IN July 2010 a high-school student from Saint Jude Catholic School, Carmela Antoinette Lao, brought home a silver medal, the first silver medal for a Filipina who have joined the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO).
Five years late, Lao has come home with another proud moment, not just for herself but for the country. She has earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science, with a minor in Japanese Studies, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Not only was she the only Filipino to graduate during the MIT’s June 5 commencement exercises, she is also graduating with a 4.9-grade-point average, with 5.0 as the highest. Former Party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones of Agham expressed pride and joy for this exceptional achievement by Lao. She was a recipient of a congressional resolution commending her and two of her teammates for winning in the 2010 IMO Competition in Kazakhstan, which was authored by Palmones.
The former lawmaker said: “As seen with her achievements in her being part of the Philippine team to the International Math Olympiad, she has always pushed herself to be the best and show the world that there is more in her horizon that can be expected of her. And she absolutely does not disappoint.”
“Students usually fear science or math, or both, but [Lao] reminds each Filipino student that there’s nothing to fear when you put your mind and heart to it. She did not let everyone’s fear of math take over her, she believed she can conquer it,” Palmones added.
He also extended his greetings to Lao’s parents and mentors, who have continually molded her and have been her inspirations in her conquests. “May each student who has love and fear of math be inspired by [Lao’s] achievements. There may be a lot of hard work involved but after all the sacrifices, they will all be paid off well with great rewards,” Palmones said.