National Winners of the 2018 Metrobank Math Challenge Awarded

Written by Laarnie Luna on March 24, 2018. Posted in Education, Media, News, Press Release

The country’s young math geniuses competed during the national finals of the 2018 Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC) National Finals, held last March 24, 2018 at the Metrobank Plaza Auditorium in Makati City.

Out of the 574,823 students who competed in the nationwide elimination rounds, a total of 48 students representing 30 public and private schools have successfully advanced to the final leg of the competition this year.

The national finals showcased the mathematical proficiency of Grade 6 and Grade 10 students who competed in both individual and team categories. The challenge consisted of solving complex mathematical problems mentally within 15 seconds and additional rounds of 30-second and one-minute questions using pen and paper. In addition, national finalists were provided with tablet computers through which they send answers directly to the judges, who then immediately mark them as “correct” or “wrong”. The MMC is the first math competition in the Philippines to use this technology that leads to faster generation of contest results.

Out of the 30 competing schools, 19 produced their first ever national finalists. They are Ilocos Sur National High School (Vigan City), College of the Holy Spirit of Tarlac (Tarlac City), Maliwalo High School (Tarlac City); De La Salle University Integrated School (Biñan City); Palawan State University Laboratory Elementary School (Puerto Princesa City); Binalbagan Catholic College High School Department (Binalbagan, Negros Occidental); Mary Infant Jesus School (Iligan City); Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology Integrated Development School (Iligan City); Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (General Santos City); and Palanan Elementary School (Makati City).

Winners were awarded by the guest of honor, Education Secretary Leonor Briones, who also delivered an inspirational message to inspire the young audience; Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) executive director Nicanor Torres, Jr.; Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines (MTAP) president Sr. Iluminada Coronel, fmm; DepEd Bureau of Curriculum Development Director Jocelyn Andaya; and MBFI trustee Elvira Ong-Chan.

Sean Neyers Gungon of Renato Lopez Elementary School (Mandaluyong City) was the first placer in the Grade 6 Individual Competition, while Jence Enrico Dela Fuente of Ateneo de Naga University Grade School (Naga City) and Jonathan Anacan of Alimodian Central Elementary School (Alimodian, Iloilo) were second and third placers, respectively.

For the Grade 6 Team Competition, Christopher James Yap and Christian Jacob Yap of St. John’s Institute (Bacolod City) were the 1st placers. Hans Ethan Ting and Ambrose James Torreon of Rainbow of Angels Learning Center (Butuan City) placed 2nd while Timothy Lawrence Andal and Benjamin Jacob of St. Philomena Academy of Lipa (Lipa City) were 3rd.

For the Grade 10 Individual Competition, Dion Stephan Ong of Ateneo de Manila Junior High School (Quezon City) was the 1st placer, while Andres Rico Gonzales III of Colegio de San Juan de Letran (City of Manila) settled at 2nd and James Matthew Young of Iloilo National High School-Special Science Class (Iloilo City) placed 3rd.

In the Grade 10 Team Competition, Andres Rico Gonzales III and Alec Nowell Ranara of Colegio de San Juan de Letran (City of Manila) were the 1st placers. Dion Stephan Ong and Matthew Ernest Quinto of Ateneo de Manila Junior High School (Quezon City) placed 2nd while James Matthew Young and Leann Patricia Ganzon of Iloilo National High School-Special Science Class (Iloilo City) were 3rd.

“The Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge may have evolved over the years, but what has remained constant is our goal of uniting student participants who come from diverse family backgrounds and geographical locations,” said Torres. He also congratulated both winners and national finalists for “daring to do better and succeeding in defying expectations.”

National winners received trophies, medals and cash prizes of PhP 10,000 each. Educational subsidies were also given through the winners’ Metrobank Fun Savers Club savings account, which encourages kids 17 years and below to save for their future.

Meanwhile, all national finalists received giveaways sponsored by Casio Philippines, Manila Tytana Colleges, Philippine Science Centrum, Active Fun Children’s Play and Party Centers, Tom’s World and Money Tree. Other cooperating institutions include PSBank, Itemhound, and City Garden Hotel Makati.

Now on its 17th year, MMC is the most widely participated math competition in the country among elementary and high school students. Over the years, MMC has produced national winners who get to compete and eventually win in international competitions, such as the 57th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) held in Hong Kong where the Philippines garnered its first gold medals.