Young Filipino winners of the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC)and the 2009 Rio Tinto Big Science Competition once again brought honor to the country as they compete in the mathematical sciences vis-a-vis their peers in other parts of the world.

Julius Vincent Sy, a 2nd year student of St. Stephen's High School, led the more than 2,600 Philippine participants and obtained a perfect score in the junior division, which earned him the Peter O'Halloren certificate. Sy is one of the 11 recipients of the award.

Other AMC medalist included Seanne Ng, 1st year student of St. Jude Catholic School; Justin Edric Yturzaeta, 1st year student of Jubilee Christian Academy and Amiel Sy, 3rd year student of Philippine Science High School Main Campus. They are just few of the number of students who met the demanding standards required to win a meal.

No less than Professor Peter J. Taylor, executive director of the Australian Mathematics Trust (AMT), awarded the recipients of the AMC medals during fitting ceremonies held at the Luzon Ballroom Hotel Sofitel in Pasay City on October 19, 2009.

The AMT is an organization comprising representatives from the University of Canberra, Australian Academy of Science, Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers, a number of academic and corporate representatives; while the AMC, which was established in 1978, is an international correspondence math competition, which tests everything from the students' basic numeracy skills to advanced problem solving.

The Australian Math Competition tested the ability of Filipino students – who are in their elementary and secondary levels – in solving mathematical problems and their knowledge in real-life situations.

Dr. Simon Chua, president of the Mathematics Trainers' Guild (MTG), Philippines, who prepared the Filipino students for the AMC tilt and other international competitions to compete with their counterparts from other parts of the world challenged mathematically gifted students to reach their fullest potential. Under the leadership of Dr. Chua, the MTG has been able to develop, initiate, direct and supervise an intensive and comprehensive training program to supplement and enrich the existing mathematics curriculum and programs.

The Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute represented by deputy director and OIC Dr. Leticia V. Catris likewise recognized MTG's contributions in promoting mathematics in an era increasingly being dictated by the forces of scientific discovery and technological advancement. “It is clear that contemporary society is thoroughly rooted in, and dependent on, mathematics and science,” she stressed, during her speech.

Leading the awarding of medals and certificates to the winners were honorary chairman of MTG, Philippines Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano, Professor Peter J. Taylor, Dr. Simon Chua and deputy director & OIC, office of the director-SEI Dr. Leticia V. Catris.

At the forefront of the AMC Prize Label Pin and Certificate were Lorems Pedeglorio, Butuan City Special Education Centre; Miguel Lorenzo, PAREF-Westbridge School; Adrian Sy, St. Jude Catholic School; Czarina Lao, St. Jude Catholic School; Audrey Celine Lao, St. Jude Catholic School; Aldric Cristoval Reyes, Chiang Kai Shek College; John Russel Virata,  Gideon Academy; Alvin Uy Lim,  Quezon City Science High School; Emiliano Tan,  Philippine Science HS-Main and Jake Gacuan,   University of the Philippines.

The Certificate of High Distinction were awarded to Matthew Isidro, St. Jude Catholic School; Ahristian Dee, St. Jude Catholic School; Kim Giwon, Learning Links Academy; Shamira Liao, Saint Stephen's High School; Rhomel Marcojos, Colegio San Agustin-Makati; Xavier Jefferson Go, Zamboanga Chong Hua HS; Clyde Wesley Ang, Chiang Kai Shek College; Andrea Jaba, St. Jude Catholic School; Cary Albert Chan, St. Jude Catholic School; Raphael Villaluz, San Beda College-Alabang; Luis Dy, Xavier School-Grade School; Ezekiel Christain Ong, UNO High School; Bernice Joy Cu, UNO High School; Ethan Chua, Xavier School-Grade School; Vince Say, St. Jude Catholic School; Isabella Tan, St. Jude Catholic School; Andrew Sy, St. Jude Catholic School; Jason Joseph Fernandez, San Beda College-Alabang; Allen Cendrik Domingo, San Beda College-Alabang; John Tomas Chuatak, Saint Stephen's High School; Nathanael Joshua Balete, St. Jude Catholic School; Austin Chua, St. Jude Catholic School; Marx Vincent Cobol, Ateneo de Davao University (HS Dept) and Kaye Janelle Yao, Grace Christian College.

Other winners included Michael Brodeth, Philippine Science HS-Main; Mikaela Angelina Uy, St. Jude Catholic School; Abigail Laureen Sy, St. Jude Catholic School; Martin Lewis Koa, St. Jude Catholic School; Henry Jefferson Morco, Chiang Kai Shek College; Miguel Sebastian Santos, Philippine Science HS-Main; Neil Benjamin Kho, Philippine Science HS-Main; Kenneth Co, Philippine Science HS-Main; Samuel Christain Ong, UNO High School; Keefe Tan, St. Jude Catholic School; Geovin Dexter Uy, Chiang Kai Shek College; Carmela Antoinette Lao, St. Jude Catholic School; Aldrin Derick Chia, St. Jude Catholic School; Gari Lincoln Chua, St. Jude Catholic School; Vance Eldric Go, St. Jude Catholic School; Arielle Elise Cua, Saint. Jude Catholic School; Diane Franceska Oliveros, Philippine Science HS-Main; Immaneul Encarnacion, Philippine Science HS-Main and Jillian Kristel Sy, Chiang Kai Shek College.

Certificate of Prudence were awarded to Ahmad Al-Abidin Nuruddin, Ferndale International School; Jonathan Christian Aceron, St. Augustine's School Iba Zambales; Allen Cendrick Domingo, San Beda College-Alabang; Jason Carlo Carranceja, Grace Christian College; Psalmuel Yvan Vardeleon, St. Mary's College of Baliuag; Clara Victorino, St. Paul College-Pasig; Carmela Antoinette Lao, St. Jude Catholic School; Ofren Lee, Philadelphia School; Emiliano Tan, Philippine HS-Main; Camilla Yvonne Guiting, Bestcap Career College Tarlac; Jasmine Del Rosario, Olongapo City Science HS; Zhengrong Wu, Zamboanga Chong Hua HS and Alvin Uy, Quezon City Science High School.

Elvis Jeremy Ayroso of Philippine Science HS-Main garnered two consecutive years Perfect Score in Rio Tinto Big Science Compeition. Other perfect scorers for this category were Johanna Go, St. Jude Catholic School; Henry Jefferson Morco, Chiang Kai Shek College; Richard Milante, Chiang Kai Shek College; Timothy Augustus Ong, Xavier School and Ariana Benipayo, St. Paul College-Pasig.