After three years of island-hopping and using entirely new locations as its venue (Subic in 2002, Cebu in 2003, and Davao in 2004), the Mathematics Trainers' Guild - Young Mathematicians' Intensive In-House Training Program (MTG-YMIITP) returned to familiar territory, as it held its 2005 edition for elementary students in beautiful Tagaytay City, host of two previous stagings (2000 and 2001) of this event. The 2005 YMIITP lasted for four days, from April 1 to 4. The grades 3 and 4 students had their training at the Holy Angels Retreat House, while the grades 5 and 6 students had theirs at Christian Development Center, site of the 2000 and 2001 events. Around 400 students from all four grade levels participated in this year's In-House Training, which serves as the final stage of the screening process for the 2005 MTG Delegation to International Mathematics Competitions.

To those who have participated in recent YMIITP's prior to 2005, this year's venue was a far cry to the posh accomodations given to in Subic, Cebu, and Davao - all of which used either hotels or resorts for living quarters. This proved to be a challenge to many of the young participants, who saw the retreat house set-up as something way out of their comfort zones. However, the MTG is simply going back to its roots, as it has used the retreat house set-up during its first five stagings, from 1997 to 2001. In fact, this set-up can be considered advantageous in some aspects, as for example, it reveals the participants' behaviors when slightly pushed out of their comfort zones, and also their willingness to adapt - both crucial factors needed, in addition to raw math skill, for one to be accepted as an international contest delegate. Luckily though, many of the participants showed that they were willing to slug it out through the entire four days. And by the last day, faces that used to show anxiety and apprehension, have instead shown joy and appreciation, after days of interesting lessons, fun activities, and bonding with newly found friends.

The trainings were held during the first three days, from morning to late afternoon. Breaks were given for meals, snacks, and study time. The cast of lecturers was composed of MTG officers, MTG trainers, and even former MTG kids. The topics of the discussions covered a wide range of math topics, among which are calculation skills, number theory, combinatronics, and even puzzles. Tests about the discussed topics were also given to track the students' performances. Also a final test was given on the third day, which covered all of the discussed topics.

Apart from the training sessions, the participants were given plenty of time to interact with their fellow math wizards from other parts of the country. After all, save for the visiting hours, the participants were all left with each other all of the time. It was a heartening sight to see some of these kids to break out of their shells to make friends with others, sharing stories, playing games, and even studying their lessons together. All this interaction then culminated on the night of the third day with the Cultural Show. Here, the students from each MTG Training Center made short presentations to showcase their talents to the crowd. Some did dance numbers, some sang, while some made funny skits. The Cultural Show perfectly capped three days worth of intense lessons and was a nice way of calming everybody's nerves before the announcement of qualifiers the next day.

The final day of the In-House Training Program was for the announcement of the 2005 MTG Delegation to International Mathematics Competitions. But before that could take place, a new activity was lined up in the morning. For the first time ever, the MTG Math Whiz Kid Challenge was held. It was a quiz bee type of competition that pitted against each other the twelve schools with the most participants in the In-House Training. Each school consisted of four representatives and was placed in a one-on-one battle against another school. There were six match-ups in all, and the winners in each match-up were awarded prizes. This segment was later featured in the Sunday morning show Good Morning on IBC 13. As well, the contest was adopted by the noontime variety show Chow Time Na, and it ran on that show for ten consecutive Saturdays.

So after the Whiz Kid Challenge (and lunch), the announcement of qualifiers finally came. The fifth floor of the Christian Development Center was jam-packed, filled with anxious students wishfully hoping that their name would get called. But despite the huge amount of math talent flowing in the venue, only so much could be accomodated to the national roster. Of the 400-plus participants, only 109 got their wish granted. Eighty-four were named official members, while 25 were named as alternates, marking the first time that more than a hundred participants qualified for the summer training program.

Although there was initially an air of disappointment among those who found out that they didn't qualify, many were all smiles by the culmination of this event. Yes, it might mean the end of the road for many of the participants. But in no way does it mean that they are not worthy or talented enough. Reaching the YMIITP stage of the MTG annual screening process is by itself, a huge achievement, and there is absolutely no reason to be disappointed for only reaching that far. And, after undergoing a highly unique experience - learning interesting math topics, being taught by talented mathematicians, and bonding with fellow young math wizards - who wouldn't be wearing a smile by the event's end?

The nearly 100 students who made up the 2005 MTG Delegation to International Mathematics Competitions went on to be very productive in the international arena that year, setting record performances in international competitions such as the 2005 Philippine Elementary Mathematics International Contest (PEMIC), the 9th Po Leung Kuk Primary Mathematics World Competition (PMWC), and the 2005 China Primary Mathematics Olympiad (CPMO). A Philippine team emerged 2nd over-all in the PEMIC, 1st runner-up in the team competition of PMWC, and 1st place in the Calculation Skills Contest of CPMO. This was on top of the numerous medals, trophies, and certificates earned in this and other international math competitions in 2005.

For this year's Young Mathematicians' Intensive In-House Training Program, the MTG goes island-hopping once again, this time visiting Ilo-ilo City in the Island of Panay, from April 2 to 6. Just like Subic, Cebu, and Davao, Ilo-ilo would be hosting the YMIITP for the first time. It promises to be just as exciting as recent years, especially following a banner year 2005. Many young math wizards from all over the country are again expected to join this event, to vye for one of the coveted slots of the 2006 MTG Delegation to International Mathematics Competitions. And just like before, the participants are in for a truly memorable and one-of-a-kind experience that brings together the best mathematicians that this country has to offer.