority to science and math education to be able to produce competent science professionals in “various scientific disciplines who can carry out high-level research and development work.” 

This would be crucial, she stressed, because this will determine how the country will perform in the knowledge economy.

In this regard, Alabastro said it is important that young Filipinos develop a keen interest in science and mathematics at an early age even if they will not pursue careers in science and engineering. Alabastro said continuous motivation and nurturing should be given to exceptionally talented children because they are the future pillars of the economy.

“In particular, we should pay attention to gifted and talented students. They should be continuously nurtured, recognized and guided as they will be the future purveyors of economic development,” she said.

She said the DOST and one of its agencies, the Science Education Institute (SEI), are working together with experts from the academe to craft a framework for human-resource development in science and technology, which includes a legislative agenda to implement a comprehensive system for finding and nurturing gifted people in science and technology.

As part of finding and nurturing  young people who have potential in science and mathematics, Alabastro said the DOST is conducting a pilot test in Central Mindanao to boost the chances of Muslim students in identified elementary schools to qualify for admission to the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) Central Mindanao campus.

The project, coordinated by the SEI and jointly implemented by the PSHS and the Department of Education, will begin with the training of teachers in mathematics, science and English in the selected elementary schools in the region.

In his speech during the awarding ceremonies, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Tony Hely said the achievements of young and talented Filipinos is a sign that mathematics is gradually being appreciated as way of life in the Philippines.

“I am very pleased with Filipinos taking part in the Australian Mathematics Trust, also known as the Australian Mathematical Competition [AMC]. It demonstrates how talented young Filipinos are given the chance to excel,” he said.

He said the educational achievements of the students would definitely benefit the country in the long run because they contribute a lot in national development through their knowledge. He said the Canberra government is very supportive of improving basic education in the Philippines.

Hely, together with Australian Mathematics Trust executive director Peter Taylor, Alabastro, Science Undersecretary Fortunato del la Peña and SEI Director Ester Ogena, awarded medals to the winners of the recent AMC competition.

The winners are:

• Amiel S. Sy, PSHS-Diliman, AMC Westpack medal, junior division

• Aldric Cristoval Reyes, Chiang Kai Shek College, AMC Westpack medal, junior division

• Diogo Moitinho de Almeida, Ateneo de Manila University, AMC Westpack medal, junior division

• John Thomas Chuatak, Saint Stephen’s High School, perfect score, primary

• Maria Czarina Angela Lao, Saint Jude Catholic School, perfect score, primary

Aside from the five winners, the other YES awardees were winners in previous international mathematics competitions.

The are Francisco Adajar, Arvin Wilson Alba, Angeline Baniqued, Karlo Jose Calderon, Janssen Lawrence Chan, Deany Hendrick Cheng, Franchesca Choi, Aileen Giselle Chua, Arielle Elise Chua, Chua, Gari Lincoln Chua, Lance Co Ting Keh, Hannah Co, Kenneth Co; Janina Erica Damian, Mark Elerey De Juan, Sharlene Dizon, Ervin Frederick Dy, Kevin Jonathan Dy, Jasmine Gamboa, Sigrid Marianne Gayangos, Brendon Matthew Jeffrey Go, Vance Eldric Go, Francis Mason Hao, Paul Julian Hao, Niel Benjamin Kho, Sherine Ann Koa, Audrey Celine Lao, Carmela Antoinette Lao, Arnold Lau Lindros, Antonie Kyna Lim, Brian James Masaluñga;

Aldrich Aldwin Mayoralgo, Henry Jefferson Morc, Mark Terrence Mujer, Charles Kyle Mupas, Matthew Sim Ng, Lu Kevin Ong, Patrick Adrian Ong, Mario Antonio Ongkiko, Rafael Perea, Ricci Ryan Rojo, Stephanie Eden Saavedra, Katherine Lorenzena Saniel, Leif Mikael Santelices, Miguel Sebastian Santos, Andrew Sia, Sean Benson Sia, Jillian Kristel Sy, Julius Vincent Sy, Earl Alexjeandre Sio Tan; Eldridge Myles Tan, Ezra Joy Templonuevo, Sterling Alvin Tiu,Alyana Uy, Geovin Dexter Uy, Harvey Eaton Uy, Kurt Daniel Uy, Mikaela Angelina Uy, Vance Mikhail Uy, V Roselen Ann Vieja, Wu, Zheng Rong and Andrew Vincent Yap.

Future Einsteins—young inventors, mostly elementary and high-school students—who where winners in previous robotics and biofuels competitions exhibited last week their winning inventions at the Innovation Area of the Intellectual Property Rights Office of the Philippines (IP Phils) as part of the celebration of Intellectual Property Rights Week.

They are so young, and they are so intelligent!

Seventy-three students who won in recent international mathematics competitions were recognized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) by awarding them medals of excellence in the aptly named Youth Excellence in Science (YES) Awards held at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in Quezon City.

The country’s lack of awareness on intellectual property rights (IPR) has resulted in Filipino creative inventions either being copied by other nations or boxed and deprived from achieving their real purpose of being commercialized to benefit their creators.