This time it is not a hoax! Eleven year-old Carmela Antoinette S. Lao of St. Jude Catholic School garnered gold medal in the recently concluded International Mathematics and Science Olympiad (IMSO) for primary school 2004. The contest was held in Jakarta, Indonesia last November 29 to December 4, 2004.

The Philippine team led by Dep Ed official Mrs. Virginia Fernandez did not just bring home a gold medal. Eleven-year olds Aldric Cristoval C. Reyes of Chaing Kai Shek College and Kevin A. Yamba of Pateros Elementary School got Silver and Bronze medals respectively.

This result is not surprising to the Mathematics Trainers’ Guild, (MTG) Philippines, the organization that trains and prepares mathematically talented kids for international competitions. In the span of five months this year, Carmela won several international awards in mathematics. Last August she got third honors in the China Math Olympiad held in Shenzhen, China. Last September she received silver medal in India Elementary Mathematics International Contest (IEMIC) held in Lucknow, India. Aldric on the other hand, was third honors in China Primary Math Olympaid, while Kevin received a bronze medal in IEMIC.

Sixteen teams from 11 countries joined this year's IMSO. Among these are Brunie Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam and the Philippines. Indonesia’s Minister of Education as well as the Ambassadors of the Embasies of the participating countries graced the Awarding Ceremonies. Honorable Rosanna M. Sumala, Cultural Officer/Attache of the Embassy of the Philippines in Jakarta also graced the event and congratulated our kids for bringing honor to our country.

The rest of the members of the Philippine delegations to IMSO are Zheng Rong W. Wu of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School, Zhang Xin Zi of Grace Christian High School and Eliza Tangalin II of Bolinao Elementary School, Pangasinan. The deputy team leaders were MTG Office Director Mr. Roberto J. Degolacion, MTG Officer and Taguig-Pateros DepEd Supervisor Mr. Isidro Aguilar and math teacher Ms. Eleanor Ynteria.

For the success of the competition, credits are also due to the following: MTG Training DEECO Technological Institute headed by Mrs. Rechilda Villame and MTG trainer Carlo Brian Nerecena, MTG supportive parents and MTG’s able president Dr. Simon L. Chua.