Metrobank Awards Young Math Wizards

METROBANK-MTAP-DEPED MATH CHALLENGE
 

The country’s finest young Math wizards competed during the National Finals of the Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC) held last March 27, 2010 at the Metrobank Plaza Auditorium in Makati City.

From more than half a million students who participated in the nationwide elimination rounds of the competition early this year, 53 students from both public and private elementary and secondary schools successfully hurdled the Regional Finals in February, leading them to qualify in the National Finals.

“This is what we aim through the Metrobank Math Challenge – to equip our youth with the cornerstones of learning by honing their mathematical competencies, and also to promote a positive attitude towards the subject by encouraging more enthusiasm, appreciation and interest in the subject in our students, schools and teachers,” said Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto “Chito” M. Sobrepeña in his welcome remarks.

The national finals showcased the mathematical prowess of Grade 6 and 4th Year students who competed in the individual and team oral competitions. The competition consisted of solving math questions in 15 seconds using mental calculation, and another rounds of 30-second and one-minute questions using pen and paper calculation.

This year’s national finalists came from 32 schools, 17 of which are from public schools. The competition brought the participation of ten (10) schools as first-time qualifiers in the national finals such as Quiling Elementary School in Batac City, Ilocos Norte; Cauayan National High School in Cauayan City, Isabela; Bicol Regional Science High School in Ligao City; Lapu-Lapu City Central Elementary School; City Central School in Cagayan de Oro City; and Gideon Academy in Pasay City.

John Thomas Chuatak of St. Stephen’s High School was first in Grade 6 Individual Competition, while Prince Michael Balanay of Colegio San Agustin-Biñan and Austin Edrich Chua of St. Jude Catholic School were second and third, respectively.

For the Grade 6 Team Competition, Austin Edrich Chua and Ma. Czarina Angela Lao of St. Jude Catholic School were 1st placers, John Thomas Chuatak and Benedict Ryan Tiu of St. Stephen’ s High School as the 2nd placers, and Danielle Ann Ranido and Paul Carlo Diamond Salise of City Central School in Cagayan de Oro City as the 3rd placers.

For the 4th Year Individual Competition, Immanuel Encarnacion of the Philippine Science High School-Main Campus bagged the top spot, while Zheng Rong Wu of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School and Sed Anderson Holaysan of Bethany Christian School in Cebu City were second and third, respectively.

In the Team Category for the 4th Year level, Aldric Cristoval Reyes and Aibeemae Cua of Chiang Kai Shek College were 1st placers, John Russell Virata and Seung Beom Lee of Gideon Academy at the 2nd spot, and Christian Lloyd Tan and Bernadine Culaban of San Pablo City Science High School in Laguna at the 3rd spot.

Winners were awarded by Roselle Ambubuyog, who also delivered an inspirational message before the young audience, DepEd Secretary Mona Valisno, and MTAP President Sr. Iluminada Coronel Coronel, FMM. They were joined by Metrobank Foundation deputy executive director Nicanor L. Torres, Jr.

Winners in both individual and team competitions received medals, trophies, and cash prizes. Grade 6 Individual Competition winners received: P20, 000 (1st placer), P15, 000 (2nd placer), and P10, 000 (3rd placer) while 4th Year Individual Competition winners received: P40,000 (1st placer), P30,000 (2nd placer), and P20,000 (3rd placer). On the other hand, Grade 6 Team Competition winners received: P40,000 (1st placers), P30,000 (2nd placers), P20,000 (third placers) while 4th Year Team Competition winners received: P80,000 (1st placers), P60,000 (2nd placers), and P40,000 (3rd placers). Total amount of cash prizes given is P405, 000.00.

The event also served as a venue to promote the value of savings at an early age for their future. Half of the cash prizes received by the winners allowed them to open an account via the Metrobank Fun Savers Club. It is a special savings account designed especially for ages 17 years and below. Fun activities and gift items being offered by the product encourage young members to save.

Now on its 9th year, the Metrobank Math Challenge is an annual math competition that aims to awaken greater interest in Math among elementary and high school students from across the country and to discover Mathematical talents among the youth. It is organized by the Metrobank Foundation, Inc., the Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines (MTAP), and the Department of Education (DepEd) with the support of the First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC). Previously conducted in the National Capital Region, the Metrobank Math Challenge was expanded to include elementary and high school students nationwide starting in 2001. The annual Math Challenge produces national winners who get to compete and eventually win in international competitions. Among them is Carmela S. Lao, first placer in both Grade 6 Individual and Team Categories of the 2007 Metrobank Math Challenge, who reaped a bronze medal in the recent 50th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).

The Metrobank Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group, was established by its chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty in 1979. With the theme “Excel. Engage. Empower.” the Foundation has promoted a culture of excellence among Filipinos through its various programs, such as the Search for Outstanding Teachers, the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence, The Outstanding Philippine Soldier, Country's Outstanding Policemen in Service, the Metrobank Math Challenge, and College Scholarship Program. The Foundation also engages its partners and awardees in different activities geared towards giving back to the society. Through these initiatives, the Metrobank Foundation empowers its awardees and partners to become better citizens of the community. As part of its contributions to help improve health care services in the country, Dr. Ty donated a two-hectare lot along Diosdado Macapagal Avenue, costing about P1.2 billion, that would be the site of a modern tertiary medical center complex. This new hospital, once completed, will have a 1,000-bed capacity, making it one of the biggest hospitals in the country owned by a not-for-profit organization.

go to program: Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge