Grade 10 students from PAREF Westbridge School brought pride to the Philippines after winning in the International Science and Math Olympiad Competition of Southeast Asia (ISOCSEA) held in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
The competition took place from December 20 to 24, 2024.
Among the winners were Shaun Ryielle Yap, Jose Iñigo Sotelo, Jose Gabriel Amarante, and Gualfredo Ramon Servano, who all earned gold medals in the International Science Olympiad Competition of Southeast Asia.
In addition, Yap also won a bronze medal in the International Math Olympiad Competition.
These students participated in national rounds in the Philippines before advancing to the international competition.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo, Yap, a resident of Bitoon, Jaro, Iloilo City, shared that this was his third time participating in the competition. His previous participations were in Malaysia and Hong Kong, where he earned a gold medal in Malaysia and a bronze medal in Hong Kong.
Yap also mentioned that balancing his studies and extracurricular activities, especially as the President of the Student Council, was a challenge he successfully managed.
Meanwhile, Sotelo, who was participating for the first time, expressed surprise at his victory. In an interview with Bombo Radyo, Sotelo, a resident of Don Francisco Village in M.H. Del Pilar, Jaro, Iloilo City, revealed that his parents encouraged him to join the competition, and he is grateful to his grandparents for their support.
As a varsity football player, Sotelo admitted that he had to sacrifice his playing time to focus on his studies.
Servano, a student from Ungka, Jaro, Iloilo City, shared that he and his classmates studied together after class. Their teacher, Bryan Tagabe, played a crucial role in their training.
Like Sotelo, Servano also balanced his football practice with his academic pursuits, contributing to his success in the competition.
The students’ hard work, dedication, and the support of their teachers and families have earned them national recognition, showcasing the talent and perseverance of Filipino students on the global stage.
